Patent Publication Number: US-6902494-B1

Title: Golf practice device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a golf practice device and, more particularly, to a golf swing practice platform having a ball-supporting surface adapted to move in a downward direction when it is impacted by a golf club. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In the past, various practice platforms and mats have been developed for use by golfers in practicing golf swings. Typically, these devices are provided with ball-striking surfaces adapted to support golf balls thereon such that the balls can be hit by golfers (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,594,359, 3,143,350, 3,423,096, 3,622,161, 3,712,628, 3,869,128, 4,928,966, 4,955,611, 5,356,147, 5,593,355, 5,662,531, 5,692,967, 6,312,345 and 6,450,895). At least some of these devices are equipped with mechanisms which allow the ball-striking surfaces to deflect or move downwardly in response to a club head impacting same. These mechanisms are provided for absorbing impact created by a club head, simulating a natural turf (i.e., simulating a feeling experienced by a golfer in making a proper swing down through the ball and taking a divot), etc. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,594,359 discloses a practice board having a plurality of ball-supporting slates which are movable downwardly when impacted by a club head, while U.S. Pat. No. 3,423,096 discloses a golf practice mat equipped with a ball supporting member which is supported on a plurality of independent leaf springs for allowing the supporting member to move downwardly. Similarly, the driving mat disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,128 includes a cantilevered lip for supporting a golf ball thereon such that the lip can deflect downwardly to minimize damage to the mat and the club, as well as discomfort experienced by the golfer. Likewise, the golf practice mat described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,967 is equipped with a mat tray having a set of casters such that the mat tray is movable downwardly along associated ramps in response to a club head impacting same. 
   While the foregoing practice devices are intended to yield to an impacting golf club, they have various shortcomings and disadvantages. For instance, the mechanisms utilized in these devices are fairly complicated and/or are not believed to perform such a function in an efficient or effective manner. In addition, after repeated use, the devices tend to wear out and need to be replaced. In the foregoing circumstances, there is a need for an improved golf practice device adapted to yield to a golf club. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by providing an improved golf practice device allowing users to practice golf swings. More particularly, the practice device includes a body having an opening. A ball-supporting surface is formed generally over the opening for supporting a golf ball thereon. The practice device also includes a supporting device spanning the opening for supporting the ball-supporting surface. The supporting device includes a plurality of plate members extending from the body into the opening and at least partially overlapping with each other such that at least a portion of the ball-supporting surface is movable (e.g., deflectable) in a generally downward direction so as to yield to a club head when the ball-supporting surface is struck by same. In this manner, the ball-supporting surface is adapted to absorb impact created by the club head, while simulating the sensation of striking through a natural turf. 
   In accordance with one feature of the present invention, the plate members include first, second and third plate members which are cantilevered from the body such that they are deflectable in the downward direction when the ball-supporting surface is struck by the club head. The second plate member is interleaved between the first and third plate members. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a golf practice platform constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the practice platform shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIGS. 3–5  are schematic views of the practice platform shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the assembly of various parts of the practice platform; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a ball-supporting area of the practice platform shown in  FIG. 1  prior to impact by a golf club head; and 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the ball-supporting area of the practice platform shown in  FIG. 1  during impact by a golf club head. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a golf practice platform  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention. More particularly, the practice platform  10  includes a substantially planar stand or surface  12  having a pair of lateral sides  14 ,  16  and a pair of transverse sides  18 ,  20 . The practice platform  10  also includes a pair of lateral support panels  22 ,  24  and a transverse support panel  26  (see  FIG. 1 ) attached to the stand  12  for supporting the stand  12  in an elevated manner. As a result, the stand  12 , which is adapted to support a person thereon, is suspended above a support surface (e.g., the ground) on which the practice platform  10  is placed. 
   Referring primarily to  FIG. 2 , a cutout or opening  28  is formed in the transverse side  18  of the stand  12 . More particularly, the stand  12  has a pair of lateral edges  30 ,  32  and a transverse edge  34  defining the cutout  28 . The lateral edges  30 ,  32  are spaced from each other in a lateral direction (i.e., in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stand  12 ), while the transverse edge  34  is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stand  12 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 , the platform  10  is also provided with an upper or top cover layer  36  which is affixed to the stand  12  and which covers substantially the entire area of the stand  12 , including the cutout  28 . The upper layer  36  is preferably made from a material which forms an upper layer of a conventional golf practice mat (e.g., a synthetic material simulating a natural grass surface). The upper layer  36  has a portion  38  (see  FIGS. 1 and 6 ) covering the cutout  28  and defining a ball-striking area (i.e., a ball-supporting surface)  40  of the platform  10 . At least the portion  38  of the upper layer  36  is thin and substantially flexible. The platform  10  also includes a lower layer  42  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) positioned between the upper layer  36  and the stand  12 . The lower layer  42  is made from a conventional anti-slip material so as to inhibit the upper layer  36  from moving relative to the stand  12 , thereby allowing a person to stand on the platform  10  and practice golf swings. The lower layer  42  is also adapted to enhance the cushioning effect of the upper layer  36 , increasing user-comfort, as well as the user&#39;s traction to the upper layer  36 . The lower layer  42  is sized and shaped such that it does not cover the cutout  28  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
   Now referring to  FIGS. 2–5 , the platform  10  includes a flexible surface-supporting device  44  spanning the cutout  28  for supporting the ball-striking area  40  of the platform  10  such that the ball-striking area  40  is movable or deflectable in a generally downward direction when it is struck by a club head. More particularly, the supporting device  44  has a plurality of overlapping or interleaving elongated plate members (i.e., blades)  46 ,  48 ,  50 . More particularly, the plate member  48 , which has a mounting end  52  attached to the lateral edge  32 , extends from same into the cutout  28  toward the lateral edge  30  and terminates at a free end  54  which is spaced from the lateral edge  30 . Because the plate member  48  is cantilevered from the lateral edge  32 , it is adapted to deflect downwardly in response to a downward force applied thereto. Like the plate member  48 , the plate members  46 ,  50  have mounting ends  56 ,  58 , respectively, each of which is attached to the lateral edge  30 . The plate members  46 ,  50  extend from the lateral edge  30  toward the lateral edge  32  and terminate at free ends  60 ,  62 , respectively, each of which is spaced from the lateral edge  32 . Because the plate members  46 ,  50  are cantilevered from the lateral edge  30 , they are adapted to deflect downwardly in response to a downward force applied thereto. Each of the plate members  46 ,  48  has a sufficient length such that their free ends  60 ,  54 , respectively, are located adjacent the lateral edges  30 ,  32 , respectively (see  FIG. 6 ). Unlike the plate members  46 ,  48 , the plate member  50  has a shorter length such that its free end  62  is positioned proximate the midpoint of the cutout  28  (see  FIGS. 3 and 6 ). 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 2–5 , the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  are arranged such that they are at least partially overlapped with each other. More particularly, the plate member  48  is interleaved between the plate members  46 ,  50  such that the free end  60  of the plate member  46  is movably supported on the plate member  48  and the free end  54  of the plate member  48  is movably supported on the plate member  50  (see also  FIG. 6 ). Each of the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  is made from a flexible, resilient material (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, etc.) such that they can bend downwardly in response to a downward force applied thereto and then return to their horizontal orientation. Due to their overlapping construction, the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  cooperate with one another to allow the supporting device  44  and hence the ball-striking area  40  to deflect in the downward direction when the ball-striking area  40  is struck by a descending club head. 
   The supporting device  44  is also provided with a pair of strips  64 ,  66  made from a conventional material (see  FIGS. 2–6 ), such as a weighty outdoor rug or mat. The strips  64 ,  66  are loosely positioned between the plate members  46 ,  48  (see  FIGS. 4–6 ) and between the plate members  48 ,  50  (see  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  6 ), respectively, for purposes to be discussed hereinafter. Each of the strips  64 ,  66  can be inserted between a corresponding pair of the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  after the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  have been attached to the stand  12 . More particularly, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3–5 , the strips  64 ,  66  can be sequentially inserted into the supporting device  44  by lifting the plate member  46 ,  48  upwardly. Alternatively, the strips  64 ,  66  can be assembled with the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  while the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  are attached to the stand  12 . The strips  64 ,  66  can also be secured to the stand  12  by fasteners (e.g., the fasteners securing the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  to the stand  12 ). 
   With reference to  FIG. 6 , each of the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  normally assumes a substantially horizontal shape, thereby positioning the supporting device  44  in a substantially planar orientation. As a result, the ball-striking area  40  is substantially planar and is thereby adapted to support a golf ball  68  thereon (see  FIG. 6 ). When the ball-striking area  40  is struck by a head  70  of a golf club which is swung by a user standing on the platform  10 , the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  deflect (or move) in the downward direction (see  FIG. 7 ), allowing the ball-striking area  40  to bend downwardly and thereby permitting the club head  70  to pass “through” the ball  68  without encountering a significant drag. After the club head  70  passes through the ball-striking area  40 , the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  return to their normal, substantially horizontal orientations. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 6 , the strips  64 ,  66  are adapted to reduce friction between the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50 , allowing free movement of the plate member  46 ,  48 ,  50  relative to one another upon impact by the club head  70 . The strips  64 ,  66  also function to inhibit the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  from becoming entangled with one another when the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  shift downwardly and apart from each other upon impact by the club head  70  and then return to their normal, horizontal orientations. 
   It should be appreciated that the present invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art discussed above. For instance, because the ball-striking area  40  is adapted to yield to a club head, it absorbs impact created thereby, while simulating the sensation of striking through a natural turf. Moreover, because of their overlapping construction, the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  provide enhanced stability and resilience, and hence improved durability, to the supporting device  44 . More particularly, the plate member  46 , which directly supports the ball-striking area  40 , is supported by the plate member  48 , which, in turn, is supported by the plate member  50 . As a result, the ball-striking area  44  is supported by an interleaving set of supporting members (i.e., the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50 ), rather than by a single supporting member. In this regard, the strips  64 ,  66  cooperate with the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  in providing additional stability to the supporting device  44  without hindering the ability of the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  to return to their normal, horizontal orientations. 
   The overlapping/interleaving construction of the supporting device  44  also inhibits the ball-striking area  40  (i.e., the plate member  46  and/or the plate member  48 ) from sagging without compromising its flexibility and resilience. With reference to  FIG. 6 , the distal free ends  60 ,  54  of the plate members  46 ,  48 , respectively, are successively supported by portions of the underlying plate members  48 ,  50 , respectively, (referred to hereinafter as “the proximal portions”) which are proximate to the fastening points (i.e., the mounting ends  52 ,  58 ) of the plate members  48 ,  50 , respectively. As a result, the farthest and therefore highly flexible edges of the plate members  46 ,  48  (i.e., the distal free ends  60 ,  54 , respectively) rest on, and are hence supported by, the proximal and hence less flexible portions of the underlying plate members  48 ,  50 , respectively. In such circumstances, even if a long plate member is utilized in the supporting device  44 , it would be inhibited from sagging and would hence be maintained substantially planar throughout its entire length, including its mid-portion, under normal condition (i.e., when it is not struck by a golf club) without significantly reducing its flexibility and resilience. In this manner, the overlapping/interleaving plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  cooperate to form a highly resilient, simple supporting system without requiring a large number of parts or components. 
   It should be noted that the present invention can have numerous modifications and variations. For instance, one of the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  can be eliminated (i.e., the platform  10  can be provided with only two plate members that are at least partially overlapped with one another). Alternatively, the supporting device  44  can be provided with more than three plate members. Because each of the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  is relatively thin, they can accommodate additional plate members without significantly increasing the overall thickness of the supporting device  44 . The plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  can also be attached to the stand  12  via removable mechanisms (e.g., screws) such that they can be independently and selectively removed from the stand  12  and/or replaced with replacement plate members. Further, the plate members  46 ,  48 ,  50  can be of any suitable shape and/or size. 
   The platform  10  can also be modified such that the ball-striking area  40  is a separate and independent unit from the rest of the stand  12  (e.g., the rest of the stand  12  can be eliminated, leaving only the ball-striking area  44  and the supporting device  40  as an integrated unit such that the resulting golf practice device can be utilized by a user standing on the ground). In such circumstances, the platform  10  can be easily disassembled or dismantled so as to allow same to be transported or stored conveniently in two or more pieces. In addition, the platform  10  can be provided with another ball-striking area located opposite the ball-striking area  40  such that both left-handed and right-handed users can easily practice golf swings without turning or rotating the platform  10 . 
   The platform  10  can be provided with one or more rubber/plastic ball-holders or tees positioned, for example, along one or more of the lateral sides  14 ,  16  and the transverse side  20 , for allowing users to practice tee shots. Moreover, the ball-striking area  40  can be provided with a ball-holder or a tee such that tee shots can be made by a user without turning or rotating the platform  10 . Similarly, additional layers can be placed over the ball-striking area  40  (i.e., over the cutout  28 ) for simulating a different type of golf shot. For instance, a substantially shaggy mat can be placed on the ball-striking area  40  for simulating the sensation of a shot from a sand trap or the rough. 
   The upper layer  36  can be permanently or removably affixed to the lower layer  42  and/or the stand  12 , thereby inhibiting the upper layer  36  from moving relative to the stand  12  and hence enhancing traction between the user and the platform  10 . Alternatively, because the lower layer  42  provides the necessary friction between the upper layer  36  and the stand  12 , the upper layer  36  can be loosely placed on the stand  12  without being affixed thereto or to the lower layer  42 . In this manner, when the portion  38  of the upper layer  36  covering the cutout  28  becomes worn, the loosely mounted upper layer  36  can be rotated or re-orientated easily so that the cutout  28  is covered by another portion of the upper layer  36 . The loosely mounted upper layer  36  is also adapted for easy replacement. 
   It will be understood that the embodiment described herein is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications, including those discussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.