Golf ball marker and alignment tool

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided multiple embodiments of a golf ball marking and alignment tool. In each embodiment of the present invention, the tool comprises an elongate body portion which defines opposed, generally planar first (top) and second (bottom) surfaces, and a longitudinal axis. Disposed on the top surface and extending along at least a portion of the length of the longitudinal axis is an alignment line. The alignment line preferably extends along the entire length of the longitudinal axis of the body portion, and comprises a channel, the inner surface of which is preferably coated or painted with a dark colored (e.g., black) material. The alignment tool may optionally further comprise one or more pin portions which are integrally connected to the bottom surface of the body portion at prescribed point(s) relative to the longitudinal axis defined thereby. A single pin portion included on the body portion may be used to allow the body portion to be selectively rotated or swiveled along the axis defined by the pin portion. Two pin portions, if included on the body portion, may be used to securely fix or anchor the tool to the putting surface.

1 . A golf ball marking and alignment tool, comprising:
 an elongate body portion defining opposed, generally planar first and second surfaces, and a longitudinal axis; and   an alignment line disposed on the first surface and extending along at least a portion of the length of the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 1  wherein the alignment line extends along the entire length of the longitudinal axis of the body portion. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 2  wherein the alignment line comprises:
 an elongate channel which extends along the entire length of the longitudinal axis of the body portion and is of a prescribed width and depth, the channel defining an inner surface; and 
 a dark colored coating applied to the inner surface of the channel. 
 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 2  wherein:
 the body portion has a peripheral edge including a spaced, generally parallel pair of longitudinally extending peripheral edge segments which are interconnected by an opposed pair of arcuate peripheral edge segments; 
 the longitudinal axis extending between the arcuate peripheral edge segments such that the longitudinally extending peripheral edge segments are substantially equidistantly spaced from the longitudinal axis and extend in generally parallel relation thereto. 
 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 4  further comprising an elongate pin portion integrally connected to and protruding from the second surface of the body portion, the pin portion defining a pin axis which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis defined by the body portion. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 5  wherein the pin portion extends in substantially flush relation to one of the arcuate peripheral edge segments of the body portion. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 5  further comprising at least one flange support portion integrally connected to and extending between the pin portion and the second surface of the body portion. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 7  comprising a spaced pair of flange support portions integrally connected to and extending between the pin portion and the second surface of the body portion. 
     
     
         9 . A golf ball marking and alignment tool, comprising:
 an elongate body portion defining opposed, generally planar first and second surfaces, and a longitudinal axis;   an alignment line disposed on the first surface and extending along at least a portion of the length of the longitudinal axis; and   an elongate pin portion integrally connected to and protruding from the second surface of the body portion, the pin portion defining a pin axis which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis defined by the body portion.   
     
     
         10 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 9  wherein the alignment line extends along the entire length of the longitudinal axis of the body portion. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 9  wherein the alignment line comprises:
 an elongate channel which extends along the entire length of the longitudinal axis of the body portion and is of a prescribed width and depth, the channel defining an inner surface; and 
 a dark colored coating applied to the inner surface of the channel. 
 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 9  wherein:
 the body portion has a peripheral edge including a spaced, generally parallel pair of longitudinally extending peripheral edge segments which are interconnected by an opposed pair of arcuate peripheral edge segments; 
 the longitudinal axis extending between the arcuate peripheral edge segments such that the longitudinally extending peripheral edge segments are substantially equidistantly spaced from the longitudinal axis and extend in generally parallel relation thereto. 
 
     
     
         13 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 12  wherein the pin portion extends in substantially flush relation to one of the arcuate peripheral edge segments of the body portion. 
     
     
         14 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 13  further comprising at least one flange support portion integrally connected to and extending between the pin portion and the second surface of the body portion. 
     
     
         15 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 14  comprising a spaced pair of flange support portions integrally connected to and extending between the pin portion and the second surface of the body portion. 
     
     
         16 . A golf ball marking and alignment tool, comprising:
 an elongate body portion defining opposed, generally planar first and second surfaces, and a longitudinal axis;   an alignment line disposed on the first surface and extending along at least a portion of the length of the longitudinal axis; and   a spaced pair of elongate pin portions integrally connected to and protruding from the second surface of the body portion, the pin portions each defining a pin axis which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis defined by the body portion.   
     
     
         17 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 16  wherein:
 the body portion has a peripheral edge including a spaced, generally parallel pair of longitudinally extending peripheral edge segments which are interconnected by an opposed pair of arcuate peripheral edge segments; 
 the longitudinal axis extending between the arcuate peripheral edge segments such that the longitudinally extending peripheral edge segments are substantially equidistantly spaced from the longitudinal axis and extend in generally parallel relation thereto. 
 
     
     
         18 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 17  wherein the pin portions extend in substantially flush relation to respective ones of the arcuate peripheral edge segments of the body portion. 
     
     
         19 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 18  further comprising a spaced pair of flange support portions integrally connected to and extending between each of the pin portions and the second surface of the body portion. 
     
     
         20 . The golf ball marking and alignment tool of  claim 16  wherein the alignment line extends along the entire length of the longitudinal axis of the body portion.