Patent US3796434A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3796434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Golf putting practice device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-30
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Granted: 1974-03-12
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Expires: 1993-04-30
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a unique game device whereby a golfer may improve his putting skill. Fundamentally, the device comprises an arcuate shaped surface partially enclosed by a vertical wall, the wall having therein a ball receptacle. The arcuate surface has thereon a tongue which, when a ball passes thereover, energizes a solenoid actuated ratchet counter indicating that a hole has been made. The ball receptacle has contained therein a second switch which, when actuated by the balls passing across the arcuate surface, energizes a second solenoid actuated ratchet counter indicating that a stroke has been taken. The switch within the ball receptacle further actuates a plunger which kicks the ball out of the receptacle and back to the golfer. The two ratchet counters provide a means whereby a golfer may readily determine his putting accuracy on the basis of the ratio of holes made to strokes taken.
Inventors
- 👤 A Hunt
- 👤 J Moss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:11
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B57/00; A63B57/40; A63B57/405; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
In a putting practice device including means for returning golf balls putted thereinto: a wall partially encompassing a bottom surface and defining a pocket thereby, the wall being discontinuous at a portion thereof to define a receptacle therein; a tongue pivotally mounted adjacent a front portion of the bottom surface to be depressed by a ball rolling thereover; and a first counter in operative engagement with the tongue and actuated by downward pivotal movement thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a putting practice device including means for returning golf balls putted thereinto: a wall partially encompassing a bottom surface and defining a pocket thereby, the wall being discontinuous at a portion thereof to define a receptacle therein; a tongue pivotally mounted adjacent a front portion of the bottom surface to be depressed by a ball rolling thereover; and a first counter in operative engagement with the tongue and actuated by downward pivotal movement thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The putter practice and return device as recited in claim 1 wherein a second counter is operatively positioned within the receptacle, the counter being actuated by entry into the receptacle of a ball-type object, and said tongue being centrally located at the front edge of the bottom surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The putter practice and return device as recited in claim 2 wherein the counters are of the solenoid actuated pawl and ratchet type, the first counter having a switch positioned beneath the tongue and the second counter having a switch positioned within the receptacle, the switches respectively actuating the associated solenoids of the counters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The putter practice and return device as recited in claim 1 wherein the bottom surface is a semicircular arcuate shaped surface, the wall and receptacle being located about the curved periphery thereof and the tongue being positioned along the linear periphery thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The putter and return device as recited in claim 2 wherein a solenoid actuated plunger and a single switch are positioned within the receptacle, the switch being actuated by entry into the receptacle of a ball-type object and, upon such actuation, simultaneously advancing the second counter and engaging the plunger to eject the object.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
64 words
A device for exercising one''s skill in putting, comprising: a wall and a base surface intersecting the wall and defining a ball receiving pocket thereby; a flap hingedly connected to the surface; a first counter operatively connected to and actuated by the hinged movement of the flap; and a second counter operatively positioned along the wall and actuated by balls received within the pocket.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
64 words
A device for exercising one''s skill in putting, comprising: a wall and a base surface intersecting the wall and defining a ball receiving pocket thereby; a flap hingedly connected to the surface; a first counter operatively connected to and actuated by the hinged movement of the flap; and a second counter operatively positioned along the wall and actuated by balls received within the pocket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device as recited in claim 6 wherein the surface is arcuate in shape, the flap being positioned along a front inclined portion of the surface and remote from the wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device as recited in claim 7 wherein the wall has a ball receiving receptacle therein, the receptacle having a ball ejecting plunger and a switch positioned therein, the switch being actuated by the presence of a ball within the receptacle to simultaneously actuate both the second counter and the plunger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device as recited in claim 6 wherein the counters are solenoid actuated pawl and ratchet type counters having associated therewith knobs for the resetting thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device as recited in claim 6 wherein the counters have associated therewith dial indicators on elevated portions of the device such that the count of each counter may be readily viewed by one using the device and standing a distance therefrom.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |