Golf Hole Ferrule With Floating Disc for Damage-Free Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing golf hole marking systems risk damaging the golf hole and green surface due to improper alignment or removal of the flagstick, and components like disc elements lose clamping force over time, leading to potential damage and non-compliance with equipment rules.

Innovation Solution

A ferrule design with a disc-shaped element projecting outward from the top portion, allowing easy alignment and retrieval of the flagstick without damaging the hole, featuring a continuous piece with adjustable positioning to ensure the disc element is free-floating and raised above the hole cup, reducing wear and tear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the disc element is made from a relatively rigid material or increased thickness to prevent the flagstick from striking the hole edge, then the flagstick alignment is improved, but the risk of damaging the golf hole and green surface increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflagstick alignmentVSAvoiddamage to golf hole and green surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The disc element is made from a flexible material that can bend, allowing it to maintain contact with the hole cup top surface and guide the flagstick without transmitting excessive force to the hole edges or green surface. The flexibility enables the disc to deform under load rather than acting as a rigid lever that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The disc element's physical parameters (material properties, thickness) are optimized to achieve the right balance between stiffness for alignment and flexibility for damage prevention. The disc is designed with specific dimensional parameters that allow it to function effectively at different positions relative to the hole cup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the disc element is positioned closer to the hole cup top surface to improve alignment, then the flagstick positioning accuracy is improved, but the risk of damaging the green surface during flagstick removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflagstick positioning accuracyVSAvoiddamage to green surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The disc element is designed to be movable relative to the flagstick, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position during insertion and removal. The disc can slide or rotate on the hole cup top surface, enabling the flagstick to be removed vertically without the disc acting as a rigid lever that could damage the green surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible disc element can deform during flagstick removal, bending away from the flagstick path to avoid transmitting damaging forces to the green surface while still maintaining alignment guidance during insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the disc element is made thick and rigid to prevent damage during flagstick insertion, then the protection function is improved, but the ease of operation for flagstick removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection during insertionVSAvoidflagstick removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The disc element transitions from a static, rigid component to a dynamic, flexible component that can adapt its behavior during different phases of operation. During insertion, the disc provides structural support and alignment; during removal, it becomes more compliant to facilitate easy extraction without resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible disc element can bend and deform during flagstick removal, reducing friction and resistance between the disc and flagstick, thereby making removal easier while still providing protection during the more critical insertion phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of repair

If the ferrule and disc element are made as separate components for easy replacement, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereplacement of worn partsVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the ferrule that attaches to the flagstick and the disc element that interfaces with the hole cup. This segmentation allows the disc element to be replaced independently when worn, without requiring replacement of the entire ferrule or flagstick assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disc element is positioned within or on the ferrule structure, creating a nested arrangement where the smaller disc component can be accessed and replaced independently while remaining part of the larger ferrule-flagstick assembly. This nested structure facilitates easy maintenance while maintaining overall system integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20260034416A1A system for marking a golf hole and a ferrule for use in such system

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 GOLF & MACHINES APS

AI summary

A system for marking a golf hole, a ferrule and a kit thereof is provided, where the ferrule has a top portion on which a disc element is positioned which is free floating or resting on the hole cup in an unloaded condition. The disc element is raised relative to the top surface of the hole cup so only a shoulder of the ferrule or disc element is resting on the hole cup. Alternatively, the disc element is raised by an adapter element positioned relative to the top portion.