Patent ID: 6428420
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A putting practice apparatus comprising:a plurality of base members being detachably connected end-to-end to form a continuous artificial putting green upon which a user can practice one's putting, each of said base members having a front end, a back end, sides, a top surface, said top surfaces of said base members being contoured uniquely relative to one another, at least one of said base members including a hole disposed in said top surface thereof and being adapted to receive a golf ball; a cover removably and securely disposed upon said top surfaces of said base members, said cover being adapted to allow a user to practice one's putting thereupon, said cover including a back end and a front end; a means for removably fastening said cover upon said base members; and a ball return means for returning a ball from said hole to the user; wherein said base members include a first base member having a first connecting member integrally extending from said back end of said first base member and further having a recessed portion disposed at said front end of said first base member; wherein said base members include a plurality of intermediate base members each having a connecting member slot disposed in a respective said top surface at a respective said front end thereof, each of said intermediate base members also having a base connecting member integrally extending from a respective said back end thereof, and each of said intermediate base members further having a recessed portion disposed in a respective said top surface at a respective said back end thereof; wherein said base members include a last base member having a last connecting member slot disposed in said top surface at said front end thereof, said hole being disposed in said top surface thereof near said back end thereof, said first connecting member being removably and securely received in said connecting member slot of one of said intermediate base members, said base connecting member of one of said intermediate base members being removably and securely received in said last connecting member slot of said last base member with said intermediate base members being removably connected end-to-end to form the continuous putting green; wherein said top surfaces of said base members are elevated relative to one another with one of said base members having said top surface which is disposed higher than said top surfaces of the other said base members and with one of said base members having said top surface which is disposed lower than said top surfaces of the other of said base members; wherein said last base member includes a bore extending through said hole and through a back wall thereof, said bore being adapted to allow a golf ball to pass therethrough, said bore having a circumference relatively smaller than said circumference of said hole thus forming an annular recessed portion in said hole; wherein said cover includes an opening extending therethrough near said back end thereof, said opening being in alignment with said hole in said last base member upon said cover being securely fastened upon said top surfaces of said base members; wherein said cover is essentially artificial grass; wherein said means for removably fastening said cover upon said base members includes a plurality of strips of hook and loop fasteners some of which is securely attached in a respective said recessed portion of said base members and to a portion of a bottom side of said cover and in said annular recessed portion of said hole and some of which are securely attached to a side of said base members; wherein said ball return means includes a flexible tubular member having a first end removably received in said bore through said back wall of said last base member, and also includes a trough having a first end connected to a second end of said flexible tubular member, and further includes a golf ball stop removably disposed in said trough near a second end thereof, said trough being removably and securely mounted to the side of said base members, and further includes means for mounting said trough to said base members.