CA2003626A1 - Stall enclosure for all-weather golf driving range - Google Patents
Stall enclosure for all-weather golf driving rangeInfo
- Publication number
- CA2003626A1 CA2003626A1 CA 2003626 CA2003626A CA2003626A1 CA 2003626 A1 CA2003626 A1 CA 2003626A1 CA 2003626 CA2003626 CA 2003626 CA 2003626 A CA2003626 A CA 2003626A CA 2003626 A1 CA2003626 A1 CA 2003626A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- stall
- grating
- plenum
- enclosure
- type enclosure
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Abstract
Abstract Of The Disclosure A stall-type enclosure for use by a golfer at a driving range having an under-floor plenum for receiving heated air and allowing it to rise through a grating covering the plenum in an area around a mat structure upon which the golfer stands. The plenum is surrounded by an insulating wall and heat either leaking or radiating from the sides of the plenum also rises through the grating from the insulated region. The enclosure has a rearwardly pitched roof providing a space behind the front wall and above the opening therein for collection of heated air which is returned to a rear compartment of the structure wherein the heater is located. The mat structure is preferably movable on the grating to allow positioning for optimum wind protection, and hinged flaps or dampers may be selectively placed in covering relation to portions of the grating to concentrate the areas through which heat rises. A ball container is preferably positioned adjacent the mat structure to receive heat rising through the grating.
Description
t 2C~036~6 Appllcation Of: Harvey W. Hugunin For: Stall Enclosure For All-Weather Golf Driving Range Reference To Related Disclosure Documents This application is based upon material contained in the following Disclosure Documents:
No. 172,489 dated June 25, 1987;
No. 176,999 dated September 8, 1987;
No 178,834 dated October 2, 1987; and No. 181,904 dated November 30, 1987.
Background Of The Invention This Invention relates to stall-type enclosures for use at a golf driving range, or the like, to provide a comfortable environment for a golfer using the driving range durlng lnclemel)t weather condltlons.
Temperature-controlled tee areas have been ~ provldl:(l I.n a nlJIlll)el~ Or conrlgural;lon3 lor U:JC ;lt eol~`
driving ranges, and the llke. For example, Patent No.
4,045,023 Or Hefrley, Jr. di3cl0ses a drivin8 booth equipped with air circulation means extending across the upper slde Or the openlng through which balls are driven to circulate a curtain Or heated or cooled air over the opening. A similar temperature control means is that of .
21)03626 Buchanan Patent No. 3,860,236, whereln alr is directed downwardly acrosa the open front of the enclosure to provide an "alr door" whlch tends to malntaln a desired temperature thereln. In Mowrer Patent No. 3,B61,6Bo, a S radiant heater is positioned withln the booth or stall, direotly above the golfer.
The use of downwardly-directed, forced air curtalns, or radiant heat may be effective in some ~ ciroumstances, but is not particularly efflcient. Nor do such systems provide effective distribution of heat throughout the playlng area within the enclosure.
It is a principal ob~ect of the present inventlon to provide a novel and improved stall-type enclosure for use by a golfer at a golf driving range durlng lnclement weather conditions.
A further ob~ect is to provide an effective and efficlent heating system for a stall-type enclosure havin~ an open front through whlch golr balls may be driven.
Another object is to provide a stall-type ~ Lo~ l; u gol~ ivln~ ? w~ o r~ l n comfort heatlng is provided throughout the playing area, and air curtains or simllar downflow heating systems are eliminated.
A still further object is to provlde a heated enolosure for use at a golf driving range, having a novel and improved relationship of the heating system ;' . ,:
', ,: -:
:
:. . . . ' ' , :
~00362~
and the mat or other surface from which the ball ls drlven.
An addltlonal object ls to provide a stall-type enclosure for use at a golr drlvlng range and having S cooperative means For heating the playlng area of the enclosure and warmlng the balls as they are fed to the locatlon from which they are driven.
Other ob~ects will In part be obvlous and wi11 In part appear hereinafter.
Summary Of The Inventlon In accordance wlth the foregolng obJects, the lnvention contemplates an all-weather golf drlvlng range hou31ng unlt or enclosure of the single-user~ stall-type whlch lncludes a floor, roof, back and side walls havlng an open front through whlch a golfer may drlve the ball by executlng a full swlng of the golf club. The open front preferab].y lncludes movable doors, allowlng the houslng to be closed when not ln use. The roof slopes downwardly t`rom rront to rear, whereby the sldes are trapezoldal ln shape.
A heating unit 19 lnstalled in a rear part of the structure, .separated rrom the compartment in whlch the golfer stand9 by a partltlon. The hot-air outlet Or the heater ls connected to or placed wlthln one end of a duct whlch ls connected at lts other end to a warm alr plenum. A fan ln the duct clrculates alr from the heater to the plenum which ls suspended below a gratlng 20~3~Z6 Or .spRced, 1nverted U-channel members.
The plenum ha3 a rectangular upper perlphery which abuts the lower edges Or the channel members and ls smaller than the rectaneular outllne of the gratlng area. A wall of lnsulatlng material ls positioned around the plenum, ln spaced relatlon thereto, extendin8 from the underside Or the grating to the ground. A
solld mat, preferably Or multl-layer construction, having a rectangular periphery smaller than that Or the upper end Or the plenum is placed upon the grating to provide a surrace rrom which to drive the ball and upon whlch the golrer .stands.
With the mat centrally posltioned on the grating, forced hot air from the plenum rises through the spaces between the channel members around the entire perlphery of the mat. In addltlon, warm air from wlthin the area between the plenum and the lnsulating wall rlses by convection through the grating about the outer perlmeter thereor. Preferably, the mat may be moved to any desired postion on the gratlng in order to place the golrer at a position within the enclosure wherein warm air rises between the golrer and any wlnd which may enter the enclosure. Also, hineed flaps may be provided along the sldes Or the grating to permlt selectlve coverlng of the area3 on one or both sldes o~ the mat, thereby concentrating the heated area forwardly, rearwardly, and/or at either side Or the mat.
, ,: , . .
: ~
.
~003626 As a further reflnement of the lnventlon, a sloped ball-supply bin is positioned at one side Or the mat, over a portion Or the grating. The lower wall Or the bin has openings smaller than the golf balls through which air may pass as it rises through the grating. Thus, the balls, which may be supplied from an unheated area, may be warmed to a temperature closer to that within the enolosure before being struck, thereby having a more realistic flight.
The roregoing, generally described reatures, as well as others, will be more fully understood and appreclated from the following detalled description, taken in con~unction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Brief Description or The Drawings Figure 1 ls a front perspective view of the golf drivine range enclosure Or the lnvention wlth doors on the front side shown in the closed position;
Flgure 2 is a perspectlve view, as in Flgure 1, showing the doors in the open position and a golfer driving a ball from the enclosure;
FlBure 3 19 a rear perspectlve view ol the enclosure, with portion3 broken away;
Figures 3a and 3b are end and slde elevatlonal views, respectlvely, Or portlons Or the apparatus shown in Figure 3;
Figure 1l is a slde elevational view of the ', ' '" ' ~ ~
enclosure ln vertical section;
Figure 4a is an enlarged, fragmentary detall of a portion Or Figure 4, taken on the llne 4A-4A of Figure 5;
SFigure 5 is a plan view, in sectlon on the llne 5-5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of a portion of Figure 5, taken on the line 6-6 Or Figure 11;
10Figure 7 is a rear elevational vlew, in sectlon on the llne 7-7 of Figure 6;
Fleure ~ 19 a perspectlve vlew showlng a modlrled verslon of a portlon of the struoture; and Flgure 9 19 a perspectlve view of an optlonal ball 15supply and warming means ln comblnatlon with other portlons of the structure.
Detalled Descrlptlon neferrlne now to the drawlnes, ln Figures 1-3 19 shown a preferred embodlment of the stall-type enclosure 20of the lnventlon, denoted generally by reference numeral 10. Enclosure 10 lncludes front wall 12 having frontal openlng 14 whlch may be closed by doors 16, as ln Flgure 1, or open when the enolosure is ln use, as ln Figure 2.
llool 1~ slope~ downwatdly Irom rrorlt to rear, provldlrle 25side walls 20 Or trapezoldal shape. Heater unit 22 is supported above ground level on platform 24 between rear wall 2h and Interior, transverse partltlon 2~ of .~. .
' erl(:.Losure 10.
The rloor Or hous1ng 10, indicated ln Figure ll by rererence numeral 30, i3 suppcrted above ground level by a distance providing 9pace for mounting duct 32 and plenum 31l, to which hot air is conducted rrom heater unit 22 by duct 32, assigted by duct ran 36. The hot air outlet tube 38 Or heater unlt 22 prererably is slightly smaller cross section than duct 32 and extends a short way into the duct without physical attachment thereto, as ~seen in Figures 3a and 3b. Door 40 in one of side walls 20 provides access to and rrom the interior Or enclosure 10, and stalrs 42 (Fig. 5) are provided between eround level and floor 30. Another door or other passageway (not shown) 19 provided rOr access to the space between rear wall 26 and partltion 28.
A rectangular section Or rloor 30 extendine rully or partially across the width Or hou31ng 10, and from opening 16 rearwardly rOr a port10n Or the depth of the houslng i9 in the rorm Or an open grating 41l. In a preferred construct10n, gratlng 44 compr1ses a plurality Or parallel, spaced, elongated channel members 1l6 Or inverted U-shaped oonfiguration, ~olned by strlps 48 extendill~ al.one opposite 9ides of gratine 41l and riveted, welded, or otherwise attached to each Or channel members 46. Crating 44 is Or larger length and width than the upper periphery Or plenum 34, and is - Z0~)3626 posltioned above the plenum, entlrely coverlng the open, upper slde, and extending outwardly on both sides and rearwardly thereof.
Vertical wall 50 surrounds plenum 34, having a rectangular periphery somewhat smaller than that Or grating 44. Wall 50 extends between the lower slde Or grating 50 and the ground, separating the air surrounding plenum 34 rrom the space under enclosure 10 outside of wall 50. Wall 50 is constructed Or a thermal insulating material, such as a low-density, rigid, foam plastic, riberglass, or the like, and serves to contain any heat passing through the walls Or plenum 34 either by conduction or leakage. The air withln wall 50, when warmer than ambient alr, rlses through the spaces ln lS grating 114 outside Or the rorced hot air rrom within plenum 311, as shown in Figure 7. In installations where the rlow of air from withln wall 50 is expected to be fairly hlgh, openlngs may be provided around the lower periphery Or the wall for entry Or air rrom the surrounding wall 50. Tubular conduit 47 may be provided along the upper, interior surrace Or roof 18, as shown in Figure 4, to ciroulate warm air which may gather at the upper, rorward part of enclosure 10 into the space between partition 28 and rear wall 26, assisted by ran 119, in order to ralse the temperature Or air enterinB
heater 22.
Ihe bottom slde Or plenum 34 prererably slopes upwardly from the rear slde, havlng openlng 51 connectlng wlth duct 32, to the rrOnt edge, which may be br3nt upward1y and attached by rlvet3 52 lo onc Or channel rnember3 46, as shown in Figure 4a. In addltlon to rlvets 52, plenum 311 is supported beneath grating 44 along each lateral slde, and/or the rear slde, by riveting or welding overlapping portions Or the plenum and the channel members, or by any other convenient means. As also seen in Figure 4a, drip plate 54 is afrixed by rivets 56 at its upper edge 1nside the rrontmost channel member 46, and by rivets 58 on the outside Or siding material 60 which covers the rront, back and sides Or enclosure 10. Drip plate 511 provides an efrective means for preventing precipitation from entering enclosure 10 at the lower side Or opening 14, as well as inhibiting ice bu11d-up ln this area.
A rlg1d, rectangular, mat .structure, denoted ~enerally by rererence numeral 6,', ha~lng a 1~er1pheral out11no :~m;lller than the open, upper sldf3 Or plenum 311, i9 placed~ on channel members 46. Mat structure 62 preferably includes four layers, as shown in Figure 7, namely, a lower metal plate 64, a layer Or insulating material 65, a wooden layer 66, and an upper resilient layer Gn Or carpetlne or artirlctal turr. aolt` ball 70 25 13 pl;lCf!(l oltllor (llrcctly on l:ho :3urrace Or m.lt fi2, or on a tee or other support, to be driven by a golfer also :~tandine on mal; 62.
It is prererred that mat 62 be movable upon channel members 46 to permlt 3elective posltlonlng ln areas wherein heated air rislng through the channel mernbers ls positioned between the golfer and any wind which may enter enclosure 10. As a rurther rerinement, in order to concentrate the heat rislng through the grating provlded by channel members 46, rlaps 72 may be hingedly attached along the sides Or the gratlng, as shown ln Figure 8. Either or both Or rlaps 72 may be 3electively placed ln elther covering or uncoverlng relation to the sides Or the grating which, ln oonJunctlon with the positloning Or mat 62, wlll control the portlons Or the gratlng through whlch warm alr rlses.
lS Slnce the gOlr bal.ls may be stored ln an unheal;ed area, it ls desireable to provide some means ror brlnglng them more rapidly to the amblent temperature within enclosure 10. To thls end, ball tray 74 19 positioned laterally adjaoent mat 62, as shown in Flgure 9. Tray ~7.4 may slope downwardly somewhat towards lts forward edge abuttlng mat 62, whioh provldes a lip holding the balls in position wlthin the tray until the golfer is ready to plaoe them on the mat. Openings 76, having llameters le.~s than that Or golr balls 70, are provi(le(l In at le~.qt the rorward portion Or tho ].ower wall Or tray 74 which overlle3 portions Or channel members 46. Thu3, warm alr rl~ing through the grating '' 20(~3626 may pass through openlngs 76 and bring the temperature of the balls closer to that within enolosure 10 berore they are struck by the gol~ club.
~rom the roregolne~ it may be seen that the inventlon provi(les an improved enclosure permitting comfortable use of a golr driving range in cold or inclement weather. The playing area ls heated by alr rlsing through an open grating which covers, and has a peripheral boundary larger than, the open top of a warm air plenum. A mat structure ror supporting the golrer and ball is placed on the grating and has a peripheral boundary smaller than that Or the top of the plenum.
A wall Or insulatine material is preferably placed around the plenum, in spaced relation thereto, permitting any heat lost through the walls Or the plenum to also rlse through the gratlng.
Othel, optional reatures include selectively positionable rlaps or dampers to control the areas of the grating through whlch warm alr rlses, and means rOr bringin8 the termperature Or the balls up to the ambient temperature Or the enclosure. Further preferred features include dimensioning the elements such that the cross sectional area of duct 32 is substantially equal to the area Or the grating above plenum 34 whioh is not covered by mat structure 62, and sloping the roof Or the enclosure from front to rear at about a 3:5 pitch.What Is Claimed I.s:
_ 1 1 ~
., :
No. 172,489 dated June 25, 1987;
No. 176,999 dated September 8, 1987;
No 178,834 dated October 2, 1987; and No. 181,904 dated November 30, 1987.
Background Of The Invention This Invention relates to stall-type enclosures for use at a golf driving range, or the like, to provide a comfortable environment for a golfer using the driving range durlng lnclemel)t weather condltlons.
Temperature-controlled tee areas have been ~ provldl:(l I.n a nlJIlll)el~ Or conrlgural;lon3 lor U:JC ;lt eol~`
driving ranges, and the llke. For example, Patent No.
4,045,023 Or Hefrley, Jr. di3cl0ses a drivin8 booth equipped with air circulation means extending across the upper slde Or the openlng through which balls are driven to circulate a curtain Or heated or cooled air over the opening. A similar temperature control means is that of .
21)03626 Buchanan Patent No. 3,860,236, whereln alr is directed downwardly acrosa the open front of the enclosure to provide an "alr door" whlch tends to malntaln a desired temperature thereln. In Mowrer Patent No. 3,B61,6Bo, a S radiant heater is positioned withln the booth or stall, direotly above the golfer.
The use of downwardly-directed, forced air curtalns, or radiant heat may be effective in some ~ ciroumstances, but is not particularly efflcient. Nor do such systems provide effective distribution of heat throughout the playlng area within the enclosure.
It is a principal ob~ect of the present inventlon to provide a novel and improved stall-type enclosure for use by a golfer at a golf driving range durlng lnclement weather conditions.
A further ob~ect is to provide an effective and efficlent heating system for a stall-type enclosure havin~ an open front through whlch golr balls may be driven.
Another object is to provide a stall-type ~ Lo~ l; u gol~ ivln~ ? w~ o r~ l n comfort heatlng is provided throughout the playing area, and air curtains or simllar downflow heating systems are eliminated.
A still further object is to provlde a heated enolosure for use at a golf driving range, having a novel and improved relationship of the heating system ;' . ,:
', ,: -:
:
:. . . . ' ' , :
~00362~
and the mat or other surface from which the ball ls drlven.
An addltlonal object ls to provide a stall-type enclosure for use at a golr drlvlng range and having S cooperative means For heating the playlng area of the enclosure and warmlng the balls as they are fed to the locatlon from which they are driven.
Other ob~ects will In part be obvlous and wi11 In part appear hereinafter.
Summary Of The Inventlon In accordance wlth the foregolng obJects, the lnvention contemplates an all-weather golf drlvlng range hou31ng unlt or enclosure of the single-user~ stall-type whlch lncludes a floor, roof, back and side walls havlng an open front through whlch a golfer may drlve the ball by executlng a full swlng of the golf club. The open front preferab].y lncludes movable doors, allowlng the houslng to be closed when not ln use. The roof slopes downwardly t`rom rront to rear, whereby the sldes are trapezoldal ln shape.
A heating unit 19 lnstalled in a rear part of the structure, .separated rrom the compartment in whlch the golfer stand9 by a partltlon. The hot-air outlet Or the heater ls connected to or placed wlthln one end of a duct whlch ls connected at lts other end to a warm alr plenum. A fan ln the duct clrculates alr from the heater to the plenum which ls suspended below a gratlng 20~3~Z6 Or .spRced, 1nverted U-channel members.
The plenum ha3 a rectangular upper perlphery which abuts the lower edges Or the channel members and ls smaller than the rectaneular outllne of the gratlng area. A wall of lnsulatlng material ls positioned around the plenum, ln spaced relatlon thereto, extendin8 from the underside Or the grating to the ground. A
solld mat, preferably Or multl-layer construction, having a rectangular periphery smaller than that Or the upper end Or the plenum is placed upon the grating to provide a surrace rrom which to drive the ball and upon whlch the golrer .stands.
With the mat centrally posltioned on the grating, forced hot air from the plenum rises through the spaces between the channel members around the entire perlphery of the mat. In addltlon, warm air from wlthin the area between the plenum and the lnsulating wall rlses by convection through the grating about the outer perlmeter thereor. Preferably, the mat may be moved to any desired postion on the gratlng in order to place the golrer at a position within the enclosure wherein warm air rises between the golrer and any wlnd which may enter the enclosure. Also, hineed flaps may be provided along the sldes Or the grating to permlt selectlve coverlng of the area3 on one or both sldes o~ the mat, thereby concentrating the heated area forwardly, rearwardly, and/or at either side Or the mat.
, ,: , . .
: ~
.
~003626 As a further reflnement of the lnventlon, a sloped ball-supply bin is positioned at one side Or the mat, over a portion Or the grating. The lower wall Or the bin has openings smaller than the golf balls through which air may pass as it rises through the grating. Thus, the balls, which may be supplied from an unheated area, may be warmed to a temperature closer to that within the enolosure before being struck, thereby having a more realistic flight.
The roregoing, generally described reatures, as well as others, will be more fully understood and appreclated from the following detalled description, taken in con~unction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Brief Description or The Drawings Figure 1 ls a front perspective view of the golf drivine range enclosure Or the lnvention wlth doors on the front side shown in the closed position;
Flgure 2 is a perspectlve view, as in Flgure 1, showing the doors in the open position and a golfer driving a ball from the enclosure;
FlBure 3 19 a rear perspectlve view ol the enclosure, with portion3 broken away;
Figures 3a and 3b are end and slde elevatlonal views, respectlvely, Or portlons Or the apparatus shown in Figure 3;
Figure 1l is a slde elevational view of the ', ' '" ' ~ ~
enclosure ln vertical section;
Figure 4a is an enlarged, fragmentary detall of a portion Or Figure 4, taken on the llne 4A-4A of Figure 5;
SFigure 5 is a plan view, in sectlon on the llne 5-5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of a portion of Figure 5, taken on the line 6-6 Or Figure 11;
10Figure 7 is a rear elevational vlew, in sectlon on the llne 7-7 of Figure 6;
Fleure ~ 19 a perspectlve vlew showlng a modlrled verslon of a portlon of the struoture; and Flgure 9 19 a perspectlve view of an optlonal ball 15supply and warming means ln comblnatlon with other portlons of the structure.
Detalled Descrlptlon neferrlne now to the drawlnes, ln Figures 1-3 19 shown a preferred embodlment of the stall-type enclosure 20of the lnventlon, denoted generally by reference numeral 10. Enclosure 10 lncludes front wall 12 having frontal openlng 14 whlch may be closed by doors 16, as ln Flgure 1, or open when the enolosure is ln use, as ln Figure 2.
llool 1~ slope~ downwatdly Irom rrorlt to rear, provldlrle 25side walls 20 Or trapezoldal shape. Heater unit 22 is supported above ground level on platform 24 between rear wall 2h and Interior, transverse partltlon 2~ of .~. .
' erl(:.Losure 10.
The rloor Or hous1ng 10, indicated ln Figure ll by rererence numeral 30, i3 suppcrted above ground level by a distance providing 9pace for mounting duct 32 and plenum 31l, to which hot air is conducted rrom heater unit 22 by duct 32, assigted by duct ran 36. The hot air outlet tube 38 Or heater unlt 22 prererably is slightly smaller cross section than duct 32 and extends a short way into the duct without physical attachment thereto, as ~seen in Figures 3a and 3b. Door 40 in one of side walls 20 provides access to and rrom the interior Or enclosure 10, and stalrs 42 (Fig. 5) are provided between eround level and floor 30. Another door or other passageway (not shown) 19 provided rOr access to the space between rear wall 26 and partltion 28.
A rectangular section Or rloor 30 extendine rully or partially across the width Or hou31ng 10, and from opening 16 rearwardly rOr a port10n Or the depth of the houslng i9 in the rorm Or an open grating 41l. In a preferred construct10n, gratlng 44 compr1ses a plurality Or parallel, spaced, elongated channel members 1l6 Or inverted U-shaped oonfiguration, ~olned by strlps 48 extendill~ al.one opposite 9ides of gratine 41l and riveted, welded, or otherwise attached to each Or channel members 46. Crating 44 is Or larger length and width than the upper periphery Or plenum 34, and is - Z0~)3626 posltioned above the plenum, entlrely coverlng the open, upper slde, and extending outwardly on both sides and rearwardly thereof.
Vertical wall 50 surrounds plenum 34, having a rectangular periphery somewhat smaller than that Or grating 44. Wall 50 extends between the lower slde Or grating 50 and the ground, separating the air surrounding plenum 34 rrom the space under enclosure 10 outside of wall 50. Wall 50 is constructed Or a thermal insulating material, such as a low-density, rigid, foam plastic, riberglass, or the like, and serves to contain any heat passing through the walls Or plenum 34 either by conduction or leakage. The air withln wall 50, when warmer than ambient alr, rlses through the spaces ln lS grating 114 outside Or the rorced hot air rrom within plenum 311, as shown in Figure 7. In installations where the rlow of air from withln wall 50 is expected to be fairly hlgh, openlngs may be provided around the lower periphery Or the wall for entry Or air rrom the surrounding wall 50. Tubular conduit 47 may be provided along the upper, interior surrace Or roof 18, as shown in Figure 4, to ciroulate warm air which may gather at the upper, rorward part of enclosure 10 into the space between partition 28 and rear wall 26, assisted by ran 119, in order to ralse the temperature Or air enterinB
heater 22.
Ihe bottom slde Or plenum 34 prererably slopes upwardly from the rear slde, havlng openlng 51 connectlng wlth duct 32, to the rrOnt edge, which may be br3nt upward1y and attached by rlvet3 52 lo onc Or channel rnember3 46, as shown in Figure 4a. In addltlon to rlvets 52, plenum 311 is supported beneath grating 44 along each lateral slde, and/or the rear slde, by riveting or welding overlapping portions Or the plenum and the channel members, or by any other convenient means. As also seen in Figure 4a, drip plate 54 is afrixed by rivets 56 at its upper edge 1nside the rrontmost channel member 46, and by rivets 58 on the outside Or siding material 60 which covers the rront, back and sides Or enclosure 10. Drip plate 511 provides an efrective means for preventing precipitation from entering enclosure 10 at the lower side Or opening 14, as well as inhibiting ice bu11d-up ln this area.
A rlg1d, rectangular, mat .structure, denoted ~enerally by rererence numeral 6,', ha~lng a 1~er1pheral out11no :~m;lller than the open, upper sldf3 Or plenum 311, i9 placed~ on channel members 46. Mat structure 62 preferably includes four layers, as shown in Figure 7, namely, a lower metal plate 64, a layer Or insulating material 65, a wooden layer 66, and an upper resilient layer Gn Or carpetlne or artirlctal turr. aolt` ball 70 25 13 pl;lCf!(l oltllor (llrcctly on l:ho :3urrace Or m.lt fi2, or on a tee or other support, to be driven by a golfer also :~tandine on mal; 62.
It is prererred that mat 62 be movable upon channel members 46 to permlt 3elective posltlonlng ln areas wherein heated air rislng through the channel mernbers ls positioned between the golfer and any wind which may enter enclosure 10. As a rurther rerinement, in order to concentrate the heat rislng through the grating provlded by channel members 46, rlaps 72 may be hingedly attached along the sides Or the gratlng, as shown ln Figure 8. Either or both Or rlaps 72 may be 3electively placed ln elther covering or uncoverlng relation to the sides Or the grating which, ln oonJunctlon with the positloning Or mat 62, wlll control the portlons Or the gratlng through whlch warm alr rlses.
lS Slnce the gOlr bal.ls may be stored ln an unheal;ed area, it ls desireable to provide some means ror brlnglng them more rapidly to the amblent temperature within enclosure 10. To thls end, ball tray 74 19 positioned laterally adjaoent mat 62, as shown in Flgure 9. Tray ~7.4 may slope downwardly somewhat towards lts forward edge abuttlng mat 62, whioh provldes a lip holding the balls in position wlthin the tray until the golfer is ready to plaoe them on the mat. Openings 76, having llameters le.~s than that Or golr balls 70, are provi(le(l In at le~.qt the rorward portion Or tho ].ower wall Or tray 74 which overlle3 portions Or channel members 46. Thu3, warm alr rl~ing through the grating '' 20(~3626 may pass through openlngs 76 and bring the temperature of the balls closer to that within enolosure 10 berore they are struck by the gol~ club.
~rom the roregolne~ it may be seen that the inventlon provi(les an improved enclosure permitting comfortable use of a golr driving range in cold or inclement weather. The playing area ls heated by alr rlsing through an open grating which covers, and has a peripheral boundary larger than, the open top of a warm air plenum. A mat structure ror supporting the golrer and ball is placed on the grating and has a peripheral boundary smaller than that Or the top of the plenum.
A wall Or insulatine material is preferably placed around the plenum, in spaced relation thereto, permitting any heat lost through the walls Or the plenum to also rlse through the gratlng.
Othel, optional reatures include selectively positionable rlaps or dampers to control the areas of the grating through whlch warm alr rlses, and means rOr bringin8 the termperature Or the balls up to the ambient temperature Or the enclosure. Further preferred features include dimensioning the elements such that the cross sectional area of duct 32 is substantially equal to the area Or the grating above plenum 34 whioh is not covered by mat structure 62, and sloping the roof Or the enclosure from front to rear at about a 3:5 pitch.What Is Claimed I.s:
_ 1 1 ~
., :
Claims (26)
1. A stall-type enclosure for use by a golfer at a driving range during inclement weather, said enclosure comprising:
a) a roof and side, back and front walls, said front wall having an opening through which a ball may be driven by a golfer standing within said enclosure and executing a full swing;
b) a floor within said enclosure elevated above ground level to provide an enclosed space beneath said flooring;
c) an air plenum positioned within said enclosed space, said plenum having an open top of first, predetermined outline;
d) means providing heated air to said plenum;
e) a predetermined section of said flooring comprising an open grating, having a second, predetermined outline, larger than said first outline, a first portion of said grating being positioned directly above said open top of said plenum, in fully covering relation thereto; and f) a mat adapted for supporting said golfer and ball, said mat being positioned upon said first portion of said open grating and having a third, predetermined outline, smaller than said first outline, whereby said heated air may rise through said open grating in an area at least partially surrounding said mat.
a) a roof and side, back and front walls, said front wall having an opening through which a ball may be driven by a golfer standing within said enclosure and executing a full swing;
b) a floor within said enclosure elevated above ground level to provide an enclosed space beneath said flooring;
c) an air plenum positioned within said enclosed space, said plenum having an open top of first, predetermined outline;
d) means providing heated air to said plenum;
e) a predetermined section of said flooring comprising an open grating, having a second, predetermined outline, larger than said first outline, a first portion of said grating being positioned directly above said open top of said plenum, in fully covering relation thereto; and f) a mat adapted for supporting said golfer and ball, said mat being positioned upon said first portion of said open grating and having a third, predetermined outline, smaller than said first outline, whereby said heated air may rise through said open grating in an area at least partially surrounding said mat.
2. The stall-type enclosure of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third predetermined outlines are rectangular and both the length and width of said first outline are less than the length and width of said second outline, and greater than the length and width of said third outline.
3. The stall-type enclosure of claim 2 wherein said mat is positioned with its periphery entirely within said first predetermined outline, whereby said heated air may rise through said open grating in an area entirely surrounding said mat.
4. The stall-type enclosure of claim 1 and further including a substantially vertical wall of insulating material within said enclosed space entirely surrounding said plenum in spaced relation thereto and extending substantially between the lower side of said open grating and ground level, whereby heated air may rise through said grating from the space between said plenum and said wall.
5. The stall-type enclosure of claim 11 wherein said wall is rigid, heating-insulating material and has a fourth, predetermined outline in plan view, not greater than said second outline.
6. The stall-type enclosure of claim 1 wherein said plenum is suspended from said open grating.
7. The stall-type enclosure of claim 6 wherein said open grating comprises a plurality of spaced, parallel, U-shaped channel members.
8. The stall-type enclosure according to claim 7 wherein said plenum is physically attached to at least some of said channel members.
9. The stall-type enclosure according to claim 7 and further including a pair of solid dampers and extending respectively along opposite, lateral sides of said grating for individual, selective placement in covering and uncovering relation to lateral portions of said open grating, thereby controlling the areas of said grating through which heated air rises.
10. The stall-type enclosure of claim 1 and further including a container for holding a supply of golf balls, said container having a bottom wall with perforations therein of smaller cross section than said golf balls, at least a portion of said bottom wall being positioned above said first portion of said grating, whereby at least some golf balls in said container receive heat from said plenum.
11. The stall-type enclosure of claim 10 wherein said bottom wall has an edge portion disposed adjacent one side of said mat and said bottom wall is inclined toward said edge portion, whereby golf balls in said container are red by gravity toward said edge portion.
12. The stall-type enclosure of claim 1 wherein said roof is sloped from said front to said back wall at about a 3:5 pitch, whereby said side walls are trapezoidal in shape.
13. The stall-type enclosure of claim 12 and further including an internal space directly behind said front wall and above said opening therein, whereby heat rising through said grating may accumulate in said internal space, and means for recirculating air from said enclosed space to a rear portion of said enclosure.
14. The stall-type enclosure of claim 13 and further including a partition parallel to and intermediate of said front and back walls, and wherein said enclosed space is between said partition and said back wall.
15. The stall-type enclosure of claim 1 wherein said mat is selectively movable upon said grating to permit positioning of said mat in positions wherein said heated air rising through said open grating is positioned between the golfer and any wind entering said enclosure through said opening.
16. The stall-type enclosure of claim 1 and further including a partition parallel to and between said front and back walls, said means providing heated air being positioned in the space rearwardly of said partition and said plenum being positioned in the space forwardly of said partition.
17. The stall-type enclosure of claim 16 wherein said means providing heated air comprises a fuel-burning heater with a circular heat outlet, and further including a circular duct communicating at one end with said heat outlet and at the other end with said plenum.
18. The stall-type enclosure Or claim 17 wherein said duct is of larger diameter than said heat outlet, and said heat outlet extends into said one end of said duct and is physically unattached thereto, providing an open, annular space between said heat outlet and said duct.
19. The stall-type enclosure of claim 1 wherein said means providing heated air communicates with said plenum through a duct pipe having a cross sectional area substantially equal to said first portion of said grating not covered by said mat.
20. The stall-type enclosure Or claim 1 wherein said mat comprises a multi-layer structure having at least two, superposed layers the lower of which provides an insulating barrier for the upper of said layers.
21. The stall-type enclosure of claim 1 wherein said front wall opening has parallel, upper and lower edges, said upper edge being positioned a substantial distance below the top of said front wall, thereby providing an internal space directly behind said front wall and above said opening, and said lower edge being positioned a substantial distance above the bottom of said front wall, substantially at the level of said 9 flooring.
.
.
22. A stall-type enclosure for use by a golfer at a driving range during inclement weather, said enclosure comprising:
a) a roof and side, back and front walls, said front wall having an opening through which a ball may be driven by a golfer standing within said enclosure and executing a full swing;
b) a floor within said enclosure elevated above ground level to provide an enclosed space beneath said flooring;
c) an air plenum positioned within said enclosed space, said plenum having an open top of first, predetermined outline;
d) means providing heated air to said plenum;
e) a predetermined section of said flooring comprising an open grating, at least a portion of which is positioned directly above said open top of said plenum, in fully covering relation thereto; and f) a mat adapted for supporting said golfer and ball, said mat being positioned upon said portion of said open grating and having a second, predetermined outline, smaller than said first outline, whereby said heated air may rise through said open grating in an area at least partially surrounding said mat.
a) a roof and side, back and front walls, said front wall having an opening through which a ball may be driven by a golfer standing within said enclosure and executing a full swing;
b) a floor within said enclosure elevated above ground level to provide an enclosed space beneath said flooring;
c) an air plenum positioned within said enclosed space, said plenum having an open top of first, predetermined outline;
d) means providing heated air to said plenum;
e) a predetermined section of said flooring comprising an open grating, at least a portion of which is positioned directly above said open top of said plenum, in fully covering relation thereto; and f) a mat adapted for supporting said golfer and ball, said mat being positioned upon said portion of said open grating and having a second, predetermined outline, smaller than said first outline, whereby said heated air may rise through said open grating in an area at least partially surrounding said mat.
23. The stall-type enclosure of claim 15 wherein said opening has a lower edge substantially in the plane of said flooring, and thereby above ground level.
24. The stall-type enclosure of claim 16 wherein said first and second predetermined outlines are rectangular and both the length and width of said first outline are greater than the length and width of said second outline.
25. The stall-type enclosure of claim 17 wherein said mat is positioned with its periphery entirely within said first predetermined outline, whereby said heated air may rise through said open grating in an area entirely surrounding said mat.
26. The stall-type enclosure of claim 18 and further including an elongated drip guard extending substantially entirely across said lower edge of said opening and downwardly therefrom on said front wall.--
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/415,855 US5011152A (en) | 1988-07-26 | 1989-10-02 | Stall enclosure for all-weather golf driving range |
| US415,855 | 1989-10-02 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2003626A1 true CA2003626A1 (en) | 1991-04-02 |
Family
ID=23647490
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2003626 Abandoned CA2003626A1 (en) | 1989-10-02 | 1989-11-22 | Stall enclosure for all-weather golf driving range |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2003626A1 (en) |
-
1989
- 1989-11-22 CA CA 2003626 patent/CA2003626A1/en not_active Abandoned
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| FZDE | Dead |