Golf cup advertising device and methods

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf cup advertising device and to methods of inserting the device into a golf cup and methods of manufacturing the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf cup advertising devices are known in the art for promoting local and national businesses to the golfing community. For example, US4878665 describes a golf cup unit having an axis, an insert disc for mounting within the golf cup unit at the bottom thereof and twist-on connection means for attaching the disc to the cup unit. The advertisement is printed on an upper face of the disc for viewing by a golfer or other person, after the flag is removed from the hole. This device requires existing golf cups on a course to be removed before installation of the golf cup unit and insert disc pairs.

Further background prior art can be found in: NL9301285, US2004/092325, US2007/197307, CNl 097887, DE202006011377U, DE202007003310U, US2003/228922, US2003/228923, US5190283, US5788581, WO93/19817, WO02/070078; and in EP1365844, US7,266,916, US4,878,665, EP0587825, US5,249,384 and GB2221556.

US4928417 describes a substantially doughnut-shaped insert which will fit into a golf cup to display an advertisement which is visible to a golfer when putting or when retrieving the golf ball from the hole. Three embodiments are described, the first embodiment being adapted to be inserted within a golf cup with an odd number of drainage holes starting with a minimum of three holes. The second embodiment has an even number of prong members in order to be used in a golf cup having an even number of drainage holes. These embodiments need to be matched with specific golf cups, and it is possible given an arbitrary golf cup design that neither type of insert will fit. This

could prove problematic if the designs of installed golf cups are not known to the installer in advance, or if the inserts will not fit.

The third embodiment does not comprise any prong members, hi this embodiment, the device sits at the bottom portion of the cup leaving a small space around the perimeter to permit water to pass therethrough. However, this design is very likely to be dislodged from the golf cup, either by the insertion or removal of the flag, or by the golf ball or the golfer's hand retrieving the golf ball. It is therefore likely that its use as an advertising device will be limited.

It would be advantageous to provide a golf cup advertising device and installation method overcoming the above described problems with prior art devices and methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf cup advertising device for inserting into a golf cup, the device comprising: a disc having an opening substantially in a centre of said disc to receive a flag pole, a groove around an edge of said disc and an O-ring disposed in said groove to restrain said device within a said golf cup; and an advertisement on one side of said disc such that when said device is inserted into said golf cup, the advertisement is visible from above.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of inserting a golf cup advertising device into a golf cup so that the device is restrained within the golf cup, said device comprising a disc having an opening substantially in a centre of said disc, a groove around an edge of said disc and an O-ring disposed in said groove, the method comprising inserting said device into said golf cup so that an outside surface of said O-ring touches an inside surface of said golf cup, to restrain said device within said golf cup.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a golf cup advertising device, the method comprising: providing a disc having an opening substantially in a centre of said disc to receive a flag pole, a groove

around an edge of said disc and an O-ring disposed in said groove to restrain said device within a said golf cup; and providing an advertisement on one side of said disc such that when said device is inserted into said golf cup, the advertisement is visible from above.

Features of the above described aspects of the invention may be combined in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention will now be described in further detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows 2D and 3D drawings of a Perspex disc of a golf cup advertising device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows 2D and 3D drawings of a Perspex disc with a rubber O-ring of a golf cup advertising device according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a Perspex disc suitable for use in a golf advertising device according to the present invention. The disc may be manufactured from Perspex sheet, or by injection moulding, or by some other method known in the art. In the manufacturing of a Perspex sheet, the process starts with a chemical methyl methacrylate (MMA). This is then poured between two sheets of glass that have been sealed with a gasket. Once the liquid is in-between the glass and the gasket is totally sealed it then goes into an oven and is heated. The amount of time it stays in the oven depends on the material thickness. After the material has been heated it is then removed and needs to cool. This is either cooled in another oven or a temperature controlled cooling room. When cool the glass is then removed and the material inspected. The protective covering is then applied and the gasket trimmed off.

The discs may be produced either by cutting them from sheet Perspex, or by using a circular mould. To provide the hole in the middle of sheet Perspex discs, the discs may be drilled. The groove around the edge of the disc may be produced by holding the disc

and rotating it about its axis, while cutting a notch into the edge. Alternatively a disc with such a groove may be produced by sandwiching three discs together, two outer discs having a larger diameter and one inner disc having a slightly smaller diameter. As a further alternative, if the disc is injection moulded the mould may include the groove. The dimensions shown in the Figure are exemplary and other dimensions are also possible, particularly to fit different sizes of golf cup.

Figure 2 shows the Perspex disc with a rubber O-ring fitted in the groove. The O-ring may be made from resilient materials known in the art, for example latex, polymerised monomers such as isoprene (2 -methyl- 1,3-butadiene), 1,3 -butadiene, chloroprene (2- chloro-l,3-butadiene), and isobutylene (methylpropene) with a small percentage of isoprene for cross-linking. These and other monomers can be mixed in various proportions to be copolymerized, as is known in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A full colour advertisement may be attached to one surface of a disc, in a variety of ways. For example, the advertisement may be printed on one side of the disc, or it may be printed on paper or card shaped to fit the disc, and then glued to one side of the disc.

The device may be inserted into the cup hole by hand. To install the device, remove the golf flag and locate two fingers through the centre hole of the disc. Holding the disc horizontally, push the device down into the cup. Continue pushing until a seal is created by the O-ring.

To remove the device, remove the golf flag and insert two fingers through the centre hole of the disc. Holding the disc horizontally, apply a small amount of pressure pulling in an upwards motion.

No doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person. Whereas the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and

encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.