Background Art Conventionally, golf putting trainers having a golf ball return device is configured in such a fashion that a hole is positioned at a level higher than the putting position for the return of golf balls that have been putted, and a putting surface is inclined downward from the hole to the putting position. An example of such conventional golf putting trainers is disclosed in a utility model registration filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office as Serial No. 20-0247770. With reference to said utility model registration, the structure of conventional golf putting trainers having a golf ball return device, as well as several disadvantages thereof will now be explained in detail.

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a golf ball return device for use in a golf putting trainer in accordance with the prior art. Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled state of the golf ball return device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the golf ball return device shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the golf ball return device, designated as reference numeral 10, for use in the golf putting trainer in accordance with the prior art comprises a putting hole unit 11. The putting hole unit 11 is formed at one longitudinal end thereof with a stepped portion 12 so that a distal end thereof is raised.

A remaining portion of the putting hole unit 11 forms a ramp 13 extending downward from the side of the stepped portion 12. The putting hole unit 11 is centrally formed with a hole at one end of the ramp 13 facing the stepped portion 12. Throughout the ramp 13 of the putting hole unit 11 is attached a mat 2 having a certain width and length. The mat 12 has an aperture 2'centrally formed at its one end.

When it is desired to attach the mat 2 to the upper side of the putting hole unit 11, namely, to the ramp 13, first, the aperture 2'formed at the one end of the mat 2 is positioned over the hole 14 centrally formed at. the putting hole unit 11.

Preferably, the ramp 13 of the putting hole unit 11, which extends downward from the hole 14, has a slightly recessed profile in order to prevent a golf ball, that is strongly putted by a golfer, from bounding away from the ramp 13.

After the mat 2 is attached to the putting hole unit 11, a return rail 18 is mounted along one side edge of the putting hole unit 11. The return rail 18 is communicated with the hole 14 of the putting hole unit 11 for the return of golf balls that have been putted into the hole 14.

The golf putting trainer of the present invention further comprises a ball secession preventing member 16 having a pipe shape. The ball secession preventing member 16 is installed above the stepped portion 12 for preventing inaccurately putted

golf balls from seceding away from the putting hole unit 11.

The ball secession preventing member 16 has a pipe shape as stated above, and is formed throughout a longitudinal length of the pipe with a longitudinal slot 17.

The diameter of the secession preventing member 16 is defined to allow the golf balls entered therein to rotate along the inner peripheral surface thereof and freely fall down. The longitudinal slot 17 formed at the ball secession preventing member 16 has a width suitable for easy insertion of golf balls into the ball secession preventing member 16. That is, the width of the longitudinal slot 17 is slightly larger than the diameter of a golf ball.

Between the stepped portion 12 and ramp 13 of the putting hole unit 11 is formed an elongated guide groove 15, which is further used for the return of the putted golf balls. A bottom surface of the elongated guide groove 15 is inclined downward toward the return rail 18 for facilitating the return of the putted golf balls.

That is, the elongated guide groove 15 is communicated at its one end with the return rail 18 so that the putted golf balls pass through the elongated guide groove 15, and are guided into the return rail 18.

With the above described configuration of the golf ball return device 10 for use in the golf putting trainer in accordance with the prior art, when a golfer putts a golf ball from a putting position provided at the other end of the mat 2 toward the hole 14 centrally formed at the putting hole unit 11, the putted golf ball moves upward along the ramp 18 of the putting hole unit 11 due to the shock of the putt applied thereto, and then enters into the hole 14 centrally formed at the putting hole unit 11.

The golf ball putted into the hole 14 then falls down into the elongated guide groove 15 formed between the stepped portion 12 and the ramp 13, and rolls toward the

return rail 18 due to the inclined bottom surface of the elongated guide groove 15, thereby being subjected to a return course through the return rail 18 communicating with the one end of the elongated guide groove 15.

In case of even a golf ball missing the hole 14, it directly falls down to the elongated guide groove 15, and is able to be returned in the same manner as the golf ball putted into the hole 14.

In another case wherein a golf ball is strongly putted by a golfer with an excessive force and thus bounds away from the ramp 13 of the putting hole unit 11, the bounded golf ball enters into the ball secession preventing member 16 through the longitudinal slot 17 thereof.

The golf ball, having entered into the ball secession preventing member 16, as shown in Fig. 3, rotates along the inner peripheral surface thereof and freely falls down into the elongated guide groove 15, thereby being returned through the return rail 18 in the same manner as stated above.

When the golf ball return device 10 is installed to a conventional golf putting trainer, by virtue of using the ball secession preventing member 16, the golf ball return device 10 can effectively prevent secession of golf balls that are strongly putted by a golfer and thus bound away from the putting hole unit 11. Therefore, the golf ball return device 10 in accordance with the prior art is effective to eliminate inconvenience and difficulty related to the collection and return of golf balls that are inaccurately putted and deviate from the golf putting trainer.

The golf putting trainer having the golf ball return device 10 as stated above, however, has a problem in that it is unsuitable for the practice of accurate putting since the hole is positioned at a level higher than the. putting position.

Only under an environment wherein the hole is at the same level as the putting position like a real putting green, a golfer can accurately perform the adjustment of putting force.

All conventional golf ball return devices using ramps9 therefore, inevitably have the above described problem.

In addition to this problem, the golf putting trainer having the above described golf ball return device 10 require a separate golf ball return line structure including the return rail 18, resulting in an excessive increase in the overall volume thereof.

Disclosure of the Invention Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a golf putting trainer having a golf ball return device, which can provides an environment enabling realistic putting practice.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf putting trainer having a golf ball return device which can simply return golf balls that have been putted to an original putting position.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a golf putting trainer comprising: a plate formed at both side edge surfaces thereof with insertion recesses for use in the connection of an additional plate structure in a horizontal plane ; a hole defined at an upper surface of the plate near one end of the plate; a crescent ball gathering unit detachably installed to the plate along a rear rim region of the hole for guiding even

golf balls missing the hole into the hole; and a golf ball return device coupled to the other end of the plate for detecting the presence of the golf balls inside the hole and successively returning them toward an original putting position along an upper surface of the plate structure as a putting surface.

Brief Description of the Drawings The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a golf ball return device in accordance with the prior art; Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled state of the golf ball return device shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the golf ball return device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a golf putting trainer having a golf ball return device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the overall structure of the golf putting trainer having the golf ball return device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a hole for use in the golf putting trainer shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the golf ball return device shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a return unit shown in Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A'shown in Fig. 4.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a golf putting trainer having an automatic golf ball return function in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, the golf putting trainer comprises a plate 40, a hole 50 positioned near one end of the plate 40, a crescent ball gathering unit 60, and a golf ball return device 70. The crescent ball gathering unit 60 is detachably installed to the plate 40 at a position coming into contact with a rear rim region of the hole 50, and is adapted to guide all putted golf balls into the hole 50. The golf ball return device 70 is installed at the other end of the plate 40 distant from the hole 50. The golf ball return device 70 is adapted to detect the presence of a golf ball having entered into the hole 50, and return the golf ball to a putting position after a predetermined time.

The plate 40 is formed at both side edge surfaces thereof with insertion recesses 41 for use in the connection of an additional plate structure (which is designated as reference numeral 42 in Fig. 5) on a horizontal plane. The plate 40 as well as the plate structure 42 may be made of various materials, such as sponge, to have a constant thiclcness.

The plate structure 42 extends from the hole 50 by a desired length to define an elongated putting surface, and is provided at its one end distant from the hole 50

provided with a putting position.

On the plate structure 42 as well as the plate 40 is covered a carpet or sheet suitable for putting practice, thereby providing a condition similar to a real putting green.

The carpet or sheet is formed with an aperture for use in the exposure of the hole 50.

The crescent ball gathering unit 60 is installed after completing the installation of the carpet or sheet.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the overall structure of the golf putting trainer having the golf ball return device 70 in accordance with the present invention.

In case of the golf putting trainer in accordance with the present invention, since the overall length of the plate structure 42 is adjustable by assembling additional sponge plates in parallel to one another, the putting distance of the golf putting trainer is accordingly adjustable. In this case, the overall length of the sheet, designated as reference numeral 43, is adjustable, too.

If a golf ball putted by a golfer directly enters the hole 50, in accordance with the present invention, the golf ball returns back to the original putting position by the operation of a sensor and a striker bar, which are located within the hole 50. Within the hole 50, further, are located inclined guiding structures for further facilitating the return of the golf ball. These inclined guiding structures are symmetrically arranged on the basis of a center axis of the hole 50, and have different inclinations from one other.

The configuration and operation of the golf ball return device 70 in

accordance with the present invention will be explained hereinafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Fig. 6 illustrating the hole 50 shown in a perspective view, as stated above, the hole 50 contains the inclined guiding structures 51. These inclined guiding structures 51 extend downward from a golf ball entry side of the hole 50 to an opposite side thereof with different inclinations from one another, for allowing the entered golf ball to be guided at a rear center position of the hole 50. At the rear center position of the hole 50 where the golf ball is guided by the inclined guiding structures 51 are provided a sensor 71 for detecting the presence of the golf ball, and an opening 52. The opening 52 is used for the passage of a striker bar 72, which is used for the return of the golf ball as the golf ball return device 70 is operated by receiving a signal from the sensor 71 detecting the presence of the golf ball. Along a rear rim region of the hole 50 are formed pin holes 53 for use in the installation of the ball gathering unit 60.

Through the use of the ball gathering unit 60 having a crescent curved wall member, even if a golf ball putted by a golfer fail to directly enter the hole 50, even the golf ball missing the hole 50 can be guided into the hole 50 without exception.

Differently from the prior art golf putting trainer adopting a ramp and a separate return line structure for the return of golf balls that have been putted, according to the golf putting trainer of the present invention, the putted golf balls are directly returned from the hole to an original putting position along an upper surface of the plate structure 42 as a putting surface.

Fig. 7 illustrates the golf ball return device 70, which starts a return operation of golf balls as the presence of the golf balls inside the hole 50 is detected.

Referring to Fig. 7, the golf ball return device 70 comprises the sensor 71 as a pressure sensor, a controller 73, a speaker 74, a motor driver 75, a return unit 80, and a power source 76. The pressure sensor 71 is positioned at the rear center position of the hole 50 where a golf ball is guided, and is adapted to generate a certain electric signal when it detects the presence of the golf ball. The controller 73 operates to detect a voltage of the pressure sensor 71 and output a sound signal corresponding to the detected voltage. The controller 73 further outputs a motor control signal after a certain time passes from the output time point of the sound signal. The speaker 74 produces a certain sound by receiving the sound signal from the controller 73. In general, the produced sound is similar to a sound generated when a golf ball enters a real hole. The motor driver 75 converts the motor control signal from the controller 73 to a motor driving signal, and sends it to a motor. By the driving of the motor, the return unit 80 is actuated to, first, pull back the striker bar 72 and fix it at a predetermined rear position, and then push the striker bar 72 by using a tensile force of a spring, thereby returning the golf ball toward an original putting position. The power source 76 supplies electric power to the above described components through a switch 77.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the return unit 80 in detail. As shown in Fig. 8, the return unit 80 comprises a motor 81 to be driven by receiving a driving signal from the motor driver 75, a gear box 82 for reducing the revolutions per minute of the motor 81, and a holding structure 83 fastened to the gear box 82 and having a cylindrical rod formed at one side thereof. In addition, the return unit 80 comprises a fixed structure 85 mounted to a bottom surface of the golf ball return device 70, a movable structure 86 installed through the fixed structure 85 in a sliding

manner, and a spring 84 supported at one end thereof by an upper portion of the fixed structure 85 and at the other end by an upper portion of the movable structure 86.

One end of the movable structure 86 is centrally connected to the striker bar 72. The movable structure 86 is adapted to move rearward and be fixed thereat through the interaction between a cut-out portion formed at a side surface thereof and the rotating holding structure 83, and to move forward by the spring 84 during the rotation of the holding structure 83. The striker bar 72 is connected at its one end to the one end of the movable structure 86, and the other end of the striker bar 72 is configured toe extend into the hole 50 for successively returning golf balls inside the hole 50.

Now, the operation and various effects achieved by the present invention will be explained in detail.

If a golfer putts a golf ball at a putting position provided at the golf putting trainer as shown in Fig. 5, the putted golf ball may successfully enter the hole 50, or may miss the hole 50.

In the present invention, even the golf ball missing the hole 50 is guided into the hole 50 by the crescent ball gathering unit 60.

This is since the crescent ball gathering unit 60 having a semicircular wall member is installed at a rear side of the hole 50 so that it extends across a wide range beyond the hole 50.

By virtue of the semicircular wall member of the ball gathering unit 60, even if a golfer strongly putts a golf ball with an excessive putting force, the golf ball colliding against the wall member is not bound away from the ball gathering unit 60 but is guided along the ball gathering unit 60 so as to enter the hole 50.

The ball gathering unit 60 is formed at a lower end thereof with a plurality of

downwardly protruding pins corresponding to the pin holes 53 of the hole 50 for the coupling therebetween.

In this way, all the putted golf balls enter the hole 509 and are guided at the rear center position of the hole 50 as they roll along the inclined structures 51 provided within the hole 50.

Since at the rear center position is further provided the pressure sensor 71, the pressure sensor 71 detects the golf balls guided at the rear center position of the hole, and generates a corresponding signal.

As the generated signal is applied to the controller 73, the controller 73 outputs a sound signal to allow the speaker 74 to produce a certain sound.

The produced sound may be a sound recorded when a golf ball enters a real hole, or may be selected from among various sounds or voice according to the tastes of the golfer.

In order to determine a successful putt, a plurality of additional sensors may be installed around the hole 50 for determining the putting direction of golf balls. If the putt performed by the golfer is determined to be a failure by the sensors, the speaker 74 does not output a sound, thereby allowing the golfer to confirm the failure of their putt.

After a certain sound is produced, the controller 73 sends a control signal to the motor driver 75.

Meanwhile, the power source 76, used to supply electric power to the controller 73, the motor 81, and the like, may use a voltage, which is converted into a direct current through a battery or adaptor.

After the control signal is applied to the motor driver 75, the motor driver 75

applies a driving voltage to the motor 81.

The motor 81 basically has high revolutions per minute, and thus has a difficulty of obtaining a desired power from the high revolutions per minute.

In order to compensate this problem of the motor 819 a rotor of the motor 81 is provided with the gear box 82 serving to change the high revolutions per minute to a low value.

The gear box 82 includes at least two gears so as to reduce the revolutions per minute of the motor 81 down to a level sufficient for achieving a desired power.

As the gear box 82 rotates, the movable structure 86, which is moved rearward by the rotation of the holding structure 83, is pushed forward by the tensile force of the spring 84. As a result, the striker bar 72 connected to one end of the movable structure 86 hits the golf ball, thereby returning it toward its original putting position.

As can be seen from the above description related to the return sequence of the golf balls, the golf ball, having entered into the hole, can be automatically returned to its original putting position without requiring a separate return line structure. This results in a considerable reduction in the overall volume of the golf putting trainer.

Differently from the prior art wherein the hole is positioned at a level higher than a putting position, since the hole 50 of the present invention is positioned at the same level as the putting position thereby providing the same conditions as a real putting green, the golf putting trainer of the present invention enables more accurate and realistic putting practice by a golfer.

The golf putting trainer of the present invention further enables the variation of a putting surface, thereby allowing a golfer to practice various putting conditions.

For example, by randomly inserting certain objects having different thicknesses, such as books, under the plate structure 42 on the ground, it is possible to endow the upper surface of the plate structure 42 with a certain curvature. Such a curvature of the plate structure 42 is freely adjustable by a golfer, thereby enabling the golfer to perform the practice of putting under various different conditions.

The installation position of the ball gathering unit 60, further, is adjustable.

Although the ball gathering unit 60 is located along the rear rim region of the hole 50 in the above description, in order to practice putting following the 17 inch rule, alternately, the ball gathering unit 60 may be moved rearward from the hole 50 by a distance of 17 inches.

In an example wherein the ball gathering unit 60 is moved rearward from the hole 50 to practice the 17 inch rule, more preferably, the ball gathering unit 60 may be designed so that, in a state wherein it is fixed to one surface of the golf ball return device 70, a distance between the curved surface of the ball gathering unit 60 and the hole 50 is equal to approximately 17 inches.

Explaining what the 17 inch rule is, this is a theory that the probability of a hole-in-one is the highest when a golfer putts a golf ball with a force required to cause the golf ball to reach a position approximately 17 inches from the hole. This is essential practice for preventing the golf ball from failing to reach the hole.

Even when the ball gathering unit 60 is moved rearward away from the hole 50 for the practice of the 17 inch rule, the ball gathering unit 60 successfully acts to gather the putted golf balls toward the center thereof, thereby eliminating any inconvenience caused by scattered golf balls. In this case, the golf balls, having entered into the hole 50, can be successively returned as stated above.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along a line A-A'shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 9, one end of the striker bar 72 serving to hit the golf ball is formed into a bent L-shaped portion. Such a bent L-shape ensures that the striker bar 72 will hit the center portion of a golf ball for the successful return of the golf ball.

If the striker bar 72 hits the upper or lower portion of the golf ball rather than the center portion, the golf ball will be hit only across a short distance, thereby making it impossible to complete the return of the golf ball to the original putting position.

This consequently disenables long distance putting practice.

Due to the bent L-shaped portion of the striker bar 72, the plate 40 is raised at its portion coming into contact with the hole 50, thereby ensuring smooth movement of the strike bar 72 having the bent L-shaped end portion.

Industrial Applicability As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a golf putting trainer configured so that a hole is positioned at the same plane as a putting position, thereby providing preferable putting conditions similar to a real putting green and consequently achieving an enhancement of putting practice effects.

Further, according to the present invention, through the use of a crescent ball gathering unit, it is possible to guide even golf balls, which miss the hole due to the putting failure of a golfer, into the hole, and all the golf balls that have been guided into the hole can be successively returned along an upper surface of the golf putting trainer as a putting surface without requiring a separate return structure, resulting in reduction in the overall volume and manufacturing cost of the golf putting trainer.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the installation position of the crescent ball gathering unit is adjustable for the practice of the 17 inch rule, and the putting surface of the golf putting trainer can be endowed with a desired curvature according to the need of a golfer, thereby enabling the golfer to practice various putting conditions.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.