Portable golf putting training aid

[0002] This invention relates to practice golf putting greens. More particularly, it refers to a portable sectional golf putting green wherein sections are held together by locking features.

[0003] The expanding interest in golf has created a demand for golf practice tools, particularly putting greens. The ability to putt accurately distinguishes the ordinary golfer from the skilled golfer. With an interest in improving golf putting skills, the portable golf putting green of U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,803 was developed. Although the portable golf putting green described in this patent has been commercially accepted and serves its intended purpose, a need exists for variations that suit particular markets.

[0004] The invention of this application is a molded one piece polymeric unit attachable by locking features to adjacent one piece polymeric units which are then covered by a simulated grass layer to create a putting surface simulating a putting green. The one piece polymeric units are prepared by compression, blow or injection molding to prepare a smooth top surface integral with a bottom grid structure. Locking features are mounted into slots in side surfaces juxtaposed to an adjacent polymeric unit while an edge distal from any adjacent polymeric unit has a raised rolled edge. Golf ball receiving holes also are molded into the units.

[0005] The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the portable golf putting green of this invention;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a pulled apart view of four polymeric units, which when joined form the surface area for covering with a simulated grass;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a molded polymetric unit of this invention;

[0009] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view in elevation along line 44 of FIG. 2;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a polymeric unit with overlying simulated grass having a golf ball cup being inserted into a receptacle in the polymeric unit;

[0011] FIG. 6 is a magnified view of a locking mechanism engaging sides of two cut away adjacent polymeric units;

[0012] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the locking mechanism along line 7—7 of FIG. 6;

[0013] FIG. 8 is a cut away portion of the golf putting surface with a chipping platform positioned for chipping onto the putting surface; and

[0014] FIG. 9 is a sectional view in elevation of the chipping platform of FIG. 8 along line 9—9.

[0015] Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, the golf putting training green 10 of this invention has a top surface of simulated grass 12 which can be a synthetic turf or close cropped rug. Multiple golf ball cups 14, each containing a ball retrieve device 16 are placed in receptacles 62 in a polymeric unit 20. As seen in FIG. 2, the top surface 18 of each polymeric unit 20 is contoured 22 to provide a surface similar to one found on an actual golf course green. Such contour 22 promotes skill in approaching golf cups 14 that are guarded by undulating greens. Raised rolled edges 32 prevent a golf ball from leaving the green.

[0017] As seen in FIG. 3, each polymeric unit 20 is compression molded, blow molded or injection molded with a grid structure on a bottom portion integral with a smooth top surface 18. Side portions 26 and 28 of each polymeric unit 20 contain latching features 30. Other types of molding of the polymeric unit 20 that can be used include low pressure flow molding, rotational molding, structural foam injection molding and reaction injection molding. Synthetic turf or carpet can be used for the simulated grass top surface 12 of the putting training green 10 and is laid point to point at the base of the rolled edges 32 as seen in FIG. 1. A thicker rug carpet 34 is used on the chipping platform 36 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 to simulate a typical chipping surface. The chipping platform 36 is molded in the same manner as the polymeric unit 20 and has a smooth top surface 38 integral with a grid structure 40.

[0018] Two or more polymeric units are latched together to make the multiple molded polymeric units forming the platform surface. Four polymeric units are preferred but fewer or more can be provided, depending on the desired size of the platform.

[0019] The polymer employed in the molding and creation of the polymeric unit 20 or the chipping platform 36 can be any of the high strength polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene and co-polymers thereof and structural foams such as made from polyurethane.

[0020] The latching mechanism 30 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 has an S-LARGO, hook 42 attached to a cam 44 that is turned by an allen wrench 46. The S-hook 42 protrudes from a slot 48 on a side surface 26. The S-hook 42 is inserted into slot 50 on side surface 28 and engages a plate 52 to hold the adjacent polymeric units 20 together. Rivets 54 hold the cam 44 in position in relation to side wall 26 and rivets 56 hold the plate 52 to side wall 28.

[0021] Drain holes 58 for water are positioned at low spots on the top surface and in the golf ball cup 14. Holes 60 for insertion of the allen wrench 46 are located above the slots in the polymeric unit containing an S-hook 42 in a side wall 28. A receptacle 62 in a polymeric unit 20 is used to insert a golf ball cup 14 as seen in FIG. 5.

[0022] The portable golf putting training aid 10 will preferably be six inches high at the top of the raised rolled edge 32. The pitch or contour 22 on the top surface 18 will be from one-sixteenth inch to one inch and the receptacle 62 will have a diameter of about four inches for receipt of the golf ball cup 14.

[0023] The simulated grass 12 can be a carpet with a closely cropped fiber that is dye cut or water jet cut. Alternatively, synthetic turf such as used on golf practice facilities can be employed as simulated grass 12.

[0024] The chipping platform 36 should have longer fiber 34 covering the top surface 38 to more closely simulate a natural chipping surface.

[0025] Although the grid structure 24 is shown as a six sided structure or hexagon, it can take the form of any shaped grid structure capable of supporting about three hundred pounds.

[0026] The above description has described specific structural details employing the invention. However, it will be within one having skill in the art to make modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept of this portable golf putting training green. The invention is not limited to the structure described but includes such modifications as are substantially equivalent to the elements of the golf putting training green.