GB2447262A

GB2447262A - Adjustable angle hydraulic golf practice platform

Info

Publication number: GB2447262A
Application number: GB0704194A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Neal Allen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-03
Filing date: 2007-03-03
Publication date: 2008-09-10
Also published as: GB0704194D0

Abstract

A swing, tee, or drive practice platform has a base unit upon which is movably located a platform or mat a. Hydraulic rams, cylinders, actuators (item m fig 6) are located one at each corner of said platform. Extending or retracting each cylinder causes the platform to move accordingly through a range of angular movement. A control or switch device similar to a joystick type of controller d is placed at the top of a column c and is used to activate angular movement of the platform, see also figures 4 and 5. A reset button e causes the platform to revert to a horizontal, flat plane. A skirt or curtain k is provided to surround the lower part of the platform thus preventing unintended access. The platform may be fitted with a simulated grass or turf mat and may have slits therein for accepting a tee. The mat may be rotated to a plurality of positions and the device is suitable for use by left or right handed persons.

Description

1 2447262 Title Adjustable Practice Platform

Background

This invention relates to a platform, with a central matted area, on which a golfer may stand to play a shot and which can be adjusted to form different lies or slopes.

Currently, practicing golf shots away from an actual course can only be done on a flat and level surface, usually in a Driving Range. The shot from a sloping lie is the only type of golf shot which cannot easily be practiced AWAY from the course.

Statement of InventIon

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a platform on which the user can adjust the slope of the surface standing area to an almost infinite number of angles, by means of four electronically operated hydraulic lifts connected to a control device. Furthermore, the infinitely variable support mechanisms, cables, actuators and electronic controllers are safely enclosed within the base of the unit. The invention is, therefore, a self-contained, all-in-one unit which could be sited anywhere that there is an electricity supply.

Advantages Most golfers find that playing a ball from a sloping lie is the most difficult shot they are likely to encounter during a round of golf. They are attempting to strike a ball which is either below or above their feet and where their feet may also be above or below each other. It usually results in a poor shot and an unwelcome score for that particular hole.

Very few golf courses are flat and on level ground, most being designed and constructed to simulate undulating land or built on naturally hilly terrain.

This invention addresses and solves these problems by: * providing a platform which can be easily adjusted to help a golfer play a shot from any awkward stance.

* providing a platform as a complete, single unit with all moving parts, mechanics and cables contained safely within it. This means that it could be easily moved and re-sited in any suitable location.

Introduction to drawings

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: * Figure 1 shows a golfer standing on a normal, flat and level practice mat which is on the same plane as the ground.

* Figure 2 shows a golfer standing on a platform according to the invention.

* Figure 3 shows an enlargement of figure 2 with all parts labelled and an enlarged detail of the controller device.

* Figures 4 to 12 show the controller device, details of the invention, it's mechanisms and ways that it can be used.

Detailed description

A base unit (b) of approximately 2.4 metres square contains, within it, a platform (x) with a surface mat (a) approximately 1.4 metres square, on which the golfer stands and which is capable of being adjusted, to almost any desired angle, through a control device (d) mounted on a post (C).

Figure 41$ a plan view of the controller and Figure 5 a profile view. The arrows on the surface of the controller show the user that it can be tilted in any direction, around 360 degrees, up to a tilt angle, from the vertical, of approximately 30 degrees. As the controller is moved by hand, the positional information is transferred electronically through wires (g) which run down the post (C) to each of the 4 hydraulic lifts ((m) in Figure 6) which then actuate the platform (x) to the required slope. An important feature (e) is a button which will reset the platform to it's level position.

Figure 6 shows the platform and mat in it's flat position, and level with the surface of the base supporting box (b). Figure 6A shows the raising of one side and Figure 6B the raising of the opposite side. However, as mentioned earlier, the platform can be operated to any direction of slope and to a multitude of different angles -some of these are shown in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C where (p) indicates the varying height of each corner.

Figure 6C shows a detail of the moving platform (x) which will be a rigid braced (r) structure made, as a box section, from material strong enough to support a heavy person without breaking or warping. The depth of this platform (x) will be approximately 65mm.

The surface will be an imitation grass mat (h) of a suitable length and density to simulate a golf fairway or light rough. An important and integral feature (k) can be seen in all of Figures 6 and 7. This is a flexible skirt or curtain which is attached all around the platform and which remains vertical no matter what height each of the four corners is raised to. It serves an important Health and Safety function -it keeps all the working parts, in the base, safe and unseen and also prevents anything falling into the space so causing possible injury or preventing the free movement of the platform.

Figure 8A shows a plan view of the invention. The positioning of the 4 hydraulic lifts (m) is shown. Each of the hydraulic lifts has a ball joint at the head which pushes vertically against a concave plate, similar to the hip joint of a human skeleton. A further feature in the grass' mat (h) is a series of slits (n) into which golf tee-pegs can be placed if the user wishes to have the golf ball raised above the grass. The configuration of these slits and the positioning of the controller post (C) means that the invention can be used by a right handed or a left handed golfer and also that the mat, as it is square, can be turned and used in each of 4 positions, so alleviating wear and tear.

Figure 8B shows a plan of the rigid platform (x) with the bracing (r) of box-section design.

Figures 9 to 12 show 4 basic positions where Figure 9 is playing a shot with the ball above the feet, Figure 10 is the ball below the feet, Figure 11 shows an uneven stance with the right foot below the left and Figure 12 shows the right foot above the left. There are, of course, many more uneven stances which the invention can easily be set up to simulate.

Claims

Claims 1 A platform within which is mounted a matted standing area,

this standing area being adjustable to an almost infinite number of angles and slopes by the vertical movement of four support mechanisms, each positioned in one corner of the standing area and which are operated by an electronic controller, mounted on a post attached to the platform.
2 A platform according to claim 1 which is made in the form of a box and which safely and fully encases the moveable standing area and all working mechanisms and is therefore capable of being moved to another location.
3 A platform according to claim 1 where each corner of the standing area can be raised independently in a vertical direction by any distance from 0cm to approximately 30cm.
4 A platform according to claim 3 where the mechanisms for adjusting the height of the standing area are 4 identical hydraulic lifts operated by a controller which passes electronic information through linear actuators to operate each lift independently in a vertical direction.
A platform according to claim 1 where the controller is mounted at a convenient height and can be moved by hand in any direction around 360 degrees and to an angle from the vertical of approximately 30 degrees, so creating the desired angle and slope for the standing area.
6 A platform according to claim 5 where the controller has an additional facility, in the form of a button, to directly return the standing area to it's level starting position.
7 A platform according to claims 2 and 3 where there is a skirt or curtain of appropriate material attached vertically to each edge of the standing area so that, whatever height or angle the standing platform is raised to, there is no mechanism or part of the platform exposed to view, so insuring safety and protection to the user.
8 A platform according to claim 1 where the mat is of proprietary simulated grass having slits to accommodate the insertion of a tee.
9 A platform according to claim 8 where the mat can be rotated to any one of 4 positions, so alleviating wear and tear.

A platform according to claim 1 where the invention could be used equally well by right-handed and left-handed golfers.