GB2194893A - Trap - Google Patents

Abstract

A trap 10 for a rolling object includes a plurality of elongate fingers 12 suspended from suspension means so as to hang side by side and thereby define a boundary, the fingers extending from the suspension means such that their terminal ends are located at a predetermined distance above the surface along which the object is rolled, the elongate fingers being movably suspended for movement inwardly only of said boundary. In one embodiment, the elongate fingers are arranged such that the boundary which is defined is circular to thereby simulate the edge of a circular hole as used for instance in golf. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Trap The present invention relates to a trap.

In certain ball games such as golf a ball is rolled along the ground and into a hole. Practice of rolling a ball into a hole is difficult indoors due to the need to provide a hole. It is known to provide devices which simulate holes but known devices generally have ramps which interfere with the passage of the ball an do not therefore accurately simulate a hole.

It is one aim of one embodiment of the present invention to provide a device which more accurately simulates a hole and thereby provides more meaningful practice for rolling a ball into a hole.

It is also a general aim of the present invention to provide a trap for a rolling object such as a ball which allows the object to pass a defined boundary and not return.

in accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a trap for a rolling object including a plurality of elongate fingers suspended from suspension means so as to hang side by side and thereby define a boundary, the fingers extending from the suspension means such that their terminal ends are located at a predetermined distance above the surface along which the object is rolled, the elongate fingers being movable suspended for movement inwardly only of said boundary.

In one embodiment, the elongate fingers are arranged such that the boundry which is defined is circular to thereby simulate the edge of a circular hole as used for instance in golf.

Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a part plan view taken along line Il-Il in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a part side view taken along line Ill-Ill in Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a part side view of an alternative construction of finger; and Figure 5 is a part side view of a further alternative construction of finger.

The trap 10 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 is designed to simulate a circualr hole. The trap 10 includes a plurality of fingers 12 which are suspended from an annular rail 14 so as to hand downwardly therefrom in a side by side manner and thereby define a circular boundary.

The rail 14 is carried by a spider 16 which includes a central boss 17 and radially projecting arms 18. The rail 14 is supported at spaced locations on arms 18.

The boss 17 is mounted on a support shaft 20 which in turn is mounted on a base 22 which sits on the surface 25 along which objects are rolled. In the drawings, the object to be rolled is a ball 26.

In Figs. 1 to 3 the fingers 12 are provided with an eye 30 through which the rail 14 passes. Accordingly the fingers 12 are pivotally suspended from the rail 14. Pivotal movement of the fingers 12 in an outward direction is prevented by an annular stop 32 which surrounds the plurality of fingers. The stop 32 is mounted on the support shaft 20 via suspension struts 35 which depend from a bracket 36. The central portion 36a of bracket 36 is attached to shaft 20.

The fingers 12 are thus restrained from outward pivotal movement and are only permitted to more inwardly.

The distance d between the lower terminal ends of the fingers 12 and the surface 25 is chosen so as to be equal to at least half the diameter of the ball 26 and is preferably about two thirds the diameter of the ball. In this way if a ball rolling along the surface 25 strikes the boundary defined by the fingers, the fingers are caused to deflect inwardly. If the ball has sufficient momentum to move the fingers such that the crest 26a of the ball passes the boundary the ball will pass by the fingers. The deflected fingers will then enter under gravity to their original positions and the ball will then be retained within the boundary defined by the fingers. If the ball does not have sufficient momentum to deflect the fingers so that the crest passes the boundary, the ball will be deflected outwardly by the fingers.

The sensitivity of the trap to enable a ball to enter passed the boundry may be varied by suitable choice of the length of the fingers, the weight of the fingers and the distance d.

The fingers 12 may be made of any suitable material such as plastics, metal, wood etc.

It will be appreciated therefore that the trap can accurately simulate a hole since there are no obstructions for the ball to encounter before reaching the boundary and additionally the ball is not permitted to enter passed the boundary unless the crest of the ball passes the boundary which is similar to a ball falling over the edge of a hole.

In Fig. 1 the base 22 is illustrated as being provided with a depending projection 38 which is intended to act as a stake thereby giving the base 22 added support should the trap be used outdoors. The projection 38 is removably attached to the base 22. A carrying handle 40 is conveniently provided which is attached to the support shaft 20.

An alternative method of attaching the fingers 12 to the rail 14 is illustrated in Fig. 4.

In this regard, the finger 12 illustrated in Fig.

4 includes an opening 44 which enables the rail 14 to be inserted radially into the eye 30.

In Fig. 5 an alternative mode for suspending the fingers 12 is illustrated. In this embodment the rail 14 is replaced by an annular tube 50 having circumferentially extended slots 51. The fingers 12 project through a respective slot 51 and are attached to a cylin drical support member 54 which is rotatably received within the tube and thereby provides a pivotal connection for the attached finger.

The terminal circumferential ends of the slot act as stops for the pivotal movement of the finger passing therethrough and thereby means that the annular stop 32 may be dispensed with.

Whilst the above trap has been described wherein the boundary defined by the fingers is circular it will be appreciated that other bound arty shapes may be adopted as desired.

Claims (8)

1. A trap for a rolling object including a plurality of elongate fingers suspended from suspension means so as to hang side by side and thereby define a boundary, the fingers extending from the suspension means such that their terminal ends are located at a predeter mined distance above the surface along which the object is rolled, the elongate fingers being movably suspended for movement inwardly only of said boundary. In one embodiment, the elongate fingers are arranged such that the boundry which is defined is circular to thereby simulate the edge of a circular hole as used for instance in golf.

2. A trap according to Claim 1 wherein said predetermined distance is equal to at least half the diameter of the object.

3. A trap according to Claim 2 wherein said predetermined distance is about two thirds of the diameter of the object.

4. A trap according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the suspension means includes a rail from which the fingers are hingedly sus pended, the rail being connected to- support means for mounting the rail on said surface along which the object is rolled.

5. A trap according to Claim 4 wherein each finger has an aperture at one end which is rotatably located on the rail to form the hinge connection between the rail and finger.

6. A trap according to Claim 4 wherein the rail is tubular and each finger includes a cylindrical support portion rotatably received within the tubular rail to form the hinge connection between the rail and finger.

7. A trap according to any preceding claim wherein said boundary is circular.

8. A trap substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.