CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Golf is an increasingly popular sport. Many who play are looking for ways to improve their golf score. Improvements come, in almost all cases, when golfers practice a swing to the point that it is extremely repeatable. I.e., the golfer needs to practice until his/her swing is consistent in form and speed, allowing the golfer to hit repeatable shots. This has led to a profusion of devices which allow golfers to practice their swing. These include putting greens that provide a surface on which the user can practice putting.
However, many of these devices tend to be bulky and not portable. That is, the surface is too large to be moved by the user. This means that the system must be installed in a single location and left in the same location. This reduces the time that a golfer can actually spend practicing as he/she may have free time but be away from the practice devices.
Alternatively, devices that are portable tend to use surrounding surfaces. For example, the device may sit on a floor, with the user putting along the floor toward the device. This means that any flaws in the surface have a detrimental effect on the golf swing. I.e., the golfer may compensate for these defects, which is detrimental when the golfer is on an actual golf course which does not include those defects. For example, the surface may cause a putt to travel faster or slower than it would do so on an actual putting surface, causing the user to practice hitting softer or harder, respectively, than he she will need to when putting on a golf course.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a portable golf system. Further there is a need in the art for the golf system to include a surface that mimics a putting surface on a golf course.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
One example embodiment includes a pocket golf system. The pocket golf system includes a housing and a fabric tape, where the fabric tape is configured to be extracted from and retracted into the housing. The pocket golf system also includes a wheel within the housing, where the wheel is rotatable within the housing and the fabric tape is attached to and winds around the wheel.
Another example embodiment includes a pocket golf system. The pocket golf system includes a housing and a fabric tape, where the fabric tape is configured to be extracted from and retracted into the housing. The pocket golf system also includes an orifice, where the orifice includes an opening in the house, through which the fabric tape is extracted from and retracted into the housing. The pocket golf system further includes a wheel within the housing, where the wheel is rotatable within the housing and the fabric tape is attached to and winds around the wheel.
Another example embodiment includes a pocket golf system. The pocket golf system includes a housing and a fabric tape, where the fabric tape is configured to be extracted from and retracted into the housing. The pocket golf system also includes an orifice, where the orifice includes an opening in the house, through which the fabric tape is extracted from and retracted into the housing. The pocket golf system further includes an apparatus for retracting the fabric tape through the orifice. The apparatus includes a spiral spring and an attachment securing a first end of the spiral spring relative to the housing. The apparatus also includes a wheel. The wheel surrounds a majority of the spiral spring, is attached to a second end of the spiral spring and is rotatable within the housing. The fabric tape is attached to and winds around the wheel.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a pocket golf system; and
FIG. 2 illustrates a pocket golf system with a portion of the housing removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of some embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a pocket golf system 100. The pocket golf system 100 allows a user to create a putting surface in any desired location. In particular, the pocket golf system 100 allows a user to transport a putting surface in a compact manner, allowing the user to set up the pocket golf system 100 and practice putting in any desired location. In particular, the user must putt straight to keep the ball on the pocket golf system 100. Therefore, he/she gets practice at putting in a straight line.
The pocket golf system 100 can be used for a variety of practice exercises and games. For example, the pocket golf system 100 can allow a user to attempt to get to a particular point in the fewest number of putts. Additionally or alternatively, multiple users can compete to so who can putt the farthest without falling off the tape or who can putt closest to a designated target.
FIG. 1 shows that the pocket golf system 100 can include a housing 102. The housing 102 is configured to surround and secure the other elements of the pocket golf system 100. For example, the housing 102 can ensure that the other elements of the pocket golf system 100 are oriented correctly relative to one another and that the other elements of the pocket golf system 100 are not damaged during use. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the housing 102 can cover all of the other components of the pocket golf system 100 or only a portion thereof and that the housing 102 need not be exterior to the other components of the pocket golf system 100.
FIG. 1 also shows that the pocket golf system 100 can include a fabric tape 104. The fabric tape 104 forms a putting surface. I.e., the fabric tape 104 creates a surface on which a user can putt. The fabric tape 104 can include fabric wrapped around a solid core, such as metal. Additionally or alternatively, the fabric tape 104 can include fabric of sufficient thickness to allow the fabric tape 104 to be wound and unwound as desired. For example, the fabric can be between 0.05 inches and 0.075 inches thick. E.g., the fabric tape 104 can be approximately 0.0625 inches thick. Additionally or alternatively, the fabric tape 104 can include any desired material. For example, the fabric tape 104 can include gauze tape or a painted surface, such as textured spray paint. As used in the specification and the claims, the term approximately shall mean that the value is within 10% of the stated value, unless otherwise specified.
Further, it is critical that the fabric tape 104 is of sufficient width to allow a user to putt along the fabric tape 104. I.e., if the fabric tape 104 is too wide, then the pocket golf system 100 is not sufficiently portable; however, if the fabric tape 104 is too narrow, then the pocket golf system 100 is not suitable for putting. Therefore, the width of the fabric tape can be between 0.75 inch and 1.25 inches. For example, the fabric tape can be approximately 1.125 inches. As used in the specification and claims, the width of the fabric tape 104 refers to the width during use. I.e., one of skill in the art will appreciate that the fabric tape 104 need not be a single layer when stored within the housing and the width refers to the width of the fabric tape 104 when external to the housing and in use. I.e., as the fabric tape 104 is wound it can be folded in half, thirds or any other desired manner for storage.
It is also critical that the fabric tape 104 is of sufficient length to allow the user to putt. I.e., the user will want to practice multiple distances, and the fabric tape 104 needs to be of sufficient length to allow the user to putt longer distances. For example, the fabric tape 104 can be approximately 25 feet long (i.e., the portion of the fabric tape 104 which is extracted from the housing 102 can be approximately 25 feet long).
FIG. 1 further shows that the fabric tape 104 can include a target 106. The target 106 is the desired end point of the putt. I.e., the target 106 identifies the ending point of a successful putt. For example, the target 106 can include a depression, hole, marking or other indicator that the putt was successful. E.g., the target 106 can include a round depression that is approximately 4¼ inches in diameter, which matches the size of a regulation golf hole.
FIG. 1 additionally shows that the fabric tape 104 can include one or more markings 108. The one or more markings 108 can allow a user to identify the length of the putt that needs to be made. For example, the markings 108 can include a mark that indicates every foot of distance that a successful put will travel to reach the target. Therefore, a marking that indicates 10 feet, for example, can indicate to the user that the target 106 is 10 feet from the marking.
FIG. 1 moreover shows that the pocket golf system 100 can include an orifice 110. The orifice 110 allows the fabric tape 104 to be extracted from or inserted into the housing 102. That is, the orifice 110 guides the fabric tape 104 during extraction or when being put away for storage. The orifice 110 can include a simple slot within the housing. Additionally or alternatively, the orifice 110 can include a curved slot that folds the fabric tape 104. I.e., as the fabric tape 104 is pulled into the housing 102, the shape of the orifice can be configured to fold the fabric tape 104 to reduce the stored width.
FIG. 1 also shows that the pocket golf system 100 can include a release 112. The release 112 causes the fabric tape 104 to be retracted into the housing 102. I.e., the fabric tape 104, once extracted from the housing 102 remains external to the housing 102 until the release 112 is activated which causes all or part of the fabric tape 104 to be retracted into the housing 102. One of skill in the art will appreciate that if the retraction is done manually, rather than automatically, the release 112 can be used to wind the fabric tape 104 into the housing 102.
FIG. 1 further shows that the pocket golf system 100 can include a stand 114. The stand 114 can be configured to hold the housing 102 in an upright position during use. I.e., the stand can support the housing 102 in the proper position to allow the fabric tape 104 to remain in a desired position during use. The stand 114 can be hinged to allow the stand 114 to be folded against the housing 102 when not in use. As used in the specification and the claims, the phrase “configured to” denotes an actual state of configuration that fundamentally ties recited elements to the physical characteristics of the recited structure. As a result, the phrase “configured to” reaches well beyond merely describing functional language or intended use since the phrase actively recites an actual state of configuration.
FIG. 1 additionally shows that the pocket golf system 100 can include a rebounder 116. The rebounder 116 is configured to return the ball along the fabric tape 104. That is, the ball moves along the fabric tape 104, makes contact with the rebounder 116 where its momentum is reversed and then returns along fabric tape 104. The rebounder 116 can extend the putting distance or allow the user to practice hitting straight without aiming for a particular target. The rebounder 116 can be attached near the housing 102 or anywhere else along the fabric tape 104. The rebounder 116 can include a spring or elastic material. In its most simple form, the rebounder 116 can include a spring placed above the fabric tape 104.
FIG. 2 illustrates a pocket golf system 100 with a portion of the housing 102 removed. The pocket golf system 100 can include an apparatus for retracting the fabric tape 104 when desired by the user. E.g., the apparatus stores mechanical energy when the fabric tape 104 is extracted and uses the stored mechanical energy to retract the fabric tape 104 when desire by a user.
FIG. 2 shows that the pocket golf system 100 can include a spiral spring 202. The spiral spring 202 includes a helical torsion spring that acts as an elastic object used to store mechanical energy. A torsion spring is a spring that works by torsion or twisting; that is, a flexible elastic object that stores mechanical energy when it is twisted. When it is twisted, it exerts a force in the opposite direction, proportional to the amount it is twisted. A helical torsion spring, is a metal rod, wire or flat coil in the shape of a helix (coil) that is subjected to twisting about the axis of the coil by sideways forces (bending moments) applied to its ends, twisting the coil tighter.
FIG. 2 also shows that the pocket golf system 100 can include an attachment 204. The attachment 204 is configured to holds one end of spiral spring 202 relative to the housing 102. For example, the attachment 204 can include a post extending form the housing with a slot that receives an end of the spiral spring 202. That is, a first end of the spiral spring 202 is inserted into the attachment, holding it in place relative to the housing 102. Having a single end of the spiral spring 202 fixed in place relative to the housing 102 allows the spiral spring 202 to store mechanical energy which will be used to retract the fabric tape 104 when desired.
FIG. 2 further shows that the pocket golf system 100 can include a wheel 206. The wheel 206 is attached to the second end of the spiral spring 202 (i.e., the end of the spiral spring 202 opposite the attachment 204). For example, the wheel 206 can include a notch into which a part of the spiral spring 202 is inserted, can include a pair of notches to allow a loop on the end of the spiral spring 202 to be “hooked” onto the wheel 206 or otherwise be attached to the wheel 206. The wheel 206 is allowed to rotate relative to the housing 102 and surrounds the spiral spring 202. As the wheel is moved (e.g., by extraction of the fabric tape 104), the spiral spring 202 is wound tighter, storing mechanical energy.
FIG. 2 additionally shows that the fabric tape 104 wraps around the wheel 206. That is, as the fabric tape 104 is extracted the wheel is rotated a first direction, which tightens the coil of the spiral spring 202 storing mechanical energy. As the energy is released, the when is rotated a second direction, which winds the fabric tape 104 around the wheel 206. The fabric tape 104 can include a loop that is placed around a pair of notches on the wheel 206 or otherwise be attached to the wheel 206.
FIG. 2 moreover shows that the pocket golf system 100 can include a ratcheting mechanism 208. The ratcheting mechanism 208 is a mechanical device that allows continuous linear or rotary motion in only one direction while preventing motion in the opposite direction. I.e., when the fabric tape 104 is extracted and the wheel 206 rotates a set amount (e.g., a quarter turn) then the ratcheting mechanism 208 prevents the fabric tape 204 from being retracted unless the release is triggered. I.e., the release (as described above) releases the ratcheting mechanism 208, allowing the mechanical energy in the spiral spring 202 to retract the fabric tape 104, as described above. Additionally or alternatively, the pocket golf system 100 can include a lock which prevents movement of the wheel 206 in any desired position.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Patent Application
20150283436
