Chipping Target Net with Auto Ball Return

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention relates generally to indoor practice nets. More specifically, the present invention is a short game practice net for golf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]Golf is an enjoyable game played by many. It is a game of skill and finesse that takes time to acquire. Improving one’s short game requires special techniques that are learned only through practice. One of the challenges many players face is finding time to practice these techniques out on the golf course. As a substitute, many golfers have found a variety of ways to practice their short game indoors. For instance, some golfers use foam golf balls rather than actual golf balls to avoid damaging walls and furniture. The more popular choice however, is hitting real golf balls in a net enclosure. The net enclosure provides a proper backstop, preventing the golf ball from hitting other objects indoors. There are many products on the market today that incorporate a large net enclosure with added suspended targets. The object of the game is to hit the golf ball into one of the targets however, there is no reward or acknowledgement of hitting these targets.

[0003]The problem with these products is they tend to be bulky and take up a large amount of space. In addition, the net is merely designed to catch and hold the golf ball. Consequently, this means that once the user runs out of golf balls, the game must be paused so that the user can retrieve the golf balls from the net. Thus, a need exists to develop an improved short game practice net for indoor golf.

[0004]It is an objective of the present invention to provide a solution to the aforementioned problems. The present invention is a tubular frame wrapped in fabric that functions similar to the net enclosure products described above. But unlike a typical net enclosure, the present invention takes up less space, is easy to set up, provides multiple target configurations, and includes a ball-return feature providing a reward and acknowledgement of hitting the right target, thereby providing confidence. In all, the present invention is a fun and enjoyable golf game that can be played indoors. And at the same time, the present invention helps improve one’s short game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005]The present invention is a golf practice net with a ball-return feature. The practice net is constructed of a tubular frame and is designed primarily for indoor use. The tubular frame comprises a plurality of uprights and a plurality of brace supports. The brace supports span from one upright to the next to form a rectangular enclosure. Various elbow connectors attach each upright to a corresponding brace support. Other forms of connectors can also be used as a substitute for elbow connectors without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0006]Once the tubular frame is mostly assembled, a ball-return fabric with sleeved ends is fitted within the enclosure. A top edge of the main sloping canvas (center section of ball-return fabric) attaches to the top-rear brace and extends downward at an angle. The bottom edge of the main sloping canvas then wraps over and tucks underneath the bottom-front brace with an added flap sewn into the main sloping canvas. This arrangement allows the golf ball to roll back smoothly without bumping into the bottom-front brace. To keep the main sloping canvas taut, a plurality of hook and loop straps are used to securely fasten the outer edges of the canvas to nearby structures of the enclosure.

[0007]A drop-down netting hangs over the front opening of the enclosure, which helps absorb impacts from the golf ball as it passes into the enclosure. At least one target panel overlaps the drop-down netting and detachably connects to the front two uprights of the enclosure using hook and loop fastener strips. The user can choose to install one, two, or three target panels and arrange each target panel in various positions along the front opening. Each target panel has three holes equally spaced apart and arranged horizontally along the target panel. Hole covers can be added, wherein the objective of the games is to hit the golf ball through one of the uncovered holes.

[0008]The present invention can be configured with several add-on features as well. For instance, a removable top cover can be mounted above the front opening. When properly installed, the removable top cover is designed to block high shots. In addition, a removable shelf can be mounted to cover the top opening of the enclosure. The removable shelf can be used to store loose items such as hole covers and target panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a front-right perspective view of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a front-right perspective view of the framed enclosure of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a front-right perspective view of the present invention, shown with parts removed to illustrate installation of the ball-return fabric.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a rear-left perspective view of the present invention, shown with parts removed to illustrate installation of the ball-return fabric.

[0013]FIG. 5 is an enlarged left-side cutaway view showing the installation of the bottom flap.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a front-right perspective exploded view of the present invention, showing the installation of the drop-down netting.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a front-right perspective exploded view of the present invention, showing the installation of the top cover structure.

[0016]FIG. 8 is a front-right perspective exploded view of the present invention, showing the installation of the top fabric cover.

[0017]FIG. 9 is a front-right perspective exploded view of the present invention, showing the installation of the removable shelf.

[0018]FIG. 10 is a front-right perspective exploded view of the present invention, showing the installation of the target panel.

[0019]FIG. 11 is a front-right perspective view of the present invention, shown configured with one target panel.

[0020]FIG. 12 is a front-right perspective view of the present invention, shown configured with two target panels.

[0021]FIG. 13 is a front-right perspective exploded view of the present invention, shown configured with two target panels and a plurality of hole covers.

[0022]FIG. 14 is a front-right perspective exploded view of the present invention, shown configured with three target panels and a plurality of hole covers.

[0023]FIG. 15 is a front-right perspective view of the present invention, shown configured with three target panels, a plurality of hole covers, and a putting mat.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

[0024]All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0025]In reference to FIGS. 1-15, the present invention 1 is a short game practice net for golf. It is an aim of the present invention to provide a fabric-wrapped enclosure with front-facing targets. The front-facing targets help improve the golfer’s short game by challenging the user to hit a golf ball through one of the target panels. After passing through the target, the golf ball hits the drop-down netting, falls down onto the sloping canvas, and rolls back to the user.

[0026]To accomplish these objectives, the present invention 1 comprises a framed enclosure 2, a ball-return fabric 3, a drop-down netting 4, a removable top cover system 5, a removable fabric shelf 6, and at least one target panel 7. As best seen in FIG. 2, the framed enclosure 2 functions as the primary structural component of the present invention, as the remaining components of the present invention are configured upon the framed enclosure 2. The framed enclosure 2 is a rectangular-shaped structure designed to hold the ball-return fabric 3 in the shape of a sloping surface. As a result, the sloping surface is designed to catch the golf ball as well as return the golf ball to the user after each swing.

[0027]Preferably, the framed enclosure 2 is a tubular frame assembled using cylindrical poles and various types of elbow connectors. However, it is understood the framed enclosure 2 is not limited to a tubular frame construction and can be constructed using any other suitable structural members and suitable joint connectors based on design, user, and or manufacturing requirements.

[0028]In the preferred embodiment as seen in FIG. 2, the framed enclosure 2 comprises a plurality of uprights 21, a plurality of bottom braces 22, and a plurality of top braces 23. The plurality of uprights connect the bottom braces 22 to the top braces 23. The plurality of uprights 21 comprises four vertical posts spaced apart from one another to form a rectangular-shaped perimeter. More specifically, the plurality of uprights 21 comprises a left-front upright 211, a right-front upright 212, a left-rear upright 213, and a right-rear upright 214.

[0029]The plurality of braces 22,23 connect the uprights 21 together, wherein each brace spans from one upright to the next to form the framed enclosure 2. The plurality of bottom braces 22 comprises a bottom-front horizontal brace 221, a bottom-rear horizontal brace 222, a bottom-left lateral brace 223, and a bottom-right lateral brace 224. Likewise, the plurality of top braces 23 comprises a top-front horizontal brace 231, a top-rear horizontal brace 232, a top-left lateral brace 233, and a top-right lateral brace 234.

[0030]The ball-return fabric 3 is designed to catch and return the golf ball to the user after the golf ball enters the framed enclosure. To perform this function, the ball-return fabric 3 comprises a main sloping canvas 31, a left-side flap 32, and a right-side flap 33. As will be explained further, each section of the ball-return fabric 3 attaches to a designated bracing member or upright.

[0031]The preferred means of attaching the ball-return fabric 3 to a corresponding structure are by a sleeve system, wherein a plurality of sleeves are sewn into designated edges of the ball-return fabric 3, and each sleeve is configured to slide over a designated brace or upright of the framed enclosure 2. However, it is understood the means of attaching the ball-return fabric 3 are not limited to a sleeve system and can be attached using any known attachment method in the industry.

[0032]As seen in FIGS. 3-5, a top edge 311 of the main sloping canvas 31 attaches to the top-rear horizontal brace 232. A bottom edge 312 of the main sloping canvas rolls over and tucks underneath the bottom-front horizontal brace 221. The bottom edge 312 is then pulled back towards the rear of the framed enclosure 2. This arrangement forms a sloped surface, allowing the golf ball to roll smoothly over the top of the bottom-front horizontal brace 221. For a smooth transition from the main sloping canvas 31 to the floor, a bottom flap 34 is preferably affixed to the front side of the main sloping canvas 31. More specifically, as seen in FIG. 5, a rear section 341 of the bottom flap 34 is sewn onto the forward-most section 317 of the main sloping canvas 31, directly above the bottom-front horizontal brace 221.

[0033]Regarding the flaps, a top edge 321 of the left-side flap 32 attaches to the top-left lateral brace 233, and a front edge 322 of the left-side flap 32 attaches to the left-front upright 211. Similarly, a top edge 331 of the right-side flap 33 attaches to the top-right lateral brace 234, and a front edge 332 of the right-side flap 33 attaches to the right-front upright 212.

[0034]To keep the main sloping canvas 31 firmly taut, a plurality of double-sided hook and loop straps 8 are preferably used to connect the outer edges of the main sloping canvas 31 to the framed enclosure 2. As best seen in FIG. 4, a first end of each hook and loop strap 8 is sewn onto the main sloping canvas 31, while the second end of each strap 8 loops over a nearby frame structure and fastens back onto itself. With this type of installation in mind, a first pair of double-sided hook and loop straps 81, 82 are used to securely fasten the bottom edge 312 of the main sloping canvas 31 to the bottom-rear horizontal brace 222. A second pair of double-sided hook and loop straps 83, 84 are used to securely fasten the bottom left-side 313 and the bottom right-side 314 of the main sloping canvas 31 to the bottom-left lateral brace 223 and the bottom-right lateral brace 224, respectively. A third pair of double-sided hook and loop straps 85, 86 are used to securely fasten the upper left-side 315 and the upper right-side 316 of the main sloping canvas 31 to the left-rear upright 213 and the right-rear upright 214, respectively.

[0035]As best seen in FIG. 6, the drop-down netting 4 hangs over a front opening 24 of the framed enclosure 2. The drop-down netting 4 provides a backstop for the golf ball to impact after passing through the target panel 7. This arrangement prevents the golf ball from impacting and potentially damaging the ball-return fabric 3. To perform this function, a top edge 41 of the drop-down netting 4 is attached to the top-front horizontal brace 231. More specifically, a sleeve is sewn into the top edge 41 of the drop-down netting 4. Next, the top-front horizontal brace 231 is detached from the framed enclosure 2, then inserted through the integrated sleeve of the drop-down netting 4, and finally reattached back onto the framed enclosure 2. It is understood the means of attaching the drop-down netting 4 to the top-front horizontal brace 231 is not limited to a sleeve system and can be attached using any known attachment method.

[0036]To account for high shots, the removable top cover system 5 is mounted above the front opening 24 of the framed enclosure 2. The removable top cover system 5 comprises a top cover structure 51 and a top fabric cover 52. When properly fitted and installed, the removable top cover system 5 is designed to block high shots. As seen in FIG. 7, the top cover structure 51 comprises a pair of uprights 511, 512 and a bracing member 513. The bracing member 513 connects the pair of uprights together along the top to form an upright structure in the shape of an inverted “U”. The bottom ends of the pair of uprights 511, 512 attach to corresponding elbow connectors 53, 54 integrated into the top ends of each of the left-front upright 211 and the right-front upright 212. Once firmly attached, the top fabric cover 52 can be fitted over the top cover structure 51, as seen in FIG. 8.

[0037]The removable fabric shelf 6 is a rectangular-shaped cover that fits over a top opening 25 of the framed enclosure 2. As best seen in FIG. 9, at least one side of the fabric shelf 6 is detachably connected to at least one of the top braces 23 using a plurality of hook and loop fasteners 9. More specifically, a first set of hook and loop fasteners 91 are attached along the left-side 61, the right-side 62, the front side 63, and the rear side 64 of the fabric shelf 6. A second set of corresponding hook and loop fasteners 92 attach to all fabric surfaces surrounding the top opening 25, namely, a top outer lip 323 of the left-side flap 32, a top outer lip 333 of the right-side flap 33, a top outer lip 318 of the main sloping canvas 31, and a bottom outer lip 55 of the top fabric cover 52. Once firmly attached, the removable fabric shelf 6 can be used to secure loose items such as target panels and hole covers.

[0038]As seen in FIG. 10, the at least one target panel 7 fits over the front opening 24 of the framed enclosure 2, thereby overlapping the drop-down netting 4. A left-side 71 and a right-side 72 of each target panel 7 are detachably connected to the left-front upright 211 and the right-front upright 212, respectively. The means of attachment are preferably by hook and loop fasteners 9. More specifically, a first set of hook and loop fasteners 91 are attached along the left-side 71 and the right-side 72 of the target panel 7. A second set of corresponding hook and loop fasteners 92 are attached along a front outer lip 324 of the left-side flap 32 and a front outer lip 334 of the right-side flap 33. Once firmly attached, the user can practice hitting a golf ball through one of the holes of the target panel 7.

[0039]As best seen in FIG. 11, each target panel 7 comprises a plurality of holes 76 distributed along a front side 75 of the target panel 7. Preferably, three (3) holes 76 are distributed evenly and horizontally aligned along the front side 75. In the preferred embodiment seen in FIG. 1, the user can attach a total of three (3) target panels 7 covering the entire front opening 24 in a tic-tac-toe display, where the objective of the game is to hit the golf ball into one of the nine (9) holes.

[0040]As an added challenge, the user can also cover up one or more of the holes 76 using hole covers 10. This requires the user to hit a golf ball into one of the uncovered holes 76. To perform this function, a first set of hook and loop fasteners 91 is attached to the front side 75 of the target panel 7, arranged perimetrically over each hole 76. A second set of hook and loop fasteners 92 is perimetrically attached along one side of the hole cover 10. As seen in FIG. 13, the user simply aligns the hole cover 10 with a corresponding hole 76, and then presses the hole cover 10 onto the target panel 7 to engage the hook and loop fasteners 9.

[0041]The target panels can be played in a variety of ways for fun or for practice. For instance, as seen in FIG. 11, the user can configure the present invention with only one (1) target panel 7a mounted to the top of the front opening 24. In another embodiment, as seen in FIG. 12, the user can configure the present invention with two (2) target panels 7a,7c, positioned one on top and one on bottom of the front opening 24. In yet another embodiment, as seen in FIG. 14, the user can configure the present invention with three (3) target panels 7a, 7b, 7c covering the entire front opening 24.

[0042]In addition to left and right-side attachments, each target panel 7 can also be detachably connected along the top and bottom edges 73,74 to other target panels 7. For instance, as seen in FIG. 14, the bottom and center target panels 7b, 7c can be attached together along the top and bottom adjoining edges 73,74 using hook and loop fasteners 9. Similarly, the top and center target panels 7a, 7b can be attached together along the top and bottom adjoining edges 73,74 using hook and loop fasteners 9. The top edge 73 of the top target panel 7a can be attached to the bottom outer lip 55 of the top fabric cover 52 using hook and loop fasteners 9. In this arrangement, all target panels 7a ,7b, 7c are firmly held taut over the front opening 24, thereby eliminating any sagging. The bottom side 74 of the bottom target panel 7c is free of any attachment, allowing the golf ball to roll under the bottom target panel 7c and back to the user.

[0043]In another embodiment as seen in FIG. 15, the present invention further comprises a putting mat 90. A distal end 95 of the putting mat 90 tucks underneath the bottom flap 34 of the main sloping canvas 31 and extends outward to a proximal end 96 by a predefined length. The putting mat 90 enables the golf ball to roll smoothly back to the user.

[0044]Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.