Abstract:
An improved portable putting cup is disclosed that more effectively reproduces an accurate representation of a regulation putting cup for practice putting.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/442,025, filed Jan. 23, 2003. The entire teachings of the above application are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The game of golf is and has been enjoyed by thousands of people around the world. To become good at this game, many people practice. One area of practice is in the area of putting. Every golfer knows that improving your putting will lower your scores, yet it has long been one of the most elusive goals to achieve in golf.  
           [0003]    Golfers typically practice putting wherever they can find a suitable surface, either outdoors or indoors. In many cases, a carpeted surface indoors must suffice for practice putting for reasons of inclement weather, time or convenience. In these and similar cases, the golfer has a need for a visually representative putting target that provides feedback on both the line and speed of the practice stroke similar to an actual golf hole. A practice set-up is preferred that does not impede the natural movement of the golf ball significantly.  
           [0004]    Many devices that aid in the practice of putting have been created. These devices have tended to be mechanically complicated, expensive to manufacture, or lacked the necessary feedback to indicate to the golfer that the ball was optimally stroked. That is, not only on line but equally as important, at the correct speed to have the greatest chance of being captured by the hole.  
           [0005]    To try to meet the need, attempts have been made to produce a putting cup for indoor/outdoor use that would simulate a natural putting cup on a standard putting green. However, there are still some major problems with the putting devices that exist today. For example, many existing devices often have a rear wall or obstruction that prevents a ball putted with too much speed from overshooting the hole, while other putting aides do not provide a realistic feel for the putting speed because they incorporate an exaggerated or raised area towards the cup to provide space for a hole.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0006]    The instant invention relates to an improved portable putting cup that more effectively reproduces an accurate representation of a regulation putting cup for practice putting.  
           [0007]    In one embodiment, a golf practice putting device comprises a first member having an opening approximately the size of a regulation golf hole and a second member having a surface area larger than the opening on the first member. The second member has adhesive properties on the top surface and the first member is affixed to the adhesive top surface of the second member with the opening exposing the adhesive properties of the second member such that a golf ball putted towards the device can adhere to the adhesive top surface of the second member. The first member and the second member can have a substantially flat surface area. In a particular embodiment, the first member of the device is comprised of a material such as plastic, cardboard, metal, and paper, or other suitable material whereas the second member has an adhesive surface similar to tacky-type tape, such as duct tape. Further, the second member includes a front end, a rear end, and a bottom surface, the front end and the rear end defining an incline with respect to the bottom surface. Alternatively, a third member can be provided to create an incline to support the first and second members.  
           [0008]    In another embodiment, a golf practice putting device comprises a first member having a diameter approximately the size of a regulation golf hole. In this embodiment, the flat member can have an adhesive top surface affixed wherein a golf ball putted towards the device with the proper speed can roll onto and adhere to the adhesive top surface.  
           [0009]    In another embodiment, a golf practice putting device comprises a housing having an open position and a closed position. The housing can have an interior located surface approximately the size of a regulation golf hole which has adhesive properties such that when the housing is in the open position and placed on a flat surface, the interior surface of the housing is exposed and a golf ball putted towards the device can adhere to the adhesive surface of the housing. In a further embodiment, the housing comprises two members which can be attached by a hinge such that when the housing is in the closed position the two members are joined to form an enclosure. In a further embodiment, the adhesive properties of the surface on the device is similar to tacky-type tape, such as duct tape.  
           [0010]    In another embodiment, a golf practice putting device comprises a housing having an open position and a closed position and can have a diameter approximately the size of a regulation golf hole. In this embodiment, the housing includes a pair of circular members which can be attached by a hinge. One of the housing members has an adhesive surface on one interior side of the member such that when the housing is in the open position and placed on a flat surface, the interior adhesive surface is exposed, and a golf ball putted towards the device can adhere to the adhesive surface. In a further embodiment, the housing comprises two members which can be attached by a hinge such that when the housing is in the closed position the two members are joined to form an enclosure.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1A shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a putting device having two members.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1B shows the embodiment of FIG. 1A wherein the two members are joined together to present a simulation golf hole for practice.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a putting device having one member with adhesive covering one side of the member.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a putting device comprising a housing in the closed position in which the circle simulating the golf hole is enclosed for travel and/or storage.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the third embodiment of FIG. 3A wherein the housing is in the open position in which the circle simulating the golf hole is presented to aid in putting practice.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a putting device comprising a housing in the closed position.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of FIG. 4A wherein the housing is in the open position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5A shows a cross-sectional view of a putting device having a flat member with an adhesive material attached.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional view of a putting device having a recessed member with an adhesive material attached.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a putting device comprising a first member and a second member joined together, the second member creating an incline to present an inclined simulation golf hole for practice.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a putting device comprising a first member, a second member, and a third member joined together, the third member creating an incline to present an inclined simulation golf hole for practice. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]    A description of preferred embodiments of the invention follows.  
         [0024]    This description relates to a device for the practice of putting in the game of golf. Generally, the device simulates a golf hole which is found on the putting green at a golf course. An advantage of the present approach is that the device neither requires a great deal of depth as a real golf hole does nor a mechanism that requires substantial cost, parts or size. The present approach provides a means of simulating a golf hole without actually having a hole in the ground or an exaggerated elevated surface in which to place a recess, hole, or mechanism.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 1A and 1B depict one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the golf practice putting device  100  comprises two members  110  and  125 . The length and width of the first member  110  is greater than the diameter of a regulation golf hole, for example the United States Golf Association rules state “a hole shall be 4¼ inches diameter.” Within this member is an opening  120  approximately the diameter of a regulation golf hole. The outer shape of member  110  can be square, round, or any other shape. The second member  125  has a surface area larger than the opening  120  on the first member  110 . This second member  125  preferably has adhesive characteristics such as that of a piece of tacky-type tape, such as duct tape. Preferably, the device  100  has the thickness or height of a thin piece of plastic, cardboard, metal, paper, or other thin material. For example, the thin material can have a height or thickness ranging from approximately 0.015 inches to 0.035 inches. In one embodiment, the thin material has a height or thickness of approximately 0.020 inches. The first member  110  is affixed to the adhesive side of the second member  125  such that the opening  110  exposes the adhesive properties of the second member  125 . In use, the device  100  is placed on a flat surface with the adhesive side face up.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the golf practice putting device  200  comprises a member  210  having a diameter the same as or greater than the size of a regulation golf hole. For embodiments in which the member has a diameter approximately the same size as a regulation golf hole, then one surface  225  has adhesive characteristics of tacky-type tape, such as duct tape. For other embodiments in which the diameter of the member  210  is greater than a regulation golf hole, on one side of the member, preferably centered, a surface  225  is located having a diameter approximately the same size as a regulation golf hole. The surface  225  has adhesive characteristics of, tacky-type tape, such as duct tape. In use, the device  200  is placed on a flat surface with the adhesive side face up.  
         [0027]    FIGS.  3 A- 3 B and  4 A- 4 B depict further embodiments of the present invention that provide a housing for the golf practice putting device. The outer shape of housing  300  and/or  400  can be rectangle, square, circle, or any other shape. For example, in one embodiment, the housing  300  can comprise two distinct members  310 ,  320  that are held together by a hinge  315 . Hinge  315  can be a living hinge or a mechanical hinge and can be either a single or double living hinge. In this embodiment, member  310  is a flat, thin material with no sides, while the other member  320 , which can also be made of a thin material, has sides  325  such that when the housing  300  is in the closed position the two members  310 ,  320  join together to form an enclosure (see FIG. 3A). Alternatively, the housing  320  can comprise one member that folds back upon itself at a hinge.  
         [0028]    In the closed position the housing  300  can have a diameter that is less than, the same as or greater than the size of a regulation golf hole. Regardless of the size and shape of the members  310 ,  320  of the housing  300 , the housing  300  in the open position presents a surface  330  having a diameter approximately the same size as a regulation golf hole. The surface  330  has adhesive characteristics of ,tacky-type tape, such as duct tape.  
         [0029]    In another embodiment, the housing  400  (FIGS. 4A and 4B) can comprise two distinct circular members  410  and  415  that are held together by a hinge  430 . Although circular members are described any shaped known in the art can be used, for example, but not limited to the shapes of a square, an oval, or a ring may be used. Hinge  430  can be a living hinge. In this embodiment, member  410  is a flat, thin material with no sides, while the other member  415 , which can also be made of a thin material, has sides or rim  420  such that when the housing  400  is in the closed position the two members  410 ,  415  join together to form an enclosure (see FIG. 4A). Regardless of the size of the members  410 ,  415  of the housing  400 , the housing  400  in the open position presents a surface  425  having a diameter approximately the same size as a regulation golf hole. The surface  425  has adhesive characteristics of, tacky-type tape, such as duct tape.  
         [0030]    In all embodiments, a removable non-adhesive covering can be removably affixed to the top of the adhesive surface. Also, the housings of FIGS. 3 and 4 can be made in two separate pieces such that a hinge is not needed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the members  510  which contain the adhesive material  520  can be made to be flat or recessed.  
         [0031]    To use embodiments of the invention, the device  100  (FIGS. 1A and 1B), for example, is placed a desired distance from the user for the desired type of putting practice. The user then putts a golf ball towards the device  100  in a manner as if putting on a real golf course. A golf ball putted in the proper direction and with the proper speed proceeds toward the center of the opening  120  which simulates the golf hole. The properly putted golf ball rolls over the thin material that comprises the device until it hits the edge  115  where the opening begins. The putted ball then proceeds to roll over this edge  115  onto the adhesive surface  125  where it will stop rolling due to the sticky adhesive qualities of the surface. If the ball is not putted properly it will continue to roll off the adhesive surface  125 .  
         [0032]    The same principle works if the hole size is slightly smaller or larger. By changing the size of the opening, in particular by making the opening smaller, the device can be used to teach the user to become a more accurate putter by presenting a smaller target. The surface having the adhesive properties and simulating a golf hole can be smaller in diameter than a regulation golf hole to improve the user&#39;s putting skills.  
         [0033]    A benefit of the present approach is that it can not only provide a directional aide to putting but it can also provide training for gauging the right amount of speed for putting a ball.  
         [0034]    Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a minimal amount of size which can be useful for travel and convenience of storage. The device also contains no moving mechanism or parts that might add substantial cost. Additionally, because the device is inexpensive to manufacture, the device can be disposed of and replaced or the adhesive piece of the device can be replaced if the adhesive loses tackiness.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention having an incline to simulate putting up an inclined surface. In this embodiment, the golf practice putting device  600  comprises two members  610  and  625 . Member  625  includes a front end  625   a , a rear end  625   b , a bottom surface  625   c , and a top surface  625   d . The front end  625   a  and rear end  625   b  create an angle  630  with respect to the bottom surface  625   c  and the top surface  625   d . All other aspects of the two members  610  and  625  are analogous to members  110  and  125  of FIGS. 1A and 1B.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention having an incline to simulate putting up an inclined surface. In this embodiment, the golf practice putting device  700  comprises three members  710 ,  725 , and  730 . Member  730  includes a front end  730   a , a rear end  730   b , a bottom surface  730   c , and a top surface  730   d . The front end  730   a  and rear end  730   b  create an angle  735  with respect to the bottom surface  730   c  and the top surface  730   d . Member  730  can be affixed to either member  710  or  725  alone or in combination. All other aspects of the two members  710  and  725  are analogous to members  110  and  125  of FIGS. 1A and 1B.  
         [0037]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.