Portable, weather-resistant golf practice device

Abstract

A portable, weather-resistant golf practice device is disclosed. The golf practice device of the present invention includes a multi-dimensionally adjustable practice platform that enables a golfer to repetitively practice shots under conditions that realistically simulate various combinations of uphill, downhill, or sidehill lies, as well as various grass lengths and sand trap conditions. The golf practice device of the present invention is user programmable, relatively inexpensive, lightweight, easily moved by one person, completely portable by two persons, and exhibits enhanced weather resistance. The golf practice device of the present invention minimizes height between the ground and the top of the practice platform, or “step-up” height to provide a golf practice device that is easily and comfortably used.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable golf practice device comprising: 
 an adjustable support assembly including a base and a platform support, configured for multi-dimensional adjustment with respect to said base, said platform support including a substantially continuous and generally planar upper surface;    a practice platform attached to said platform support and including at least one drainage hole, a standing area including a series of raised ribs, and a tray;    a synthetic grass and rubber mat removably placed in said standing area over said series of raised ribs;    an insert removably placed in said tray, said insert simulating one or more lengths of grass or sand trap conditions; and    an electronic control unit (ECU) configured for control of the multi-dimensional adjustment of the platform support and said practice platform attached thereto.    
     
     
         2 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 1 , wherein said adjustable support assembly further includes at least two actuators operably coupled to said ECU that may be independently electronically controlled thereby, said actuators being positioned underneath said platform support and between said platform support and said base.  
     
     
         3 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 2 , wherein said adjustable support assembly further comprises a central universal joint, said central universal joint being positioned under said platform support and between said platform support and said base.  
     
     
         4 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 1 , wherein said base comprises a first frame and said platform support comprises a second frame with a platform member being attached to said second frame of said platform support.  
     
     
         5 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 2 , further comprising a bellows attached to and extending between said base and said platform support, said bellows substantially enclosing said at least two actuators.  
     
     
         6 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 2 , wherein said base further comprises at least one wheel assembly.  
     
     
         7 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 2 , wherein said ECU comprises a processor, machine readable memory, and a user interface.  
     
     
         8 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 7 , wherein said user interface is configured to generate signals corresponding to user inputs and said processor is operably coupled to said user interface to receive said generated signals, process said generated signals, and control said multi-dimensional adjustment of the practice platform responsive to the user inputs.  
     
     
         9 . A portable golf practice device comprising: 
 a platform support configured for multi-dimensional adjustment, said platform support being generally planar and having a substantially continuous upper surface;    a base extending under said platform support and including a substantially horizontal portion extending between a first raised portion and an opposing second raised portion, said second raised portion including a first overhang;    a first mounting point located at said first raised portion of said base, said first mounting point including a first universal joint attached to a first end of said platform support;    at least two actuators overlying said platform support and attached to said first overhang, said at least two actuators including distal ends including additional universal joints, said additional universal joints serving as additional mounting points and being attached to a second, opposing side of said platform support;    a practice platform attached to said platform support; and    an electronic control unit (ECU) operably coupled to said at least two actuators and configured for controlling the multi-dimensional adjustment of the platform support and said practice platform attached thereto.    
     
     
         10 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 9 , wherein said practice platform comprises at least one drainage hole, a standing area including a series of raised ribs, a tray, a mat removably placed over said series of raised ribs in said standing area, and an insert removably placed in said tray, said insert simulating one or more lengths of grass or sand trap conditions.  
     
     
         11 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 9 , wherein said first raised portion of said base further comprises a second overhang, said second overhang having a third actuator mounted thereto, said third actuator having a distal end serving as said first mounting point incorporating said first universal joint.  
     
     
         12 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 9 , wherein said first raised portion of said base further comprises a second overhang, said second overhang having third and fourth actuators mounted thereto, said third actuator having a distal end serving as said first mounting point incorporating said first universal joint and said fourth actuator having a distal end including one of said additional mounting points incorporating one of said additional universal joints.  
     
     
         13 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 9 , wherein said base comprises a frame structure and said platform support comprises a generally planar and substantially continuous sheet of material.  
     
     
         14 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 9 , further comprising a bellows attached to and extending between said first overhang and said platform support, said bellows substantially enclosing said at least two actuators.  
     
     
         15 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 11 , further comprising a first bellows and a second bellows, said first bellows attached to and extending between said first overhang and said platform support and said second bellows attached to and extending between said second overhang and said platform support.  
     
     
         16 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 9 , wherein said base further comprises at least one wheel assembly.  
     
     
         17 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 9 , wherein said ECU comprises a processor, machine readable memory, and a user interface.  
     
     
         18 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 17 , wherein said user interface is configured to generate signals corresponding to user inputs and said processor is operably coupled to said user interface to receive said generated signals, process said generated signals, and control said multi-dimensional adjustment of the practice platform responsive to the user inputs.  
     
     
         19 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 17 , wherein said machine readable memory of said ECU includes a plurality of pre-programmed practice routines, each of said plurality of pre-programmed practice routines being selectable from said user interface and comprising a plurality of pre-programmed practice platform positions simulating various different golf course conditions.  
     
     
         20 . The portable golf practice device of  claim 7  , wherein said machine readable memory of said ECU includes a plurality of pre-programmed practice routines, each of said plurality of pre-programmed practice routines being selectable from said user interface and comprising a plurality of pre-programmed practice platform positions simulating various different golf course conditions.