Description GOLF HOLE CUP

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a golf hole cup, and more particularly to a golf hole cup capable of photographing a golf ball coming into the hole cup, and providing a viewer with an image of the golf ball. Background Art

[2] In a golf game, three to five shots are generally required from a starting position so as to place a golf ball in a golf hole cup, depending on the size of a corresponding hole. At this time, a golfer attempts a driver shot, and then hits a golf ball using an iron selected in consideration of a shot distance desired in accordance with the remaining distance to the hole cup. If the golf ball is laid on a green, the golfer attempts a putting shot using a putter.

[3] In the past, only persons in the privileged classes enjoyed golf. However, as income levels have been enhanced, golf is occupying a position as a public sport to such an extent that the general public easily enjoys golf.

[4] Reflecting the interests of the general public for golf, various broadcasting media re- broadcast various golf games live, so that viewers can view golf games at home through the broadcasting media.

[5] Meanwhile, putting is a play requiring the most concentration of a golfer in a golf game. Therefore, while a golfer is putting, the gallery around the green should be silent. In addition, cameras for rebroadcasting the golf game should photograph the putting play in a zoom mode so as to attract the attention of viewers.

[6] However, the viewers of the rebroadcasting cannot see the scene of the golf ball in a state in which the golf ball is placed in the golf hole cup. They merely see, at a remote position, the scene of the golf ball running on the green and approaching the golf hole cup after the golfer's putting. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[7] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and the present invention is to provide a golf hole cup capable of photographing a golf ball coming into the golf hole cup, and providing viewers with an image of the golf ball. Technical Solution

[8] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided a golf hole cup including: a body formed with a mouth at the top thereof; and a camera installed on the

body, the camera photographing a golf ball placed in the body through the mouth, and providing viewers with the image of the golf ball obtained thereby.

[9] With the inventive golf hole cup, it is possible to provide viewers of broadcasting media with an image of a golf ball placed in the golf hole cup.

Advantageous Effects

[10] Since the inventive golf hole cup is capable of photographing a golf ball placed in the hole cup, and providing viewers with an image of the golf ball obtained thereby, it is possible to improve the quality of rebroadcasting of a golf game. In addition, since an advertisement is naturally photographed together with the golf ball placed in the hole cup, it is possible to enhance advertisement effect. Brief Description of the Drawings

[11] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[12] FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a golf hole cup according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[13] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the golf hole cup shown in FIG. 1 ;

[14] FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the golf hole cup shown in FIG. 1, wherein three cameras are installed in the golf hole cup;

[15] FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a golf hole cup according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[16] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a golf hole cup according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[17] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components.

[18] FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a golf hole cup according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the golf hole cup shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the golf hole cup shown in FIG. 1, wherein three cameras are installed in the golf hole cup.

[19] As shown in FIGs. 1 to 3, the golf hole cup according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a body 10, and a camera 20 installed on the body 10.

[20] Below, the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

[21] The body 10 is formed of a metallic or synthetic material in a cup shape with a mouth 12 at the top thereof, and embedded in a green. The bottom of the body 10 is formed with a plurality of drainage apertures 14 for draining rainwater or the like

introduced into the body 10. A through-hole 16 is formed through the circumferential wall of the body 10.

[22] The camera 20 is intended to provide an image of a golf ball placed in the body 10 through the mouth 12. The camera 20 is installed on the circumferential wall of the body 10 by being fitted in the through-hole 16 in such a manner that the lens of the camera 20 is oriented toward the inside of the body 10, thereby being capable of photographing the inside of the body 10. Such a camera 20 may be wired or wireless. In the present embodiment, however, a wireless camera is preferably employed. In addition, a protection member 17 is also installed on the circumferential wall of the body 10 so as to protect the camera lens 22 from the golf ball while the golf ball is being placed in the body 10. In order to protect the camera lens 22, the protection member 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape covering the area around the through-hole 16 on the inner surface of the circumferential wall of the body 10 and projecting into the inside of the body 10.

[23] As shown in FIG. 3, three cameras 20 may be provided on the body 10, wherein the cameras 20 are arranged with an angular space of 120° from each other. Since the three cameras 20 arranged in this manner photograph a golf ball placed in the hole cup at different positions, respectively, it is possible to provide viewers with various images of the golf ball.

[24] In addition, the golf hole cup of the present embodiment additionally includes at least one illumination device 30 installed on the circumferential wall of the body 10 so as to illuminate the inside of the body 10, so that the golf ball is photographed more distinctly. According to the present embodiment, such an illumination device 30 is preferably formed by an LED (Light emitting diode) lamp. It is desired to form a plurality of installation holes 18 on the higher and lower areas of the circumferential wall of the body 10, and to fit a plurality of such illumination devices 30 in the installation holes 18, respectively, so that the illumination devices 30 do not interfere with the golf ball while the golf ball is being placed in the hole cup.

[25] FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a golf hole cup according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[26] As shown in FIG. 4, the golf hole cup according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that an advertisement for a specific company is formed on the inner surface of the circumferential wall of the body 10 at a position corresponding to the camera 20.

[27] The advertisement may be manufactured in a form of a sticker 40 printed with a logo of a specific company. Such a sticker 40 is attached to the inner surface of the circumferential wall of the body 10, so that the logo on the sticker 40 is photographed with the golf ball placed in the hole cup, and shown to viewers, thereby enhancing ad-

vertisement effect.

[28] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a golf hole cup according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[29] As shown in FIG. 5, the golf hole cup according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, except that a protection member 50 installed on the body 10 for protecting the camera lens 22 is formed of a transparent material in a dome shape covering the camera lens 22.

[30] Although the present invention has been described above in relation to specific embodiments for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.