Golf ball marker

Abstract

A golf ball marker that includes a body having a geometric shape and an arcuate ball location reference for easily positioning a golf ball. The body may also include alignment indicia for aligning the golf ball with an intended ball path.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A ball marker, comprising:
 a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall extending between the top surface and the bottom surface;   a concave arcuate ball location reference disposed on the top surface; and   linear alignment indicia disposed on the top surface and angled relative to each other,   wherein at least a plurality of the alignment indicia are identical and are comprised of linear segments that radiate from a focal point that is coincident with a center of curvature of the arcuate ball location reference.   
     
     
         2 . The ball marker of  claim 1 , wherein the arcuate ball location reference is formed by the intersection of a concave arcuate side surface and the top surface of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The ball marker of  claim 2 , wherein the concave arcuate side surface of the body is a tapered arcuate surface. 
     
     
         4 . The ball marker of  claim 3 , wherein the concave arcuate side surface is a conical surface. 
     
     
         5 . The ball marker of  claim 3 , wherein the concave arcuate side surface is a spherical surface. 
     
     
         6 . The ball marker of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a curved perimeter shape. 
     
     
         7 . The ball marker of  claim 6 , wherein the body includes a concave arcuate side wall. 
     
     
         8 . The ball marker of  claim 6 , wherein the body includes a convex arcuate side wall. 
     
     
         9 . A ball marker, comprising:
 a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall including a concave arcuate portion and a convex arcuate portion, the side wall extending between the top surface and the bottom surface;   a concave arcuate ball location reference disposed on the top surface; and   linear alignment indicia disposed on the top surface and angled relative to each other,   wherein at least a plurality of the alignment indicia are identical and are comprised of linear segments that radiate from a focal point that is coincident with a center of curvature of the arcuate ball location reference.   
     
     
         10 . The ball marker of  claim 9 , wherein the arcuate ball location reference is formed by the intersection of the concave arcuate side surface and the top surface of the body. 
     
     
         11 . The ball marker of  claim 9 , wherein the concave arcuate side surface of the body is a tapered arcuate surface. 
     
     
         12 . The ball marker of  claim 11 , wherein the concave arcuate side surface is a conical surface. 
     
     
         13 . The ball marker of  claim 11 , wherein the concave arcuate side surface is a spherical surface. 
     
     
         14 . A ball marker, comprising:
 a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall extending between the top surface and the bottom surface;   an arcuate ball location reference disposed on the top surface; and   linear alignment indicia disposed on the top surface, wherein the alignment indicia include a central indicium and a plurality of reference indicia angled relative to the central indicium,   wherein the plurality of reference indicia are identical and oriented and spaced relative to the central indicium so that they are symmetric about the central indicium, and wherein the reference indicia are perpendicular to the arcuate ball location reference.   
     
     
         15 . The ball marker of  claim 14 , wherein are comprised of linear segments that radiate from a focal point that is coincident with a center of curvature of the arcuate ball location reference. 
     
     
         16 . The ball marker of  claim 14 , wherein the arcuate ball location reference is formed by the intersection of a concave arcuate side surface and the top surface of the body. 
     
     
         17 . The ball marker of  claim 16 , wherein the concave arcuate side surface of the body is a tapered arcuate surface. 
     
     
         18 . The ball marker of  claim 14 , wherein the body has a curved perimeter shape. 
     
     
         19 . The ball marker of  claim 14 , wherein the body includes a convex arcuate side wall.