GB2581768A

GB2581768A - Golf putting practice apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2581768A
Application number: GB1900029.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Donovan Michael
Original assignee: PUTTALITE Co Ltd
Current assignee: PUTTALITE Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-01-02
Filing date: 2019-01-02
Publication date: 2020-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-02
Also published as: GB201900029D0; GB2581768B

Abstract

A golf putting practice apparatus 10 comprising a ground engageable base 12 which defines a ring with an open centre 14 simulating a golf hole. Base 12 has an inclined surface over which golf balls can travel to enter the open centre 14 simulating a successful putt. The inclined surface has an outer part 16 being inclined upwardly from an outer edge to an apex 18 and may have an inner part 20 inclined downwardly to the centre 14. A plurality of engagement members 28 are provided spaced around and pivotally mounted to the ring. Each member 28 includes a lead part 30 extending from adjacent the ring outer edge, and a rear part 36 inwardly of the lead part 30. The rear part 36 is inclined upwardly and inwardly in a rest position relative to the lead part 30. Each member 28 pivots inwardly from this position when a golf ball (40, Figure 18) travelling towards the centre 14 impacts the rear part 36, to move to an open position such that it will enter said centre 14. After the ball (40, Figure 40) has passed thereover the member 28 will return to the rest position.

Description

Golf Putting Practice Apparatus This invention concerns golf putting practice apparatus.

A wide range of golf putting practicing apparatus has been and are currently available. A number of disadvantages are often encountered with at least some of these. Some aids are relatively expensive, whilst some can only be used in a particular orientation. Some aids do not provide a realistic simulation of whether a shot would have actually entered a golf hole, bearing in mind for instance the strength of the shot. Many aids do not resemble a real golf hole and therefore do not provide a realistic practice experience.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided golf putting practice apparatus, the apparatus comprising a ground engageable base which defines a ring with an open centre to simulate a golf hole, the base having an inclined surface over which golf balls can travel to enter the open centre to simulate a successful golf putt, the inclined surface being inclined upwardly from an outer edge, a plurality of engagement members being provided spaced around the ring and pivotally mounted thereto, each engagement member including a lead part extending from adjacent the ring outer edge, and a rear part inwardly of the lead part, which rear part is inclined upwardly and inwardly in a rest position relative to the lead part, each engagement member being configured to pivot inwardly from the rest position when a golf ball travelling towards the open centre impacts the rear part, to move to an open position such that the golf ball will enter the open centre, and after a golf ball has passed thereover the engagement member will return to the rest position.

Each engagement member may be pivotally mounted on an underside thereof to the body.

Each engagement member may include one or more profiled parts rotatingly engageable with a respective mounting finger on the base. The profiled part or parts may be a snap fit on the mounting finger.

The pivotal mounting of each engagement member may be provided at least generally beneath the transition from the lead part to the rear part.

The lead part may extend from the pivotal mounting for a greater distance than the rear part.

The lead part may be heavier than the rear part such that the engagement members move automatically to the rest position with the lead part resting on the body.

The lead part may diverge away from the pivotal mounting.

One or more downwardly extending ground engageable projections may be provided on the underside of the engagement members adjacent an outer edge thereof.

The spacing between adjacent engagement members may be significantly less than the minimum diameter of a standard golf ball (42.67mm).

The inclined surface of the body may be inclined downwardly in an inner part towards an inner edge. The pivotal mounting may be provided adjacent the transition between the body inclined surface inner part and an outer part which is inclined downwardly towards the outer edge of the body.

Each mounting finger may be provided extending across a respective recess in the inclined surface of the body.

A plurality of ground engagement members may be provided on the underside of the base, and the ground engagement members may include rubber feet, or other members which have a relatively high coefficient of friction.

The open centre of the base may have substantially the same diameter as a regulation size golf hole (108mm).

The apparatus may be made of plastics material, and may be made of recycled plastics material.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which.-Fig.1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a golf apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view from beneath the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view from beneath of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic detailed view of part of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view from beneath of part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic side view of the part of the apparatus of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the part of the apparatus of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic side view of a further part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 12 is a view from beneath of the part shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a rear view of the part of Fig. 11; Fig. 14 is a perspective view from above of the part of Fig. 11; Fig. 15 is a perspective view from beneath of the part of Fig. 11; Figs. 16 and 17 are respectively cross sectional and perspective views showing the parts of Figs. 8 and 11 being mounted together; Figs. 18 to 20 are diagrammatic plan views in use of a similar apparatus; and Fig. 21 and 22 are respectively a plan view and view from beneath of a further apparatus according to the invention.

The drawings show a golf putting practice apparatus 10 comprising a ground engageable base 12 in the form of a ring which defines an open centre 14 of the same size as a standard regulation size golf hole (108mm).

The base 12 has an inclined upper surface with an outer part 16 inclined upwardly from an outer edge to an apex 18, and an inner part 20 inclined downwardly at a steeper angle to the outer part 16, to the open centre 14.

The base 12 has a rib structure 22 beneath the inclined surface. Eight 5 ground engaging equispaced rubber feet 23 are provided on the underside of the rib structure 22, to aid ground engagement of the apparatus 10.

Eight equispaced upwardly open recesses 24 are provided at the apex 18 of the inclined surface, with a circular cross section pin 26 extending 10 across each recess 24.

Eight engagement members 28 are provided mountable equispaced around the base 12 to a respective one of the pins 26. Each engagement member 28 comprises a lead part 30 which in a rest position rests on the outer part 16 of the base 12, and has an outer edge 32 which extends beyond the base, and is provided with three equispaced downwardly pointed projections 34, which lift the outer edge 32 of the lead part 30 a short distance off the ground. The lead part 30 tapers outwardly towards the outer edge 32.

The lead part 30 extends inwardly to an inner shorter rear part 36 which extends at an upwards inclination relative to the lead part 30. A pair of spaced mounting brackets 38 extend on the underside of each engagement member 28 beneath the transition between the lead part 30 and rear part 36. The spaced brackets 38 form a snap fit over a respective one of the pins 26 and permits the engagement member 28 to pivot about the respective pin 26.

In view of the greater amount of material in the lead part 30 than the rear part 36, each engagement member will be urged by gravity to a rest position with the lead part 30 resting on the outer part 16 of the base as shown for example in Fig. 7. An engagement member 28 can though be pivoted inwardly as will take place for instance if a golf ball 40 impacts thereagainst as shown in Fig. 18, in which a ball 40 is shown entering the open centre 14 of a very similar apparatus 42.

In use the apparatus 10 may be supplied with the engagement members 28 and the base 12 separate from each other to facilitate packing.

Each engagement member 28 can be snap fitted onto a respective one of the pins 26 as illustrated for example in Figs. 16 and 17. The apparatus 10 can then be located on an appropriate surface such as a putting mat or a suitable carpet, either indoors or outdoors as required. A golf ball 40 can then be putted towards the apparatus 10, and if the golf ball 40 would have landed in a hole located where the open centre 14 of the base is, the ball 40 would enter the open centre 14 and remain therein.

If a ball 40 is hit towards the apparatus 10 the ball 40 will ride up the lead part 30 of at least one of the engagement members 28, and engage against the rear part 36 to cause the engagement member or members 28 to pivot inwardly, allowing the ball 40 to centre the open centre 14. Passing over the engagement member or members 28 will slow the golf ball as it reaches the open centre 14, assuming the alignment of movement of the golf ball 40 is correct.

The apparatus 10 is configured such that if the golf ball 40 is moving at approximately the right strength to enter a golf hole located at the position of the open centre 14 the ball 40 will be maintained therein. If however the shot is too strong the ball 40 will rise up the inner part 20 of the base 12 and back out of the apparatus 10.

The apparatus 10 can be used to receive up to at least four golf balls 40 in the open centre 14. The apparatus 10 can readily be lifted up at any point and for instance moved to another location. It is not necessary to pick the balls 40 off the ground to remove the apparatus 10.

Figs. 18 to 20 show a very similar apparatus 10 again with eight engagement members 28 mounted on a base 12. Fig. 18 shows a golf ball 40 entering into the open centre 14 of the apparatus 42. As the golf ball 40 is travelling to the open centre 14 it has caused the respective engagement member 44 to pivot inwardly as the ball 40 passes thereover.

In Fig. 19 the apparatus 42 is shown with four golf balls 40 located in the open centre 14. The golf balls 40 will have passed over one or more of the respective engagement members 28.

Fig. 20 illustrates how the apparatus 42 can be lifted clear of the golf balls 40 and moved to another place as required, and a hand 46 is shown lifting the apparatus 42. The golf balls 40 can then be played from their current location to for instance try and enter the open centre 14 of the apparatus 42 when located elsewhere.

Figs. 21 and 22 show a still further apparatus 50 which is similar except as indicated. In this instance a base 52 in the form of a ring is provided again defining an open centre 14. The base 52 again has an outer part 54 inclined upwardly from an outer edge 56 to an apex 58 and an inner part 60 inclined downwardly at a steeper angle to the outer part 54.

Again eight engagement members 62 are provided mounted equispaced around the base 52, mounted to respective pins 64 extending across corresponding recesses 66. In this instance the engagement members 62 when in a rest position lie substantially flush with the rest of the base 52, and the base 52 has fingers 66 extending between each of the engaging members 62 to the outer edge 56.

To assist engagement of the apparatus on the ground a plurality of downwardly extending projections 68 are provided on the underside of the base 52. An outer ring 70 of projections are provided on the base adjacent the outer edge of each engagement member 62. An inner ring 72 is provided extending around the base 52 also with a plurality of downwardly extending projections 68. Recesses 74 for rubber or other feet are provided, but in view of the downwardly extending projections 68, such feet may not be required.

The apparatus may be made of an appropriate plastics material, and desirably a recycled plastics material, though other materials can be used.

There is thus described a readily portable golf putting practice apparatus which can be used at any required location. The apparatus provides the appearance of a correct size golf hole by the open centre of the base. Therefore the apparatus can provide visually realistic practice. The apparatus can readily be picked up and moved as required, if necessary leaving the golf ball or balls in position.

As well as for use when practising putting, the apparatus can be used in a wide range of golf related games. As indicated the apparatus can easily be moved around as may be required in such games.

The apparatus can be readily manufactured and thus relatively inexpensively produced, but is also sturdy and can provide long term maintenance free use. If required the engagement members could be formed in a different colour to the base. The engagement members and base readily permit branding or other messages to be applied thereto.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance the engagement members may take a different form and could be differently mounted to the base. A different number or spacing of engagement members may be used. The base may have a different form, and could be a different size. The feet could be of a different material. The number and/or spacing of the feet may be different.

It may not be required to provide projections on the underside of the outer edge of the engagement members. The engagement members and/or the remainder of the apparatus may be coloured. Different coloured selectively usable engagement members could be provided.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A golf putting practice apparatus, the apparatus comprising a ground engageable base which defines a ring with an open centre to simulate a golf hole, the base having an inclined surface over which golf balls can travel to enter the open centre to simulate a successful golf putt, the inclined surface being inclined upwardly from an outer edge, a plurality of engagement members being provided spaced around the ring and pivotally mounted thereto, each engagement member including a lead part extending from adjacent the ring outer edge, and a rear part inwardly of the lead part, which rear part is inclined upwardly and inwardly in a rest position relative to the lead part, each engagement member being configured to pivot inwardly from the rest position when a golf ball travelling towards the open centre impacts the rear part, to O move to an open position such that the golf ball will enter the open centre, and C\I 15 after a golf ball has passed thereover the engagement member will return to the rest position.O
2. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each engagement member is pivotally mounted on an underside thereof to the body.
3. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each engagement member includes one or more profiled parts rotatingly engageable with a respective mounting finger on the base.
4. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the profiled part or parts are a snap fit on the mounting finger.
5. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pivotal mounting of each engagement member is provided at least generally beneath the transition from the lead part to the rear part.
6. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lead part extends from the pivotal mounting for a greater distance than the rear part.
7. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lead part is heavier than the rear part such that the engagement members move automatically to the rest position with the lead part resting on the body.
8. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lead part diverges away from the pivotal mounting.
9. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, O wherein one or more downwardly extending ground engageable projections are C\I 15 provided on the underside of the engagement members adjacent an outer edge thereof.O
10. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the spacing between adjacent engagement members is significantly less than the minimum diameter of a standard golf ball (42.67mm).
11. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inclined surface of the body is inclined downwardly in an inner part towards an inner edge.
12. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pivotal mounting is provided adjacent the transition between the body inclined surface inner part and an outer part which is inclined downwardly towards the outer edge of the body.
13. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each mounting finger is provided extending across a respective recess in the inclined surface of the body.
14. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of ground engagement members are provided on the underside of the base.
15. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the 10 ground engagement members include rubber feet, or other members which have a relatively high coefficient of friction.
16. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, O wherein the open centre of the base has substantially the same diameter as a C\I 15 regulation size golf hole (108mm).
17. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is made of plastics material.O
18. A golf putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the apparatus is made of recycled plastics material.