RETRACTABLE GOLF ENCLOSURE

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to a sports enclosure to allow a golfer or other athlete to practice hitting a ball, puck or other object indoors. The sports enclosure includes an upper frame that is configured to be suspended from a building structure. The enclosure also includes a lower frame that is spaced apart from the upper frame during use of the enclosure. Also included is a protective barrier material in the form of netting that extends between the upper frame and the lower frame to prevent objects from exiting the enclosure. The enclosure further includes an impact screen that extends between the upper and lower frames that is aimed at by a user. The enclosure includes a hoist mechanism that is configured to selectively raise the lower frame from a first elevation to a second elevation to a storage position or lower the lower frame from the second elevation to the first elevation to a use position.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to the sport of golf and specifically to golf training aids.

BACKGROUND

Golf is a complex sport that involves a summation of human movement and forces prior to, during, and after ball contact. Golf aids and practice can help a golfer improve their game. Subtle differences in swing improved through practice can make a large difference in the complex series of alignments and movements involved in every golf stroke. Inclement weather, distance from one's home, or time constraints may reduce the available time a golfer has to practice outdoors. Thus, there is a need for a golf aid that can be used indoors and train a golfer to accurately strike a golf ball. Indoor golf driving ranges or practice cages may comprise a number of nets arranged to form an enclosure which includes a back against which the golf balls are struck. The nets are typically directly attached to rigid elements which define the supporting frame. These systems are large and cumbersome to set up and take up large indoor spaces, making them unavailable for other uses.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure may comprise one or more of the following features and combinations thereof.

In illustrative embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a golf or sports enclosure to allow a golfer or other athlete to practice hitting a ball, puck or other object indoors at their residence or other indoor location without taking up valuable indoor space. The golf enclosure is a fully contained system that is used for simulating the golf experience. The golf enclosure includes protective netting, an impact screen, artificial turf within the enclosure, and hitting mats.

In illustrated embodiments, the golf enclosure is configured to fully deploy all the contents up to a preset height within an indoor space/room and then retract to a stored position so that the golf enclosure does not take up valuable floor space. The golf enclosure is fully contained and includes a polyester golf cage, artificial putting turf flooring, hitting mats and an impact screen. The golf enclosure is configured to allow the user to retract or deploy the entire system including the suspended flooring and hitting mats by use of an electric hoist system and wireless controller. The system allows for full deployment and retraction in under twenty seconds and all components are stored within the enclosure, eliminating the need to store any items separate from the system making setup and take down fast and convenient.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative embodiments and features described herein, further aspects, embodiments, objects and features of the disclosure will become fully apparent from the drawings and the detailed description and the claims.

Additional features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the drawing, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf enclosure in the fully deployed position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view the golf enclosure of FIG. 1 in the fully retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the upper frame and the protective netting and secured to a ceiling structure by an anchoring system;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the upper frame and the protective netting and showing part of the anchoring system;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an anchoring bracket used with the upper frame;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an anchoring bracket of the anchoring system;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a center bracket of the anchoring system;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lower frame of the golf enclosure showing the cable system that supports the artificial turf;

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of a portion of the lower frame showing one of the cables that extends across the frame;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the lower frame showing the protective netting secured to the frame and a portion of a backstop;

FIG. 11 is a perspective of the lower frame and the protective netting and the artificial turf;

FIG. 12 is a perspective of the an angle bracket used with the lower frame;

FIG. 13 is a perspective of a protective bumper used within the golf enclosure;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an electric motor and pulley;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a controller for the electric motor;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the golf enclosure lift system showing the anchors, cords, and cables used to raise and lower the golf enclosure in the fully deployed position;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the golf enclosure lift system of FIG. 16 shown in the half deployed/retracted position;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the golf enclosure lift system of FIG. 16 shown in the fully retracted position;

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic view of the golf enclosure lift system;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the center bracket and cable system; and

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the golf enclosure system showing a user using the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the technology. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts or steps may be designated with like numerals throughout for clarity. Reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but may not be requirements for other embodiments.

A golf enclosure 10 is a fully contained structure used for simulating a golf experience, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The golf enclosure 10 includes protective netting 12, an impact screen 14, artificial turf 16 within the golf enclosure 10 and hitting mats 18. Golf enclosure 10 is configured to fully retract and deploy all the contents up to a preset height within an indoor space/room. The golf enclosure 10 consists of five main components, including an anchoring system 20 that supports the entire golf enclosure 10, an upper frame 22 that supports the protective netting 12 and impact screen 14, a lower frame 24 that contains the artificial turf 16, a lifting system 26 composed of an electric hoist 28 and pulley system 30 that allows the golf enclosure 10 to be retracted and deployed by a user. While the enclosure can be used to practice golf, it is contemplated that a user could also use the enclosure to practice other sports involving use of a ball, such as baseball or softball or even sports that employ other projectiles, such as hockey.

The Anchoring System 20 of golf enclosure 10 includes a plurality of anchoring brackets 32 that are secured to the rooms existing ceiling joists using fasteners, such as eight 5/16″×4″ lag screws (two per bracket 32). Four of the anchoring brackets 32 are positioned at all four corners, as shown in FIG. 6. There is also a center bracket 34 secured using fasteners such as two ⅜″×4″ lag bolts is positioned in the middle of the front two anchor points, as shown in FIG. 7.

The upper frame 22 of golf enclosure 10 is constructed from four ten foot individual lengths of 1″ OD steel pipe 36, as shown in FIGS. 3-5. The pipes are connected in a square formation using four 90° pipe couplers 38 that attach to the pipes 36 with spring button clips 40, as shown in FIG. 5. The upper frame is supported by the ceiling anchoring system 20 using four individual chains connected at either end by a chain quick link.

The protective netting 12 golf enclosure 10 is hung from the upper frame 22 and attached to the pipes 36 using zip ties or other fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners, for example. Cable 42, which is preferably 1/16″ aircraft cable, is woven through the protective netting 12 at the back wall and top 6″ down to ensure golf balls to do not make any contact with the pipes 36, to prevent golf ball ricochets during practice. Two elastic cords 44 are placed 12″ down and 12″ from the front and back from the upper frame 22 along the sides to ensure the netting is pulled inside the structure when deploying and retracting. The elastic cords 44 always remain in place and do not interfere when golfing.

The lower frame 24 golf enclosure 10 is constructed from four, ten foot lengths of 2″×1½″ steel angle irons 48 ( 3/16″ thick) as shown in FIGS. 8-12. The angle irons 48 are connected in a square formation using four −90° angle iron couplers 50, as shown in FIG. 12. All the couplers 50 are fastened together with ¼″-20×⅝″ stainless steel carriage bolts and stainless 14/″-20 flange nuts. A network of eighteen individual 4 mm stainless steel turnbuckles 52 attached to 1/16″ cable 42 is then attached at 12″ apart along the perimeter of the floor using ¼″-20×⅝″ stainless carriage bolts and washers to form the suspended flooring system 54.

Once the suspended floor system 54 is installed and tightened to a preset tension, the included artificial turf 16 is then installed over top of the suspension system. Two inch foam cut at 45° lengthwise is installed at the back of the enclosure between the turf 16 and lower frame 24 to slightly elevate the turf 16 to avoid contact with the lower frame 24, thus preventing ball ricochets.

Retracting and deploying of the golf enclosure 10 is achieved by means of a 660 lb single line wireless electric hoist with electric brake 56 powered by a standard 120V 15 A receptacle, as shown in FIG. 14. The electric hoist 56 is fixed to either a ceiling or wall (depending on golf enclosure 10 placement) using a supplied bracket that connects with four individual ⅜″×4″ lag screws. Eight individual stainless-steel pulleys rated at 200 lbs are then attached to the anchoring system to make up the lifting system.

Braided nylon rope cord 60a-d safety rated at 225 lbs (1620 lb tensile strength) is attached to the lower frame 24 at each corner using a chain quick link and extends up to its corresponding pulley, as shown in FIG. 10. All four cords 60a-d meet up at the center support bracket and are attached to the steel cable 62 of the hoist system using a chain quick link. A safety chain is fastened to the ceiling joists separate from the hoist assembly to make disconnecting hoist from the enclosure system possible for maintenance or storage for an extended period. A wireless remote control 58 is included and is the primary means for operating the hoist, as shown in FIG. 15. An adjustable upper limit switch is set during installation to ensure the enclosure cannot be lifted higher than its intended design.

The impact screen 14 is attached at four points within the golf enclosure 10, as shown in FIG. 1. The impact screen is attached to a ¾″ OD pipe that is hung from attachment points of the upper frame 22 using two separate chains. A protective 4 lb high density foam pad covered in black canvas material is attached with hook and loop material to the upper portion of the impact screen 14 along the ¾″ pipe to prevent unwanted ricochets when a ball comes into contact. Two lower attachment points of the impact screen 14 are attached to the lower frame 24 using two 6″ ball elastic cords. The artificial turf 16 is elevated above the floor by 1.5″ to ensure there are no ricochets off the bottom lower frame 24. The hitting mats 18 are attached to the lower frame assembly using neodymium magnets that are permanently attached to each of the hitting mats 18, ensuring the mats are secured when golfing. The mats 18 are stored within the golf enclosure 10 when it is deployed and are simply removed outside the golf enclosure 10 when it is retracted providing the hitting surface for the golfer.

Deployment of the golf enclosure 10 is initiated by means of two wireless remotes. The first wireless remote energizes the hoist motor controller and provides an extra receptacle for an optional lighting accessory. The second wireless remote operates the hoist motor 56 allowing it to either raise or lower the entire golf enclosure 10. A limit switch is incorporated in the raising function to ensure the user doesn't raise the golf enclosure 10 beyond its preset upper limit to avoid damage. All components, including the golf hitting mats and impact screen are stored within the golf enclosure 10.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate the golf enclosure lift system in the fully deployed position in FIG. 16 to the semi-deployed position in FIG. 17 and the fully retracted position in FIG. 18. The lift system includes four cords 60a-60d that are secured to the lower frame 24 at a first end and extend upwardly to pulleys in the anchoring brackets 32 and converge at the center bracket 34. The second end of the cords 60a-60d are coupled to a cable 62 that is coupled to the motor 56. Upper frame 22 is suspended from the ceiling from anchoring brackets 32 by chains, straps, or cables. To move from the fully extended to the fully retracted positions, the user operates the motor 56 to cause the cable 62 to wind up, causing cable 62 to pull on the four cords 60a-60d, which causes the cords 60a-60d to raise the lower frame 24 upwardly toward the upper frame 22. Lower frame 24 ultimately raises suspended upper frame 22 so that lower and upper frames 24, 22, as well as the protective netting 12, artificial turf 16, and back stop 14 are all up adjacent the ceiling and out of the way so the space below.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic view showing the positioning of the anchoring brackets 32 and the center bracket 34. The anchoring brackets 32 are each secured to the ceiling of the building structure proximate the four corners of the upper frame 22 but slightly inward from the front and rear portions of the upper frame 22. The center bracket 34 is positioned along a center line with the electric motor 56 and is also aligned with the two rearmost anchoring brackets 32 that are furthest away from the motor 56. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the pulley system, showing cords 60a-60d engaging the pulleys of the center bracket 34 and converging at a thimble that is coupled to electric motor cable 62. With this arrangement cords 60a-60d are all pulled at the same time to uniformly lift lower frame 24. FIG. 21 illustrates a fully assembled enclosure with a golf course image projected onto the impact screen 14 and a golfer standing on the hitting mat 18.

The retractable enclosure 10 is configured for use in a building structure, such as a garage or other structure to allow a user to practice hitting a ball. The retractable enclosure 10 comprises an upper frame 22 that is configured to be suspended from the building structure, and a lower frame 24 that is spaced apart from the upper frame 22 during use of the enclosure 10. The retractable enclosure 10 also includes a protective barrier 12 that extends between the upper frame and the lower frames 22, 24. While netting is shown, it is contemplated that other barrier materials could be used such as fabric sheeting or plastic material.

The enclosure 10 also may include an impact screen 14 that extends between the upper and lower frames 22, 24 opposite the user. An image of a golf course can be projected onto the screen 14, as shown in FIG. 21. The enclosure utilizes a hoist mechanism that is configured to selectively raise the lower frame 24 from a first elevation to a second elevation to a storage position or lower the lower frame 24 from the second elevation to the first elevation to a use position and an anchoring system that suspends the upper frame 22 within the building structure with a plurality of suspension members in the form of chains, as shown in FIG. 6.

The lower frame 24 of the enclosure 10 includes perimeter frame members 46 and a series of spaced apart support members 42 that extend across the lower frame 24 and includes artificial turf 14 positioned over the support members. The retractable enclosure 10 includes a center bracket positioned above the upper frame 22 and the center bracket including a series of pulleys to accept a series of elongated flexible members in the form of cords 60a-60d that are coupled to the lower frame 22 at a first end, pass through the pulleys of the center bracket 34, and converge at a second end and are coupled to cable 62, which is coupled to the electric motor 56.

The electric motor 56 is configured to simultaneously raise the first ends of the elongated flexible members 60a-60d when operated in a first direction to cause the lower frame 22 to be raised from a first elevation to a second elevation and to lower the second ends of the elongated flexible members 60a-60d when the electric motor 56 is operated in a second direction to cause the lower frame 22 to be lowered from the second elevation back to the first elevation.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative embodiments and features described herein, further aspects, embodiments, objects and features of the disclosure will become fully apparent from the drawings and the detailed description and the claims.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A retractable enclosure for use in a building structure to allow a user to practice hitting a ball, the retractable enclosure comprising: an upper frame that is configured to be suspended from the building structure;a lower frame that is spaced apart from the upper frame during use of the enclosure;a protective barrier that extends between the upper frame and the lower frame;an impact screen that extends between the upper and lower frames;a hoist mechanism that is configured to selectively raise the lower frame from a first elevation to a second elevation to a storage position or lower the lower frame from the second elevation to the first elevation to a use position.

2. The retractable enclosure of claim 1, wherein the protective barrier is in the form of netting that is secured between the upper and lower frames.

3. The retractable enclosure of claim 1, further including an anchoring system that suspends the upper frame within the building structure.

4. The retractable enclosure of claim 1 where the upper frame is suspended from the building structure with a plurality of suspension members.

5. The retractable enclosure of claim 1, wherein the lower frame includes perimeter frame members and a series of spaced apart support members that extend across the lower frame.

6. The retractable enclosure of claim 5, further including artificial turf positioned over the support members.

7. The retractable enclosure of claim 1, further including a center bracket positioned above the upper frame, the center bracket including a series of pulleys.

8. The retractable enclosure of claim 7, further including a series of elongated flexible members that are coupled to the lower frame at a first end, pass through the pulleys, and converge at a second end.

9. The retractable enclosure of claim 8, wherein the elongated flexible members are coupled to an electric motor that is configured to simultaneously raise the first ends of the elongated flexible members when operated in a first direction to cause the lower frame to be raised from a first elevation to a second elevation and to lower the second ends of the elongated flexible members when the electric motor is operated in a second direction to cause the lower frame to be lowered from the second elevation back to the first elevation.

10. A retractable enclosure for use in a building structure to allow a user to practice hitting a ball, the retractable enclosure comprising: an upper frame that is configured to be suspended from the building structure;a lower frame that is spaced apart from the upper frame when the enclosure is in a use position and brought closer to the upper frame when in a storage position;a flexible barrier that extends between the upper frame and the lower frame;a hoist mechanism that is configured to selectively raise the lower frame from a first elevation to a second elevation when moved to the storage position or lower the lower frame from the second elevation to the first elevation when moved to the use position.

11. The retractable enclosure of claim 10, further including a series of elongated flexible members that are each coupled to the lower frame at a first end and converge at a second end.

12. The retractable enclosure of claim 11, wherein the second ends of the elongated flexible members are pulled by an electric motor to simultaneously raise the first ends of the elongated flexible members when the electric motor is operated in a first direction to cause the lower frame to be raised from a first elevation to a second elevation and to simultaneously lower the second ends of the elongated flexible members when the electric motor is operated in a second direction to cause the lower frame to be lowered from the second elevation back to the first elevation.

13. The retractable enclosure of claim 10, wherein the flexible barrier is in the form of netting that is secured between the upper and lower frames.

14. The retractable enclosure of claim 10, further including a backstop that extends between the upper and lower frames.

15. The retractable enclosure of claim 10, further including an anchoring system that is configured to suspend the upper frame from the building structure.

16. The retractable enclosure of claim 10 where the upper frame is suspended from the building structure with a plurality of suspension members.

17. The retractable enclosure of claim 10, wherein the lower frame includes perimeter frame members and a series of spaced apart support members that extend across the lower frame.

18. The retractable enclosure of claim 10, further including a center bracket positioned above the upper frame, the center bracket including a series of pulleys.

19. The retractable enclosure of claim 18, further including a series of elongated flexible members that are coupled to the lower frame at a first end, pass through the pulleys, and converge at a second end.

20. A retractable enclosure for use in a building structure to allow a user to practice hitting an object such as a ball, the retractable enclosure comprising: an upper frame that is configured to be suspended from the building structure;a lower frame that is spaced apart from the upper frame when the enclosure is in a use position and brought closer to the upper frame when in a storage position, the lower frame formed to include perimeter frame members and a series of spaced apart support members that extend across the lower frame;a flexible barrier that extends between the upper frame and the lower frame;a hoist mechanism that is configured to selectively raise the lower frame from a first elevation to a second elevation when moved to the storage position or lower the lower frame from the second elevation to the first elevation when moved to the use position.