U.S. patent application number 12/221729 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-26 for practice putt.
Invention is credited to Joseph A. Probst.
Application Number | 20090054170 12/221729 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40382718 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090054170 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Probst; Joseph A. |
February 26, 2009 |
Practice putt
Abstract
An apparatus for practicing putting at home. Such apparatus
comprises a foldable enclosure member being formed of two
substantially identical portions, each of the substantially
identical portions having a base member forming a floor for the
foldable enclosure. A first portion having a back end, a left side
and a right side engageable with such base member, a second portion
having only a left side and a right side engageable with the base
member. A preselected material is disposed on top of the base
member for use as a putting surface. A predetermined number of
holes are disposed in such preselected material and such base
member and are positioned at preselected locations. A hinge
mechanism is engageable with an underside closely adjacent abutting
edges of each of the substantially identical portions of said
foldable enclosure for folding said apparatus.
Inventors: |
Probst; Joseph A.; (Country
Club Hills, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES RAY & ASSOCIATES
2640 Pitcairn Road
Monroeville
PA
15146
US
|
Family ID: |
40382718 |
Appl. No.: |
12/221729 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60957881 |
Aug 24, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/162 ;
473/163; 473/185 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2063/001 20130101;
A63B 63/08 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 67/02 20130101;
A63B 71/0036 20130101; A63B 2209/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/162 ;
473/185; 473/163 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for practicing putting at home, said apparatus
comprising: (a) a foldable enclosure member having a predetermined
size and formed of a predetermined material, said foldable
enclosure being formed of two substantially identical portions,
each of said substantially identical portions having a base member
forming a floor for said foldable enclosure; a first portion of
said two substantially identical portions having a back end, a left
side and a right side engageable with said base member, a second
portion of said two substantially identical portions having only a
left side and a right side engageable with said base member; (b) a
preselected material disposed on top of said base member of said
foldable enclosure for use as a putting surface; (c) a
predetermined number of holes disposed in said preselected material
and said base member, said predetermined number of holes being
positioned at preselected locations; and (d) a means engageable
with an underside closely adjacent abutting edges of each of said
substantially identical portions of said foldable enclosure for
folding said apparatus.
2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus
further includes a plurality of wheels disposed on an outer surface
of one side of said foldable enclosure for moving said foldable
enclosure when in a folded position and not in use.
3. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said means for
folding said apparatus includes hinges.
4. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said foldable
enclosure extends above said preselected material for a
predetermined distance on said back end, said right side and said
left side of said first portion of said substantially identical
portions and on said left side and said right side of said second
portion of said substantially identical portions of said foldable
enclosure.
5. The apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said foldable
enclosure extending above said preselected material keeps a golf
ball in play on a surface of said predetermined material.
6. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined
material for said foldable enclosure is selected from one of
plastic, wood and combinations thereof.
7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined
number of holes disposed on said predetermined material is six.
8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said preselected
material is indoor/outdoor carpeting.
9. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said each hole of
said predetermined number of holes has one of a magnetic portion
disposed on a upper surface of said each hole and having said each
hole made of a magnetic metal.
10. The apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein said each hole is
covered with a magnetic cover when said apparatus is not in
use.
11. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said magnetic
cover further includes a flag member disposed thereon for ease in
locating said each hole and for removing said cover.
12. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said foldable
enclosure further includes a pair of substantially parallel support
members disposed on an underside of said foldable enclosure and
extending longitudinally along a center portion of each of said
substantially identical portions of said foldable enclosure, said
pair of said substantially parallel support members secured to said
base member and said back end of said first portion of said
substantially identical portions and to said base member of said
second portion of said substantially identical portions.
13. The apparatus, according to claim 12, wherein said
substantially parallel support members further include a plurality
of cross members engageable with an inner surface of each of said
substantially parallel support members.
14. The apparatus, according to claim 12, wherein said
substantially parallel support members further include at least two
brace members extending from an outer surface of said substantially
parallel support members to an inner surface of each of said left
side and said right side of said substantially identical portions
of said foldable enclosure.
15. The apparatus, according to claim 13 wherein said foldable
enclosure further includes a piping arrangement disposed on an
underside of said foldable enclosure, a main portion of said piping
arrangement extending a length of each of said substantially
identical portions between said substantially parallel support
members and through apertures disposed in said cross members, said
piping arrangement further including connections between each of
said predetermined number of holes and said main portion of said
piping arrangement for returning a golf ball to a retrieval member
disposed at an end of said piping arrangement on a front portion of
said apparatus, said piping arrangement providing an abuttable
connection between an end of said piping arrangement for said first
portion of said substantially identical portions and an end portion
of said piping arrangement for said second portion of said
substantially identical portions for permitting said apparatus to
fold when not in use.
16. The apparatus, according to claim 15, wherein said piping
arrangement is disposed in a sloping manner so that when such golf
ball drops into said each hole such golf ball travels to said
retrieval member for enabling a user to access such golf ball
quickly.
17. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus
further includes at least one handle member disposed on an outer
portion of a same side of each of said substantially identical
portions for moving said apparatus when in a folded position.
18. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus
when set for practice putting is substantially sixteen feet in
length and substantially four feet in width.
19. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus
further includes a securing means for securing said first portion
and said second portion of said substantially identical portions to
each other when said foldable enclosure member is in a folded
condition.
20. The apparatus, according to claim 19, wherein said means
includes a latch member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is closely related to and claims benefit
from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60,957,881 filed Aug.
24, 2007.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to a putting
area, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a
practice putting green that is movable and can be set up in a
driveway, sidewalk, front or back yard.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many golfing enthusiasts enjoy practice time on a putting
green. Driving to a favorite public or private facility often
requires an ideal schedule ensuring that the golfer can spend
adequate time perfecting his putting. Golfers often incur fees each
time a facility is visited. Families who enjoy partaking in the fun
and excitement that a putting green has to offer must do so when
each member is available. Coordinating such an event can be
difficult as well as costly.
[0004] Thus, it would be advantageous if there were a simple and
effective means for practicing putting that could done without
leaving home and which all members of the family could use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In a first aspect the present invention provides an
apparatus for practicing putting at home. Such apparatus comprises
a foldable enclosure member having a predetermined size and formed
of a predetermined material, such foldable enclosure being formed
of two substantially identical portions, each of the substantially
identical portions having a base member forming a floor for the
foldable enclosure. A first portion of the two substantially
identical portions having a back end, a left side and a right side
engageable with such base member, a second portion of the two
substantially identical portions having only a left side and a
right side engageable with the base member. A preselected material
is disposed on top of the base member of the foldable enclosure for
use as a putting surface. A predetermined number of holes are
disposed in such preselected material and such base member, the
predetermined number of holes being positioned at preselected
locations. A means is engageable with an underside closely adjacent
abutting edges of each of the substantially identical portions of
said foldable enclosure for folding said apparatus.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present
invention to provide an apparatus which would enable a golfer to
practice putting at home.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus for practice putting that would fold in half for
storage.
[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an apparatus for practice putting that would have holes at
different distances.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus for practice putting that would have a ball retrieval
system.
[0010] In addition to the various objects and advantages of the
invention which have been described in some specific detail above
it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the
present invention will become more readily apparent to those
persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more
detailed description, particularly when such description is taken
in conjunction with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the apparatus according
to an embodiment of the invention showing a user putting the
apparatus.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the
apparatus in a folded condition showing the piping arrangement.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a portion of the
apparatus showing a hole with the magnetic cover removed.
[0014] FIG. 3A is a side perspective view of magnetic cover shown
in FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 4A is top perspective view of the apparatus as set up
with all the holes uncovered.
[0016] FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus
showing the piping arrangement and the support members disposed on
the apparatus.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the retrieval opening
and retrieval member for holding such golf balls that are
returned.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of
the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of
clarity, identical components which have identical functions have
been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the
several views illustrated in the drawings.
[0019] In a first aspect the present invention provides an
apparatus, generally designated 10, for practicing putting at home.
Such apparatus 10 comprises a foldable enclosure member 2 having a
predetermined size and formed of a predetermined material, such
foldable enclosure 2 being formed of two substantially identical
portions, each of the substantially identical portions having a
base member 4 forming a floor for the foldable enclosure. A first
portion 1 of the two substantially identical portions having a back
end 6, a left side 8 and a right side 12 engageable with such base
member 4, a second portion 3 of the two substantially identical
portions having only a left side 8 and a right side 12 engageable
with the base member 4. A preselected material is disposed on top
of the base member 4 of the foldable enclosure 2 for use as a
putting surface. A predetermined number of holes 14 are disposed in
such preselected material and such base member 4, the predetermined
number of holes 14 being positioned at preselected locations. A
means, generally designated 20, is engageable with an underside
closely adjacent abutting edges of each of the substantially
identical portions of said foldable enclosure 2 for folding such
apparatus 10.
[0020] It is presently preferred that such apparatus 10 further
includes a plurality of wheels 16 disposed on an outer surface of
one side of the foldable enclosure 2 for moving the foldable
enclosure when in a folded position and not in use. It is also
preferred that such means 20 for folding such apparatus includes
hinges 18.
[0021] Such foldable enclosure 2 extends above the preselected
material for a predetermined distance on the back end 6, the right
side 12 and the left side 8 of said first portion 1 of the
substantially identical portions and on the left side 8 and the
right side 12 of the second portion 3 of the substantially
identical portions of the foldable enclosure 2. Such foldable
enclosure 2 by extending above the preselected material keeps a
golf ball in play on the surface of the predetermined material.
[0022] Such predetermined material for forming such foldable
enclosure 2 is selected from one of plastic, wood and combinations
thereof.
[0023] It is also presently preferred that such predetermined
number of holes 14 disposed on the predetermined material is six.
This permits holes 14 to be of different distances for practicing.
It is also preferred that such preselected material for forming the
putting surface is indoor/outdoor carpeting.
[0024] Each hole 14 of said predetermined number of holes has one
of a magnetic portion 22 disposed on a upper surface of each hole
14 or it has each hole made of a metal that is magnetic such as
steel. Each hole 14 is covered with a magnetic cover 24 when the
apparatus is not in use. The magnetic cover 24 further includes a
flag member 26 disposed thereon for ease in locating each hole 14
and for removing the cover 24.
[0025] Such foldable enclosure 2 further includes a pair of
substantially parallel support members 32 disposed on an underside
of the foldable enclosure 2 and extending longitudinally along a
center portion of each of the substantially identical portions of
the foldable enclosure 2, a pair of the substantially parallel
support members 32 is secured to the base member 4 and the back end
6 of the first portion 1 of the foldable enclosure 2 and to the
base member 4 only on the second portion 3 of the foldable
enclosure 2.
[0026] Such substantially parallel support members 32 further
include a plurality of cross members 34 engageable with an inner
surface of each of the substantially parallel support members 32.
The substantially parallel support members 32 further include at
least two brace members 36 extending from an outer surface of the
substantially parallel support members 32 to an inner surface of
each of the left side 8 and the right side 12 of the substantially
identical portions of foldable enclosure 2.
[0027] Such foldable enclosure 2 further includes a piping
arrangement 30 disposed on an underside of the foldable enclosure
2, a main portion 42 of the piping arrangement 30 extends a length
of each of the substantially identical portions between such
substantially parallel support members 32 and through apertures
disposed in such cross members 34. The piping arrangement 30
further includes connections 44 between each of the predetermined
number of holes 14 and such main portion 42 of the piping
arrangement 30 for returning a golf ball to a retrieval member 46
disposed on an end of a front portion of the apparatus 10. Such
piping arrangement 30 provides an abuttable connection between an
end of the piping arrangement for the first portion 1 of
substantially identical portions and an end portion of the piping
arrangement for the second portion 3 of the substantially identical
portions for permitting the apparatus 10 to fold when not in
use.
[0028] Such piping arrangement 30 is disposed in a sloping manner
so that when such golf ball drops into each hole 14, such golf ball
travels to an open end of the main portion 42 of the piping
arrangement 30 to the retrieval member 46 for enabling a user to
access such golf ball quickly.
[0029] The apparatus 10 further includes at least one handle member
48 disposed on an outer portion of a same side of each of the
substantially identical portions for moving the apparatus 10 when
in a folded position. The apparatus 10 also includes further
includes a securing means 50 for securing the first portion 1 and
said second portion 3 of the substantially identical portions to
each other when the foldable enclosure member 2 is in a folded
condition. Such securing means 50 includes a latch member 52.
[0030] The apparatus 10 when set up for practice putting is
substantially sixteen feet in length and substantially four feet in
width.
[0031] While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate
embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail
above, it should be understood that various other adaptations
and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons
who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from
either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *