Golf Putting Practice Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a golf practice putting device comprised of a lower section and an upper section being rotatably attached via hinge means. Panel inserts have a felt material or other turf like material thereon, and are mountable on the sections. Openings are formed in the upper section and panel insert for golf balls to exit into a capture area. Opposed elevation means are secured to the upper section. The elevation means allow the angle of the putting surface to be modified according the slope the player desires. Platforms are securely engaged with the elevation means to provide stability balance.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable putting practice device having sections connected by a hinge for easy transport and storage, panel inserts having the capacity to provide a variety of putting surfaces, and elevation means to change the angle of elevation for the putting surface.

Similar portable practice devices are known in the prior art. The present invention is an improvement over these devices because the sections are hingedly attached to break down for storage and the elevation means provides an easily adjustable configuration. Simulated turf material is secured to the panel inserts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved golf practice putting device.

To attain this, the present invention comprises a lower section and an upper section being rotatably attached. Opposed elevation means are provided through apertures in upstanding walls disposed on the upper surface of the upper section. The elevation means allow the angle of the putting surface to be modified according the slope the player desires. Support platforms are provided to stabilize the elevation means. Panel insert, with turf like material disposed on an upper surface of the inserts, are moutable on the upper and lower sections. A cup opening is defined through the upper section and turf material.

A rim integrally formed with the cup opening and insertable members mounted on the rim a variety of diameter openings for different skill sets of the user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for an indoor golf putting practice device which is easily transportable through hinge means attaching the upper and lower sections.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide removeable panel inserts to allow for a variety of styles and types of putting surfaces.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide support platforms to secure elevation means to reduce movement and provide stability on uneven ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention with panel inserts dismounted.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial view of an upper section.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention employing the hinge means.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the elevation adjustment means.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of cup and frame along lines 7-7 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In reference to FIGS. 1-4, a golf putting practice device 10 is shown. The device 10 is comprised of a first planar upper section 12 and a second planar lower section 14. Each section has an upper surface and a lower surface, a first end and second end, and side edges. The upper section 12 has a passage 40 therethrough at a pre-determined location. Opposed upstanding parallel side walls 16 are formed on the upper surface of the sections 12, 14 attached to the side edges. A first end wall 18 with a front facing, back facing and top facing is integrally formed on the second end of the upper section 12 with the parallel side walls 16. A second end wall 20 may be integrally formed on the first end of the lower section 14 perpendicular to the side walls 16 of the lower section 14. Alternately, a passage is defined when the second end wall 20 is removed.

The lower surface of the first end of the upper section 12 is attached to the second end of the lower section 14 via hinge means 42, and in the first position of the hinge means 42 the sections 12, 14 are parallel to form an integrated putting surface. The hinge means 42 permits the sections 12, 14 to be rotatable in relation to each other so that when in the second closed position of the hinge means 42 the upper surfaces of each section 12, 14 are parallel. The hinge means 42 are preferably hinge bosses with complementary hinge pins. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the device 10 can be folded for transport or storage.

A partition 50 is affixed to the upper surface of the upper section 12 and lower 14.

The partition 50 has a curvilinear outer surface, a planer base, front portion 52, side portions 54, and peripheral inner and outer edges along the front portion 52 and side portions 54. The partition 50 is preferably made of wood composite. A channel 56 is defined by inner surfaces of the front portion 52 and side portions 54 of the partition 50, and the upper surfaces of the upper section 12 and lower section 14. The side portions 54 of the partition 50 are generally aligned perpendicular to each other.

A first panel insert 60 and a second panel insert 70, with upper and lower surfaces, are illustrated in FIG. 2. The inserts are removeable and securely mountable to the upper section 12 and lower section 14 in the defined provided channel 56. The first panel insert 60 has a peripheral front edge 62 of predetermined shape to mount securely against the front portion 52 of the partition 50, and peripheral side edges 64 to securely abut against the side portions 54 of the partition 50. The second panel insert 70 has a peripheral front edge 72, peripheral side edges 74 and a peripheral rear edge 76. The front edge 72 of the second panel insert 70 abuts against a rear edge 66 of the first panel insert 60. The first panel insert 60 has a passage 68 complimentary with the passage 40 of the upper section 12.

Simulated turf material 22, such as felt, is secured to the upper surface of the first panel insert 60 and the upper surface of the second panel insert 70. The material provides consistent putting surface for practice. It should be recognized that different coverings can be installed to provide a variety of undulations and a variety of thicknesses. Thus, the surfaces can be provided to simulate actual putting conditions for the user. For an example, the turf material on the first panel insert 60 may be angled to simulate a break in the putting surface, while the second panel insert 70 has a flatter composition.

The passage 68 of the first panel insert 60 is aligned with the passage 40 of the upper section 12 to define a cup opening to allow golf balls to exit from the putting surface. A rim 28 having a top surface and a lower surface is integrally formed in the opening. Insert members 26 having a top surface and a lower surface, turf material 22 secured to the top surface, and having a hole therethrough, are mountable on the rim 28. The apertures of the insert members 26 have alternate diameters to provide a variety of targets for the cup opening. The insert members 26 thus allow more of a challenge for a player to make a practice putt.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a cup 80 is detachably mounted to the lower surface of the upper section 12. A frame 82 comprised of side walls and a base wall, protects the cup.

When mounted the panel inserts 60, 70 provide an elevated surface relative to the remainder of the upper section 12 and the lower section 14. A slot 24 is defined between the outer perimeter of the partition 50, and the end wall 18 of the upper section 12 and the side walls 16 of the lower section 14 and upper section 12. Any golf balls exceeding the perimeter of the partition 50 are propelled into the slot 24, and either return to the base of the device 10 because of the elevation, or are retrieved by the player. By having the elevated panel inserts, putting accuracy and putter alignment, are more readily taught.

Opposed elevation adjustment means 30 are provided to allow the user to elevate the putting surface of the device 10 as desired. The adjustment means 30 are secured to the upper section 12. The preferred method of adjustment means 30 is illustrated in FIG. 5, and is comprised of an outwardly threaded rod 32 with a knob 34 at a first end and a round head nut 36 at a second end. The rod 32 is placed through a threaded brass insert 38 mounted in a bore formed in the side walls 16 of the upper section 12. The brass insert 38 securely engages with the rod 32 to stabilize movement. The device 10 is raised and lowered by turning the knob 34.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 6, support platforms 90 are provided upon which to mount the adjustment means 30. The platforms 90 have lower surface and upper surface, and are generally rectangular shaped. The upper surface of the platform has integrally formed indentations 92 therein, to securely engage with the head nut 36 of the elevation means 30. The lower surface of the platform 90 is in contact with ground surface.

When combined the elevation means 30 and platforms 90 provide alternate settings for the slope of the putting surface. Adjustments can be made to compensate for uneven ground surfaces, and the adjustment means 30 on one side of the device 10 can be raised or lowered, simulating a break in the putting surface. Each elevation means 30 can be independently to adjust the angle of the slope.

In use a player stands at the first end of the lower section 14 after adjusting the elevation of the putting surface. The player can retrieve the golf balls after successful putting the ball through the cup opening. It can readily be seen that when the golf balls enter the slot 24 after leaving the turf material 22 on the panel inserts 60, 70 because of errant putts, that the slope of the device 10 will return the balls to the golfer at the base.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A golf practice putting device, comprising in combination:

a planer upper section having an upper surface and a lower surface, a first end and a second end, an end wall, side edges, and further having a passage positioned at a predetermined location through the section therethrough;

a planer lower section having an upper surface and a lower surface, a first end and a second end, and side edges;

upstanding parallel side walls formed on the upper surfaces of the upper section and the lower section, the walls attached to the edges of the sections;

a ridge affixed on the upper surfaces of the upper section and lower section defining a channel, and whereby a slot is defined between an outer perimeter of the partition, and the end wall of the upper section, and the side walls of the lower section and the upper section;

a panel insert mounted in the channel, whereby the panel insert has a passage defined therethrough positioned at a predetermined location in alignment with the passage of the upper section;

simulated turf material secured to an upper surface of the panel insert;

opposed elevation adjustment means secured to the upper section; and

hinge means connected to the lower surface of the upper section and the lower section.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising the side walls formed on the upper surface of the upper section having a bore formed therethrough and a threaded brass insert being mounted in the bore, wherein the adjustment means are comprised of an outwardly threaded rod mateable with the insert with a knob at first end of the rod and a round head nut at a second end of the rod.

3. The device of claim 3, further comprising at least one platform having an upper planer surface and a lower planer surface, and further having an indentation of predetermined size formed in the upper surface to securely engage with the round head nut of the adjustment means.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a rim integrally formed in the passage of the upper section and an insert member mountable on the rim.

5. A golf practice putting device, comprising in combination:

a planer upper section having an upper surface and a lower surface, a first end and a second end, an end wall, side edges, and further having an opening positioned at a predetermined location through the section therethrough;

a planer lower section having an upper surface and a lower surface, a first end and a second end, and side edges;

upstanding parallel side walls formed on the upper surfaces of the upper section and lower section, the walls attached to the edges of the sections;

a ridge affixed on the upper surfaces of the upper section and lower section defining a channel, and whereby a slot is defined between an outer perimeter of the partition, and the end wall of the upper section, and the side walls of the lower section and the upper section;

a first panel insert mounted in the channel, whereby the first panel insert has a passage defined therethrough positioned at a predetermined location in alignment with the passage of the upper section;

a second panel insert mounted in the channel abutting against the first panel insert;

simulated turf material secured to upper surfaces of the panel inserts;

opposed elevation adjustment means secured to the upper section, wherein the adjustment means comprises an outwardly threaded rod mateable with a threaded brass insert being mounted in a bore in the side walls of the upper section, and further comprises a knob at first end of the rod and a round head nut at a second end of the rod;

at least one platform having an upper planer surface and a lower planer surface, and further having an indentation of predetermined size formed in the upper surface to securely engage with the round head nut of the adjustment means; and

hinge means connected to the lower surface of the upper section and the lower section.