Abstract:
A ball trap comprises a carrier about which is spaced a number of suspended flaps so as to be positioned, in use, about the surface on which the ball travels and which are configured, so that when a—or the—flap is impacted by a ball, the flap is pushed aside to a position where, provided the impact force is sufficient, the ball passes underneath the flap and the flap falls back to its position of rest to prevent the ball from escaping; characterised by the feature that the flap region which the ball pushes aside on impact is spaced sufficiently, radially outward from the carrier that the same region can subsequently come down behind the ball and act as the escape-preventing means.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to ball traps. The specific description of the present invention is concerned with a golf ball trap. However, the invention is destined to apply to other ball traps for example football, marbles and ten pin bowling ball traps. 
   Throughout this specification, the term ‘flap’ is to be interpreted broadly but is not intended to cover ‘pins or arrays of pins’ within its meaning. 
   BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART KNOWN TO THE APPLICANTS(S) 
   Golf is a popular pastime throughout the world. Most players strive for two things; to play more and to improve their game. The sport generally requires a large specific area set with a hole, is time consuming and can be expensive to play regularly. These factors combine to limit access to the sport. 
   For these reasons there is a large amount of practice equipment available to the golfer. These range from small putting targets and chipping nets to large permanent putting surfaces. Most of these devices are primarily aimed at practice rather than play and this is generally true of ball traps and hole simulators. Known devices are generally unidirectional or have ramps that deflect the ball, making them unable to truly simulate a hole, or are permanently fixed, inflexible or cumbersome. 
   The following prior art has been identified by the applicant(s): GB184409, GB400422, U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,863, U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,567, U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,776, WO9723259, U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,886, U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,047, U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,007, U.S. Pat. No. 3,838,888, U.S. Pat. No. 3,507,499, U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,464, U.S. Pat. No. 1,600,475, U.S. Pat. No. 333,857, U.S. Pat. No. 3,313,544, U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,240, U.S. Pat. No. 2,899,207, U.S. Pat. No. 2,742,293, U.S. Pat. No. 1,663,889, U.S. Pat. No. 1,529,749, U.S. Pat. No. 1,513,917, U.S. Pat. No. 1,427,537, GB2257637, GB2274066, GB2194893, GB2069343, GB2015353, GB1350842, GB128523, GB191514649, GB107540 and GB190901476. 
   The closest two documents of prior art are GB2069343 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,240. GB2069343 is concerned with an array of pins acting as escape-preventing means. 
   The closest ball trap using a number of flaps is U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,240. This device requires each flap to have two flap portions, one against which, in use, a ball would impact, causing the flap to pivot inwardly so that a second portion of tie flap would cover the ball to prevent tie ball from escaping. The device also has a conical base requiring the ball to ride up a slope before hitting the first portion of a given flap. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In its broadest independent aspect, the invention provides a ball trap comprising a carrier about which is spaced a number of suspended flaps so as to be positioned, in use, about the surface on which the ball travels and which are configured, so that when a—or the—flap is impacted by a ball, the flap is pushed aside to a position where, provided the impact force is sufficient, the ball passes underneath the flap and the flap falls back to its position of rest to prevent the ball from escaping; characterised by the feature that the flap region which the ball pushes aside on impact is spaced sufficiently radially outward from the carrier that the same region can subsequently come down behind the ball and act as the escape-preventing means. 
   This configuration renders the trap altogether more compact and simpler than the prior art. 
   It also more closely simulates a hole if the ball trap is used as a golf ball trap. 
   In a subsidiary aspect in accordance with the invention&#39;s broadest independent aspect, each flap has a lower surface which, in the flap&#39;s pushed-aside position, can lie substantially parallel to the surface on which tie ball travels. This allows the flap to closely simulate the edge of a hole which may be particularly beneficial in a golf simulation application. 
   In a further subsidiary aspect, each flap&#39;s ball-contacting surface is, in use, curved in a plane substantially parallel to the ground. Such a profile works in combination with the ball enabling entry to the simulated hole whilst restricting escape from the device once inside much as a real hole would do in a similar situation. 
   In another subsidiary aspect, each flap&#39;s ball-contacting surface is substantially arcuate so is that a group of flaps mimics the effect of the edge of a hole on a ball. The advantages of this structure come to light when using the ball trap to simulate a portion of an edge of a hole. 
   In a further subsidiary aspect, there are provided three or more flaps. Three or more flaps achieve advantageous escape-preventing actions. 
   In a further subsidiary aspect, the or each flap is T-shaped. This configuration presents the ball trap with an ideal combination of compactness and reliable trapping capacity. 
   In a further subsidiary aspect, the carrier is freely rotatable. This provides the device with enhanced longevity and with a closer simulation of a ball&#39;s interaction with a hole. 
   In a further subsidiary aspect, the or each flap is curved or twisted inwardly at the flap side so that when a ball meets the flap side-on it tends to push the flap aside. 
   In a further subsidiary aspect, the or each flap is curved or twisted upwardly at the flap side so that when a ball meets the flap side-on it tends to push the flap aside. 
   In a further subsidiary aspect, the or each flap has a projection or integral surface which meets an abutment on its carrier when the flap is in its position of rest, said abutment being configured to prevent the flap from being able to swing outwards. 
   In a further subsidiary aspect, the or each flap is part of a carrier; the flap and/or carrier is configured to be sufficiently flexible so that when the ball travels at a velocity in excess of a pre-determined value, it causes the flap and/or carrier to flex to allow the ball to escape from the trap. This allows a further improved simulation of a hole. 

   
     DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention accurately simulates a golf hole by trapping a ball rolling along a surface in a similar manner to ball behaviour in a proper game on a golf course. While this description relates to golf, the device can be scaled and applied to work with smaller or larger balls. 
     The present invention is described in the following text, with reference to the accompanying drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view showing the general assembly of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the ball trap shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a section view of the general assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a part section view of the hinge of the ball trap shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a view of a ball acting on the side of the flap. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the device as it would be set up on a suitable surface. 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing a ball acting on a flap. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   

   By way of example, and with initial reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6  the device consists of a thin flat base  1  larger than the diameter of the circular hole the device is to simulate. The edge of the base  1  may have a chamfer or radius  2 . The simulated hole is marked  4  on the upper side of the base  1  and may additionally be augmented by a slight depression or a series of holes at the same diameter. A vertical post  6  rises from the centre of the simulated hole  4  and is attached to the base  1  throughout a hole  3 . Post  6  is held in place by a bayonet feature or separate nut  23  on the underside of base  1 . Alternatively post  6  may be an integral part of base  1 . 
   The top of post  6  has a vertical spigot  7  and flange  8  on to which is mounted carrier  9 . Spigot  7  may be tapered with a matching taper on carrier  9 . Carrier  9  has a plurality of arms  10  radiating outwards. At the ends of each arm  10  is a hinge  11  and flap  12  largely is suspended from the hinge  11 . A tab  13  extending inwards from the top of the flap  12  contacts the top of the arm  10  preventing the lower part  14  of the flap  12  from rotating outwards but allowing full rotation inwards until the flap  12  contacts the lower profile  15  of the arm  10 . 
   The lower part  14  of the flap  12  extends sideways from the hinge  11  in both directions in a circular path concentric and further out to the simulated hole outline  4 . The sides  16  of the flap  12  stop at a point that allows clearance  17  to the adjacent flap in all articulations of both flaps. The lower edge  18  of the flap  12  may be straight but is preferably curved down at the ends when flap  12  is in its rest position. Furthermore it is preferred the lower edge  18  is approximate to the simulated hole outline when flap  12  is in its operating position. Towards the sides  16  there is a chamfer or radius  19 . Optionally at the sides of the flap  12  there is a tab  20  extending inwards. The upper edges  21  of the flap may be any profile but must provide sufficient clearance to the lower profile  15  of the arm  10  when the flap  12  is fully articulated inwards. 
   A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 7 to 9 . Comparing, in particular,  FIGS. 2 and 7 ; and  FIGS. 6 and 8  the differences evident in this, the preferred embodiment, the base  1  is illustrated without the optional chamfer  2  about its outer edge; and the flaps  12  whilst extending either side of the hinge  11  in a generally curved manner being concentric to the simulated hole  4  the flap sides  16  do not include a tab  20  extending inwards. All other common features are present. 
   The mode of working is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 9  and described in the following examples. The device is placed on a suitable surface. A ball  22  rolls on said surface in a straight path approximately towards the centre of the device. The ball  22  rolls on to base  1  which is sufficiently thin to minimise any disturbance to the direction or speed of the ball. Upon contacting flap  12  the ball causes it to rotate inwards until the ball  22  can pass underneath flap  12 . Once the ball  22  is inside tie device and no longer in contact with the flap  12  the flap  12  returns to its rest position thereby trapping ball  22 . 
   In another example ball  22  approaches tangentially to the simulated hole  4  or at an angle other than directly towards tie centre of the device. Upon contacting flap  12  ball  22  causes flap  12  to rotate inwards. If a ball  22  contacts flap side  16  then the chamfer or radius  19  and or tab  20  (if present) will slide up the surface of ball  22  causing flap  12  to rotate inwards. 
   In all embodiments if the centre of ball  22  crosses lower edge  18  of flap  12  then ball  22  will continue or be deflected inwards to be captivated by the device. If ball  22  does not cross lower edge  18  then ball  22  will continue on its present path and flap  12  will return to its rest position without trapping ball  22 . In all examples, once inside tie device, ball  22  is prevented from leaving the device as tie flaps  12  are prevented from rotating outwards by tab  13 . In situations where the ball  22  is travelling at such a speed that it would not fall into a normal hole this may be simulated by carrier  9  in a number of ways. For example the carrier  9  may tip or lift vertically off the top of post  6  to allow the ball  22  to escape from the device in a similar manner to normal ball behaviour. To aid carrier  9  to tip or lift it may be mounted on a conical or rounded spigot  7 . Alternatively, this escape can be facilitated by the carrier  9  being formed from a resiliently deformable preferably plastics material which in such a situation will sufficiently distort or flex upon impact to allow the ball to escape. 
   A feature of the device so described is the compact and portable size when the flap and A feature of the device so described is the compact and portable size when the flap and carrier assembly is disassembled from the post and the post is disassembled from the base, allowing all the components to be packaged in a small flat box. 
   An enhancement to the device is flagpole  24  which fits into a hole  25  in top of post  6 . 
   Another enhancement is spike  26  which fits into hole  27  in the bottom of post  6 . This spike  26  then protrudes from the bottom of the device to give it additional stability on soft ground. 
   In a further embodiment carrier  9  is suspended from the bottom of a post or arched rod which is attached to a fixed or portable structure. This allows the removal of post  6  thereby further enhancing the simulation of a hole. 
   Since the flap  12  is mounted to be freely moveable and is designed to have low inertia, it causes negligible deflection to the ball&#39;s direction or speed. At its operating point the profile of the flap&#39;s lower edge  18  approximates the hole but acts upon the top rather than the bottom of the ball. Hence the device accurately simulates a real golf hole without the need for an actual hole. The base has also been selected to be particularly thin so that it does not substantially deflect the trajectory of the ball. 
   In order to accurately simulate a golf ball being sent into a hole, the carrier and/or carrier and post assemblies are inherently flexible structures sufficient so that when the ball enters beneath the carrier and impacts the flaps located at the opposite side from the entry of the ball, the carrier and/or carrier and post assemblies can deflect elastically to allow the exit of the ball if the ball is above a pre-determined velocity corresponding to the velocity by which a golf ball travelling into a hole would instead of sinking into the hole exit the hole even though its trajectory passes over the hole.