Golf target

Abstract

A golf practice target in the form of a target green is provided with different colored lights which are lit up by ball landing on the target green.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a golf target which is in the form of a practice green to be hit at by golfer's in driving range facilities and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Golf is becoming an extremely popular game. Driving ranges are being built everywhere around the world to accommodate people who want to practice their golf ball hitting skills. Most up to date driving ranges include simulated greens at which people hit to determine their shot accuracy.

[0003] A conventional target green found at driving ranges, golf courses, or even larger property private homes is not provided with anything in the way of an indicator to tell a person if the green has been hit by a shot or what location of the green has been hit by a shot. People have to rely upon their eyesight to make these determinations. A person's ability to see where the shot has landed can be adversely affected by many factors including the distance separating the person from the green, overly bright or unduly dim lighting conditions which often occur during regular daylight hours and, most importantly, dark lighting conditions found in evening or night hours. In this regard, many driving ranges do have night lighting in the tee-off area but not in the ball landing area. Accordingly, people using driving range facilities in the evening and night hours when driving ranges are often busy are not able to see where their shots land.

[0004] In the past there have been some attempts made to overcome the problems noted above. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,392 describes a golf ball practice green which has lights that are illuminated by golf ball impact with the practice green. The practice green of the '392 patent, if functioning properly, therefore enables a person hitting a shot at the green to see whether or not the ball has landed on the green.

[0005] There are however deficiencies and problems associated with the structure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,392. For example, even though the structure when it is properly functioning does give feedback that it has been hit does not provide any type of indication as to where the ball has landed on the practice green. Therefore if the practice green is of substantial size, as it should be for driving range use, a person hitting the green still does not know how accurate his/her shot has been relative to a specific location on the green. Therefore if the person was aiming at a specific location the shot may have landed 10 feet from the location or it may have landed 50 feet from the location. There is simply no way of determining this when using the practice green of the '392 patent.

[0006] Another negative feature of the structure of the '392 patent is that it relies upon a constant supply of air to ensure its operation. This supply of air separates two surfaces which act as electrical contacts. The air therefore keeps the contacts open to prevent operation of the hit indicating light on the practice green. The impact of a ball with the practice green is sufficient to push the two surfaces together overcoming the air pressure normally holding the surfaces separated from one another. This operational design necessitates constant power to the practice green for maintaining the air supply and is subject to failure in the event that the power or air supply is somehow cut off or if air leaks develop in the system in which case the air pressure is no longer sufficient to produce separation of the two switch surfaces. Under any of these conditions the switch surfaces will automatically come in contact with one another and produce a constant illumination of the hit indicating lights.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a golf target e.g. a simulated golf practice green which has golf ball impact indicating features and which is extremely reliable in its operation.

[0008] According to an aspect of the invention the golf target further includes visual indicators which not only provide feedback that the target has been hit by a golf ball but additionally provides feedback as to where the golf ball has landed on the target.

[0009] More specifically, the golf target of the present invention has at least one light that lights up to indicate when the target is hit by a golf ball. The golf target includes a switch region comprising first and second metallic surfaces separated from one another by a mesh material and sandwiched between a support surface and an exposed ball receiving surface of the target. The target further includes first and second switch contacts for operating the light. These switch contacts are normally in an open condition in which the light is off. The first metallic surface is pressable through the mesh material onto the second metallic surface by golf ball impact with the golf ball receiving surface to move the switch contacts to a closed condition in which the light is turned on.

[0010] According to an aspect of the invention, the golf target includes a plurality of different colored lights and separate switch regions at different locations on the golf target. Each of the switch regions is associated with a specific one of the different colored lights. In this embodiment, a person hitting the green with a golf ball will know the landing location of the ball on the golf target according to which one of the lights is illuminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The above as well as other advantages and features of the present invention will be described in greater detail according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention in which;

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf target practice green according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base of the frame of the golf target practice green of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3 is perspective view of the full frame construction including both base and the upper structure parts of the frame of the golf target practice green of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 additionally showing the covering construction added to part of the upper structure part of the frame;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a front view of the assembly of FIG. 4;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 5;

[0018] FIG. 6a is an enlarged sectional view through the flag mounting cup from the assembly of FIGS. 5 and 6;

[0019] FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing the mounting of the external cover to the frame from the construction of FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings; and

[0020] FIG. 8 is sectional view through the cover of FIG. 7 showing the different layers of cover and further showing the positioning of light illuminating switch contacts in different regions of the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION ACCORDING TO THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION IN WHICH

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a golf ball target practice green generally indicated at 1. This green comprises a cover construction 3 supported by an upper structure part 5 of a support frame 6. The upper structure part 5 of the support frame is secured by a pivot attachment 17 to a base part 7 of the frame at the front of the frame. Extending upwardly from the rear of the frame is a light mounting post 9 provided with a plurality of different colored lights 11, Further lights 19 are provided at the forward hinged connection 17 between the upper and lower parts of the frame.

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a golf ball hit at and in position to land on the target green. The location on the green where the ball lands will dictate which one of the various different lights is illuminated as to be described later in detail.

[0023] A feature of the invention which is apparent in FIG. 1 is that the cover construction 3 is divided into distinct cover regions 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d. These cover regions preferably have different exterior colors making it easier to visually see what area the ball landed on in comparison to for example, a solid color completely over the surface of the target green.

[0024] Further provided on the target green is a center positioned flag 13 mounted in a support cup 15 which is consistent in size with a regulation putting cup.

[0025] In the embodiment shown flag 13 is located centrally of the green but could obviously be located at any position on the green. Consistent with a normal golf situation people aiming at the green will attempt to either land or get their ball to roll as close as possible to the flag or even into the flag cup.

[0026] Before describing the light illuminating features of the present invention reference is had to FIGS. 2 through 6 of the drawings. These figures show in better detail how the frame is constructed. FIG. 2 shows that the frame base 7 comprises an outer ring 7a made from a rigid preferably light weight material such as light weight steel, aluminum or even a rigid plastic material. The upright post 9 connects to the rear of ring 7a. Also provided to the rear of ring 7a are a pair of height adjustable struts 21. The pivot mount 17 to receive the upper frame structure is provided at the front of ring 7a. Lights 19 are mounted in the pivot mount 17.

[0027] In use the lights 19 as well as the lights 11 will be preferably covered by metal screens which will allow clear visibility of the lights but which will not allow a golf ball to reach and damage the lights. In the alternative the lights may be recessed within the frame and covered by impact resistant lenses of different colors which provide the different light colorings.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows that the upper part of frame 5 is formed from an outer ring 5a corresponding in shape and size to the base ring 7a. However, the upper frame part 5 further includes an interior lattice like construction formed by frame bars 5b, 5c and 5d interiorly of frame ring 5a.

[0029] Once again ring 5a as well as the frame bars 5b, 5c and 5d all have a light weight rigid construction.

[0030] As will be appreciated from FIG. 3 the entire frame is relatively light in weight making it easily moveable to different positions on a driving range or any other location where the target green is used.

[0031] FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings show the addition of the two cover regions 3a and 3b to the upper part of the frame. In order to complete the green assembly the further cover regions 3c and 3d are then added to the construction to produce the overall assembly shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

[0032] FIG. 6 of the drawings shows that the upper frame part 5 is adjustable to different angles relative to the base part 7 of the frame. The angle adjustment is provided by means of the height adjustable struts 21 at the back of the practice green and the pivot attachment 17 between the upper and lower frame parts at the front of the practice green. This angle adjustment is useful dependent upon the distance the green is set from the tee-off area. For example, if the green is set at a substantial distance of for example 150 yards or more from the tee-off area the upper frame part is preferably set to a relatively steep angle making it easier to see where the ball impacts with the green. When the green is set at closer distances to the tee-off area the upper frame part is preferably set to a much shallower angle relative to the base part of the frame.

[0033] Regardless of the depth of the angle, the upper frame part is always angled downwardly forwardly towards the tee-off area. This ensures that balls hit onto the covering construction on the upper frame part will roll off of the target green. As such, a person hitting at the target will always be hitting onto a clean green surface making it much easier to determine whether or not it was his/her ball that actually hit the green.

[0034] As an added advantage, the slope of the green can be directed to a ball accumulation area making it much easier to collect the balls hit at the green from the driving range.

[0035] FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings show key features of the invention relating to the actual switch regions which provide operation of the lights of the target green.

[0036] The cover construction 3 in the preferred embodiment as shown comprises an upper carpet material 31 which gives the target a grass like appearance. The carpet material may for example be about one eighth inch in thickness.

[0037] Provided beneath carpet material 31 is a layer of flexible and resilient material 33. This is preferably a rubber material about one eighth inch in thickness.

[0038] Provided beneath layer 33 is a metallic layer 35 which is preferably extremely thin e.g., in the order of about one-one hundredths of an inch in thickness. This can be a metal foil attached directly to the undersurface of rubber layer 33 or it could be a layer of extremely thin spring steel either attached to or free from rubber layer 33 but covered by the rubber layer.

[0039] A similar metal layer 39 is provided beneath metal layer 35. However, the first metal layer 35 is separated from the second metal layer 39 by means of a non metallic i.e., non current conducting mesh material 37. This mesh material which preferably has a plastic construction may for example be about a tenth of an inch in thickness to keep the two metal layers 35 and 39 normally separated from one another.

[0040] Provided beneath metal layer 39 is a further flexible and resilient layer 41. Layer 41 is preferably consistent in material selection and thickness with layer 35.

[0041] The entire cover is then supported by a rigid support layer 43 which may for example have a wooden construction and is preferably about three quarters of an inch in thickness.

[0042] FIG. 8 of the drawings shows that the cover construction further includes a plurality of switch contacts 51, 53, 57, 59, 63 and 65. The contacts 53, 59 and 65 are mounted in the part of the cover construction above the mesh layer 37 and are wired into the first metal layer 35. The contacts 51, 57 and 63 are provided in the cover construction below mesh 37 and are wired into the second metallic layer 39. With this arrangement the first group of contacts 55, 59 and 65 are normally not in contact with i.e. are in an open condition relative to the second group of contacts 51, 57 and 63.

[0043] As earlier described, the cover construction is divided into separate cover regions 3a through 3d. Cover regions 3a, 3b and 3c are shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings. Each of these cover regions is a separate switch region of the target green. In this regard there are actual breaks or openings 55 and 61 shown in FIG. 8 provided in the second or lower metal layer 39. As such switch contact 51 is provided in a distinct switch region from switch contact 57 which is provided in a distinct or separate switch region from contact 63. Therefore cover region 3a is a first switch region which is wired to one of the lights 11 and also wired to one of the lights 19. Cover region 3b is a second switch region which is wired to another one of the lights 11 and another one of the lights 19 while cover region 3c is still a further switch region wired to a different one of the lights 11 and a different one of the lights 19. As can be seen in the drawings there are four different switch regions and there are four different lights. Accordingly, each one of these switch regions is associated with a particular one of the lights.

[0044] When a golf ball is hit onto the target green it will cause activation of one of the lights. The particular light that is turned on depends upon which area of the green is hit by the ball. For example, if the ball lands on cover region 3a the impact of the ball with that particular cover region forces the first metal layer 35 to be pressed downwardly through the mesh layer 39 onto the second metal layer 39 closing the contacts 53 and 51 with one another in cover region 3a. This will produce a lighting of the particular light from group 11 and from group 19 which is electrically connected to the two contacts 53 and 51. However, because the lower metal layer 39 is broken into separate or distinct non electrically connected regions the downward pushing on the upper metal layer by the golf ball will not produce electrical contact between switch contact 53 and switch contact 57 or switch contact 63. As such, only one of the lights from light group 11 and only one of the lights from group 19 will be turned on.

[0045] In the actual tee-off area a guide or directory will be provided to show what light color is associated with a particular region of the target green. For example, one of the lights may produce a green lighting effect while another one of the lights produces a red lighting effect. The green light may be associated with a switch region which is for example, 30 to 40 feet from the center of the green i.e., the area where flag 13 is located while the red light may for example, be associated with a switch region which is 20 to 30 feet from the center of the green. The directory will show that if the green light is activated the person hitting the ball has landed between 30 to 40 feet from the flag whereas if the red light is illuminated the directory will show that the person has landed between 20 and 30 feet from the flag. In this manner, the person hitting the balls will clearly know how accurate the shot has been.

[0046] According to another embodiment of the present invention the flag support cup 15 is electrically wired to all of the lights on the target green. Therefore if the person is able to hit or roll the ball into cup 15 all of the lights will light up simultaneously. FIG. 6a of the drawings shows that the cup 15 funnels down to a tube 71 which feeds any ball hit into the cup back out to the ball collection region around the target green. A small sensor or switch 73 is provided in tube 71 and as the ball passes this switch or sensor while it is rolling down the tube all of the lights are simultaneously turned on for a timed period.

[0047] Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A golf target having at least one light that lights up to indicate when said target is hit by a golf ball, said golf target including a switch region comprising first and second metallic surfaces separated from one another by a mesh material and sandwiched between a support surface and an exposed ball receiving surface of the target, and first and second switch contacts for operating the light, said switch contacts normally being in an open condition in which the light is off, said first metallic surface being pressable through said mesh material onto said second metallic surface by golf ball impact with the ball receiving surface to move said switch contacts to a closed condition in which the light is turned on.

2. A golf target as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first metallic surface comprises a backing material on said ball receiving surface.

3. A golf target as claimed in claim 2 wherein said ball receiving surface comprises a thin layer of rubber material covered with a layer of grass simulating carpet material.

4. A golf target as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first switch contact is located to a first side of said mesh material and wired to said first metallic surface and wherein said second switch contact is located to a second side of said mesh material and wired to said second metallic surface.

5. A golf target having a plurality of different colored lights which light up to indicate when said target is hit by golf balls said target including a plurality of ball impact switch regions each of which is electrically connected with an associated one of said different colored lights, each switch region comprises first and second metallic surfaces separated from one another by a mesh material and sandwiched between a support surface and an exposed flexible and resilient ball receiving cover part of the target, and first and second switch contacts for operating the associated one of the lights, said switch contacts normally being in an open condition in which the associated one of the lights is off, said first metallic surface being pressable through said mesh material onto said second metallic surface by golf ball impact with said ball receiving cover part to move said switch contacts to a closed condition in each switch region whereby the associated one of the lights is turned on.

6. A golf target as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first switch contacts are carried by said first metallic surface and the second switch contacts are carried by the second metallic surface.

7. A golf target as claimed in claim 6 wherein said switch regions are provided at different locations on said target.

8. A golf target as claimed in claim 6 including a center location in said golf target and wherein said switch regions are provided at different distances from said center location of said golf target.

9. A golf target as claimed in claim 7 in which said target includes a mounting frame having a base part and an upper part, said switch regions being provided on said upper part of said frame which has a forward end pivot connection to said base part of said mounting frame, said mounting frame further including height adjustment means which is adjusted to provide different angled settings of said upper part relative to said base part of said mounting frame.

10. A golf target as claimed in claim 5 including a flag supported in a cup of said target, said cup being electrically connected to a plurality of said lights which are simultaneously turned on by a golf ball hit into said cup.

11. A golf target having a plurality of different colored lights which light up to indicate when and where said target is hit by golf balls, said target including a plurality of ball impact regions at different locations on said target and each impact region including switch means for operating one of said lights.

12. A golf target as claimed in claim 11 including a remote user's guide which provides information with respect to the location of each of said impact regions on said target.