GOLF SIMULATOR THAT FOLDS INTO A CABINET

Abstract

A golf simulator folds into a cabinet in the manner of a Murphy bed. Our unit allows people to play a round of golf. Then when finished, close the unit and use the space for other purposes. For example, the customer can play golf, fold up the unit and pull their car back in the garage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf simulators and, more particularly, to a golf simulator that folds into a cabinet.

Most people are not able to have a golf simulator because they do not have a dedicated space they can use for it.

Other systems are either permanent solutions or do not have a complete system in one unit.

Our unit allows people to play a round of golf. Then when finished, close the unit and use the space for other purposes. For example, the customer can play golf, fold up the unit and pull their car back in the garage.

As can be seen, there is a need for a storable golf simulator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a fold-away golf simulator comprises a cabinet having bifold doors; a hinged deck extending from a base of the cabinet; a high impact screen mounted in the cabinet on a rear wall thereof; and a ceiling-mounted projector, operative to illuminate the high impact screen; wherein the hinged deck has an unfolded, horizontal use position and a folded, vertical storage position, and wherein the hinged deck abuts the high impact screen in the folded, vertical storage position.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf simulator according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view thereof, shown in a storage position;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view thereof, shown in a partially opened position;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view thereof, shown in a remote deployment configuration;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view thereof, show with a raised sky shield;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view thereof; and

FIG. 7 is a side view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a fold out golf simulator that allows the customer to use their space as needed, but can fold out their simulator to play golf.

The claimed invention differs from what currently exists. Other retractable simulators are only screen and side protection. The customer still needs to move the turf. Our system has fold out decks that provide the hitting and putting area.

This invention is an improvement on what currently exists. Other retractable simulators are only screen and side protection. The customer still needs to move the turf. Our system has fold out decks that provide the hitting and putting area.

The other units either take a complete room or garage, or just utilize retractable screens and sides.

Our unit allows people to play a round of golf. Then when finished, close the unit and use the space for other purposes. For example, the customer can play golf, fold up the unit and pull their car back in the garage.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a golf simulator assembly comprises a Frame, an Electric Hoist, Bifold Doors, Fold-Out Decks, and Skyshield Protection.

The customer uses a Murphy Golf Simulator to allow their space to be multi-purpose. They would use the invention to play golf and close everything to be able to use the space for other purposes. TO use the Murphy Golf Simulator, the customer opens the doors, raises the skyshield and then presses a button on a remote to lower the decks. The skyshield and decks use gas struts to help automate the movement.

The Murphy Golf Simulator can be built from wood, aluminum or other material strong enough to frame the cabinet. A hoist is mounted and cable is run through a pulley system to easily and safely raise and lower the turfed decks. The skyshield is a padded and attached at the top inside portion of the cabinet and raises using gas struts. The doors are bifold doors that are used to enclose everything in the cabinet and also open to serve as sidewall protection.

The doors could be excluded and curtains could be used in their place.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, FIG. 1 shows a golf simulator unit in use according to an embodiment of the present invention. A user 34 stands on a mat 20 extending from a cabinet 10 and joined thereto with support cables 22, the mat 20 having a strike pad 24 thereon. The cabinet 10 has bifold doors 12 with door center closure magnets 14 and a sky shield 28 with cabinet door closure magnets 18, enclosing impact screen 26.

The cabinet is shown in a closed position in FIG. 2. Deployment of the unit is shown in FIGS. 3-5, which may be operated using a remote control 32, as shown in FIG. 4.

Each door 12 has a door sky shield attachment magnet 16. The sky shield 28 may have sky shield magnets 30, as shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the doors 12 and the sky shield 28 may be fastened together by the magnets 16 and 30 in a deployed position.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary placement of a projector 38, installed on a ceiling 40 with a projector bracket 36 in a manner that displays an image on the impact screen 26.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A fold-away golf simulator, comprising: a) a cabinet having bifold doors;b) a hinged deck extending from a base of the cabinet; andc) a high impact screen mounted in the cabinet on a rear wall thereof;wherein the hinged deck has an unfolded, horizontal use position and a folded, vertical storage position, and wherein the hinged deck abuts the high impact screen in the folded, vertical storage position.