Inlay golf ball marker

Abstract

A golf ball marker includes a base and an ornamental inlay. The base defines a closed recess, and has a flat marginal surface surrounding the recess. The ornamental inlay is carried by the base, and held flush within the recess such that an outside surface of the inlay and the flat marginal surface of the base reside in substantially the same plane and form a substantially continuous smooth top surface of the ball marker.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A golf ball marker, comprising:
 a base defining a recess and a drilled centerpoint within said recess, and said base comprising a flat marginal surface adjacent said recess, and said centerpoint penetrating said base to a depth substantially equal to a thickness of said base;   an ornamental inlay carried by said base, and held flush within said recess to cover the centerpoint, such that an outside surface of said inlay and the flat marginal surface of said base reside in substantially the same plane and form a substantially continuous smooth top surface of said ball marker, and the flat marginal surface of said base comprising at least 25% of a total area defined by the top surface of said ball marker;   a clear resin coating applied to said ornamental inlay such that said outside surface of said ornamental inlay produces diffuse light reflection;   a liquid bonding agent located within said drilled centerpoint between said base and said ornamental inlay; and   a ferromagnetic component located on an underside of said base, and adapted to attract and hold said ball marker to metal surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . A golf ball marker according to  claim 1 , wherein said ferromagnetic component comprises a surface coating. 
     
     
         3 . A golf ball marker according to  claim 1 , wherein said ornamental inlay comprises a homogeneous non-metallic material. 
     
     
         4 . A golf ball marker according to  claim 1 , wherein said ornamental inlay comprises a gemstone. 
     
     
         5 . A golf ball marker according to  claim 1 , wherein said ornamental inlay comprises a decorative shell. 
     
     
         6 . A golf ball marker according to  claim 1 , wherein said ornamental inlay comprises a corporate emblem. 
     
     
         7 . A golf ball marker according to  claim 1 , wherein said base comprises a metal selected from a group consisting of brass, copper, steel, aluminum, platinum, silver, and gold. 
     
     
         8 . A golf ball marker according to  claim 1 , wherein the flat marginal surface of said base is substantially annular. 
     
     
         9 . A golf ball marker, comprising:
 a metallic base defining a recess and a drilled centerpoint within said recess, and said base comprising a flat marginal surface adjacent said recess and producing a relatively specular light reflection, and said centerpoint penetrating said base to a depth substantially equal to a thickness of said base;   a nonmetallic ornamental inlay carried by said base and producing a relatively nonspecular light reflection, said ornamental inlay held flush within said recess to cover the centerpoint such that an outside surface of said inlay and the flat marginal surface of said base reside in substantially the same plane and form a substantially continuous smooth top surface of said ball marker, and the flat marginal surface of said base comprising at least 25% of a total area defined by the top surface of said ball marker;   a clear resin coating applied to said ornamental inlay such that said outside surface of said ornamental inlay produces diffuse light reflection;   a liquid bonding agent located within said drilled centerpoint between said base and said ornamental inlay; and   a ferromagnetic component located on an underside of said base, and adapted to attract and hold said ball marker to metal surfaces.   
     
     
         10 . A golf ball marker according to  claim 9 , wherein said ferromagnetic component comprises a surface coating. 
     
     
         11 . A golf ball marker according to  claim 9 , wherein said ornamental inlay comprises a homogeneous non-metallic material. 
     
     
         12 . A golf ball marker according to  claim 9 , wherein said ornamental inlay comprises a gemstone. 
     
     
         13 . A golf ball marker according to  claim 9 , wherein said ornamental inlay comprises a decorative shell. 
     
     
         14 . A golf ball marker according to  claim 9 , wherein said ornamental inlay comprises a corporate emblem.