Abstract:
A golf ball support and golf swing aid for golf practice that has a generally flat rectangular base made of a resiliently deformable material, such as found with some plastics, that enables the golfer to bend the base into a convex shape, forming an arch-like profile. The base has a smooth upper surface and a alignment guide to denote the preferred direction of golf ball travel. A recess located on the base holds a golf ball in position on the base. The arch-like profile allows the golfer to use the golf aid to practice golf swings on any type of terrain, including rocky, barren and asphalt covered areas. The resiliently deformable material provides the golfer with a cushioned, spring-like resistance that prevents or reduces the amount of jarring shock experience by the golfer, while simulating the feel of a golf swing on a natural fairway and protecting the turf. A channel cut into the top surface of the base can be utilized to place the ball on the recess. A stake specially made for the base can hold the base down to prevent forward movement of the base due to a short swing. Various markings can be placed on the top surface of the base to assist the golfer and provide assistance for the golfer with regard to different golf swings. The golf ball support is inexpensive to make, easy to transport and easy to use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuing application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/851,358 filed May 5, 1997, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,167 on Mar. 23, 1999, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/100,527, filed Sep. 16, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to ball supports specially adapted for practicing golf. More particularly, the present invention relates to golf ball supports incorporated within a base that protect the ground surface from damage and the golfer from injury due to jarring. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to lightweight ball supports that provide a golfer with a golf ball support which allows the golfer to practice on rough surfaces and which incorporates a golf swing aid. 
     2. Background 
     In a common golf practice situation, the golfer wants to be able to stand in one place and practice hitting a golf ball in a certain direction. Depending on the type of golf club being used, the golf ball is either placed on the ground or on a conventional golf tee. When the ball sits on the ground, it is not uncommon that the ground around the ball is damaged by the golf club. Even if the golfer is using a tee, damage to the ground can result when the golfer misses and hits “short” of the ball. Because of the potential for turf damage, golf practice is banned on many fields, such as school yards and parks. As a result of such banning and the general unavailability of good turf areas, the golfer is often forced to practice in an area not having a good turf surface. At other times, the golfer may desire to practice at a location which is convenient to him or her, but which does not have a good playing surface, including locations with such surfaces as rocky or barren terrain, including asphalt. If the golfer is practicing on a non-turf area, a missed swing can result in damage to the club head and a substantial jarring shock to the golfer. 
     The use of a specially designed base from which a golf ball is hit is well known in the art. Generally, the golf ball support base is utilized during golf practice to serve a variety of purposes, such as protecting the turf below the support and providing a means for monitoring the golfer&#39;s swing. The prior golf practice bases are beset with a number of problems, including lack of wear resistance, inability to function on a surface that is not relatively smooth and devices which subject the golfer to a jarring shock when he or she makes a poor swing. In an attempt to address these problems and to provide a practice guide, a number of devices have been developed which are difficult to transport, expensive to manufacture and difficult to use, resulting in such devices being generally disfavored by golfers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The ball support and golf swing aid in accordance with the present invention solves the problems associated with the prior golf practice bases described above. That is to say, the present invention provides a golf ball support base that is easily transportable, inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use. Specifically, the ball support and golf swing aid of the present invention utilizes a lightweight, resiliently deformable base that supports a golf ball above virtually any type of surface from which a golfer would want to practice his or her golf swing. In its preferable forms, the present invention contains no metal parts that may corrode or damage golf club heads or golf balls. It can be seen from the following discussion that the present invention provides a novel golf ball support base and golf swing aid for practicing golf. 
     The ball support and golf swing aid of the present invention has a substantially flat base which is preferably made of a lightweight, durable plastic or plastic-like material that is cut into a generally elongated or rectangular shape. In its preferred embodiment, the base of the present invention is made from a relatively thin (i.e., approximately one-eighth inch thick) plastic that is capable of being placed into a convex shape by the golfer, creating an arch-like profile, when desired for certain practice techniques and then placed back in a flat condition for other practice techniques and transport. The top surface of the base is smooth to allow a golf club head to slide over the surface with a minimum amount of friction. 
     Cut into the top surface of the base is a recess having a diameter and depth sufficient to keep a golf ball from falling off the top surface of the base when it is in either a flat or convex condition. In the preferred embodiment, the recess is placed at or near the center of the base. In this configuration, when the golfer bends the base in a convex shape, the golf ball will be raised above the ground surface in an amount selected by the golfer. The bottom of the recess can comprise a hole cut through the base to allow the insertion of a conventional golf tee therein. In the preferred embodiment, the base also comprises a golf tee opening located generally forward (i.e., the direction of the golf ball travel) of the recess. To reduce the likelihood of damage to the golf tee, the opening can be rectangularly shaped to allow the tee to fall over instead of break when the golfer hits the ball. 
     To assist the golfer in improving his or her golf swing, the present invention is provided with one or more alignment lines that denotes the preferred direction of travel for a golf ball hit from the base. The alignment line or lines are aligned with the intended direction of travel for the golf ball. In the preferred embodiment, the alignment comprises a pair of alignment lines on either side of the recess that extend approximately the entire longitudinal length of the base to provide a relatively easy means for the golfer to ensure that the longitudinal axis of the base is aligned with where the golfer wants the ball to travel (i.e., toward the hole, etc.) The alignment lines can be material placed on the top surface of the base, made integral with the base or imbedded into the base, the important feature being that it allows the golfer to align the base and not damage the alignment line during use. The alignment can, alternatively, comprise a single alignment line centrally located along the longitudinal axis of the base. The line can be a single strip of plastic tape placed on the bottom of the base to prevent the golf club head from damaging the alignment line during use. In order for the alignment line to be useful from the bottom of the base, the base should be made of a translucent material that allows the golfer to see the alignment line during a swing. 
     To facilitate placement of the ball onto the base without the golfer having to bend over and lift the ball onto the recess for every shot, the present invention can include a ball placement mechanism that allows the golfer to slide the golf ball with his or her golf club along the base and onto the recess. One such mechanism is the use of a channel cut into the top surface of the base that extends from one or more ends of the base to the recess. An entry port cut into the end where the channel meets the end facilitates entry of the ball onto the channel. The ends of the base can be convexly shaped to facilitate the base staying in place when the golfer hits a ball off the base. The sides of the base can be concavely shaped to assist the golfer with alignment and rotation of his or her body during the shot. The top surface of the base can also comprise a number of shot marks that allow the golfer to work the ball and practice shots that are other than straight along the longitudinal axis of the base. 
     The present invention also describes an additional mechanism for keeping the base in place during golf practice. As is known, some shots can be short of the ball. If the present invention is being used, a short shot can result in the present invention moving or flying forward of the golfer. Although the convex shape and flexible nature of the base will generally keep the invention in place during most shots, a hard short shot will tend to result in movement of the base. To prevent this movement, the golfer can anchor the base to the ground surface utilizing small plastic stakes or conventional golf tees. The stakes can be generally conically shaped to facilitate entry into the ground and have part of the side cut out so that the stake will abut against the top of the base to hold it in place. The base can be configured to facilitate use of the stakes by having one or more small circular base areas cut into each end of the base for placement of the stakes. 
     Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a ball support and golf swing aid for golf practice of the character described herein, wherein the base is made from a durable, lightweight and resiliently deformable material suitable for placing the base in a convex, arch-like shape while supporting a golf ball for use by a golfer on any type of surface from which the golfer would want to practice his or her golf swing. 
     It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a ball support and golf swing aid that prevents or reduces the effects from jarring and simulates the feel of hitting a golf ball on natural turf. 
     Another important objective of the present invention is to provide a ball support and golf swing aid that has one or more alignment lines which denote the preferred direction of golf ball travel to indicate to the golfer the direction he or she should be aiming. 
     Yet another important objective of the present invention is to provide a ball support and golf swing aid that has a ball placement mechanism for assisting the golfer in placing the golf ball on the recess cut into the top surface of the base. 
     Yet another important objective of the present invention is to provide a ball support and golf swing aid that will not damage the golf club or golf ball during use. 
     Yet another important objective of the present invention is to provide a ball support and golf swing aid that is inexpensive to manufacture, easily transported and easy for the golfer to use. 
     Yet another important objective of the present invention is to provide a ball support and golf swing aid that has shot marks and/or sides that are configured to assist the golfer with improving his or her golfing ability. 
     Yet another important objective of the present invention is to provide a ball support and golf swing aid that includes a small stake for holding the base in place in case the golfer hits the base to prevent unwanted forward movement of the base. 
     The above and other objectives of the present invention will be explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination of parts presently described and understood by the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings which illustrate the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention: 
     FIG. 1 is a top view showing a ball support and golf swing aid embodying the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention in use showing the base placed in a convex position; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stake of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view showing the ball support and golf swing aid having a pinched in area near the recess; and 
     FIG. 6 is a end view showing the sides of the channel cut at an angle to facilitate the golf ball staying in the channel. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 through 4, where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the ball support and golf swing aid for golf practice is designated generally  10 . In the preferred embodiment, ball support  10  has a substantially flat base  12  having a smooth top surface  14  and a bottom surface  16 . Base  12  should be made of a resiliently deformable, translucent material, such as polyethylene plastic, that is capable of being placed in a flexible convex shape (as shown in FIG. 3) and maintaining that shape during use. The thickness of base  12  should be sufficient to provide support to base  12  when in the convex position, yet thin enough to allow a golfer to bend base  12  with his or her hands. In the preferred embodiment, base  12  is a rectangular base having dimensions of approximately six inches wide by fourteen inches long and one-eighth of an inch thick. Although other configurations can work equally as well, the inventor has found that the above configuration generally provides a good base  12  for the present invention  10 . The size of base described above provides sufficient hitting surface and allows base  12  to be easily bent into an arch or low bell curve-like shape. For some golfers, base  12  being twenty inches or more in length may be more appropriate. The longer base  12  is in recognition of the fact that golfers, particularly new golfers, tend to hit short of their mark. A problem that can be encountered with the shorter base  12  is that persons hitting short are more likely to hit the end of base  12 , causing it to move forward. A longer base  12  provides more slide and cushioning room for the golfer who does hit short. Although base  12  can function with other shapes, such as circular or oval, a rectangular shape is generally better suited for obtaining the desired convex bend. 
     In the preferred embodiment, base  12  has two alignment lines  18  for assisting the golfer in aligning the longitudinal axis of base  12  with the preferred direction of travel of the ball. The two alignment lines  18  can be on the top surface  14  and extend along the entire longitudinal length of base  12 . The use of two lines  18  generally makes it easier for the golfer to align base  12  than just one line. To prevent damage to the alignment lines  18  during use (i.e., from the golf club hitting the alignment lines  18 ) the lines  18  can be embedded into the base, made integral with the base or be placed into small channels cut into the base. In the preferred embodiment, the alignment lines can be of a color that contrasts with the color of base  12  to make them easy for the golfer to see. The alignment lines can be made from dies or paints that sufficiently bond with base  12  such that the action of the club hitting the base  12  will not remove the alignment lines  18 . Alternatively, alignment lines  18  can be attached to bottom surface  16  if base  12  is sufficiently translucent to allow the golfer to see the alignment lines  18  through base  12  when in a standing position (i.e., six or more feet above the base  12 ). Placing alignment lines  18  on bottom surface  16  reduces the likelihood that a golf club will damage alignment lines  18  during use. If located on the bottom surface  16 , alignment lines  18  can be one or more strips of colored plastic tape disposed along and parallel with the longitudinal axis of base  12 . In use, target line  18  should be orientated in the direction the golfer wants the ball to go, to provide a visual guide to the golfer. Swing path  20  denotes the path that golf club  22  should take in order to properly strike golf ball  24 . Additionally, the inventor has found that base  12  can be made of a “glow-in-the-dark” material to facilitate use of the device at night or in low light conditions. 
     In the preferred embodiment, top surface  14  of base  12  has recess  26  located on top surface  14  of base  12  for receiving ball  24  and holding it in place during use of the present invention  10 . Recess  26  should be sized to allow ball  24  to be supported such that ball  24  contacts top surface  14  on top edge  28  of recess  26 . Recess  26  can include a centrally located through hole  30  at the bottom of recess  26  for receiving a conventional golf tee (not shown). 
     To facilitate placement of golf ball  24  on recess  26 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a ball placement mechanism  32 , which can comprise a ball channel  34  cut into the top surface  14  of base  12 . Ball channel  34  should interconnect one or more of the opposing ends  36  and  38  of base  12  with recess  26 . As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment utilizes one ball channel  34  that interconnects end  36  with recess  26 . The ball placement mechanism  32  can also include ball entry port  40  for ease in getting ball  24  into channel  34 . Ball placement mechanism  32  allows the golfer to slide ball  24  along the grass or ground surface with his or her golf club  22  or foot to entry port  40  and into and along channel  34  to recess  26  without having to bend over and pick up ball  24  every time he or she wants to make a shot. Preferably, but not required, the width of channel  34  is equal to or less than the width of ball  24  and of a depth so that the channel sides support ball  24  in a manner that the channel bottom does not interfere with the movement of ball  24  along channel  34 . The inventor has found that a channel  34  having a width at the top of channel of approximately ¾ inch and a depth, as measured from top surface  14  to the channel bottom of approximately {fraction (1/16)} inch works well. The use of the ball placement mechanism  32  reduces wasted time and can substantially reduce back fatigue to allow the golfer to extend the time in which he or she is actually practicing taking shots. 
     To facilitate movement of the golf ball from the ground surface to recess  26 , the preferred embodiment should have a channel edge that is shaped so that the thickness of channel  34  at ball entry port  40  is close to or essentially flat against the ground. The less thickness of ball entry port  40  will make it easier for the golfer to push ball  24  onto channel  34 . Near where channel  34  joins recess  26 , channel  34  can comprise a pinched in area  39 , shown in FIG. 5, of narrower width and shallower depth to prevent golf ball  24  from rolling back down channel  34  after placed in recess  26 . The sides of channel  34  can be cut at an angle  41 , as shown in FIG. 6, to further facilitate ball  24  staying in channel  34 . 
     Other configurations are possible. For instance, the width of channel  34  near ball entry port  40  can be wide enough that ball  24  enters channel  34  on the bottom of channel  34  and then is rolled up the sides of channel  34 . With this configuration, the width of channel  34  near ball entry port  40  can be nearly as wide as the width of ball support  10  itself. Although the drawings show channel  34  placed essentially along the longitudinal axis of ball support  10 , the channel could be placed at or near the transverse axis or anywhere between the transverse and longitudinal axises (i.e., from recess  26  to one of the corners). With the channel  34  placed on or near the longitudinal axis, ball  24  entry into and movement along channel  34  is made easier when ball support  10  is in the convex shape. Near where channel  34  joins recess  26 , other means of keeping ball  24  from rolling back along channel  34  are possible. For instance, channel  34  can include a barrier placed transversely across channel  34  near recess  26  that ball  24  must go over before entering recess  26 . 
     Opposing ends  36  and  38  of base  12  can be shaped and configured to improve the ability to base  12  to stay in place when the golfer hits ball  24 . Occasionally, even good golfers hit short of ball  24 . When using the present invention, the elongated shape, convexed configuration and flexible nature of base  12  will generally prevent base  12  from moving forward during the typical shot. However, when a golfer hits a short shot hard, base  12  could move forward, even through the air for several feet. To provide additional resistance to forward movement, the present invention  10  can also comprise ends  36  and  38  configured in a convex shape, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The inventor has found that the convex shape of ends  36  and  38  does provide additional resistance to forward movement. The use of convex shaped ends  36  and  38  further benefits the use of the invention by providing improved bounce characteristics. In general, curved ends  36  and  38  results in less bounce due to the way base  12  contacts the ground surface. When the golfer makes a good hit, base  12  will tend to bounce, what little it does, straight up. When the golfer makes a poor hit, curved ends  36  and  38  provides a more forgiving base  12  that does not move out of place as much as the base having a straight edge. The curvature of ends  36  and  38  should be slight, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Although the only part touching the ground surface will be the apex, the slight curvature of ends  36  and  38  and the low arch-like profile of base  12  will prevent base  12  from “teetering” on its apex. 
     To further prevent forward movement of base  12 , the golfer can utilize a device for holding base  12  stationary. One such device is stake  42  shown in FIG.  4 . Although other shapes can also work, stake  42  can be generally conically shaped to facilitate entry of stake  42  into the ground to anchor base  12 . To assist with holding base  12  in place, a side of stake  42  can be cut away (as shown in FIG. 4) to provide a lip  44 . When stake  42  is pushed into the ground, the underside of lip  44  will abut against the top surface  14  of base  12  and hold base  12  in place during use. Base  12  can also comprise one or more stake areas  46  at ends  36  and  38  that are shaped and configured to receive stake  42 . As shown in FIG. 1, stake areas  46  can be located where alignment lines  18  intersect ends  36  and  38 . The present invention  10  can, in addition to or as an alternative to stakes  42 , utilize one or more nail openings  47  to hold base  12  in place while practicing golf shots. Nail openings  47  can be sized to accept standard nails (i.e., six inch common nails) or their equivalent so that the golfer can insert the nail into nail openings  47  to hold the base in place. Depending on the size of the stakes  42  or nails, it may be beneficial to use stakes  42  in short grass and nails through nail openings  47  in taller grass conditions. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention  10  can also include devices for assisting the golfer improve his or her golf swing for shots that are other than a straight shot. Opposing sides  48  and  50  of base  12  can be concavely shaped to allow the golfer to rotatably align his or her body with sides  48  and  50  for certain shots. Transverse line  52  can be located across the center of base  12 , extending from sides  48  to  50 , to make it easier for the golfer to know where to stand for the middle of the base  12  when he or she desires to practice straight shots. Transverse angle marks  54 , located on either side of transverse line  52  on sides  48  and  50  of base  12 , can be used by the golfer to assist him or her with working the ball. The golfer can use transverse angle marks  54  to align the face of the golf club for intentional curving (i.e., hooks and slices). Located at the forward end  38  of base  12  is a longitudinal mark  56  that is on the longitudinal axis of base  12 , which can be used by the golfer, along with alignment lines  18 , to align the longitudinal axis of base  12  with the preferred direction of travel for ball  24 . On either side of longitudinal mark  56  a pair of longitudinal angle marks  58  can be used to facilitate the golfer practicing shots that are at an angle to the longitudinal axis of base  12  (i.e., hooks and slices). Corresponding longitudinal angle marks  58  can also be utilized at the opposing end  36  of base  12  to further facilitate such practice. Along side  50  of base  12  can be located one or more ball forward marks  60  that the golfer can utilize when practicing striking ball  24  slightly ahead of the center of ball  24  for practicing various chip shots. 
     To further improve the functionality of the present invention  10 , it can include dampening mechanism  62 , such as foam, rubber or other compressible materials, attached to or integral with bottom surface  16  of base  12  to provide additional benefits when the device is used on a hard surface, such as asphalt or concrete. Specifically, the placement of dampening materials  62  on bottom  16  of base  12  can reduce or eliminate the slapping-like noise that results from bottom  16  of base  12  hitting the hard surface when the club head strikes top surface  14  of base  12 . Base  12  can also include a small rectangular opening  64  forward of conical recess  26 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Rectangular opening  64  should be sized such that the stem of a conventional golf tee can be placed inside rectangular opening  64 . The width of rectangular opening  64  can be approximately the same as the width of the golf tee stem to help stand the golf tee up. The length of rectangular opening  64  should be sufficient to allow the golf tee to bend when hit. The advantage of rectangular opening  64  is that it will facilitate the golf tee bending over, instead of breaking. As shown in the figures, rectangular opening  64  can be placed forward, in the direction of desired ball travel, of recess  26 . With use of rectangular opening  64 , a hole in conical recess  26  is not required. 
     In use, a golfer will select a place from which to practice his or her golf swing. Due to the nature of the present invention  10  the golfer is not limited to a turf area. Typically, the golfer will place base  12  in a convex shape, as shown in FIG.  3 . Because base  12  is made from a relatively thin and flexible plastic material which can hold its shape, the golfer can merely use his or her hands to manually bend base  12  into the desired curvature. After obtaining the desired shape for base  12 , the golfer places it on the ground such that the alignment lines  18  are aimed in the direction the golfer wants golf ball  24  to travel. The golfer then places golf ball  24  into recess  26 , either with his hand or by utilizing the ball placement mechanism  32 , and places himself or herself into a standing position to swing at ball  24  with golf club  22 . 
     The golfer will swing golf club  22  towards ball  24  along preferred swing path  20 . Golf club  22  will slide along smooth top surface  14 , displace base  12  downward and strike ball  24 . Having base  12  in a convex shape provides the golfer with a cushioned, spring-like resistance “(i.e., such that base  12  will rebound upward after being hit in a manner not unlike an inverted automobile leaf spring)” which will prevent or reduce the amount of jarring shock experienced by the golfer, thereby reducing the likelihood of injuries or equipment damage from such jarring, and simulate the feel of a golf swing on a natural fairway. 
     While there is shown and described herein certain specific alternative forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to the dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape and use.