Mounting Device For Flag Pole

Abstract

A mounting device for the end of a flag pole that generally cleans a golf cup hole as the flag pole is removed from the golf cup. In one form, the mounting device includes an annular flange at one end that has a diameter and configuration to permit the mounting device to retain and remove debris from the cup as the flag pole is removed from the cup.

1 . A device for mounting a flag pole in a golf cup hole, the device comprising:
 a cylindrical body having a side wall and first and second ends;   an inner wall of the cylindrical body defining a bore extending at least partially into the body from the first end, the bore sized and configured to receive an end of a flag pole therein;   an annular flange at the first end of the body that extends radially outward beyond the body side wall to a predetermined diameter to remove debris from a golf cup as the flag pole is withdrawn therefrom; and   a second inner wall of the cylindrical body defining a second bore at least partially extending into the cylindrical body from the second end, the second bore defining an open cavity free of the flag pole so that the second bore can receive debris therein when the flag pole is inserted into the golf cup hole.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the annular flange has a generally concave upper surface. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the annular flange includes an upstanding annular lip at an outer edge thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the annular flange includes a plurality of supports extending from a lower surface of the annular flange to the body side wall. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall curves radially inward at the second end of the body to facilitate insertion of the device into a golf cup hole. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of axial ribs extend radially into the bore from the bore inner surface, the axial ribs adapted and configured to provide a friction fit between the body and the received flag pole. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein each rib includes a deformable portion positioned to deform upon insertion of a flag pole end in the bore to provide the friction fit between the body and the received flag pole. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the device is nylon. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body has an outer diameter substantially constant along a length of the side wall such that a mounted device forms a substantially constant relationship between the side wall and an inner surface of a golf cup hole when the flag pole is mounted therein. 
   
   
       11 . A golf cup, mounting device, and flag pole assembly, the assembly comprising:
 a golf cup having a side wall and an end wall, the end wall defining a hole having a first diameter;   a flag pole having a mounting device on an end thereof configured to be received in the golf cup hole, the mounting device having a cylindrical body having a second diameter such that the mounting device has a loose frictional arrangement with the golf cup hole, a first inner wall of the cylindrical body defining a first bore extending at least partially into the cylindrical body from a first end thereof, the flag pole secured in the first bore;   a second inner wall of the cylindrical body defining a second bore extending at least partially into the cylindrical body from a second end thereof, the second bore configured to receive debris therein when the flag pole is inserted into the golf cup hole; and   an annular extension disposed on the cylindrically body first end, the annular extension having a third diameter larger than both the first diameter and the second diameter such that the annular extension is configured to remove debris from the golf cup when withdrawn therefrom.   
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein an outer edge of the annular extension is spaced from the golf cup side wall about 1/16of an inch when the mounting device is received in the golf cup. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the mounting device is formed from nylon. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the annular extension has a generally concave upper surface. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the annular extension has an upstanding annular lip at an outer edge thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein a plurality of supports extend from a lower surface of the annular extension to the body side wall. 
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the side wall curves radially inward at the second end to facilitate initial insertion of the device into the golf cup hole. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the inner surface of the bore has a plurality of ribs that extend radially inward to provide a friction fit between the body and the received flag pole. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the second diameter of the body is substantially constant along a length of the side wall such that the mounting device forms a substantially constant relationship between the side wall and an inner surface of a golf cup hole when the flag pole is mounted therein. 
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bore includes a stop to permit insertion of the flag pole a predetermined axial distance into the bore.