CA2142778A1 - Ground marker - Google Patents

Abstract

A ground marker is provided for displaying distance and advertising information on a golf course. The marker has a body that is dimensioned to fit entirely within a predetermined size hole defined in the ground. The body has a top portion and a base. The top portion has a top face that is positioned generally flush with the ground surface. The base has a substantially hollow interior defined by a side wall and having an open bottom end. At least one vent opening is located in the body for facilitating air flow between the hollow interior and the exterior of the marker.

Description

Title: GROUND MARKER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to ground markers, such as distance markers used at a golf course.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to locate a marker in the ground to delineate a path, to indicate distance to an object, or to convey information (such as a 10 historical plaque). At golf courses for instance, markers are typically used to indicate the distance from the marker to the centre of the green.
U.S. Patent 4,302,125 (Cullen, Jr.) describes a marker having a hollow cylindrical body with a flat top face and an open bottom. The marker is forced into the ground so that the top sits generally flush with 15 the ground surface.
An improvement to this marker is described in my co-pending Canadian application No. 2,111,144. The improved marker includes a transparent top face for displaying distance and advertising information. Also, the improved marker includes a peripheral lip

2 0 having a bottom edge for engaging a tool for removing the marker from the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the improved marker of my prior application includes a hollow base having an open bottom end. The marker sits in a hole with the top face being generally flush with the ground surface.
2 5 A problem with the marker having a hollow base is that the marker tends to rise after a rainfall or after the ground has been watered so that the top face protrudes partially above the ground surface. If used on a golf course, the protruding markers could affect the flight of a golf ball and could become damaged by grass cutting equipment.
There is a need for an improved ground marker having a hollow base that overcomes the above-identified problem.

21~2778 _ - 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ground marker comprising:
a body having a top portion and a base;
said top portion having a side wall and a substantially planar top face;
said base having a substantially hollow interior defined by a side wall and having an open bottom end; and vent means located on said base for facilitating air flow between said hollow interior and the exterior of said marker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ground marker in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the ground marker of Fig. 1, as taken along lines 2-2;
2 0 Fig. 3 is a top view of the ground marker of Fig. l;
Figs. 4(a) - 4(c) are sequential views of a ground marker being removed and reinserted into the ground in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional hole digging 2 5 tool used in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a top view of a forked tool for removing the ground marker in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a side view of the forked tool of Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a golf hole utilizing the 30 methods for marking distances and advertising in accordance with the present invention.

_ - 3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A ground marker in accordance with the present invention is shown generally at 10 in Fig. 1. The ground marker 10 comprises a body 12 having a top portion 15 and a base 17 that are each generally cylindrical and arranged along a common axis. The top portion 17 being greater in diameter than the base 17 and the side wall of the top portion defining a peripheral lip 18. The lip 18 has a flat bottom edge 20 for engaging a removal tool as described further below. The base 17is hollow and has an open bottom end 16. A vent opening 19 is defined in the wall 1 0 of the base 17 below the lip 18. The vent opening 19 provides for pressure equilibrium between the hollow interior of the base 17 and the exterior of the marker as described below.
Referring to Fig. 2, it can be seen that the body 12 includes a partition 22 positioned generally between the top portion 15 and the base.
1 5 The partition 22 supports a display means such as a card 24 that contains distance markings, advertising matter, or other information. Preferably, the body 12, including the lip 18 and the partition 22, is formed by injection moulding as a one-piece unit. This allows the marker to be easily and inexpensively manufactured.
2 0 A transparent filler 26 is deposited over the card 24 to define a transparent top face 28 of the marker. As shown, the top face 28 is substantially planar with the filler 26 being generally flush with the top end 14 of the body 12. The filler 26 is formed from a substantially inelastic plastic material. It has been found that a high gloss polymer material is 2 5 suitable for this purpose. The material is selected to have a hardness that is comparable to the hardness of a regular grassy fairway. A hardness range of between 90 Shore A and Shore 70D depending on temperature is preferred. Thus, the material should not greatly effect the bounce of a golf ball that strikes the top face 28 of the marker. It has been found that 30 golf balls that strike cement markers or steel sprinkler heads tend to bounce unnaturally high compared to golf balls that strike the grassy fairway. The plastic filler 26 also acts as a protective cover for the card 24.

_ - 4 The filler 26 resists scratches or scuffing from a golfer's spikes or from grass cutting equipment and resists damage caused by exposure to the weather.
Fig. 3 shows one way in which markings may be arranged 5 for display on the card 24 beneath the transparent filler 26. Fig. 3 depicts adistance marking 32 and an advertising marking 34. Of course, the invention is in no way limited by the sort of marking that may appear.
The marking may be as simple as a coloured top face 28 (or a coloured card suspended below the transparent filler 26). It is preferred that actual 1 0 distance markings 32 be provided however to avoid any confusion to a golfer.
As shown in Figs. 4(a) to (c), the marker is adapted to fit within a predetermined size hole 36 defined in the ground 38 (such as in a fairway of a golf course). Conveniently, such a hole 36 may be dug with 1 5 a conventional digging tool 40 (shown in Fig. 5) normally used for digging holes 36 in a golf green. The tool 40 creates a circular hole 36 having a depth of approximately four inches and a diameter of approximately four and one quarter inches.
The marker is sized to fit within the hole 36 with the 2 0 bottom end 16 of the marker resting on the bottom of the hole 36 and the top face 28 of the marker located generally flush with the top of the hole 36. The lip 18 of the marker bears contacts the side of the hole 36. The base 17 is smaller in diameter than the top portion and defines a gap 37 between the wall of the base 17 and the side of the hole 36. The gap 37 25 provides space for roots and the like to grow into the hole 36 without disturbing the fit of the marker. Also, the gap 37 provides space for the hole 36 to shrink when the ground freezes in the wintertime. This allows the markers to be kept in the ground during the winter season.
The bottom end 16 of the marker is bevelled to penetrate

3 0 any loose dirt that may accumulate at the bottom of the hole 36, such as anthills. This assists the marker in sitting with its top face 28 flush with, or slightly below the top of the hole 36. Also, the vent opening 19 defined in the wall of the base 17 acts as an air outlet in cases where the hollow base 17 becomes filled with water, dirt or the like. This prevents the marker from being raised above the hole for example in cases where it has rained, or when the ground has been watered. It has been found that sufficient space exists between the peripheral lip 18 and the side of the hole to allow air passage. Alternatively, the vent opening could include a passageway on the peripheral lip to promote air flow.
It will be appreciated that alternate sizes and shapes of holes 36 and corresponding ground markers may be utilized. The embodiment 1 0 described above is preferred however for a number of reasons. First, it allows a conventional hole digging tool 40 (as shown in Fig. 5) to be used to accurately dig circular holes 36 of a predetermined size. Second, a circular hole 36 is easier to dig accurately then a rectilinear hole 36.
Third, a circular hole 36 permits the marker to be rotated so that its 1 5 markings, distance markings 32 for instance, are aimed in the direction of the golf green. A square hole, for instance, would limit the choices for angular orientation of the marker. Fourth, a four inch diameter marker is large enough to be easily spotted by a golfer, and small enough to avoid being an eyesore or an obstruction.
2 0 As shown in Fig. 4(a), once the marker is seated in the hole36 for a period of time (usually a few weeks) the surrounding grass 42 tends to grow sideways over the marker. Unless this grass 42 is trimmed periodically, it will eventually cover the top face 28 of the marker. It has also been found that insects, such as ants, frequently deposit sand and 2 5 other materials on the top face 28 of the marker.
To overcome these problems, the marker is constructed so that it may be easily removed, cleaned, and reinserted into the hole 36 as shown in Figs. 4(b) and 4(c). When the marker is removed from the hole 36 as shown in Fig. 4(b), it can be wiped with a cloth, or simply turned over and wiped on the grass 42 (the dewy grass 42 of early morning is especially suitable for this) to remove the sand, fertilizer, and other materials deposited on its face. When the marker is reinserted into the 21~277~

hole 36 as shown in Fig. 4(c), the lip 18 pulls the over-growing grass 42 into the hole 36 and presses it against the sides of the hole 36. This assists in providing a snug fit for the marker within the hole 36, and quickly and easily solves the problem of the over-growing grass 42 covering the 5 top face 28 of the marker.
Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, a fork 44 for removing the marker is shown. The fork 44 includes a U-shaped element 46 that defines a pair of spaced tines 48. The distance between the inside surface of the tines 48 is generally equal to the outer diameter of the base 17. The length of the 1 0 U-shaped element 46 is equal to or less than the outer diameter of the base 17. The ends of the tines 48 are sloped to assist insertion of the tines 48 into the hole 36. The U-shaped element 46 is rigidly attached to a collar 50 by welds, rivets, or other suitable attachment means. The collar 50 is then rigidly attached to a handle 52. The handle 52 is oriented at 1 5 approximately a 15 angle relative to the tines 48.
In use, the fork 44 is inserted into the hole 36 and pivoted such that the U-shaped element 46 contacts the bottom edge 20 of the lip 18. The bottom edge 20 acts as a means for engaging the forked tool. The handle 52 is then pivoted toward the ground 38 to raise the marker above 20 the hole 36 so that it may be gripped by hand. The angled handle 52 ensures that there is room for the handle 52 to pivot when the U-shaped element 46 is parallel to the lip 18.
It has been found that the markers are difficult to remove from the ground 38 without the assistance of a tool such as the fork 44.
25 This is desirable since it reduces the likelihood of the markers being stolen or vandalized. With the assistance of the fork 44 however, the marker may easily be removed without damaging the hole 36 or the marker so that each may be reused.
Fig. 8 shows, schematically, a method for marking distances 30 and/or advertising on a golf course using the markers 10. The system involves the location of the markers on concentric radii 54 measured at predetermined distances from the center of the green 58. It has been 21~277~
~_ -- 7 found that spacing the markers at intervals 60 of approximately ten yards apart along each radius is appropriate. The number of markers per radius will vary with the size of the intervals 60 and the width of the fairway (the markers could also be located in the rough if they are still capable of 5 being spotted by a golfer). For a typical fairway six markers would be located on each radius. It has been found that a spacing 62 of twenty yards between the radii 54 is appropriate. The first radius may be located at 60 yards from the green 58 and the furthest radius (if required) may be located at 240 yards or more from the green 58. The distance between 10 markers or between radii 54 could be changed however according to the requirements and desires of the individual golf course managers.
It is to be understood that what has been described are preferred embodiments of the invention. The invention nonetheless is susceptible to certain changes and alternative embodiments fully 15 comprehended by the spirit of the invention as described above, and the scope of the claims set out below.

Claims (11)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS
FOLLOWS:

1. A ground marker comprising:
a body having a top portion and a base;
said top portion having a side wall and a substantially planar top face;
said base having a substantially hollow interior defined by a side wall and having an open bottom end; and vent means located on said body for facilitating air flow between said hollow interior and the exterior of said marker.

2. A ground marker comprising:
a body having a top portion and a base;
said top portion having a generally cylindrical side wall and a substantially planar transparent top face, said side wall defining a peripheral lip having a bottom edge;
said base having a substantially hollow interior defined by a side wall and an open bottom end;
vent means located on said body for facilitating air flow between said hollow interior and the exterior of said marker; and display means being disposed beneath said transparent top face, said display means being visible through said transparent top face;
wherein said body is adapted to fit in a predetermined size hole defined in the ground with said top face being generally flush with the ground surface and said peripheral lip contacting the side of said hole.

3. A marker as claimed in claim 2, wherein said transparent top face comprises a transparent filler having a hardness comparable to the hardness of a golf fairway.

4. A marker as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a partition extending across said top portion beneath said top face, said partition being adapted to support said display means and said filler.

5. A marker as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said base is smaller in diameter than said top portion.

6. A marker as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said base has a bottom end that is bevelled.

7. A marker as claimed in claim 2, wherein said top portion, said base, and said partition are formed as a one-piece unit.

8. A marker as claimed in claim 2, wherein said display means displays both a distance marking and a commercial advertisement.

9. A marker as claimed in claim 8, wherein said display means comprises a card incorporating said markings.

10. A marker as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said vent means comprises at least one opening defined in the side wall of said base.

11. A marker as claimed in claim 10, wherein said vent opening is located distal to said bottom end.