Amusement devices: games – Surface projectile game; game element – Simulated game
Patent
1991-09-13
1993-12-14
Marlo, George J.
Amusement devices: games
Surface projectile game; game element
Simulated game
273181K, 273199R, 273232, 273218, 273221, A63B 6702
Patent
active
052695263
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to improvements to games and in particular to a golf type game and apparatus for playing such a game.
BACKGROUND ART
The game of golf at present is a very popular game and its popularity is increasing, particularly with the large number of golf courses which are being constructed. Generally, however, the cost of playing golf is relatively high and the land area occupied by golf courses is considerable. Furthermore playing golf outdoors is often determined by the prevailing weather conditions. A number of golf type games have been proposed in the past such as the game of PUTT-PUTT which can be played indoors or outdoors, however, this game has little similarity to the conventional game of golf. Another golf game which is known is the CHIP AND PUTT game, however, this game is also played outdoors and requires large land areas for playing. Yet a further golf type game uses a computer display to simulate a golf course, however, again this game does not closely approximate the real game of golf.
Other forms of indoor golf games have been described in Australian Patent Application No. 77036/87, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,437,672, 3,684,293 and 1,574,596. In Australian application No. 77,036/87, an indoor golf game is disclosed including a plurality of playing areas arranged about a floor surface and a specially formed golf ball is used in the game. In this arrangement, however, the golf ball employed is only designed to go a short distance even when hit with a driver and does not have the run or fly of a normal golf ball so that the game is not a true simulation of the game of golf. U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,672 discloses a golf game simulating apparatus in which an image of a hole is projected onto a screen and a normal golf ball is driven towards the screen. The screen is fixed on a concave wall which serves to direct the ball towards a hole arranged in a putting green. In this arrangement, simulation is provided by the picture on the screen and complex electronic circuitry is required for control of the apparatus. Furthermore, as the concave wall always tends to direct the ball towards the hole, no real skill is involved in aiming the ball at a required position on the wall to achieve a desired direction of rebound. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,293 a golf game apparatus is employed which includes an enclosed area and a rebound surface defined by a strip of material which absorbs energy of a standard golf ball which is hit towards the rebound surface. In this case, the position at which the ball is hit is essential to the rebounding nature of the ball.
In U.S. Pat. No. 1,574,596 a ball is struck towards oppositely facing deflecting and retarding plates which deflect the ball into an enclosed field. The apparatus is primarily for golf practice and not a true simulation of a normal golf game.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims to provide a golf type game which is primarily aimed for indoor use and which requires skills similar to that required for the normal game of golf. The present invention also aims to provide apparatus for playing the aforesaid game and a ball particularly suited to playing the aforesaid game. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent hereunder.
With the above and other objects in view the present invention provides games apparatus for a golf-type game, said apparatus including on a ground or floor surface, a tee area, a substantially planar rigid rebound surface at a position spaced from said tee area, a hole layout area including said tee area terminating at said rebound surface, said hole layout area including a hole, and a ball having a relatively hard outer surface so as to provide the feel of a standard golf ball and a resilience substantially less than a standard golf ball so that said ball will resiliently deform and lose substantial kinetic energy on striking said rebound surface, whereby a said ball hit from said tee area towards said rebound surface may strike said rebound surface so as to rebound therefrom
REFERENCES:
patent: 1574596 (1926-12-01), Barnett
patent: 3684293 (1972-08-01), Brooks
patent: 3837653 (1974-09-01), Fox et al.
patent: 4248424 (1981-02-01), Judkins
patent: 4437672 (1984-03-01), Armantrout et al.
patent: 4836552 (1989-06-01), Puckett et al.
Marlo George J.
Waggle Pty Ltd.
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