Abstract:
A golf apparatus having a circular shape and comprising a sloped section at golf apparatus&#39; outer edge, on the upper surface of which a golf ball struck by a player can roll up toward a circular lip section of the golf apparatus, the lip section being positioned next to the upper end of the sloped section and having its upper surface leveled with the upper end of the sloped section, a trough section, which has its upper surface positioned at a level that is lower than the level of the lip section, and a flag stand joined with the trough section and positioned in the center of the golf apparatus and configured to receive a flag, such that to aid the player to ascertain the location of the golf apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The invention relates generally to casually practicing golf technique and specifically to a simple, cost-effective means of achieving that goal. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    Golfing can be a difficult sport for beginners and casual players. It is a game that requires players to carry up to 14 different clubs with the purpose of hitting a 1.68 inch ball into a 4.25 inch hole. For many players, the amount of skill required to perform such a task may be intimidating. Casual players may be playing the game to help relax or relieve stress, and the perceived difficulty may be causing the exact opposite reaction. For these players, it is typically preferable to use only one golf club, to avoid the confusion of which club is optimal for the current swing, and to play anywhere, and not just on a golfing green. 
         [0008]    Thus, a need exists for a device that allows players to casually enjoy a round of golf by artificially reducing the difficulty of hitting the ball into the hole. Such a device would preferably eliminate as many challenging aspects from the game as possible, while still maintaining some degree of difficulty. 
         [0009]    Furthermore, golfing is just like any other sport in that it requires practice. For people who want to improve their game, but are still having great difficulty with the challenge provided by the standard hole size, an artificial advantage may be beneficial. The boost in confidence afforded to non-skilled players by consistently making successful shots may be just as important to improving their abilities as the benefit of learning to play with the standard 4.25 inch hole size. In this case also, it may be preferable for the user to only use one club, as repeated use of the same club may help players “find their swing” faster than trying to constantly adapt to the feel and swing of 14 different clubs. Thus, a need exists for a reasonably low-cost means for players to improve their skills in all kinds of shots that may be needed to play a successful round of golf. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0011]    In one exemplary embodiment, the leisure golf hole device may contain a trough at the top of a lipped slope, such that a golf ball hit with a proper degree of accuracy and strength may fall into the trough. Thus, an advantage is a simple and effective means to practice the sport. Additionally, as the trough may be wider than the standard hole, the device may provide a more relaxing experience as the round of golf is played, or be more accessible to inexperienced players who require a greater degree of error leeway than a professional player. 
         [0012]    In another exemplary embodiment, the leisure golf hole may contain a flag stand peg in the center of the trough, allowing a player to plant an identifying flag that may mark the location of the hole to assist with distance shots. Thus, an advantage is the ability to keep a golf hole&#39;s flag erected while maintaining a closed-bottom trough in the leisure golf hole. 
         [0013]    In another exemplary embodiment, the leisure golf hole may be a small, light-weight device that is easy to transport and position. Thus, an advantage is mobility and adjustability that may allow a player to use a single leisure golf hole for an entire round of golf without difficulty or frustration. 
         [0014]    In another exemplary embodiment, the leisure golf hole may be comprised only of a slope and lip, using whatever surface it rests on to act as a trough. Thus, an advantage is a simpler device that may require less material to manufacture, or one that can be used on more uneven grass without considerably increasing the level of difficulty. 
         [0015]    In another exemplary embodiment, the leisure golf hole may be comprised of segmented pieces that can be easily assembled. Thus, an advantage is the ability to easily compact the device while carrying it, or when the user wishes to store it. 
         [0016]    In another exemplary embodiment, the leisure golf hole may contain optional attachments that can adjust the size of the lip section, thus affecting the size of the trough section. Thus, an advantage is the ability to increase the required skill to make a successful shot as the player gets better at properly hitting the ball. 
         [0017]    In another exemplary embodiment, the leisure golf hole may contain a plurality of small holes spaced around the perimeter of the trough&#39;s bottom face. These holes may be used to secure the device to its resting surface by use of several securing pins inserted through the holes and fastened into the resting surface. Thus, an advantage is the ability to ensure the leisure golf hole remains stationary, even if an object or the wind bumps it with enough force that would otherwise push it off-target. These holes may also be used to drain water that may otherwise pool up inside the trough, such as during rainy weather. 
         [0018]    The above embodiments and advantages, as well as other embodiments and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes, embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates the perspective view of the leisure golf hole device, according to an embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates a sectional view of the leisure golf hole device from  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]    FIGS.  3 - a  and  3 - b  illustrate the perspective view and top view, respectively, of the leisure golf hole device, according to another embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates the top view of a segmented design of the leisure golf hole device, according to another embodiment. 
           [0024]    FIGS.  5 - a  and  5 - b  illustrate the top view of different states of an alternative embodiment of the leisure golf hole device wherein additional insert(s) may be added to adjust the size of the target hole. 
           [0025]    FIGS.  6 - a  and  6 - b  illustrate a perspective and the top view, respectively, of the leisure golf hole device from  FIGS. 3   a - b,  which was modified to include apertures  509 , according to another embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the leisure golf hole device from  FIGS. 3   a - b,  which was modified to include flanges  510 , according to another embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    What follows is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawings is part of this detailed description. The specific preferred embodiments of the invention, which will be described herein, are presented for exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. 
         [0028]    For the following description, it can be assumed that most correspondingly labeled structures across the figures (e.g.,  101  and  301 , etc.) possess the same characteristics and are subject to the same structure and function. If there is a difference between correspondingly labeled elements that is not pointed out, and this difference results in a non-corresponding structure or function of an element for a particular embodiment, then that conflicting description given for that particular embodiment shall govern. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates the perspective view of the leisure golf hole apparatus  100 . The sloped section  101  may encompass the entire device and lead up to a lip section  102  which may give way to a trough section  103 . A flag stand peg  104  may exist in the center of the trough section  103  to allow for a flag (not pictured) to mark the location of the target for a player. A golf ball (not pictured) is to be skillfully rolled up and over the sloped section  101  and lipped section  102  into the trough section  103 . 
         [0030]    The sloped section  101  may provide an important role in assisting players improve their short-range chipping or putting. If the player&#39;s accuracy is too poor, the slope may deflect the shot away from the trough section  103 . If the player does not give enough speed to the shot, the golf ball may not reach the top of the slope and will be rolling back. If the player gives too much speed to the shot, the golf ball may go over the trough section  103  and land on the far side of the target. Thus, the sloped section  101  may force players to improve their control over the golf ball in order to successfully send it into the trough section  103 . 
         [0031]    The sloped section should preferably not be so difficult as to discourage casual players. As an example, a 20 degree slope on the sloped section  101  may provide an easy-to-moderate challenge that fits the theme of a casual round of golf. The slope may be manufactured at a steeper angle to provide a greater challenge for those who find 20 degrees to be too easy, or even a shallower angle for those who find 20 degrees to be too difficult for the level of relaxation they are aiming for. 
         [0032]    The lip section  102  may assist the sloped section  101  in providing a challenge for short-range shots. The lip section  102 / 202  may be a sharp edge as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a round/smooth edge  302  ( FIGS. 3   a - b ) or a flat horizontal surface ( 502 ) as shown in  FIGS. 5   a -b. A wide enough lip section  502  may, for example, cause a golf ball to stop before falling into the trough section  503  if it was only given just enough speed to make it over the sloped section  501 . Alternatively, a wide enough lip may result in failure for a shot accurate enough to reach the top of the slope section  501 , but inaccurate enough to miss the trough section  503  before rolling down the other side of the leisure golf hole apparatus  500 . 
         [0033]    The trough section  103  may have a diameter that fits the skill level of the player using the leisure golf hole  100 . The trough section  103  will ideally be deep enough to capture a ball hit by a sufficiently skillful shot, but shallow enough so that it will be easy to retrieve the ball after the successful stroke. As an example, a height of about 1.5 inches may be able to satisfy both of these conditions. Wider diameters of the trough section  103  may make the device more accessible to beginners who lack experience with the game, while narrower diameters may be more useful for professionals who wish to fine-tune their skills. The device may be manufactured as having a fixed diameter for the trough section  103  specific to a skill level, or, for increased versatility of the apparatus, an additional attachment or insert ( 508  in  FIG. 5   b ) may be used to allow the player to quickly adjust the target size of the trough section  103  ( 506  in  FIGS. 5   a - b ). 
         [0034]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  shows that the floor of the trough section  103  is made out of the material used for the leisure golf hole  100 . Alternative embodiments (see for example  FIG. 3   a ) may allow for the complete removal of a material bottom, opting instead to use the resting surface for the leisure golf hole  100  to act as the bottom of the trough section  103 . These embodiments are intended for more uneven terrain than the well-groomed golf green for example, where the embodiment from  FIG. 1  will preferably be used. 
         [0035]    The flag stand  104  may allow players to insert a flag into the flag hole  104   a/   204   a  so that they can easily identify the location of the leisure golf hole  100  if they are far enough away where visual contact may be an issue. When flag hole  204   a  is a through hole, it allows the flag, which may have been originally planted in a regular golf hole, to still be used, including over a regular golf hole, despite the closed-bottom nature of the trough section  103 . The flag insertion option may give players the opportunity to use the device for longer range shots, such as driving or pitching. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  also illustrates a plurality of fastening holes  105  that may be evenly spaced around the perimeter of the bottom surface of the trough section  103 . These holes may provide a dual purpose of fastening the leisure golf hole  100  to its resting surface, and allowing water collected by the trough (during rainy weather, for example) to drain out through the bottom of the device. A plurality of small fastening pins (not shown) may be inserted through several of the fastening holes  105  and fastened into the resting surface. This may be accomplished by forcefully pushing, screwing or hammering the pins into the ground, or it may be accomplished by using a threaded pin design that can be twisted into the ground, or it may be accomplished by an entirely different suitable method. Once several of these pins have been securely fastened, then the device may be rendered immobile and may not be inadvertently (or by the wind, for example) shifted over the course of the gameplay. These pins will preferable be easy to insert and remove, to fit with the theme of casual golf. 
         [0037]    The second purpose of the fastening holes  105  is to allow for the removal of water that may build up within the trough section  103 . For some players, there may be a degree of rainy weather that is not enough to deter them from playing, but would result in water collecting within the device. The fastening holes  105  that are not occupied by fastening pins may allow the collected water to empty itself from the trough section  103  without requiring the player to pick up the device and dump the water manually. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  illustrates a sectional view that bisects the leisure golf hole device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . This view clearly shows the anatomy of the leisure golf hole  200 , as well as the path of travel for the golf ball (not shown) up the sloped section  201 , over the lip section  202 , and into the trough section  203 . The lip section  202  is almost non-existent in this view, but alternative embodiments may allow for this section to be larger. The trough section  203  is very clearly a manufactured part of the leisure golf hole device in this embodiment, which allows for a flag stand  204  to be built into the configuration. 
         [0039]    The sectional cut of  FIG. 2  also shows that the leisure golf hole device  200  may be symmetrical when viewed from any angle in a horizontal plane. This means that there is no “correct” position for a user attempting to hit a golf ball into the trough section  203  from a specific direction. By allowing users to position the leisure golf hole  200  in any orientation without a loss of effectiveness, the simple and easy-to-use nature of the device is further exemplified. 
         [0040]    An example of possible dimensions for the device shown in  FIG. 1  are as follows: the sloped section  101  is raised from the ground at an angle of 20 degrees and extending roughly 5 inches towards the center, resulting in an elevation of roughly 1.7 inches from the ground. The lip section is roughly 0.25 inches thick. The trough section has a diameter of 10.25 inches, resulting in a total diameter of roughly 20.75 inches for the device. While these dimensions for the design of the leisure golf hole device  100 / 200  may be a good fit for most casual players, they may be changed to other dimensions for a manufactured product, such as, for example, to adjust the degree of difficulty of the device. 
         [0041]    FIGS.  3 - a  and  3 - b  illustrate the perspective view and top view, respectively, of the leisure golf hole  300 . This illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device, as the trough region  306  may be devoid of any material. This embodiment may include a sloped section  301  and lip section  302  that form a ring-shaped device, using whatever surface it sits on to act as the bottom of the trough region  306 . 
         [0042]    This design may offer a more minimalistic alternative to the leisure golf hole  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . Less material may mean lower manufacturing costs which may lead to a more inexpensive product. Additionally, this design may be much better suited to less even terrain than the golfing green intended for the leisure golf hole  100 , such as cut grass. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  illustrates the top view of a segmented/modular design of the leisure golf hole  400 . Similar to  FIG. 3 , the bottom of the trough region  406  may not contain any material and may use whatever surface the device is resting on to act as the trough. The sloped sections  401  and lip sections  402  may be broken into segments at evenly-spaced contact points  407 . This may allow the leisure golf hole device  400  to be easily disassembled and carried or stored, which may allow the device to be manufactured with a much larger trough region  406  than would otherwise be reasonable. This may be beneficial for players who wish to practice driving instead of chipping/putting, as a target that may be several feet across instead of several inches across would be easier to hit. 
         [0044]    The number of contact points shown in  FIG. 4  may not be indicative of the number of contact points  407  that may be chosen for the device. A large quantity of contact points may further increase the benefit of “bulk reduction” by creating smaller components, but a small quantity of contact points may result in a device that is assembled in less time. Whichever of these two (or possibly even other) criteria a manufacturer for example chooses to prioritize may dictate the number of contact points  407  used in this embodiment of the design. 
         [0045]    FIGS.  5 - a  and  5 - b  illustrates the top view of an additional embodiment wherein additional insert member(s)  508  may be added to the lip section  502  to adjust the size of the target hole  506  and lip section  502 . This approach may be applied to any design of the leisure golf hole device, and it allows for greater customizability of the challenge presented by the device. FIG.  5 - a  shows the leisure golf hole  500 , complete with sloped section  501 , lip section  502 , and trough section  506 , but without insert member  508 . FIG.  5 - b  shows the addition of an insert member  508  that may be added or removed from the leisure golf hole to adjust the size of the lip section  502  (which inversely adjusts the size of the trough section  506 ). This in turn may allow the user to adjust the degree of the difficulty of the device. For example, if the player finds it to be too easy, one or more insert members  508  may be added to increase the width of the lip section  502  and decrease the diameter of the trough section  506 , thus increasing the degree of difficulty of the device  500 . 
         [0046]    The insert member  508  may be provided as a single member that provides two hole diameter options, or it may be provided as a set of two members that provide three hole diameter options, or it may be provided as a set of a greater number of members to provide a greater variety of hole diameter options. The exact number of insert members  508  provided may depend on various factors such as manufacturing costs. 
         [0047]    FIGS.  6 - a  and  6 - b  illustrate a perspective and the top view, respectively, of the leisure golf hole device from  FIGS. 3   a - b,  which was modified to include apertures  509 , according to another embodiment. The apertures  509  may help the leisure golf hole device to better grip uneven grass when placed on such surfaces. While six diametrically opposed apertures  509  are shown (FIG.  6 - b ), their number, location and even shape may vary. The goal is to create an uneven bottom surface of the device so that it grips better on surfaces covered with uneven grass. 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the leisure golf hole device from  FIGS. 3   a - b,  which was modified to include flanges  510 , according to another embodiment. A pin, screw, or the like may be passed through each of the flange holes  511  such as to secure the device to the ground or to other surfaces. This may help secure the device in place such that it does not move when the golf ball comes into contact with the device. This in turn may help a training exercise for example by keeping constant the distance between the player and the device. While four diametrically opposed flanges  510 , each with a flange hole  511 , their number, location and even shape may vary. The goal is to create a means for securing the device to the surface on which it is placed. 
         [0049]    The leisure golf hole device disclosed herein allows players to play what may be a casual, fun round of golf that takes for example two hours. For players who are simply seeking an enjoyable way to pass an afternoon, this may be preferable to the alternative of a professional game that may take as long as five hours and may be considerably more difficult and stressful. Additionally, the leisure golf hole allows players to practice either short-range putting/chipping or long-range driving, no matter where the user may be, possibly with a single club. The device may be easily transportable, offer a customizable challenge, and is simple to use. These advantages may allow players to practice their game without having to go to a golf club or driving range. 
         [0050]    It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
         [0051]    As used in this application, “plurality” means two or more. A “set” of items may include one or more of such items. Whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of,” respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims. As used in this application, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items. 
         [0052]    Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments. 
         [0053]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for the purpose of disclosing the preferred embodiments, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easily detect alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations, which may be capable of achieving the same results, and which may be substituted for the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of this application is intended to cover alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations of the specific embodiments illustrated and/or described herein. Hence, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the invention.