Natural Grass Mat Apparatus for Golf Practice
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Golfers practicing on artificial mats struggle to accurately square the golf ball and maintain a balanced swing due to the lack of natural grass, which affects weight distribution and feedback.
Innovation Solution
A natural grass mat apparatus for golf practice, featuring a housing with a conveyor belt and drive parts, allows for the installation of a natural grass mat on screen golf courses or indoor driving ranges, providing a similar experience to a real golf field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If artificial mats are used for golf practice, then space utilization is improved, but the ability to accurately square the golf ball and maintain swing balance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the practice mat from artificial material to natural grass material. This parameter change restores the weight distribution and surface properties that enable accurate ball striking and balanced swing, while the mat remains installable in limited spaces through the housing and conveyor belt mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of natural grass conditions indoors by installing real grass mats within the housing structure. This copying allows golfers to practice on natural grass surfaces inside indoor facilities, replicating the feel and feedback of outdoor golf courses without requiring actual outdoor space.
2Ease of manufacture
If artificial mats are used for golf practice, then installation simplicity is improved, but the weight impact feedback and swing balance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of the housing, conveyor belt, and drive parts that facilitates the installation and movement of natural grass mats. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the installation process while maintaining the natural grass surface that provides essential weight impact feedback for swing balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the natural grass mat movable through the conveyor belt system, allowing the mat to be dynamically positioned and replaced. This dynamic capability simplifies installation and maintenance while preserving the natural grass properties that are crucial for providing accurate weight feedback during swinging.
3Manufacturing precision
If natural grass mats are installed in housing structures, then practice quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the housing structure to serve multiple functions: it contains the conveyor belt mechanism, supports the natural grass mat, and provides the structural framework for the entire apparatus. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while maintaining high practice quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the housing, conveyor belt system, and natural grass mat into an integrated apparatus. By combining these elements into a unified structure, the patent reduces overall complexity compared to having separate systems, while still providing the natural grass practice surface that improves ball striking accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A natural grass mat apparatus for golf practice includes: a housing (100); first and second drive parts (130a, 130b) provided in the housing (100) and arranged side by side along a first direction; a conveyor belt (120) provided in the housing (100) and moving around the first and the second drive parts (130a, 130b); a natural grass mat (140) provided over an outer surface of the conveyor belt (120); a first fixed support member (150a) extending substantially in a second direction from the first drive part (130a) toward a bottom of the housing (100) and supporting the first drive parts (130a), wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; and a second fixed support member (150b) extending substantially in the second direction from the second drive part (130b) toward the bottom of the housing (100) and supporting the second drive part (130a).