US20230098786A1

US20230098786A1 - Synthetic Green Cup Plug

Info

Publication number: US20230098786A1
Application number: US17/486,396
Authority: US
Inventors: Hunter BROWN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-09-27
Filing date: 2021-09-27
Publication date: 2023-03-30

Abstract

An article of manufacture for providing a synthetic golf green replacement cup according to the present invention in which the golf green replacement plug fills a cup when it is not in use. the cup has a side wall, an inner diameter, and a flagstaff receptacle. The replacement plug includes a plug insert, a cup insert having a top and bottom end, and a top layer material for providing a flush layer across the replacement plug with surrounding surface about the cup. The plug insert has a top surface having a plurality of drain holes, an outer plug surface having an outer diameter matching the inner diameter of the cup, a hollow inner cavity from a bottom edge to the top surfacem and a set of connecting threads about the bottom edge of the plug insert for a adjusting a height of the top surface from a bottom edge of the cup. The cup insert has a sloping bottom surface, a flagstaff receptacle contour extending from the bottom of the cup insert, the flagstaff receptacle contour having an outer diameter matching an inner diameter of the flagstaff receptacle, and a set of mating threads about the top end of the cup insert, the set of mating threads engage the set of connecting threads of the plug insert to adjust a position of the top surface of the plug insert when installed in the cup.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for providing a sporting goods device, and more specifically, to an article of manufacture for providing a synthetic golf green replacement cup.

BACKGROUND

Golf courses and practice greens typically desire to move a location of a cup on various holes to provide golfers with a different set of challenges each time these golfers play the course or practice on a putting green. Moving a cup from one location to another on the greens can be done by providing a putting surface over the prior cup location to eliminate evidence of the prior location once the cup has been moved. Both functionally and aesthetically, the prior location of the cup is desired to appear as if the cup had never moved. Current approaches do not provide an adequate solution to this problem in a simple and easily repeatable way.
Therefore, a need exists for an article of manufacture for providing a synthetic golf green replacement cup. The present invention attempts to address the limitations and deficiencies in prior solutions according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other problems are solved by providing an article of manufacture for a synthetic golf green replacement cup according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.
In one embodiment, the present invention is an article of manufacture providing a synthetic golf green replacement cup. The golf green replacement plug fills a cup when it is not in use. the cup has a side wall, an inner diameter, and a flagstaff receptacle. The replacement plug includes a plug insert, a cup insert having a top and bottom end, and a top layer material for providing a flush layer across the replacement plug with surrounding surface about the cup. The plug insert has a top surface having a plurality of drain holes, an outer plug surface having an outer diameter matching the inner diameter of the cup, a hollow inner cavity from a bottom edge to the top surface and a set of connecting threads about the bottom edge of the plug insert for a adjusting a height of the top surface from a bottom edge of the cup. The cup insert has a sloping bottom surface, a flagstaff receptacle contour extending from the bottom of the cup insert, the flagstaff receptacle contour having an outer diameter matching an inner diameter of the flagstaff receptacle, and a set of mating threads about the top end of the cup insert, the set of mating threads engage the set of connecting threads of the plug insert to adjust a position of the top surface of the plug insert when installed in the cup.
In another aspect of the present invention, the top layer material is coupled to the top surface of the plug insert using adhesives.
In another aspect of the present invention, the top layer material is made of a synthetic material to visually hide the use of the replacement plug when installed.
In another aspect of the present invention, the plug insert and the cup insert are made of a plastic material made by injection molding.
In another aspect of the present invention, the plug insert and the cup insert are made by a 3D printer.
In another aspect of the present invention, the set of connecting threads are female threads about the inner surface of the cavity of the plug insert.
In another aspect of the present invention, the set of mating threads are male threads about an outer surface the cup insert.
In another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of drain holes provide a path from the top surface into the hollow inner cavity.
In another aspect of the present invention, a drain path through the cup plug into the flagstaff receptacle permits water within the hollow inner cavity to drain out of the cup.
In another aspect of the present invention, the replacement plug adjusts to a height between 4 and 6 inches by rotating the plug insert about the cup insert as the set of connecting threads engage the set of mating threads.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention.
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 illustrates example embodiments of an article of manufacture providing a synthetic golf green replacement plug according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an article of manufacture providing a synthetic golf green replacement plug according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 a-c illustrate components used in an article of manufacture for providing a synthetic golf green replacement plug according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an assembled view of components used in an article of manufacture providing a synthetic golf green replacement plug according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an installed embodiment of an article of manufacture providing a synthetic golf green replacement plug according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for providing a sporting goods device, and more specifically, to an article of manufacture providing a synthetic golf green replacement cup according to the present invention.
Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.
In describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality and acts involved.
The terms “individual” and “user” refer to an entity, e.g., a human, using an article of manufacture providing a synthetic golf green replacement cup according to the present invention. The term user herein refers to one or more users.
The term “invention” or “present invention” refers to the invention being applied for via the patent application with the title “Synthetic Green Cup Plug.” Invention may be used interchangeably with plug.
In general, the present disclosure relates to an article of manufacture providing a synthetic golf green replacement cup according to the present invention. To better understand the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates example embodiments of an article of manufacture providing a synthetic golf green replacement plug according to the present invention. The cup 101 a-d on a golf course green 105 is typically placed in various locations to present golfers with different challenges as they hit approach shots to get a golf ball 107 onto the green 105 and then putt the golf ball 107 into the cup 101 a-d. The location of the cup 101 a-d on the golf course green 105 relative to the orientation of the fairway, to the location of any hazards such as sand traps and water, and to specific contours of the green itself affect the difficulty of a particular hole. For example, a golfer may not be able to see the flag 102 a-c in the cup 101 a-d when taking an approach shot toward the green 105 because of the slope of the terrain in between the golfer and the green 105 or the location of trees or similar obstructions. Alternatively, a green 105 may slope in a particular direction in which the approach shot may roll down hill, either toward or away from the cup 101 a-d, depending upon a current location of the cup 101 a-d.
On the golf course green 105 depicted in FIG. 1 , a cup 101 a-d is shown at a previous location 101 a and then moved to a new position 101b. Future positions of the cup 101 c-d also are shown. When a cup 101 a-d is moved from its prior location to the current location 101 b, the existence of the prior location 101 a must be disguised to appear to be part of the green 105. Additionally, the prior location 101 a must also provide a continuously smooth surface over the prior location 101 a to permit a golf ball 107 to roll over the prior location in the same manner the golf ball 107 rolls across the green 105.
The present invention permits the golf course operator to install a plurality of cups 101 a-d at various locations and easily and quickly move the current location to be used by golfers. The current location may be switched to any other location at any time as determined by the golf course operator.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an article of manufacture providing a synthetic golf green replacement plug according to the present invention. A golf green cup 201 is shown having a cover plug 202 coupled within the golf green cup 201 and having a top surface 217 with a plurality of drain holes 223 a-n.
The golf green cup 201 is sized to provide a cup opening that meets the dimensions of the golf green cup 201 desired by the golf course operator. This cup 201 will typically have a standard diameter as required by the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) or a related standards organization. The golf green cup 201 has a standard depth as well to permit a golf ball 107 to drop completely into the cup 201 and below the surface of the golf course green 105.
FIG. 3 a-c illustrate components used in an article of manufacture for providing a synthetic golf green replacement plug according to the present invention. FIG. 3 a illustrates components used in an article of manufacture for providing a synthetic golf green replacement plug 101 i according to the present invention. The golf green cup 201 is shown with the replacement plug 202 removed exposing the inner walls 301 of the golf green cup 201. A flagstick receptacle 302 is shown on the center of a bottom surface 304 of the golf green cup 201. A flagstick (not shown) has a shaft with a standard diameter and the flagstick receptacle 302 is sized to be slightly larger to permit the flagstick shaft to easily slide into and out of the flagstick receptacle 302. Additionally, the flagstick receptacle 302 has a depth sufficient to support the flagstick staff in a vertical orientation and remain within the flagstick receptacle 302 in all forms of weather.
The cup insert 311 having a top and bottom end, comprises a sloping bottom surface 311, a flagstaff receptacle contour 312 extending from the bottom of the cup insert 311, and a set of mating threads about the top end of the cup insert, the set of mating threads 321 engage the set of connecting threads 322 of the plug insert to adjust a position of the top surface 217 of the plug insert 314 when installed in the cup. The flagstaff receptacle contour 312 having an outer diameter matching an inner diameter of the flagstaff receptacle of the cup 201.
As shown below in reference to FIGS. 4-5 , the replacement plug 202 is made using a plug inert 314, a cup insert 311, and a top layer material 402 for providing a flush layer across the replacement plug with surrounding surface about the cup 201. The plug insert 314 has a top surface having a plurality of drain holes 323a-n, an outer plug surface having an outer diameter matching the inner diameter of the cup, a hollow inner cavity 326 from a bottom edge to the top surface 214, and a set of connecting threads 322 about the bottom edge of the plug insert for a adjusting a height of the top surface from a bottom edge of the cup 201.
A plurality of drain slots 303a-n are cut through the bottom surface 304 of the cup 101i to permit any accumulation of water that collects within the golf green cup 201 to drain out into the ground beneath the golf green cup 201 when the cup is installed within a golf course green 105. The plurality of drain slots 303 a-n may be of any size, shape, and number as needed to allow any accumulated water to quickly drain out of the golf green cup 201.
The replacement plug 202 is shown adjacent to the golf green cup 201 showing a top surface 314 coupled on top of a plug 311. The plug 311 has a shape that matches the bottom surface 304 in the golf green cup 201. A receptacle insert 312 is positioned in the center of the replacement plug 202 to permit the receptacle insert 312 to be inserted into the flag stick receptacle 302. When the replacement plug 202 is installed within the golf green cup 201, the top surface 314 is sized to align the top surface 314 with the surface of the golf course green 105 around the installed golf course cup 101 i.
A plurality of golf green cups 201 with cover plugs 202 may be installed at various locations of the golf course green 105 as shown in FIG. 1 . The cover plug 202 of the location where the golf course operator desired to locate the cup 101 a-d is removed to expose the golf green cup 201 and permit a flagstick 102 a-c to be inserted therein. All of the other golf green cups 101 a-d will have their corresponding cover plugs 202 installed presenting a single cup for golfers to use.
FIG. 3 b-c illustrate components used in an article of manufacture for providing a synthetic golf green replacement cup according to the present invention. The cover plug 202 comprises a plug insert 314 and a cup insert 311. The plug insert 314 and the cup insert 311 are threaded together with mating threads 421-422 that are molded/printed into the a cup insert 314 (male thread) and a plug insert 314 (female thread) or vice versa of the plug 202. The plug insert 314 and the cup insert 311 are threaded to allow for adjustability in the height of the plug to accommodate different cup depths (typically 4″ or 6″ depths), cup materials, and synthetic turf materials, and to accommodate other cup and turf installation methods during construction of a synthetic putting green. The plug insert 314 and a cup insert are constructed out of a plastic material such as ABS, ASA, PET, or similar via 3D printing or injection molding.
FIGS. 4 illustrates an assembled view of components used in an article of manufacture providing a synthetic golf green replacement plug according to the present invention. Another embodiment of a set of the inner components of the golf green cup 101 a-d is shown comprising a top surface layer 402, a plug insert 414, and a cup insert 411. The top surface layer 402 is made of a synthetic material 403 that will appear to match the grass surface of a golf course green 105. As disclosed above, the top surface layer 404 of the plug insert 414 has a height to position its top surface flush with the surface of the green 105 when installed.
The plug insert 414 fills the golf green cup 401 to provide a flat top surface 404 that provides a support base for the top surface layer 402. The plug insert 414 is coupled to the cup insert 411 using the treaded connections as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 a -c. The position adjustment threading (not shown) is used to control the height of the flat top surface 404 when the entire device is inserted into a cup 401. As the position adjustment threading 425 rotates in position, the height of the flat top surface 404 relative to the height of the golf green cup 401 may be raised and lowered to permit the top surface layer material 403 to be positioned flush with the golf course green 105 surface.
Cup 401 is a part that is already manufacture and currently installed on golf courses. the plug is designed to fit inside of the existing cups from various manufactures. The cup insert 411 mimics the shape/design of the bottom of the cup 401 and simply rest on the bottom of the cup 401. The cup insert 411 comprises a sloping bottom surface 414 and a flagstaff receptacle contour 412 extending from the bottom of the cup insert 401. Both the flat top support 404 have drainage perforations 423 a-n, 424 a-n permitting water to drain through the combined plug insert 414 and cup insert 411 and into the golf green cup 401.
FIG. 5 illustrates an installed embodiment of an article of manufacture providing a synthetic golf green replacement plug according to the present invention. The plug 202 is shown in a cup 401 that has been installed into a green 105. The entire plug 202 comprising the upper plug insert 414 and the lower cup insert 411 are inserted into the cup 401 such that the flagstaff receptacle contour 412 is inserted into and engages the flagstaff receptacle of the cup 401. The entire plug 202 may also be completely removed to expose the cup 401 for use.
The top surface layer 402 is shown above the plug 202 and may be coupled to the top of the plug insert 414 using adhesives. The plug 202 is adjusted to position the top layer surface 402 at a position permitting it to appear flush with the rest of the green 105. The height of the plug 202 may be adjusted by turning plug insert 414 and the cup insert 411 about their mating threading 421-422.
Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the present application, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the invention. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in this application. In other words, any of the features mentioned in this application may be included in this new invention in any combination or combinations to allow the functionality required for the desired operations.
No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An article of manufacture for providing a synthetic golf green replacement plug, the golf green replacement plug filling a cup when it is not in use, the cup having a side wall, an inner diameter, and a flagstaff receptacle, the replacement plug comprises:

a plug insert, the plug insert comprising:

a top surface having a plurality of drain holes;

an outer plug surface having an outer diameter matching the inner diameter of the cup;

a hollow inner cavity from a bottom edge to the top surface; and

a set of connecting threads about the bottom edge of the plug insert for a adjusting a height of the top surface from a bottom edge of the cup;

a cup insert having a top and bottom end, the cup insert comprising:

a sloping bottom surface;

a flagstaff receptacle contour extending from the bottom of the cup insert, the flagstaff receptacle contour having an outer diameter matching an inner diameter of the flagstaff receptacle; and

a set of mating threads about the top end of the cup insert, the set of mating threads engage the set of connecting threads of the plug insert to adjust a position of the top surface of the plug insert when installed in the cup; and

a top layer material for providing a flush layer across the replacement plug with surrounding surface about the cup.

2. The replacement plug according to claim 1, wherein the top layer material is coupled to the top surface of the plug insert using adhesives.

3. The replacement plug according to claim 2, wherein the top layer material is made of a synthetic material to visually hide the use of the replacement plug when installed.

4. The replacement plug according to claim 1, wherein the plug insert and the cup insert are made of a plastic material made by injection molding.

5. The replacement plug according to claim 1, wherein the plug insert and the cup insert are made by a 3D printer.

6. The replacement plug according to claim 1, wherein the set of connecting threads are female threads about the inner surface of the cavity of the plug insert.

7. The replacement plug according to claim 1, wherein the set of mating threads are male threads about an outer surface the cup insert.

8. The replacement plug according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of drain holes provide a path from the top surface into the hollow inner cavity.

9. The replacement plug according to claim 8, wherein a drain path through the cup plug into the flagstaff receptacle permits water within the hollow inner cavity to drain out of the cup.

10. The replacement plug according to claim 1, wherein the replacement plug adjusts to a height between 4 and 6 inches by rotating the plug insert about the cup insert as the set of connecting threads engage the set of mating threads.