US1116555A - Game device. - Google Patents

Description

R. BREWSTBR.

GAME DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 25, 1913.

Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

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ROBERT BREWSTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

. GAME DEVICE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 10,1914.

Application filed September '25, 1913. Serial No. 791,729.

TQ all whom it may concern,

Be it known that I, ROBERT BRWSTER, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Devices, of which the following is a specification. p

One of the objects of my invention is to provide effective, portable apparatus whereby a player of the game-of golf may, within a very -small area or inclosure practise, or teach the game to others, with the same or better advantage and comfort than upon a regular standard links orcourse.

VAnother object of'my invention is to provide means whereby the relative effect, or value of the stroke, or the flight of the ball, of a 4 layer, or two or more players, may be indicated by suitable indicia placed upon an object to be struck by the ball, said indicia corresponding with the value rof the stroke with which the ball may be driven.

Other and further objects of my. invention will become readily apparent to persons skilled in the art from a consideration of the followin descri tion when taken in conjunction Witi thev rawings, Wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus as it is yemployed in use. Fig. 2 is apla-n Viewv of same. l

In both views the same reference characters are employed to indicate similar parts.

'Ihe apparatus consists, preferably, of-

tWo like rods 5 5', which may conveniently be made of gas pipe, provided with supporting bases 6 and 6 and' preferably with points 7 and 7. by means of which the'rods may be stayed and the points driven into the ground to render them more stable in position. Each rod is provided with hooks 88, and a sheet of canvas, or other material, 9 is supported between the rods by means of links 10-10, which are placed near the vertical marginal edges of the can-` vas for engagement with the hooks 8. The links 10--10 are fastened in marginal open- Ne'ar the center of thecanvas I prev fer to place a target 15, shown by a series of concentric lines, and divide the canvas, preferably into concentric circles, indicated by values, 1- to 5 inclusive, and including the center target. These figures represent various arbitrary values. In an illustrative embodiment I have shown the nump bers in the outer circles to be greater than the numbers in the circles more closely approaching the center, to indicate the value of the stroke, or the accuracy o f the flight of the ball. For instance, if the ball should strike the center target l5, such a stroke would count 1 and is of more value than if it should strike within any one of the outer circles such, for instance as indicated by 5, justas a smaller number of strokes to make 'a 'given number of holes indicates superior playing in the regular game of golf. These figures are arbitrary and may or may not be employed, as desired. If they are employed, they may representthe value of the strokes and may be aggregated, after a series of strokes have been made by the respective players, to indicate the relative value of the totalnumber of strokes made by each player.`

A ca tive ball', 16, is secured to a relatively light but strong cord 17, the free end of the' cord being connected to a relatively light closed coil spring 18, as at 19, and the free'end of the spring is connected to an eye 20, in acollar 21, that is freely movable in avertical direction u on the rod, or stand 22. This rod is provi 4 ed with a 4base 23, similar to the bases provided by the rods 5 and 5', having a pointed end 24, for insertion in the ground. A collar 25 may be fixed at any position upon the rod 22, by means of a set screw 26, to support the loose collar 21, when at rest, at any selected position. A basket 27, may be made of suitable material, such as Aa cord n'et 28, `suitably secured, at its open end to a bail 29. The bail may be made of Wire, which may continue to form rings 30 and 3l that surround the rods 5 `or 5 or both as lthere may be two or more baskets, to support the baskets on the rods.

In the use of the apparatus the rod 22 may be placed at any convenient location in front of the canvas 9, Within the limit of .the cord 17 so that when the ball 16 is struck the cord 17 will permit it to strike the canvas. The permissible distance between the ball and the canvas Vis limited onlyr by the area vof th e yard or ground available fordthe apparatus and they length of the cor One of the most diiiicult features of the game of golf is learning how to drive the ball-in a straight line and at the proper elevation. This requires a knowledgeof the correct movement of the arms and body,

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and the opportunity to practise these movements Without the necessity of traveling long distances to regain the ball, after each stroke, is agreeably available by the use of iny ap aratus. In practising to loft the ball the e ort should be directed to lodge the ball yin either of the baskets. The apparatus affords another important advantage, to wit; a professional teacher can instruct a new player in the use of the various instruments employed for driving, loting and putting the ball, such as the driver, brassy, mashy, cleik or niblick, just as thoroughly, and with far greater facility than could be accomplished on the open links and very greatly to the advantage of the novice, for he can make many strokes with his captive ball, in a given period of time, to one with the free ball on the open links. The canvas, or sheet, is marked, asheretofore stated, with a ring, or other target in the center and surrounding concentric rings. It is the object of the player to drive his ball as near as possible to the center and if his ball is 20 feet away when struck and it strikes within an outside ring, and the canvas is say six feet high and equally as Wide it is a simple calculation to ascertain just where the ball if free would have landed on the open links if it traveled, Say, 150 yards. As the cord should be a foot or two longer than the distance between the face of the canvas and the rod 22 there will be no pull on the ball when struck to interfere with the straight course that it mi lit take when it leaves the club, .and shoul it be driven so much out of a straight course as to miss the canvas altogether, the ball will be brought back by the spring 18 which is attached to the cord.

In connection with the employment of my device, any of the clubs generally used in driving, loftin or in approaching can be used therewii, and the correct distance and movement of the body, in making such strokes, practised and observed. Another advantage, in the use of my apparatus, is thatthe player is not required vto follow the flight of the ball with his eyes, when it is struck, consequently his attention is more easily concentrated upon the movements necessary to make proper and correct strokes.

While I have shown and described a single embodiment vof my invention, for the purpose of clear disclosure, it is evident that many changes may be made in the general arrangement, size and shape of the parts, Within the scope of the appended claim, Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim with a view and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is An apparatus of the character described, comprising a vertically disposed sheet, having attaching means at intervals along its vertical edges; fixed rods secured to thc sheet by saidattaching means, for supporting the sheet; a iiXed vertical rod adapted for location at any suitable 4.point in -front of the sheet; an adjustable collar, on said rod; a loose collar on said rod, normally resting on said adjustable collar, and a captive ball secured by a flexible medium to said loose collar.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT BREWSTER.

In the presence 02E- FORE BAIN,

MARY F. ALLEN.

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