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Mounting device for flag pole

Mounting device for flag pole description/claims

The application relates to a mounting device for a flag pole, and in particular, to a ferrule for mounting a golf flag pole in a golf cup.

In order to support a golf flag pole within a golf cup, the flag pole is typically attached to a metal ferrule, which is usually zinc or a zinc alloy, at a lower end of the flagpole. The metal ferrule facilitates insertion of the flag pole into a receiving hole positioned in the center of the golf cup. In this manner, the flag pole is positioned to display the pin flag and hole location to an approaching golfer.

The flag pole is often fabricated out of fiberglass or wood and must be secured to the metal ferrule, usually by insertion through a hollow cylindrical hole in the center of the ferrule. To insure attachment of the pole to the ferrule, adhesive is usually employed to form a bond between the pole and ferrule. However, if the proper type or amount of adhesive is not used, or if curing conditions are not optimal, then the pin and ferrule may separate when golfers grasp and lift the flag stick out of the cup. On the other hand, attempting to employ an adhesive-less or friction-type fit between the fiberglass or wood pole and metal ferrule has also been unsatisfactory. Over time, the differences in surfaces between the fiberglass or wood and the metal ferrule combined with the repeated removal from the golf cup can result in a separation between the pole and ferrule, such as when the metal cuts into the fiberglass or wood and thereby decrease the tightness of the friction-type fit

When the ferrule is received in the golf cup hole, there can be a tendency for the two components to stick together. When this occurs, golfers can pull a portion of or the entire golf cup out of the ground when they attempt to remove the pin. This problem is even more pronounced in a dessert or high humidity environment where sand or moisture can be trapped between the cup and ferrule, causing the ferrule and cup to stick together.

In an effort to reduce sticking between the ferrule and cup, various modifications to the ferrule have been employed. For instance, ribs have been provided along the sides of the ferrule body so as to reduce the contact area between the ferrule and cup. In addition, the side walls of the ferrule have been tapered inwardly to further minimize contact area and permit easier pole removal. However, these solutions have the shortcomings that the ribs often provide insufficient contact area to form a stable coupling, and the tapered side walls may result in excessive leaning of the flag pole or render the flag susceptible to movement even in moderate breezes.

As golf is a sport primarily undertaken outdoors, under normal weather conditions, different types of debris or other material may blow into the golf cup. Leaves, sand, small rocks, grass clippings, dirt and the like may regularly fall into and accumulate in a golf cup. When a golfer removes the flag as he or she begins to put, the debris often remains in the cup. When the flag is replaced after the golfer is finished putting, the metal ferrule at the end of the golf flag pole may trap the debris or other material between the ferrule and the golf cup hole. As a result, the next time the pin is removed from the cup, the debris jammed between ferrule and cup can cause them to stick together, and can result in the golfer at least partially removing the cup from the ground.

Debris accumulated in the cup hole may also result in a flag pole and attached ferrule that cannot be properly inserted into the hole because the debris interferes with the proper insertion of the ferrule into the hole. This situation can leave the pin insufficiently supported in the cup and may cause the pin to tilt or even fall over in a breeze. A downed or tilted pin is not useful to an approaching golfer because it provides misleading information about the exact pin location.

Accordingly, there is a desire to minimize the amount of debris within a golf cup that would affect the proper mounting of a flag pole within the golf cup.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a mounting device for a flag pole shown in an exemplary environment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the mounting device of FIG. 1 shown with a golf cup and flag pole end;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the mounting device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the mounting device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the mounting device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a partial top elevational view of the mounting device of FIG. 3 showing a bore formed therein;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting device in an exemplary golf cup;

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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