Abstract:
A golf putting practice device adapted to serve as a substitute for a floor vent that fits into a floor duct of a forced air circulation system of a building and includes a ball receiving enclosure and at least one flat support plate member extended outwardly from the ball receiving enclosure. The front wall of the ball receiving enclosure includes a notched portion that provides a golf ball open access to the enclosure when the device is installed into a floor duct. A plurality of apertures are formed in the support plate member to allow for air flow through the plate. A floor air vent cover includes a centrally located closed bottom depression the size of a golf putting cup for receiving and retaining a putted golf ball. The opposite ends of the cover contain air passage openings having tapered sides for directing the air flow away from said depression. The present invention discloses an apparatus for golf putting practice wherein the present invention is an insert having at least one regulation size golf hole disposed therein wherein the insert is complementarily sized and shaped to be inserted into the outlet opening of a conventional heating and ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) system as might occur in the floor of a home or office building replacing a standard vent register. The insert is sized to be removably secured internal of the HVAC outlet so that it can be easily inserted and removed therefrom.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a golf putting floor vent and practice device and, more particularly, to such golf vent and practice device that fits into and over the floor duct of a typical forced air circulation system of a building. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Most avid golfers are familiar with the manual or battery operated putting cups trainers. The golfers use trainers in order to practice their putting skills in the office, at home or at any time that is convenient. In our busy working schedules, most avid golfers lack enough time or good weather to get out on the links everyday. Therefore, the golfers must depend on various training devices like trainer putting cups to have their skills. This training cup simply rests on the floor and includes a substantial incline to get the ball up high enough so it can then fall into the cup. Or the trainer cup may have a steep incline ramp that ends at the top with a hole having the cup suspended below the hole. 
         [0003]    Of course, the substantial incline of the putting cup is not very representative of a typical putting situation on the green of an actual golf course. On a real golf course green, the surface of the green leading up to the hole is usually level or may have a slight incline or slope at the hole depending on where the cup is placed on the green by the green&#39;s keeper. Therefore, the putting practice that the golfer gets when putting into such a trainer cup in their home or office is probably not very useful preparation for putting on the real golf course when time or weather conditions permit play. 
         [0004]    Also, trainer putting cups are generally in the way when the golfer is not using it. The putting cup needs to be put away when not in use. This requires the golfer to take time to set up the putting trainer device and then put it away after each use or else risk having somebody tripping over it in their home or office. 
         [0005]    Next, the floor issue needs to be addressed when using trainer putting devices. Floors and floor coverings consist of wood, tile, marble, stone or of indoor or outdoor carpets of a low or plush nap consisting of various synthetic or wool materials. Many putting trainer devices are designed to sit on the surface of a floor whether carpeted or not for putting practice. However, such practice devices generally including the ramped sidewall or multiple teeter-totter pivoted sidewalls forming a circle around the cup. None of these training cups work well on smooth surfaces such as bare wood or tile and they also do not work well on short or plush napped carpeting. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, the golfer needs to hit the golf ball hard enough to climb the ramped incline into the cup on carpeted floors, which does not represent the typical green put. On smooth floors, the golfer needs to hit the golf ball less hard but still hard enough to climb the ramp up into the cup. Such unusual strokes by the golfer are not natural putts. Neither of these two unusual strokes improves a golfer&#39;s putting stroke and, in fact, might actually hurt the golfers in their putting game when putting on a real golf green. Thus the ramped putting trainers cups are not truly representative of putting on a real golf green. 
         [0007]    To overcome the problem of ramped or teeter-totter sidewalls for golf putting practice devices, prior art practice devices where adapted to fit into the floor duct of a forced air circulation system of a building such as those disclosed in U.S. patents to Birchler, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,063; Ridge, U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,405; Frotten, U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,375; and Lawlyes, U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,767. Although the golf practice trainer devices disclosed in these patents substantially eliminate the need for a ramped sidewall, they all are formed from flat support plates that surround a ball cup receiving portion of the device, which flat plates provide an edge obstruction to such cup or create a difficulty in getting a true roll of the golf ball when located underneath the floor carpet causing the ball to drop down the thickness of the carpet onto the plate and then roll into the cup. This again is not truly representative of a real putt on a green surface of any golf course. 
         [0008]    To lessen this problem, the Frotten patent discloses a golf practice device fabricated of a resilient material so that the device can be installed within a floor heating duct by bending the support plate for insertion underneath the carpet surrounding the duct. Although such configuration is an improvement in reducing obstruction to the ball receiving portion, the Frotten practice device cannot readily be moved from one vent to another and depending on the thickness of the carpet under which it is installed, and the path to the cup is not completely level. 
         [0009]    The Lawlyes patent discloses a golf putting floor vent with at least one United States Golf Association (USGA) sized golf cup disposed in an insert that replaces the conventional Heating and Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) register. The golf vent insert is sized to be removably secured internal to the HVAC outlet so it can be easily inserted and removed therefrom with its top surface flush with the floor covering. There is an additional irregular shape opening in its top surface adjacent to the golf cup with a plurality of stationary vanes running beneath the opening to simulate a golf hazard near or even on a green surface. However, there is also a plastic pin  38  with a flag and a flag mounting boss  42  that does not represent a typical pin and flag located in the golf hole or cup on the green. The pin with flag is centered mounted within the golf cup on a golf course and is not an obstruction to the golf ball rolling on the green surface. Both the pin  38  and boss  42  provide an obstruction to the golf cup on this putting trainer device. 
         [0010]    Still other golf putting practice devices have been described in the prior art. Many are large, bulky, and above ground level. As such, they-have a negative effect on the decor of the room in which they are installed and are removed when not in use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,075 to Simjian (1988) discloses just such an elongated mat that extends over an elevated frame to allow made and missed putts to be collected in a catch basin. U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,941 to Klearman (1996) discloses a complex track which can be elevated to simulate putts of different lengths on a putting green. 
         [0011]    Still other devices have complex swing restriction means to aid in training but do not duplicate the feel of alignment and stroke control required on an actual course. U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,557 to Casillas (1997) discloses a mat with tube insert rails to define a putting path; U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,865 to Coombs (1990) describes a matted plate with cut off golf tees defining a putting path; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,720 to Berg (1971) has an even more elaborate putting path alignment device of flexible flaps to constrain the putter movement. None of these alignment golf putting practice devices are representative of the typical USGA golf cup or remind the golfer of being on a green and lining up a put. 
         [0012]    Also, none of the above listed prior art devices replicate the sound and feel of a made putt when it drops into a regulation golf cup. When the target cup or orifice is normally above floor level and consists of an orifice in a mat that is stretched over some type of retainer box as in Simjian or a net as in Klearman, the look and feel of making the putt into the golf cup is not experienced by the golfer. Some devices as in Berg and Coombs do not have a cup, but utilize a gravity return of the putted ball to the putter and U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,370 to Morris (1990) discloses a backstop that traps missed putts in a rail with latches. U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,006 to Sigunick discloses a set of shallow rings that if the ball is putted to hard it will jump out the other side. So none of these prior art golf putting trainer devices give the golfer the true sense of putting into the golf hole on a green. 
         [0013]    Again none of these cited prior art references give the golfer the feel and touch required when actually putting on a golf course green and attempting to line up the putt to sink it in the golf cup. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention provides a golf putting floor vent and/or golf practice trainer device adapted to serve as a substitute for a floor vent in a commercial store like a golf shop or adapted to serve as a golf cup in the executive suite where subtleness is more important. The golf putting floor vent or golf putting trainer replaces a typical rectangular shaped metal floor register. When the floor register is removed from the HVAC duct, the putting trainer fits over the generally rectangular cutout in the floor and extends downwardly into the floor duct of a building&#39;s HVAC system with a USGA sized golf cup. In one embodiment, an outer edge of the putting trainer in the golf shop or exhibition hall, the golf putting floor vent includes a ball retriever disc attached to the bottom of a flag stick that extends a predetermined distance above the top of the golf cup to imitate the typical flag in a golf cup hole on the golf course green. 
         [0015]    As a novelty aspect it could include the 19 th  hole or a number from 1 to 18 to imitate the number of a hole on an eighteen hole golf course. Protruding below the ball retriever attached to the flagstick is a post axially aligned with the flagstick that is inserted into a corresponding hole centered on the bottom of the cup to support the flagstick in a vertical position receiving cup having an inner circular wall and two opposite sidewalls, which sidewalls are each attached to flat support plate members extended perpendicularly outward from the sidewall upper portions. The front wall of the ball receiving means includes an upper notched portion that provides a golf ball open access to the receiving means and the plate members include a plurality of apertures for the passage of air therethrough. 
         [0016]    The present invention provides a putting cup which has sides that are only slightly inclined or sloped, making it much more representative of a real golf course putting situation where there might be a gentle sloping of the green into the cup. 
         [0017]    The present invention also eliminates the need for setting up the putting cup for each use and the need for storing the putting cup when it is not in use. 
         [0018]    In order to accomplish these advantages, the present invention provides a putting cup which is installed in place of the floor vent cover, making it a permanent fixture of the building, and making it substantially level with the rest of the floor. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the support plate members are generally equal in size so that the ball receiving means is located medially of the practice device. The support plate members and ball receiving means are sized so that the device generally conforms to the size of the floor duct in which it is to be installed yet meets the actual USGA specifications for the golf cup. The support plate members further include a peripheral flange that overlies the circumference of the floor duct to support the device on the floor. 
         [0020]    The foregoing and other advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown by illustration, and not of limitation, a specific form in which the invention may be embodied. Such embodiment does not represent the full scope of the invention, but rather the invention may be employed in a variety of embodiments, and reference is made to the claims herein for interpreting the breadth of the invention. 
         [0021]    In accordance with the present invention an apparatus for golf putting practice comprises at least one USGA sized golf cup disposed in an insert that replaces the conventional Heating and Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) register. The insert is sized to be removably secured internal to the HVAC outlet so that it can be easily inserted and removed therefrom and the top surface is flush with the floor covering surface. 
         [0022]    Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are: (a) to provide an apparatus for golf putting practice that is small, compact, and unobtrusive when installed in an office or home; (b) to provide an apparatus for golf putting practice in which the golf cup is sized to meet USGA regulations; (c) to provide an apparatus for golf putting practice that disposes the golf cup below floor level; (d) to provide an apparatus for golf putting practice which duplicates the unfettered nature of an actual putt; (e) to provide an apparatus for golf putting practice that replicates the sound and feel of making a putt in a USGA regulation golf cup; and (f) to provide an apparatus for golf putting practice that utilizes the existing floor covering as the putting surface with no additional mats or tracks. 
         [0023]    Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The present invention is designed to provide a golf putting practice device that overcomes the deficiencies of the foregoing prior art. 
         [0024]    In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a golf practice putting device embodying the principles of the present invention with a golf pin sticking out of its cup and acting as a floor vent cover and showing the floor vent cover installed over the HVAC vent opening; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the invention of  FIG. 1  without the golf pin; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the invention of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the invention of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the invention with an entire pin in the cup of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the invention incorporated into a decorative HVAC floor vent covering in accordance with the invention of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view showing a golf ball within the cup of the invention as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is another top perspective view showing a golf ball within the cup of the invention as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is yet another top perspective view at a different angle showing a golf ball within the cup of the invention as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view of the invention incorporated into a decorative HVAC floor vent covering in accordance with the invention of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view showing a cup without a golf ball and the decorative floor cover vent removed from the HVAC vent opening on the floor in accordance with the invention as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the decorative golf cup installed in a HAVC floor vent surrounding by plush carpet with a golf ball being putted toward the cup on the carpet in accordance with the invention as shown in  FIG. 6 ; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the decorative golf cup installed in a HAVC floor vent in an office or home setting surrounded by a plush carpet in accordance with the invention as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    While the invention is described Referring now to the drawings and with reference first to  FIG. 1 , a golf putting practice device of the present invention is shown at  10  and is adapted to serve as a substitute for a floor vent that fits into a floor duct of a forced air circulation system of a building, a part of the HVAC system. The device  10  is preferably integrally formed with a golf ball cup  12  and a generally flat rectangular support plate  14  of less than 2 millimeters thick. 
         [0039]    Although the device  10  can be formed of plastic as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , such as in an injection molded process, it has been found that when made of flat sheet steel or other metal material, the entire device  10  can be manufactured by means of a stamp process that allows for manufacturing and production economies and advantages, and duplicates the production process of most standard floor vents in HVAC systems. Of course, one skilled in the art can envision alternate materials of and processes for constructing the golf putting practice device  10  in accordance with the present invention based upon the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         [0040]    The golf practicing floor vent cover  10  that has the substantially flat, rectangular top surface  14 , sized to fit over the opening of a floor air vent. In the center of the top surface  12  is a cylindrical depression  14 , sized the same size as the hole on a golf course. The cylindrical depression  14  has a closed bottom end  16  and a top opening  18   a  for receiving a putted golf ball  18  and to retain the golf ball  18  therein on a made putt. The rectangular top surface  12  has two long sides  18 ,  20  and two short sides  22 ,  24 . A thin ramp frame  26  extends around the perimeter of the top surface  12 , providing a gradual transition from the floor to the top surface  12 . The top surface of the ramp  26  is about five degrees from the horizontal in the preferred embodiment, and should be less than fifteen degrees in order to provide a smooth transition from the floor to the vent cover  10 . A plurality of elongated openings  28  run parallel to the short sides  22 ,  24  from the depression  14  to the ends  22 ,  24 , and permit air to flow through the vent cover  10 . The sides of the elongated openings  28  extend at an angle in order to direct the air flow away from the central depression  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . This prevents the air flow from affecting the movement of the ball toward the cup  14 . There are no openings from between the depression  14  and the long sides  18 ,  20 , thereby providing a path free of openings through which the ball may pass. The bottom of the cup  14  may be perforated or solid. Beneath the top surface  12 , there are projected vertical legs  30 , which fit inside the vent opening with a snug fit. The vertical legs  30  preferably are connected together to form a rectangular frame, but they could be separate legs. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0041]    The support top plate or surface  12  is generally elongated and rectangular in shape, with a radius curve at each corner to prevent snagging or injury to the end user installing the golf practicing device  10  into a floor vent. The support plate  12  extends outwardly from the upper portions of the sidewalls  22  and  24  respectively in perpendicular fashion and as shown by  FIG. 2 , the support plate  12  and the ball receiving means or golf ball cup  14  is sized so that the device  10  fits within a floor duct of a forced air circulation system, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In the preferred embodiment, the support top plate  12  is of the same length so that the ball receiving means is generally centered in the support top plate  12  of device  10 . However, it would be possible to vary the location of the golf cup  14  by making the top surface plate  12  of different lengths or to have only one of the support top plate or surface  12 , thereby placing the golf cup  14  at one end of the device  10 . 
         [0042]    Preferably, the support top plate  12  has a plurality of apertures  28  in parallel or some other predetermined alignment with one another to provide for the passage of air out of the floor duct just as a standard duct vent would do. It may also be advantageous in terms of air flow to have apertures  24  in the bottom wall  20  of the ball receiving means  11 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The support plate  12  together with the ball receiving means or depression  14  form a peripheral flange  25  around the circumference of the support top plate or surface  12  of the device  10  for forming the circumference of the floor duct to maintain the device  10  in position seated in the vent duct opening. The flange  25  is formed with a beveled lip  26  that not only adds rigidity to such flange, but also provides an aesthetically pleasing “finished” look to the final product. 
         [0043]    In operation of the device  10 , the user merely substitutes such device for an existing floor duct vent. In a passive manner, the device  10  functions sufficiently as would the replaced vent. When users wish to practice their putting skills, the recessed portion  22  of the front wall  16  serves as a putting target and a golf ball can roll directly into the ball receiving means  14 . 
         [0044]    Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited, since changes and modifications can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the size of the ball receiving means can be increased or reduced in size as well as its notched front wall. 
         [0045]    The floor vent cover  10  has a substantially flat, rectangular top surface  12 , sized to fit over the opening of a floor air vent. In the center of the top surface  12  is a cylindrical depression or golf cup  14 , sized the same size as the hole on a golf course. The cylindrical depression or golf cup  14  has a closed bottom end  16 , to retain the golf ball  18 . 
         [0046]    The rectangular top surface  12  has two long sides  18 ,  20  and two short sides  22 ,  24 . A thin ramp frame  26  extends around the perimeter of the top surface  12 , providing a gradual transition from the floor to the top surface  12 . The top surface of the ramp  26  is about five degrees from the horizontal in the preferred embodiment, and should be less than fifteen degrees in order to provide a smooth transition from the floor to the vent cover  10 . A plurality of elongated openings  28  run parallel to the short sides  22 ,  24  from the depression  14  to the ends  22 ,  24 , and permit air to flow through the vent cover  10 . The sides of the elongated openings  28  extend at an angle in order to direct the air flow away from the central depression  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . This prevents the air flow from affecting the movement of the ball toward the cup  14 . There are no openings from between the depression  14  and the long sides  18 ,  20 , thereby providing a path free of openings through which the ball may pass. The bottom of the cup  14  may be perforated or solid. 
         [0047]    Beneath the top surface  12  project vertical legs  30 , which fit inside the vent opening with a snug fit. The vertical legs  30  preferably are connected together to form a rectangular frame, but they could be separate legs. 
         [0048]    In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which  FIGS. 1 through 5  illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein an apparatus for golf putting practice is disclosed and  FIG. 3  disclose alternate embodiments. 
         [0049]    A typical prior art Heating and Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) vent register (not shown) has a housing containing a plurality of movable vanes and a vane control means as would be provided in the standard manner by one skilled in the art. It should be noted that the vent register has a flange for contacting a floor surface of a room (not shown) along with a lower extended wall of the housing which connects in the standard manner to an under floor outlet (not shown) of a HVAC system of a building in which the HVAC system is installed. 
         [0050]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , therein is shown the apparatus for golf putting practice  10  which is complementarily sized and shaped as vent register  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The apparatus for golf putting practice  10  has an upper surface  12  which is sized to conform to or mate to the floor level of the room (not shown) in which the HVAC system is installed and is typically 290 mm long by 140 mm wide. The apparatus for golf putting practice  10  also has therein at least one golf cup  26  which is regulation sized as specified by the United States Golf Association (USGA) depending approximately 38 mm from the upper surface  12 . The apparatus for golf putting practice  10  also has a lower wall  28 , also depending from the upper surface  12  roughly 38 mm which supports the bottom of the golf cup  30 , and which connects in the standard manner to an under floor outlet (not-shown) of an HVAC system. The apparatus for golf putting practice  10  also has on the upper surface  12  a simulated hazard  36  formed by an irregularly shaped opening in upper surface  12  adjacent to the golf cup  26  with a plurality of stationary vanes  40  running beneath the opening of the simulated hazard  36  transverse to the long axis of the upper surface  12  between the lower walls  28 . The apparatus for golf putting practice  10  also has on upper surface  12  a flag mounting boss  42  in which a plastic pin and flag  38  may be inserted. 
         [0051]    Turning to  FIG. 13 , therein is shown the apparatus for golf putting practice  10  along with the elements previously disclosed and in addition thereto, disclosing the bottom of the golf cup  16  with a plurality of apertures  28  and also a simulated hazard  28   a  through which air from the HVAC system may flow. 
         [0052]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , therein is shown the apparatus for golf putting practice  10  along with the bottom  16  of the golf cup  14  and lower wall  31  and other elements previously disclosed. 
         [0053]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , therein is shown the apparatus for golf putting practice  10  along with a plurality of openings  28  attached perpendicularly between the lower walls  31  transverse to the long axis of the apparatus for golf practice  10  running beneath the simulated hazard  36 . Also the cup wall  34  is shown which extends from the upper surface  12  to the bottom of the cup  16  at both ends of the cup  14  and from one side of lower wall  31  to the other side of lower wall  31  on circular arc with a radius of approximately 57 mm. The bottom of the cup  30  is shown having approximately a diameter of 114 mm with either side truncated at the cord created by the intersection of the diameter of the bottom of the cup  30  and the lower walls  31 . The lower wall  31  which slips into the HVAC outlet (not shown) is sized to fit into a standard HVAC outlet and the corners are chamfered to reduce interferences with damaged HVAC outlets corners. Also the plurality of apertures  32  in the bottom of the cup  30  which allow air to flow through the apparatus for golf putting practice  10  and other elements previously disclosed are illustrated. 
         [0054]    In  FIG. 3 , therein is shown an alternative embodiment as in  FIG. 3  except with the addition of a second golf cup  44  disposed adjacent to golf cup  26  in place of the simulated hazard  36  and the pin and flag  38  and the pin and flag mounting boss  42  are eliminated. 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 3B , therein is shown another alternate embodiment as in  FIG. 3  except the opening in upper top surface  12  for golf cup  14  is centered in the upper surface and the simulated hazard  36  and the pin and flag  38  and pin and flag mounting boss  42  are eliminated. 
         [0056]    In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for golf putting practice  10 , the upper surface  12 , the simulated hazard  36 , a plurality of stationary vanes  40 , the lower wall  31 , the flag mounting boss  42 , and the golf cup  14  are all molded in one integral shot of an injection grade thermoplastic material such as acetal. However the assembly could be molded of any plastic material that is injection grade, can withstand the fluctuating temperatures of a standard home heating and air conditioning duct, and that can be green in color to simulate a grass surface such as polypropylene, ABS (AcrylonitrileButadieneStyrene) or nylon. The upper surface  12  may also be textured to simulate putting green grass. 
         [0057]    The apparatus for golf putting practice may also be made of stamped and drawn metal as would be done in the standard manner by someone skilled in the art and the upper top surface  12  may be coated in such a manner as to simulate a putting green surface. 
         [0058]    The manner of using the apparatus for golf putting practice  10  is to remove one of the floor mounted vent registers  12  in an office or home and replace it with the apparatus for golf putting practice  10 , inserting the apparatus for golf putting practice  10  deep enough into the HVAC outlet opening (not shown) such that the top surface  12  is parallel with the top of the floor covering carpet (not shown). This assures a smooth transition between the carpet and the upper top surface  12 , allowing a putted golf ball  18  to roll unimpeded toward the golf cup  14 . 
         [0059]    As in a regular putting contest, golfers wanting to practice their putting may stand at varying distance from the apparatus for golf putting practice and strike regulation golf balls (not shown) with a regular golf putter (not shown) in the direction of the golf cup  14 , suspended below the upper top surface  12 . 
         [0060]    The apparatus for golf putting practice may be removed and stored easily and the original vent register  12  reinstalled when the practice activity is completed. However, this is not necessary as the apparatus for golf putting practice  10  is unobtrusive and contains sufficient openings for air flow as to not disrupt the heating or cooling of the room in which it is installed. 
         [0061]    A two golf cup embodiment (not shown) and the single cup embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3  are utilized in the same manner as the preferred embodiment just described. The second golf cup is disposed adjacent to the first golf cup  14  can be used either by a second golfer or to give the single golfer two different golf cups to putt towards on slightly different lines. 
         [0062]    Accordingly, the apparatus for golf putting practice provides: (a) an apparatus for golf putting practice that is small, compact, and unobtrusive when installed in an office or home floor air vent duct; (b) an apparatus for golf putting practice in which the golf cup is sized to meet United States Golf Association (USGA) regulations; (c) an apparatus for golf putting practice that disposes the golf cup below floor level; (d) an apparatus for golf putting practice which duplicates the unfettered nature of an actual putt; (e) an apparatus for golf putting practice that replicates the sound and feel of making a putt in a USGA regulation golf cup; and (f) an apparatus for golf putting practice that utilizes the existing floor covering as the putting surface with no additional mats or tracks. 
         [0063]    While I have explained my invention in detail with the aid of exemplary embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific constructional details shown and described by way of example, which may be departed from without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
         [0064]    It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the scope of the present invention.