GOLF MAT

Abstract

A golf mat system includes a standing mat frame portion, and a hitting mat frame portion attached to the standing mat frame portion. A hitting mat is mounted in the hitting mat frame portion. The hitting mat includes a plurality of brushes each having a plurality of bristles.

Description

BACKGROUND

Golf hitting mats are typically artificial turf backed by heavy largely unyielding rubber. The bristles of the golf hitting mats and the surface on which the hitter stands are often the same. Even when they are different, the backing of the hitting portion of a mat, or a standalone hitting mat, is backed by an unyielding backer. A proper golf swing first hits the ball, and then in many instances hits the turf ono which the ball sits. In golf on real grass, such a shot results in a divot being taken from the grass and underlying dirt. Performing such a swing on a hitting mat with an unyielding backer can result in straining of the wrist or hand, and make for a painful practice session. Further, hitting before the ball on a hitting mat, that is when the club strikes the ground prior to hitting the ball, may also result in pain, and improper feedback for improvement of a golfer's swing.

While hitting on real turf for practice generally provides the best results, such a process is turf-intensive. Even 100 swings of a single golfer may result in damage to several square feet of real turf.

It would be desirable to provide an artificial hitting mat that more closely replicates the action of a golf club on real turf, without the associated wear and tear on the golfer due to the unyielding backer material used for hitting mats, and to provide a durable re-usable surface for a hitting mat.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a golf mat system includes a standing mat frame portion, and a hitting mat frame portion attached to the standing mat frame portion. A hitting mat is mounted in the hitting mat frame portion. The hitting mat includes a plurality of brushes each having a plurality of bristles.

In another embodiment, a method of assembling a golf mat, including preparing a standing mat frame portion, preparing a hitting mat frame portion attached to the standing mat frame portion, and preparing a hitting mat mounted in the hitting mat frame portion. The hitting mat includes a plurality of brushes each having a plurality of bristles.

A method of using a golf mat, including standing on a standing portion of the golf mat, hitting a ball placed on a separate hitting portion of the golf mat, and adjusting brushes of the hitting portion of the golf mat when bristles on a brush of the golf mat are worn.

In other aspects, the golf mat systems described above further include the hitting mat frame portion having a plurality of cross ribs, and wherein the plurality of brushes are arranged in removable replaceable brush blocks, each brush block sized to fit into an opening created in the hitting mat frame by an external edge thereof and a rib. The standing mat frame portion includes in one aspect a circumferential external bottom frame component, a plurality of ribs extending from a side of the external bottom frame component to an opposite side of the external bottom frame component, and a standing mat surface supported by the external bottom frame component and the plurality of ribs. The plurality of ribs the external bottom frame component each have a height configured to place the standing mat surface at a height to position a top of an external standing mat placed on the standing mat surface to be even with a height of the bristles of the plurality of brushes. The plurality of brushes are arranged with seams therebetween that are substantially perpendicular to a direction of a golf swing in one aspect. Each of the plurality of brushes comprises a brush body made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and bristles made of polyester in one aspect. In another aspect, the hitting mat frame portion has a plurality of cross ribs, and wherein the plurality of brushes are arranged in removable replaceable brush blocks, each brush block sized to fit into an opening created in the hitting mat frame by an external edge thereof and a rib.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf mat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partial top view of a partly assembled golf mat of the type shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the golf mat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of a portion of the bottom view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a hitting mat in a frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a hitting mat in a frame according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a placement of a golf ball on a mat such as those described and shown in the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a different placement of a golf ball on a mat such as those described and shown in the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6; and

FIGS. 10-12 are bottom views of different brush configurations according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A golf mat system 100 according to one embodiment of the disclosure is shown in perspective in FIG. 1. Golf mat system 100 comprises, in one embodiment, a standing mat frame portion 104, and a hitting mat 106 in a hitting mat frame portion 108. A standing mat 150 may be provided separately from the frame portions 104 and 106, and from the hitting mat 108. Alternatively, a standing mat 150 may be provided with the golf mat 100.

In some circumstances, a golf driving or practice range has a number of standing mats, in many cases used for both standing and hitting golf balls. Such standing mats can be quite expensive, and when used for repeated hitting, can wear easily to the point of replacement. If such mats 150 were used only as standing mats, their useful lifetime would be increased. Hitting mat 106 will be described in further detail below.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a portion of golf mat system 100 with no standing mat in place. Frame 104 comprises in one embodiment an external lip 110 and a standing mat surface 112 on which a standing mat (such as mat 150) is placed once the golf mat system 100 is in place where it is desired to be used, such as at a driving or practice range, indoor golf facility, or the like. Hitting mat 106 in hitting mat frame portion 108 is adjacent a side of the standing mat frame portion 104.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the golf mat system 100 of FIG. 1. Frame 108 holds hitting mat 106, which in one embodiment comprises a plurality of individual brushes 130 placed into frame 108. Frame 108 has a bottom frame component 122 that allows placement of the hitting mat 106 or its individual components 130 into frame 108, so that the bottom of the hitting mat 106 or its individual components 130 are very close to the bottom of the frame 108.

Frame 104 further comprises external bottom frame components 116 and ribs 118. As may be seen, the ribs 118 and external frame components 116 support standing mat surface 112 at its bottom. Ribs 118 and external frame components 116 have a height onto which the sheet 112 is positioned (such as by riveting, welding, or the like). The height of the components 116 and 118 determines the height of the sheet 112 relative to the bottom of the hitting mat 106 or its individual brushes 130. For different thickness standing mats, the height 119 of the components 116 and 118 may be varied to ensure that the standing mat top surface is equal in height to the hitting mat top surface. FIG. 4 is a close-up view of a portion of the bottom of the golf mat system showing a portion of the hitting mat frame 108 and standing mat frame 104. The frames 108 and 104 are in one embodiment attached to one another with welds or the like.

FIG. 5 is a side cutaway view of a hitting mat 106 in hitting mat frame 108. Frame 108 has an external lip 124 that extends around a circumference of the frame 108. Hitting mat 106 comprises in one embodiment a plurality of individual brushes 130, joined either to each other as a unit or in blocks (FIG. 6), and also in some embodiments attached to frame 108 such as by screws, epoxy, or the like. Each brush 130 has a plurality of bristles 132 attached to and/or anchored in a brush body 134. Brushes 130 are individually removable and replaceable.

FIG. 6 is a side cutaway view of an hitting mat 606 in a hitting mat frame 608. Frame 608 has an external lip 124 like hitting mat 106. Frame 608 also has ribs 610 that extend laterally across a width of the hitting mat frame 608. Two such ribs 610 are shown in FIG. 6, as well as in FIG. 9, which shows frame 608 in a bottom plan view. Hitting mat 606 comprises in one embodiment a plurality of brush blocks 612 comprising a plurality of individual brushes 130 as described above. Brush blocks 612 are individually removable and replaceable, and also in some embodiments attached to frame 108 such as by screws, epoxy, or the like. Each brush 130 has a plurality of bristles 132 attached to and/or anchored in a brush body 134 as described above.

As is seen in FIGS. 3-4 and in cross-section in FIGS. 5-8, individual brushes, or (as discussed further below) brush blocks, are replaceable when worn. In one embodiment, an end of the hitting frame portion 108 is removable, and brushes or brush blocks may slide within the frame. This allows the movement of a worn brush or brush block to a less used position within the hitting frame portion, and promotes longer life of the hitting frame portion 108.

In one embodiment, the hitting mats 106 and 606 have brush bodies 134 made of ultra-high-molecular-weight (UHMW) polyethylene (UHMWP or PE) and have bristles made of polyester. For general use, it has been found that a UHMW block with polyester filament for the bristles is preferred. In one embodiment, a 0.75 inch thick UHMW block is used with 0.021 inch diameter polyester bristle to a finished height 136 of 2 inches. However, it should be understood that block thickness, diameter of polyester, and length of polyester may be varied without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

For example, to simulate different hitting surfaces, longer bristles 132 may be used. Further, since the length of bristles 132 is longer than traditional hitting mats, different placements of golf balls may be used with embodiments of the present disclosure. Two such placements are shown in side view in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 shows golf balls 700 and 702, with ball 700 resting on top of the bristles, simulating a fairway lie. Golf ball 702 is pressed into the bristles 132 a little more deeply, simulating for example a first rough cut. FIG. 8 shows golf balls 800 and 802 with ball 800 resting about halfway into the bristles, simulating a rough lie. Golf ball 802 is pressed nearly fully into the bristles 132, simulating for example a tall rough lie, or a plugged ball, It should be understood that varying bristle length and stiffness allows for a wide variety of potential lie simulations.

In one embodiment, such as when a brush block system is used (FIGS. 6 and 9), the individual blocks may have different bristle stiffnesses, or even lengths, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Brushes 130 may be assembled in a pattern of strips of brushes. The brushes may be glued or otherwise fastened together and to the frames 108, 608 with the brush bases forming the bottom of the hitting mat. The brushes 130 in one embodiment are assembled such that the glue seam is perpendicular to the normal swing direction of a golf club as shown in FIGS. 1-6. In another embodiment, the glue seams run parallel to the normal direction of a golf swing (FIG. 10). In still another, the seams run skewed from the direction of the golf swing (FIG. 12), so that orientation of the hitting mat 106, 606 does not affect the stress on the system differently if the hitting mat 106, 606 is oriented one way versus another. In another embodiment, a full size brush is used that covers an entire length and width of the hitting mat frame 106 (FIG. 11)

The size of the brushes assembled together to form a mat may be varied, even within an individual mat. In one embodiment, each of the brushes extends for a full width or length of the mat, and a number of brushes of equal size are assembled into a mat. It should be understood that the size of the mat may be chosen depending on the area for which the mat is to be used. That is, for a larger area of golf mat requirement, a larger mat may be used.

It should also be understood that larger or smaller brushes may also be used in assembling the mat. In one embodiment, a mat is comprised of a single brush.

The bristles of the brushes may be chosen to replicate different surfaces mimicking golf surfaces. For example, a “rough” mat could have a longer and/or stiffer and/or more flexible bristle. A “fairway” mat could have shorter or stiffer bristles. The choice is up to the user to decide.

The hitting mat frame 108 and the standing mat frame 104 are separate but removably attachable to each other in one embodiment. In one embodiment, an existing standing mat 150 is placed into frame 104 that is attached to frame 108, 608 for the hitting mat 106, 606. As standing mats vary in height of the nap thereof, and standard hitting mats 106, 606 have a standard bristle height typically larger than a hitting mat height, the frame 104 for the standing mats is available in a variety of heights, matched to the height of the standing mat. Heights of the sheet 112 of standing mat frame 104 is discussed in greater detail above.

In one embodiment, the individual brushes of the hitting mat are individually replaceable. In another embodiment, the hitting mat frame is subdivided into thirds, and a brush block the size of one third of the hitting frame is provided for each third of the hitting mat frame. In this embodiment, the blocks of brushes are individually replaceable. For example, if brush block wears because most hitting is done in the middle third of the hitting frame, then the middle brush block and an end brush block may be swapped, or the worn brush block replaced.

It should be noted that the same reference numerals are used in different figures for same or similar elements. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments, and the terminology is not intended to be limiting. Unless indicated otherwise, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are used to distinguish or identify different elements or steps in a group of elements or steps, and do not supply a serial or numerical limitation on the elements or steps of the embodiments thereof. For example, “first,” “second,” and “third” elements or steps need not necessarily appear in that order, and the embodiments thereof need not necessarily be limited to three elements or steps. It should also be understood that, unless indicated otherwise, any labels such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “forward,” “reverse,” “clockwise,” “counter clockwise,” “up,” “down,” or other similar terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “aft,” “fore,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “proximal,” “distal,” “intermediate” and the like are used for convenience and are not intended to imply, for example, any particular fixed location, orientation, or direction. Instead, such labels are used to reflect, for example, relative location, orientation, or directions. It should also be understood that the singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the true scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

1. A golf mat system, comprising:

a standing mat frame portion;

a hitting mat frame portion attached to the standing mat frame portion; and

a hitting mat mounted in the hitting mat frame portion, wherein the hitting mat comprises a plurality of brushes each having a plurality of bristles.

2. The golf mat system of claim 1, wherein the hitting mat frame portion comprises a bottom frame component that allows placement of the plurality of brushes into the hitting mat frame portion so that the bottom of the hitting mat is aligned at the bottom of the hitting mat frame portion.

3. The golf mat system of claim 2, wherein the standing mat frame portion comprises:

a circumferential external bottom frame component;

a plurality of ribs extending from a side of the external bottom frame component to an opposite side of the external bottom frame component; and

a standing mat surface supported by the external bottom frame component and the plurality of ribs;

wherein the plurality of ribs the external bottom frame component each have a height configured to place the standing mat surface at a height to position a top of an external standing mat placed on the standing mat surface to be even with a height of the bristles of the plurality of brushes.

4. The golf mat system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of brushes are arranged with seams therebetween that are substantially perpendicular to a direction of a golf swing.

5. The golf mat system of claim 1, wherein the each of the plurality of brushes comprises a brush body made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and bristles made of polyester.

6. The golf mat system of claim 5, wherein the bristles are 2 inches long.

7. The golf mat system of claim 6, wherein the bristles had a diameter of 0.021 inches.

8. The golf mat system of claim 1, wherein the hitting mat frame portion has a plurality of cross ribs, and wherein the plurality of brushes are arranged in removable replaceable brush blocks, each brush block sized to fit into an opening created in the hitting mat frame by an external edge thereof and a rib.

9. The golf mat system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of brushes is movable within the hitting mat frame portion.

10. The golf mat system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of brushes is movable by sliding.

11. The golf mat system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of brushes slides within the hitting mat frame portion to move a lesser used brush to a main hitting area within the hitting mat frame portion.

12. The golf mat system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of brushes is replaceable within the hitting mat frame portion.

13. A method of assembling a golf mat, comprising:

preparing a standing mat frame portion;

preparing a hitting mat frame portion attached to the standing mat frame portion; and

preparing a hitting mat mounted in the hitting mat frame portion, wherein the hitting mat comprises a plurality of brushes each having a plurality of bristles.

14. A method of using a golf mat, comprising:

standing on a standing portion of the golf mat;

hitting a ball placed on a separate hitting portion of the golf mat; and

adjusting brushes of the hitting portion of the golf mat when bristles on a brush of the golf mat are worn.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein adjusting brushes comprises replacing worn brushes.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein adjusting brushes comprises adjusting a position of the worn brush out of a main hitting area of the hitting portion, and adjusting a position of a lesser used brush within the hitting portion to the main hitting area.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein adjusting a position of the worn brush and of the lesser used brush comprises sliding the brushes to their new positions.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein sliding the brushes comprises moving the brushes within the frame.