Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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GOLF DRIVING MAT
The present invention relates to a golf driving mat and a golf driving mat
system
incorporating the same. The golf driving mat and golf driving mat system of
the present
invention are to be known as the TrueStrikeTM golf driving mat and golf
driving mat
system.
Golf driving mats and golf driving mat systems are used at golf ranges and
golf tees, in
particular during the Winter. The construction of existing golf driving mats
is, however,
such that golfers can be given an unrealistic impression of shots struck
therefrom. With
existing golf driving mats, where a golfer hits a "clean" shot, that is, a
correct shot, the
resulting shot is the same as would be achieved on a natural ground surface,
but where a
golfer hits a "fat" shot, that is, where the club head hits the ground behind
the golf ball,
typically about 20 mm behind the golf ball, the resulting shot is often an
apparently good
shot, instead of what should be a poor shot, as the club head re-bounds from
the surface
of the mat and meets the golf ball at a reasonable angle and at only a
slightly reduced
speed. On the natural surface of a golf course, where a golfer hits a "fat"
shot, the club
head digs into the ground, to a lesser or greater extent depending upon the
condition of
the ground surface, causing the club head to be slowed considerably and
thereby produce
a poor shot. Thus, when a golfer hits a "fat" shot from existing golf driving
mats, the
resulting shot would often appear to be a good shot, leading the golfer to
believe that the
swing is good, when, in fact, the swing is poor, as the same "fat" shot on a
natural
ground surface would produce a poor shot, with the consequence that poor swing
technique is developed.
Golf driving mats have been developed which provide a cushioning effect, for
example,
as disclosed in GB-A-2315024, US-A-4955611 and US-A-5273285, but these golf
driving mats are still not considered adequately to provide a true impression
of the strike
of a golf ball from any given swing. It will also be noted that golf putting
mats are
known, one such mat being disclosed in DE-A-3926052.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved golf driving mat
and golf
driving mat system incorporating the same, in particular utilizing a viscous
material as
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an energy-absorbing medium, whereby a golfer is given a true impression of the
strike of
a golf ball from any given swing.
In one aspect the present invention provides a golf driving mat, including: a
flexible
member over which a golf ball is in use located to be hit by a head of a golf
club; and a
cavity containing a viscous material disposed beneath the flexible member,
wherein the
viscous material is such as to slow the head of the golf club when the head of
the golf
club is hit into the flexible member.
Preferably, the flexible member is formed of a ruckable material such that,
when the
head of the golf club is hit into the flexible member, the flexible member
rucks up.
Preferably, the flexible member is formed of a resilient material.
In one embodiment the flexible member is formed of a rubberised material.
In one embodiment the viscous material is a gel-like material.
Preferably, the gel-like material is a gel.
In another embodiment the viscous material is a syrup.
In a further embodiment the viscous material is a paste.
In yet another embodiment the viscous material is a particulate material.
In a yet further embodiment the viscous material comprises a particulate
material
dispersed in a carrier medium.
In one embodiment the carrier medium is a viscous liquid.
Preferably, the viscous liquid is an oil.
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In another embodiment the carrier medium is a gel.
Preferably, the particulate material comprises particles selected from at
least one of the
group consisting of plastic particles, metal particles and plastic-coated
metal particles.
Preferably, the cavity has a depth of up to about 20 mm.
More preferably, the cavity has a depth of about 20 mm.
Preferably, the mat includes: a ball-receiving member located over the
flexible member on
which the golf ball is located.
More preferably, the ball-receiving member is removable.
In one embodiment the ball-receiving member is formed of a resilient material.
In another embodiment the ball-receiving member is formed of a fabric
material.
In one embodiment the ball-receiving member has a smooth surface.
In another embodiment the ball-receiving member has a non-smooth surface.
Preferably, the ball-receiving member has a ribbed surface.
Preferably, the mat comprises: a receptacle including the flexible member at
an upper
surface thereof and defining the cavity.
Preferably, the mat further comprises: a body unit comprising a main body in
which the
receptacle is disposed.
In one embodiment the body unit further comprises a loading mechanism for
laterally
inwardly loading the receptacle.
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Preferably, the loading mechanism is adjustable such as to enable adjustment
of the
loading of the receptacle.
Preferably, the loading mechanism is configured to load a forward region of
the
receptacle in a direction of hitting.
Preferably, the mat further comprises: a ball-receiving unit comprising the
ball-receiving
member, the ball-receiving unit being attached to the main body of the body
unit.
Preferably, the mat further comprises: a flattening mechanism for flattening
the flexible
member of the receptacle.
In one embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises a smoothing unit
comprising a
smoothing element drivable over the flexible member to flatten the same, and a
drive
member for driving the smoothing element.
In one embodiment the smoothing element comprises a roller.
In another embodiment the smoothing element comprises a blade.
In another embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises a vibration unit for
vibrating
the receptacle such as to cause the viscous material to settle and thereby
flatten the
flexible member.
In a further embodiment the viscous material includes magnetic particles, and
the
flattening mechanism comprises a magnetic field generating unit which is
operable to
cause the viscous material to settle and thereby flatten the flexible member.
In one embodiment the magnetic field generating unit is operative during
hitting of the
golf ball such as to magnetize the magnetic particles and aggregate the same
to confer a
required viscosity to the viscous material, with the viscous material having a
composition which is such that, in the absence of a magnetic field, the
viscous material
settles and thereby flattens the flexible member.
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In another embodiment the magnetic field generating unit is operable
subsequent to
hitting of the golf ball such as to magnetize the magnetic particles and cause
the viscous
material to settle and thereby flatten the flexible member.
5
In yet another embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises a tensioning unit
for
laterally tensioning the receptacle and thereby flattening the flexible
member.
In one embodiment the tensioning unit comprises first and second spreader bars
attached
to respective sides of the receptacle, and a plurality of resilient elements
for biasing the
spreader bars outwardly such as to tension the receptacle.
In one embodiment the spreader bars extend over substantially a full height of
the
respective sides of the receptacle.
In another embodiment the spreader bars are attached to upper ends of the
respective
sides of the receptacle.
In another embodiment the tensioning unit is operable by a golfer to apply an
increased
tensioning force to the receptacle.
Preferably, the tensioning unit comprises first and second spreader bars
attached to
respective sides of the receptacle, and a biasing element operable by the
golfer to bias
the spreader bars outwardly such as to tension the receptacle.
In one embodiment the biasing element comprises a leaf spring coupled between
the
spreader bars.
In another aspect the present invention provides a golf driving mat system,
comprising: a
base unit on which a golfer stands to hit a golf shot; and the above-described
mat
provided to the base unit.
In one embodiment the mat is removable.
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In one embodiment the base unit includes a recess in which the mat is in use
located.
In another embodiment the base unit comprises a base including first and
second
recesses in one of which the mat is in use located according to whether the
golfer is a
left-handed or right-handed golfer, and a sheet located on the base including
an aperture
through which the mat is presented.
In another embodiment the mat is integrally formed with the base unit.
The golf driving mat of the present invention provides a true impression of
the strike of a
golf ball by utilizing a viscous material to effect the speed and position of
the club head
in the manner as would occur if the shot were made on the natural surface of a
golf
course. The golf driving mat is configured such as to slow the club head
through the
golf ball where the swing path of the club head is one which would produce a
"fat" shot.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described
hereinbelow by
way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a golf driving mat system including
a golf
driving mat in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates the base of the base unit of the golf driving mat of
Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates the sheet of the base unit of the golf driving mat of
Figure 1;
Figure 4 illustrates a first exploded perspective view of the golf driving mat
of Figure 1;
Figure 5 illustrates a second exploded perspective view of the golf driving
mat of Figure
1;
Figure 6 illustrates a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the golf
driving mat of
Figure 1 where a golfer makes a "clean" strike of a golf ball resting thereon;
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Figure 7 illustrates a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the golf
driving mat of
Figure 1 where a golfer makes a "fat" strike of a golf ball resting thereon;
Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a golf driving mat in accordance
with a second
embodiment of the present invention, illustrated with the smoothing unit in
the
inoperative configuration;
Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of the golf driving mat of Figure 8,
with the
smoothing unit in operation;
Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of a golf driving mat in accordance
with a third
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of a golf driving mat in accordance
with a fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 12 illustrates a first exploded perspective view of a golf driving mat
in
accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 13 illustrates a second exploded perspective view of the golf driving
mat of
Figure 12;
Figure 14 illustrates a first exploded perspective view of a golf driving mat
in
accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 15 illustrates a second exploded perspective view of the golf driving
mat of
Figure 14.
Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a golf driving mat system including a golf driving
mat in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
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The golf driving mat system comprises a base unit 1 on which a golfer stands
to hit a
golf shot, and a golf driving mat 3 which is mounted in the base unit 1 and
from which
golf balls are struck by a golfer.
The base unit 1 comprises a base 5 which is located on a ground surface, and a
sheet 7
which is located on the base 5 and on which a golfer stands to hit golf shots.
In this
embodiment the base 5 includes first and second mat recesses 9a, 9b located at
respective sides thereof in which the golf driving mat 3 is selectively
disposed, and a
sheet recess 11 in which the sheet 7 is located, and the sheet 7 includes a
clearance
aperture 15 through which the golf driving mat 3 is presented, with the sheet
7 being
locatable in the sheet recess 11 in one of two positions such that the
clearance aperture
therein overlies one of the first and second mat recesses 9a, 9b. With this
configuration, the golf driving mat system can be easily configured for both
left-handed
and right-handed golfers, with the golf driving mat 3 being located in the
first mat recess
15 9a for use by a left-handed golfer and the second mat recess 9b for use by
a right-handed
golfer, and the sheet 7 being disposed such that the clearance aperture 15
therein overlies
the respective one of the first and second mat recesses 9a, 9b.
The golf driving mat 3 comprises a body unit 17, a receptacle 19 which is
disposed
within the body unit 17 and includes an upper, flexible member 21, a lower
member 22
and a cavity 23, filled with a viscous material 25, therebetween, and an
upper, ball-
receiving unit 27 disposed over the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19.
The body unit 17 comprises a main body 29 within which the receptacle 19 is
disposed,
and a loading mechanism 31 for laterally loading the receptacle 19, in this
embodiment
at the forward end in the direction of hitting, such as to configure the
receptacle 19 to
simulate different ground conditions, for example, from firm to heavy turfed
ground, and
even sand bunkers.
The main body 29 includes first and second anchor pins 33a, 33b at one, the
rear, end
thereof in the direction of hitting to which the receptacle 19 is fixed such
as to prevent
movement of the receptacle 19 forwardly on hitting golf balls from the golf
driving mat
3.
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The main body 29 further includes an impact element 35 which extends along the
lower
surface thereof in the direction of hitting, which impact element 35 acts to
provide an
impact surface such that, should a golfer hit down through the receptacle 19,
the golf
club re-bounds from the impact element 35 without any significant jarring. In
this
embodiment the impact element 35 is formed of a rubberised material,
preferably a
rubber.
The loading mechanism 31 comprises first and second loading units 37a, 37b, in
this
embodiment adjustable units for providing for adjustment of the loading, which
are
disposed to respective sides of the main body 29.
Each of the loading units 37a, 37b comprises a resilient element 39a, 39b, in
this
embodiment a resilient strip, preferably of spring steel, which is attached at
the rearward
end in the direction of hitting to the main body 29 and includes a pin holder
41a, 41b at
the forward 'end, an adjuster 43a, 43b which is slideable along the respective
resilient
element 39a, 39b such as to provide for adjustment of the inward deflection of
the
respective resilient element 39a, 39b and hence the loading provided by the
respective
resilient element 39a, 39b, and an anchor pin 45a, 45b which is located in the
pin holder
41a, 41b of the respective resilient element 39a, 39b and attached to a
respective one of
the sides of the receptacle 19, in this embodiment at a forward end of the
receptacle 19.
The receptacle 19, in this embodiment an enclosed, flexible bag, is a planar
rectangular
member having a predetermined depth, in this embodiment of about 20 mm, such
that,
where filled with viscous material 25, the upper, flexible member 21 of the
receptacle 19
simulates a ground surface, typically a turfed ground surface. In this
embodiment the
receptacle 19 is fabricated from a ruckable material, such that, when a golfer
hits a "fat"
shot, the flexible member 21 is rucked up, which rucking up, together with the
action of
the underlying viscous material 25, causes the speed of the club head to be
slowed in the
same manner as when hitting a "fat" shot on a turfed ground surface.
In one embodiment the receptacle 19 is formed of a synthetic material,
preferably
polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In another embodiment the receptacle 19 can be
formed of a
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rubberised material, preferably a rubber, and more preferably a synthetic
rubber. In a
preferred embodiment the receptacle 19 is formed of a resilient material.
The receptacle 19 includes first and second rear apertures 47a, 47b at the
rear end
5 thereof in which the anchor pins 33a, 33b on the main body 29 are located to
fix the
position of the receptacle 19 in the main body 29, and first and second
forward apertures
49a, 49b at the forward end thereof in which the anchor pins 45a, 45b of the
loading
units 37a, 37b are located such as to fix the lateral and forward positions of
the
respective sides of the receptacle 19.
In this embodiment the viscous material 25 is a gel, for example, an aqueous
gel. In one
preferred embodiment the gel comprises a petroleum jelly. In an alternative
embodiment the viscous material 25 could be a syrup, such as a corn syrup. In
another
alternative embodiment the viscous material 25 could be a paste. In a further
alternative
embodiment the viscous material 25 could comprise a particulate material in a
carrier
medium, for example, a gel or an oil, such as a silicone oil. In yet another
alternative
embodiment the viscous material 25 could be a particulate material. Examples
of
particulate materials include plastic particles, metal particles and plastic-
coated metal
particles.
The ball-receiving unit 27 comprises a frame 51 which is removably attached,
in this
embodiment by screws 54, to the main body 29 of the body unit 17, and a ball-
receiving
member 53 which is attached to the frame 51 and on which golf balls to be hit
are
located. In being removable, the ball-receiving unit 27 allows for replacement
when
damaged, typically through wear.
In this embodiment the upper surface of the ball-receiving member 53 is a
smooth
surface. In an alternative embodiment the upper surface of the ball-receiving
member 53
can be a non-smooth surface, for example, a roughened or ribbed surface.
In this embodiment the ball-receiving member 53 comprises a resilient
material,
typically a fabric material containing Lycra°, for example Cordura~ as
available from
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, US.
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With this construction, when a golfer makes a good swing and hits a golf ball
with a
"clean" strike, the golf driving mat 3 reacts in the same manner as would a
natural
ground surface, as illustrated in Figure 6. However, when a golfer makes a
poor swing
which is such as to cause the club head to hit the ball-receiving member 53 of
the ball-
receiving unit 27 behind the golf ball, and hence the flexible member 21 of
the
receptacle 19, that is, hits the shot "fat", the flexible member 21, under the
reaction of
the viscous material 25, acts to cause the club head to dig into the golf
driving mat 3,
which causes the club head to be slowed down and make little or no contact
with the
golf ball, as illustrated in Figure 7.
By altering the thickness of the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19 and
the ball-
receiving member 53 and the viscosity of the viscous material 25, the golf
driving mat 3
can be configured to simulate different ground conditions, from firm to heavy
turfed
ground, and even sand bunkers. In this embodiment, a golfer is able to select
between a
plurality of different golf driving mats 3 which are representative of
different ground
conditions.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a golf driving mat in accordance with a second
embodiment of
the present invention.
The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment is a modification of the above-
described first
embodiment, and thus, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of
description, only the
differences will be described in detail, with like parts being designated by
like reference
signs.
The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment differs from that of the above-
described first
embodiment in comprising a flattening mechanism for flattening the flexible
member 21
of the receptacle 19 after hitting golf balls therefrom. The present inventor
has found
that when golf balls are hit from the golf driving mat 3, and particularly
after repeatedly
hitting "fat" golf shots in succession, the flexible member 21 of the
receptacle 19 can be
become so uneven as to prevent the positioning of a golf ball thereon, and
hence the
proper operation of the golf driving mat 3. Thus, means for flattening the
flexible
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member 21 of the receptacle 19 is required in order to prevent a golfer having
manually
to flatten the flexible member 21, typically with the palm of the hand.
In this embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises a smoothing unit 59
which is
actuatable by a golfer to flatten the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19
by acting on
the ball-receiving member 53 of the ball-receiving unit 27.
In this embodiment the smoothing unit 59 comprises a smoothing element 61
which is
driveable over the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19 to flatten the
same, and a
drive member 63 for reciprocally driving the smoothing element 61 over the
ball-
receiving member 53 of the ball-receiving unit 27 and hence the flexible
member 21.
Figure 9 illustrates the smoothing element 61 where part driven across the
flexible
member 21 of the receptacle 19. In this embodiment the smoothing element 61
comprises a roller. In another embodiment the smoothing element 61 could
comprise a
blade, such as a flexible wiper blade. In this embodiment the drive member 63
is
electrically operated.
Figure 10 illustrates a golf driving mat in accordance with a third embodiment
of the
present invention.
The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment is a modification of the above-
described first
embodiment, and thus, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of
description, only the
differences will be described in detail, with like parts being designated by
like reference
signs.
The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment differs from that of the above-
described first
embodiment in comprising a flattening mechanism for flattening the flexible
member 21
of the receptacle 19 after hitting golf balls therefrom. The present inventor
has found
that when golf balls are hit from the golf driving mat 3, and particularly
after repeatedly
hitting "fat" golf shots in succession, the flexible member 21 of the
receptacle 19 can be
become so uneven as to prevent the positioning of a golf ball thereon, and
hence the
proper operation of the golf driving mat 3. Thus, means for flattening the
flexible
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member 21 of the receptacle 19 is required in order to prevent a golfer having
manually
to flatten the flexible member 21, typically with the palm of the hand.
In this embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises a vibration unit 65,
here
disposed beneath the main body 29 of the body unit 17, which is operable to
vibrate the
receptacle 19, and hence the filled viscous material 25, which vibration acts
to cause the
viscous material. 25 to settle and thereby flatten the flexible member 21 of
the receptacle
19.
In this embodiment the vibration unit 65 comprises a plurality of ultrasonic
transducers
which are attached to the main body 29 of the body unit 17.
Figure 11 illustrates a golf driving mat in accordance with a fourth
embodiment of the
present invention.
The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment is a modification of the above-
described first
embodiment, and thus, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of
description, only the
differences will be described in detail, with like parts being designated by
like reference
signs.
The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment differs from that of the above-
described first
embodiment in comprising a flattening mechanism for flattening the flexible
member 21
of the receptacle 19 after hitting golf balls therefrom. The present inventor
has found
that when golf balls are hit from the golf driving mat 3, and particularly
after repeatedly
hitting "fat" golf shots in succession, the flexible member 21 of the
receptacle 19 can be
become so uneven as to prevent the positioning of a golf ball thereon, and
hence the
proper operation of the golf driving mat 3. Thus, means for flattening the
flexible
member 21 of the receptacle 19 is required in order to prevent a golfer having
manually
to flatten the flexible member 21, typically with the palm of the hand.
In this embodiment the viscous material 25 includes magnetic particles, and
the
flattening mechanism comprises a magnetic field generating unit 67, here
disposed to the
main body 29 of the body unit 17 beneath the lower member 22 of the receptacle
19,
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which is operable to attract the magnetic particles of the viscous material 25
towards the
lower member 22 of the receptacle 19, which magnetization is utilized to cause
the
viscous material 25 to settle and thereby flatten the flexible member 21 of
the receptacle
19. In one embodiment the magnetic particles comprise metal particles. In
another
embodiment the magnetic particles comprise plastic-coated metal particles. In
preferred
embodiments the particles have a diameter of less than about 1 mm.
In one mode of operation, the magnetic field generating unit 67 is operative
during the
hitting stroke such as to magnetize the magnetic particles and thereby
effectively
aggregate the magnetic particles to confer the required viscosity to the
viscous material
25, with the composition of the viscous material 25 being such that, in the
absence of a
magnetic field, the viscous material 25 settles and thereby flattens the
flexible member
21 of the receptacle 19.
In another mode of operation, the magnetic field generating unit 67 is
operated
subsequent to the hitting stroke such as to attract the magnetic particles of
the viscous
material 25 towards the lower member 22 of the receptacle 19, which
magnetization acts
to cause the viscous material 25 to settle and thereby flatten the flexible
member 21 of
the receptacle 19.
Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a golf driving mat in accordance with a fifth
embodiment of
the present invention.
The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment is a modification of the above-
described first
embodiment, and thus, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of
description, only the
differences will be described in detail, with like parts being designated by
like reference
signs.
The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment differs from that of the above-
described first
embodiment in omitting the loading mechanism 31, with the anchor pins 45a, 45b
being
provided to the other, forward, end of the main body 29 of the body unit 17,
and in
further comprising a flattening mechanism for flattening the flexible member
21 of the
receptacle 19 after hitting golf balls therefrom. The present inventor has
found that
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when golf balls are hit from the golf driving mat 3, and particularly after
repeatedly
hitting "fat" golf shots in succession, the flexible member 21 of the
receptacle 19 can be
become so uneven as to prevent the positioning of a golf ball thereon, and
hence the
proper operation of the golf driving mat 3. Thus, means for flattening the
flexible
5 member 21 of the receptacle 19 is required in order to prevent a golfer
having manually
to flatten the flexible member 21, typically with the palm of the hand.
In this embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises a tensioning unit 69 for
laterally
tensioning the respective sides of the receptacle 19 in opposed directions. In
this
10 embodiment the tensioning unit 69 comprises first and second spreader bars
71a, 71b
which are attached to the respective sides of the receptacle 19, here over
substantially
the full height of the sides of the receptacle 19, and a plurality of
resilient elements 73,
here tension springs, for outwardly biasing the respective sides of the
receptacle 19.
With this configuration, the body of the receptacle 19, including the flexible
member 21
15 of the receptacle 19, is tensioned by the tensioning unit 69 such that,
subsequent to the
hitting of a "fat" shot from the golf driving mat 3, which is such as to hit
into the
receptacle 1,9, the tensioning force acts to flatten the flexible member 21 of
the
receptacle 19.
In an alternative embodiment the spreader bars 71a, 71b could be attached to
points
along the respective sides of the receptacle 19, typically to the upper ends
of the
respective sides or the mid-points of the respective sides.
Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a golf driving mat in accordance with a sixth
embodiment of
the present invention.
The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment is a modification of the above-
described first
embodiment, and thus, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of
description, only the
differences will be described in detail, with like parts being designated by
like reference
signs.
The golf driving mat 3 of this embodiment differs from that of the above-
described first
embodiment in omitting the loading mechanism 31, with the anchor pins 45a, 45b
being
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provided to the other, forward, end of the main body 29 of the body unit 17,
and in
further comprising a flattening mechanism for flattening the flexible member
21 of the
receptacle 19 after hitting golf balls therefrom. The present inventor has
found that
when golf balls are hit from the golf driving mat 3, and particularly after
repeatedly
hitting "fat" golf shots in succession, the flexible member 21 of the
receptacle 19 can be
become so uneven as to prevent the positioning of a golf ball thereon, and
hence the
proper operation of the golf driving mat 3. Thus, means for flattening the
flexible
member 21 of the receptacle 19 is required in order to prevent a golfer having
manually
to flatten the flexible member 21, typically with the palm of the hand.
In this embodiment the flattening mechanism comprises a tensioning unit 75 for
laterally
tensioning the respective sides of the receptacle 19 in opposed directions
with a
flattening force on actuation by a golfer. In this embodiment the tensioning
unit 75
comprises first and second spreader bars 77a, 77b which are attached to the
respective
sides of the receptacle 19, here over substantially the full height of the
sides of the
receptacle 19, and hinged at one, the rearward, end about a pivot 79, and a
biasing
element 81, in this embodiment a leaf spring, for normally outwardly biasing
the first
and second spreader bars 77a, 77b, and hence the respective sides of the
receptacle 19,
with a first tensioning force, and being operable by a golfer, in this
embodiment
manually by the golfer stepping thereon, to apply a second, higher tensioning
force, as a
flattening force, to the receptacle 19. With this configuration, the body of
the receptacle
19, including the flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19, is normally under
the light
tension of the first tensioning force, and, on a golfer manually operating the
biasing
element 81, in this embodiment by stepping thereon, the biasing element 81
applies the
higher, second tensioning force to the spreader bars 77a, 77b which is such as
flatten the
flexible member 21 of the receptacle 19. On the golfer releasing the biasing
element 81,
in this embodiment by stepping thereoff, the biasing element 81 returns to
applying the
light, first tensioning force to the receptacle 19.
In an alternative embodiment the spreader bars 77a, 77b could be . attached to
points
along the respective sides of the receptacle 19, typically to the upper ends
of the
respective sides or the mid-points of the respective sides.
CA 02457833 2004-02-16
WO 03/015878 PCT/GB02/03857
17
Finally, it will be understood that the present invention has been described
in its
preferred embodiments and can be modified in many different ways without
departing
from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
