Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
  • A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
  • A63B69/3661—Mats for golf practice, e.g. mats having a simulated turf, a practice tee or a green area
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
  • A63B2209/10—Characteristics of used materials with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B67/00—Sporting games or accessories therefor, not provided for in groups A63B1/00 - A63B65/00
  • A63B67/02—Special golf games, e.g. miniature golf ; Putting tracks therefor

Definitions

• the present invention is directed to the field of putting surfaces and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for a flexible, expandable putting green that is versatile and portable.
• Portable practice putting greens are widely used in many offices and homes
• typical practice putting greens include a unitary putting surface laid on the ground with a cup at one end to which the golfer directs his putting shots.
• rigid modular panels have been
• An expandable putting green including interlocking panels.
• the interlocking panels are flexible pads or mats having a foam
• At least one of the panels includes a removable portion that
• FIG. IA illustrates the assembling of a modular expandable putting green
• FIG. IB is a schematic illustration of one possible layout of the expandable
• FIG. 1C is a modular expandable putting green disassembled and packed into
• FIG. ID further illustrates an assembled expandable putting green according
• FIG. 2A is a detailed schematic illustration of a starter kit for the expandable
• FIG. 2B shows the thickness of the expandable putting green according to one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 3 is a detailed schematic illustration of an expansion kit for the
• FIG. IA-D illustrates the assembling and disassembling of a modular expandable putting green according to various embodiments of the invention.
• the Expand-a-GreenTM (trademarked by Dennco, Inc.) includes a starter kit with ten modular interlocking panels 2, two regulation size cups 4 and two flagsticks 6. A flagstick 6 may be inserted and/or removed from a cup 4.
• FIGS. IB and 2A show possible modular panel layouts
• the panels 2 are connectable to one another by interlocking teeth 12.
• Most of the interlocking teeth 12 resemble a "dove-tail" type connection 14; however, certain of the teeth 12 may be differently configured, e.g., 16, to aid in orientation of the different shaped mats 18 when the panels 2 are connected
• FIGS. IB and 2 A are illustrated with a dotted line in FIGS. IB and 2 A.
• the configuration as described provides for ease of shipping of multiple interlocking panels which may be slacked and easily transported in a 20 inch by 20 inch by 5 inch container 20 (see
• FIG. 1C is a side view showing the depth or thickness of a modular panel 2 according to one embodiment of the invention.
• the expandable putting green comprising at least two interlocked panels, is flexible, wherein the interlocked or individual panels may be bent, squeezed, and/or twisted in any direction.
• the panels may be constructed from material possessing
• the flexible, hinge or more of the panels are interlocked.
• the flexible, hinge or more of the panels are interlocked.
• expandable putting green i.e., at least two assembled, interlocking panels
• the flexibility of the present invention provides a soft, comfortable surface to practice for the user. Furthermore, the flexible surface
• Velcro one or a combination of Velcro, hooks, tacks, glues, latches, or tongue and groove mechanisms.
• FIG. 2A depicts a detailed schematic illustration of a starter kit for the expandable putting green according to one embodiment of the invention. This figure
• the panels 2 may be of different sizes and shapes.
• a starter kit may include panels 2 of the following
• a starter kit may also include panels 2 of the following type: four of (1), three of (3), two of (5), and
• (5) is a reversible panel that can take the shape as represented by (5) and (9).
• the panels 2 are 0.25 inches thick and are made of closed cell foam to form a foam backing underlayer and a green surface polypropylene
• the panels are flexible, wherein the
• the panels may be bent, squeezed, or twisted in any direction.
• the panels may be
• the interlocked panels or assembled green can retain flexibility while two or more of the panels are interlocked.
• the expandable putting green i.e., the assembled, interlocking panels
• the panels 2 may have varying lengths and widths to accommodate playing surfaces of any desired size and/or shape.
• types of individual panels 2 that make up the starter kit may have lengths and widths between approximately 5-100 inches wide and/or long, and preferably 15-25 inches
• certain of the panels 2 include removable portions 8 that may be removed by the user to form a hole in the panel 2 and into which a recessed cup 4 is inserted.
• the removable portions 8 and/or cup 4 may have a diameter of approximately 1-10 inches, and preferably approximately 4-5 inches.
• the removable portions 8 and/or cup 4 may have a diameter that is the same, slightly smaller, or slightly larger than a regulation golf hole
• the flexibility of the panels 2 allows for the introduction of various shapes, sizes and textures underneath each panel 2.
• an object under a panel 2 can simulate a real golf course or grass lawn for playing, including "breaks.” Furthermore, the flexibility of the panels 2 allows a user to lay the green over a sloped or undulating surface (e.g., driveway or lawn) and the green can either take on the undulating shape of the surface on which it lies, or one
• At least one or more of the panels 2 are reversible, and can be used interlocked with the panel lying on its face or back.
• the panels 2 or green can be laid on or abut up against another surface
• Some other surfaces include, but are not limited to,
• the 10-piece starter set may be cut in a single stroke from a single cutting die, minimizing time and expense of manufacture.
• panels 2 are created for different shaped panels 2 (e.g., a different cutting die for expansion pieces (3) and (13)).
• panels 2 made from different dies and/or different factories can be used interchangeably.
• the panel 2 material comprises a flexible backing.
• the flexible backing is laminated onto the panel material.
• flame lamination may be used to obtain waterproof lamination without the use of adhesives.
• FIG. 3 illustrates an expansion kit for the expandable putting green according
• the expansion kit includes additional
• the expansion kit includes additional types of panels 2 such as the following: two of (3)
• the expansion kit panels 2 may further include removable portions 8 that may be removed by the user to form a hole in the panel 2 and into which a recessed cup 4 is inserted.
• removable portions 8 may be removed by the user to form a hole in the panel 2 and into which a recessed cup 4 is inserted.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)
• Road Paving Structures (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=37669520

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

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Family Cites Families (18)

• 2006
  • 2006-07-19 EP EP06787760A patent/EP1909926A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-07-19 US US11/489,124 patent/US20070042829A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2006-07-19 WO PCT/US2006/027909 patent/WO2007011964A2/en not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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