Putting Green
Disclosed are various embodiments of artificial golf putting greens. In one embodiment, a base assembly comprising a flexible solid base material, the base assembly having a substantially planar top surface, a substantially planar bottom surface, and an outer perimeter that tapers from the top surface to an outer edge of the bottom surface; a putting surface that covers the substantially planar top surface of the base assembly; and a fringe that covers the tapered outer perimeter of the base assembly.
This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisional application entitled “IMPROVED PUTTING GREEN” having Ser. No. 61/021,544, filed Jan. 16, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDMost people that play golf would like to own their own golf putting green that they would use for practice, entertainment, or display purposes. Simulating the look, feel, and/or performance of a natural grass putting green enhances the desirability of the putting green.
Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of artificial golf putting greens. More particularly, one embodiment of the artificial golf putting green includes an interlocking, flexible substructure made from solid porous panels and a surface of artificial grass and fringe that all together closely mimic the look, feel, and performance of a natural grass putting green. Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings, wherein like reference numbers indicate like parts throughout the several views.
Artificial golf putting greens can include a putting surface supported by a base assembly.
Around the perimeter of the base assembly 150 exists a taper extending from a substantially planar top surface 220 of the base assembly 150 towards a substantially planar bottom surface 230 of the base assembly 150. The taper allows a user to walk onto the putting green 100 without having to step over a lip or bumper, thus eliminating a trip hazard. The tapered edge also aids in the appearance of the putting green 100. The putting green 100 will appear to rise out of the floor (or other support surface or substrate) creating a more realistic appearance. In some embodiments, the taper extends to the bottom surface 230 of the base assembly. In other embodiments, such as in
The width of the taper 250 may extend from the top surface 220 to the bottom surface 230 and/or outer edge 240 in a range of about 4 to about 18 inches. In other embodiments, the width of the taper 250 may extend in a range of about 4 to about 12 inches. In one embodiment, the width of the taper 250 may extend in a range of about 4 to about 10 inches. In another embodiment, the width of the taper 250 may extend in a range of about 7 to about 10 inches. In some embodiments, the taper width 250 may be constant around the whole perimeter of the base assembly 150. In other embodiments, the taper width 250 may vary around the perimeter of the base assembly 150. For example, in one embodiment, the taper width 250 may vary based upon the curvature of the perimeter (e.g., curvatures having a smaller radius will have a smaller taper width).
The fringe 120 produces a barrier around the putting surface 110 that will keep a ball from rolling off the putting surface 110 when propelled. The use of an artificial grass and/or synthetic turf fringe 120 and an artificial grass and/or synthetic turf putting surface 110 also improves the appearance of the disclosed putting green 100, enabling it to resemble a natural putting green. A height differential 210 between the surface of the fringe 120 and the surface of the putting surface 110 may be in the range of about 0.5 to about 3 inches will keep putted golf balls on the surface of the putting green. In other embodiments, the height differential 210 may be in the range of about 0.75 to about 2 inches. In one embodiment, a height differential 210 in the range of about 1 to about 1.5 inches is used.
In one embodiment, the base assembly 150 can include multiple flexible, porous solid panels, which are connected together to provide the base for the playing surface. In other embodiments, the base assembly may be a single panel. At least one panel will have an opening in the top surface 220 suitable to receive a cup 130, which is adapted to receive golf balls. Resilient solid base materials that allow for a lightweight, flexible, breathable, and drainable (e.g., porous) base assembly 150 may be utilized to form the base panels. In some embodiments, the base panels are formed out of beaded materials, which can enhance flexibility and drainage. Base materials can include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and combinations thereof. In addition, interpolymers such as, but not limited to, ARCEL® and Piocelan® may be utilized as base materials.
In addition, using flexible base materials allows for a more realistic feel underfoot and provides the ability to add more realistic contours to the putting surface 110 to resemble natural grass putting greens. For example, an underlayment may be utilized to add realistic contours to the putting surface 110.
The use of resilient solid base materials also allows for the customization of the base assembly 150 of the putting green 100. An unlimited amount of shapes and sizes may be utilized to provide unique or standardized artificial golf putting greens. Also, the flexibility in the types of shapes incorporated into the design allows for a free-flowing realistic design that can be molded to meet the surroundings, and not the forced unattractive shapes that molded greens incorporate into their designs.
Embodiments of the base assembly 150 may include multiple flexible, porous solid panels, which are connected together in a grid to form the desired shape of the putting green 100.
Upper engagement tabs 540 and lower engagement tabs 550 alternate around the perimeter of the base panel 500 to provide a fastening mechanism for connecting base panels 500 together to form the base assembly 150. In the embodiment of
In some embodiments, the base panels 500 may be held together based upon a friction fit between the engagement tabs 540 and 550. Alternatively, dimples, raised bumps, recesses, and/or ridges may be included on the contacting faces of the engagement tabs 540 and 550 to hold the base panels together. In other embodiments, a securing device such as, but not limited to, dowels, screws, nails, or pins may be utilized to secure adjacent base panels 500 together. In the exemplary embodiment of
The solid nature of the panels allows the panels to be machined or molded for an unlimited combination of shapes and sizes. The base panels used around the outside perimeter of the green are tapered from the top surface to the bottom surface that will create a ramp up to the putting surface allowing the user of the putting green to enter and exit the putting green without having to step up over a lip or bumper extending above the putting surface.
As noted, an unlimited combination of shapes and sizes of perimeter panels may be utilized. For example, a grid of base panels 500 may be laid out and a desired shape of a putting green 100 may be superimposed on the grid of panels.
At least one base panel 590 and/or perimeter panel 690 will have an opening 710 suitable for receiving a cup 130 (
Cup 130 is preferably a regulation practice green cups that measure 10.16 cm high and 10.8 cm wide. However, in alternative embodiments, the height and width of the cups 130 may be varied. The cup 130 is held in place by the walls of the opening. The size of opening 710 is adapted to the size of cup 130. In some embodiments, the sides of the opening 710 may be tapered to provide a secure fit for the inserted cup 130. In some embodiments, the putting surface 110 folds into the opening and is held in place by the cup 130. Also shown on
The assembled base assembly 150 provides support for the putting surface 110 and fringe 120 as described for
Logos 140 (
Alternatively, synthetic/artificial turf of the putting surface 110 may be dyed or painted to provide the color of the logo 140 or design on the putting surface 110. For example, ink jet printing may be utilized to dye the logo 140 or design directly onto the putting surface 110. Dying or painting the putting surface 110 allows the logo 140 and/or design to be added without cutting and gluing of the putting surface 110.
In other embodiments, logos and designs may be added to the fringe 120 using the same methods described above. In addition, different and/or contrasting colors and patterns may be used for the putting surface 110 and fringe 120 to aid in drawing attention to the putting green 100.
In some embodiments, a golf putter display rack may also be included in the artificial golf putting green 100. The display rack may include a frame of wood, metal, plastic, or other suitable material that is secured to the putting green 100. In one embodiment, openings are provided in the base assembly to receive and support the display rack. The display rack may be suitable for supporting one or more clubs. For example, the display rack may include one or more cradles into which the club handle rests when on display.
An artificial golf putting green 100 can be assembled by fitting the base panels 500 together in a specified grid pattern to form the base assembly 150. In one embodiment, the base panels 500 are numbered to indicate appropriate placement within the grid pattern. In some embodiments, the base panels are further secured in position using dowels, screws, nails, or pins. Next, the putting surface 110 and fringe 120 is placed over the base assembly 150, making sure that openings in the putting surface 110 align with the base assembly openings for receiving cups 130. The cups 130 are then inserted through the putting surface openings and into the base assembly openings. Contours may be produced by adding an underlayment 410 (
During use of the assembled putting green 100, a player may stand and move about on the putting surface 110, hitting golf balls toward cups 130. When the player misses the cup 130, the golf ball is prevented from falling off by the height differential 210 (
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
Claims
1. A golf putting green comprising:
- a base assembly comprising a flexible solid base material, the base assembly having a substantially planar top surface, a substantially planar bottom surface, and an outer perimeter that tapers from the top surface to an outer edge of the bottom surface;
- a putting surface that covers the substantially planar top surface of the base assembly; and
- a fringe that covers the tapered outer perimeter of the base assembly.
2. The golf putting green of claim 1, wherein the base assembly is hidden from view when covered by the putting surface and the fringe.
3. The golf putting green of claim 1, wherein the base assembly comprises a plurality of base panels mechanically fastened together, the base panels comprising the flexible solid base material, where the base panels around the outer perimeter of the base assembly are tapered from the top surface to the outer edge of the bottom surface.
4. The golf putting green of claim 3, wherein the base panels are mechanically fastened together by engagement tabs.
5. The golf putting green of claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of base panels includes an opening configured to receive a cup and the putting surface includes a corresponding opening.
6. The golf putting green according to claim 3, wherein a securing device is inserted through adjacent base panels to keep them from separating.
7. The golf putting green of claim 3, wherein the base panels around the outer perimeter of the golf putting green are machined into different shapes and sizes.
8. The golf putting green of claim 1, wherein the putting surface and the fringe comprise synthetic turf.
9. The golf putting green according to claim 1 wherein the taper of the outer perimeter of the base assembly has a width in a range of about 4 to about 10 inches.
10. The golf putting green of claim 1, wherein a height differential between the putting surface and the fringe keeps balls on the putting surface.
11. The golf putting green of claim 1, wherein the putting surface includes artificial grass of a plurality of colors, the artificial grass inlaid into the putting surface to create a logo or design.
12. The golf putting green of claim 1, further comprising a contour pad placed under the base assembly to provide a contour in the putting surface.
13. The golf putting green of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of contour pads stacked under the base assembly to provide a contour in the putting surface.
14. The golf putting green of claim 12, wherein the contour pad can be moved to change the contour in the putting surface.
15. The golf putting green of claim 1, wherein the flexible solid base material comprises a beaded material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, interpolymers, and combinations thereof.
16. The golf putting green of claim 1, wherein the golf putting green can be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools.
17. The golf putting green of claim 1, wherein the golf putting green is portable.
18. The golf putting green of claim 1, further comprising a golf putter display rack.
19. The golf putting green of claim 1, wherein the golf putting green comprises a material that enables the golf putting green to be used indoors or outdoors.
20. The golf putting green of claim 1, wherein the flexible solid base material is porous.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 16, 2009
Publication Date: Jul 16, 2009
Inventor: John Knox (St. Augustine, FL)
Application Number: 12/354,882
International Classification: A63B 69/36 (20060101);