GB2281702A

GB2281702A - Driving range terrain simulator.

Info

Publication number: GB2281702A
Application number: GB9318748A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Choong Tow Patrick Choy; Jwee Kah Chan; Clement Gerard Hendricks; Geok Teck Joseph Lim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-09-09
Filing date: 1993-09-09
Publication date: 1995-03-15
Also published as: GB9318748D0

Abstract

The driving range terrain simulator 1 comprises a base 2 and a platform 3 pivotably and rotatably mounted on the base. The platform provides a surface on which a golf ball may be positioned in order for a golfer to practice teeing off balls under different conditions. The platform is tilted by the use of an elongate member 6 fixedly and rotatably attached at one end to the platform and variably positionable on the base. The rotation is achieved by a pivot base 4 being stationary on the ground and the remainder of the base 2 rotating around that pivot base using a number of castors. The elongate member may be replaced by mechanical jacks. <IMAGE>

Description

DRIVING RANGE TERRAIN SIMULATOR This invention relates to a driving range terrain simulator, and particularly, but not exclusively, to a driving range terrain simulator of the type suitable for use on golf driving ranges.

It is known that golfers wishing to improve their golfing skills practice teeing off a golf ball on a driving range.

Generally, the golfer stands at one end of the driving range and hits the ball towards a far end, whilst monitoring the accuracy of his shots.

A problem with known methods of practising hitting a golf ball is that in order to improve the level of skill a golfer may have to spend many hours on the driving range. This may be very boring as all that is involved is hitting the ball from a fixed position at one end of the driving range.

According to the invention there is provided a driving range terrain simulator comprising: a base positionable on a surface; and a platform tiltably mountable on said base and rotatable relative to the surface.

By means of the present invention, a surface on which a golf ball may be positioned prior to hitting the ball is provided.

The surface simulates the terrain found on a driving range or a golf course. Due to the fact that the platform is tiltably and rotatably mounted on a base, the golfer is given the opportunity of teeing off the ball in different types and degrees of tilt. This allows the golfer the potential to maximise the improvement of his game, and reduces or eliminates the boredom of being restricted only to level ground, as is the case in most known driving ranges.

Preferably, the rotating means comprises one or more castor wheels attached to an underside of the base. By means of the castor wheels, the base may be rotated relative to the surface on which it is positioned in order to change the position of the ball on the simulator.

Conveniently the base is placed on the ground on a driving range.

Preferably the base is rotatable through 3600 relative to the ground.

Advantageously, the platform is made of wood, although any other suitable material may be used. The platform is thus light and easy to replace if necessary. As it is of lightweight construction, the user can easily select the degree tilt without much effort.

Advantageously, the base comprises a pivot base fixably positionable on the ground, and an elongate member having a first end attachable to the base and a second end attachable to the platform.

Preferably, the second end of the elongate member is fixedly attachable to the platform, and the first end of the elongate member is variably positionable on the base. By varying the position of the first end of the elongate member on the base, the angle of tilt of the platform may be varied.

Preferably the means for maintaining the position of the first end of the elongate member at a chosen position on the base comprises a plurality of saw tooth edges in which the first end of the elongate member is locatable in one of the saw teeth.

Alternatively the simulator comprises at least one mechanical jack attachable to the base and the platform.

Conveniently, the frame is made from aluminium although any other lightweight material would be suitable. As such the frame is lightweight and rust proof and also very sturdy.

Conveniently, artificial turf is laid across the top of the wooden platform, preferably two types of turf are used; a one inch grass turf near the edges and an artificial grass turf which covers the remainder of the top surface of the platform.

The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a first embodiment of a driving range terrain simulator according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a top view of the simulator of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the simulator of Figure 1 with the platform in a raised position; Figure 4 is a view of the simulator of Figure 1 from below; Figure 5 is an end view of a second embodiment of the invention incorporating a mechanical jack.

Figure 6 is a top view of the simulator of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a side view of the simulator of Figure 5; and Figure 8 is a bottom view of the simulator of Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 a driving range simulator according to the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 1. The simulator comprises a base 2 and a platform 3 pivotably mounted on the base 2. The base comprises a pivot base 4 which is positioned to be in contact with the ground. The base further comprises caster wheels 5 which allow the base to be rotated through 360" relative to the ground. In this example the simulator comprises four caster wheels. By rotating the base, the platform is also similarly rotated relative to the ground. The base further comprises an elongate member 6 attached to a metal handle 6a having a first end 7 connectable to the base 2 and a second end 8 pivotably connectable to the platform 3.The member 6 is fixedly attached to the platform 3, and the position of the second end 7 of the handle 6 on the base 2 is variable. In order to tilt the platform 3, the member is suitably positioned by means of the handle 6a and held in place by one of a plurality of saw tooth edges 9. The simulator 1 comprises two handles 6 on either side of the platform 3. The advantages of using a saw tooth edge results from the fact that many angles of tilts can be obtained by resting the stands 6 on an appropriate one of the plurality of saw tooth 9. In the illustrated example, the platform may be tilted to a maximum of 30".

Referring to Figures 5 to 8 the second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Similar parts have been given corresponding numbers to those in Figures 1 to 4.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 8, the platform 3 is tiltable by means of mechanical jacks.

The simulator according to the present invention is very flexible and provides a challenge to golfers in that they may try different angles of tilts together with different rotational positions. The golfer thus has a wide choice of settings to choose from. For example, he can choose to tee off on a 10 forward slope or on a 25 backward or sideways tilt.

Claims

1. A driving range terrain simulator comprising: a base positionable on a surface; a platform tiltably mountable on said base and rotatable relative to the surface on which the base is positioned.

2. A simulator according to claim 1 wherein the rotating means comprises at least one caster wheel attached to an underside of the base.

3. A simulator according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the base is rotatable through 360" relative to the ground.

4. A simulator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the platform is made of wood.

5. A simulator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base comprises a pivot base fixably positionable on the ground, and an elongate member having a first end attachable to the base and the second end pivotably attachable to the platform.

6. A simulator according to claim 5 wherein the second end of the elongate member is fixably attachable to the platform, and the first end of the elongate member is variably positionable on the base.

7. A simulator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for maintaining the position of the first end of the elongate member at a chosen position on the base comprises a plurality of saw tooth edges in which the first end of the elongate member is locatable in one of the saw teeth.

8. A simulator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising at least one mechanical jack attachable to the base and to the platform.

9. A simulator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame is made from aluminium.

10. A simulator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein artificial turf is laid across a top surface of the platform.

11. A simulator according to claim 10 wherein two types of turf are used; a one inch grass turf near the edges of the platform and an artificial grass turf which covers the remainder of the top surface of the platform.

12. A simulator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A simulator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.