Abstract:
A golf practice green apparatus is provided which is capable of transforming between multiple configurations. A first configuration is best suited for actual use as a target green on a golf driving range or the like. In a second configuration the effective width or other dimension of the apparatus is significantly reduced to allow for practical and legal transportation of the golf practice green apparatus over a roadway.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to apparatus for use as golf target practice greens. Such artificial greens are often used at golf driving ranges or special event competitions. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf practice green which can attain more than one configuration. One configuration will be for use as a target green and another configuration is better suited for highway transportation or to facilitate storage.  
         [0003]     2. State of the Art  
         [0004]     Golf practice greens are commonly used on golf course driving ranges to aid golfers in improving their accuracy in hitting golf balls to a desired target, such as the golf hole or pin. Artificial practice greens are often preferable over a natural green (a green and hole placed in the grass itself as is found on golf courses) because their position on the driving range can be changed very easily, they require much less maintenance such as mowing and watering, and they can be designed to incorporate additional functional features that would be difficult or impossible to incorporate into a natural practice green.  
         [0005]     Several artificial golf practice greens have been heretofore developed incorporating means for relaying information to the golfer about his particular stroke, such as how far the golf ball traveled, whether the golf ball struck the target green, and if so, the particular location on the target green where the ball landed. Examples of such devices have been disclosed by Heffley, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,023 (issued Aug. 30, 1977), and Foley, U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,677 (issued Nov. 17, 1992).  
         [0006]     In addition, in order to allow golfers to practice shots of varying distance, mobile artificial golf practice greens have been developed to accommodate the transportation of the green to different locations along the range. Mueller, U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,547 (issued May 13, 1980), discloses a movable golf green apparatus mounted on a frame with wheels and a motor that travels a track that runs along the driving range. A similar device is also disclosed by Uehara, U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,215 (issued Aug. 10, 1993).  
         [0007]     Artificial golf practice greens have also been developed with sloped or contoured surfaces to allow the golf balls to roll off after landing thereon so that subsequent golfers do not have to worry about their ball striking a ball previously hit onto the green and deflecting their shot. Such greens are disclosed by Williams, Sr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,161 (issued Jun. 15, 1993), and Meikle, U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,320 (issued Dec. 3, 1996).  
         [0008]     Cox, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,392 (issued Nov. 9, 1999) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,662 (issued Jun. 4, 2002) has also disclosed self propelled artificial practice greens incorporating many of the advantageous features of previously disclosed golf green apparatus, but also having means for collecting golf balls lying on the driving range that have previously been hit by golfers, thereby eliminating the need for driving range operators to use a separate vehicle or employee to retrieve balls from the range. The disclosure of each of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention relates to a transportable artificial golf practice green having means for reducing the width thereof to allow for the device to be legally transported over a roadway. Several embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein that facilitate the temporary reduction of the effective width of a golf practice green to within dimensions prescribed by applicable laws for transportation over highways. Such an apparatus allows for a driving range operator to transport one practice green between two different ranges, or between a driving range and the location of a special event or competition, etc. Such transportation has been heretofore impossible or very difficult given the typical size of golf practice greens, often requiring the greens to be significantly disassembled, transported in pieces, and reassembled at the new location.  
         [0010]     To overcome such limitations, the present invention discloses a golf practice green having a target surface comprising at least two panels which are interconnected such that the green is capable of differing configurations between a first configuration for use, and a second configuration, having a reduced effective width, for transportation. The structure of the practice green is such that the change from one configuration to the other does not require any disassembly and may be done quickly.  
         [0011]     In a first embodiment of the instant invention, the generally circular or oval practice green has three panels comprising a center panel and two side panels attached to the center panel with hinges or other means which permit the side panels to rotate with respect to the center panel which remains in a fixed position. In the first configuration, the panels are extended such that the upper surfaces of the panels form a planar coextensive target surface, generally positioned substantially horizontally for use as a practice green. In the second configuration, the side panels are folded at the hinges to a position above the center panel, thereby reducing the effective width of the green, allowing it to be quickly positioned on a vehicle for transportation.  
         [0012]     In a second embodiment, the practice green comprises three panels as in the first embodiment; however, in the second embodiment, the center panel is mounted on a support frame having an axle and wheels and means for attachment to a vehicle for towing. In the first configuration, the panels are extended such that the upper surfaces of the panels form a planar coextensive target surface. In the second configuration, the side panels are folded downward 90° at the hinges to reduce the effective width, allowing the green to be quickly towed behind another vehicle for transportation over a roadway or to another location on a golf driving range.  
         [0013]     In a third embodiment, of the instant invention, the practice green comprises three panels as in the first and second embodiments; however, in the third embodiment, the center panel is mounted on a support frame having collapsible legs. In the first configuration, the panels are extended such that the upper surfaces of the panels form a planar coextensive target surface when the collapsible legs are extended. In the second configuration, the collapsible legs are collapsed, and the side panels are folded upwards at the hinges to reduce the effective width. This configuration allows a separate trailer to be positioned underneath the green while it is in the first configuration, after which the legs are collapsed allowing the green to rest on the trailer, then the side panels are folded upwards over the center panel, allowing the green to be quickly and easily placed on a trailer and towed behind another vehicle for transportation over a roadway.  
         [0014]     In a fourth embodiment of the instant invention, the practice green comprises a pair of panels mounted on two horizontally extending panel support members, which are connected to a support frame structure, which holds the panels above the ground a specified distance. The panels are mounted on the support members such that they can be rotated about the horizontally extending members. In a first configuration, the panels are rotated such that they are horizontally planar and coextensive. In a second configuration, the panels are rotated so that they hang vertically, and preferably substantially parallel to each other in a side-by-side manner, which reduces the effective width for transportation.  
         [0015]     In a fifth embodiment of the instant invention, the practice green comprises two panels, each consisting of a U-shaped, generally tubular member, with a canvas or other suitable fabric material stretched across the area within the tubular member. The U-shaped tubular member of the first panel has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the U-shaped tubular member of the second panel, thereby allowing the side members of the first U-shaped tubular member to be slid in a telescopic fashion over the smaller side members of the second U-shaped tubular member, thereby reducing the effective width for transportation. The fabric material is attached to the tubular U-shaped frame members so that the fabric loops slide along the frame members to facilitate the telescoping of the frame members to reduce or expand the effective width of the green surface.  
         [0016]     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art through a consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The present invention will be better understood when the drawings are taken in conjunction with the description of the invention wherein:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a golf practice green apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a first configuration.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an end view of the golf practice green shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the golf practice green of  FIG. 1  in a second configuration having a reduced effective width.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is an end view of a golf practice green apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention showing one panel in a first configuration and another panel in the second configuration.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a golf practice green apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention positioned over a trailer vehicle.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a golf practice green apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention in a first configuration.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is an end view of the golf practice green apparatus of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is an end view of the golf practice green apparatus of  FIGS. 6 and 7  in a second configuration having a reduced effective width.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a golf practice green apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention in a first configuration.  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the golf practice green apparatus of  FIG. 9  in a second configuration having a reduced effective width.  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional side view of  FIG. 10  taken along line  11 - 11 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]     Various embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these illustrations are not to be taken as actual views of any specific apparatus or method of the present invention, but are exemplary representations employed to more clearly and fully depict the present invention than might otherwise be possible. Additionally, elements and features common between the drawings figures retain the same numerical designation. The drawings, however, are sufficiently detailed that one skilled in the art could construct an apparatus of the type described and illustrated.  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the upper surface of a golf practice green apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The practice green comprises three panels, a center panel  20 , a side folding panel  30 , and an additional side folding panel  40 . An edge of center panel  20  abuts an edge of side folding panel  30  at common joint  22 . Hinges  50  are placed on the top surface  60  of panels  20  and  30  and fasten them together across common joint  22 . Likewise, an edge of center panel  20  abuts an edge of side folding panel  40  at common joint  24 . Hinges  50  also fasten panels  20  and  40  together across common joint  24 . The hinges may be positioned on the lower surface of the panels or recessed into the panel edges to be within the joint between adjacent panels. Recessed or bottom placed hinges may require the joints  22  and  24  to be more open and/or for the edges of the panels to be curved to accommodate the upward folding of a side panel with respect to the center panel.  FIG. 2  is an end (elevational) view of the golf practice green shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the top impact surface  60  and bottom surface  70  of each of the panels.  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the golf practice green in a first configuration, in which the top surface  60  of each of the panels  20 ,  30 , and  40  forms a co-planar continuous target surface, that would be used on a golf driving range for practicing golf swings, strokes, shots, etc. The practice green is placed anywhere on a driving range or course, while golfers attempt to hit balls from a “tee” area onto the practice green.  
         [0031]     An operator of a driving range often would like to transport practice greens between different driving ranges or from the driving range to the location of a special event or competition. Such transportation often requires the practice green to be transported over state and federal highways. The effective width W 1  shown in  FIG. 1  of typical practice greens is almost universally greater than the width allowed for vehicles by local laws, making transportation difficult if not impossible. The present invention allows a golf practice green to quickly be transformed into a second configuration as shown in  FIG. 3 , in which the effective width of the practice green has been significantly reduced to W 2 . In this second configuration, side folding panel  30  has been folded over the top of center panel  20  along common joint  22 . Side folding panel  40  has also been folded over the top of center panel  20  and a portion of side folding panel  30 . The practice green apparatus  10  has been designed such that when placed in the second configuration, the effective width W 2  is within the legal limits allowed for transportation over roadways. The apparatus can then be placed on a trailer or other vehicle and transported over the road.  
         [0032]     When the hinges are positioned on a lower surface or recessed, the side panels may not be foldable into a flat, overlapped position, but each may form an acute angle with respect to the upper surface of the center panel, thus decreasing the effective width to a permissibly transportable width. While having the side panels fold flat against one another is generally preferable, having the panels positioned at an acute angle is acceptable so long as the height of the side panel outer edges does not exceed the height permissible for clearance of underpasses, tunnels and the like.  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is an end view of a golf practice green apparatus  11  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The practice green apparatus is similar to that in the first embodiment, except that hinges  50  have been placed on the bottom surface  70  of panels  20 ,  30 , and  40 , and a support frame  80  has been attached to the bottom surface  70  of center panel  20 . The support frame  80  comprises two wheels  84  mounted on an axle  82  that supports a frame structure  88  that positions panel  20  a predetermined height above the ground over the axle and wheels. The support frame further comprises a hitch device  86  for attachment to the tow hitch of a vehicle. The practice green of this embodiment may be a trailer or of a fold-down construction that may be used without wheels and placed upon a separate trailer.  
         [0034]     In a first configuration, panels  30  and  40  are positioned horizontally, as shown by panel  40  in  FIG. 4 , such that the top surface  60  of panels  20 ,  30 , and  40  forms a co-planar continuous target surface. The apparatus would be placed in the first configuration when it is being used as a golf target on a driving range. If it is desired to move the apparatus to a different location that requires transportation over a roadway, panels  30  and  40  can be folded downward relative to center panel  20  at the hinges  50  as shown by panel  30  in  FIG. 4 . The hitch device  86  can be used to connect the apparatus to a separate vehicle to tow the apparatus along the roadway to the desired location. While not specifically illustrated in  FIG. 4 , it should be understood that the apparatus would include all other elements necessary to make the apparatus capable of legal transportation along the roadway, such as tail lights, brakes, etc. The apparatus may also be constructed with two axles and sets of wheels if the size of the apparatus or the law so requires. A wheeled structure of this type is further advantageous inasmuch as it could be easily towed to different locations on a golf driving range.  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a golf practice green apparatus  12  according to a third embodiment of the present invention positioned over a separate trailer vehicle. In this embodiment, the apparatus again comprises panels  20 ,  30 , and  40 . Hinges  50  are placed on the top surface  60  of panels  20 ,  30 , and  40  as in the first embodiment. Support legs  90  are mounted to the bottom surface  70  of center panel  20  with pivot joints  92 . In a first configuration, support legs  90  are extended 90° downward relative to center panel  20  and panels  30  and  40  extend horizontally as in the first configuration of the first and second embodiments. Legs  90  are of sufficient length to position the panels a predetermined height above the ground when the apparatus is in the first configuration. If it is desired to move the apparatus to a different location that requires transportation over a roadway, panels  30  and  40  can be folded over the top of panel  20  as shown in  FIG. 3 . A separate trailer vehicle  95  can then be positioned underneath the apparatus, legs  90  are folded using pivot joints  92  such that they extend horizontally as shown by the right leg  90  in  FIG. 5 , thereby lowering the apparatus onto the trailer  95 . The trailer and golf practice green apparatus can then be legally towed over the road to the desired location.  
         [0036]     While the present embodiment uses legs that pivot to lower the apparatus onto the trailer, it would be understood that any design of the leg that allows for changing of configuration, such as a retractable or collapsible (telescoping) leg, would be suitable for use. In addition, the bed of a truck or other suitable vehicle may be used to tow the golf practice green apparatus instead of a trailer if it is so desired.  
         [0037]      FIGS. 6, 7  and  8  show a golf practice green apparatus  110  according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  is a top plan view of apparatus  110  in a first configuration, while  FIGS. 7 and 8  are end views of the apparatus in the first configuration and a second configuration, respectively. The practice green apparatus comprises a first panel  120  and a second panel  130 . The apparatus further comprises a support frame structure  180 , which comprises a horizontal base member  184  connected to vertical members  186 , which are further connected to horizontal support members  182 . Panels  120  and  130  are connected to horizontal support members  182  by U-bolts  188 , such that the panels are free to rotate about the horizontal support members.  
         [0038]     In the first configuration, panels  120  and  130  extend horizontally such that the top surface  160  of the panels forms a co-planar and continuous surface as shown in  FIG. 7 . If it is desired to move the apparatus to a different location that requires transportation over a roadway, panels  120  and  130  can be rotated about horizontal support members  182  until they extend substantially vertically as shown in  FIG. 8 , thereby reducing the effective width of the apparatus. While the panels are illustrated as being folded inwardly, they also could be folded outwardly to nest along the outside of the structural framework. Outward folding may be desirable for very wide panels so they do not exceed permissible height regulations when folded into a vertical orientation. The practice green apparatus can then be placed on a trailer or other vehicle and transported legally over roadways. It would be understood that the apparatus of the fourth embodiment could also be constructed with an integral support frame structure and aligned wheels, such as that disclosed in the second embodiment, thereby allowing the golf green apparatus itself to be towed directly behind a vehicle without the need of a separate trailer. The member  184  could, for such latter purpose, be an axle or axle support.  
         [0039]      FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate a golf practice green apparatus  210  according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus comprises a rigid tubular U-shaped frame member  282 . A canvas or other suitable fabric panel  220  is fastened to, and extends across the area enclosed by, U-shaped frame member  282 . The apparatus further comprises an additional rigid generally tubular U-shaped frame member  284  attached to an additional canvas panel  230 . As is seen in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11 , taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 , generally tubular frame member  284  is larger in cross-section than tubular frame member  282 . The inner open diameter of tubular frame member  284  is slightly larger than the outer diameter of tubular frame member  282  so that tubular frame member  284  may slide telescopically over tubular frame member  282 . Panel  230  is attached to the top surface of tubular frame member  284 , while panel  220  is attached to the inside surface of tubular frame member  282 . A slot  290  is formed in tubular frame member  284  along the inside surface thereof, such that when tubular frame member  284  is slid telescopically over tubular frame member  282 , panel  220  passes through the slot  290  in tubular frame member  284 . Also, the canvas or fabric panel may be attached by spaced loops to the frame members so that the panels fold, accordian style, to permit the telescoped compact condition of the frame members.  
         [0040]     In the first configuration as shown in  FIG. 9 , tubular frame member  284  is slid telescopically over tubular frame member  282  only a short distance, providing a relatively large golf target surface. If it is desired to move the apparatus to a different location, tubular frame member  284  is slid telescopically over a substantial portion of tubular frame member  282  as shown in  FIG. 10 , thereby reducing the effective width of the apparatus. The practice green apparatus can then be placed on a trailer or other vehicle and transported legally over roadways. It would be understood that the apparatus of the present embodiment could also be constructed with an integral support frame structure, such as that disclosed in the second embodiment, thereby allowing the golf green apparatus itself to be towed directly behind a vehicle without the need of a separate trailer. While a telescopically sliding concentric tubular mechanism has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment, other mechanisms allowing panel  230  to slide over panel  220 , such as wheels and a track, sliding cams, etc., are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0041]     It is to be understood that while means for locking the moving parts of the preferred embodiments into their respective first and second configurations have not been discussed in detail, such as pins, latches, straps, etc., such features are beneficial and considered to be within the scope of the instant invention and within the skill of one skilled in the mechanical arts.  
         [0042]     While not specifically illustrated in the figures or incorporated into the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that additional features commonly used with such practice greens, such as a “cup” or “hole,” pin, flag, and target circles, may be readily incorporated into the design of the practice greens illustrated in the preferred embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, golf ball impact sensing means can be placed on the top impact surface of the practice greens, and used in conjunction with lamp means or other signaling means to relay information about the location of the impact of the golf ball on the target surface of the practice green to the golfer.  
         [0043]     With respect to the fabric upper surface referred to as part of  FIGS. 9, 10  and  11 , the fabric may be an open mesh where the openings are considerably smaller than a golf ball. A spider-web structure of wires with sensing devices at the intersection of the web members may be laid over the fabric surface or clipped by suitable clipping means to the under surface of the fabric to provide sensing means suitably connected to a lighting system upon a central flag pole, for example, wherein differently colored lamps illuminate to indicate how closely a ball hit proximate to the “pin.” 
         [0044]     The practice green, when equipped with impact sensors, has an electrical power source, such as a battery, fuel cell, or internal combustion generator, which provides electrical power to provide illumination to certain lamps when a ball impacts upon the putting green surface at a particular distance from the “pin.” 
         [0045]     The easily transportable practice green of the instant invention is particularly advantageous inasmuch as it can be equipped with wheels in various embodiments so that the green may be towed by a golf cart, for example, to different locations on a driving range or golf course, so that chip shots, sand shots, and mid-range iron shots can be practiced at various distances.  
         [0046]     The greens of the instant invention may be equipped with an encircling skirt which depends from the outer perimeter of the green to reach, preferably, to the ground. The skirt may thus prevent golf balls from rolling under the green whenever they are hit short of the green. The skirt is preferably readily detachable from the green structure so that it is not harmed or worn whenever the green is folded and transported. The lower margin of the skirt may be weighted in order to contact the ground firmly to prevent rolling golf balls from rolling under the skirt.  
         [0047]     The skirt may further be utilized as a space for advertisement or similar uses. Further, the skirt may provide support for small lamps, LEDs or the like to signal “hits” near the pin or as illumination during night-time use of the green. The skirt may be an integral unit or composed of discrete, depending fabric panels.  
         [0048]     It is further within the scope of the invention that a suitable motor can be incorporated into the practice green structure to power the wheels to make the device a self-powered mobile device for movement from one location on a golf course or driving range to another location on the course or range. The motor can be a battery powered electric motor or a small internal combustion engine or similar power device.  
         [0049]     Finally, while each of the preferred embodiments illustrate a flat planar golf ball impact surface, it is well known within the art to provide an impact surface that is contoured both for the function of simulating a natural golf green, or for the purpose of providing a mechanism for gathering golf balls to a particular location or for rolling off the golf green. Golf practice green apparatus capable of achieving multiple configurations having a contoured or sloped impact surface are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Also, each of the preferred embodiments discloses practice greens having a periphery shaped as a circle or a rectangle. It is understood that practice greens having any peripheries or any geometric shape, or any arbitrary pattern are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.