GB2229637A - Improvements to magnetic ball & target - Google Patents

Description

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Improvements to magnetic Ball & Target This invention is concerned with the improvement of equipment for the playing of golf or like "Hole and Ball" games without the need for holes.

Attempts have been made in the past to produce equipment for the playing of golf putting or like games eliminating the need for an hole. Two good examples of these attempts are:- (a) A mechanical means where a circular disc considerably larger than a golf hole has several small rocking plates arranged around the periphery of the disc which allow a ball to roll in but not out. This is not a very good simulation of normal golf putting conditions.

(b) A ball containing magnetic material and a magnetically permeable disc the same diameter as that of a golf hole with a permanent magnet mounted upon it. This construction requires a strong magnet and is relatively costly.

The object of this invention is to achieve a better and more economic solution by emulating normal hole and ball conditions more faithfully with the use of a ball and disc.

There are several requirements which should preferably be met for a game where a disc or plate replaces the hole tc,be an acceptable substitute for the real thing which are as followst- (i) The ball must have the same weight, size and physical characteristics as a standard golf ball.

(ii) A ball rolling towards the plate must not be attracted towards or on to it until the ball well overlaps the edge of the plate.

(iii) A ball rolling slowly over the edge of the hole will tall into it. Therefore a ball rolling slowly over the edge of a substituted plate must be attracted and held positively onto the plate.

(iv) A ball travelling more quickly will firstly carry over the front edge of the hole, lose height in a falling trajectory, and then strike the far edge of the hole. Up to a certain critical velocity the ball's kinetic energy will be destroyed and it will fall back Into the hole. Above this critical velocity the ball will strike the tar edge of the hole faster and higher, and will carry on beyond the hole. This critical velocity is lower as the line of travel of the ball is offset from the line running through the centre of the hole.

With the magnetic construction referred to in (b) abovey a ball rolling over the disc has to be stopped by magnetic forces. The mechanism being that when an electrical conductor passes through a magnetic field, it suffers resistance to its movement. To achieve an adequate arresting force a relatively strong magnetic field is required with resultant higher costs and field strength control problems at the edge of the disc.

1 According to the present invention there Is provided a modified game of golf putting or similar "Hole and Ball" game, where the gravitational field and hole perimeter systems which control the falling of the ball into the hole are simulatd by a ball and plate each containing or comprising magnetic material, which material of either or both is permanently magnetised, and including means to cause significant physical obstruction to the passage of the ball over the plate.

Figures 1 to 6 illustrate constructions which can be used to satisfy these requirements.

Fig.1 Is an elevation of a disc, magnet and ball Fig.2 Is a plan view of a disc, magnet and ball Fig.3 Is an elevation of a disc, magnet and ring Fig.4 Is a plan view of a disc, magnet and ring Fig.5 Is an elevation of a disc, magnet and vanes Fig.6 Is a plan view of a disc, magnet and vanes The embodiment which is illustrated in Figs. 1 & 2 consists of a ball 1 which has an hollow spherical core of magnetically susceptible material 2 and with a resilient covering 3. There is also a target disc consisting of a base 4 made of magnetically susceptible material and a cylindrical permanent magnet 5 of relatively moderate strength and cost. A ball 1 travelling along line A at low speed will roll up to the edge of the plate 4 and be drawn positively onto the disc by the magnetic field. A faster ball travelling along line A will collide with the top edge of magnet 5, will be stopped and then held positively upon the plate assembly by the magnetic field. An even faster ball will bounce over obstruction 5 and roll on beyond the disc.

A ball travelling along line B in Fig.2 will strike block 5 obliquely and will not be retarded as effectively. The critical speed will therefore be lower. Similarly a ball travelling along line C will not strike block 5 and will only be retarded by the magnetic forces with a resultant very low critical velocity.

The simulation of normal putting conditions is therefore very good, and requires a much lower level of magnetic energy than a system with little or no mechanical obstruction provision.

In order to offer a suitable degree of physical obstruction the height or thickness of block 5 can conveniently be in the range of 15% to 40% of 'the diameter of the ball. At lower thicknesses than 15% little effective obstruction is given, at thicknesses greater than 40% of the ball diameter, the ball bounces back from the edge of the obstruction.

A further advantage of this construction is that a ball rolled up to the target accurately and at optimal speed will be attracted to come-to rest on top of block 5. A ball rolling on a less accurate line or at a speed greater or lesser than optimal will come to rest on the plate periphery. This allows a more interesting game to be played with different scoring levels as opposed to the "Hit or Miss" of normal golf putting. The block and plate can be mounted on a third plate to give a third level of scoring.

An alternative construction is shown in Figs. 3 & 4 where a ring of nonmagnetic material 6 and compact permanent magnet 7 of relatively high strength are mounted upon disc 8 which is magnetically permeable.

2 In Figs. 5 & 6 there are radial, obstructing vanes 9 and a strong magnet 10 mounted upon a permeable plate 11. The required radial variation in degree of obstruction can be achieved by the inclination of the top edge of the vanes.

3

Claims (1)

1. A modified game of golf putting or other "Hole and Ball" game, where the gravitational field and hole edge systems which control the fall of the ball into the hole are simulated by a plate and ball each containing or comprising magnetic material, which material of either or both is permanently magnetised, and including means to cause significant physical obstruction to the passage of the ball over the plate.

   2.

   3.

   4.

   7.

   9.

   11 12 13 A game as in Claim 1 where the target consists of a thin plate with one or more protuberances from its upper surface to cause significant obstruction to the passage of the ball over the plate.

   A game as In Claim 1 where the target consists of a thin plate with one or more permanent magnets of substantial thickness mounted upon it in order to cause significant obstruction to the passage of the ball.

   A game as in Claims 1 and 2 where the target consists of a thin permanently magnetised plate with obstructive protuberances on its upper surface.

   A game as in Claims 1 where the target is a permanently magnetised plate of significant thickness.

   A game as in claims 1 where the target consists of a thin plate with one or more permanent magnets and one or more separate protuberances mounted upon it.

   A game as in claim 1 where the target consists of a thin plate with three or more substantially radial vanes mounted upon it.

   A game as in claims 1 to 7 where the height of the obstructing protuberances above the upper surface of the plate is in the range of 15% to 40% of the diameter of the ball.

   A game as in claims 1 to 7 where the ball comprises a core of magnetic material with a resilient covering.

   A game as in claims 1 to 7 where the ball contains magnetic particulate material mixed with rubber or like resilient material.

   A game as in claims 1 to 7 where the ball contains one or more permanent magnets.

   A game as in claim 1 where the target is a block mounted upon one or more plates to create sectors for achieving different scores.

   A game as substantially described herein with reference to figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

   4 Published 1990a. The Patent Office. State House-6671 Iiig.Holbo-n. londonWC1R4TP.Fu.-ther copies maybeebtauned from The Patent Office Sales Branch, St Mary Crky. Orpingor.. Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techmques itcL St 3Aary Cray, Kent. Con. 1187 1