U.S. patent application number 12/989374 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-18 for golfing game apparatus.
Invention is credited to Robert Blair Fallow, David Victor Jolliffe, Steven Paul Jolliffe.
Application Number | 20110201437 12/989374 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39522608 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110201437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fallow; Robert Blair ; et
al. |
August 18, 2011 |
Golfing Game Apparatus
Abstract
A golf ball struck by a player from a teeing area (22) to a
second area (27) with golf holes (26), (30) passes beneath the
lower edge (65) of a transparent screen (64) and then through
photoelectric beam arrangements (66, 67). The holes (26, 30)
incorporate ball sensors connected to a control device (60) which
allocates scores. A selected hole may be illuminated and the
control device rewards a successful putt into the selected hole
with a higher score.
Inventors: |
Fallow; Robert Blair;
(Bedfordshire, GB) ; Jolliffe; David Victor;
(Herts, GB) ; Jolliffe; Steven Paul; (Herts,
GB) |
Family ID: |
39522608 |
Appl. No.: |
12/989374 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
April 24, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB09/01050 |
371 Date: |
January 3, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/152 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/0021 20130101;
A63B 71/0616 20130101; A63B 2024/0037 20130101; A63B 67/02
20130101; A63B 2063/001 20130101; A63B 71/0669 20130101; A63B 63/00
20130101; A63B 47/025 20130101; A63B 71/0605 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/152 |
International
Class: |
A63B 67/02 20060101
A63B067/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 25, 2008 |
GB |
0807623.4 |
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. A golfing game apparatus comprising a putting surface
comprising a first, teeing area for a player and a second area
having one or more golf holes, a screen being provided between said
first area and said second area to prevent a player having access
to said second area, the apparatus further comprising two or more
sensors to detect a ball and/or any other object moving between
said first and second areas, said sensors being arranged at
different distances from the first area.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said sensors are
arranged at different heights above the putting surface.
18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein each said sensor
comprises a photoelectric beam arrangement.
19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said second area
has a plurality of golf holes, and control apparatus is provided
for selecting one of said holes and identifying the selected hole
to a player.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a light is
provided for identifying the selected hole.
21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein a respective
detector is provided at each hole for detecting the entry of a golf
ball and forwarding a signal representative thereof to control
apparatus.
22. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the control
apparatus allocates a score in respect of a ball entering a hole,
whereby a higher score can be allocated if entry of a ball into a
selected hole is detected.
23. The apparatus according to claim 16, and comprising a second
surface beneath said putting surface and sloped towards said first
end of the apparatus.
24. The apparatus according to claim 16 having a putter secured
thereto.
25. A golfing game apparatus comprising a putting surface
comprising a first, teeing area for a player and a second area
having one or more holes, wherein one or more sensors are arranged
to detect the presence, height, length and/or direction of movement
of a ball or other article moving between said first and second
areas.
26. The apparatus according to claim 25, comprising at least two
sensors, said sensors being located at different distances along
said putting surface from said first area.
27. The apparatus according to claim 25 and comprising control
apparatus for selecting one of said holes and identifying the
selected hole to a player.
28. The apparatus according to claim 27 comprising a light for
identifying the selected hole.
29. A golfing game apparatus comprising a putting surface with a
plurality of golf holes, a respective detector being provided at
each hole for detecting the entry of a golf ball, and control
apparatus responsive to said detectors for allocating and
indicating a respective score.
30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said putting
surface comprises a first, teeing area for a player and a second
area having said golf holes, a screen being provided between said
first area and said second area to prevent a player having access
to said second area, the apparatus further comprising two or more
sensors to detect a ball and/or any other object moving between
said first and second areas, said sensors being arranged at
different distances from the first area, and wherein control
apparatus is provided for selecting one of said holes and
identifying the selected hole to a player.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a golfing game
apparatus.
[0002] Golf is a very popular sport, so there is much demand for
golf-related games and associated merchandise. Various indoor
putting games have been proposed, which suffer from a number of
possible disadvantages.
[0003] For example, a problem with unsupervised games is that
players can cheat, either the game owner if prizes are awarded, or
each other. Many people who otherwise enjoy playing golf-related
games find that keeping a score can be difficult and
time-consuming. Some players find that playing on an apparatus
which does not change in any way can become boring after a
time.
[0004] Aspects of the present invention seek to overcome or reduce
one or more of the above problems.
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a golfing game apparatus comprising a putting surface
comprising a first, teeing area for a player and a second area
having one or more golf holes, a screen being provided between the
teeing area and the second area to prevent a player having access
to the second area.
[0006] Means may be provided to discriminate between a ball and any
other object moving from said first area to said second area. The
discriminating means may be one or more photoelectric beams to
determine the height, length and/or direction of movement of the
object. For example, two beams may be provided at different heights
above the putting surface and/or at different distances from the
first area.
[0007] Preferably the second area has a plurality of golf holes,
and means are provided for selecting one of said holes and
identifying the selected hole to a player. To effect said
identification, means are preferably provided for illuminating the
selected hole.
[0008] In preferred embodiments, respective means are provided at
each hole for detecting the entry of a golf ball and forwarding a
signal representative thereof to control means. The control means
may comprise means for indicating the entry of a golf ball into a
hole. The control means may allocate a particular score to the
player. In preferred embodiments, the control means is also
connected to the hole selecting and identifying means mentioned in
the preceding paragraph and allocates a higher score if entry of a
ball into a selected hole is detected.
[0009] One preferred embodiment has nine holes arranged in the
shape of a diagonal cross.
[0010] The putting surface may be sloped towards the teeing area so
that a ball missing the golf holes can return to a player. The
apparatus may comprise a second surface which is beneath said
putting surface and which is sloped towards the teeing area end of
the apparatus, whereby a ball dropping through one of said holes
can return to ball-receiving means at the teeing area end.
[0011] The apparatus may also comprise a putter, which is
preferably secured to the apparatus, e.g. by a security cable. The
apparatus may also be supplied with one or more golf balls.
[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a golfing game apparatus comprising a playing surface
with a plurality of golf holes, and means for selecting one of said
holes and identifying the selected hole to a player, e.g. by
illuminating it.
[0013] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a golfing game apparatus comprising a putting surface
with a plurality of golf holes, respective means being provided at
each hole for detecting the entry of a golf ball, and means,
responsive to said detecting means for allocating and indicating a
respective score.
[0014] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described, by way of example only with reference to the
accompanying drawings, of which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game apparatus in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a view of the playing surface part of the
apparatus of FIG. 1; and
[0017] FIG. 3 is a exploded view of the playing surface part of
FIG. 2.
[0018] Referring to the drawings, a golfing game apparatus or
machine 10 comprises a playing part 12 which has a playing surface
part 14 and a base part 16. The right hand end of playing surface
part 14 constitutes a teeing area 22 where a player stands to
strike a golf ball 24 with a putter 25. The player can obtain a
ball to play from a tray 41 through a substantially L-shaped
opening 31 in part 14.
[0019] The ball is struck towards nine holes 26 arranged in the
form of a diagonal cross adjacent the opposite or outfield end 27
of the part 14. Between the end 27 and the adjacent end of base
part 16 there is a gap 28 extending across the width of the
apparatus 10. Balls 24 which do not drop into one of the holes 26
fall into the gap 28.
[0020] The part 14 slopes slightly downwardly towards teeing area
22 so that if a ball is struck with insufficient force, does not
reach gap 28 and does not drop into any of the holes 26, it returns
to the player under the force of gravity.
[0021] Base part 16 is divided into a relatively large recess 43
and a raised area 44, and a ball dropping into a hole 26 falls down
a respective passageway 32 into recess 43. As its left hand end,
the base part has a smaller recess 45 into which fall balls passing
through gap 28 or hole 30. Recess 45 communicates with recess 43
via a channel 47. The floor surface of recess 45 slopes towards the
middle of the apparatus and the floors of channel 47 and recess 43
slope towards the right hand end of the apparatus. Thus a ball
falling into gap 28 or hole 30 is directed along channel 47 into
recess 43 and thence to tray 41 which is in communication with
recess 43 by means of channel 48. A ball falling through one of
holes 26 enters recess 43 directly and is then guided into tray
41.
[0022] A ball detector is provided at each hole for detecting the
passage of a ball. In the embodiment shown, a ball interrupts a
light beam as it drops through a hole and the light beam detectors
are linked to control apparatus 60 by cables extending underneath
the playing part 12.
[0023] Control apparatus 60 has means for awarding a score to a
player when a ball detector for a hole sends it a signal. The score
is displayed on a panel 62. A ball passing through hole 30 is
always awarded a high score and/or a prize such as a cash payment.
The apparatus 60 also has means selecting a particular one of holes
26 and illuminating it to identify it to a player. The illumination
is by means of a ring around each hole. When a ball passes through
an illuminated hole 26, the control apparatus awards a higher score
than for the other holes 26.
[0024] To prevent access to the outfield end of the apparatus, an
inclined transparent screen or cover 64 (FIG. 1) is provided in a
housing 66. The lower edge 65 of the screen 64 is spaced above the
surface of part 14 by 5 cm, i.e. slightly more than the diameter of
a golf ball.
[0025] Positioned beneath screen 64 are two photoelectric barrier
arrangements 66a, 66b and 67a, 67b, see FIG. 2. A photoelectric
beam between barrier elements 66a and 66b is about 1 cm above the
surface of part 14. Barrier elements 67a, 67b are spaced slightly
further away from teeing area 22 and the photoelectric beam
therebetween is about 4 cm above the surface of part 14. Signals
from the beam arrangements are supplied to control apparatus 60
which includes means for using the signals to discriminate between
a ball passing from the teeing area to the left hand or outfield
end, a ball passing in the opposite direction, and another object
moving underneath screen 64, e.g. a putter or other elongate
object. The three situations may be displayed on display screen 62,
and the apparatus 60 may have a visual and audible alarm device
which is actuated when an object other than a ball is detected.
[0026] The putter 25 is attached to the control apparatus by means
of a length of flexible but strong cable 71 to prevent theft.
[0027] Typical games played with the apparatus 10 will now be
described.
[0028] A user first inserts coins or notes to a specific value in
suitable slots (not shown) in apparatus 60. Alternatively payment
may be made electronically. The user then selects the number of
players using a touch facility of displaying screen 62. Similarly
the user then selects the type of game it is desired to play (for
example practice, a challenge game, or a game to win cash).
[0029] One or more balls are then released into tray 41 by a
solenoid or other suitable mechanism.
[0030] The control apparatus 60 then illuminates the light around
one of the holes 26 to indicate which hole will attract a
particular score. The player then places a ball 24 on the teeing
area 22 and putts it towards the left hand end of the playing
surface part. The ball passes under the edge 65 of screen 64 and
then in sequence past the photoelectric barrier arrangements 66a,
66b and 67a, 67b. Thus control apparatus 60 can now detect that a
ball has properly entered the area with holes 26. If the ball drops
into a hole 26, the appropriate score is awarded together with
suitable sounds, graphics output, and/or lights. If the ball enters
the illuminated hole 26 or special hole 30, respective different
scores are awarded and different accompanying effects are
triggered.
[0031] If the ball is hit too hard and misses all the holes, it
falls into gap 28, i.e. "out of bounds", and returns via recesses
45 and 43 to the ball release mechanism. If a plurality of balls
are initially provided to tray 41, then the ball is prevented from
returning to the tray by means of a physical barrier (not shown) in
channel 48. If a single ball is initially provided to tray 41, then
the ball is returned to tray 41; the number of shots is counted and
the physical barrier is activated when a predetermined number of
shots has been reached.
[0032] If the ball is hit too softly and misses the holes 26, it
will return down the slope to the teeing area 22. This ball
movement in the reverse direction is detected by the photoelectric
barrier arrangements 67a, 67b and 66a, 66b and the control
apparatus takes this into account for the next shot.
[0033] At the end of a game, any cash prize can be dispensed by a
suitable money-handling mechanism (not shown) incorporated in
apparatus 60.
[0034] If a user of the apparatus attempts to cheat, this is
detected and indicated by the control apparatus 60 with the
assistance of:
(i) One or more sensors (not shown) to check that screen 64 is
correctly in place; (ii) Photoelectric beam arrangements 66a, 66b
and 67a, 67b and possibly other similar arrangements located
elsewhere in the apparatus to give an indication of anything other
than a golf ball entering the outfield; (iii) Accurate timing
devices (not shown) to ensure that golf balls are detected by the
various sensors in a correct logical sequence at correct time
intervals.
[0035] The above-described apparatus has numerous advantages. It
provides a nine-hole putting course with a realistic artificial
putting surface, while occupying only a small area. It employs a
standard golf ball 24, a real putter 25 and standard-sized golf
holes 26. It thus provides a physical skill-based game using a
normal putting action--i.e. there is no simulation or automation to
assist or hinder the player.
[0036] The machine is designed for leisure, amusement, fun and
challenge, for all ages and abilities. The system automatically
awards players with a score for each shot and totaled at the end of
the game. It can automatically pay cash prizes or dispense prize
tickets if required. Moreover, the recovery of the ball, and the
automatic scoring and cash handling are all implemented with few
moving parts which provides high reliability. The calculation and
payment of cash prizes can be readily undertaken under the control
of software within apparatus 60.
[0037] Its components can pass through a standard doorway and then
be easily assembled. It is sturdy and robust and can resist
attempts to cheat. Besides resisting cheating, screen 64 also
serves to keep clean the holes 26 and the remainder of the outfield
area. The playing surface part 14 can easily be separated from base
part 16 to assist in cleaning, servicing and in replacing sensors
or other components if necessary.
[0038] The cheat feature allows cash to be paid out automatically
and immediately without the need for supervision or checking and
enables leagues, events and competitions to be held, with or
without linking the units.
[0039] Various modifications can be made to the above-described
apparatus. For example any suitable number of holes 26 may be
provided from one up to eighteen or more. They may be arranged in a
square, circle or any other desired pattern. Hole 30 may be
omitted, or more than one such "special hole" may be provided. The
apparatus may be provided for personal use without the
money-handling facilities.
[0040] More than two photoelectric beam arrangements may be
provided. If sufficient beam arrangements are provided, the ball
detector arrangements at the individual holes can be omitted. For
example a grid of intersecting photoelectric beams with a mutual
spacing of, say, 50 mm enables the position of a ball to be tracked
at all times by suitable software within control apparatus 60.
[0041] Instead of, or in addition to, the photoelectric beam
arrangements, other presence sensing arrangements may be used to
detect a golf ball, e.g. capacitative detectors. The putter 25 may
also be provided with a sensor to indicate to the control apparatus
60 when a ball has been hit.
[0042] Another way of tracking balls and/or to prevent cheating is
to install one or more cameras to monitor the apparatus. By
supplying output signals to the control apparatus, the camera(s)
can enable suitable software to automatically award scores to the
player(s) and to prevent cheating. A camera can be provided at
location 84 at the centre of the back of the apparatus, and/or at
location 85 at the side of control apparatus 60; additional cameras
may be provided.
[0043] Other means may be provided for illuminating a selected
hole, e.g. one or more movable searchlights may be directed at the
selected hole. The hole could be selected in other ways, for
example the holes may have numbers or other identifiers, and the
control apparatus 60 may indicate the identifier audibly and/or
visibly on display screen 62.
[0044] The apparatus may operate with a single ball or with a
plurality of balls to increase speed of play.
[0045] The base part may be provided with adjustable feet to assist
in levelling the apparatus on uneven floors. The base part may be
provided with wheels for ease of installation and movement.
[0046] The apparatus can be used for single players or groups of
players playing alternate shots. A plurality of machines can be
linked so players can play each other in different venues, via
internet, wireless network etc.
[0047] If desired a display screen 82 may instead or in addition be
provided at the outfield end of the apparatus 10. The control
apparatus 60 may be incorporated with display screen 82 or may be
located elsewhere in the apparatus or as a separate device.
[0048] The control apparatus 60 may incorporate software which
modifies the level of scoring and/or the payment of cash prizes by
taking into account the skill level of the players.
[0049] The apparatus can be modified to replicate other games or
sports. For example, the apparatus could be provided at table-top
level with a cue being used instead of putter 25 to direct snooker
or billiard balls towards the holes. Alternatively, a croquet
mallet could be provided instead of putter 25 to direct balls
through holes or hoops.
[0050] The features of the various modifications may be combined or
interchanged as desired.
* * * * *