GOLF PUTTING MAT

Abstract

A golf putting mat includes: two or more putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3) having different green speeds from one another; and a main body (5) having the shape of a band in such a manner as to attach the putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3) connected serially with one another to top thereof, whereby two or more putting surfaces with different green speeds can be formed on one mat body, thereby allowing a user to practice putting with the different green speeds on one putting mat.

Claims

1. A golf putting mat comprising: two or more putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3) having different green speeds from one another; and a main body (5) having the shape of a band in such a manner as to attach the putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3) connected serially with one another to top thereof.

2. The golf putting mat according to claim 1, wherein the putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3) are made of different fabrics from one another.

3. The golf putting mat according to claim 2, wherein the putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3) are detachably attached to the mat body (5) by means of coupling members (13-1 and 13-2), and the attachment of the putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3) to the mat body (5) is performed by changing each putting pad itself in position or by changing the respective putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3) in position with one another.

4. The golf putting mat according to claim 3, wherein the putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3) are attached to the mat body (5) in such a manner as to be turned over to allow undersides (15) thereof to be used as putting surfaces.

5. The golf putting mat according to claim 1, further comprising target portions (7) formed on the other side of the putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3) in such a manner as to become targets for a golf ball putted on one side of the putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3).

6. The golf putting mat according to claim 2, wherein the putting pads (3-1, 3-2, and 3-3) are made of the fabrics made by blending linen, polyester, and cotton, by blending cotton and polyester, and by blending rayon and polyester, which are selected, without repetition.

7. A golf putting mat comprising: a putting pad (53) constituting a putting surface; a bag pad (54) attached to the underside of the putting pad (53) to form an accommodation space (S); and a convex and concave pad (55) having a plurality of protrusions (61 and 62) protruding from the outer surfaces thereof to allow concave and convex portions to be formed on the putting pad (53) when inserted into the accommodation space (S) and to thus determine a green speed.

8. The golf putting mat according to claim 7, wherein the concave and convex pad (55) is configured to allow the sizes or tightness in distance of the protrusions (61 and 62) to become locally different according to the positions of the protrusions (61 and 62) on the outer surfaces thereof, so that the green speed of the putting pad (53) is locally different according to the positions of the protrusions (61 and 62) on the putting pad (53).

9. A golf putting mat comprising: two or more putting pads (203-1, 203-2, and 203-3) having different green speeds from one another; and a main body (205) having the shape of a band in such a manner as to allow one selected from the putting pads (203-1, 203-2, and 203-3) to be detachably attached to top thereof.

10. The golf putting mat according to claim 9, wherein the putting pads (203-1, 203-2, and 203-3) are attached to the mat body (205) in such a manner as to be turned over to allow undersides (15) thereof to be used as putting surfaces.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional practice putting mat;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a golf putting mat according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the golf putting mat of FIG. 2;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a golf putting mat according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the golf putting mat of FIG. 4;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where a putting pad is separated from the golf putting mat of FIG. 4;

[0026] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a golf putting mat according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0027] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a golf putting mat according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, a golf putting mat according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a golf putting mat 1 includes two or more putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 and a mat body 5.

[0030] In this case, the two or more putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 are made of fabrics having different friction coefficients from one another, and when a user places a golf ball on the golf putting mat 1 to putt the golf ball, a moving distance of the golf ball may be different according to the friction coefficients. Like this, differences in the moving distance of the golf ball upon the putting according to the friction coefficients of the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 are called as differences in green speed. If the friction coefficients of putting surfaces 10 of the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 become low, accordingly, the green speeds become fast, and contrarily, if the friction coefficients become high, the green speeds become slow.

[0031] Like this, various methods for varying the green speeds, that is, friction coefficients, among the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 may be proposed as follows.

[0032] Firstly, one mat body 5 is segmented according to green speeds in a longitudinal direction thereof, and the segmented sections of the mat body 5 are machined with different roughness through post processing like brushing, so that the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 having different friction coefficients from one another are formed on top of the mat body 5 even if they are made of the same material as one another.

[0033] Secondly, the two or more putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 having different friction coefficients from one another according to woven methods are separately manufactured, and next, they are connected serially with one another on top of the mat body 5 in a longitudinal direction, so that the two or more putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 having different green speeds from one another can be provided.

[0034] Thirdly, as shown in FIG. 2, the two or more putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 having different friction coefficients from one another according to differences in materials are separately manufactured, and next, they are attached to top of the mat body 5, so that the two or more putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 having different green speeds from one another can be provided.

[0035] So as to allow the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 to have different friction coefficients from one another according to their material, however, fabrics for the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 are appropriately selected according to the friction coefficients corresponding to the number of putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3. For example, the putting pad 3-1, which is slowest in the green speeds, is made of a fabric that is made by blending linen, polyester, and cotton, thereby increasing the friction coefficient thereof, and the putting pad 3-3, which is fastest in the green speeds, is made of a fabric that is made by blending rayon and polyester, that is, polyrayon, thereby decreasing the friction coefficient thereof. Further, the putting pad 3-2, which is intermediate in the green speeds, is made of a fabric that is made by blending cotton and polyester, that is, polycotton, thereby providing an intermediate friction coefficient thereof.

[0036] The mat body 5 constitutes a body of the golf putting mat 1, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it has a shape of a rectangular band and is made of a fabric or rigid body like a synthetic resin. If the mat body 5 is made of the fabric, it may roll, so that it is convenient in storage, and if the mat body 5 is made of the synthetic resin, it may have a frame structure, so that solid members like hole cups may be made thereon.

[0037] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the golf putting mat 1 according to the present invention further includes target portions 7. The target portions 7 are putting targets that are formed on the other side of the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 located on the opposite side to one side of the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 if the putting is performed on one side of the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3. If the mat body 5 has a shape of a flat plate, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is impossible to ensure spaces in up and down directions thereof, and accordingly, the target portions 7 are attached to top of the mat body 5 in the form of marks. Further, as shown, the target portions 7 are provided on the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3, but of course, one target 7 may be marked on any one of the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3. If the mat body 5 has a solid frame structure with a given height, which is not shown, separate spaces may be ensured, so that the target portions 7 may be formed in the form of hole cups having a given depth.

[0038] According to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, a golf putting mat 1 includes two or more putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 separable from a mat body 5. As shown, the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 are detachably attached to top of the mat body 5 in such a manner as to be connected serially with one another.

[0039] In this case, the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 have different friction coefficients through various methods so that when they are attached to the mat body 5, they have different green speeds from one another. Further, the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 vary their green speed through differences in post processing for the surface roughness, differences in their woven method, or differences in their material as shown in FIG. 3.

[0040] For example, as mentioned above, the putting pad 3-1 among the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 is made of a fabric that is made by blending linen, polyester, and cotton to form a putting surface 10 whose green speed is slowest, thereby providing the highest friction coefficient, and the putting pad 3-2 is made of a fabric that is made by blending cotton and polyester, that is, polycotton to form a putting surface 10 whose green speed is intermediate, thereby providing an intermediate friction coefficient. Further, the putting pad 3-3 is made of a fabric that is made by blending rayon and polyester, that is, polyrayon to form a putting surface 10 whose green speed is fastest, thereby providing the lowest friction coefficient.

[0041] Further, the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 are separately made in such a manner as to be separable from the mat body 5, and accordingly, they have detachable coupling members to the mat body 5. Accordingly, the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 themselves can be changed in position or can be changed in position with one another. Even if not shown, for example, the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 may be rotated on a horizontal surface and then attached to the mat body 5 in such a manner as to allow the front and back thereof to be changed with each other. Even if not shown, further, the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 may be changed in position with one another and then attached to the mat body 5.

[0042] As another example of the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 in position, as shown in FIG. 6, the putting pad 3-3 may be turned over and then attached to the mat body 5, and in this case, the undersides 15 of the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 may be used as the putting surfaces. To do this, the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 have different surface roughness on tops and undersides thereof. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, any one of top and underside of each of the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 is made of a fabric that is not subjected to any post processing like brushing, and the other is made of a fabric that is subjected to post processing like brushing, so that the tops and undersides of the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 may have different green speeds from one another.

[0043] To do this, the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 can be detachably coupled to the mat body 5 by means of various coupling members 13-1 and 13-2, and according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the detachable coupling is achieved by means of Velcro tapes. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 have female or male Velcro tapes 13-1 attached to both longitudinal sides thereof, and the mat body 5 has female or male Velcro tapes 13-2 attached thereto in such a manner as to correspond to the Velcro tapes 13-1. So as to allow the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 to be freely turned over and attached to the Velcro tapes 13-2 of the mat body 5, in this case, the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 have the Velcro tapes 13-1 attached to both sides of top and underside thereof, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0044] Moreover, FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, a golf putting mat 51 includes a putting pad 53, a bag pad 54, and a convex and concave pad 55.

[0045] In this case, the putting pad 53 constitutes a putting surface 50 of the golf putting mat 51, and as shown in FIG. 7, the putting pad 53 has the shape of a flat plate made of any one of the various types of fabrics as mentioned above.

[0046] The bag pad 54 constitutes a bag-shaped accommodation space S, together with the putting pad 53, and as shown in FIG. 7, only if the bag pad 54 as a flat plate type pad attached to the underside of the putting pad 53 forms the accommodation space S, it may be freely made of any material or be freely shaped. As shown, further, the bag pad 54 is made in the form of a net body. In this case, desirably, the bag pad 54 and the putting pad 53 openably seal the inlet portion of the accommodation space S by means of a member like a zipper.

[0047] The convex and concave pad 55 applies concave and convex portions to the putting surface 50 of the golf putting mat 51, and as shown in FIG. 7, the convex and concave pad 55 has the shape of a flat plate made of a synthetic resin having given elasticity, while having a plurality of protrusions 61 and 62 protruding from top and underside thereof. When the convex and concave pad 55 is inserted into the accommodation space S, concave and convex portions, that is, curves are formed on the putting surface 50 by means of the protrusions 61 or 62, and accordingly, the golf putting mat 51 varies the green speed of the putting surface 50 according to the sizes of the concave and convex portions formed on the putting surface 50. That is, the golf putting mat 51 determines the green speed of the putting surface 50 according to the sizes of the protrusions 61 and 62 of the convex and concave pad 55 inserted into the accommodation space S. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, if the concave and convex pad 55 is inserted into the accommodation space S in a state where the protrusions 62 that are relatively small in size and arranged close to one another are located on top of the concave and convex pad 55, when compared to a state where the protrusions 61 that are relatively large in size and arranged distant from one another are located on top of the concave and convex pad 55, the green speed of the golf putting mat 51 can be faster.

[0048] Like this, as the sizes or tightness in distance of the protrusions 61 and 62 protruding from the outer surfaces of the concave and convex pad 55 vary locally according to their positions on the outer surfaces, the green speed of the putting surface 50 can vary locally according to the positions of the protrusions 61 and 62 on the putting surface 50. As shown, that is, the concave and convex pad 55 is configured to allow the sizes and distances of the protrusions 61 and 61 to be different only on top and underside thereof, but of course, the concave and convex pad 55 may be configured to allow the sizes and distances of the protrusions 61 and 61 to be different on the same top or underside thereof. In this case, the green speed of the putting pad 50 can be differently set even if the concave and convex pad 55 is not turned over.

[0049] Further, FIG. 8 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, a golf putting mat 201 includes two or more putting pads 203-1, 203-2, and 203-3 and a mat body 205.

[0050] In this case, each of the putting pads 203-1, 203-2, and 203-3 constitutes the entire putting surface 210, and in the same manner as above, the putting pads 203-1, 203-2, and 203-3 are made of fabrics having different friction coefficients from one another. When a user places a golf ball on the putting surface 210 to putt the golf ball, a moving distance of the golf ball may be different according to the friction coefficients. Accordingly, the user selects the putting pad having a desired friction coefficient from the putting pads 203-1, 203-2, and 203-3 to thus set his or her desired green speed of the putting surface 210.

[0051] Accordingly, the mat body 205 constitutes a body of the golf putting mat 201, in the same manner as the mat body 5, and as shown in FIG. 8, it has a shape of a rectangular band and is made of a fabric or rigid body like a synthetic resin.

[0052] Further, the respective putting pads 203-1, 203-2, and 203-3 are detachably attached to the mat body 205, and accordingly, they have detachable coupling members 213-1 and 213-2 to the mat body 205. Accordingly, the respective putting pads 203-1, 203-2, and 203-3 can be changed with one another, and when they are turned over and attached to the mat body 205, their underside 215 may be used as the putting surface 210. In this case, of course, the top and underside of each putting pad, that is, the putting surface 210 and the underside 215 have different surface roughness from each other, thereby allowing the green speeds thereon to be different from each other. In the same manner as the coupling members 13-1 and 13-2, the coupling members 213-1 and 213-2 may be constituted of one pair of Velcro tapes.

[0053] Now, an explanation of an operation of the golf putting mat according to the present invention will be given.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, the golf putting mat 1 according to the present invention is configured to allow the respective putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 to have different green speeds, and accordingly, a user who wants to practice putting places a golf ball on a hitting position 11 marked on one end of each putting pad and putts the golf ball toward the corresponding target portion 7. In this case, the putting pad 3-1 among the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3, which is made of a fabric that is made by blending, for example, linen, polyester, and cotton to thus have the highest friction coefficient, so that the putting pad 3-1 provides the slowest green speed. Further, the putting pad 3-2, which is made of a fabric that is made by blending, for example, cotton and polyester, that is, polycotton to thus have the intermediate friction coefficient, so that the putting pad 3-2 provides the intermediate green speed. Moreover, the putting pad 3-3, which is made of a fabric that is made by blending, for example, rayon and polyester, that is, polyrayon cotton to thus have the lowest friction coefficient, so that the putting pad 3-3 provides the fastest green speed. Accordingly, the user selects the putting pad with his desired green speed and practices putting.

[0055] If the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 are detachably attached to the mat body 5, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, they have the three-step green speeds as mentioned above, in the same manner as above, so that the user selects the putting pad with his desired green speed and practices putting.

[0056] If it is desired to vary the friction coefficients, that is, the green speeds of the respective putting surfaces of the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 to more various steps, as shown in FIG. 6, the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 are detached from the mat body 5, turned over, and attached to desired positions, so that the undersides 15 with different friction coefficients may be used as the putting surfaces. In this case, the detachable attachment among the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 and the mat body 5 is easily possible by means of the Velcro tapes 13-1 and 13-2. As the Velcro tapes 13-1 and 13-2 are attached to the concave surfaces somewhat depressed on the surfaces of the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 and the mat body 5, the thicknesses of the putting pads 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 and the mat body 5 cannot be increased at all.

[0057] In the case of the golf putting mat 51 as shown in FIG. 7, further, the green speed of the putting surface 50 varies according to the protrusions 61 and 62 of the concave and convex pad 55, and accordingly, if the concave and convex pad 55 is inserted into the accommodation space S in a state where the protrusions 61 that are relatively large in size and arranged distant from one another, that is, large concave and convex portions are located on top of the concave and convex pad 55, relatively large concave and convex portions are formed on the putting pad 53 pressurized outwardly through the protrusions 61, so that the green speed of the putting surface 50 may be relatively slow. Contrarily, if the concave and convex pad 55 is inserted into the accommodation space S in a state where the protrusions 62 that are relatively small in size and arranged close to one another are located on top of the concave and convex pad 55, relatively small concave and convex portions are formed on the putting pad 53, so that the green speed of the putting surface 50 may be relatively fast. Through the selection of the position directions of the protrusions 61 and 62 coming into contact with the putting pad 53, the green speed of the putting pad 53 can vary easily.

[0058] Further, the concave and convex pad 55 may have the protrusions 61 and 62 of different sizes and distances, and accordingly, the user selects the concave and convex pad 55 having the protrusions 61 and 62 of his or her desired sizes and distances, thereby varying the concave and convex portions of the putting pad 53. As a result, his or her desired green speed of the putting surface 50 can be set easily and rapidly.

[0059] In the case where the two or more putting pads 203-1, 203-2, and 203-3, which are made as one piece of pad, are provided, as shown in FIG. 8, the user selects the putting pad with his or her desired surface roughness among the putting pads 203-1, 203-2, and 203-3 and attaches the selected putting pad to the mat body 205, thereby changing the green speed of the putting surface easily. Further, the putting pads 203-1, 203-2, and 203-3 are turned over to allow the undersides 215 thereof to be utilized as the putting surfaces, thereby varying the green speed of the putting surface.

[0060] As described above, the golf putting mat according to the present invention can be configured to allow the two or more putting surfaces with different green speeds to be formed on the mat body, so that the user can practice putting with various green speeds on one putting mat.

[0061] In addition, the golf putting mat according to the present invention can be configured to allow the putting pads to be separated and attached again from/to the mat body, so that the desired putting pad can be moved to another position of the mat body and can be rotated by 180° on the horizontal surface and attached to the mat body, so that the user can freely form his or her desired putting surface on the mat body.

[0062] Moreover, the golf putting mat according to the present invention can be configured to allow the putting pad separated from the mat body to be turned over and attached again to the mat body, so that the setting of the green speeds according to the friction coefficients of the putting pads can be variously made.

[0063] Further, the golf putting mat according to the present invention can be configured to have the concave and convex pad inserted into the accommodation space formed between the putting pad and the bag pad to allow the concave and convex portions to be formed even on the putting surface of the putting pad by means of the concave and convex portions formed by the protrusions of the concave and convex pad, while allowing the sizes of the concave and convex portions to be changed according to the different sizes and distances of the protrusions on the outer surfaces of the concave and convex pad, so that since the sizes of the concave and convex portions of the putting surface can be changed according to the sizes of the concave and convex portions of the concave and convex pad, the green speed of the putting surface can vary easily just by changing the direction of the concave and convex pad inserted into the accommodation space.

[0064] Additionally, the golf putting mat according to the present invention can be configured to have the concave and convex pad with the protrusions of different sizes and distances, so that the user can select the concave and convex pad with the protrusions of his or her desired sizes and distances to thus form the concave and convex portions on the putting pad, thereby setting his or her desired concave and convex portions on the putting pad to allow the green speed of the putting surface to vary easily and rapidly.

[0065] Also, the golf putting mat according to the present invention can be configured to allow the plurality of putting pads with different surface roughness to be formed to the form of one piece of pad, in such a manner as to be detachably attached to the mat body, and to allow the underside of each putting pad to have different surface roughness from the putting surface thereof in such a manner as to be used as the putting surface, so that the user can vary the green speed of the putting surface easily and rapidly through the replacement or re-attachment of the putting pad.

[0066] While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.