GB2572134A

GB2572134A - Ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field and golf courses

Info

Publication number: GB2572134A
Application number: GB1803221.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Ashton Christopher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-02-28
Filing date: 2018-02-28
Publication date: 2019-09-25
Also published as: GB201803221D0

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, which is played by one to six players or teams of two players or more, using hand held curved ball holders and launching devices. The players aim is to accurately aim the ball at distance to certain marked areas on the ground, such as; target areas, a totem line and pole, rebound lines, a bonus line and bonus box, a green and bonus zones. Avoidance of a swamp, out of bounds areas, traps, bunkers and water hazards is achieved with an accurate delivery of the ball. The game may include painted markings and targets on a grass course with some physical parts in the ground or the marking and targets may all be removable and packed away.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

CHRISTOPHER NIGEL ASHTON

FOR

BALL LAUNCH ACCURACY GAME FOR MARKED OUTDOOR FIELD AND GOLF COURSES

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game to be played on a marked field area or golf course fairway and green using a ball and ball launcher, for accuracy and target achievement.

Background

Ball games which include a piece of equipment to shoot or launch the ball at targeted score areas which are ground marked, are known in the art. For example: Patent US7371194 discloses a portable game field which can be placed in a yard and has sections for scoring, which a ball is launched or hit toward using a bat device.

This provides a method of portable play for indoor or outdoor use of an area, using a rope layout for markers which can be adjusted.

Patent US5562289 disclosed a field marked game which is a base running format. This has offensive and defensive players aiming to direct the incoming ball into safe areas using a paddle and bat combination device.

A method of playing a game called lobol is shown in Patent US20110195806 and a kit to facilitate playing it. The lobol is a small, solid ball. In addition to the lobol, the game requires one or more larger balls. A third element of equipment is a goal that has an opening large enough to admit the lobol, but small enough to exclude the larger ball. The game is played by placing the lobol on a playing field between a starting point and the goal enclosure. One player is designated as the “player in passion”. That player propels one of the balls towards the lobol with the intention of moving the lobol into the goal, thereby scoring a goal. The player in possession continues throwing the ball at the lobol, until they miss. The other player then takes over as the player in possession, and they attempt to move the lobol into the goal.

Games using field or grass courses are known and some use permanent markings or may be marked using ropes or ribbon lines, to be folded and packed away after use.

Golf courses which have expansive grass fairways have periods at certain times of the year when golf play is much less frequent and with smaller clubs, nonexistent for periods. This is due to weather and seasons for play but also some smaller less used golf courses may have areas which are not used.

This matter also extends itself to general pitch or field areas in public or private locations. For example, a school or sports club may have grass areas that remain unused or less used for periods of the year. This may extend to private dwellings with large gardens or acres of land which may provide space for play.

The present invention aims to provide a permanent or temporary ground marked game which can advantageously be played on ground or field areas and golf courses, which may otherwise remain unused, to add benefit to the club or land owners. The game herein disclosed also has a ball throwing and launching method which tests the skills of the players by making them become skilful in the control of the throwing action, as the game has target areas on which the ball must land in order to score points, or the person is out of play or loses points.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided a ball accuracy game which is known as Spearball.

This may be a permanent ground marked linage game, using traditional paint marking methods on grass to create the play areas and boundaries. This will work well with failing golf courses who wish to improve income with a brand new, unique game. Also if the courses wish to use areas of land and unused golf course sections, to provide a second use for the course or land between sporting seasons or to make further use of the active area.

The game, may also be provided as a ground marked game using removable methods to mark the play area, boundaries and zones. These removable markings may be ropes or course band or ribbon lengths, to be held down onto the grass and ground using holding means. Other fixtures for both the permanent and removable game versions, such as the vertical totem pole and the hole, are also provided physically. These may be left in place if the location permits, or simply removed and packed away for storage. The ball play is derived from the use of hand held ball launching devices for one to six players or teams of 2 players or more, which have a long curved handle, of suitable length, and a cup or holding attachment for balls, to the end opposite the handle.

The ball launching devices may be available in different lengths, and may consider and hold various sizes and densities of ball to be used for differing accuracies at the target zones or for varying launch distances that will differ between each launching device and ball. However, a single ball and single launcher are also sufficient to play the game.

The player may carry a single or a group of ball launching devices and balls on body worn holders to enable the ball launching devices and balls to be selected easily when required from the body. The game includes a launch area which is the beginning of the game. The player stands inside the launch area and uses the ball launching device to launch the ball using an overarm swing action. The game is played on up to twenty individual spears, which are grass or pitch areas of twenty metres or more in length, each having areas, targets or zones in which the ball is aimed at by the player to gain play continuation or points and bonus points, and to avoid penalty points.

Each individual area of the Spear may have different markings and content, certain new rules are provided to ensure that the players each have to learn and adapt more accurate usage of the ball launcher and select the correct ball launcher and ball to suit each Spear section as they play along from Spear to Spear and avoid incurring penalty points, as the following game rules will confirm.

As part of its appeal to all demographics the game rewards accuracy and does not reward power, therefore targets are set at an achievable distance for the majority people. For the minority that cannot achieve the set distances, a handicap system will allow for shorter distances to each target.

1. Equipment & Definitions

1.1

Spearball shall be played on a course which consists of up to twenty individual spears.

1.2

A spear is a grassed playing area of varying size and shape. Various zones, targets and traps are situated throughout each spear where points may be gained or lost.

1.3

The Spearball is the object that shall be launched towards the zone or target. It shall be spherical in nature and shall be made of soft rubber.

1.4

The launcher shall be used to launch the Spearball and shall contain a neck with a handle at one end and a cup at the other end. It shall be plastic in nature.

1.5

The launch area shall be where the launch shot is taken from. It shall be defined by tee markers.

1.6

The target area shall commence at a maximum one hundred metres from the launch area. It may be of varying size and shape, and shall be defined by a white line.

1.7

The totem line shall be adjacent to the target area at its furthest point when viewing from the launch area. It shall be defined by a white line.

1.8

The totem pole shall be situated at a maximum one hundred metres from the totem line. It shall be wooden in nature and shall stand vertically from the ground.

1.9

The rebound line shall be adjacent to the front edge of the totem pole. It shall be defined by a white line.

1.10

The bonus line shall be situated twenty metres beyond the rebound line. It shall be defined by a white line.

1.11

The bonus box shall be situated at a maximum one hundred metres from the bonus line. It shall be an area of five metres by five metres and shall be defined by a white line. It shall be situated at a maximum one hundred metres from the nearest edge of the green.

1.12

The trap shall be an area of ten metres by ten metres and shall be defined by a red line. It may be situated in various areas within each spear.

1.13

The swamp line shall be an area defined by a red line and shall be situated at a maximum one hundred metres from the nearest edge of the green. Any area beyond the swamp line, including the area surrounding the green, shall be defined as the swamp.

1.14

The green shall be an area at the end of each spear and shall contain the bonus zone. The green may be of varying size and shape and consist of shorter grass than the rest of the spear. It shall be defined by a white line around its perimeter.

1.15

The bonus zone shall be situated on the green and consist of four circular white lines surrounding the hole or target circle. Each line shall create four distinctive zones with radii of one metre, two metres, four metres and seven metres from the outer edge of the hole or target circle respectively.

1.16

The hole or target circle shall be situated at the centre of the bonus zone. It shall be circular in nature with a diameter of thirty centimetres and, in the case of a hole, shall have a depth of thirty centimetres.

2. The game

2.1

The game shall be played on a course consisting of up to twenty spears. There are four types of spear, each containing a different combination of scoring opportunities:

Long spear - target area, totem pole, bonus box, the green and bonus zone. Medium spear - target area or totem pole, bonus box, the green and bonus zone. Short spear - target area or totem pole or bonus box, the green and bonus zone. Mini spear - the shortest spear that only contains the green and the bonus zone.

2.2

The game shall be played by one to six players, or teams of 2 players or more.

2.3

Points shall be awarded by:

(i) landing the spearball within the target area;

(ii) successfully striking the totem pole;

(iii) landing the spearball within the bonus box;

(iv) landing the spearball on the green or within the bonus zone.

2.4

Points shall be forfeited if the spearball lands in:

(i) a trap.

(ii) an area marked out-of-bounds.

(iii) the swamp (iv) a bunker (v) a water hazard

A ball landing in a trap or a bunker shall be played from within the trap or bunker.

A ball landing in a water hazard shall be played from any point no closer to the green, in a straight line between the point of entry and the launch point.

A ball landing out-of-bounds shall be played from any point no closer to the green, in a straight line between the point of entry and the launch point.

A ball landing in the swamp results in the termination of that spear.

2.5

It is permitted at any point during the game to change from using one IFS affiliated spearball or ball launcher to another.

3. Scoring

3.1

Should two targets be achieved in succession then the score achieved in the latter of the two targets is doubled.

3.2 The following sequence assumes double points are not achieved, and assumes that a long spear is being played. The sequence of targets within each spear may differ in order to suit the terrain and contours of the playing area.

3.3

The aim at launch off is to land the spearball in the target area. Achieving this shall score ten points.

3.4

The next aim is to strike the totem pole with a launch originating on or before the totem line. Successfully striking the totem pole with a spearball that rebounds and lands on the near side of the rebound line, shall score ten points.

3.5

Missing the totem pole or striking it and rebounding beyond the rebound line shall score zero points.

3.6

The next aim is to land the spearball within the bonus box with a launch originating on or before the bonus line. Achieving this shall score ten points.

3.7

The next aim is to launch the spearball so that it lands on the green and/or within the bonus zone situated on the green:

Landing on the green but outside of the bonus zone shall score seven points.

Landing within the bonus zone shall score the following:

- seven metre zone scores fifteen points;

- four metre zone scores twenty five points;

- two metre zone scores forty points;

- one metre zone scores sixty points;

- successfully holing the spearball or landing within the target circle scores ninety points.

3.8

Should the spearball land in the swamp, ten points shall be forfeited together with the immediate termination of that spear.

3.9

Should the spearball land (i) in a bunker (ii) in a water hazard (iii) in a trap or (iv) out of bounds, ten points shall be forfeited.

3.10

All white and red lines are deemed active to the area that they relate. Should any part of the spearball be deemed to be touching a line, then it shall be deemed to be on the line. Three scenarios follow to illustrate this ruling:

1. Landing the spearball on the white line that defines the target area, shall be deemed to be within the target area and ten points shall be awarded.

2. Landing the spearball on the red line that defines the swamp shall be deemed to be within the swamp and therefore the forfeiture of ten points and immediate termination of that spear.

3. Landing the spearball on the white line that defines the green shall be deemed to be on the green and seven points shall be awarded.

3.11

A long spear includes the target area, totem pole, bonus box and the green I bonus zone.

3.12

A medium spear includes the target area or totem pole, bonus box and the green I bonus zone.

3.13

A short spear includes the target area or totem pole or bonus box and the green / bonus zone.

3.14

The aim on a mini spear is to reach the green I bonus zone with just one shot from the launch off area.

3.15

The winner is the player(s) to have accumulated the highest score upon completion of all spears.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the Patent Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, which has all the advantages of the prior art ball accuracy games and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and / or marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, which is of durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labour, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a product available to the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of figures

Figure 1 shows a plan view of the first stage of the game

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the second stage of the game

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the third stage of the game.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the fourth stage of the game.

Detailed description of figures

A typical embodiment of the ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, constituted by a playing area 1 which is known as a Spear.

The four stages shown form one playing area, or Spear.

There are a maximum of twenty spears that form a course.

The edge of the playing area 2 is shown in Figure 1. The player starts the game in the launch area 5 which in this illustration is fifty metres from target area 4 which is the desired landing area, which in this illustration is situated just beyond a trap 3. The game may be permanent painted markings on the grass with some physical parts inserted into the ground and all may also be in the form of a removable pack-away game. Totem line 6 is adjoined to the far end of the target area 4.

Arrow 13 indicates the direction toward the next stage of the Spear.

Figure 2 illustrates a fifty metre distance from the totem line 6 to the rebound line 7 thereto. A totem pole 8 is located on the rebound line 7. A trap 9 is located between the rebound line 7 and the bonus line 10, as shown. Arrow 13B indicates the direction toward the next stage of the Spear.

Figure 3 shows the further stages of the game play, moving forward. This presents a bonus line 10 which is fifty metres from the swamp line 14 denoting the start of the swamp.

Bonus box 12 is located near to the swamp line 14, as shown.

A trap 11 is situated near to bonus box 12, as shown in Figure 4. Arrow 13C indicates the direction toward the next stage of the spear.

Figure 4 shows the final stage of the Spear moving forward. Line 14 denoting the start of the swamp which incorporates areas 15, 16, 17 and 18.

The nearest edge of the green 19 is illustrated as fifty metres from the swamp line 14. The bonus zone 21 is located within the green area 19. The hole or target circle 22 is located centrally to the bonus zone 21. A bunker or water hazard 20 is located near the green 19.

Claims

1) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, constituted by: A playing area which is a grass field, golf course or other, which has markings painted on the ground or provided as removable material lengths of rope and/or bands or ground inserted items constituted by lines or shapes for launch lines, out of bounds areas, target areas, a totem line, a vertical totem pole, a rebound line, a bonus line, a swamp line, the swamp, the bonus box, a green, a bonus zone, a trap in addition to bunkers and water hazards, the players launch a selected sized and weighted ball, to throw and launch at the target areas using a selected hand held curved arm ball device. 2) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, a player selects a ball and places it within a selected ball throwing device, to then be launched by them from a launch area, using an overarm swing release technique. 3) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 and claimed in claim 2 wherein, a ball is launched at a grass playing area being a field, a golf course or other suitable land. 4) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 and claimed in claim 3 wherein, a playing ball is launched from an area to a distance defined by lines, at marked areas on the ground or grass to score points, avoid penalties or to achieve a chance to continue the game to the next stage. 5) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land their ball out of bounds if it is not thrown correctly and accurately in play. 6) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land their ball in a target area if it is thrown correctly and accurately in play. 7) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land their ball short of a totem line from the viewpoint of the player if it is thrown correctly and accurately in play. 8) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land their ball on the far side of the totem line from the viewpoint of the player if it is not thrown correctly and accurately in play. 9) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may launch the ball to contact a vertical totem pole and rebound to land on the near side of the rebound line from the viewpoint of the player, if their ball is thrown correctly and accurately in play. 10) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land their ball short of a bonus line from the viewpoint of the player if it is thrown correctly and accurately in play. 11) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land their ball on the far side of the bonus line from the viewpoint of the player if it is not thrown correctly and accurately in play. 12) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land their ball within the bonus box if it is thrown correctly and accurately in play. 13) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land short of a swamp line from the viewpoint of the player if it is thrown correctly and accurately in play. 14) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land their ball in the swamp if their ball is not thrown correctly and accurately in play. 15) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land their ball within the green if it is thrown correctly and accurately in play. 16) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land their ball within the bonus zone if it is thrown correctly and accurately in play. 17) A bail launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land their ball within the trap if it is not thrown correctly and accurately in play. 18) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land their ball in a bunker if it is not thrown correctly and accurately in play. 19) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, players may land their ball in a water hazard if it is not thrown correctly and accurately in play Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 08 08 19 Claims

1) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, constituted by a playing area which is a grass field, golf course or other, which has markings painted on the ground or provided as removable material lengths of rope and/or bands or ground inserted items, the players launch a ball at the target areas using a selected hand held curved arm ball device.

2) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said markings further comprise launch lines.

3) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said markings further comprise shapes.

4) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said markings further comprise out of bounds areas.

5) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said markings further comprise target areas.

6) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said markings further comprise a totem line.

7) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said game further comprises a vertical totem pole.

8) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said markings further comprises a rebound line.

9) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said markings further comprises a bonus line.

10) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said markings further comprise a swamp line.

11) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said game further comprises the swamp.

08 08 19

12) A bah launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said markings further comprise the bonus box.

13) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said markings further comprises launch lines.

14) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said game further comprises a green.

15) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said markings further comprises a bonus zone.

16) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said markings further comprises launch lines.

17) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said game further comprises a trap.

18) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said game further comprises bunkers.

19) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to claim 1 wherein, said game further comprises water hazards.

20) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, a player launches a ball with said device.

21) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as set forth in claim 1 and claimed in claim 21 wherein, a playing ball is launched from a launch area to a distance defined by lines and ground marked areas.

22) A ball launch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses according to any preceding claim; is a game where the person aims to accurately launch a ball at targets to accumulate points, avoid incurring penalty points and enable continuation of the game to the next stages.

23) A baH hunch accuracy game for marked outdoor field or golf courses, as substantially herein described with reference to the figures

08 08 19