Electronic putting target apparatus

Abstract

A device for practicing putting a golf ball, with an audible feedback signal that indicates that a golf ball has successfully hit the device. The device has a flat circular base with a printed circuit board attached, and a sensor or array of sensors contacting the entire outer rim of the base. An elastomeric membrane covers the device and the circular sensor, and transmits shock to the sensor when a golf ball impacts the device. The sensor or array of sensors produces a trigger signal upon impact of the ball, but is not activated by shaking, tipping, or pressure which might be associated with travel or handling. The audible feedback sound is stored in digital format.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for practicing putting comprising: 
 a substantially flat circular base with means for attaching a printed circuit board to the base; a continuous circular sensor contacting the perimeter of the base; an elastomeric membrane covering the printed circuit board and the circular sensor, and transmitting shock to the sensor; and an audible indicator to indicate the impact of a golf ball on the apparatus.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which said audible indicator includes an electronic circuit that reproduces the sound of a golf ball hitting and settling in an actual golf cup, transmitting the sound via an audio speaker.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , in which said electronic circuit stores digital information representing the desired sound.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , in which said elastomeric membrane also serves to deaden the actual sound of impact of the ball, allowing the audio signal to be heard with less interfering sound;  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which said continuous circular sensor is a piezoelectric element.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , in which said elastomeric membrane also provides a preload on the piezoelectric element, producing optimum conditions to detect ball impact.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , in which said electronic circuit can be made to capture a new audio sequence after assembly.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which an electronic filter circuit allows only certain frequencies associated with golf ball impact to activate said audible indicator.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the continuous circular sensor contains a volume of air, gas, or a liquid, and a port which transfers the pressure of an impact to a pressure transducer.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for practicing putting, comprising: 
 a substantially flat circular base with means for attaching a printed circuit board to said base; a substantially continuous circular array of sensors contacting the perimeter outer rim of the base; an elastomeric membrane covering the printed circuit board and the sensor array, and transmitting shock to the sensors; and an audible indicator to indicate the impact of a golf ball on the apparatus.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , in which said audible indicator includes an electronic circuit that reproduces the sound of a golf ball hitting and settling in an actual golf cup, transmitting the sound via an audio speaker.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , in which said electronic circuit stores digital information representing the desired sound.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , in which said elastomeric membrane also serves to deaden the actual sound of impact of the ball, allowing the audio signal to be heard with less interfering sound;  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , in which said sensors in said circular array are piezoelectric elements.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , in which said elastomeric membrane also provides a preload on the piezoelectric elements, producing optimum conditions to detect ball impact.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , in which said electronic circuit can be made to capture a new audio sequence after assembly.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , in which an electronic filter circuit allows only certain frequencies associated with golf ball impact to activate said audible indicator.