Modular and adjustable putting surface

• US 6,050,901 A
• Filed: 05/19/1999
• Issued: 04/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Grover Davis
• Original Assignee: Grover Davis
• Inventors: Davis, Grover
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US09/314,319
• Time in Patent Office: 335 Days
• Field of Search: 473/160, 473/161, 473/162, 473/278, 473/279
• US Class Current: 473/160
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2067/025 with incorporated means acting on the track surface for varying its topography, e.g. slope
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/02 Special golf games, e.g. miniature golf or golf putting games played on putting tracks; putting practice apparatus having an elongated platform as a putting track

Abstract

A modular putting surface apparatus for creating an adjustable putting surface. Each module comprises a frame, a first and second end member, a center members and two surface members connecting the center member and the end members. The center member is adjustable up and down at each end to create a complex curved surface. Multiple independent support members allow the surface area to be sufficiently flexible so as to be adjustable and simultaneously rigid enough to support humans walking on the surface. Multiple modules are interconnected to for a larger putting surface. The entire surface area is covered with a cover material chosen for its putting characteristics so as to simulate putting on grass.

Claims

1. A modular putting surface apparatus, comprising:

a frame, said frame including a first end member positioned at one end of said frame and a second end member positioned at an other end of said frame;

a center member positioned between said first end member and said second end member;

a first surface member, said first surface member directly connected at one end to said first end member and directly connected at the other end to said center member;

a second surface member, said second surface member directly connected at one end to said second end member and directly connected at the other end to said center member;

a first connection mechanism, said first connection mechanism connecting one end of said center member to said frame;

a second connection mechanism, said second connection mechanism connecting an other end of said center member to said frame;

wherein said first connection mechanism includes lifting means for selectively raising and lowering said one end of said center member; and

cover material positioned over the top of said first end member, said second end member, said center member, said first surface member and said second surface member.

2. The modular putting surface apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second connection mechanism includes lifting means for selectively raising and lowering said other end of said center member.

3. The modular putting surface apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lifting means comprises a screw jack and wherein said screw jack is accessible for adjustment through a hole in a top portion of the apparatus.

4. The modular putting surface apparatus of claim 1:

wherein said first surface member is directly connected to said first end member utilizing a plurality of connectors;

wherein said first surface member is directly connected to said center member utilizing a plurality of connectors;

wherein said second surface member is directly connected to said second end member utilizing a plurality of connectors; and

wherein said second surface member is directly connected to said center member utilizing a plurality of connectors.

5. The modular putting surface apparatus of claim 4 wherein each plurality of connectors comprises a plurality of double hinges.

6. The modular putting surface apparatus of claim 4 wherein each plurality of connectors comprises a plurality of flexible straps.

7. The modular putting surface apparatus of claim 6 wherein said flexible straps are made of metal.

8. The modular putting surface apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said first surface member and said second surface member comprises:

a flat surface portion; and

a series of independent support members.

9. The modular putting surface apparatus of claim 8 wherein said independent support members are tapered from top to bottom to prevent interference with said first and second end members and said center member while said center member is raised and lowered.

10. The modular putting surface apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cover material is selected for its putting qualities to simulate putting on grass.

11. The modular putting surface apparatus of claim 1 including a hole in said second surface member with a cup inserted therein.

12. The modular putting surface apparatus of claim 1 including a series of holes in said first and said second surface members with a cup inserted into one of said holes and a plug inserted into the other holes, said plug being covered in the same cover material covering said first end member, said second end member, said center member, said first surface member and said second surface member.