NZ237324A - Golf game: tee area and green spaced from rebound wall - Google Patents

Description

23 7 3 24 Priority Date{s): Complete Specification Filed: Class: , //..^&?3 s/oso Publication Date: .. i. .H9X P.O. Journal, No: ....

PATENTS FORM NO 5 FEE No 5: $250.00 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Non-Convention Application r * *■? *•< f/'Q r P-4APRW9I7 V, ;.*?/ GAME AND GAME APPARATUS We WAGGLE (AUSTRALIA) PTY. LTD., a company incorporated in Queensland, Australia situated at 210 Jenkins Court, UPPER COOMERA, Queensland 4210, Australia hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 2 3 7 3 2 4 GAMS ANp GAME APPARATUS ^ Technical Field THIS INVENTION relates to improvements to games and in particular to a golf type game and apparatus for playing such a 5 game.

Background Art The game of golf at present is a very popular game and its popularity is increasing, particularly with the large number of golf courses which are being constructed. Generally, however, 10 the cost of playing golf is relatively high and the land area occupied by golf courses is considerable. Furthermore, playing golf outdoors is often determined by the prevailing weather conditions. A number of golf type games have been proposed in the past such as the game of PUTT-PUTT which can be played indoors or 15 outdoors, however, this game has little similarity to the conventional game of golf. Another golf game which is known is the CHIP AND PUTT game, however, this game is also played outdoors and requires large land areas for playing. Yet a further golf type game uses a computer display to simulate a golf course, however, 20 again this game does not closely approximate the real game of golf. ^ Other forms of indoor golf games have been described in Australian Patent Application No. 77036/87, and U.S. Patent Nos. 4437672, 3684293 and 1574596. In Australian application No. 77036/87, an indoor golf game is disclosed including a plurality 25 of playing areas arranged about a floor surface and a specially ^ formed golf ball is used in the game. In this arrangement, however, the golf ball employed is only designed to go a short distance even when hit with a driver and does not have the run or fly of a normal golf ball so that the game is not a true simulation 30 of the game of golf. U.S. Patent No. 4437672 discloses a golf game simulating apparatus in which an image of a hole is projected onto a screen and a normal golf ball is driven towards the screen. The screen is fixed on a concave wall which serves to direct the ball towards a hole arranged in a putting green. In this arrangement, 35 simulation is provided by the picture on the screen and complex electronic circuitry is required for control of the -2- it APR v 1 ^5 ' o - "* furthermore, as the concave wall always tends to direct the ball towards the hole, no real skill is involved in aiming the ball at a required position on the wall to achieve desired direction of rebound. In U.S. Patent No. 3684293 a 5 golf game apparatus is employed which includes an enclosed area and a rebound surface defined by a strip of material which absorbs energy of a standard golf ball which is hit towards the rebound surface. In this case, the position at which the ball is hit is essential to the rebounding nature 10 of the ball.

In U.S. Patent No. 1574596 a ball is struck towards oppositely facing deflecting and retarding plates which deflect the ball into an enclosed field. This apparatus is primarily for golf practice and not a true 15 simulation of a normal golf game.

Disclosure of the Invention The present invention aims to provide a golf type game which is primarily aimed for indoor use and which requires skills similar to that required for the normal 20 game of golf. The present invention also aims to provide apparatus for playing the aforesaid game. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent hereunder.

With the above and other objects in view the 25 present invention provides games apparatus for a golf-type game, said apparatus including on a ground or floor surface, a hole layout area, said hole layout area including a hole and a tee area, a substantially planar rigid rebound surface at a position spaced froru saiu tee 30 area, said hole layout area terminating at said rebound surface, and a ball having a hard outer surface and a resilience (as hereinbefore defined) in the range of 5 -40% whereby said ball will elastically deform and lose substantial kinetic energy on striking said rebound 35 surface, whereby said ball when hit from said tee area towards said rebound surface can strike said rebound surface so as to rebound therefrom towards said hole. 1934 3. 237 3 Preferably the hole layout area is provided on opposite sides with upright wall or barrier means which suitably comprise a netting or the like which is suitably tensioned, and held tautly, so as to prevent balls struck 5 from said tee area or elsewhere escaping from said hole layout area and also to serve as a flexible barrier from which a ball may be rebounded or deflected. Preferably also, a top wall or barrier is placed over said hole layout area so as to prevent balls escaping therefrom. Suitably 10 also, the top wall comprises a netting or the like.

The hole layout area may be arranged to have features encountered on conventional golf courses such as greens, fairways and rough which suitably may comprise artificial grass of various heights and densities. The 15 hole layout area may also include bunkers as required as well as artificial greenery to simulate trees or bushes.

In one form, the ball has a soft inner core and wherein at least a portion or portions of said inner core are free of said outer surface.

The portion or portions free of said outer surface may be defined by a plurality of generally circumferentially extending slits or slots in the outer surface or alternatively by a plurality of apertures or holes in the outer surface.

The inner core also suitably is defined by hollow ball formed of natural or synthetic rubber the same or similar to that used in the game of squash. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outer surface is formed of polyurethane.

In a further form, the ball has an inner hollow space and has an outer surface formed of a hard material. To achieve the required properties in the ball, the surface is formed of a blended mixture of synthetic rubber vulcanizing material and a reinforcing or hardening agent 35 or agents. The synthetic rubber material may suitably comprise rubber butadiene acrylonitrilene copolymer and the hardening or reinforcing agents may be selected from one or more of the following: carbon black, silica, calcium 4 carbonates, Bilicates and clays. Suitably such agent or agents are present in the synthetic rubber material in the range of 50 to 200 pphr (parts per hundred rubber). Preferably the material forming the ball has a hardness in the range of 70 to 100 Durometer and suitably 95 Durometer. The latter form of ball may include a light filler material such aB foam and also may be provided with dimples on its exterior surface giving the appearance of a normal golf ball. Hardness as referred to herein is measured using a Shore A Durometer scale.

Either ball also suitably has a weight which enables it to run in a similar manner to a normal or standard golf ball although with less momentum after striking the rebound surface and for this purpose the balls suitably have a weight in the range of 20 to 60 gramB and most preferably 30 to 50 grams as compared to 40 grams for a normal golf ball. The balls also preferably have a resilience of 10% to 40% and most preferably 15% to 25% which is substantially less than normal golf balls which have a resilience normally in the range of 75% to 80%.

The term "resilience" as used throughout the specification and claims is a measure of the percentage of rebound using a standard bounce test when a ball is dropppad from a set height. The balls alBo have a size substantially the same as a normal or standard golf ball. Balls having the properties described above have substantially the Bame trajectory &b a normal golf ball between the tee area and the rebound surface when hit although travelling at less velocity.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a typical layout of a game according to the present invention? ^ Fig. 2 illustrates in plan view a typical ho3^ . tr1994' layout for the game of Fig. lj Fig. 3 illustrates in perspective view, one embodiment of hole layout for a hole of the game of Fig. If Fig. 4 iB a side elevational view of a typical ball employed in the game of the present invention; Fig. 5 iB a plan view of the ball of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a croBS-aectional view of the ball along line 237324 A-A of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 illustrates the ball of Figs. 4 and 5 undergoing deformation on striking the rebound surface; and Fig. 8 illustrates an alternative ball construction for 5 use in the game of Fig. 1; and Fig. 9 illustrates in sectional view a further form of ball for use in the apparatus of the invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Referring to the drawings and firstly to Fig. 1 there is 10 illustrated a typical arrangement 10 of game according to the present invention. The arrangement 10 in this embodiment includes nine adjacent hole layouts 11 partially surrounded by an observation area 12. Each hole layout 11 as shown in Fig. 2 may include features associated with a conventional golf hole such as 15 a tee area 13, a bunker 14 (suitably of 15 to 20cm. in depth), a fairway 15, rough 16 and putting green area 17 which includes a hole or cup 18, the green area 17 in this instance being located rearwardly of the tee area 13. Disposed at a position spaced from the tee area 13 and at the end of the hole layout 11 is an upright 20 solid planar wall 19 which serves as a rigid unyielding rebound surface for balls struck from the tee area 13.

The hole layout area 11 is suitably set up upon a concrete slab and the bunker 14 defined by a recess formed within the slab at the desired position and filled with sand. The surface 25 of the hole layout 11 forming the tee area 13, fairway 15, rough 16 and green area 17 is preferably defined by synthetic grass laid on a shock absorbent underlay and includes piles of different length and density to suit. This the carpet forming the green area 17 is formed of short fine pile so that a ball will roll freely 30 thereon whilst the rough 16 is defined by artificial grass having a longer pile so that the ball is inhibited in movement.

As more clearly shown in Fig. 3, the hole layout area 11 is provided on opposite sides with a protective netting 20 and the top of the hole layout area 11 may also be covered by a netting 35 21, the netting preferably comprising a woven fabric netting or mesh and being stretched or tensioned and supported ta^Ty^T^^'1® /P"' r *C -6- h APR 091 \ II 237324 case of the side netting 20 along its upper and lower edges by cables 22 secured to the ground surface, and suspended from a roof for example by tensioning springs or elevated and supported in any other manner. The rear of the hole layout area 11 adjacent the tee 5 13 may also be closed by a netting 23 for protection of observers and which is also preferably tensioned to define a rebound area against which a ball may be struck to avoid obstacles or improve position relative to the hole 18. Formed in the rear wall netting 23 is an upright opening 24 which allows access to players to enter 10 or leave the hole layout area 11, the opening 24 being provided with a zip fastener 25 or any other closure device which may be easily closed to prevent ball escape and protect observers. The netting about the sides, top and rear of the hole layout area 11 is of a mesh size such that the ball used in the game will not pass 15 therethrough. The netting about each layout area also encloses the areas to define confined spaces in which the game is played.

In use the game is played as in the conventional game of golf with a ball being teed up on the tee area 13 and being struck using conventional golf clubs towards the wall 19. The ball on 20 striking the wall 19 will rebound say onto the green area 17 of the hole layout 11 and thence a conventional putter may be used to putt the ball into the hole 18. The position of rebound of the ball from the wall 19 is indicative of the position at which the ball hits the wall and the force applied thereto so as to give a true 25 indication to the player as to whether the ball has been struck and aimed correctly. If the ball when struck from the tee area 13 does not reach the wall 19, it may again be struck with a club for example an iron so that it will rebound therefrom. If the ball on rebounding does not reach the green area 17, other clubs such as 30 a pitching wedge may be used in conventional manner to hit the ball onto the green area 17 or alternatively against the side netting 20 or rear netting 23 to rebound therefrom towards the green area 17. Similarly if the ball lands in the bunker 14, a sand wedge will be used.

It will be apparent from Fig. 1 that the layout of each hole may be varied with in some instances the g r£^ffrar€ji^x17 if -7- iff k ft PR IQSJ*4}) U h APR IP | 2373P£ being located adjacent to the wall 19 so as to simulate a short hole where for example an eight or nine iron may be used whilst in other layout configurations the green area 17 may be placed adjacent to or rearwardly of the tee area 13 so that a driver will 5 be required so as to enable the ball to rebound from the wall 19 substantially towards that green area 17. Any number of hole layout areas 11 may be provided with the preferred number being nine, twelve or eighteen and of course the hole layouts may be varied as desired.

The present invention also provides a ball for use in the above game, the ball being formed so as to have a feel similar to the feel of a normal or standard golf ball when struck with a club and having a weight such that it will run in a similar manner to a normal golf ball but with less speed after losing momentum and 15 energy upon striking the rebound surface 19. The ball also has a resilience such as to enable it to be used in the confined spaces of the hole layout area 11. One embodiment of ball 26 for this purpose is shown in Figs. 4 to 6 and includes an inner core 27 which comprises a resilient ball and suitably a ball of natural or 20 synthetic rubber such as a ball of the type used in the game of squash. Alternatively, the inner core 27 may be comprises of a solid resilient material or any other resilient material such as a sponge rubber or the like. In each case, the material forming the inner core 27 suitably has a hardness of fifty-five (55) to 25 seventy-five (75) Durometer and most preferably where the inner core 27 comprises a squash-type ball, the core material has a hardness of sixty-five (65) Durometer.

The ball 26 also includes on its outer surface a hard layer 28 which for example may comprise polyurethane, a 30 thermosetting plastic or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The thickness of the layer 28 is varied in accordance with the hardness required in that layer and for example where the layer comprises polyurethane the thickness is preferably in the range of one (1) to three (3) mm. and preferably 2mm. so as to produce a hardness 35 of ninety (90) to ninety-five (95) Durometer. Where polyvinyl chloride is used for the layer 28, its hardness is a^efwn^bly in 'Vc- :(i h APR ^9i; 23 7 324 the range of eighty (80) to one hundred and five (105) Durometer.

In each instance, however, at least portion or portions of the inner core 27 are free of the layer 28. Preferably this is achieved by forming a plurality of circumferentially extending 5 slits or slots 29 in the layer 28 so as to expose portions of the inner core 27. The slits or slots 29 may be formed after formation of the layer 28 or alternatively during the layer moulding process.

Alternatively, the layer 28 may be provided with circular recesses 30 such as of the form shown in Fig. 8 so that portions 10 of the core 27 are exposed. It will be apparent, however, that the layer 28 may be cut away or removed in any other fashion and in any pattern so as to expose portions of the core 27.

Whatever pattern is used, the arrangement is such that the ball 26 when struck by a golf club has the feel of a 15 conventional golf ball because of the presence of the outer hard layer 28. When the ball 26 strikes the wall 19 or other solid obstruction as shown in Fig. 7, however, the portions of the ball free of the hard layer 28 permit resilient deformation of the inner core 27 and the ball 26 to resiliently deform and lose substantial 20 kinetic energy and thereafter rebound towards the green 16 to an extent determined by the impact force of the ball 26 against the wall 19.

The ball 26 is suitably substantially of the same size as a golf ball for example forty (40) to forty-six (46) mm. in 25 diameter and has a weight of approximately 30 to 40 grams. The ball 26 also has a resilience or rebound preferably in the range of 10& to 25%. Use of the ball 26 of the above type permits a normal force as used in a golf swing to be applied but with a limited rebound because of the nature and arrangement of the hard 30 layer 28 on the ball 26 whilst the ball 26 will, upon rebounding, run in the fashion of a normal golf ball. Thus the area required for playing the game according to the invention can be substantially reduced. So as to simulate the normal golf ball the outer surface of the ball 26 may be formed with a pattern of 35 dimples or grooves as found in conventional golf balls.

The ball 26 may be manufactured by providing ^he^i-nner /' ^ * V JS X _9_ IN k APR 133^/, >3 7 T / o c 4 core 27 and locating the core 27 in a mould after which an adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the core and the hard layer 28 cold moulded thereonto with the mould defining the required slits or slots 29 in the layer 28. Alternatively, the whole ball 26 5 including the core 27 may be formed in a single moulding operation.

Similar properties to that described above may also be achieved with the ball 31 shown in Fig. 9. This ball 31 includes an outer wall 32 surrounding a hollow internal space 33. The wall 32 has a hardness sufficient to provide a feel when struck similar 10 to the feel of a standard golf ball and an elasticity or resilience so that upon striking the wall, it resiliently deforms to absorb energy and rebounds therefrom to run on the fairway. Preferably, the wall 32 has a thickness in the range of 3 to 4mm.

The wall 32 is suitably formed of a blended mixture of 15 synthetic rubber vulcanizing material and a reinforcing or hardening agent or agents to provide a material with the desired hardening and elasticity. In one particularly preferred form, the wall is formed of rubber butadiene acrylonitrilene copolymer and a reinforcing or hardness agent or agents selected from the group 20 of carbon black filling, silica, silicates, calcium carbonates and clay, suitably present in the rubber at between 50-200 pphr (parts per hundred rubber). The hardening and reinforcing agent or agents blended with the rubber material suitably provide a hardness of 70 to 90 Durometer and 5% to A0% resilience. Most suitably, the 25 resilience is in the range of 10* to 25* with particularly preferred properties being achievable where the resilience is initially in the order of 15£ as the resilience increases as the ball heats up upon being struck or striking the wall 19. The ball 31 also has a weight suitably in the range of 35 to 45 grams. 30 Balls formed as above may also be provided in their outer surface with a dimpled pattern as in normal golf balls.

Suitably the hole layouts 11 may be in the range of six metres in width by thirty metres in length to eight metres in width by forty metres in length with he ceiling net located at a height 35 of approximate!y eight to ten metres. It will be apparent, however, that many variations in the above preferred configi^rjation U 1 APR 199)' -lo- in . . "^i'i 237 324 may be used for the game.

The present invention thus provides a game which requires similar skills for, and uses the same clubs as, the conventional game of golf. The game, however, being most suited to playing indoors may be played at any time of the day or night and in any weather conditions. Furthermore, whilst the game is particularly suited to indoor us, it may equally be played outdoors using the above described games equipment.

The game requires the full range of shots involved in a conventional game of golf and the game is played by traversing the course playing one hole after another as in the conventional game.

Many variations may be made to the above described game without departing from the broad scope and ambit thereof. For example, many course variations may be employed such as water courses or the like.

Claims (16)

What we claim is:

1. Games apparatus for a golf-type game, said apparatus including on a ground or floor surface, a hole layout area, said hole layout area including a hole and a tee area, a substantially planar rigid rebound surface at a position spaced from said tee area, said hole layout area terminating at said rebound surface, and a ball having a hard outer surface and a resilience (as hereinbefore defined) in the range of 5 - 40% whereby said ball will elastically deform and lose substantial kinetic energy on striking said rebound surface, whereby said ball when hit from said tee area towards said rebound surface can strike said rebound surface so as to rebound therefrom towards said hole.

2. Games apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said hole layout area is provided on opposite sides with upright barrier means.

3. Games apparatus according to Claim 2 and further including top barrier means disposed above said hole layout area and extending between said upright barrier means on opposite sides of said hole layout area.

4. Games apparatus according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein said barrier means comprises netting.

5. Games apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the resilience of said ball is in the range of 10-25%.

6. Games apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the weight of the ball is between 20 and 60 grams.

7. Games apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said ball has a soft inner core and wherein at least a portion or portions of said inner core are free of said outer surface. 12 237 3 2A

8. Games apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein said portions free of said outer surface are defined by a plurality of circumferentially extending slits or slots in said outer surface.

9. Games apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein said portions free of said outer surface are defined by a plurality of apertures or holes in the outer surface.

10. Games apparatus according to any one of Claims 7 to 9 wherein said core comprises a hollow ball formed of a rubber or synthetic rubber material.

11. Games apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein said ball has an inner hollow space and said outer surface is being of a material having a hardness in the range of 70 to 90 durometer.

12. Games apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein said outer surface is formed of a blended mixture of a synthetic rubber vulcanising material or materials and a reinforcing or hardening agent or agents.

13. Games apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein said reinforcing or hardening agents are selected from one or more of the group of carbon black, silica, silicates, calcium carbonates or clays.

14. Games apparatus according to Claim 12 or Claim 13 wherein said reinforcing agents are present in said outer surface in the range of 50 to 200 parts per hundred rubber.

15. Games apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 14 wherein said synthetic rubber vulcanising material comprises rubber butadiene acrylonitrilene copolymer.

16. Games apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 and Figs. 4 -to?7, ^ A'\-> i On 13 C tG SEP 1994 'If "cp \ .'.is 237324 Fig 8 or 9 of" the accompanying drawings WAGGLE (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD by his Attorneys Kramer & Kramer 1394 - 14-