Golf practice device

• US 20030153395A1
• Filed: 02/14/2002
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David P. Lobeck
• Original Assignee: David P. Lobeck
• Inventors: Lobeck, David P.
• Application Number:
  US09/683,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20030153395A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/190
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/357 for golf cups or holes, e.g. flags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/40 Golf cups or holes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/007 Target zones without opening defined on a substantially horizontal surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3676 for putting A63B69/3608, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3697 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices

Abstract

A golf practice device has a body that includes at least one battery, a display generator that presents a visual or audio display when energized by the battery, and a sensor switch that closes an electrical circuit that connects the battery to the display generator when the device is struck by a golf ball. In one embodiment, the bottom of the body is attached to a pin which is inserted into a golf green. In another embodiment, the bottom of the body is made of a material having many small hooks on it so that the body will grasp onto a fabric, such as a carpet. When a golf ball strikes the golf practice device it presents a visual or audio display to the golfer.

Claims

1. a golf practice device comprising a body that contains

(A) at least one battery;

(B) a display generator that presents a display when energized by said battery; and

(C) a sensor switch that closes an electrical circuit connecting said battery to said display generator when said golf practice device is struck by a golf ball.

2. A golf practice device according to claim 1 wherein the bottom of said body is attached to a pin that can be pushed into the ground.

3. A golf practice device according to claim 1 wherein the bottom of said body is attached to a material made of small hooks, whereby said golf practice device can be releasably attached to a fabric.

4. A golf practice device according to claim 1 wherein said display is a sound.

5. A golf practice device according to claim 4 wherein said sound is that of a ball falling into a cup.

6. A golf practice device according to claim 4 wherein said sound is a human voice.

7. A golf practice device according to claim 1 wherein said display is a light.

8. A golf practice device according to claim 1 wherein said sensor switch closes said electrical circuit when said golf practice device is struck by a ball coming from any direction.

9. A golf practice device according to claim 8 wherein said sensor switch is a metal spring mounted inside a metal ferrule, so that said metal spring contacts said metal ferrule when said golf practice device is struck by a golf ball.

10. A golf practice device according to claim 1 wherein said display generator is an integrated circuit for generating an electrical signal and a speaker for converting said electrical signal into sound.

11. A method of improving putting accuracy comprising inserting the pin of a golf practice device according to claim 2 into a putting green and putting golf balls at said golf practice device.

12. A method of improving putting accuracy comprising placing a golf practice device according to claim 3 on a carpet and putting golf balls at said golf practice device.

13. A golf practice device comprising a body containing

(A) an on-off switch for turning said device on and off;

(B) at least one battery;

(C) a display generator for generating a sound when energized by said battery; and

(D) a sensor switch that closes an electrical circuit connecting said battery to said display generator when said device is struck by a golf ball.

14. A golf practice device according to claim 13 wherein the bottom of said body is attached to a pin that can be pushed into the ground.

15. A golf practice device according to claim 13 wherein the bottom of said body is attached to a material made of small hooks, whereby said golf practice device can be releasably attached to a fabric.

16. A method of improving putting accuracy comprising inserting the pin of a golf practice device according to claim 14 into a putting green, turning on said on-off switch, and putting golf balls at said device.

17. A method of improving putting accuracy comprising placing a golf practice device according to claim 15 on a carpet, turning on said on-off switch, and putting golf balls at said device.

18. A golf practice device comprising a body that contains

(A) an on-off switch for turning said device on and off;

(B) at least one battery;

(C) an integrated circuit chip programmed to generate an electrical signal when energized by said battery;

(D) a speaker that generates a sound when energized with said electrical signal;

(E) a sensor switch that comprises a metal spring mounted inside a metal ferrule, where said spring contacts said metal ferrule when said device is struck by a golf ball;

(F) an electrical circuit connecting said battery, said on-off switch, said sensor switch, said integrated circuit chip, and said speaker, whereby said circuit is closed when said on-off switch and said sensor switch are closed.

19. A golf practice device according to claim 18 wherein the bottom of said body is attached to a pin that can be pushed into the ground.

20. A golf practice device according to claim 18 wherein the bottom of said body is attached to a material made of small hooks, whereby said golf practice device can be releasably attached to a fabric.