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  Portable golf training matUSPTO Application #: 20080004126Title: Portable golf training mat Abstract: A portable golf mat with adjustable anchors built directly in or secured onto the mat substrate. The anchors are used to secure the golf mat to various underlying surfaces. The anchors stay securely connected to the substrate when the golf mat is moved and secured to the next location make it one step process to secure the golf mat to the next location. The anchor spike segments interconnect with one another to form various size lengths and shapes. Optional hinged anchors that fold into the mat can be used. Adjustable swing arms mark swing limits for various club types (end of abstract) Agent: John C. Smith, Esq. - Boca Raton, FL, US Inventor: Eric A. Dantas USPTO Applicaton #: 20080004126 - Class: 473278000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Practice Projectile Addressing Surface (e.g., Driving Mat, Etc.) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080004126. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This non-provisional patent application is related to, and claims the benefit of, currently pending Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/800,359, titled "Dantastic Portable Golf Mat Base with Integrated Anchor Spike System," naming Eric A. Dantas, the named inventor herein, as sole inventor, and is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] This invention relates in general to a portable golf mat, and more particularly it relates to a golf mat with removable retention devices that can be used on a variety of surfaces, both indoor and outdoor. In addition, it includes additional elements that assist a golfer when practicing the correct way to swing a golf club to execute different types of skilled golf shots. [0004] 2. Background of the Invention [0005] As golfers realize, practice is an important element in playing golf proficiently. Players typically practice their swing in three main areas: driving, chipping, and putting. An important part of practice is the ability to practice swings from a surface that has the feel of an actual grass area, such as those used on golf courses. Most courses have separate putting greens for golfers to practice this component of their game. This is relatively easy to do since putting greens tend to be relatively small, and comparatively inexpensive to maintain. However, due to the large amount of land required for a driving range, many golf courses have eliminated driving ranges due to the high land cost and high maintenance cost of natural grass. Both public golf courses and private residential golf communities limit golf driving ranges for this reason. Natural grass in the swing practice areas is quickly destroyed by repeated golf shots resulting in divots. In an attempt to resolve this problem, artificial grass mats are often used to simulate the well manicured conditions on the golf course. [0006] In addition to the cost of providing and maintaining driving ranges at present golf facilities, it is also expensive and time consuming to travel to them and pay for their use. As a result, it would be desirable to provide a way for the public to find alternative places and ways to enjoy practicing the game of golf without the expense and inconvenience. [0007] One attempt to address this problem provides a portable golf mat that simulates fairway grass. This allows a golfer to use any open area, regardless of surface conditions. Unfortunately, this type of golf practice mat does not provide a secure anchor system. As a result, the mat will move when being struck by the golf club, and thereby interfere with the golfer's ability to know if the ball was properly struck. It would be desirable to have a method of temporarily securing the golf mat such that it remains stationary while the club is swung, can be easily moved to the next location following the shot, and is easy to re-secure to the ground for the next play. It is also beneficial to have a one piece golf mat that is lightweight and compact for carrying and storage. [0008] When practicing golf swings for drives, it may be preferable to practice outdoors. However, the swing used for driving is different than the swing used for chipping. Proper chipping uses a much smaller stroke, and as a result, it does not necessarily have to be practiced outdoors. In addition, the ability to practice chipping swings indoors allows a golfer to practice in any weather. Of course, those skilled in the art will realize that indoor practice would require the use of a soft lightweight substitute ball that would not do any impact damage, or a net that would catch the ball, or a tether attaching the ball to the mat such that it is prevented from damaging anything. [0009] The use of golf mats provide a synthetic surface for practice, but typically do not provide very good feedback as to the quality or, or defects in, the swing. As a result, the golfer can spend substantial time practicing without realizing much benefit. It would be desirable to provide feedback to a golfer for the purpose of identifying defects in the golf swing so that the golfer's skill level can be improved. [0010] While the prior art has provided basic golf practice mats, it has failed to provide a golf practice mat that can be used outdoors and secured to a variety of surfaces, can be used indoors without damaging floor surfaces, and can provide feedback related to a variety of swing types. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] This invention has a removable anchor system that has adjustable anchors whose size and shape can be altered such that the golf mat can be secured to various underlying surfaces that may require longer or shorter anchors due to current ground conditions. The anchors can optionally be removed such that the mat also can be used indoors without damaging the flooring. The mat has a non-skid bottom surface that prevents the mat from slipping when used without the anchors. [0012] The mat provides several swing feedback mechanisms. First, the mat has an optional longitudinal stripe having a width that is approximately the size of a golf club head. This gives the golfer visual feedback as to whether or not the club was swung straight or at an angle. This teaches the golfer how to swing the club head down the line toward the target and assists with aligning oneself to this intended target. [0013] Second, the mat has an optional strike angle bar that obstructs the club head when the club is not swung in a proper downward direction. This teaches the golfer how to hit down on the ball in order to hit a golf shot properly. [0014] Third, the mat has optional front and rear retractable swing arms with swing arm markers. The swing arms also fold up for convenient storage. A problem related to chipping is that golfers often over swing, under swing, or flip the club head. The front and rear swing arms have swing arm markers that are adjustable to allow the golfer to set the limits for a swing when practicing an assortment of different types of golf shots that require a shorter swing for more accuracy. Missing the swing arm bar to the left for right hand golfers or right for left hand golfers helps train golfers in the proper swing path to hit flop or sand shots. [0015] Fourth, the mat has optional adjustable swing path bars to provide further feedback to a golfer when the golfer does not swing on his intended plane. [0016] In addition, the mat has optional removable lateral ball position bars to show the golfer how where the ball position is located in relation to his stance. [0017] The mat also has an optional carrying handle to allow the mat to be easily transported. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] FIG. 1 is a transparent side view of a preferred embodiment of the mat and anchors. [0019] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the mat and anchors. [0020] FIGS. 3A-C are side views of a preferred embodiment of adjustable anchors. Continue reading... Full patent description for Portable golf training mat Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Portable golf training mat patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Portable golf training mat or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Storage bin for pin-spotter apparatus for bowling, and method of manufacture thereof Next Patent Application: Shaft for golf clubs and golf club Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Portable golf training mat patent info. 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