In-cup golf ball removal device

Abstract

An in-cup golf ball removal device including an upward facing concave circular shape is configured to attach to the bottom portion of a golf flagstick and fit within a golf cup. The in-cup golf ball removal device is configured to receive a plurality of golf balls and secure the golf balls within the upward facing concave circular shape when the flagstick with the attached in-cup golf ball removal device is removed from the golf cup.

1 . An in-cup golf ball removal device comprising:
 a circular body with an upward facing concave shape, wherein an outer surface of the circular body is a smooth rounded surface extending from a center of the circular body to an upper edge of the circular body;   a center aperture extending through the center of the circular body; and   a slit extending through the circular body from the center aperture to the upper edge of the circular body.   
     
     
         2 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 1 , and further comprising at least one aperture extending through the circular body, wherein the at least one aperture is positioned within the smooth rounded surface between the center of the circular body and the upper edge of the circular body. 
     
     
         3 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one aperture is a slot that extends through the circular body. 
     
     
         4 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one aperture includes first and second apertures that extend through the circular body. 
     
     
         5 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 4 , wherein the first aperture is positioned 90° from the second aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the circular body is sized to fit within an inner diameter of a golf cup or hole. 
     
     
         7 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 1 , and further comprising a ridge that extends from an inner surface of the circular body, wherein the ridge extends partially around the center aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 7 , wherein the ridge extends from an inner surface of the circular body upward toward the upper edge of the circular body, and wherein the ridge extends only a partial distance toward the upper edge of the circular body. 
     
     
         9 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the ridge includes a gap in the ridge;   edges of the gap are parallel with edges of the slit; and   a width of the gap is greater than a width of the slit.   
     
     
         10 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 7 , wherein the ridge includes a first recess within a first wall of the ridge and a second recess within a second wall of the ridge. 
     
     
         11 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 10 , wherein a fastener aperture extends from the first recess through the first wall and the second wall of the ridge to the second recess, and wherein the fastener aperture is configured to accept a fastener. 
     
     
         12 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 11 , wherein the fastener is configured to extend through the fastener aperture and mate with a nut positioned within the first recess. 
     
     
         13 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 12 , wherein the nut is a square nut configured to prevent rotation of the nut within the first recess. 
     
     
         14 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 12 , wherein a center axis of the fastener is oriented perpendicular to the first wall and the second wall of the ridge. 
     
     
         15 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the circular body is comprised of a flexible polymer material. 
     
     
         16 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the center aperture has a diameter of 0.75 inches, and wherein the center aperture is configured to wrap around a golf flagstick. 
     
     
         17 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the circular body gradually reduces from the center of the circular body extending to the upper edge of the circular body. 
     
     
         18 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the circular body is mirrored about a plane extending through the center of circular body and parallel to an edge of the slit. 
     
     
         19 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the in-cup golf ball removal device is configured to be secured to a bottom portion of a golf flagstick. 
     
     
         20 . The in-cup golf ball removal device of  claim 19 , wherein the circular body is configured to secure a plurality of golf balls within the upward facing concave shape of the circular body when the in-cup golf ball removal device is removed with a golf flagstick from a golf cup.