GB2204800A - Game target - Google Patents

Abstract

A target 10 for missiles such as golf balls comprises a mosaic 12 of pressure sensitive elements 14, 16, 18, 20. Each element is a pressure-sensitive pad operable to generate a signal in response to the impact of a golf ball. These signals are transmitted back to a display device 28. A numeric display 30 may display the score corresponding to the element on which a golf ball lands, or a cumulative score after a series of golf balls have been struck. <IMAGE>

Description

Game Target The present invention relates to game targets for use in missile games. The invention is particularly intended for use by golfers and is described in this context, but can equally be applied for use with game missiles other than -golf balls.

It is important in the game of golf to be able to hit a ball accurately to a chosen position. The distances over which a golf ball is normally hit make it difficult for the golfer to assess how near a ball has landed to the chosen point. This reduces the speed at which the golfer may improve his technique.

The present invention seeks to obviate or mitigate these and other disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a target for missiles, comprising a mosaic of pressure sensitive elements, each element being operable to generate a signal in response to the impact of a missile on that element.

Preferably the pressure sensitive elements are pressure sensitive pads or mats.

Preferably the mosaic comprises a series of concentric annular regions. The mosaic may comprise a central circular region. The mosaic may comprise an outer region having an inner border concentric with annular regions and/or the central circular region, and an outer non-circular border.

Preferably neighbouring regions of the mosaic are contiguous. Preferably each region is defined by a single pressure sensitive element.

Preferably the said signals are electrical.

Preferably the target further comprises display means responsive to a signal from the elements to form a display indicative of the element generating the signal.

The display means may display a score allocated to the said generating element. The display means may display a cumulative score which is the sum of scores allocated to elements struck in a series of missile impacts. The display means may comprise a digital display portion.

Preferably the target further comprises a plurality of electrical connections extending between the display means and respective. elements, the elements being operable to make or break the connection upon impact.

Preferably the target further comprises a multi core cable extending between the display means and the mosaic and providing the plurality of electrical connections. The cable may be connected by disconnectable means to the elements of the mosaic and to the display means.

Preferably the cable is sufficiently long and the mosaic and elements are sufficiently large to allow the target to be used for golfing practice with the display means positioned to be readable at a position from which golf balls may be hit onto the target.

Preferably the cable has a length between 15 feet (4.5 metres) and 100 feet (30 metres).

Preferably the mosaic comprises an inner circular element of a 3 inch (7 centimetres) diameter, a concentric annular element of inner diameter of 3 inches (7 centimetres) and an outer diameter of 24 inches (60 centimetres), a concentric element of inner diameter of 24 inches (60 centimetres) and an outer diameter of 48 inches (122 centimetres), and an outer element having an inner concentric border of 48 inches diameter (122 centimetres) and an outer border which is square and has a side length of 74 inches (188 centimetres).

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, and with reference to the sole accompanying figure which is a diagrammatic representation of a target according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a target 10 for missiles, comprising a mosaic 12 of pressure sensitive elements 14,16,18,20.

Each element 14,16,18,20 is operable to generate a signal in response to pressure produced by the impact of a missile on that element.

Each element 14,16,18,20 is a pressure sensitive pad or mat of the type which have been proposed for use with burglar alarms and the like. Each element has an internal structure which allows an electrical signal to be produced to indicate the impact of a missile anywhere on that element.

The mosaic of elements forms a target of concentric regions within an overall square border. The innermost element 20 is circular and has a diameter of 3 inches (7 centimetres). The element 20 is contiguous with a surrounding, concentric element 18 which has an inner diameter of 3 inches (7 centimetres) and an outer diameter of 24 inches (60 centimetres). The e-lement 18 is in turn within and contiguous with an annular element 16 having an inner diameter of 24 inches (60 centimetres) and an outer diameter of 48 inches (122 centimetres). The outer annular element 16 is within the outermost element 14 which has an inner circular border with a diameter of 48 inches (122 centimetres) and which is contiguous with the element 16. The outer border of the element 14 is square, with a side length of 74 inches (188 centimetres).Electrical connections are made within the mosaic elements or behind the mosaic, between an electrical connector 22 and the terminals of the elements 14,16,18,20 at which a signal is produced when a missile lands. Each time a missile lands on the mosaic 12, an electrical signal is produced at the connector 22. This may be the making or breaking of a connection between a corresponding pair of terminals in the connector 22. A multi core cable 24 has a connector 22' at one end for connection to the connector 22, and has a connector 26 at its other end for connection to a connector 26' of a control apparatus 28. The electrical signals generated by the elements 14,16,18,20 are thereby provided to the control apparatus 28 which can determine from the signals received, the identity of the element which has been struck by a missile.

The element which has been struck may be indicated by the control apparatus 28 by means of a display 30 which may be used in a variety of ways. The display 30 may comprise indicator lights corresponding to each of the mosaic elements, the corresponding light being illuminated when an element is struck by a missile.

Alternatively, the display 30 may show a numerical score corresponding to the element struck. For instance, a high score may be allocated to the small inner element 20, while progressively lower scores are allocated to the elements 14,16,18 further away from the element 20. The display 30 may show the score for each missile or may show a accumulative score from a series of missiles. The display may be in an analogue or digital form and more than one of the types of display outlined above may be provided.

The target described is used as a golfing aid in the following manner. The mosaic 12 is laid on the ground at a desired distance away from the point from which golf balls are to be struck. The control apparatus 28 is located near the golfer, so that he may read the display 30. The mosaic 12 and control apparatus 28 are then connected by the cable 24, which may be between 15 feet (4.5 metres) and 100 feet (30 metres) in length, for instance.

The golfer then commences to strike golf balls towards the mosaic 12, aiming to land the balls on the central element 20. After each ball has been struck, the display 30 will indicate the element of the mosaic on which the ball landed. The golfer can then determine how close to the central element 20 the ball landed. In the event of him missing the element 20, he may make appropriate adjustments before making a further attempt.

Alternatively, the target may be used for amusement, by allocating scores to the various regions and recording scores achieved by different players, or by a single player, for instance with a certain number of attempts.

Modifications and variations of the apparatus described above may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the dimensions of the elements 14,16,18,20 may be varied, especially if the target is to be used for missiles other than golf balls. The mosaic 12 need not be in the circular form described. A mosaic of square or other shaped elements may be considered more appropriate in some circumstances.

The mosaic 12 could be wall mounted or mounted on an easel or other supporting structure.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (16)

1. A- target for missiles, comprising a mosaic of pressure sensitive elements, each element being operable to generate a signal in reponse to the impact of a missile on that element.

2. A target according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensitive elements are pressure sensitive pads or mats.

3. A target according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mosaic comprises a series of concentric annular regions.

4. A target according to any of the preceding claims, wherein neighbouring pressure sensitive elements of the mosaic are contiguous,

5. A target according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the said signals are electrical.

6. A target according to any of the preceding claims, and further comprising display means responsive to a signal from the elements to form a display indicative of the element generating the signal.

7. A target according to claim 6, wherein the display means displays a score allocated to the said generating element.

8. A target according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the display means displays a cumulative score which is the sum of scores allocated to elements struck in a series of missile impacts.

9. A target according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the display means comprises a digital display portion.

10. A target according to any of claims 6 to 9, and further comprising a plurality of electrical connections extending between the display means and respective elements, the elements being operable to make or break the connection upon impact.

11. A target according to any of claims 6 to 10, and further comprising a multi core cable extending between the display means and the mosaic and providing the plurality of electrical connections.

12. A target according to claim 11, wherein the cable is sufficiently long and the mosaic and elements are sufficiently large to allow the target to be used for golfing practice with the display means positioned to be readable at a position from which golf balls may be hit onto the target.

13. A target according to claim 12, wherein the cable has a length between 15 feet (4.5 metres) and 100 feet (30 metres).

14. A target according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mosaic comprises an inner circular element of a 3 inch (7 centimetres) diameter, a concentric annular element of inner diameter of 3 inches (7 centimetres) and an outer diameter of 24 inches (60 centimetres), a concentric annular element of inner diameter of 24 inches (60 centimetres) and an outer diameter of 48 inches (122 centimetres), and an outer element having an inner circular concentric border of 48 inches diameter (122 centimetres), and an outer border which is square and has a side length of 74 inches (188 centimetres).

15. A target substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.