PUTTING GREEN SIMULATOR

Abstract: A putting green simulator (10) comprises an inflatable body (12) defining an upper putting layer (16) and at least one ball-receiving cup (14) located snugly within a cup-receiving aperture (26) in the body (12). The ball-receiving cup (14) includes an actuator (24) that is arranged to raise and lower it so as to raise or lower the putting layer (16) and consequently change its contours to simulate the contours of a conventional putting green.

Description: PUTTING GREEN SIMULATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION THIS invention relates to a putting green simulator, and in particular to a ball- receiving cup therefor. Like many other sporting disciplines, golf demands a great deal of practice to become proficient at the various aspects thereof. One of the most important and indeed difficult aspects of golf is the art of putting. Although practice facilities are sometimes available, they are not always conveniently situated or readily accessible. In addition, weather conditions are not always suitable for outdoor practicing. Various putting aids and systems are known for assisting a golfer in mastering the finer points in putting a golf ball in the comfort of his or her home or office. However, these systems generally tend to be solid structures which are cumbersome and not easy to store when not in use. The applicant's published international patent application no. WO 99/19032, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a putting green simulator consisting of an inflatable body having an upper putting layer which is arranged to distort under pressure when inflated, an artificial turf layer attached or attachable to the upper putting layer so as to define a putting surface over which a golf ball may be putted, and at least one golf ball receiving cup or aperture defined in the putting surface. The arrangement is such that distortion of the upper putting layer causes contours in the putting surface so as to simulate the contours of a conventional putting green. The present invention provides an alternate means for contouring the putting surface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a putting green simulator comprising: a) an inflatable body comprising a pair of opposed, spaced apart sheets of resilient plastics material operatively defining an upper putting layer and a base, a peripheral side wall extending between the opposed peripheral edges of the upper putting layer and the base to define a sealed chamber, and at least one valve arrangement for inflating and deflating the sealed chamber; b) at least one cup-receiving aperture defined through the inflatable body; and c) at least one ball-receiving cup arranged to be received snugly within the cup-receiving aperture, the ball-receiving cup including actuator means arranged to raise and lower the ball- receiving cup, the arrangement being such that raising or lowering of the ball-receiving cup causes concomitant raising or lowering of the putting layer and consequently a change in contours in the putting layer so as to simulate the contours of a conventional putting green. The invention extends to a ball-receiving cup for a putting green simulator of the type described above, the ball-receiving cup comprising: a body comprising at least one upstanding wall defining a hollow ball- receiving chamber and a mouth adjacent an upper end of the chamber, the wall being sized and shaped to be received snugly within the ball- receiving aperture of the putting green simulator; and actuator means arranged to engage the support surface on which the putting green simulator is positioned, the actuator means being arranged to raise or lower the putting cup relative to the support surface so as to raise or lower the putting surface adjacent the cup, causing contouring or sloping of the putting green surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a putting green simulator incorporating a golf ball-receiving cup of the invention in a lowered or retracted condition; Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the putting green simulator of Figure 1 with the ball-receiving cup in a raised or extended condition; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a golf ball-receiving cup of the invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of the ball-receiving cup of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of a ball- receiving cup of the invention; Figure 6 is a plan view of the ball-receiving cup of Figure 5; Figure 7 is an exploded, cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of a ball-receiving cup of the invention; and Figures 8A to 8C are plan views of alternative distortion templates for the ball- receiving cup of Figure 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a partial sectional side view of a putting green simulator 10 of the invention consisting of an inflatable body 12 and a ball-receiving cup 14. The inflatable body 12 consists of a pair of opposed sheets formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or similar plastics material which operatively define an upper putting layer or wall 16 and a base 18. The putting layer 16 and base 18 are separated by a peripheral wall (not shown) which is welded to the respective peripheral edges of the putting layer 16 and base 18. The inflatable body 12 includes a number of internal walls 20 which divide the inflatable body into a number of chambers 22 and which prevent the inflatable body 12 from "ballooning" under inflation. The ball-receiving cup 14 includes an actuator 24 which is adapted to move the cup 14 between a retracted or lowered position as shown in Figure 1 and an extended or raised position as shown in Figure 2. In the extended position the cup 14, which is snugly received in an aperture 26 in the inflatable body 12, raises the inflatable body 12 and thus creates a contour or slope 28 in the upper putting layer 16. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a first ball-receiving cup arrangement 30 of the invention consists generally of a tubular body or cup 32. The upstanding wall 34 thereof defines a ball-receiving chamber 36 between an open mouth 38 at an upper end 40 and an internally threaded socket 42 at an open, lower end 44. An actuator 46 in the form of an inverted cup includes an external thread 48 complimentary to and receivable by the threaded socket 42. The actuator 46 is movable into and out of the chamber 36 by rotating it relative to the body 32 in the appropriate direction. Accordingly, it is movable between a retracted position in which it is housed within the chamber 36 and an extended position in which it protrudes from the end 44. The actuator 46 includes an upper wall 48 on which the golf ball comes to rest when putted into the ball-receiving cup 30. Extending through the wall 48 is an aperture 50, in this case square in shape. The aperture 50 acts as a socket for receiving a similarly shaped tool for rotating the actuator. Typically, the tool is in the form of a miniature flag in which the base or free end of the flag is shaped to be received within the socket 50. Accordingly, the actuator 46 may be extended or retracted by rotating the inserted flag in the appropriate direction. The body 32 includes a peripheral lip 52 which is receivable in a recess 54 in the surface of an inflatable putting simulator 56. The cup 32 also includes locking formations or fins 58, which engage the rugose aperture 59 of the inflatable simulator 56, thereby to prevent rotation of the cup 32 when the actuator 46 is rotated. The length and positioning of the respective threads 42 and 48 can be varied to vary the relative movement of the actuator 46. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown a second embodiment of a ball- receiving cup 60 of the invention. Once again, it consists generally of a tubular body or cup 62. The wall 64 thereof defines a ball-receiving chamber 66 extending between an open mouth 68 at the upper end 70 and an open bottom 72 at the lower end 74 thereof. Located within the open end 72 is a support structure 76 consisting of three radially extending spokes 78. An internally threaded socket 80 is supported by the spokes 78. An externally threaded actuator 82 is receivable within the socket 80 and movable between a retracted position 84 as shown and an extended position 86 indicated by phantom lines. The actuator 82 includes a slot 88, once again for receiving a tool or flag for rotation thereof. The length and positioning of the respective threads on the socket 80 and actuator 82 may be varied. As with the previous embodiment, rotation of the actuator 82 causes it to move between the extended and retracted positions for raising and lowering the cup 62. Once again the cup 62, which fits snugly into the recess 90 of the inflatable body 92, includes locking formations or fins 94 engageable with the rugose aperture 95 when the inflatable body 92 is inflated. Raising and lowering of the actuator 82 causes the inflatable body 92 to rise or drop providing contouring in the upper putt/ng surface thereof. On certain soft surfaces such as beach sand, grass or the like, the actuator 82 may be prone to sinking into the surface. In such a case a threaded washer or nut 94 can be screwed onto the lower end of the actuator 82 to provide a foot or base, which is arranged to prevent penetration into the soft support surface. The washer 94 is typically about 80 mm in diameter and about 2 mm in thickness. The three-spoke support structure 76 allows for easier retrieval of a golf ball by a user of the apparatus. A third ball-receiving cup arrangement 100 of the invention is shown in Figure 7. It consists generally of a tubular body or cup 102 comprising a pair of body or cup sections 104 and 106. The upper cup section 106 includes an upstanding wall 108 sized to be receivable telescopically within the upstanding wall 110 of the lower cup section 106. In their engaged condition, the upstanding walls 108 and 110 define a ball-receiving chamber 112 between an open mouth 114, at the upper end 116 of the upper section 104, and an open bottom 118, at the lower end 120 of the lower cup section 106. Located within the open end 118 is a support structure 122 consisting of three radially extending spokes 124. An internally threaded socket 126 is supported by the spokes 124. An externally threaded actuator 128 is receivable within the socket 126 and movable between a retracted position 130 as shown, and an extended position 132, indicated by phantom lines. The actuator 128 includes a slot 134, once again for receiving a tool or flagpole for rotation thereof. Alternatively, the actuator 128 can be rotated by hand. The length and positioning of the respective threads on the socket 126 and actuator 128 may be varied. As with the previous embodiments, rotation of the actuator 128 causes it to move between the extended and retracted positions for raising and lowering the cup body 102. In this embodiment, the cup sections 104 and 106 include respective collars 136 and 138, which are arranged to engage the upper and lower surfaces 140 and 142 of an inflatable putting layer 144, respectively. Raising and lowering of the actuator 128 causes the sandwiched inflatable body 144 to rise or drop thereby providing contouring in the upper putting surface 140. Once again a threaded washer or nut 145 may be provided to form a foot or base to prevent penetration into a soft support surface such as sand or grass, for example. The lower cup section 106 includes fins or locking formations 146 engageable with the aperture sidewall 148 of the inflatable body 144, when inflated. The fins 146 not only prevent rotation of the cup body 102 when the actuator 128 is turned, but also provide locking formations engageable with a distortion template 150, as shown more clearly in Figures 8A to C (like parts bear like numerals for convenience). The distortion template 150 includes a pair of opposite ears or support arms 152 extending from a support ring 154. Defined within the support ring 154 are a number of slots 156 sized to engage respective fins 146 on the lower cup section 106. The template 150 is arranged to be receivable on the cup section 106 such that the ears 152 are able to engage the lower surface 142 of the inflatable body 144. Upon raising of the cup body 102, the ears 152 assist in distorting the inflatable body 144, thereby enhancing the contouring thereof. In Figures 8A to C, only two ears 152 are shown for convenience. However, any number of ears, including a single ear, may be used, depending on the degree and nature of distortion required. Further, the ears 152 may be of any appropriate length, shape or configuration. In addition, the template 150 may be made of a rigid, a resilient or a flexible material, depending on the degree of rigidity, resilience or flexibility required from the template 150. By having a number of slots 156, the template may also be positioned in a number of different orientations relative to the cup segment 106, providing further alternatives for contouring the upper putting surface 140. The collar 136 of the upper section 104 includes an internal recess 158 for receiving a plug 160 when the putting cup is not in use. The plug 160 consists of a disc-shaped base 162, a layer of turf 164, corresponding to the turf (not shown) on the rest of the putting layer 144, extending above the base 162, and a foam plug body 166 extending below the base 162. The plug body 166 is slightly larger in diameter than the base 162. Being of a soft foam material, it can be forced into the upper cup section 104 in order to secure it in place. The plug 160 also includes a central aperture 168, extending through the base 162 and plug body 166, for receiving a tool to remove the plug 160 as required. Although not included in the above embodiments, this arrangement can equally be used in conjunction therewith. The ball-receiving cup arrangement of the invention provides a convenient and efficient means of altering the contouring or sloping of the putting layer of an inflatable putting green simulator. Further, the putting green simulator may have a number of the ball-receiving cups, providing for further scope in altering the contours and slopes of the putting layer.

Claims: C LAI MS: 1. A putting green simulator comprising: a) an inflatable body comprising a pair of opposed, spaced apart sheets of resilient plastics material operatively defining an upper putting layer and a base, a peripheral side wall extending between the opposed peripheral edges of the upper putting layer and the base to define a sealed chamber, and at least one valve arrangement for inflating and deflating the sealed chamber; b) at least one cup-receiving aperture defined through the inflatable body; and c) at least one ball-receiving cup arranged to be received snugly within the cup-receiving aperture, the ball-receiving cup including actuator means arranged to raise and lower the ball- receiving cup, the arrangement being such that raising or lowering of the ball-receiving cup causes concomitant raising or lowering of the putting layer and consequently a change in contours in the putting layer so as to simulate the contours of a conventional putting green. 2. A putting green simulator according to claim 1 , further comprising an artificial turf layer attached or attachable to the upper putting layer so as to define a putting surface over which a golf ball may be putted, the artificial turf layer including a putting surface aperture operatively positioned co-axially with the cup-receiving aperture defined through the inflatable body. 3. A putting green simulator according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ball-receiving cup comprises: a body comprising at least one upstanding wall defining a hollow ball-receiving chamber and a mouth adjacent an upper end of the ball-receiving chamber, the wall being sized and shaped to be received snugly within the cup-receiving aperture of the putting green simulator; and actuator means arranged to engage the support surface on which the putting green simulator is positioned, the actuator means being arranged to raise or lower the putting cup relative to the support surface so as to raise or lower the upper putting layer adjacent the cup, causing contouring or sloping of the upper putting layer. 4. A ball-receiving cup for a putting green simulator of the type comprising an inflatable body having an upper putting layer and defining a sealed chamber, at least one valve arrangement for inflating and deflating the sealed chamber, and at least one cup-receiving aperture defined in the upper putting layer, the ball-receiving cup comprising: a body comprising at least one upstanding wall defining a hollow ball-receiving chamber and a mouth adjacent an upper end of the ball-receiving chamber, the wall being sized and shaped to be received snugly within the cup-receiving aperture of the putting green simulator; and actuator means arranged to engage the support surface on which the putting green simulator is positioned, the actuator means being arranged to raise or lower the putting cup relative to the support surface so as to raise or lower the upper putting layer adjacent the cup, causing contouring or sloping of the upper putting layer. A ball-receiving cup according to claim 4, wherein the body includes a lower section in the form of a cup and an upper section in the form of a collar telescopically receivable therein, the upper section collar and lower section cup each including an operatively outer rim arranged to sandwich the inflatable body when the ball-receiving cup is located in the cup-receiving aperture. A ball-receiving cup according to either claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the body includes a floor or ball supporting structure including a threaded socket therein, and the actuator means comprises a threaded plug receivable in the threaded socket and movable between an extended position and a retracted position so as to raise or lower the cup, respectively. A ball-receiving cup according to claim 4, wherein the body comprises an upper body section engageable with the cup-receiving aperture and a lower body section telescopically movable relative thereto, wherein movement of the lower section between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the upper section causes the upper section to be raised or lowered, respectively. A ball-receiving cup according to claim 7, wherein the lower section comprises an inverted cup sized and shaped to be receivable in the upper section, the inverted cup including an external thread corresponding to an internal thread on the upper section, rotation of the sections relative to one another causing retraction or extension of the lower section.

Inventors: LONG ROBIN MICHAEL, LONG, ROBIN, MICHAEL
Applicants: LONG ROBIN MICHAEL, LONG, ROBIN, MICHAEL
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A63B67
IPC codes: A63B57, A63B67, A63B69