GB2219215A - Apparatus for playing a golf-type game - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a golf-type game comprises a plurality of towers 1 each formed with at least one opening 3 at ground level of a size sufficient to enable a golf ball to pass therethrough, the area of the base of each tower being sufficient to enclose an imaginary circle of diameter 4.25 inches (10.8cm), the diameter of a conventional golf hole. Preferably, each tower is open at its top and base and has four walls 2 tapering downwardly and outwardly from the top such that the area enclosed by the base is greater than that of the top. Towers having different numbers of openings 3 may be provided. Tee position indicators (4, fig 5) and ball markers (5) may be used, whilst each tower may enclose a mat (not shown) of a friction-generating material to simulate a hole. <IMAGE>

Description

Apparatus for Playing a Game This invention relates to apparatus for playing a game and more especially to such apparatus for playing a game which is based on the game of golf. The game is primarily for to players or tuo teams of players. It can, however, be played by one or any number of players and one objective is to enable golfers to improve their putting skills.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game which comprises a plurality of individual towers each formed with at least one opening at ground level of a size sufficient to enable a golf bal to pass therethrough, the area of the base of each tower being just sufficient to enclose an imaginary circle of diameter 4.25 inches (the diameter of a conventional golf hole).

In a preferred construction, each tower is open at its top and base and is of generally square cross section, the four walls of the tower tapering downwardly and outwardly from the top thereof such that the area enclosed by the tower base is greater than that of the tower top.

At least several of the individual towers may be formed with openings of a size sufficient to receive a golf ball in at least to opposite side walls; in a preferred construction several of the towers are formed with such openings in all four side walls. Thus, a "set" of towers may comprise six towers with openings in all four side walls and three towers with openings in one or two side walls.

The individual towers of a set of nine may be marked clearly with one of the numerals 1 to 9.

The game apparatus may also include one or more markers to indicate one or more starting points or tees for the game. TheThngae apparatus may additionally include mats of a size equivalent t 9 at of a conventional golf hole, the mats being positionableM:nit the area described by the tower bases. Score cards for the players may also be provided.

Each or a selected number of towers may be constructed from a sheet material such as plastics, plywood, card or board. Alternatively, each or a selected number of towers may be constructed by moulding or casting in a plastics or metallic material. Other relatively rigid sheet materials may, however, be used.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of game apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of alternative or additional game apparatus in accordance with the invention; and Figure 5 illustrates additional game apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is designed to be played by players using conventional golfing putters and golf balls and comprises a tower 1 constructed from sheets of plastics, plywood, card, board or similar material. Alternatively, the towers may be produced by moulding or casting in a plastics or metallic material. The tower 1 is square in cross section and its side walls 2 taper downwardly and outwardly so that the area described by the tower base is greater than that described by its top. The individual side walls 2 are joined together by any suitable means, these including gluing and interlocking tabs and recesses formed in the adjoining sides of individual side walls. Alternatively, the tower 1 may be produced in one unit by a moulding or casting technique.The tower is open ended and the area described by its base is sufficient just to enclose a conventional golf hole of 4.25 inches diameter.

Each of the four side walls is formed at ground level with an arcuate opening 3 of size sufficient to enable a golf ball to enter the tower interior. The openings 3 are sized to permit ready access to the tower interior without being so large as to preclude a degree of skill in causing a golf ball to pass therethrough.

The tower shown is one of six of a set of nine towers; two towers of the set include two openings 3, and the final tower has only one opening 3. Examples of towers including two openings and one opening are shown in Figures 3 and 4 respectively.

The game apparatus also includes semi-circular tees 4 and point markers 5, the former being used to indicate play-off points and the second for marking the positions of balls. These items are illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings.

The game can be played indoors on, for example, a carpetted floor or outdoors on any level or grassed area.

It is played in the following manner. Nine towers, numbered "1" to "9" are set out by each player or each side in turn; the setting of these towers can be re arranged for each game. A marker 4 is placed approximately six feet from the first tower 3. As mentioned previously, the finishing tower (that numbered 9) has only one opening and can be played into from only one direction.

In playing the game one player (or team) "tees off" and thereafter each player in turn uses a putter to propel a golf ball towards and through each of the towers in turn. The player or team which completes the course first or in the least number of strokes is the winner.

If a player in attempting to propel his ball through one of the openings 3 causes his ball to strike a tower, the ball must be returned to its previous position, this being indicated by a point marker 5. If, however, a player's ball is propelled into contact with a tower by being struck by another player's ball, then his ball remains in play at the position at which it comes tc rest.

It is a feature of the game that a player is entitled to strike an opponents ball with his own in order to improve his position or to place an opponent at a disadvantage.

However, if a ball is propelled through a tower opening after being struck by an opponent's ball, then the ball is deemed to have been "holed" and the player is then free to attempt to propel his ball through an opening formed in the next tower.

If a ball comes to rest within a tower, it is replaced as closely as possible to the point at which it was played.

For towers 1 to 8, a ball can enter the tower through any one of the openings 3. For the final tower (numbered 9) however, a ball can only enter through one opening.

In a variation of the game described, each player can "hole out" at individual towers by bringing his ball to rest within the area enclosed by the base of each tower.

In a further variation of the game described, discrete mats surfaced with friction generating material are positioned within each tower to simulate the presence of a hole. The mats approximate to the area enclosed by the base of each tower and can themselves enclose a hole of less than 4.25 inches in diameter designed to arrest a golf ball. In this variation, to move on to the next tower, the ball must come to rest on the surface of a mat or within the hole enclosed by the mat.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of game apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention. Thus, the game rules may be varied to simulate match play, foursomes or better ball conditions.

Claims (11)

CLAII1S

1 Apparatus for playing a game which comprises a plurality of individual towers each formed with at least one opening at ground level of a size sufficient to enable a golf ball to pass therethrough, the area of the base of each tower being just sufficient to enclose an imaginary circle equivalent to the diameter of a conventional golf hole.

2 Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each tower is open at its top and base and is of generally square cross section, the four walls of the tower tapering downwardly and outwardly from the top thereof such that the area enclosed by the tower base is greater than that of the tower top.

3 Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least several of the individual towers are formed with openings of a size sufficient to receive a golf ball in at least two opposite side walls.

4 Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein several of the towers are formed with such openings in all four side walls.

5 Aparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising six towers with openings in all four side walls and three towers with openings in-one or two side walls.

6 Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the individual towers of a set of nine are narked clearly with one of the numerals 1 to 9.

7 Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising one or more markers to indicate one or more starting points or tees for the game.

8 Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising mats of a size equivalent to that of a conventional golf hole, the mats being positionable within the area described by the tower bases.

9 Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each or a selected number of towers are constructed from a sheet material such as plastics, plywood, card or board.

10 Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein each or a selected number of towers are constructed by moulding or casting in a plastics or metallic material.

11 Game apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2; Figures 3 and 4; and Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.