US20120077612A1

US20120077612A1 - Sports Practice Platform

Info

Publication number: US20120077612A1
Application number: US13/190,530
Authority: US
Inventors: Scott Allen Pralle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-26
Filing date: 2011-07-26
Publication date: 2012-03-29

Abstract

This invention relates a sports practice platform that is portable and adjustable having at least two panels capable of being releasably joined to form a base and comprising flanges at the end of the panels, said base including a removable turf material, said flanges hold said turf material in place on base, and removable legs of varying lengths. The object of this invention is to provide a versatile, lightweight, portable sports practice platform.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to and claims priority from the earlier filed provisional application No. 61/400,188 filed on Jul. 26, 2010 having the title “Golf at any angle, training aid”.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LIST COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of sports practice platforms are well known in prior art as athletes have long demanded a way of practicing certain maneuvers, such as a golf, tennis, or baseball swing. When an athlete discovers a certain game weakness, he desires to make a correction to his game. The best way to do this is to simulate the conditions and practice over and over again. Practice platforms are useful for this because they allow an athlete to re-create the conditions, such as a desired slope, and allow the athlete the needed practice time.
One such practice platform is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,420. This is a golf practice platform having a deck covered with a turf material. Further, it comprises telescopic legs to adjust the slope of the platform when needed. The problem with this invention is that it is not anticipated to be portable and is unable to hold a ball on the turf or a tee in a desired location. A user must use a tee that is located in a pre-set location. Further, this mat is not suitable for other sports.
Another example of a prior art practice platform is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,345. This '345 invention relates to a golf ball hitting platform in which the golfer stands on a platform and uses interchangeable teeing panels to simulate conditions. Further, blocks are included to simulate desired sloping conditions as well as a knee attachment to prevent lateral movement. The problem with this invention is that it is not easily portable or useable in a variety of conditions.
As such, this invention solves the aforementioned problems by providing for a lightweight, portable, versatile, and easy to assemble practice platform that can be used in any number of conditions.
The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a sports practice platform. More specifically it relates to a sports practice platform that is portable and adjustable comprising:
at least two panels capable of being releasably joined to form a base and comprising flanges at the end of the panels;
said base including a removable turf material, said flanges holding said turf material in place on base; and
removable legs of varying lengths,
It is anticipated that this practice platform can be used in conjunction with a variety of sports, such as tennis, baseball, golf, or any other sport that requires weight transfer, such as what is seen during swing practice. However, for purposes of describing this invention, it will be described in terms of a golf practice platform. It is also an object of this invention that platform be easily portable and stowable so that a user can carry and setup the platform at any number of practice areas or conditions.
When a user desires to operate the sports practice platform, the panels are joined together by a joining element, This joining element securely holds the panels together to form a base large enough for an athlete to stand on. The joining element is preferably a bolt and wing nut as it can be joined without the use of additional tools but one skilled in the art will recognize that any number of similar joining elements can be used.
The panels comprise a lightweight material and may be aluminum, plywood, fiberglass, or any other lightweight material suitable to withstand the weight of a user. Further the panels comprise flanges on the edges of the panels. The flanges are only on the outside edges of the panels. It is anticipated that there are no flanges on the inside edges of the panels that meet and are joined by the joining element.
Once the base is formed, a removable turf is placed on top of the base. This turf simulates grass and has the ability to maintain a golf tee and also retain a golf ball without the tee. The ability to retain a tee or ball in any position is especially important in simulating real golf course conditions. The flanges ensure that the turf does not slide off the base while in use. Further, the turf may comprise a non-stick backing or a similar securing material so that it is securely held in place on the base.
This practice platform utilizes removable legs to vary the height of the platform. The removable legs may comprise any material suitable to support the platform and the weight of a user. Such material may include aluminum, pvc pipe, etc. It is anticipated that this sports training platform will be sold as a kit with a variety of pre-determined leg lengths provided. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the legs may be customizable to an individual athlete. If the athlete desires to add slope to the platform, he simply screws the legs into the pre-set openings. It is anticipated that the legs and the openings will have complementary threads to one another so that assembly is easy. While threading the legs into an opening is preferable, other suitable methods of attaching the legs are possible. It is also anticipated that the legs and openings will all be standard so that any leg can fit into any opening. One skilled in the art will also recognize that the platform can be used without any legs.
When a user desires to transport this practice platform, the platform breaks down easily into a stowable and portable arrangement. The legs, if used, are simply unscrewed and stowed into place under the panels. The turf is removed and the panels are released from each other. The turf can then be folded and placed between the two panels. The panels are then joined together in a folded, locked position so that that all parts are held between the panels. A handle can be added for ease of carrying.
This and other embodiments will be more thoroughly realized in the drawings and detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Possible and preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the broad scope of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a plan view of the sports practice platform in use as an athlete swings a golf club to hit a ball off an incline.

FIG. 1B is an elevational view of the sports practice platform as an athlete swings a golf club to hit a ball off a decline.

FIG. 1C is a view of the sports practice platform as an athlete swings a golf club oft the side of the platform on an incline.

FIG. 1D is a view of the sports practice platform as an athlete swings a golf club off the side of the platform on a decline.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the sports practice platform.

FIG. 3 is a view of the sports practice platform fully assembled.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the base.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the sports practice platform.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the sports practice platform.

FIG. 7 is rear view of the sports practice platform.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bottom of the sports practice platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a portable sports practice platform. While it is understood that the platform can be used for a variety of sports, the preferred embodiment will be discussed in terms of a golf practice platform. This platform 2 comprises two panels 16 that are capable of being releasable joined by a bolt 12 and wingnut 13 to comprise the base 3. When the panels 16 are desired to be separated the bolt 12 and wingnut 13 are separated and the base 3 is broken down into the two panels 16. The base 3 further comprises flanges 8 to hold the turf material 6 in place.
Removable legs 4 of a variety of lengths are shown as both stowed in one length and deployed in another length. A handle 10 is included fur ease of transport when the platform 2 is broken down into its stowed position.
Turning to FIGS. 1A-1D, the sports practice platform 2 is depicted fully assembled and in use by an athlete 20. As seen in the FIGS. 1A-1D, the athlete 20 is able to utilize the platform in a variety of simulated incline (FIGS. 1A and 1C) or decline positions (FIGS. 1B and 1D) to swing a golf club 22 to hit a golf ball 24.
When an incline or decline is desired, the removable legs 4 are easily joined to predetermined deployed openings 14 under the base 3 on the panels 16. Further, when the legs 4 are not desired, they can be removed and stowed into a position 21 under the base 3 on the panels 16. Further, the legs 4 may comprise non-stick pads 26 to reduce the possibility of the platform 2 of moving during practice. Since the legs 4 all comprise the same diameter, any length leg 4 can fit into any deployed opening 14 or stowed position 21. It is anticipated that there are enough stowed positions 21 to store all legs 4, when the athlete 20 does not need to adjust the platform 2 slope.
As seen in the FIGS. 1A-1D, 3, 5 and 8, at least three legs 4 are joined into the deployed openings 14. Having at least three legs increases the platform 2 stability. At times, depending on how high the slope of the platform 2 is, additional leg 4 support may be needed at the center of the base 3, as seen in FIG. 6.
Throughout the specification and claims the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word “comprise” and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable and portable sports practice platform comprising:

at least two panels capable of being releasably joined to form a base;

said base including a removable turf material, said base further comprising flanges holding said turf material in place on base; and

removable legs of varying lengths.

2. The sports practice platform as in claim 1 wherein the panels are releasably joined together by a joining element in the open position.

3. The sports practice platform as in claim 2 wherein the turf material covers the base in the open position,

4. The sport practice platform of claim 3 wherein the legs are received into openings under the base; said platform height is achieved by using desired leg lengths,

5. The sports practice platform of claim 4, wherein platform is operable with or without legs and when not in use, the legs are stowed underneath the base.

6. The sports practice platform as in claim 1 further comprising a handle.

7. The sports practice platform as in claim 1 wherein said turf material simulates grass and can hold a tee or a ball in place.

8. The sports practice platform that is stowable in a compact and easily transported manner.