US20050049069A1

US20050049069A1 - Sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat

Info

Publication number: US20050049069A1
Application number: US10/910,456
Authority: US
Inventors: Dwight Speck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-09-02
Filing date: 2004-08-04
Publication date: 2005-03-03

Abstract

A sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat comprising: a plurality of resilient substrate emulating the density of the natural earth soil. Said substrate having adhered a plurality of artificial grass surfaces emulating the natural earth grass. Aforementioned sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat having a frame surround, whereas said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat and frame surround befall and exist amalgamated. Furthermore, said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat optionally attached to a container. Said container recessed below the earth surface allowing said simulated grass to maintain parallel plane with the natural earth grass surface. Furthermore said container shall be wrought and weighted to provide optimum stability for said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat. Furthermore said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat can be optionally independent of aforementioned container. Whereas, said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat can be optionally independent and in-ground, whereby said simulated grass maintains parallel plane with the natural earth grass surface. Aforementioned sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat being optionally independent of container and can be used above ground. Furthermore, said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat optionally independent of container and above ground used in conjunction with a separate standing mat. Aforementioned multi-purpose golf practice mat and said standing mat maintain parallel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf practice mat and more particularly pertains to simulating multiple surfaces that a golfer must hit off during a round of golf.
When a golf ball is hit with a golf club a divot is taken out of the ground, a divot being a chunk of turf. In lieu of damaging their yards a golfer will normally go to a practice range and hit golf balls off a rubber practice mat. Generally, these mats are laid on a concrete surface giving an unrealistic practice setting.
The present invention seeks to provide a golf practice mat with a plurality of golfing surfaces, whereby the practice mat can be placed in the ground and at ground level, giving a realistic practice setting. Furthermore, the invention will eliminate divots being taken thereby saving the golfers landscape. Additionally, the golf mat can be removed and used in conjunction with a separate standing mat, allowing a mobile practice area. Additionally, said mats can be easily replaced if worn.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ARTS

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,409 to Jackson, Jr.; Charles Henry discloses a multi-section golf practice mat. While this device fulfills its respective, particular objective and requirements, it does not describe a multi-section golf practice mat that can be sub-surface and still maintain the same parallel plane surface with the natural earth. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,580 to Hammon and U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,052 to Miller discloses a golf mat for practicing shots with the feel of natural turf. While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, they do not describe a multi-section golf practice mat that can be sub-surface and still maintain a parallel plane with the natural earth surface. A further drawback to the aforementioned prior arts is the size of their embodiment, making the ease of use cumbersome. Yet another drawback of the aforementioned prior arts is the fact that they must be laid on a flat surface in order to eliminate ridges and valleys in which they are susceptible to contour. A further drawback of the aforementioned prior arts being they can not have a sub-surface application while maintaining the same parallel plane with the natural earth.
In this respect, the sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of simulating multiple surfaces that a golfer must hit off of during a round of golf while maintaining a parallel plane with the natural earth grass surface.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved sub-surface, multi-purpose golf practice mat which can be used for simulating different surfaces that a golfer must hit off of during a round of golf while maintaining a parallel plane with the natural earth grass surface. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of golf simulation devices now present in the prior arts, the present invention provides an improved sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat. As such, the present invention will provide a new and improved sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat and method which has all advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention comprises a mat having a base layer of rigid rubber material. Attached to one larger surface of the mat includes a plurality of simulated grass. Said grass can have a plurality of different heights. Attached to another larger surface of said mat and opposite of simulated grass shall be a sealing membrane. Furthermore, said mat includes a plurality of tee inserts. The aforementioned mat shall be secured into a separate lower container. Said container shall be recessed below the earth surface allowing said simulated grass to be on the same parallel plane as the earths natural grass surface. Furthermore, said container shall be configured and weighted to provide optimum stability for said practice mat. Thus while the golfer stands on the natural earth they will be on the same parallel plane as the golf practice mat. Henceforth, the golfer can select the desired simulated grass surface and striking the ball without making divots in the natural grass turf. Aforementioned simulated grass mat being removable/replaceable also allows mobility of said mat. Therefore, the golfer can relocate said mat on the ground surface and secure to the ground with securing means such as tent stakes. Furthermore, the golfer can employ yet another rubber standing mat for standing purposes. Said standing mat being the same thickness as aforementioned simulated grass mat allowing the golfer to be on the same planar level as said simulated grass mat.
Therefore, the golfer can position their self on the standing mat while striking golf balls off of the simulated grass mat.
Furthermore, once the simulated grass mat has been removed from aforementioned container, a cover is then inserted into said container protecting container from foul weather.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat which has all the advantages of the prior art golf simulation devices and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat which is durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat economically available to the buying public.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat for simulating multiple surfaces that a golfer must hit off of during a round of golf
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat incorporating a plurality of removable/replaceable simulated grass surfaces. Said mat being enclosed within a container. Said container shall be recessed below the earth surface allowing said simulated grass to maintain parallel plane with the natural earth grass surface. Said container shall be configured and weighted to provide optimum stability for said simulated grass. The new and improved sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat simulating multiple surfaces that a golfer must hit off of during a round of golf. The operation of said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat shall be conducive to both left and right handed golfers.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

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 preferred embodiment of the sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat installed sub-surface in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat before being placed in a sub-surface condition.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is yet another cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line B-B of FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing how a cover plate is inserted.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a standing mat used in combination with the simulated grass mat.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be best described by referring to FIG. 1 thru FIG. 8. FIG. 1 being a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat installed sub-surface in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat before being placed in a sub-surface condition. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat, showing sub-container 10 configured to provide optimum stability means such as pyramid shaped. Said sub-container 10 shall be filled with weighted means such as sand. Channel railing 12 surrounding all sides, shall hold and support removable/replaceable mat 14 when slid into place. Mat 14 will have applied a plurality of simulated grass 16 (grass texture removed for clarity). A membrane 18 backing means will provide separation between weighted means contained in sub-container 10 and removable/replaceable mat 14. Teeing means 20 (FIGS. 3,4,5,6) will provide the user means to drive balls regardless if they are left or right handed.
Retaining strip 22 will be secured after removable/replaceable mat 14 is slid into channel railing 12 by retaining screws 26 (FIG. 5) inserted through retaining screw holes 24.
Now that the unit assembled has become one embodiment as shown in FIG. 2 it can now be placed into the ground and covered completely with the exception of the most upper surface of channel railing 12, retaining strip 22 and removable/replaceable mat 14 (FIGS. 3-4-5). Whereas said embodiment will be on the same parallel plane with the natural earth grass surface as shown in FIG. 1.
Now with attention to FIG. 7 showing a perspective view with mat 14 (FIGS. 3,4,5,6,8) having been removed shows cover 30 replacing said mat 14. Said cover being slid into channel 12 and secured by retaining strip 22 using retaining screws 26 (FIG. 5) that pass through retaining screw holes 24 protecting container 10 from foul weather.
Further attention to FIG. 8 shows a perspective view illustrating how mat 14 having been removed from container 10 (FIGS. 3,4,5,6,7) now stands alone and is secured to the ground with securing means such as tent stakes being passed through eyelets 28.
Now standing mat 28 being part of the invention and having the same thickness as mat 14 and being secured to the ground with securing means such as tent stakes through eyelets 34.
Thus the simulated grass practice mat 14 of the present invention has become mobile and the golfer can stand on standing mat 32 and strike golf balls off said mat 14 while maintaining the same parallel plane with said mat 14.
Now that the invention is explained in full, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations of the invention can be accomplished without parting from the sprit of the inventions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for practicing golf comprising:

(a) A plurality of resilient substrate means emulating the natural earth soil density.

(b) A plurality of artificial grass emulating the natural earth grass.

(c) Bonding means unifying artificial grass and substrate.

(d) Frame means surrounding said substrate.

(e) Said frame surround and substrate befall and exist amalgamated.

(f) Via amalgamation befall and exist a sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat.

(g) Said frame surround having provisional means for securing to the natural earth.

2. Sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat in claim 1 whereas said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat rest optionally on or below the natural earth surface.

3. Sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat in claim 2 resting below natural earth surface whereas artificial grass in claim 1 will be on equal parallel plane with the natural earth grass surface.

4. Improved artificial grass in claim 3 overlaying said frame surround in claim 1 for protection of fame.

5. Improved overlay in claim 4 assist protecting user's equipment.

6. Furthermore a container apparatus giving support to a sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat comprising:

(a) A plurality of side members of equal length.

(b) A bottom.

(c) Receiving means for said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat.

(d) Retaining means for said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat.

7. Container in claim 6 rest below the natural earth surface.

8. Side members in claim 6 joined and wrought for optimum resistance of movement when said container in claim 6 rest below the natural earth surface.

9. Bottom in claim 6 having means for drainage.

10. Receiving means in claim 6 having secure means to uppermost surface of container.

11. Retaining means in claim 6 temporarily secure sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat to container.

12. Container in claim 6 filled to bottom of said receiving means mentioned in claim 6 with suitable substance means for stability.

13. Suitable substance mentioned in claim 12 giving support to sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat mentioned in claim 11.

14. Suitable substance mentioned in claim 13 and said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat separate by sheeting means thereby retaining said substance within container mentioned in claim 12 when said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat is optionally temporarily attached to said container.

15. Aforementioned container in claim 12 recessed below the natural earth surface to a depth allowing artificial grass surface mentioned in claim 1 to be on parallel plane with the natural earth grass surface when sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat in claim 2 is optionally temporarily attached to said container.

16. Temporary attachment in claim 15 allows said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat to be used optionally independent from said container.

17. Furthermore a cover apparatus comprising:

(a) Sheet material means for protection.

Sheet material means in claim 17 provide protection to seating area when sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat mentioned in claim 16 is removed from seat.

19. Furthermore a standing apparatus comprising:

(a) Resilient sheet material means suitable to support a human.

(b) Improved secure means attach sheet material to earth surface.

20. Improved secure means in claim 19 restrict movement of said sheet material.