Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6508720
-
Patent Number
6,508,720
-
Date Filed
Monday, July 2, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, January 21, 200321 years ago
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 473 183
- 473 191
- 473 194
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A golf putting practice device (10) having a ball tray (16) that can be pivoted from the normally flat position for ball retrieval to fold substantially upright against the body of the main housing (12) for compact storage or transport. A spring-powered flipper device (28) is pivotally mounted between the base (14) and main housing (12) top and horizontally disposed along the rear face of the ball tray (16) to return the ball to the person making the putt.
Description
BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
This invention relates to golf putting practice devices and, more particularly, to golf putting practice devices of the type embodying a feature to return a ball back to the person executing a putt.
Various putting practice devices, which use mechanisms to return the ball to a person, have been heretofore known in the art. Some of these devices use spring loaded or solenoid operated catapult type ball return systems. One version employs a sliding carriage assembly mounted on a track and equipped with a paddle. An electric motor using a pulley and belt assembly drives the carriage assembly with the attached paddle that sweeps the ball forwardly to the end of the track where a pivoting action of the paddle flips the ball back to the person executing the putt. Another device uses a ball returning target plate located at the front of the device to return the ball. When the ball makes contact with the target plate, a solenoid located behind the target plate is activated and strikes the target plate, causing it to rapidly move forward and propel the ball back to the putter. This device uses the target plate as an intermediary between the ball and the striking action of the solenoid.
Previous versions of putting practice devices require large housings to provide extra weight for stability and to accommodate the interior space requirements for the various catapulting systems to retract and then move forward to eject the ball. These devices also employ huge ball trays that create oversized targets in an effort to gather any putts that may have otherwise missed. The majority of these devices require commercial electrical power to operate. These bulky putting practice systems do not afford a truly compact and convenient carry-along putting practice device.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
It is the primary object of the present invention to afford a novel putting practice device that is substantially smaller in size than existing prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to afford a ball returning means that requires substantially less space and weight for operation, thereby, rendering a device that is extremely compact and portable.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention are to afford a putting practice device with a ball tray as part of the main apparatus that can be pivoted with relation to the main housing to provide a smaller footprint for the device for storage or carry-along purposes.
Another object of the present invention is to afford a more realistic putting practice target that more simulates the size and shape of the actual hole on the golf course.
A further object of the present invention is to afford a putting practice device with a ball tray as part of the main apparatus that has a floor with a substantially shallow slope rearward, thereby affording a more flattened ball tray front entrance.
Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the extra force needed in the stroke when putting the ball to overcome the steep incline of the ball tray ramp of conventional putting practice devices and afford a more natural putting action for stroking the ball.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf putting practice device that is battery powered for convenience and portability as a carry-along putting practice device.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention are a means to deactivate the practice putting device by means of a switch to turn the power off when not in use to prevent unintentional activation during transporting or storage.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf putting practice device with an indicator that warns when the power to the unit is turned on and the putting practice device is ready for operation.
Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, by way of illustration, show the preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what are considered to be the best mode in which to apply these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention affords a golf putting apparatus having an attached ball tray for receiving a golf ball putted thereinto. The ball tray pivots with relation to the front of the housing to a substantially upright position for compact storage of the apparatus. A flipper device is pivotally mounted about a vertical axis and disposed longitudinally along the rear face of the ball tray. The pivoting end of the flipper device is connected to one end of a tension spring that is secured at the other end to a secondary fixed anchor. A mechanical means engages and pivots the flipper device from the extended position, perpendicular to the ball tray against the resistance of the spring, to the retracted position along the back of the tray. This action causes an elongation of the tension spring, which exerts a resilient force at the pivoting end of the flipper device. When the flipper device is released from the retracted position, the resilient contracting force of the spring moves the flipper rapidly forward in an arc of approximately 45 degrees. The forward pivoting movement of the flipper device engages the ball and sends the ball back to the person making the putt.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1
is the front perspective view of a golf putting practice device embodying the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a front perspective view similar to
FIG. 1
with a portion of the shell cut away to show in more detail the ball return flipper device;
FIG. 3
is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line
3
—
3
in
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 4
is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line
4
—
4
of
FIG. 3
in the direction of the arrows, with the outline of the shell of the device shown in dashed lines for simplicity;
FIG. 5
is a front perspective view similar to
FIG. 1
with the ball receiving tray in the raised position for storage shown in dashed lines;
FIG. 6
is an exploded, perspective view of the ball return flipper device embodied in the golf putting practice device shown in
FIG. 1
,
FIG. 2
,
FIG. 3
, and
FIG. 4.
; and
FIG. 7
is a partial side elevational view taken generally along line
7
—
7
of
FIG. 3
in the direction of the arrows, with cutaway to show the attachment of the output axle of the motorized mechanism to the cogwheel.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
10
putting practice device
12
main housing
14
base
16
ball tray
17
ball tray floor
18
ball retard rib
20
pivot arm
22
pivot socket
24
pivot rod
26
pivot hole
28
flipper device
30
switch arm
31
switch opening
32
trigger
34
trigger stop
36
axle
38
tension spring
40
fixed anchor
42
pivotal anchor
44
anchor support
46
cogwheel
48
cogwheel arm
50
resilient movable contactor
52
retractor switch
54
release switch
56
resilient movable contactor
58
side support member
60
top support member
62
ball
64
ball pocket
66
outline of shell
68
motorized mechanism
70
outline of ball tray
72
light emitting diode (led)
74
main switch
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A game device in the form of a golf putting practice device
10
, embodying the principles of the present invention, is shown in
FIGS. 1-7
, inclusive, of the drawings, to illustrate the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The golf putting practice device
10
embodies, in general, a main housing
12
to enclose the ball return apparatus, a ball tray
16
for receiving the ball, a base
14
, a ball return flipper device
28
disposed longitudinally along the rear face the ball tray
16
for returning a ball from the ball tray
16
to the person putting the ball thereinto.
Referring to
FIG. 6
in particular, the flipper device
28
is pivotally secured at pivot hole
26
at the top support member
60
and the base
14
by the pivot rod
24
passing throughout which provides a vertical axis about which the flipper device
28
may pivot relative to the top support member
60
and base
14
. Referring further to FIG.
3
and
FIG. 4
, the flipper device
28
is pivoted in a rearward direction by the cogwheel
46
against the resilient force created by the tension spring
38
at the connection between the pivotal anchor
42
of the flipper device and fixed anchor
40
.
Referring to
FIG. 3
,
FIG. 4
, and
FIG. 7
, the cogwheel
46
is attached to the motorized mechanism
68
which is mounted to the base
14
of the apparatus, and is provided to pivotally retract or cock and hold the flipper device
28
in the retracted position longitudinally along the rear face of the ball tray
16
as shown by solid lines in FIG.
3
. The motorized mechanism
68
is engaged by an electric motor (not shown) that is provided with associated power means. As shown in
FIG. 7
, the cogwheel
46
is attached to the output axle
36
of the motorized mechanism
68
which extends perpendicularly through the central axis of the cogwheel
46
. The cogwheel
46
is disposed adjacent to the trigger
32
of the flipper device
28
and engages the trigger
32
at the cogwheel arm
48
intersection point.
The cogwheel
46
is comprised of a plurality of protrusions originating from the central member that form cogwheel arms
48
. As the cogwheel
46
rotates through the turning of the axle
36
, the cogwheel arm
48
is brought into contact with the trigger
32
of the flipper device
28
. The torque generated by the rotating cogwheel
46
against the trigger
32
pivots the flipper device
28
against the resistant force of the tension spring
38
into a rearward position along the back of the ball tray
16
. This action elongates the tension spring
38
and exerts a resilient force at the pivotal end of the flipper device
28
. The flipper device
28
is held at the maximum pivoted position as shown in
FIG. 3
by the rotated cogwheel
46
. When the cogwheel arm
48
advances further through rotation of the axle
36
,, shown by broken lines in
FIG. 3
, the cogwheel arm
48
moves out of range of contact with the trigger
32
and thereby releases the flipper device
28
to pivot freely forward. The resilient action of the tension spring
38
returning to the normal configuration rapidly pivots the flipper device
28
in an arc movement about the pivotal axis formed by pivot rod
24
to a horizontally disposed position perpendicular to the ball tray
16
as shown by broken lines in
FIG. 3
to eject the ball from the ball tray
16
.
In the ball return means of the above arrangement, power means is associated with the electric motor that engages the motorized mechanism. The power means is interruptably connected by switch means to the electric motor. Referring to FIG.
3
and
FIG. 4
, when the output axle
36
rotates the cogwheel
46
and pivotally retracts the flipper device
28
to a predetermined position, the switch arm
30
on the flipper device
28
engages the resilient movable contactor
50
of the retractor switch
52
and thereby interrupts the power means to the motorized mechanism
68
and further causes the rearwardly pivoting of the flipper device
28
to terminate. When the ball
62
rolls into the back of the ball tray
16
and comes to rest against the release switch
54
located at the switch opening
31
of the flipper device
28
, as shown in
FIG. 3
, and depresses the resilient movable contactor
56
, power is restored to the motorized mechanism
68
and the cogwheel
46
is rotated further by the turning of the output axle
36
. This action rotates the cogwheel arm
48
out of contact with the trigger
32
, thereby, releasing the flipper device
28
. The contraction of the tension spring
38
from the elongated position forces the flipper device
28
to quickly and forcefully pivot forward to a horizontally disposed position perpendicular to the ball tray
16
. This forward pivoting of the flipper device
28
disengages the switch arm
30
of the flipper device from the resilient movable contactor
50
of the retractor switch
52
and restores power to the motorized mechanism
68
. As a result, the output axle
36
rotates the cogwheel
46
which engages the extended trigger
32
of the flipper device
28
as shown in
FIG. 3
to again retract the flipper device
28
to the retracted position along the rear face of the ball tray
16
in order to repeat the ball return process.
Although the present invention describes the resilient movable contactor
56
and the release switch
54
as located at the switch opening
31
of the flipper device
28
, switches of these types may be located at alternative positions in proximity to the flipper device
28
to provide proper ball returning operation and still remain within the scope of the herein described invention.
The present embodiment of the putting practice device
10
employs a pivotally mounted ball tray
16
that is secured to the base
14
at pivot socket
22
by pivot arm
20
. The invention contemplates the provision of attachment means that will allow the ball tray
16
to detach from the apparatus at the pivot socket
22
in the event an extreme force that could cause structural damage is applied to the ball tray
16
.
The distance along the longitudinal center line of the putting path, as identified by the letter C in
FIG. 3
, from the entrance of the ball tray
16
to the flipper device
28
represents approximately one-half of the diameter of a regulation golf hole, thereby requiring minimal sloping of the ball tray floor
17
to direct the ball
62
into the ball pocket
64
. This affords the ball tray
16
a substantially lower profile at the front entrance of the tray for easier putting of the ball thereinto.
Referring to FIG.
3
and
FIG. 4
, the invention also contemplates the provision of a ball retarding rib
18
at the entrance to the ball tray
16
to check the speed of a ball travelling into the ball tray
16
and further to aid in retaining a ball
62
inside the parameter of the ball tray
16
once it has entered thereto, unless said ball is directed thereto at excessive speed.
Referring to
FIG. 4
, the device
10
of the present embodiment is further provided, as mounted in the main housing
12
part, with a light emitting diode (LED)
72
that is connected to the main switch
74
which turns on and shuts off power to the device
10
. Activating power to the device
10
causes the light emitting diode (LED)
72
to illuminate and thereby indicates the device
10
is turned on.
The operation of the putting practice device according to the present invention shall be described next as summarized. Referring to FIG.
2
and
FIG. 3
, when the putted ball successfully enters the ball tray
16
, the ball comes to rest in the ball pocket
64
and against the release switch
54
which is affixed to the resilient movable contactor
56
, shown in
FIG. 3
, at the switch opening
31
. The flipper device
28
is disposed longitudinally along the rear face of the ball tray
16
in the retracted position against the resilient force of the tension spring
38
by the cogwheel arm
48
. The cogwheel
46
rotates about the output axle
36
and engages the trigger
32
of the flipper device
28
at the intersection with cogwheel arm
48
.
Referring to FIG.
2
and
FIG. 4
, in the retreated position, the switch arm
30
of the flipper device
28
engages the resilient movable contactor
50
of the retractor switch
52
and thereby shuts off the power to the motorized mechanism
68
. When the ball
62
rests against and depresses the release switch
54
, as shown in
FIG. 3
, the resilient movable contactor
56
restores power to the motorized mechanism
68
which rotates the cogwheel
46
through the turning of the output axle
36
. This action advances the cogwheel arm
48
out of range of contact with the trigger
32
and releases the flipper device
28
to rapidly pivot forward under the resilient contracting force of the tension spring
38
, shown by broken lines in FIG.
3
. The forward pivoting motion of the flipper device
28
is halted by the trigger stop
34
, thereby ejecting the ball
62
from the ball tray
16
and returning the ball back to the person making the putt.
Referring again to FIG.
2
and
FIG. 3
, concurrently, with the flipper device
28
in the released ball return mode, the switch arm projection
30
disengages the resilient movable contactor
50
of the retractor switch
52
and restores power to the motorized mechanism
68
. This action causes the output axle
36
to rotate the cogwheel
46
to a position where the cogwheel arm
48
engages the extended trigger
32
of the flipper device
28
and pivots the flipper device
28
against the resilient force of the tension spring
38
to a longitudinally retreated position along the rear face of the ball tray
16
where the ball return process can be repeated.
With the above arrangement of ball returning means, the intended ball return operation can be realized by the energy of a battery or batteries accommodated in the device which requires no connecting to any external commercial power source which further enhances the extreme portability of the device.
Referring to FIG.
4
and
FIG. 5
, the ball tray
16
is substantially permanently attached pivotally at pivot socket
22
by pivot arm
20
to the base
14
of the putting practice device
10
and is characterized by a sufficiently shallow depth measured along the longitudinal center line of the putting path as identified by the letter C in
FIG. 3
from the front entrance of the ball tray
16
to the ball pocket
64
of the flipper device
28
, representing substantially one-half of the diameter of a regulation golf hole. Henceforth, this requires only a minimal slope in the ball tray floor
17
to direct the ball
62
into the ball pocket
64
formed by the intersection of the flipper device
28
and the face of the main housing
12
. Thusly, the front entrance of the ball tray
16
allows the putted ball to enter without the necessity of a ramp.
Referring to
FIG. 5
, the ball tray
16
of the present invention is substantially affixed as a permanent component of the main housing and can be pivoted in an upward direction from the normally flat position for ball retrieval in the intended use to fold substantially against the main housing
12
for storage or transport of the device
10
, as shown by the dashed lines. The current embodiment contemplates attachment means to allow dislodgment of the ball tray
16
from the main apparatus at the pivot points when an external force is exerted on ball tray
16
in a catastrophic manner, as when the device is dropped, to prevent structural damage at the pivotal connection.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein disclosed being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention and not intended in a limiting sense.
Claims
- 1. A golf putting apparatus comprising:a base and housing member; a spring-powered ball return flipper device; a tension spring; a ball tray; means for mounting said spring-powered ball return flipper device in said putting apparatus for pivotal movement between a substantially normal retracted position disposed at a rear face of the ball tray to a released extended position perpendicular to said ball tray to eject a ball from the tray; a means for mechanically effecting pivotal movement of said flipper device from said extended position to said retracted position against the resilient force of the tension spring; power means for pivoting said flipper device from said extended position to said retracted position; a means to stop the forward pivoting movement of said flipper device in a manner to propel the ball from said ball tray; and a means for attaching a ball tray pivotally to said apparatus as a component thereof for receiving a golf ball putted thereinto.
- 2. The golf putting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flipper device is a pivotally mounted elongated member connected at an anchor point of a pivotal end to said tension spring which is further connected at one end of said spring to a secondary fixed anchor.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for mounting said flipper device comprises a generally vertical axis extending through said flipper device between the base and housing member wherein said flipper device pivots between said retracted position and said released position in a manner to eject the ball from said ball tray.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means of pivotal movement of said flipper device from said retracted position to said extended position is the resilient force created by the tension spring returning to it's normal contracted length in the connection of said tension spring between a pivoting end of said flipper device and a fixed second anchor connection.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said stop means is comprised of a structural element attached to said apparatus and located in the pivotal path of a trigger of said flipper device in such a manner to stop the forward pivoting of said flipper device at a determined point.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said elongated member is provided with a recessed end opposite the pivotal end where said elongated member meets an opposite end of said housing member wall to form a ball pocket when said elongated member is retracted along the rear face of said ball tray.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said elongated member contains a formed opening in said ball pocket area for the protrusion of a ball return release switch.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further including means for pivoting of said flipper device that includes mechanical means wherein a cogwheel is attached to a motorized mechanism output axle in a manner to effect rotation of said cogwheel in relation to turning of said axle and thereby engage a trigger of said flipper device and pivot said flipper device against the resilient force of said tension spring.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mechanical means includes an electric motor means associated with said mechanical means for rotating a cogwheel and power means associated with said electric motor.
- 10. The golf putting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said ball tray is attached to said apparatus by connector means to allow displacement of said ball tray pivotally about said putting apparatus.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said ball tray is attached to said base member and is connected by means that allow automatic disconnection of said ball tray from said base member to prevent structural damage at said connection in the event an external force is applied to said ball tray in a catastrophic manner.
US Referenced Citations (8)