WO2005063343A1

WO2005063343A1 - Holder for golf-ball

Info

Publication number: WO2005063343A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/003125
Authority: WO
Inventors: You-Kyoum Kim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-12-27
Filing date: 2004-11-30
Publication date: 2005-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2006-06-27

Abstract

A direction-indicating holder (100) for a golf ball (10) includes semicircular holding pieces (110) having a designated curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball (10) such that the holding pieces (110) cross each other to surround the golf ball (10) up to a central line of the golf ball (10), i.e., to a portion of the golf ball (10) at an angle of 180 degrees; indicating holes (120) respectively formed throughout the whole lengths of the holding pieces (110); and a connection piece (130) extended from ends of the holding pieces (110) to connect the ends of all of the holding pieces (110), and provided with a latching protrusion (1301) protruded on the inner surface thereof and curved in a curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball (10) so that the golf ball (10) is latched on the latching protrusion (130a), and simply indicates a guide line for guiding putting angle and direction of the golf ball (10), thereby improving the concentration of golfer's attention and accuracy in putting the golf ball, i.e., accuracy in indicating the direction for putting the golf ball, thus allowing a golfer to enjoy a high-quality game.

Description

HOLDER FOR GOLF-BALL

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a direction- indicating holder for a golf ball, and more particularly to a direction-indicating holder for a golf ball, which simply indicates a guide line for guiding a putting direction of the golf ball.

Background Art

Generally, golf is a game in which golfers compete with each other based on the number of times a golf ball is stroke using a plurality of clubs used to insert the golf ball into a designated hole. In order to play the golf game, the golfers must learn approach, putting, and bunker shot motions as well as a swing motion. The putting motion denotes a motion for putting the golf ball using a putter to insert the ball into a hole cup. Since a long driver shot and a short putting stroke both correspond to one par, the putter is very important in golf. The object of the golf game is to insert the golf ball into a hole cup by putting. However, when a golfer putts a golf ball using a putter after he/she ascertains the state of the green between the golf ball and the hole cup, the golfer poses for putting and putts the golf ball under the condition that he/she visualizes the direction of the golf ball. Since putting is performed based on the sense of the golfer, i.e., the naked eye of the golfer, accuracy in putting the golf ball, i.e., accuracy in indicating the direction for putting the golf ball, is lowered. Disclosure of the Invention Technical Problem

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a direction-indicating holder for a golf ball, which simply indicates a guide line for marking a putting point on the golf ball and guiding a putting direction of the golf ball when a golfer putts the golf ball, thereby improving accuracy in putting the golf ball, i.e., accuracy in indicating the direction for putting the golf ball.

Technical Solution In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a direction-indicating holder for a golf ball comprising: semicircular holding pieces having a designated curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball such that the holding pieces cross each other to surround the golf ball up to a central line of the golf ball, i.e., to a portion of the golf ball at an angle of 180 degrees; indicating holes respectively formed throughout the whole lengths of the holding pieces; and a connection piece extended from ends of the holding pieces to connect the ends of all of the holding pieces, and provided with a latching protrusion protruded on the inner surface thereof and curved in a curvature corresponding to that of. the golf ball so that the golf ball is latched on the latching protrusion. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a direction-indicating holder for a golf ball comprising: semicircular holding pieces having a designated curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball such that the holding pieces cross each other to surround the golf ball up to a central line of the golf ball, i.e., to a portion of the golf ball at an angle of 180 degrees; indicating holes respectively formed throughout the whole lengths of the holding pieces; and connection pieces, extended from ends of the holding pieces to connect the ends of each two of the holding pieces, each of which is provided with a latching protrusion protruded on the inner surface thereof and curved in a curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball so that the golf ball is latched on the latching protrusions . In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a direction-indicating holder for a golf ball comprising: semicircular holding pieces having a designated curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball such that the holding pieces cross each other to surround the golf ball; indicating holes respectively formed from tops of the holding pieces to portions of the holding pieces at an angle of 90 degrees; and latching protrusions respectively protruded from the ends of the inner surfaces of the holding pieces under the indicating holes and curved in a curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball so that the golf ball is latched on the latching protrusions. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a direction-indicating holder for a golf ball comprising: semicircular holding pieces having a designated curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball such that the holding pieces cross each other to surround the golf ball up to a central line of the golf ball, i.e., to a portion of the golf ball at an angle of 180 degrees; indicating holes respectively formed throughout the whole lengths of the holding pieces; and a connection piece extended and protruded from ends of the holding pieces to connect the ends of all of the holding pieces, and provided with latching protrusions protruded on the inner surface thereof and curved in a curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball so that the golf ball is latched on the latching protrusions . Preferably, the indicating holes may be extended such that they reach the central line of the golf ball. Preferably, the indicating holes may include longitudinally extended linear holes formed through the holding pieces, and a focal hole formed through an intersecting point of the holding pieces, and may cross each other to have a cross shape. Further, preferably, the indicating holes may include a plurality of short linear holes continuously formed through the holding pieces, and a focal hole formed through an intersecting point of the holding pieces, and may cross each other to have a cross shape. Moreover, preferably, the indicating holes may include a plurality of circular holes continuously formed through the holding pieces, and a focal hole formed through an intersecting point of the holding pieces, and may cross each other to have a cross shape. Preferably, extended portions curved from the latching protrusions to the connection pieces or the ends of the holding pieces in a curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball may be formed on the latching protrusions.

Brief Description of the Drawings The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a disassembled perspective view of a golf ball and an indicating holder in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the golf ball and the indicating holder in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 3A and 3B are sectional views of FIG. 2, and particularly, FIG. 3A illustrating a state in which the golf ball and the indicating holder are disassembled, and FIG. 3B illustrating a state in which the golf ball and the indicating holder are assembled; FIG. 4 is a disassembled perspective view of a golf ball and an indicating holder in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is an assembled sectional view of the golf ball and the indicating holder in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a disassembled perspective view of a golf ball and an indicating holder in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is an assembled sectional view of the golf ball and the indicating holder in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a disassembled perspective view of a golf ball and an indicating holder in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is an assembled sectional view of the golf ball and the indicating holder in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 10A to 10C are perspective views of indicating holes of the indicating holder of the present invention, and particularly, FIG. 10A illustrating indicating holes, each of which has a longitudinally extended linear shape; FIG. 10B illustrating indicating holes, each of which has a short linear shape; and FIG. 10C illustrating indicating holes, each of which has a circular shape; and FIGS. 11A to 11C are plan views of indicating portions defined by the indicating holes of the indicating holder of the present invention, and particularly, FIG. 11A illustrating an indicating portion, which is represented by a solid line; FIG. 11B illustrating an indicating portion, which is represented by a chain line; and FIG. 11C illustrating an indicating portion, which is represented by a dotted line. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings . FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B illustrate a direction- indicating holder for a golf ball in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the direction-indicating holder 100 in accordance with this embodiment comprises semicircular holding pieces 110 having a designated curvature corresponding to that of a golf ball 10 such that the holding pieces 110 cross each other to surround the golf ball 10 up to a central line of the golf ball 10, i.e., to a portion of the golf ball 10 at an angle of 180 degrees, and a connection piece 130 extended from the ends of the holding pieces 110 to connect the ends of the holding pieces 110. Preferably, the number of the holding pieces 110 is four. However, the number of the holding pieces 110 is not limited, but may be more than four. Indicating holes 120 are formed through the holding pieces 110. The indicating holes 120 form a cross shape, and indicate putting angles and directions of the golf ball 10. The indicating holes 120 are formed such that the indicating holes 120 reach the central line of the golf ball 10, and cause guide lines 12, 14, and 16 to be continuously shown up to a portion of the golf ball at the angle of 180 degrees when a golfer views the golf ball 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the indicating holes 120 include one focal hole F formed through an intersecting point of the holding pieces 110, and holes respectively formed through the holding pieces 110 and having designated shapes selected from the group consisting of longitudinally extended linear holes A, short linear holes B, and circular holes C. Here, the holes, respectively formed through the holding pieces 110, form a cross shape. The focal hole F is formed at the central portion of the cross shape defined by the holding pieces 110, i.e., the crossing point of the holding pieces 110, and is marked on the golf ball 10. The focal hole F causes the golfer to carefully view the focal point of the golf ball 10, thereby improving concentration of golfer's attention. As shown in FIG. 10A, the longitudinally extended linear holes A are respectively^" formed throughout the whole lengths of the holding pieces 110. As shown in FIG. 10B, a plurality of the short linear holes B are respectively formed throughout the whole lengths of the holding pieces 110. As shown in FIG. 10C, a plurality of the circular holes C are formed throughout the whole lengths of the holding pieces 110. A latching protrusion 130a, which is curved in a curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball 10 so that the golf ball 10 inserted into the indicating holder 110 is latched on the latching protrusion 130a, is protruded from one side of the inner surface of the connection piece 130, to which the holding pieces 110 are connected, thereby holding the golf ball 10 inserted into the indicating holder 100. An extended portion 130b, which is curved from the latching protrusion 130a to the end of the connection piece 130 in a curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball 10, is formed between the latching protrusion 130a and the end of the connection piece 130, thereby allowing the golf ball 10 to be easily inserted into the indicating holder 100. Hereinafter, the use of the direction-indicating holder 100 for a golf ball in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the golf ball 10 is inserted into the indicating holder 100, before the golf game is started. Then, the golf ball 10 is easily inserted into the indicating holder 100 through the extended portion 130b of the connection piece 130. After the golf ball 10 is inserted into the indicating holder 100, the latching protrusion 130a of the connection piece 130 located under the central line of the golf ball 10 surrounds the outer surface of the lower part under the central line of the golf ball 10. Thereby, the golf ball 10 is held in the indicating holder 100. As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, indicating portions having a cross shape are marked on the outer surface of the golf ball 10 held iri the indicating holder 100 through the indicting holes 120 of the holding pieces 10. The cross-shaped indicating portions as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C may be represented by one selected from the group consisting of a solid line 12, a chain line 14, and a dotted line 16 (hereinafter, "the solid line 12" will be described in detail) , and a focus point 18 is formed at the intersecting point of the cross-shaped indicating portions . When a golfer putts the golf ball 10 having the indicating portions represented by the solid line 12 and the focus point 18 marked thereon, the golfer places the golf ball 10 on the green such that the focus point 18 is located at the upper part of the central portion of the golf ball 10, sets one portion of the cross-shaped indicating portions such that the one portion indicates a direction of the golf ball 10 to be putted in consideration of the gradient of the green, and disposes the head of a putter in parallel with another portion perpendicular to the above set portion. Thereafter, the golfer putts the golf ball 10. Accordingly, by means of the cross-shaped indicating portions represented by the solid line 12 and the focus point 18 marked on the golf ball 10, the concentration of the golfer's attention is improved and accuracy in putting the golf ball 10, i.e., accuracy in indicating the direction for putting the golf ball 10, is improved, thereby allowing the golfer to enjoy a high-quality game. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an indicating holder in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Some parts in this embodiment, which are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment, are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings, and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted because it is considered to be unnecessary. Accordingly, the detailed description of the configurations of holding pieces and indicating holes of this embodiment, which are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, will be omitted, but the configuration of connection pieces of this embodiment will be described. In view of the above point, the indicating holder 200 in accordance with the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each two holding pieces 210 of four holding pieces 210 are connected in a pair by the corresponding connection pieces 230 such that one pair of the two connection pieces 230 face the other pair of the two connection pieces 230. Thereby, when the golf ball 10 is inserted into the indicating holder 200, the pairs of the holding pieces 210 have elasticity, thereby causing the golf ball 10 to be stably inserted into the indicating holder 200. Identically with the connection piece 130 of the first embodiment, a latching protrusion 230a is protruded from of the inner surface of the connection piece 230, and an extended portion 230b, which is curved from the latching protrusion 230a to the end of the connection piece 230 in a curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball 10, is formed between the latching protrusion 230a and the end of the connection piece 230, thereby allowing the golf ball 10 to be easily inserted into the indicating holder 200 and to be firmly fixed to the indicating holder 200. Accordingly, when the golf ball 10 is inserted into the indicating holder 200, the holding pieces 210 are warped at a designated angle by the pressure of the golf ball 10 so that the golf ball 10 is elastically inserted into the indicating holder 200 and is latched on the latching protrusions 230a, thereby holding the golf ball 10. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an indicating holder in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Some parts in this embodiment, which are substantially the same as those in the first and second embodiments, are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings, and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted because it is considered to be unnecessary. In view of the above point, the indicating holder 300 in accordance with the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, does not comprise connection pieces 130 or 230 formed on the end of holding pieces 310, but has a structure such that the holding pieces 310 are further extended by a designated length corresponding to the lengths of the connection pieces 130 or 230. Here, identically with the first and second embodiments, indicating holes 320 are formed through the holding pieces 310 such that the indicating holes 320 reach a portion of the golf ball 10 at an angle of 180 degrees, and latching protrusions 310a and expanded portions 310b are formed on the inner surface of the holding pieces 310 under the indicating holes 320. The holding pieces 310 have structures independent from each other, and when the golf ball 10 is inserted into the indicating holder 300, are elastically warped, thereby allowing the golf ball 10 to be easily inserted into the indicating holder 300. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an indicating holder in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention . Some parts in this embodiment, which are substantially the same as those in the first, second, and third embodiments, are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings, and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted because it is considered to be unnecessary. Accordingly, the detailed description of the configurations of holding pieces and indicating holes of this embodiment, which are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, will be omitted, but the configuration of connection pieces of this embodiment will be described. In view of the above point, the indicating holder 400 in accordance with the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, comprises connection pieces 430 protruded from the circumference of a circle obtained by connecting holding pieces 410 for connecting all the ends of the holding pieces 410. That is, the connection pieces 430 do not form a circle the same as the circle defined by the holding pieces 410, but form a closed curved line having a clover shape . Since the connection pieces 430 form the closed curved line, but do not form a circle having the same diameter as that of the holding pieces 410 while forming a circle having a diameter larger than that of the holding pieces 410, the holding pieces 410 exhibit elasticities lower than those of the holding pieces 210 and 310 of the second and third embodiments, but higher than those of the holding pieces 110 of the first embodiment. Identically with the first embodiment, latching protrusions 430a and extended portions 430b are formed on the connection pieces 430 extended from the holding pieces 410, thereby allowing the golf ball 10 to be easily inserted into the indicating holder 400 and to be firmly held by the indicating holder 400.

Industrial Applicability

As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a direction-indicating holder for a golf ball, which simply indicates a guide line for guiding putting angle and direction of the golf ball, thereby improving the concentration of golfer's attention and accuracy in putting the golf ball, i.e., accuracy in indicating the direction for putting the golf ball, thus allowing a golfer to enjoy a high-quality game. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed 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.

Claims

Claims :

1. A direction-indicating holder for a golf ball comprising: semicircular holding pieces having a designated curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball such that the holding pieces cross each other to surround the golf ball up to a central line of the golf ball, i.e., to a portion of the golf ball at an angle of 180 degrees; indicating holes respectively formed throughout the whole lengths of the holding pieces; and a connection piece extended from ends of the holding pieces to connect the ends of all of the holding pieces, and provided with a latching protrusion protruded on the inner surface thereof and curved in a curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball so that the golf ball is latched on the latching protrusion.

2. A direction-indicating holder for a golf ball comprising : semicircular holding pieces having a designated curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball such that the holding pieces cross each other to surround the golf ball up to a central line of the golf ball, i.e., to a portion of the golf ball at an angle of 180 degrees; indicating holes respectively formed throughout the whole lengths of the holding pieces; and connection pieces, extended from ends of the holding pieces to connect the ends of each two of the holding pieces, each of which is provided with a latching protrusion protruded on the inner surface thereof and curved in a curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball so that the golf ball is latched on the latching protrusions .

3. A direction-indicating holder for a golf ball comprising : semicircular holding pieces having a designated curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball such that the holding pieces cross each other to surround the golf ball; indicating holes respectively formed from tops of the holding pieces to portions of the holding pieces at an angle of 90 degrees; and latching protrusions respectively protruded from the ends of the inner surfaces of the holding pieces under the indicating holes and curved in a curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball so that the golf ball is latched on the latching protrusions.

4. A direction-indicating holder for a golf ball comprising: semicircular holding pieces having a designated curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball such that the holding pieces cross each other to surround the golf ball up to a central line of the golf ball, i.e., to a portion of the golf ball at an angle of 180 degrees; indicating holes respectively formed throughout the whole lengths of the holding pieces; and a connection piece extended and protruded from ends of the holding pieces to connect the ends of all of the holding pieces, and provided with latching protrusions protruded on the inner surface thereof and curved in a curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball so that the golf ball is latched on the latching protrusions.

5. The direction-indicating holder as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the indicating holes are extended such that they reach the central line of the golf ball.

6. The direction-indicating holder as set forth in claim 5, wherein the indicating holes include longitudinally extended linear holes formed through the holding pieces, and a focal hole formed through an intersecting point of the holding pieces, and cross each other to have a cross shape.

7. The direction-indicating holder as set forth in claim 6, wherein the indicating holes include a plurality of short linear holes continuously formed through the holding pieces, and a focal hole formed through an intersecting point of the holding pieces, and cross each other to have a cross shape.

8. The direction-indicating holder as set forth in claim 7, wherein the indicating holes include a plurality of circular holes continuously formed through the holding pieces, and a focal hole formed through an intersecting point of the holding pieces, and cross each other to have a cross shape.

9. The direction-indicating holder as set forth in claim 8, wherein extended portions curved from the latching protrusions to the connection pieces or the ends of the holding pieces in a curvature corresponding to that of the golf ball are formed on the latching protrusions .