GB2282544A

GB2282544A - Golf game

Info

Publication number: GB2282544A
Application number: GB9420032A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Arthur Peters; John William Myers
Original assignee: ASTREIN U K Ltd
Current assignee: ASTREIN U K Ltd
Priority date: 1993-10-05
Filing date: 1994-10-05
Publication date: 1995-04-12
Also published as: GB9420032D0

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a game comprises at least one pin assembly formed with a pin (1) adapted in use to be upstanding relative to a playing surface and with means for describing a circular area on or above the playing surface corresponding substantially to the area of a conventional golf hole. The means for describing a circular area is adapted to permit a conventional golf ball to approach the pin of the pin assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GOLF-TYPE GAME The present 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 can be played by any number of players.

Golf-type games are known, for example, from GB-A-2 219 215 and GB-A-2 238 250. According to GB-A-2 219 215, apparatus for playing a golf-type game comprises a plurality of towers formed with one or more openings at ground level of a size sufficient to enable a golf ball to pass through.

According to GB-A-2 238 250, a golfing aid or game comprises a playing surface, the inclination of at least part of which can be altered to simulate the terrain of a putting green. However, the apparatus for these known games is relatively bulky and is not readily portable.

Further, the apparatus of GB-A-2 219 215 does not accurately reflect the manner in which a putt is "holed" on a golf course.

It is an object of the present invention to provide portable apparatus for playing a game which enables golfers to improve their putting skills.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game which comprises at least one pin assembly formed with a pin adapted in use to be upstanding relative to a playing surface and with means for describing a circular area on or above the playing surface corresponding substantially to the area of a conventional golf hole, said means being adapted to permit a conventional golf ball to approach the pin of the pin assembly.

The pin may be adapted for insertion into the playing surface. The means for describing a circular area may comprise a substantially U-shaped member secured to an upper end of a central pin and incorporating legs defining diametrically opposite points of said circular area, the central pin being rotatable so as to permit the legs to describe the circular area. Each pin assembly may incorporate a plate member extending between the legs of the U-shaped member and secured to the legs and to the central pin. The plate member may be provided with a number. Clearly the means for describing a circular area may take other forms such as a circular or relatively short cylindrical member mounted on the pin by any suitable means.

Alternatively, the pin may be adapted to be supported on the playing surface. For example, the pin may be provided with a supporting, e.g. circular, base. A rotatable arm may be mounted on the pin for describing the circular area.

The rotatable arm may comprise a laterally extending portion and a further portion depending from the radially outer end thereof. However, the means for describing a circular area may take other forms.

The apparatus may include one or more markers to indicate one or more starting points or tees for the game. The number of markers may correspond to the number of pin assemblies. Each marker may be provided with a number to correspond with each of the numbers provided on the pin assemblies.

The apparatus may include one or more hoop members through which a ball is required to pass in its travel to one or more of the pin assemblies. Hoop members may be provided with differing spacing between the legs thereof.

The one or more hoops may be inserted into the playing surface. Alternatively, the legs of the one or more hoops may each be mounted in a base. The base may be provided with a hole or recess for receiving the leg, preferably in the peripheral region thereof.

The game apparatus may also include one or more golf clubs.

The golf club or clubs may be divided into a number of sections, for example two or three, and provided with a screw-threaded connection for securing the sections together.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a golf pin assembly forming part of the game apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a start plate for use with the golf pin assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an elevational view of a first hoop for use in association with the game apparatus of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is an elevational view of a second hoop for use in association with the game apparatus of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a golf pin assembly forming part of the game apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a plan view of a start plate for use with the golf pin assembly of Figure 5;; Figure 7 is an elevational view of a first hoop for use in association with the game apparatus of Figures 5 and 6; and Figure 8 is an elevational view of a second hoop for use in association with the game apparatus of Figures 5 to 7.

The golf pin assembly shown in Figure 1 is designed to be used by players using conventional golf putters and golf balls and comprises a central pin 1 protruding from an arrangement which is capable of defining a generally circular area having a diameter of about 114 mm which corresponds substantially to the diameter of a conventional golf hole. The free end of the pin may be rounded or pointed to aid insertion of the pin assembly into the ground.

Secured to the other end of the pin 1 is a generally Ushaped member 3 which has legs that are progressively spaced apart towards the free end of the pin 1. The free ends of the legs are spaced by about 114 mm so as to correspond substantially to the diameter of a conventional golf hole. The length of the pin 1 may be about 280 mm, but the length of the legs of the member 3 is about 127 mm to permit the free ends of the legs to be spaced about the level of the playing surface when the pin is inserted into the ground.

Positioned about 40 mm from the other end vf the pin 1 is a plate 5. The plate 5 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pin 1 and is secured to the pin 1 and to both legs of the member 3 so as to provide support for the member 5. The plate 5 may extend in the direction of the pin 1 by about 35 mm. Additionally, the plate 5 carries a number "1", "2" or "3" to identify the number of the "hole" being played. The pin assembly made be made, for example, of metal, such as stainless steel, or plastics and the number may be applied to the surface of the plate 5 or may be formed therethrough.

The golf pin assembly is used in conjunction with a numbered start plate 7 as shown in Figure 2. The start plate 7 may be substantially square with a side length of about 50 mm and may have a thickness of about 1.6 mm. The start plate 7 may comprise a substantially square member, for example of metal, such as stainless steel, or plastics material, and bears a number corresponding to the number on the pin assembly. The number may be applied to the surface of the plate or may be formed therethrough.

The game apparatus also includes a plurality of hoops 9 and 11 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The hoops may be made of metal, such as stainless steel, or plastics material and are generally U-shaped to permit the legs of the hoops to be pushed into the ground. The hoops are dimensioned to permit a golf ball to pass between the legs, but the actual width can be selected to determine the skill level required for a player to putt a golf ball through the hoops. The hoops 9 and 11 shown in Figures 3 and 4 are made of stainless steel wire having a diameter of 6 mm and the free ends of the hoops are rounded or pointed to assist insertion into the ground. Larger hoop 9 shown in Figure 3 is formed such that the legs thereof are some 77 mm apart and such that the hoop has an overall height of about 177 mm.Smaller hoop 11 shown in Figure 4 is formed such that the legs thereof are some 55 mm apart and such that the hoop has an overall height of about 150 mm.

As with the embodiment of Figure 1, the golf pin assembly shown in Figure 5 is designed to be used by players using conventional golf putters and golf balls. The golf pin assembly shown in Figure 5 comprises a pin 101 protruding from a circular base 103. The base may have a diameter of about 50 mm and a thickness of about 10 mm. Towards the upper end of the pin 101 there is secured a plate 105 to represent the flag secured to a conventional golf pin. The pin, base and plate may be made of any suitable material, such as plastics, brass, stainless steel or precious metal.

Mounted on the pin 101 intermediate the base 103 and the plate 105 is a means for describing a circular area in the form of a rotatable arm 107. The rotatable arm 107 is made of a suitable wire material such as stainless steel and comprises a lower loop 109 in the form of a turn of wire around the pin lol and bearing on the base 103 and an upr loop 111 in the form of a number of turns of wire around the pin 101, the lower and upper loops being spaced by a length 113 of wire therebetween. The loops 109 and 111 are a relatively loose fit around the pin so as to permit the arm 107 to rotate around the pin 101. Extending from the upper loop 111 laterally of the pin 101 is an arm 115 and a further arm 117 depends from the radially outer end of the arm 115.The length of the arm 115 is such that the further arm 117 describes a circle having a diameter of about 114 mm so as to correspond substantially to the diameter of a conventional golf hole. The length of the pin 101 may be about 150 mm.

The rotatable nature of the arm 107 not only permits the arm to describe a circle above the playing surface in order to establish whether or not a golf ball in the vicinity of the pin assembly would have been "holed", but additionally, should a golf ball contact the arm, permits the arm readily to rotate to allow the golf ball to pass without substantial deviation.

Where more than one pin assembly is provided, the plate 105 may carry a number such as "1", "2" or "3" to identify the number of the "hole" being played. The number may be applied to the surface of the plate or may be formed therethrough.

The golf pin assembly may be used in conjunction with a numbered start plate 119 as shown in Figure 6. The start plate 119 may be substantially square with a side length of about 50 mm and may have a thickness of about 1.6 mm. The start plate 119 may comprise a substantially square member, for example of plastics, brass, stainless steel or precious metal, and may bear a number corresponding to the number on the corresponding pin assembly. The number may be applied to the surface of the plate or may be formed therethrough.

The game apparatus also includes a plurality of hoops 121 and 123 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The hoops may be made, for example, of plastics, brass, stainless steel or precious metal and are generally U-shaped to permit a golf ball to pass between the legs. However, the actual dimension between the legs can be selected to determine the skill level required for a player to putt a golf ball through the hoops. The hoops 121 and 123 shown in Figures 7 and 8 are made of wire having a diameter of 6 mm. Larger hoop 121 shown in Figure 7 is formed such that the legs thereof are some 77 mm apart, while the smaller hoop 123 shown in Figure 8 is formed such that the legs thereof are some 55 mm apart. In order that the hoops 121 and 123 should be upstanding from the playing surface, the free ends of the legs of the hoops are mounted in bases 125.

Each base has a diameter of about 40 mm and a thickness of about 5 mm and is formed with a hole 127 in the peripheral region thereof in order to receive the free end of one of the legs of one of the hoops 121, 123. The base may be made of the same material as the hoops, if suitable, and has a weight sufficient to maintain the hoops upright during normal use.

The game apparatus may also include one or more golf clubs (not shown in the drawings). Where the size of packaging is important, the golf club or clubs may be divided into a number of sections, say two or three, and provided with a screw-threaded connection for securing the sections together.

The game described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 can be played outdoors on any suitable grassed area, while the game described with reference to Figure 5 to 8 can additionally be played indoors on any suitable surface. It is played in the following manner. The numbered plates, if provided, are set out to indicate the starting point for each of three holes. If no starting plate is provided any suitable means may be employed to identify the starting point. The or each pin assembly is set out to indicate the "hole" corresponding to each starting point.In the case of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the central pin of each of the numbered pin assemblies is secured in place by pushing the pin into the soil beneath the grass to such an extent that the free ends of the spaced legs are at a sufficient height above the level of the grass to permit a golf ball to pass into the circular area (about 50 mm).

The intermediate hoops, for example two or four in total, are secured in place or set out at points chosen by the players between the various starting points and pin assemblies. The distance between each starting point and the corresponding pin assembly can be varied in dependence upon the space available and the desired level of difficulty, and the intermediate hoops can be positioned in dependence upon the desired level of difficulty. For example, for a relatively easy game, the hoops can be omitted or placed substantially along a straight line between the starting point and the corresponding pin assembly.

In playing the game, the number of "holes" to be played is first decided. One player (or team) "tees off" by placing his golf ball within approximately 150 mm (6 inches) of the starting point, for example left or right thereof, and using his putter to putt or propel a golf ball towards the corresponding pin assembly. Thereafter, each player in turn similarly uses a putter to putt a golf ball towards the pin assembly. If the intermediate hoops are used, the golf ball must pass through the or each hoop on its path towards the pin assembly. If a player should putt his golf ball past an intermediate hoop, he must next putt the ball back behind the intermediate hoop and then putt the ball through the hoop, counting each putt as a stroke.

If a player's golf ball should come to rest sufficiently close to an intermediate hoop that, during the following putt, the putter is likely to strike the hoop, the golf ball is to be moved from its resting position a distance equivalent to the length of a putter in a direction perpendicular to a line joining the legs of the hoop. If a player should inadvertently strike the hoop, the golf ball must be returned to the starting point, but the number of strokes continues to accumulate.

If one player's golf ball is likely to impede or obstruct another player, the obstructing ball is removed and its position indicated by a ball marker. The ball is replaced when it is that player's turn to putt.

A player finishes the "hole" by putting the golf ball so as to contact the central pin of the corresponding pin assembly or to remain within the circumference of the circular area delimited by the spaced legs of the pin assembly (Figures 1 to 4) or to contact the corresponding pin assembly or to remain at least partly within the circumference of the circular area delimited by the rotatable arm of the pin assembly (Figures 5 to 8). If necessary, the pin or the arm can be rotated to determine whether the golf ball is within the circular area. Once the first player has finished the "hole", the other player or players continue until they too have finished the "hole".

Any remaining "holes" are then played in turn and the player wiLh the lowest overall number of strokes is the winner.

To make the game more suited to players of a wide range of ability, intermediate hoops of different sizes may be provided.

The game permits a golfer to practise his putting away from a golf course without the need to provide holes in a grassed or other suitable putting area. The spacing of the legs of the pin assemblies or the length of the rotatable arm, corresponding substantially to the diameter of a conventional golf hole, is such that it can be readily determined when a ball would have been "holed". The game can therefore readily be played on a domestic lawn or in a municipal park without damage to the grass or even indoors in the case of the embodiment of Figures 5 to 8.

Additionally, the components of the game are relatively compact in that they can be placed flat into a box or the like, which makes the game readily portable.

Claims

1. Apparatus for playing a game which comprises at least one pin assembly formed with a pin adapted in use to be upstanding relative to a playing surface and with means for describing a circular area on or above the playing surface corresponding substantially to the area of a conventional golf hole, said means being adapted to permit a conventional golf ball to approach the pin of the pin assembly.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pin is adapted for insertion into the playing surface.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for describing a circular area comprises a substantially Ushaped member secured to an upper end of a central pin and incorporating legs defining diametrically opposite points of said circular area, the central pin being rotatable so as to permit the legs to describe the circular area.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each pin assembly incorporates a plate member extending between the legs of the U-shaped member and secured to the legs and to the central pin.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plate member is provided with a number.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for describing a circular area comprises a circular or relatively short cylindrical member monted on the pin.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pin is adapted to be supported on the playing surface.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pin is provided with a supporting base.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the base is circular.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a rotatable arm is mounted on the pin for describing the circular area.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rotatable arm comprises a laterally extending portion and a further portion depending from the radially outer end thereof.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim and including one or more markers to indicate one or more starting points or tees for the game.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the number of markers corresponds to the number of pin assemblies.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein each marker is provided with a number to correspond with numbers provided on the pin assemblies.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim and including one or more hoop members through which a ball is required to pass in its travel to one or more of the pin assemblies.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein hoop members are provided with differing spacing between the legs thereof.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the one or more hoops can be inserted into the playing surface.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the legs of the one or more hoops are each mounted in a base.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the base is provided with a hole or recess for receiving the leg.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the hole or recess is provided in the peripheral region of the base.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim and including one or more golf clubs.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the golf club or clubs are divided into a number of sections, for example two or three, and provided with a screw-threaded connection for securing the sections together.

23. Apparatus for playing a game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 4 or Figures 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.