IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,737,166
Granted Patent B1
US 10,737,166 · App. 16/518,722 · Granted Aug 11, 2020

Golf putting vent with adjustable ramp

Inventor: Jon K. Alexandres (Urbandale, IA)
A63B69/3676A63B57/40
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,737,166
App. No.
16/518,722
Granted
Aug 11, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

Golf putting practice devices and methods are described that can be used to practice putting indoors on a flat surface or in an opening in the floor. For example, some example golf putting practice devices described herein may include a ball receptacle, a frame, and a ramp. The ball receptacle has one or more walls defining a cavity sized to receive a golf ball. The frame has multiple openings to allow a flow of air when the device is placed over an opening in the floor, such as a duct outlet of a forced air circulation system. The ramp of the device may be adjustable between different lengths.

Claims (36)

1. A device for golf putting, comprising:

a ball receptacle having one or more walls that define a cavity sized to receive a golf ball and a substantially open top;

a frame at least partially surrounding the ball receptacle, wherein the frame includes a plate member that extends outward from an upper portion of the one or more walls of the ball receptacle, wherein the plate member comprises a plurality of openings configured to allow a flow of air through the plate member when the device is placed over a duct outlet of a forced air circulation system; and

a ramp attached to the one or more walls of the ball receptacle and adjustable between a first length and a second length; the ramp positionable within the duct outlet to extend at least partially between the ball receptacle and a perimeter of the duct outlet; and

wherein no portion of the frame extends in front of the ramp when the ramp is positioned within the duct outlet.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the ramp is adjustable in length such that the device is positionable for use within a floor duct having a first width when the ramp is adjusted to the first length and positionable for use within a floor duct having a second width when the ramp is adjusted to the second length.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the ramp comprises a first ramp portion and a second ramp portion.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the second ramp portion is made from a paper.

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the second ramp portion has a width equal to a width of the first ramp portion.

6. The device of claim 3 , wherein the first ramp portion is made from a plastic.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the ramp is slidable relative to a portion of the ball receptacle to adjust between the first length and the second length.

8. The device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more protrusions on at least one of a back side of the frame and a back side of the ball receptacle.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the protrusions are configured to prop up the device on a flat surface such that the plate member is angled relative to the flat surface, and wherein the ramp defines a path for a ball to roll from the flat surface, upwardly along the ramp, and into the ball receptacle without traversing a portion of the frame.

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein when the device is positioned in the floor duct, the ramp defines a path for a ball to roll from the flat surface, downwardly along the ramp, and into the ball receptacle without traversing a portion of the frame.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein a bottom of the ball receptacle has an opening configured to allow for a flow of air.

12. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of plate members that extend perpendicularly outward from an upper portion of the one or more walls of the ball receptacle.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the pair of plate members are equally sized.

14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second ramp portion is slidably engaged with the first ramp portion.

15. A device for golf putting, comprising:

a ball receptacle having one or more walls that define a cavity sized to receive a golf ball and a substantially open top;

a frame at least partially surrounding the ball receptacle, wherein the frame includes a plate member that extends outward from an upper portion of the one or more walls of the ball receptacle, wherein the plate member comprises a plurality of openings configured to allow a flow of air through the plate member when the device is placed over a duct outlet of a forced air circulation system; and

a ramp attached to the one or more walls of the ball receptacle and adjustable between a first length and a second length;

wherein the ramp comprises a first ramp portion and a second ramp portion; and

wherein the second ramp portion is slidably engaged with the first ramp portion.

16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the ramp is adjustable in length such that the device is positionable for use within a floor duct having a first width when the ramp is adjusted to the first length and positionable for use within a floor duct having a second width when the ramp is adjusted to the second length.

17. A method for using a device for golf putting, the method comprising:

placing the device on a flat surface, the device having:

a ball receptacle having one or more walls that define a cavity sized to receive a golf ball and a substantially open top;

a frame at least partially surrounding the ball receptacle, wherein the frame includes a plate member that extends outward from an upper portion of the one or more walls of the ball receptacle, wherein the plate member comprises a plurality of openings configured to allow a flow of air through the plate member when the device is placed over a duct outlet of a forced air circulation system;

a ramp attached to the one or more walls of the ball receptacle and adjustable between a first length and a second length; and

adjusting the ramp in length such that the device is positionable for use on the flat surface to provide a path for a ball to roll from the flat surface, upwardly along the ramp, and into the ball receptacle;

placing the device into a floor duct; and

adjusting the ramp in length such that the ramp extends within the floor duct at least partially between the ball receptacle and the floor duct to provide a path for a ball to roll from the flat surface, downwardly along the ramp, and into the ball receptacle.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the ramp of the device comprises a first ramp portion and a second ramp portion.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the ramp is slidable relative to a portion of the ball receptacle to adjust between the first length and the second length.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the device further comprises one or more protrusions on at least one of a back side of the frame and a back side of the ball receptacle that are configured to prop up the device on the flat surface.