U.S. patent application number 11/137913 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-06 for apparatus for table golf game.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey D. Turley.
Application Number | 20070205553 11/137913 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38470812 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070205553 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Turley; Jeffrey D. |
September 6, 2007 |
Apparatus for table golf game
Abstract
The table golf game is a real golf simulating type game played
on a table with a cue stick, a miniature golf ball and a life-like
miniaturized-version of a golf course including: fairways; greens;
elevated, self-contained holes; sand traps; water hazards; a
scoreboard; and a storage area. Players of the game compete to
locate their golf ball into a golf hole in as few strokes as
possible.
Inventors: |
Turley; Jeffrey D.;
(Providence, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL R. SCHRAMM
350 WEST 2000 SOUTH
PERRY
UT
84302
US
|
Family ID: |
38470812 |
Appl. No.: |
11/137913 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60574536 |
May 26, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/108.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2011/0058 20130101;
A63F 2007/301 20130101; A63F 7/0668 20130101; A63F 7/0628 20130101;
A63F 2007/3662 20130101; A63F 2007/3614 20130101; A63F 7/0058
20130101; A63F 2009/2457 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/108.2 |
International
Class: |
A63B 67/14 20060101
A63B067/14; A63F 7/20 20060101 A63F007/20 |
Claims
1. A golf game kit configured to simulate an actual golf course,
said kit comprising: a playing surface, at least one ball, a
plurality of ball receiving holes formed in said playing surface
defining at least a first hole and a second hole, at least one
natural hazard simulating hazard formed in said playing surface,
and a ball actuation instrument, wherein said playing surfaced is
configured such that said first hole is separated from said second
hole by said at least one hazard such that when said ball is caused
to roll on said playing surface in any direction by said ball
actuation instrument, said ball is prevent from rolling from said
first hole to said second hole by said hazard, and wherein said
hazard defines a discrete detachable object attached to said
playing surface.
2. The kit of claim 1, wherein said natural hazard simulating
hazard defines at least one hazard of the following group of
hazards consisting of a water simulating hazard, a river simulating
hazard, a sand trap simulating hazard, a tree simulating hazard, a
boulder simulating hazard, a log simulating hazard, a fence
simulating hazard, a brush simulating hazard, a bush simulating
hazard, a hedge simulating hazard, a hill simulating hazard, and a
mountain simulating hazard.
3. The kit of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said playing
surface defines a compound contoured surface.
4. The kit of claim 1, wherein said ball actuation instrument
defines at least one instrument of the following group of
instruments consisting of a billiard stick, a miniature billiard
stick, a golf club, and a miniature golf club and wherein said ball
defines at least one ball of the following group of balls
consisting of a marble, a golf ball, and a miniature golf ball.
5. The kit of claim 1, wherein each of said ball receiving holes
includes a hole specific playing area formed in said playing
surface, and wherein said hole specific playing area includes a
tee-off area, a fairway area, a rough area, and a putting green
area.
6. The kit of claim 5, wherein said tee-off area, said fairway
area, said rough area, and said putting green area define different
elevations of said playing surface, and wherein said fairway area,
said rough area, and said putting green area define playing
surfaces having different thicknesses of simulated turf connected
thereto.
7. The kit of claim 1, wherein said playing surface includes at
least one auxiliary storage compartment having an openable and
closeable door and being connected to said playing surface, and
wherein said auxiliary storage compartment contains at least one
item of the following group of items consisting of a billiard
stick, a miniature billiard stick, a golf club, a miniature golf
club, a marble, a golf ball, a miniature golf ball, and a
detachable hazard.
8. The kit of claim 1, wherein said playing surface includes at
least one scoreboard connected to said playing surface, and wherein
said scoreboard defines an electronic scoreboard that
electronically displays a score, and wherein said electronic
scoreboard includes a plurality of input buttons including a first
button, a second button, and a third button, and wherein the
pressing of said first button causes the score displayed on the
scoreboard to be decreased, and wherein the pressing of said second
button causes the score displayed on the scoreboard to be cleared,
and wherein the pressing of said third button causes the score
displayed on the scoreboard to be increased.
9. The kit of claim 1, wherein said playing surface defines an
assembled modular playing surface comprising a plurality of
assembled playing surface members, and wherein said assembled
playing surface is assembled to a frame, and wherein said frame is
connected to a table.
10. A golf game kit configured to simulate an actual golf course,
said kit comprising: a playing surface, at least one ball, at least
one ball receiving hole formed in said playing surface, and at
least one auxiliary storage compartment having an openable and
closeable door and being connected to said playing surface.
11. The kit of claim 10, wherein said kit includes at least one
detachable natural hazard simulating hazard defining a discrete
object attached to said playing surface, and wherein said auxiliary
storage compartment contains at least one item of the following
group of items consisting of a billiard stick, a miniature billiard
stick, a golf club, a miniature golf club, a marble, a golf ball, a
miniature golf ball, and a detachable hazard.
12. The kit of claim 10, wherein said kit includes a plurality of
ball receiving holes formed in said playing surface defining at
least a first hole and a second hole, and at least one natural
hazard simulating hazard formed in said playing surface, and
wherein said playing surfaced is configured such that said first
hole is separated from said second hole by said at least one hazard
such that when said ball is caused to roll on said playing surface
in any direction by said ball actuation instrument, said ball is
prevent from rolling from said first hole to said second hole by
said hazard.
13. The kit of claim 10, wherein said natural hazard simulating
hazard defines at least one hazard of the following group of
hazards consisting of a water simulating hazard, a river simulating
hazard, a sand trap simulating hazard, a tree simulating hazard, a
boulder simulating hazard, a log simulating hazard, a fence
simulating hazard, a brush simulating hazard, a bush simulating
hazard, a hedge simulating hazard, a hill simulating hazard, and a
mountain simulating hazard.
14. The kit of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said playing
surface defines a compound contoured surface.
15. The kit of claim 10, wherein said ball actuation instrument
defines at least one instrument of the following group of
instruments consisting of a billiard stick, a miniature billiard
stick, a golf club, and a miniature golf club and wherein said ball
defines at least one ball of the following group of balls
consisting of a marble, a golf ball, and a miniature golf ball.
16. The kit of claim 10, wherein said at least one ball receiving
hole includes a hole specific playing area formed in said playing
surface, and wherein said hole specific playing area includes a
tee-off area, a fairway area, a rough area, and a putting green
area.
17. The kit of claim 16, wherein said tee-off area, said fairway
area, said rough area, and said putting green area define different
elevations of said playing surface, and wherein said fairway area,
said rough area, and said putting green area define playing
surfaces having different thicknesses of simulated turf connected
thereto.
18. The kit of claim 10, wherein said playing surface includes at
least one scoreboard connected to said playing surface, and wherein
said scoreboard defines an electronic scoreboard that
electronically displays a score, and wherein said electronic
scoreboard includes a plurality of input buttons including a first
button, a second button, and a third button, and wherein the
pressing of said first button causes the score displayed on the
scoreboard to be decreased, and wherein the pressing of said second
button causes the score displayed on the scoreboard to be cleared,
and wherein the pressing of said third button causes the score
displayed on the scoreboard to be increased.
19. The kit of claim 10, wherein said playing surface defines an
assembled modular playing surface comprising a plurality of
assembled playing surface members, and wherein said assembled
playing surface is assembled to a frame, and wherein said frame is
connected to a table.
20. A golf game kit configured to simulate an actual golf course,
said kit comprising: a playing surface, at least one ball, at least
one ball receiving hole formed in said playing surface, at least
one scoreboard connected to said playing surface, at least one
natural hazard simulating hazard defining a discrete detachable
object attached to said playing surface, and at least one auxiliary
storage compartment having an openable and closeable door and being
connected to said playing surface.
21. The kit of claim 20, wherein said scoreboard defines an
electronic scoreboard that electronically displays a score, and
wherein said electronic scoreboard includes a plurality of input
buttons including a first button, a second button, and a third
button, and wherein the pressing of said first button causes the
score displayed on the scoreboard to be decreased, and wherein the
pressing of said second button causes the score displayed on the
scoreboard to be cleared, and wherein the pressing of said third
button causes the score displayed on the scoreboard to be
increased.
22. The kit of claim 20, wherein said kit includes a plurality of
ball receiving holes formed in said playing surface defining at
least a first hole and a second hole, and wherein said playing
surfaced is configured such that said first hole is separated from
said second hole by said at least one hazard such that when said
ball is caused to roll on said playing surface in any direction by
said ball actuation instrument, said ball is prevent from rolling
from said first hole to said second hole by said hazard.
23. The kit of claim 22, wherein said natural hazard simulating
hazard defines at least one hazard of the following group of
hazards consisting of a water simulating hazard, a river simulating
hazard, a sand trap simulating hazard, a tree simulating hazard, a
boulder simulating hazard, a log simulating hazard, a fence
simulating hazard, a brush simulating hazard, a bush simulating
hazard, a hedge simulating hazard, a hill simulating hazard, and a
mountain simulating hazard.
24. The kit of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of said playing
surface defines a compound contoured surface.
25. The kit of claim 20, wherein said ball actuation instrument
defines at least one instrument of the following group of
instruments consisting of a billiard stick, a miniature billiard
stick, a golf club, and a miniature golf club and wherein said ball
defines at least one ball of the following group of balls
consisting of a marble, a golf ball, and a miniature golf ball.
26. The kit of claim 20, wherein said at least one ball receiving
hole includes a hole specific playing area formed in said playing
surface, and wherein said hole specific playing area includes a
tee-off area, a fairway area, a rough area, and a putting green
area.
27. The kit of claim 26, wherein said tee-off area, said fairway
area, said rough area, and said putting green area define different
elevations of said playing surface, and wherein said fairway area,
said rough area, and said putting green area define playing
surfaces having different thicknesses of simulated turf connected
thereto.
28. The kit of claim 20, wherein said auxiliary storage compartment
contains at least one item of the following group of items
consisting of a billiard stick, a miniature billiard stick, a golf
club, a miniature golf club, a marble, a golf ball, a miniature
golf ball, and a detachable hazard.
29. The kit of claim 20, wherein said playing surface defines an
assembled modular playing surface comprising a plurality of
assembled playing surface members, and wherein said assembled
playing surface is assembled to a frame, and wherein said frame is
connected to a table.
Description
[0001] This utility application is a nonprovisional application of
co-pending provisional application Ser. No. 60/574,536 filed May
26, 2004, the specification of which is incorporated herein by
reference. The benefit of the filing date of this earlier filed
application is claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e).
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to table golf More
particularly, the present invention relates to a golf game played
on a table with a cue stick, a miniature golf ball and a life-like
miniaturized-version of a golf course including: fairways; greens;
elevated, self-contained holes; sand traps; water hazards; a
scoreboard; and a storage area.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Golf is one of the most widely enjoyed sports activities in
the world and has strong support at both the recreational and
professional levels. While golf has always been a popular game for
both novices and professionals, the popularity of the game has
exploded in recent years. Record numbers are flocking to beautiful
courses worldwide to try their hand at the seemingly arduous task
of putting a little white ball in a four inch hole located hundreds
of yards away in as few shots as possible. The popularity of golf
has inspired many simulated golf games, such as computer video
games and other golf-related games such as Frisbee golf and
miniature golf.
[0004] Some of these golf-related games are table golf games,
played either on pool tables or on other, generic tables. While
popular, these games lack the closeness in their similarity to golf
This is in part because of the difficulty in simulating the terrain
of a real golf course, which includes different surfaces for the
tee area, fairway, putting green, and the "rough" and other hazards
such as water, sand traps, bushes and trees. In addition, one of
the more unique aspects of golf and also an aspect where the other
table golf games have failed is in realistically duplicating the
various slopes that exist on a golf course.
[0005] In addition to the above-mentioned problems, some table golf
games do not have multiple holes on one table. As a result, a game
with multiple holes requires a lot of space. Another problem is in
physically separating each hole from each other. On a regular golf
course, most holes are separated by natural borders such as trees
and water that help to contain errant shots. However, in many table
golf games, such barriers do not exist and, as a result, the
miniature golf balls often travel freely in between the different
holes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to table golf. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a golf game played
on a table with a cue stick, a miniature golf ball and a life-like
miniaturized-version of a golf course including: fairways; greens;
elevated, self-contained holes; sand traps; water hazards; a
scoreboard; and a storage area.
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention take place in
association with a table with a life-like miniaturized-version of a
golf course, a cue stick and a miniature golf ball. In one
embodiment, the table golf game closely resembles the real game of
golf. In this embodiment, each hole is elevated and self-contained.
This self-containment is accomplished in this embodiment by
surrounding each hole by a hazard, such as a water hazard. In this
embodiment, the holes do not intersect each other. Thus, it
requires the skill of the player to keep the ball in play. Although
all holes are self-contained on one table, the miniature golf ball
used is reachable from all angles. Similar to a real golf course,
this embodiment has multiple holes on each course, such as nine
holes.
[0008] In addition, if the ball goes into the water hazard
surrounding a hole, a penalty stroke can be charged. Additional
hazards included in this embodiment include built-in sand traps as
well as other hazards that can be added to increase the difficulty
of play. These other hazards include; tree trunks, boulders, logs,
fences, or bushes. In addition, other hazards can be created and
used as needed. In order to closely resemble the actual game of
golf, the transformation from the fairway to the green is
noticeable. For instance, the fairway grass is slightly higher than
the surface of the green to simulate the actual difference in a
real golf course. However, the difference between the green and the
fairway is not big enough to prevent the ball from rolling off of
the green if it is hit too hard.
[0009] In some embodiments, a marble is used as the golf ball. In
other embodiments, a miniature golf ball with dimples is used. In
some embodiments of the present invention, one or more
self-contained drawers are built into the frame of the game. These
self-contained drawers store the multiple hazards, pool cues, and
balls. Some embodiments of the present invention include manual
score cards that allow the player to manually keep track of his or
her score. Some embodiments of the present invention include a
scoreboard. In one embodiment, the scoreboard is electronic. While
one skilled in the art will recognize a wide variety of electronic
scoreboards can be used, the electronic scoreboard in this
embodiment uses a two-digit scoreboard, where the score accumulates
at each hole and is manually controlled by three buttons. The first
button allows the player to subtract numbers, the second allows the
players to clear the score, and the third button allows the players
to add a number to the score.
[0010] Other embodiments of the present invention have manual
scoreboards. In one embodiment, the manual scoreboard includes bars
for each player Lining up horizontally and next to each other. In
this embodiment, each player has two bars numbered one through ten.
Using these bars, a player can track his or her score. An
additional benefit of the present invention is that the table golf
game is visually appealing and fits in most social environments,
such as pool halls, bars, bowling alleys, recreation centers, golf
course club houses, school student lounge areas, restaurants,
cabins, homes, and offices.
[0011] An additional advantage of the present invention is that the
present invention requires that the player us his or her skill in
order to keep the ball in play. In contrast, other table golf games
have bumpers or other borders that keep the ball in play. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the fairways have simulated
grass and the greens are made of felt, allowing the ball to roll
smoothly on either surface. While some embodiments of the present
invention are portable, others are not.
[0012] Another advantage of the self-contained aspect of the
present invention is that the holes do not cross each other. In
some embodiments of the present invention, the storage area aspect
includes a storage compartment on the side of the pool table game
that stores the cues. Another storage area included in this and
other embodiments is a storage area on the top of the table that
holds balls and removable hazards.
[0013] An additional advantage of the present invention is that the
hazards used are big enough so that they can interfere with the
line of the ball but are not so big that their size limits the
players from using their cue sticks from any angle desired.
[0014] Construction of the table golf game can be done using
varying levels of quality. For instance, one embodiment includes a
hardwood frame and table legs. This embodiment also uses high
quality grasses and water hazards. Other embodiments create the
surface of the table with a plastic mold injection process. This
process can be used to create the entire table or can be used to
create individual holes attached to the base with either glue, spot
welds or nuts and bolts.
[0015] An additional hazard gives the table golf game a more
realistic feel and also makes it more challenging. This hazard can
comprise a variety of different elevations and depressions in the
surface of the table creating a variety of slopes over which the
ball travels. For example, the fairways can have hills and slopes
such that the greens are at a different elevation than the
fairways. Thus in some embodiments, the playing surface of the
table defines an undulating or compound contoured surface.
[0016] In some embodiments of the present invention the table
height is the approximate height of a pool table. In other
embodiments, the table height is custom-made according to the
desire of the players. While some embodiments of the table golf
game include multiple holes, these holes can be of varying lengths,
shapes and overall configuration.
[0017] While the methods and processes of the present invention
have been proven to be particularly useful in the area of table
golf games, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the
methods and processes can be used in a variety of different
applications and manufactured in a variety of different ways to
yield improved game simulations.
[0018] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in
the description that follows. The features and advantages may be
realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations
particularly pointed out in the description that follows.
Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be
learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from
the description, as set forth hereinafter.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] In order that the manner in which the above recited and
other features and advantages of the present invention are
obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be
rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are
illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the
drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention
and are not, therefore, to be considered as limiting the scope of
the invention, the present invention will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a representative table golf game;
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of a representative table
golf game that includes an electronic scoreboard;
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a representative table golf game that
includes a manual scoreboard;
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of a representative
electronic scoreboard;
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up view of a manual
scoreboard;
[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the table golf
game showing how the frame, base, and playing area are
connected;
[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the table golf
game showing a section of the green area;
[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the table golf
game showing a section of the tee-off area;
[0028] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the table golf
game showing a section of a water hazard between fairways;
[0029] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the table golf
game showing a section of an electronic scoreboard area with the
lid to the ball storage area closed;
[0030] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the table golf
game showing a section of the electronic scoreboard area with the
lid to the ball storage area open;
[0031] FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the table golf
game showing a section of the manual scoreboard area with the lid
to the ball storage area closed;
[0032] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the table golf
game showing a section of the manual scoreboard area with the lid
to the ball storage area open;
[0033] FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the table golf
game showing a section of the fairway with a sand trap;
[0034] FIG. 15 illustrates a representative table golf game showing
a supplemental compartment in a closed position;
[0035] FIG. 16 illustrates a representative table golf game showing
a supplemental compartment in an open position that includes the
first and second cue stick compartments and a supplemental
compartment shelf; and
[0036] FIG. 17 illustrates a representative golf game showing a
supplemental compartment shelf in an extended position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] The present invention relates to table golf More
particularly, the present invention relates to a golf game played
on a table with a cue stick, a miniature golf ball and a life-like
miniaturized-version of a golf course including; fairways; greens;
elevated, self-contained holes; sand traps; water hazards; a
scoreboard; and a storage area.
[0038] It will be readily understood that the components of the
present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the
figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of
different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed
description of the embodiments of the system and method of the
present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention, but is merely representative of the presently preferred
embodiments of the invention.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 1, a table golf game 10 comprises a
frame 12, a base 14, a playing area 16, and an electronic
scoreboard 18. In this presently preferred embodiment, playing area
16 further comprises a tee-off area 20, a fairway 22, a sand trap
24, a green area 26, a hole 28, and a water hazard 30. In the
presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, a player
32 (not shown) places a ball 34 (not shown) on the tee-off area 20.
The player 32 then strikes the ball 34 using a cue stick 36 (not
shown). In some embodiments, the cue stick 36 may comprise the
shape of a miniature golf club.
[0040] Player 32 continues to strike ball 34 until player 32
successfully directs ball 34 into hole 28. The player's 32 purpose
is to direct ball 34 into hole 28 using as few strikes or hits as
possible. This purpose is made challenging by hazards, which in
this embodiment include sand trap 24 and water hazard 30. Playing
area 16 can comprise a variety of different elevations and
depressions, creating a variety of slopes over which the ball
travels. For example, the fairways 22 can have hills and slopes
such that the green areas 26 are at different elevations than the
fairways 22.
[0041] In addition, water hazard 30 separates each hole from other
holes. Thus, different holes do not intersect each other due to the
containment characteristic provided by water hazard 30. Similar to
an actual golf course, the grass on fairway 22 is slightly higher
than the grass on green area 26. Thus, player 32 must strike ball
34 with greater force on the fairway 22 than on green area 26.
[0042] In addition, water hazard 30 is physically separated from a
playing surface 38 of playing area 16 because playing surface 38 is
elevated. Upon the successful delivery of ball 34 into hole 28,
player 32 uses electronic scoreboard 18 to keep track of his or her
score and then proceeds to the next hole. In some embodiments of
the present invention, the player uses manual score cards (not
shown) that allow the player to manually keep track of his or her
score.
[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, the playing
area 16 also includes flags 108 (see FIG. 15) located at the holes
28. Each of the flags 108 preferably comprises: a base that fits
inside the hole 28, a pole that is inserted into the base, and a
banner located at the top of the pole to represent the current hole
28 that is in play. The flags 108 are preferably removable when
putting; they can also be removed if needed in order to hit or
strike the ball 34. The flags 108 simulate the flags that identify
the holes in a real golf course and provide yet another way to
preserve the sense of playing real golf.
[0044] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of table golf game 10 that includes
electronic scoreboard 18. In this embodiment, a non-limiting
example is given showing how nine differently configured holes can
fit within table golf game 10. One skilled in the art will
recognize that a wide variety of various configurations is
possible.
[0045] FIG. 3 shows another plan view of a presently preferred
embodiment of the present invention which includes the manual
scoreboard 40.
[0046] FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of electronic scoreboard 18
that includes a subtract button 50, a clear button 52, and an add
button 54. This embodiment is configured such that four different
players can track their scores at one time. Each time player 32
strikes ball 34, he or she presses add button 54. If player 32
inadvertently presses the add button 54 too many times, he or she
corrects the score by using subtract button 50. Upon completion of
the game, player 32 then presses clear button 52 which returns the
score to zero. Electronic scoreboard 18 can be configured using
methods well know to one skilled in the art of electronics.
[0047] FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of manual scoreboard 40 which
includes a first bar 60 and a second bar 62, which are used to
track the score of each player. In this embodiment, first bar 60
and second bar 62 have numbers one through 10 in order to track
each player's score.
[0048] Moving now to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of
table golf game 10 that illustrates how frame 12, base 14 and
playing area 16 are connected. In this embodiment, frame 12 and
base 14 are directly connected to, water hazard 30. In addition,
base 14 is also connected to the base of green area 70. The
preferred embodiments of the table golf game 10 are designed to be
portable so that the player can conveniently carry it to a variety
of venues.
[0049] One skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of
configurations can exist connecting the various parts of table golf
game 10. For instance, frame 12 can also be connected to tee-off
area 20 or water hazard 30. Also, while this particular embodiment
of the present invention shows frame 12 firmly attached to playing
area 16, other embodiments of the present invention allow playing
area 16 to be removably attached to frame 12 so that table golf
game 10 is portable. In some embodiments of the present invention,
the frame 12 is designed to be placed on top of a table (not
shown), whether the latter table is included as part of the table
golf game 10 or is any sort of pre-existing table available to the
player. Thus, a player who lacks sufficient floor space can opt to
place the frame 12 on top of the table, thereby saving space and
allowing the player to play the game in a greater variety of
areas.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view
of a green area 26. This view shows a portion of the fairway 22
that has a difference in height 72 and leads up to green area 26
and hole 28. This embodiment of the present invention shows how
playing area 16 of the table golf game 10 is constructed to mirror
the difficulties faced by a golfer on a real golf course. For
instance, just as on a real golf course a golfer must negotiate
uneven surfaces, here, player 32 must also negotiate ball 34 around
uneven surfaces such as the difference in height 72 shown in this
embodiment.
[0051] In addition, this cross-sectional view shows how green area
26 has a smoother surface than fairway 22. This allows ball 34 to
play similar to a real golf ball in that ball 34 will be met with
less resistance when traveling along green area 26 than when it is
traveling along fairway 22.
[0052] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a tee-off area 20. In
this particular embodiment, tee-off area 20 includes an indent 80,
in which ball 34 sits before player 32 strikes ball 34. This
embodiment again shows how table golf game 10 is similar to the
actual game of golf. In this instance, just as in the real game of
golf, the tee-off area comprises different surface than that of
fairway 22; here also the tee-off area 20 is made of different
material than that of fairway 22. In addition, just as many tee-off
areas in the real game of golf are elevated, the tee-off area in
FIG. 28 is also elevated.
[0053] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of table golf game 10
that illustrates a section of water hazard 30 between two fairways
22. As shown in FIG. 9, water hazard 30 separates two different
holes. As discussed above, this water hazard 30 ensures that each
hole is a self-contained independent hole. When player 32 errantly
directs ball 34, ball 34 does not travel onto the playing area of
other holes but rather finds itself in water hazard 30.
[0054] One skilled in the art can recognize that other hazards such
as trees, shrubs, sand traps, or other barriers can be used to
separate the holes from each other. In addition, water hazard 30
can also be used for non-separating functions. For instance, water
hazard 30 can also be used to isolate green area 26 from the
fairway 22 of a hole.
[0055] FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of electronic scoreboard 18.
This cross-sectional view shows circuitry 90 found directly beneath
electronic scoreboard 18. In addition, this figures shows ball
storage area 92 and ball storage lid 94 in a closed position. This
embodiment shows how table golf game 10 can conveniently and
unobtrusively store both the circuitry to electronic scoreboard 18
and balls or other things needed to play table golf game 10.
[0056] FIG. 11 shows ball storage lid 94 in an open position.
[0057] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of table
golf game 10 that includes manual scoreboard 40. This embodiment
also shows ball storage area 92 as well as ball storage lid 94.
Because manual scoreboard 40 requires no circuitry, this embodiment
also shows an additional compartment 96. This additional
compartment 96 can be used to store other things relevant to the
table golf game 10. Access to additional compartment 96 is achieved
by removing scoreboard support 98.
[0058] FIG. 13 shows the embodiment of FIG. 12 where ball storage
lid 94 is in an open position.
[0059] FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of table golf game 10
that includes fairway 22 and sand trap 24. This view shows how sand
trap 24 works together with fairway 22 to provide a challenge
similar to the challenge in the real game of golf of avoiding sand
traps. This is because when ball 34 travels through sand trap 24 it
will most likely end up lodged in sand trap 24 instead of traveling
onto the other side of sand trap 24 and towards hole 28.
[0060] FIG. 15 through 17 show how a supplemental compartment 100
is incorporated into the present invention. FIG. 15 shows a cover
102 in a closed position that hides supplemental compartment 100
when in a closed position. FIG. 16 shows cover 102 in an open
position. When in an open position, player 32 can access
supplemental compartment 100, as well as any other compartments
that may exist behind cover 102. For instance, in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 16, two additional compartments exist. First, a first
cue stick compartment 104 and second, a second cue compartment 106.
These cue stick compartments are used to house cue sticks 36 among
other things. Supplemental compartment 100 is used to house all
other items needed for table golf game 10, such as hazards, balls
and flags 108.
[0061] FIG. 16 shows a supplemental compartment shelf 110 in a
storage position, whereas FIG. 17 shows supplemental shelf 110 in
an extended position.
[0062] Thus as discussed herein, the embodiments of the present
invention embrace a table golf game with self-contained holes and
other features similar to the real game of golf It will be noted
that some embodiments of the table golf game 10 may be made of
materials that allow it to be played in an outdoor environment as
well as in an indoor environment.
[0063] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
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