Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Target or obstacle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-28
2001-11-13
Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Target or obstacle
C473S194000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315677
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to devices for catching golf balls.
2. Prior Art
Practicing driving or hitting a golf ball hard with a club is a popular activity. Players get a bucket of golf balls, and repeatedly drive them one after another onto a driving range from the same standing position. There are large outdoor driving ranges where the balls are driven a great distance across a green or lawn. There are also small driving ranges or even indoor facilities where there is insufficient room to let the balls travel their full trajectories. Therefore, driving screens or nets are typically used for stopping the ball in mid flight. The balls fall onto the ground in front of the screen or net and scatter all about. The player must bend over to pick up all the balls over a wide area. The tedious collection process must be repeated each time the supply of balls is used up.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the objectives of the present golf ball catching funnel are:
to catch golf balls as they drop from a driving screen or net;
to reliably direct the balls conveniently into a bucket to eliminate the need to pick up the balls individually;
to prevent the balls from rolling off as they bounce back from the net; and
to prevent the balls from falling between itself and the net.
Further objectives of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present golf ball catching funnel is comprised of a horizontal frame, a funnel-shaped sheet suspended within the frame, and legs elevating the frame and sheet off the ground. The frame is adapted to be positioned against the front of a golf ball driving net for catching golf balls as they drop from the net. Detachable fasteners along a rear edge of the sheet secure the golf ball catching funnel against the driving net, and thus prevent the golf balls from falling between the catching funnel and the driving net. A resilient tube with a longitudinal split is clipped around a front edge of the frame for preventing the golf balls from rolling off as they bounce back from the driving net. A hole is provided in the sheet for directing the golf balls into a bucket below. A weight is attached to the sheet adjacent the hole to stretch taut the sheet and generally smooth out any wrinkles and ripples which might prevent the golf balls from rolling toward said hole.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2195634 (1940-04-01), Shelley, Jr.
patent: 3918711 (1975-11-01), Zak
patent: 4141557 (1979-02-01), Ingwersen
patent: 4643423 (1987-02-01), Wright
patent: 4750744 (1988-06-01), Michalec
patent: 5286029 (1994-02-01), Smit
Graham Mark S.
Lo Jack
LandOfFree
Golf ball catching funnel does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Golf ball catching funnel, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Golf ball catching funnel will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2604510