Putter training device

Abstract

A putter training device has a putting green surrounded by a “hazard” . The putting green slants upwardly from the front edge of the device and is provided with a cup as a target for the golfer. If the ball is successfully putted into the cup, a channel extends from the cup, through the hazard, and to a ball return ramp on one side of the device. If the ball is hit beyond the putting green, the ball falls into the hazard and returns to the player via the ball return ramp.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to devices for allowing a golfer to practice putting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Golfers spend much time away from the golf course trying to improve the skills necessary to play well. One of the most basic skills in golf is the ability to putt well. Unlike skills such as driving and chipping, putting can be practiced indoors in an enclosed space. In fact, it is possible to practice putting anywhere due to the short distances and low speeds inherent in putting.

[0003] The prior art is replete with devices enabling a golfer to practice putting skills. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,438 (Dennesen). Dennesen discloses a golf putting practice green having a golf cup and a hazard. The practice device inclines up to the golf cup and hazards. If the golf ball is putted correctly, the ball will enter the cupand come to rest beneath a mat. An errantly hit ball may enter one of the hazards, but will also come to rest beneath the mat. A return mechanism is provided to move the ball through the cup to the proximal end of the putting green.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 2,460,080 (Gerding) discloses an indoor practice putting green having a central band positioned on carpet above recesses. A chute returns golf balls from the cup or band to the player.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,171,812 (Marsin) discloses a golf green to be installed in an area such as a desert or mound of sand. The green has a central cylindrical cup and two compartments concentric with the cup. The cup and each compartment is formed with an inverted conical bottom terminating in a discharge opening. A conduit extends from each opening.

[0006] U.S. Pat. 5,505,451 (Brayshay) discloses a practice putting green including three holes with a ball return track at the edges of the green. The green slants toward the return tracks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A putter training device has a putting green surrounded by a “hazard”. The putting green slants upwardly from the front edge of the device and is provided with a cup as a target for the golfer. If the ball is successfully putted into the cup, a channel extends from the cup, through the hazard, and to a ball return ramp on one side of the device. If the ball is hit beyond the putting green, the ball falls into the hazard and returns to the player via the ball return ramp.

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a putting training device having a putting green with a cup and a hazard.

[0009] It is another object of the invention to have a putting green separated from a hazard by a ridge, the hazard located lower than the putting green.

[0010] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a putting training device that returns the ball to the user if it goes into a cup or into a hazard.

[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a putting green with a ball return ramp for returning the ball to the user.

[0012] It still another object of the invention to provide a putting training device that may be used at any location.

[0013] It is another object of the invention to provide a putting training device that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use.

[0014] In accordance with the teachings of this invention there is provided a putting training device which comprises a playing surface having a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge and a right edge. The playing surface has a first section and a second section joined along a ridge, a cup in said first section, and an exit in said second section, said exit being at a lowermost point of said second section.

[0015] In another aspect of this invention there is provided putting training device which comprises a playing surface having a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge and a right edge. The playing surface has a first section and a second section joined along a ridge. There is a cup in the first section, and means are provided for returning a ball to a user.

[0016] In yet a further aspect of this invention there is provide the method of using a putting training device which comprises the steps of: providing a playing surface having a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge and a right edge, and in which the playing surface having a first section and a second section joined along a ridge, inclining the playing surface from said front edge to said ridge, forming a cup in said first section, forming an exit in said second section, said exit being at a lowermost point of said second section, and hitting a ball up said inclined playing surface.

[0017] These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the disclosure of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a top view of the putting training device; and

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the putting training device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Putting training device 10 is depicted in FIG. 1. The training device is bounded by a left edge 12, right edge 14, front edge 16 and rear edge 18. The surface is split between a first section 30 forming a putting green and a second section 40 forming a “hazard”. The first section and second section are separated by a bell-shaped ridge 36. A ball return 20 is attached to the left edge 12 and forms the left edge 22 of the entire device 10. The first section is provided with a cup 34.

[0021] The perspective view of the putting training device 10 gives a clearer view of the device and its operation. As can be seen, the first section 30 slopes from the front edge 16 to the bell-shaped ridge 36. The hazard or the second section 40 has a wall 46 extending downwardly from the ridge to create the second section which is below the first section. Therefore, if the user hits the golf ball too hard, the ball will fall over the ridge into the hazard. If the ball is successfully hit into the cup 34, an opening 38 at the side of the cup leads to a channel 42. The channel 42 leads to an opening 44 in the side wall 12. The ball follows the channel 42 through the opening 44 and into the ball return 20. The second section 40 is sloped so that both the second section and the channel 42 slope toward the opening 44. This allows the ball to consistently enter the ball return 20. The channel 42 has an arcuate surface to guide the ball toward the opening.

[0022] While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, variations and modifications would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The invention encompasses such variations and modifications and is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A putting training device comprising:

a playing surface having a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge and a right edge,

said playing surface having a first section and a second section joined along a ridge,

a cup in said first section, and

an exit in said second section, said exit being at a lowermost point of said second section.

2. The putting device of claim 1, wherein said exit is in said left side.

3. The putting device of claim 2, further comprising a ball return extending along the left side of the playing surface.

4. The putting device of claim 3, wherein said ball return comprises a ball return extending along the left side of the playing surface.

5. The putting device of claim 1, wherein said first section slopes upwardly from said front edge to said ridge.

6. The putting device of claim 1, further comprising a aperture extending from said cup to said second section.

7. The putting device of claim 6, further comprising a channel in said second section extending from said aperture to said exit.

8. The putting device of claim 7, wherein said channel is arcuate.

9. The putting device of claim 1, wherein said exit is an opening in said left side.

10. The putting device of claim 1, wherein said ridge is bell shaped.

11. A putting training device comprising:

a playing surface having a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge and a right edge,

said playing surface having a first section and a second section joined along a ridge,

a cup in said first section, and

means for returning a ball to a user.

12. The putting training device of claim 11, wherein said means for returning a ball to a user comprises a ball return extending along the left side of the playing surface.

13. The putting training device of claim 12, wherein said means for returning a ball to the user further comprises an aperture extending from said cup to said second section.

14. The putting training device of claim 13, wherein said means for returning a ball to the user further comprises a channel in said second section extending from said aperture to said ball return.

15. The putting training device of claim 14, wherein said channel is arcuate.

16. The putting training device of claim 15, wherein said channel leads to an opening in said left wall

17. The putting training device of claim 11, wherein said ridge is bell shaped.

18. A method of using a putting training device comprising:

providing a playing surface having a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge and a right edge,

said playing surface having a first section and a second section joined along a ridge,

inclining the playing surface from said front edge to said ridge,

forming a cup in said first section,

forming an exit in said second section, said exit being at a lowermost point of said second section, and

hitting a ball up said inclined playing surface.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising

returning the ball to a user comprises a ball return extending along the left side of the playing surface.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising

returning the ball to the user via an inclined ramp.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising

forming an aperture in said cup leading to said second section.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising

forming a channel in said second section from said aperture to said exit.