Abstract:
A portable golf practice game which provides an entertaining and competitive means to practice the game of golf is herein disclosed. The game comprises an inclined surface including an aperture, a chipping mat, and carrying bag. The inclined surface enables golf balls to be struck from a desired distance to provide a practicing for one&#39;s aim. The game also comprises an alternate embodiment which further comprises a plurality of divided sections attached to the inclined surface which enables golf balls to be struck from a desired distance to provide an alternate practicing means for one&#39;s aim. Each embodiment is envisioned to comprise separate scoring systems when each embodiment is used as a competitive game.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/616,690 filed on Mar. 28, 2012, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a portable golf game practice device including a detachable frame with a landing mat having a sloping profile and a target aperture, a chipping mat, a plurality of golf balls, and a carrying case for all components. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Golf is a sport that requires skill, precision, and discretion. Just as with all other sports, it demands practice even from the most seasoned player. The best form of practice is to supplant oneself in a real-life and real-time scenario so as to capture all of the environmental influences that may have an impact on one&#39;s game. A golf course is where golf is played, thus practicing on a golf course affords the best environment to hone the requisite skills for golf. Yet, attending a golf course to practice is not always convenient. Furthermore, although a real-life and real-time scenarios affords the best environment for practice, there are advantages to be exploited from practicing under stylized and controlled environments. Training aids provide such a stylized and controlled environment. A training aid can be tailored to force a practitioner to identify deficiencies and develop competencies. There are many aspects of golf but striking a golf ball is generally segmented into three (3) types of strikes: 1) driving; 2) chipping; and, 3) putting. While all are important, chipping tends to provide golf practitioners with a great deal of difficulty. Thus, chipping is an important skill to improve upon. Many avid golfers would benefit from having the ability to practice chipping in a controlled environment. The development of the present invention fulfills that need. 
     Prior art in this field consists of training aids that are elaborate systems or even requires attending driving ranges. Putting training aids exist and are quite comprehensive in scope. Yet, existing chipping aids either consist of elaborate systems or of golf club devices. These elaborate systems are costly and tend to require large space in order to be effective. Chipping golf club devices force a user to maintain correct posture and arm positioning. Furthermore, existing chipping training aids are solo aids, thus do not facilitate an engaging atmosphere. There is no golf training aid that adequately enables a user to effectively hone the skill of chipping, while, at the same time, engage others to join in. It is an object of this invention to provide a means to practice the art of chipping without having to attend a golf course. It is a further object of this invention for this means to be cost effective and portable. It is a further object of this invention to provide such a training aid that is exciting and engaging so that multiple users can employ the device simultaneously. It is a further object of this invention to provide a chipping training aid that facilitates reconfiguration of the system into alternative embodiments so that multiple games can be played while still honing the skill of chipping. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a portable golf practice game, which provides a means to practice the art of golf without having to visit a golf course. The invention comprises of a system of an interchangeable inclined panel, balls, a chipping mat, retaining walls, rails, a plurality of legs, a plurality of rungs, and a carrying bag. The panel is an elongated flat surface having a flap and an aperture at an upper portion thereof. The upper end of the panel is further provided with a backboard and a retaining wall to serve as a retainer for the ball and to contain the ball to the system. The system is provided with a first and second rail positioned along longitudinal side portions of the system. The first and second rails act as a frame for the system and provide a means to attach legs and rungs. The legs, when attached, provide stability and height, and each bottom surface of each leg is provided with a nonskid surface. The legs also position the system to create an incline on the panel. The chipping mat comprises a detached mat that is positioned at a point away from the panel at the discretion of the user. Balls are placed on the chipping mat and struck with a golf club towards the panel and backboard system. As the balls hits the panel and backboard system, the backboard and retaining wall ensure that the balls are restricted to the panel surface. The carrying bag provides storage and transportation to the system. The system is also equipped with accessories to facilitate alternate embodiments and uses of the system. These accessories include a cover for the panel aperture, removably attachable rungs, and removably attachable indicia. 
     A user places the panel and backboard system on a level surface and creates an inclined surface with the panel by the use of the legs. The chipping mat is positioned at a desired position away from the panel. Balls are placed on the chipping mat and struck with a golf club, thereby directing the balls towards the panel and backboard system. A user hones chipping skills by attempting to direct the balls into the panel aperture. In an alternative embodiment, rungs are attached to the rails. A user then strikes the balls aiming for the areas between the rungs to hone the skill of chipping. In either embodiment, multiple users can use the device simultaneously. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment  20  of a portable golf practice game  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment  30  of the portable golf practice game  10  depicting placement of attachments, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is perspective view of a chipping mat  81  of the golf practice game  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a carrying bag  90  of a golf practice game  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment  40  of the portable golf practice game  10  depicting an alternate panel  110  attached to an alternate frame  120 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross section along line A-A as seen in  FIG. 5  of the portable golf practice game  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate carrying case  130  for the second alternate embodiment  40  of a portable golf practice game  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  portable golf practice game 
               20  preferred embodiment 
               30  alternate embodiment 
               40  second alternate embodiment 
               50  panel 
               51  flap 
               52  opening 
               54  opening cover 
               56  panel fastener 
               60  frame 
               61  first rail 
               62  second rail 
               63  third rail 
               64  rear leg 
               65  front leg 
               66  protective tip 
               67  upper retaining rung 
               68  lower retaining rung 
               71  panel attachment fitting 
               72  rung attachment fitting 
               73  leg attachment fitting 
               75  rung 
               80  chipping mat 
               81  surface 
               82  ball 
               90  carrying bag 
               91  elastic closure 
               92  drawstring 
               93  bag indicia 
               110  alternate panel 
               112  alternate opening 
               113  alternate flap 
               115  separator 
               117  1×2 molding 
               118  threaded fastener 
               119  pilot hole 
               120  alternate frame 
               121  front 
               122  side 
               123  back 
               124  leg 
               126  eccentric cam lock fastener 
               127  fastener stud 
               130  alternate carrying case 
               131  carrying case drawstring 
               132  carrying handle 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4 , an alternate embodiment  30 , herein depicted within  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 , and a second alternate embodiment  40 , herein depicted in  FIGS. 5 ,  3 , and  6 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a portable golf practice game (herein described as the “system”), which provides a means for a plurality of golf-related recreational games in two (2) structure. The system comprises a preferred embodiment  20  and an alternate embodiment  30  which comprise an interchangeable inclined panel  50 , balls  82 , a chipping mat  80 , and a carrying bag  90 . The system  10  also comprises a second alternate embodiment  40  which utilizes an alternated inclined panel  110  attached to an alternate frame  120 , balls  82 , a chipping mat  80 , and an alternate carrying case  130 . The system  10  provides a means for a user, or group of user&#39;s, to participate in games similar to a bean bag toss or a ladder toss lawn games, yet utilizing enhanced features pertaining to the game of golf. The system  10  is envisioned to be positioned on a level surface to project a sloped target field which is preferably four (4) feet in length and two (2) feet in width, yet other dimensions may be provided without limiting the scope of said system. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment  20  of the present invention, is disclosed. The preferred embodiment  20  comprises a rectangular panel  50  and a tube-and-fitting frame  60 . The panel  50  is preferably a felt material, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system. An upper portion of the panel  50  is provided with a flap  51  and an opening  52 , thereby providing a hole for a ball  82  to descend into and a backboard, of sorts, to stop said ball  82  from rolling away from the system  10 . 
     The frame  60  is preferably comprised of a plurality of PVC pipe segments interconnected with PVC “T”-fittings. Unless otherwise specified, the manufacturing tolerances of the constituent pipes and fittings will be such that the attachment means between pipes and fittings will be a tight sliding fit. Other materials, or means of attachment, may be used without limiting the scope or function of the system. A first rail  61 , a second rail  62 , and a third rail  63  are positioned along each of the longitudinal sides of the frame  40  with interconnecting “T”-fittings, thereby providing a means to attach a pair of rear legs  64 , a pair of front legs  65 , an upper retaining rung  67  and a lower retaining rung  68 . 
     The first ends of the first rails  61  of each side are attached to the cross portion of a panel attachment fitting  71  while the second ends are attached to the cross portion of a rung attachment fitting  72 . The rung attachment fittings  72  are preferably comprised of a “T”-fitting which includes an elbow fitting permanently attached to the stem portion of the “T”, yet similar fittings may be utilized without limiting the scope of the invention. The first ends of the second rails  62  of each side are attached to the opposite end of the cross portion of the rung attachment fitting  72  at the second end of the first rail  61 . The second ends of the second rails  62  of each side are attached to the cross portion of still another rung attachment fitting  72 . The first ends of the third rails  63  of each side are attached to the opposite ends of the cross portion of the rung attachment fittings  72  at the second ends of the second rails  62 . The second ends of the third rails  63  of each side are attached to the cross portion of still another panel attachment fitting  71 . 
     The lower retaining rung  68  is attached to the stem portion of the panel attachment fitting  71  on the first ends of the first rails  61  of each side with one (1) panel attachment fitting  71  on either end. The lower retaining rung  68  prohibits the ball  82  from rolling off of the system  10  and also enables the panel  50  to be attached to the frame  60 . The upper retaining rung  67  is attached to the stem portion of the panel attachment fitting  71  on the second ends of the third rails  63  of each side with one (1) panel attachment fitting  71  on either end. The upper retaining rung  67  is intended to prohibit the ball  82  from rolling off of the system  10  and enables the panel  50  to be attached to the frame  60 . A leg attachment fitting  73 , with preferably an integral short nipple inserted into one end of the cross portion, is attached to each of the available cross portions of the four (4) panel attachment fittings  71  in such a manner as to have the pipe nipple inserted into the open cross portion of said panel attachment fitting  71  and the post portion oriented all in the same direction, namely down. 
     The rear legs  64  are preferably comprised of PVC pipe segments, or the same constituent material as the first rail  61 . A first end of each of the rear legs  64  is attached to the post portion of each of the leg attachment fittings  73  closest to the second end of the third rail  63 . The front legs  65  are preferably comprised of PVC pipe segments, or the same constituent material as the first rail  61 . A first end of each of the front legs  65  is attached to the post portion of each of the leg attachment fittings  73  closest to the first end of the first rail  61 . The rear legs  64 , being of greater length than the front legs  65 , give a defined angular orientation to the frame  60  with respect to the normal. Disposed upon the second ends of each of the front legs  65  and the rear legs  64  are protective tips  66  which are comprised of a nonskid rubberized material to increase the stability of the system. 
     The panel  50  is preferably attached in a slightly loose manner to the retaining rungs  67 ,  68  with a plurality of hook-and-loop panel fasteners  56 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the system  10 , according to an alternate embodiment  30  of the present invention, is disclosed. The system is illustrated herein as depicting an alternate embodiment  30  which enhances the features of the preferred embodiment  20  with additional attachable accessories. The alternate embodiment  30  comprises the panel  50  and the frame  60  as abovementioned in the preferred embodiment  20 . The alternate embodiment  30  also comprises a plurality of accessories to enable a user to transform the configuration of the preferred embodiment  20  into another lawn golfing game. 
     The alternate embodiment  30  comprises an opening cover  54  which shields the abovementioned opening  52 , thereby prohibiting a ball  82  from entering said opening  52 . The opening cover  54  is fabricated from a material similar to the panel  50  and is secured via a hook-and-loop fastener, yet other securing means may be utilized without limiting the functions of the invention. 
     The alternate embodiment  30  also comprises two (2) attachable rungs  75  which enable the panel  50  to be separated into three (3) sections. Each rung  75  is preferably fabricated from PVC pipe and each end is attached to the elbow of the rung attachment fittings  72  on each side by means of a tight sliding fit, yet other attachment means may be utilized without limiting the scope of the invention. The sections created by the placement of the rungs  75  can be identified by attachable indicia which are envisioned to correspond to a particular number which represents the rung  75  number or points system. The indicia are preferably attached to the panel  50  via hook-and-loop-type fasteners, yet other means may be utilized without limiting the functions of the system. 
     The system also comprises a plurality of balls  82 , thereby enabling the user to utilize said system in a competing manner. The balls  82  are preferably common golf balls in a variety of colors or patterns which may correspond to competing teams or players. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the chipping mat  80 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The system  10  comprises a detached rectangular chipping mat  81 , thereby providing a means to position the balls  82  for striking with a conventional existing golf club. The chipping mat  80  comprises a surface  81  comprised of conventional synthetic carpet or artificial turf, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system. The surface  81  enables the user to position the ball  82  tangentially thereto for common striking or chipping with an existing golf club. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the carrying bag  90 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The carrying bag  90  provides storage and transportation to the system. The carrying bag  90  is preferably fabricated from a durable material such as nylon and comprises dimensions which are proportional to the components of the system  10 . A front surface of the carrying bag  90  may include bag indicia  93  which may provide script or logos based upon a user&#39;s preference and may include images such as, but not limited to, sports names/logos, personal names, symbols, pictures, and the like to further customize and personalize the system further comprising a variety of colors and patterns. An upper perimeter edge of the carrying bag  790  comprises an elastic closing  91  and a drawstring  92  to provide a closing and sealing to said carrying bag  90 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment  40  of the system  10 , is disclosed. The second alternate embodiment  40  comprises a rectangular alternate panel  110  and an alternate frame  120  comprised preferably of wooden components which is intended to be easily assembled and disassembled with a user provided Phillips-style screw driver. The alternate frame  120  is comprised of a front  121 , two (2) side  122  pieces, a back  123 , and two (2) legs  124 , preferably fabricated from wood, although laminated wood, or composites of wood by-products may be used, and having a protective coating to inhibit deterioration and add decorative style. The front  121  and the back  123  are attached to the sides  122  with a plurality of eccentric cam lock fasteners  126  and wooden dowel pins (not shown). The cam lock fasteners  126  employ an insert having an eccentric cam lock, preferably located in the sides  122 ; engage a fastener stud  127  located on the front  121  and on the back  123  pieces. The legs  124  are attached to the lower edge of the back  123  with a plurality of eccentric cam lock fasteners  126  and a fastener stud  127 , as seen in  FIG. 6 , which gives a defined angular orientation to the alternate frame  120  with respect to the normal. Surfaces of any portion of the alternate frame  120  may include game indicia  128  which may provide script or logos based upon the inventor&#39;s preference or a user&#39;s preference and may include images such as, but not limited to, game instructions, assembly instructions, symbols, pictures, and the like to further customize or personalize the system  10  further comprising a variety of colors and patterns. 
     The alternate panel  110  is preferably a felt material, yet other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system. A one foot by two foot (1 ft.×2 ft.) molding  117  is attached to each end the alternate panel  110  preferably by gluing a two inch (2 in.) face of the molding  117  to the lower surface of the alternate panel  110  and then wrapping said moldings  117  toward each other for one-and-one-quarter turns (1¼ turns) into said alternate panel  110 . Disposed along the medial axis of the molding  117  pieces is a plurality of evenly spaced fastener apertures (not shown) to facilitate the attachment of said molding  117  pieces, now wrapped into the alternate panel  110 , to both of the front  121  and the back  123  of the alternate frame  120 , in a slightly loose manner, using a plurality of threaded fasteners  118  as seen in  FIG. 6 . Disposed in the front  121  and in the rear  123  is a plurality of pilot holes  119 , evenly spaced to match the fastener apertures in the molding  117 , along the medial axis of said front  121  and rear  123  to accept the threaded fasteners  118 . 
     An upper portion of the alternate panel  110  is provided with an alternate flap  113  and an alternate opening  112 , thereby providing a hole for a ball  82  to descend into, and a backboard, of sorts, to stop said ball  82  from rolling away from the system  10 . A plurality of separators  115  is provided with the system  10  to divide the alternate panel  110  into separate scoring sections. The separators  115  are comprised preferably of wood, with generally a square cross-section and disposed along one face of said separator  115  is a piece, or pieces, of the hook material (not shown) of a hook-and-loop fastener. The purpose of the hook material is to attach the separator  115  to the alternate panel  110  in a temporary manner. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of an alternate carrying case  130 , according to the second alternate embodiment  40  of the present invention, is disclosed. The carrying case  130  provides storage and transportation to the second alternate embodiment  40 . The carrying case  130  is preferably fabricated from a durable material such as nylon and comprises dimensions which are proportional to the specific components of the second alternate embodiment. A carrying handle  132  of a convenient length is disposed along a side of the carrying case  130  to facilitate the ease of transportation of the system  10  while in a disassembled state. The carrying handle  132  may involve a shoulder strap without limiting the scope of the invention. A surface of the carrying case  130  may include other indicia which may provide script or logos based upon a user&#39;s preference and may include images such as, but not limited to, sports names/logos, personal names, symbols, pictures, and the like to further customize and personalize the system further comprising a variety of colors and patterns. An upper perimeter edge of the carrying case  130  comprises a drawstring  132  to provide a closing and sealing to the carrying case  130 . 
     After initial purchase or acquisition of the system  10 , it would be set up as according to one (1) of the listed embodiments  20 ,  30 , or  40  as indicated in  FIG. 1 ,  2 , or  5 . The method of utilizing the preferred embodiment  20  of the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the system  10 ; assembling the frame  60  and the panel  50  as shown in  FIG. 1 ; positioning the system  10  on a level surface; positioning the chipping mat  80  at a desired position away from the preferred embodiment  20  and positioning a ball  82  on the surface  81 ; striking the ball  82  with an existing golf club and aiming for the opening  52 ; utilizing the system  10  in a competitive gaming means played with teams or individuals as desired; and, enjoying such amusement as the system  10  provides. 
     The method of utilizing the alternate embodiment  30  of the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the system  10 ; assembling the frame  60 , utilizing the rungs  75 , and the panel  50  as shown in  FIG. 2 ; positioning the system  10  on a level surface; positioning the chipping mat  80  at a desired position away from the alternate embodiment  30  and positioning a ball  82  on the surface  81 ; striking the ball  82  with an existing golf club and aiming for the areas between the rungs  75 ; utilizing the system in a competitive gaming means played with teams or individuals as desired; and, enjoying the amusement the system provides. 
     The method of utilizing the second alternate embodiment  40  of the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the system  10 ; removing the various components from the carrying case  130 ; assembling the alternate frame  120 , utilizing the eccentric cam lock fasteners  126 ; installing the alternate panel  110  as shown in  FIG. 5 ; positioning the system  10  on a level surface; positioning the chipping mat  80  at a desired position away from the second alternate embodiment  40  and positioning a ball  82  on the surface  81 ; striking the ball  82  with a user provided golf club and aiming for the alternate opening  112  but accepting an alternate score for those balls  82  which land in other scoring sections of the alternate panel  110 ; utilizing the system in a competitive gaming means played with teams or individuals as desired; and, enjoying the amusement the system provides. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.