Golf Ball Putting Practice Apparatus

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20240165479
  • Publication Number
    20240165479
  • Date Filed
    November 17, 2023
    a year ago
  • Date Published
    May 23, 2024
    8 months ago
Abstract
A golf ball putting practice apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a trap, that is configured to trap a golf ball between a surface of the trap and a playing surface on which the apparatus is placed. The surface of the trap is inclined at an angle relative to the playing surface. The apparatus also comprises a detector that is configured to detect that the golf ball has entered the trap, and a golf ball returner configured to provide, with or without a delay, a substantially horizontal impulse to return the golf ball along the playing surface in dependence upon detection that the golf ball has entered the trap.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119 of UK patent application no. 2217240.7, filed 17 Nov. 2022, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.


TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a golf ball putting practice apparatus. In particular, but not exclusively it relates to a golf ball putting practice apparatus that may be used on a variety of different playing surfaces, and for returning a variety of different putting lengths.


BACKGROUND

Golf, as a popular sport, attracts a wide variety of players, with a wide variety of abilities.


To successfully master the game, a player must master a range of skills. One of these skills is putting.


Putting may be practiced on a putting green, but this can be inconvenient as it may require an individual to travel to the putting green, at for example, a golf club.


For this reason, golf ball putting practice devices have been invented. However, these may not provide a sufficiently accurate simulation of the behaviour of a golf ball on a putting green. This may make it difficult for an individual to calibrate the force of putting action against the distance the golf ball travels to the hole.


It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a golf ball putting practice apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

    • a trap, configured to trap a golf ball between a surface of the trap and a playing surface on which the apparatus is placed, wherein an inclination of the trap relative to the playing surface is configured or controllable to trap the golf ball;
    • a detector configured to detect that the golf ball has entered the trap;
    • a golf ball returner configured to provide, with or without a delay, a substantially horizontal impulse to return the golf ball along the playing surface in dependence upon detection that the golf ball has entered the trap.


Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:



FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the golf ball putting practice apparatus;



FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of an example of a golf ball returner of the golf ball putting practice apparatus;



FIG. 2B illustrates a plan view of an example of a golf ball returner of the golf ball putting practice apparatus;



FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a first configuration of an example active trapping mechanism; and



FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of a second configuration of an example active trapping mechanism.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION


FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure.


The golf ball putting practice apparatus 1 comprises a trap 10, a golf ball returner 20, and a detector 30.


The apparatus 1 may be placed on a variety of different surfaces 40.


The apparatus 1 may be placed on a putting mat, a carpet, or carpet tiles.


It may be appreciated that as the profile and compressibility of these surfaces 40 differ, the rolling resistance of a golf ball 50 on these surfaces also differs. For example, a golf ball 50 that is rolling on a thick carpet has a higher rolling resistance than a golf ball 50 rolling on a hard floor, such as a ceramic-tiled floor. In this example, the thick carpet may be described as a “slower” surface than the tiled floor, while the tiled floor may be described as a “faster” surface than the thick carpet etc. As will be subsequently disclosed, the apparatus comprises features which can accommodate for these differences in floor type, or indeed, differences in return distance.


Whichever surface the golf ball putting practice apparatus 1 is placed upon, when a golf ball 50 is struck towards the apparatus 1, the ball 50 is trapped by the trap 10, before being returned by the golf ball returner 20. The trap 10 has the advantage that it brings the golf ball 50 to rest, trapping (capturing) the golf ball 50, before the returner returns the ball to, for example, a user who is wishing to practice their putting. This is advantageous because in some circumstances, if a golf ball 50 is hit with too much impulse towards the golf ball returner 20, the golf ball 50 may rebound off the golf ball returner 20, before the golf ball returner 20 may be actuated. By incorporating the trap 10, this may be prevented.


The trap 10 comprises a surface 11 that is inclined at an angle relative to the playing surface 40, and is placed above the playing surface 40, proximal to the golf ball returner 20. The trap 10 may be in the form of a plate comprising the surface 11. The angle of inclination may be less than 45 degrees or no more than 30 degrees, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the surface 11 of the trap 10 and the playing surface 40 form a converging duct 15, in which the golf ball 50 is trapped as the golf ball 50 moves into the converging duct because the height of the duct reduces until it is comparable with the diameter of the golf ball 50. The golf ball 50 is therefore brought to rest by the combination of contact of the golf ball 50 with the playing surface 40 and the surface 11 of the trap 10. The dimensions of the converging duct 15 are sized such that when the golf ball 50 is brought to rest, the golf ball 50 is in proximity with the golf ball returner 20. In some embodiments, the relative position and orientation of the trap to the playing surface 40, which together define the converging duct, may be selected such that when the golf ball 50 is brought to rest, it is abutting the golf ball returner 20.


The length of the converging duct 15 is defined between a frontal, inlet end of the trap 10 at which the surface 11 of the trap 10 is higher above the playing surface 40, and a trapping end of the trap 10 at which the surface 11 is lower than at the inlet end. The golf ball returner 20 is behind the trapping end.


The width and height of the trap 10 may be defined by a first lateral side, a second lateral side, the surface 11 of the trap 10, and the playing surface 40. The first lateral side and second lateral side are at opposing lateral sides of the converging duct 15, and are substantially orthogonal to the playing surface 40 and the surface 21 of the trap 10. The width of the trap 10 between the first and second lateral sides may be in the order of tens of centimetres, to ensure ball capture after inaccurate shots.


Actuation of the golf ball returner 20 returns the golf ball 50 to the user, to take another shot.


In some embodiments, actuation of the golf ball returner 20 may be automatic. In other embodiments, actuation of the golf ball returner 20 may be initiated by a user, for example, by a remote control device to cause actuation of the golf ball returner 20.


In the example of FIG. 1, the surface 11 of the trap 10 is planar. In other examples, the surface 11 of the trap 10 may be curved, for example, curving away from the playing surface 40.


The trap 10 of FIGS. 1 to 2B is a passive trap, enabled by the golf ball 50 rolling into the converging duct 15. Alternatively, the trap 10 may be connected to an active trapping mechanism, as is subsequently disclosed in relation to FIGS. 3A-3B.


In some embodiments, the surface 11 of the passive trap 10 of FIGS. 1-2B may be smooth. In other embodiments, the surface 11 of the trap 10 may be profiled. For example, the surface 11 of the trap 10 may comprise grooves and/or dimples. The surface profile of the trap 10 may have been formed by a molding process or a knurling process. The grooves and/or dimples on the surface 11 of the trap 10 may increase the coefficient of friction between the surface 11 and a golf ball 50. This may assist in bringing the golf ball 50 to rest and may assist in reducing the probability that the golf ball 50 bounces out of the trap if hit towards the golf ball returner 20 at a high speed.


The apparatus 1 may be placed on a variety of different surfaces 40 such as a putting mat, carpet, or carpet tiles.


The apparatus 1 comprises a detector 30. The detector 30 is configured to detect that the golf ball 50 has entered the converging duct 15 formed between the surface 11 of the trap 10 and the playing surface 40. The detector 30 may comprise an emitter in the form of an electromagnetic radiation beam generator, and a receiver in the form of an electromagnetic beam receiver. Alternatively, the detector 30 may comprise a different form of contactless detector such as an ultrasonic emitter and an ultrasonic receiver.


The electromagnetic beam generator may be configured to generate a beam of electromagnetic radiation. For example, the electromagnetic beam generator may be configured to generate electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum (visible light) and/or in the infra-red spectrum (infra-red radiation).


The electromagnetic beam receiver may be configured to receive the electromagnetic beam generated by the electromagnetic beam generator. The electromagnetic beam generator may be located to the first lateral side of the trap 10, and the electromagnetic beam receiver may be located to the second lateral side of the trap 10.


The beam generated by the electromagnetic beam generator may be substantially horizontal, the beam being within the converging duct 15. Thus, the beam generated by the electromagnetic beam generator on one side of the converging duct 15, travels across the converging duct and may be detected by the electromagnetic beam receiver on the other side of the converging duct 15.


When an item such as a golf ball 50 enters the converging duct 15, then the beam received by the electromagnetic beam receiver may be interrupted.


The electromagnetic beam receiver generates a control signal, that is dependent upon the receiver receiving the beam generated by the electromagnetic beam generator. When the electromagnetic beam received by the receiver is interrupted, the control signal generated by the receiver changes.


Alternatively, if the detector 30 is an ultrasonic detector, the ultrasonic emitter and the ultrasonic receiver may be located adjacent to each other, to the same lateral side of the trap 10. The golf ball 50 may reflect an ultrasonic beam emitted by the ultrasonic emitter. The ultrasonic receiver may detect the reflected ultrasonic beam. The presence of the golf ball 50 may decrease a time of flight of the ultrasonic beam to the ultrasonic receiver. The control signal may be dependent on the time of flight of the ultrasonic beam, to indicate the presence of the golf ball 50.


In some examples, the detector 30 is configured to detect a position of the trapped golf ball 50. The position may be a lateral position. Detecting the lateral position may comprise measuring the time of flight of the reflected beam in order to detect how close or far the golf ball 50 is from the emitter and receiver. To enable a precise detection of the lateral position, the detector 30 may be configured to obtain multiple measurements of the trapped golf ball 50. Each measurement may correspond to a separate ultrasonic pulse, for example. The trap 10 ensures that the golf ball 50 is at a fixed position during the multiple measurements.


The control signal may take many forms.


For example, the control signal may be digital, having a first state, corresponding to the detection of the beam from the beam generator, and a second state, corresponding to an interruption of detection of the beam from the beam generator. Hence, in the first state, a golf ball 50 is not detected in the converging duct 15, whereas in the second state, a golf ball is detected in the converging duct 15.


Alternatively, the control signal may be analogue, such as a d.c voltage, in which the magnitude of the d.c voltage of the control signal is dependent upon whether the beam pathway from the detector to the receiver is interrupted, corresponding to detection of a golf ball 50 in the converging duct.


In some embodiments, the change in the control signal occurs as soon as the reception of the beam is interrupted.


In other embodiments, the change in control signal is generated following a confirmation period.


The confirmation period may confirm that the beam continues to be interrupted. The confirmation period may be in a range of 0.1-1 second. The confirmation period may be advantageous because a change in control signal is only generated once it is confirmed that the golf ball remains trapped within the trap.


This may be advantageous in circumstances in which a golf ball 50 that is struck towards the golf ball returner 20 is not captured, but instead rebounds off the golf ball returner 20. In these circumstances, the control signal is not generated because the time period that the golf ball 50 is within the converging duct 15 is less than the confirmation period.


The control signal initiates the return of the golf ball 50, as is now described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.


The golf ball 50 is returned to a user by being hit by a ball striker plate 21 that is comprised within the golf ball returner 20. The ball striker plate 21 moves in a substantially horizontal plane and imparts a substantially horizontal impulse to the golf ball 50 which has been brought to rest within the converging duct 15.


In some examples, the trap 10 and the ball striker plate 21 are provided as a combined elongate profile, such as the illustrated L-shaped elongate profile having an upright leg and a lateral inclined leg. The upright leg is the ball striker plate 21 and the lateral inclined leg is the trap 10. The elongate profile may have an obtuse internal angle between the upright ball striker plate 21 and the trap 10.


To enable the ball striker plate 21 to impart a substantially horizontal impulse to the golf ball 50, the illustrated elongate profile is pivotable about a horizontal pivot 115. The illustrated pivot 115 is at the root of the L-shaped elongate profile. Rotation of the elongate profile about the pivot 115 in a ball-returning direction simultaneously lifts the trap 10 away from the golf ball 50 while causing the ball striker plate 21 to ‘kick’ the golf ball 50 in a returning direction.


In other examples, the ball striker plate 21/elongate profile is slidable in a substantially horizontal direction instead of being rotatable.


In further alternative examples, the ball striker plate 21 and the trap 10 are separate parts, the ball striker plate 21 being pivotable or slidable to impart the impulse to the golf ball 50.


The actuation of the ball striker plate 21 is initiated by a change in state of the control signal. The ball striker plate 21 is actuated when the state of the control signal corresponds to the interruption of the beam of the detector 30, and hence the detection of a golf ball within the converging duct 15.


The ball striker plate 21 is actuated by an actuator-controlled mechanism. FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an example mechanism. The mechanism is not limited to that shown.


The mechanism comprises an impactor in the form of a sprung bolt 31 which is arranged to move to strike the ball striker plate 21, or any other appropriate part of the elongate profile that results in movement of the ball striker plate 21. The sprung bolt 31 may slide in a horizontal direction towards the ball striker plate 21.


The sprung bolt 31 is urged towards the ball striker plate 21 by a bias 60 in the form of a spring. The bias 60 is shown inside the sprung bolt 31 and is therefore represented by broken lines in the side view of FIG. 2A.


The sprung bolt 31 has a catch to retain the sprung bolt 31 in a primed position at which the bias 60 stores potential energy. The illustrated catch is in the form of a cam follower 22. The cam follower 22 is shown mounted to a side of the sprung bolt 31, and can be engaged by a lobe 23 of the illustrated camshaft 24. Rotation of the lobe 23 in a priming direction will cause the lobe 23 to engage with the cam follower 22 and push the sprung bolt 31 backwards into the primed position.


At the primed position of the sprung bolt 31, the interface between the lobe 23 and the cam follower 22 prevents the sprung bolt 31 from sliding forwards under the urging force of the bias 60. The lobe 23 imparts a reaction force against the cam follower 22, preventing bias-driven movement of the sprung bolt 31.


The camshaft 24 is free to rotate about an axis and is mechanically coupled to a motor 25, such as an electric motor. In the context of the application, “mechanically coupled” includes embodiments in which the motor 25 is directly connected to the camshaft 24 and embodiments in which a gearbox is placed between the motor 25 and the camshaft 24. In these embodiments, the gearbox may be a reduction gearbox, in which the rotational speed of the input (the motor) is greater than the rotation speed of the output (the camshaft). In these embodiments, the number of rotations of the input is greater than the number of corresponding rotations of the output. A reduction gearbox may be advantageous because it may permit a lighter, smaller and less powerful motor 25 to be used than if the motor is directly driven, without a reduction gearbox between the motor and camshaft.


In some embodiments, a mechanical coupler 27 may be placed between the motor 25 and/or gearbox (if present) and the camshaft 24. The mechanical coupler may be advantageous as it enables modular assembly of the apparatus 1.



FIG. 2A illustrates an example in which the camshaft has two lobes. It may be appreciated that different numbers of cam lobes may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. From FIG. 2A, it may be understood that as the camshaft 23 is rotated, contact occurs between a lobe 23 of the cam and the cam follower 22. As the camshaft 24 rotates, sliding occurs between the adjacent surfaces of the cam lobe 23 and the cam follower 22, with the resulting contact force causing the cam follower 22 to move in a substantially horizontal direction.


The bias 60 is connected at a first end to the sprung bolt 31, and at a second end that is opposite the first end to a fixed reaction point, such as a point on a frame 5 of the apparatus 1. Movement of the sprung bolt 31 due to rotation of the camshaft 24 deflects the bias 60 to change a degree of compression within the bias 60. As the camshaft 24 rotates and the sprung bolt 31 moves backwards, the bias 60 is compressed, storing potential energy in the bias 60.


A switch 26, such as an orientation switch coupled to the motor, and controller may be provided such that electrical energy to motor 25 is interrupted when a predetermined camshaft orientation is reached. The predetermined camshaft orientation may correspond to a location of the cam lobe 23 on the surface of the cam follower 22. For example, electrical energy to motor 25 may be interrupted when the cam lobe 23 is on the point of disengaging from cam follower 22.


This camshaft orientation corresponds to a priming configuration for the apparatus 1. Further rotation of the camshaft 24 occurs when a golf ball 50 is detected within the converging duct 15, as the change in state of the control signal causes electrical energy to be directed to the motor 25.


Further rotation of camshaft 24 causes cam lobe 23 to disengage from cam follower 22. Disengagement of cam lobe 23 from cam follower 22 removes the contact reaction force between the sprung bolt 31 and the cam lobe 23. Thus, a force-imbalance is created, with the bias 60 causing the sprung bolt 31 to move forward such that the potential energy stored in the bias 60 is released. Thus, an impulse is provided to the sprung bolt 31. As the sprung bolt 31 impacts the ball striker plate 21, an impulse is also provided to the ball striker plate 21. This impulse is transmitted by the ball striker plate 21 to the golf ball 50 in the converging duct 15, returning the golf ball 50 to the user. As movement of the ball striker plate 21 about the pivot 115 is substantially horizontal, the impulse provided to the golf ball 50 by the ball striker plate 21 is also substantially horizontal.


In the example of FIGS. 2A and 2B, movement of the cam follower 22 due to the rotation of the camshaft 24 increases compression within the bias 60. It may be appreciated that in other embodiments, by changing the location of the fixed mounting point of the bias, rotation of the camshaft may increase the tension within the bias 60. Similarly, other embodiments are also envisaged, for example, in which the bias is a rotary spring, such as a clock spring.


It may be desirable for the user to practice their putting over a range of different distances. It may therefore be desirable that the apparatus is configurable such that the impulse provided by the ball striker plate 21 to the golf ball 50 is adjustable.


Therefore, the reaction point to which one of the ends of the bias 60 is connected is adjustable to change a pre-tension of the bias 60. Adjustment of the location of the end of the bias 60 changes the magnitude of the pre-tension of the bias 60. By changing the pre-tension of the bias 60, the work done by the motor 25 in moving the sprung bolt 31 is also changed, and as a consequence, the impulse provided by the ball striker plate 21 to the golf ball 50 is also adjusted. By adjusting the impulse provided to the golf ball 50, the return distance of the golf ball 50 to the user is altered. The pre-tension may be adjustable by a screw mechanism. The screw mechanism may be user adjustable, by for example, rotating a knob 80.


It may be appreciated that the ability to alter the impulse provided to the golf ball 50 may also be desirable if the golf ball returner 20 is to be used on a variety of different circumstances. For example, if the golf ball putting practice apparatus 1 is to be used on a hard surface, such as a tiled floor, the rolling resistance of the golf ball 50 is lower than if the golf ball putting practice apparatus 1 is used on a soft surface, such as a thick carpet. For this reason, it may also be desirable to alter the impulse provided to the golf ball 50, such that the user of the apparatus 1 can configure the apparatus 1 to adjust the putting practise return distance of the golf ball 50 over a range of different playing surfaces.


Changes in the nature of the playing surface 40 may also make it desirable for the angle of the surface of the trap 10 to also be adjustable. This is because the golf ball 50 is trapped between the playing surface 40 and the surface 11 of the trap 10 which is nearly horizontal and is above the playing surface.


If the playing surface is hard, then the golf ball 50 may be securely trapped between the surface 11 of the trap 10 and the playing surface 40. However, if the surface of the playing surface 40 is soft, for example, because the playing surface 40 is a compressible surface, such as a thick carpet, then the golf ball 50 may not be trapped between the playing surface 40 a surface of the trap 10.


This is because when the golf ball 50 makes contact with the surface 11 of the trap 10, as the surface of the trap 10 is inclined at an angle to the playing surface 40, as the golf ball 50 moves further into the trap 10 towards the ball striker plate 21, the golf ball 50 compresses the playing surface 40 beneath it.


Compression of the playing surface 40 reduces the contact force between the surface of the trap 10 and the golf ball 50, thereby reducing the decelerative force acting on the golf ball 50.


Thus the golf ball 50 may contact a portion of the golf ball putting practice apparatus, such as the ball striker plate 21, and thus may rebound out of the trap.


In some embodiments, the height and/or angle of the surface of the trap 10 above the playing surface may be adjustable, such that when the apparatus 1 is placed on a softer playing surface, the golf ball 50 is arrested within the trap without contact occurring between the golf ball 50 and the ball striker plate 21. For example, the height of the surface 11 of the trap 10 may be lowered, if the apparatus is placed on a thick carpet. A screw mechanism 90 may be provided to adjust the height and/or angle of inclination of the surface of the trap 10.


Where the trap 10 and ball striker plate 21 are combined into a single elongate profile pivotable about the pivot 115 (as shown), the screw mechanism 90 may set a cocked angle of the elongate profile in a primed state. For example, back-rotation of the elongate profile results in a rear face of its ball striker plate 21 contacting a tip of the illustrated screw mechanism 90, preventing further back-rotation.


The elongate profile (21, 10) may be connected to a spring 61 separate from the bias 60. The spring 61 may urge the elongate profile towards the cocked angle. The spring 61 may apply a back-rotation force about the pivot 115, urging the rear face of the ball striker plate 21 against a stop. The stop may be the tip of the above-described screw mechanism 90, as shown, or the stop may be another part of the frame 5 of the apparatus 1.


One end of the spring 61 may be connected to part of the elongate profile (21, 10) such as the ball striker plate 21. The opposite end of the spring 61 may be connected to a part 28 of the sprung bolt 31 as shown, or alternatively may be connected to part of the frame 5. A reason for connecting the spring 61 to the sprung bolt 31 is that as the sprung bolt 31 is drawn backwards, the spring 61 deflects to increase its urging force on the elongate profile.


The spring 61 may further control a stiffness of the elongate profile. When the golf ball impacts the trap 10, the elongate profile moves which deflects the energy absorbing spring 61. The stiffness of the spring 61 controls a trapping action of the trap 10. If the spring 61 is too stiff, the golf ball 50 may rebound off the trap 10 or not enter the trap 10 far enough to be detected. If the energy absorbing spring 61 is too soft, the golf ball 50 may push through the trap 10 and rebound off the ball striker plate 21.


In some embodiments, the ball striker plate 21 and trap 10 are separate components rather than a combined elongate profile. Therefore, one or both of them may have a separate spring 61.


The part 28 to which the spring 61 can be mounted is shown as a shaft mounted to the sprung bolt 31. The shaft 28 extends through a slot (not shown) in a portion of the frame 5 of the apparatus 1, the ends of the slot functioning as end stops to limit the movement of the sprung bolt 31. Conveniently, the shaft 28 can also function as a reaction point for the bias 60. The shaft 28 may extend through a hollow interior of the sprung bolt 31 within which the bias 60 is located.


In some embodiments, the sprung bolt 31 is not arranged to strike the ball striker plate 21 and instead relies on an intervening mechanical connection to the ball striker plate 21 to transmit its motion to the ball striker plate 21, such as the spring 61 or something more rigid.


Turning to FIGS. 3A-3B, to further aid trapping of the golf ball within the trap, in some embodiments the trap 10 may be actuated by an active trapping mechanism.


Since the trapping of the golf ball 50 is actively controlled rather than passively controlled, the trap 10 may have a different form not limited to an inclined surface 11 defining a converging duct 15. For example, the trap 10 may comprise an elongate member 100 connected to a pivot 116 by a holder 101 at each lateral side of the trap 10. The elongate bar 100 extends along the width of the apparatus 1. The exact shape of the trap 10 is less important. The elongate member 100 and/or the holders 101 can be bars or any other appropriate shapes.


In the example of FIGS. 3A-3B, the trap 10 can be rotated about pivot 116 to move the trap 10 up and down in an arc. Before the golf ball 50 has rolled into the apparatus 1, the trap 10 is at a first angle relative to the pivot 116. After the golf ball 50 has rolled into the apparatus 1, the trap 10 is at a second different angle relative to the pivot 116. Therefore, an inclination of the trap 10 about a pitch axis (pivot 116) can be changed.


The trap 10 may be actuated by the active trapping mechanism in response to a change in the state of the control signal produced by the detector 30, the change in state corresponding to the presence of an item, such as a golf ball 50, within the converging duct 15.


The trap 10 may be actuated in response to receipt of the control signal produced by the detector 30. When actuated, a minimum height of the trap 10 above the playing surface 40 may be reduced.



FIG. 3A-3B illustrates an end on view of the trap 10 and active trapping mechanism. It would be appreciated that in the example of FIG. 3A-3B, the active trapping mechanism of the trap 10 is provided to one lateral side of the trap 10, and is not within the trap 10 itself.


The active trapping mechanism comprises a crank 112, a motor 113, and a connecting rod 114. The trap 10 is pivotably mounted to the frame 5 of the golf ball putting practice apparatus 1, about the pivot 116, and is rotatably connected to a first end of the connecting rod 114. A second end of the connecting rod 114 is rotatably connected to the crank 112. The crank 112 is connected to a means of rotation, such as the motor 113. Position switches (not shown) may also be provided to limit the rotation of crank 112 between a first orientation and a second orientation.


In these embodiments, the operation of the trap 10 is as follows.



FIG. 3A illustrates a first trap configuration prior to an item being detected. In this FIG. the orientation of the crank 112 is at a first crank orientation. Trap 10, pivoting about pivot 116 is caused to rotate to a first trap orientation (inclination) such that a lower edge of trap 10 is above the playing surface by a height that is greater than the diameter of a golf ball. Thus, in this first trap configuration, the trap 10 is open, and a golf ball may freely enter the trap 10.



FIG. 3B illustrates a second trap configuration, immediately following an item such as a golf ball 50 being detected. In this configuration, the detection of the golf ball 50 by the detector 30 has caused a change in state of the control signal. The change in control signal has caused a controller (not shown) to energise the motor 113 to rotate the crank 112 from the first crank orientation to the second crank orientation (inclination). Once the second crank orientation is reached, for example, due to detection by a position switch (not shown), power to the motor 113 may be terminated.


As the crank 112 is connected to the trap 10 by connecting rod 114, rotation of the crank 112 from the first crank orientation causes the trap 10 to rotate about pivot 116 from the first trap orientation to the second trap orientation. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, rotation of the trap 10 to the second trap orientation causes a lower edge of the elongate member 100 of the trap 10 to be reduced to a height above the playing surface that is less than a diameter of a golf ball 50. Thus, a golf ball 50 is unable rebound out of the apparatus due to contact with the lower portion of the active trap mechanism 110. The trap 10 is therefore closed.


After a delay period, the motor 113 may be energised to rotate the crank from the second crank orientation to the first crank orientation, opening the trap 10. Once the trap 10 is open, the ball striker plate 21 may be actuated as previously disclosed, to return the golf ball 50 by providing a substantially horizontal impulse to the golf ball 50.


The apparatus 1 may comprise a controller, comprising at least one processor, the electronic controller configured to control motor 25 and/or motor 113 in response to a change in state of the control signal. The controller may be a digital controller and/or the controller may comprise analogue circuitry.


In some but not necessarily all embodiments, it may be desirable for the golf ball putting practice apparatus 1 to comprise a target, for a player wishing to practice their putting to aim towards.


Various means of providing this target are envisaged.


For example, a target may be provided in the form of a drawing, sticker or engraving on a surface of the ball striker plate 21 that is facing the player.


In other embodiments, the target may be formed by projecting light from a portion of the golf ball putting apparatus 1 to project a circle of light on the playing surface 40 underneath the trap. In these embodiments, the circle of light may be adjacent to the ball striker plate 21 when it is in its cocked angle/position, and within a range of horizontal movement of the ball striker plate 21 when the ball striker plate 21 is released to impart a substantially horizontal impulse to the golf ball 50.


In these embodiments, the circle of light projected on the playing surface 40 within the trap 10 may have a diameter of 4.25 inches, this diameter corresponding to the standardised diameter of a golf ball hole.


In some embodiments, the golf ball putting practice apparatus 1 may not comprise a target, but may be configured to be compatible with a separate golf ball putting target apparatus (not shown) that comprises a target. Thus, in some but not necessarily all embodiments, the golf ball putting practice apparatus may comprise at least one mechanical interface and/or at least one electrical interface for operably connecting the golf ball putting practice apparatus 1 to the separate golf ball putting target apparatus.


The at least one mechanical interface and/or at least one electrical interface may enable the golf ball putting practice apparatus and the golf ball putting target apparatus to form a golf ball putting practice system.


The at least one mechanical interface may control the relative location and orientation of the golf ball putting practice apparatus 1 relative to the golf ball putting target apparatus. This may permit the target of or produced by the golf ball putting target apparatus to be located at a consistent location relative to the golf ball putting practice apparatus 1.


The at least one electrical interface may comprise an electrical energy interface and/or an electrical control interface.


The electrical energy interface may configure the golf ball putting practice apparatus 1 to provide electrical energy to the golf ball putting target apparatus, or vice versa.


The electrical control interface may provide a second control signal from the golf ball putting target apparatus to the golf ball putting practice apparatus 1. Return of the golf ball from by the golf ball returner 20 may be based upon a change in state of both the control signal and the second control signal. For example, the golf ball putting target apparatus may delay the return of the golf ball by the golf ball putting practice apparatus 1 until a function of the golf ball putting target apparatus has completed. For example, the golf ball putting target apparatus may delay the return of the golf ball by the golf ball returner 20 until feedback, in the form of audible or visual feedback has been provided by the golf ball putting target apparatus to a user, concerning the accuracy of their previous putt. Alternatively, the feedback may be output based on the change of state of the control signal from the detector 30 of the golf ball putting practice apparatus 1, if the detector 30 is able to detect the position of the golf ball. Time of flight methods may be employed as described above.


It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.


Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.


Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.


Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.


Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.


Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims
  • 1. A golf ball putting practice apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a trap, configured to trap a golf ball between a surface of the trap and a playing surface on which the apparatus is placed, wherein an inclination of the trap relative to the playing surface is configured or controllable to trap the golf ball;a detector configured to detect that the golf ball has entered the trap;a golf ball returner configured to provide, with or without a delay, a substantially horizontal impulse to return the golf ball along the playing surface in dependence upon detection that the golf ball has entered the trap.
  • 2. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trap is arranged to form a converging duct between a surface of the trap and the playing surface, in which the golf ball is trapped as the golf ball moves into the converging duct.
  • 3. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detector comprises an emitter and a receiver.
  • 4. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the emitter comprises an electromagnetic radiation beam generator; andthe receiver comprises an electromagnetic beam receiver, the electromagnetic beam receiver configured to receive a beam of electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation beam generator; whereinthe detector detects that a golf ball has entered the trap when the beam of electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation beam generator to the electromagnetic beam receiver is interrupted by the golf ball in the trap.
  • 5. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation beam generator comprises one of visual light, infra-red radiation.
  • 6. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the golf ball returner comprises: a ball striker plate, configured to provide the substantially horizontal impulse to the ball;a camshaft, comprising at least one cam lobe;a motor, mechanically coupled to the camshaft;a cam follower, mechanically coupled to the ball striker plate and configured to be contactable with and diseangagable from at least one cam lobe of the camshaft, in response to rotation of the camshaft by the motor; anda spring, configured to bias the cam follower, causing the ball striker plate to provide the substantially horizontal impulse to the golf ball when the cam follower is disengaged from the at least one cam lobe.
  • 7. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the golf ball returner comprises a camshaft orientation sensor; wherein following receipt of a control signal, the motor rotates the camshaft by 360/n degrees, wherein n is the number of the at least one lobe of the camshaft and the rotation of the camshaft is sensed by the camshaft orientation sensor.
  • 8. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the motor is mechanically coupled to the camshaft via a gearbox.
  • 9. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the impulse provided by the golf ball returner to the golf ball is adjustable by adjusting a degree of bias of the spring.
  • 10. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the trap comprises at least one of grooves, dimples and/or an elastomeric material to retain the golf ball.
  • 11. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inclination of the trap to the playing surface is controllable.
  • 12. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 11, where the apparatus comprises an actuator, the actuator being mechanically coupled to the trap, wherein the inclination of the trap is controllable by the actuator.
  • 13. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the inclination of the trap is controllable by the actuator in response to receipt of the control signal by the actuator.
  • 14. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein return of the golf ball by the golf ball returner is additionally dependent upon a second control signal.
  • 15. A golf ball putting practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one mechanical interface and at least one electrical interface, the at least one mechanical interface and at least one electrical interface being configured to connect the apparatus to a compatible apparatus of a putting practice system.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
2217240.7 Nov 2022 GB national