GB2261825A

GB2261825A - Games

Info

Publication number: GB2261825A
Application number: GB9224838A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Pryer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-11-29
Filing date: 1992-11-27
Publication date: 1993-06-02
Also published as: GB9125526D0; GB9224838D0

Abstract

A game, or a device for use in practising golf, comprises a base sheet (10) and a number of lightweight elements such as balls, which can be projected on to the base sheet (10). The base sheet (10) and the elements each carry arrays of releasable fasteners, e.g. loops and hooks, so that, when one of the elements hits the base sheet (10), it will be held releasably in position. <IMAGE>

Description

GAMES Field of the Invention This invention relates to games and is particularly concerned with the provision of a game or a range of games which is or are enjoyabls and safe.

Background to the Invention There have been a number of attempts to provide a game sinilar to darts which involves throwing objects at a board, involves a degree of skill but, at the same time, is totally safa. It is one object of the present invention to provide such a game.

There have been many proposals for games and/or practice devices which can be used indoors by golfers without the risk of damage to furniture and or household items but which can 5e used for serious practise. It is a further object of the present invention to meet this requirement.

In schools, particularly schools for the handicapped and the disabled, there is a requirement for equipment which can be used safely by the children to improve their coordination and dexterity. It is a still further object of the invention to provide equipment for this purpose.

Yet another object of tho invention is to provide a game which is fun to play.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided means for playing a game comprising a target and a plurality of elements which can be projected at the target, characterised in that the target and elements are provided with interengaging releasable fasteners such that, when one of the elements is projected so as to impinge on the target, it will be held releasably in engagement with the target.

The interengaging releasable fasteners are preferably in the form of assemblies or arrays of hooks and loops, with the hooks preferably on the elements and the loops preferably on the target. The releasable fasteners comprising arrays of loops and hooks may be the fasteners sold under the Registered Trade Mark VELCRO.

The target may include a base sheet which is marked so that, for example, different areas of the target correspond to different scores. The areas of the target may alternatively comprise a central "bull" or hole and a number of "hazard" areas around the central bull or hole.

The base shet may be of such thickness and resilience tat it provides a cushioning action such that, when an element impinges on the base sheet, a major part of the momenturn of the element is absorbed by the base sheet.

The base sheet may be designed so that it can be supported against a vertical surface such as a wall. The bass sheet may, in such case, b provided on its presented surface with an array of loop fasteners for engagement with the hooks of an element and on its rear surface with releasable fasteners ehoreby it may be attached to its support.

The as sheet may alternatively, or additionally, be do signed so that it can b placed on a horizontal surface such as a floor. In such case, the base sheet may be relatively thin and flexible with a degree of impact absorption bring intended to be provided by a carpet, mat or other floor covering on which the base sheet is placed.

The base sheet may be printed ar otherwise coloured so that it is visually distinctive and attractive. The elements to be projected on to the base sheet will be of a coloration which contrasts with the base sheet.

The elçments which are projected on to the base sheet are preferably lightweight objects, for example, hollow plastic balls or shuttlecocks. If the base sheet is intended to be supported against a wall, the lightweight objects are preferably thrown against the base sheet, for example, using a throwing action similar to that adopted when playing darts.

Alternatively, particularly if shuttlecocks are used, a racket may be used to project the shuttlecocks against the base sheet.

As a further alternative, if the lightweight objects are small balls, a blowpipe may be used for projecting the balls into contact with the base sheet. As a further alternative, the base sheet may be part of an article of clothing, for example, the back of a T-shirt.

When the bass sheet is intended to be placed on the floor, the lightweight objects may be thrown on to the base sheet with a throwing action similar to that used in quoits, the objects being hollow balls or other appropriately shaped articles, for example, foamed plastic cubes. Alternatively, the balls may be struck using a bat or putter so as to roll or bounce on to the base sheet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided means for use in practising golf, particularly chipping, comprising a bas sheet which can be placed on the floor and a ball, or a plurality of balls, whic can be struck using a club to project them on to the base sheet, characterised in that the base sheet and the ball or balls are provided with interengaging releasable fasteners such that, when the ball or balls is or are caused to land on or roll over the base sheet or a selcctd area thereof, it or they will he held in engagement with the bas sheet.

The base sheet preferably carriers an array of loops while the ball or balls is or are provided with an array or arrays of hooks for engagement with the loops on the base sheet. The base sheet is preferably colourad green so as to simulate a green on a golf course and a part of the bas sheet may be marked to represent the hole.

N number of 'hazards" may be provided, simulating te bunkers on a golf course, the hazards being in the form of selected arans of the base sheet, which are appropriately coloured, or in the form of separate sheets which carry hoo formations and which may be appropriately positioned to make it more difficult for the player to reach th hole.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided equipment for use in schools to assist coordination and dexterity exercises, the equipment comprising a base sheet which carries an array of flxible releasable fasteners and a plurality of lightweight objects which can b thrown so as to impinge against the base sheet, the objects each also carrying an array of flexible releasable fasteners which, when an object is thrown into contact with the base sheet, will interlock with the fasteners on the base sheet.

The lightweight objects may be of a plurality of colours and/or sizes and/or shapes. The base sheet may be marked out into a plurality of different areas and the areas may, for example, be differently coloured so as to correspond to the different colours of the lightweight objects The lightweight objects may be plastic balls similar to those used in golfing practice but of somewhat larger size. The balls will be flexible and of such size that, although they can easily be thrown, they will not harm children in the event that one child should throw his or her ball at another child, either deliberately or inadvertently.

Brief Description of the Drawing The single figure of the accompanying drawing is a plan viw of a base sheet for use in practising chipping, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention referred to above.

Description of the Illustrated Embodiment The drawing shows a base sheet 10 which can be used for the practising of chipping. The bas sheet 10 is of a carpet- like material in that it comprises a backing member (with, optionally, a resilient underlay), from which backing member extend an ar-ray of fibres in the form of loops. The base sheet can, if desired, have a peripheral frame and it may be designed either to rest directly on the floor or to be supported at a predetermined hight above ground level.

The base sheet 10 carries a number of markings. As shown, these comprise a circular mark 11 which represents a hole on a golf course, an area marking 12 which represents the green on which the hol is located and "hazard" markings 13 which represent bunkers.

The base sheet 10 is used as the target for "chipping1, practice using a golf club and a number of llahtweight practice balls (not shown) each of which may comprise, for example, intersecting plastic ribs covered with an array of fasteners in the form of hooks which are designed to inters age with the loops of the base sheet 10. The hook fasteners on the balls and the loop fasteners on the base sheet may comprise, for example, the materials sold under the gistered Trade Mark "VELCRO", or other similar releasable fastener materials.

The person practising chipping will stand a predetermined distance from the base sheet 10 and will use thn golf club to chip the balls, one by one, on to the base sheet 10. When a ball lands on the base sheet 10, the hooks of the fasteners on the ball will engage with the loops on the base sheet 10 and the ball will come to rest in the position in which it has landed.

If desired, to introduce a competitive element into the practice activity, scores may be allocated to different areas of the base sheet, for example, a score of +10 for a ball which lands on or touching the hole 11, a score of +4 for a ball which lands on the green 12 , a score of -5 for a ball which lands on one of the hazards 13 and a score of +1 for a ball which lands on any other part of the base sheet 10.

The above is, of course, purely one application of the invention and the method of producing a game in accordance wit the first aspect of the invention, or equipment in accordance with the third aspect of the invention, will be readily apparent in the light of the comments set out above.

Claims

Claims:

1. Means for playing a game comprising a target and a plurality of elements which can be projected at the target, characterised in that the target and elements are provided with interengaging releasable fasteners such that, whn one of t elements is projected so as to impinge on the target, it will b held releasably in engagement with the target.

2. Means for playing a game according to Claim 1, in which the interengaging releasable fasteners are in the form of assemblies or arrays of hooks and loops.

3. Means for playing a game according to Claim 2, in whirs the hooks ar on the projectable elements and the loops are on the target.

4. Means for playing a game according to Claim 1, in which the target includes a base sheet which is marked so that different areas of the target correspond to different scores.

5. Means for playing a game according to Claim 1, in which the target includes a base sheet which is marked with a number of markings which comprise a central "bull" or hole and a number of "hazard" areas around the central bull or hole.

6. Means for playing a game according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which the base sheet is of such thickness and resilience that it provides a cushioning action such that, when an element impinges on the base sheet, a major part of the momentum of the element is absorbed by the base sheet.

7. Means for playing a game according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which the base sheet is designed so that it can be supported against a vertical surface such as a wall, the bas shet being provided on its presented surface with an array of loop fasteners for engagement with the hooks of an element and on its rear surface with releasable fasteners whereby it may b attached to the support surface.

8. Means for playing a game according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which the base sheet is so designed so that it can be placed on a horizontal surface such as a floor, the base sheet being relatively thin and flexible with a degree of impact absorption being intended to be provided by a carpet, mat or other floor covering on which the base sheet is placed.

9. Means for use in practising golf comprising a base sheet which can be placed on the floor and a ball, or a plurality of balls, which can be struck using a club to project them on to the base sheet, characterised in that the base sheet and the ball or balls are provided with interengaging releasable fasteners such that, when the ball or balls is or are caused to land on the base sheet or a selected area thereof, it or they will be held in engagement with the base sheet.

10. Means for use in practising golf according to Claim 9, in which the base sheet carries an array of loops while the ball or balls is or are provided with an array or arrays of hooks for engagement with the loops on the base sheet.

11. Means for practising golf according to Claim 10, in which the base sheet is coloured green so as to simulate a green on a golf course and a part of te base sheet is marked to represent the hole.

12. p ans for practising golf according to Claim 11, in which a number of "hazards" are provided, simulating the bunkers on a golf course, the hazards being in the form of selected areas of the base sheet, which are appropriately coloured, or in the form of separate sheets which carry hook formations and which may be appropriately positioned to make it more difficult for the player to rac the hole.

13. Equipment for use in schools to assist coordination and dexterity exercises, the equipment comprising a base sheet which carries an array of flexible releasable fasteners and a plurality of lightweight objects which can be thrown so as to impinge against the base sheet, the objects each also carrying an array of flexible releasable fasteners which, when an object is thrown into contact with the base sheet, will interlock with the fasteners on the base sheet.

14. Equipment according to Claim 13, in which the lightweight objects are of a plurality of colours and/or sizes and/or shapes and the base sheet is marked out into a plurality of different areas and the areas are differently coloured so as to correspond to the different colours of the lightweight objects.

15. Means for use in playing a game according to Claim 1, and substantially as hereinbefore described.

16. Mans for practising golf according to Claim 9, and substantially as hereinbefore described.

17. Equipment according to CLaim 13, and substantially as hereinbefore described.