US2788977A

US2788977A - Simulated putting hole

Info

Publication number: US2788977A
Application number: US434162A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph W Lusk
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-06-03
Filing date: 1954-06-03
Publication date: 1957-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1974-04-16

Description

April 16, 1957 LUSK 2,788,977

SIMULATED PUTTING HOLE;

Filed June 3, 1954 I Jose h am m ATTCI RN EYS 4 fa Jo lNVENT R.

United States This invention relates to a game, and more particularly to a trap for a game.

The object of the invention is to provide a trap for a game which is adapted to have balls such as golf balls directed at it by persons using golf clubs or the like whereby when the balls are directed to the trap with 6 sufficient accurac, the balls will enter the trap, and wherein when the balls deviate from a predetermined path, the balls will rebound from the trap.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game trap which can be played by a plurality of players or persons and wherein regulation golf balls or other pellets or balls can be used, the game trap receiving the balls when the balls are propelled with accuracy and wherein the balls will bounce back from the trap if the balls en- Counter the bumpers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a game trap which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the game trap, constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4- is a front elevational view showing a modified door. 7

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through one of the legs and showing a pointed member engaging the leg for projection into the ground as when the game is being used outdoors.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the assembly of Figure 5.

igure 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of one of the legs showing a modified bumper.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, showing another modified bumper.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, but showing a still further modified bumper.

Figure ll is a fragmentary sectional view showing another modified bumper.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on the line 1212 of Figure 9.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a base which is horizontally disposed, and the base 16 is provided with a central circular opening 11, Figure 1. The outer periphery of the base 10 is provided with a plurality of flat faces 13 which are arranged angularly with respect to each other, and the base 10 atent also has a plurality of cutouts 12, the cutouts 12 being arranged at the inner section of the flat faces 13.

For supporting the base 19, there is provided a plurality of vertically disposed spaced parallel legs 14. Each of the legs 14 has its upper end seated in one of the cutouts 12, and the leg 14 can be secured to the base 10 in any suitsole manner, as for example by the use of an adhesive. The lower end of each of the legs 14 is flat as at 15 so as to provide a sturdy support for the base 10 when the base is being used indoors as for example in a. home or house or the like.

means is provided for firmly anchoring the game rap in the ground 19, Figures 5 and 6, as when the game is to be used outdoors. Thus, it will be seen that the rear portion of each of the legs 14 adjacent the bottom thereof, is provided with a dovetail recess or groove 16. A ground engaging prong or pointed member 18 has a tongue 17 detachably seated in each of the recesses 16.

Thus, when the game is to be used indoors, the prongs 18 can be removed so that the fiat lower surfaces 15 support the trap. However, when the game is to be used outdoors, the pointed members 18 can be attached to the bottom of the legs 14 so that the pointed members 13 will stick into the ground 19 and prevent accidental movement of the trap.

Arranged directly in front of each of the legs 14 and spaced therefrom is a finger The upper ends of the fingers 2d are secured to the upper ends of the legs 14 in any suitable manner, as for example by means of glue or the like. A resilient bumper is mounted on the lower outer ends of each of the fingers 21). The bumper may include an inner core 21 of rigid material, and surrounding the core 21 is a semi-spherical outer casing or bumper 22. As shown in Figure 8 and in Figure 7, the bumper right be slightly modified so that the inner core 23 is rectangular instead of being semi-spherical in shape as is the core 21. Similarly, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 the outer resilient part 24 of the bumper may be rec: tangular in cross section rather than arcuate in cross section.

The game trap of the present invention further ins cludes a plurality of doors 27 which are swingably mounted, and for swingably or pivotally mounting the doors 27, hinge members 25 are secured to the base 10. Each of the hinge members 25 includes a groove 26, and a dowel pin 2% is secured to the upper end of the door 27 for engagement with the groove 26. Thus, the dowel pins 29 provide a swinging support or pivotal support for the doors 27. Each of the doors 27 may be further provided with markings or indicia 28 on its outer surface so as to simulate or represent a target or the like. It is to be further noted that the lower end of each of the doors 27 is of greater thickness than the upper end thereof, Figure 3, so that the doors 27 will have a tendency to hang vertically due to gravity. However, when a ball such as a golf ball is propelled with sufiicient accuracy to strike the door 27, the door 27 will swing inwardly to permit the door to move sufliciently so that the ball can enter the inside of the trap 10. The balls can be retrieved from the inside of the trap by inserting the hand down through the opening 11. A means is provided for preventing the doors 2'? from swinging outwardly so that the balls will not pass all the way through the trap. This means comprises lugs 39 which are formed integral with or secured to the sides of the doors 27, and the lugs 30 will engage the inner surfaces of the legs 14 so as to prevent outward pivotal movement of the doors. However, there will be no interference with the inward swinging movement of the doors 27.

Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, there is shown a modified door 31 which is adapted to be used in lieu of the door 27. Each of the doors 31 may have the same construction and each includes a body portion that is provided with arcuate cutouts 32 and secured to the upper end of the door 31 is a dowel pin 33 which is adapted to pivotally engage the groove 26 in the hinge members 25. Lugs 34- extend outwardly from t e door 31 for preventing outward swinging movement of the door, and the door 31 may have indicia or markings 35 thereon indicating or simulating a target.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided a trap for a game. In use, balls such as golf balls or other pellets are directed towards trap either by hand or by means of a suitable club, and if the balls are directed with sufiicient accuracy to strike the doors 27 or the doors 33, the doors will swing inwardly to permit the balls to enter the interior of the trap it). if the balls are not propelled with this degree of accuracy, the balls may strike the bumpers 22 or the bumpers 24 if the bumpers 24 are being used and these rubber bumpers will cause the balls to rebound so that subsequent etforts can be made to cause the balls to enter the interior of the trap. The game can be used either inside a dwelling or out of doors as shown in Figures and 6, and any suitable scoring system can be used with the game. The outer casing 22 can be made of any suitable material such as sponge rubber, while the core 21 can be made-or" wood, plastic or any other material. Also, the bumper 22 may have a graduated thickness from the top of the bumper to the center of the bumper so as to compensate for the greater impact the center of the bumper. The base 1o may have eight of the flat faces 13, and the upright posts or legs 2 are secured in the, cutouts 12 at the apex of the fiat faces 13. The tips 18 can be detached when desired, and the slots 26 permit the doors 27 to be removed and replaced when desired. The lugs on the doors permit the doors to open inwardly only and the game of the present invention incorporates some of the features of both golf and croquet. Thus, any desired number of players can play the game and different colored balls can be used. Thus, each player can take a difierent colored ball and the balls may be regulation golf balls or other types of balls. Clubs such as golf clubs or cheaper clubs can be also utilized. If the ball is struck and does not pass through one of the doors into the trap, the ball will strike the bumper so that the ball will rebound in a different direction from which it was struck or hit so that the player will be given another strike from a different angle. Instead of using sponge rubber bumpers, the bumpers may be made of plastic.

Referring to Figures 9 and 12 of the drawings, there is shown another modification wherein the leg is indicated generally by the numeral as. The leg 35 includes an inclined surface 3'7, and arranged directly in front of each leg 36 is a finger which is secured thereto. Secured to the lower end or" the linger as is a core 38 which may have a yieldable casing 39 secured thereto. The casing 39 may be made of sponge or gum rubber.

Referring to Figure of the drawings there is shown a further modification wherein the bumper is secured directly to a. leg 41 instead of to the finger. Thus, a

4 core such as the core 38 is secured to the leg 41, an the sponge or gum rubber casing 39 is secured to the core 38, and the lower portion of the leg 41 may be inclined as at 42.

Referring to Figure 11 of the drawings, there is shown a stil further modification wherein a portion of the leg is indicated by the numeral 43, and the leg 43 may be inclined or beveled as at 44. A finger 45 depends from the leg 43, and the core 38 and yieldable casing 39 are secured to the finger 45.

it is to be noted that in Figure 11 the angular cut 44 extends higher up the leg 43 so as to increase the resiliency of the bumper.

I claim:

1. A trap for a game comprising a horizontally disposed base provided with a central circular opening, the outer periphery of said base being provided with a plurality of angularly arranged fiat faces, there being a plurality of cutouts in said base at the juncture of said fiat faces, a plurality of legs depending from said base and having their upper ends secured in said cutouts, there being a dovetail recess in the lower end of each of said legs, a-pointed prong having a tongue detachably engaging said recess, an arm positioned directly in front of each of said legs and secured to said legs, a resilient bumper secured to the lower end of each of said arms, hinge member secured to said base, a door swingably mounted between each pair of legs and having a dowel pin on its upper end engaging said hinge members, lugs extending outwardly from the sides of said doors for engagement with said legs to limit swinging movement of said doors in one direction, the bottom of said doors being of'greater thickness than the top.

2. A trap for a game comprising a base provided with a central opening, the outer periphery of said base being provided with a plurality of angularly arranged flat faces,

there being a plurality of cutouts in said base, a plurality of legs depending from said base and having their upper ends secured in said cutouts, there being a recess in the lower end of each of said le s, a pointed prong having a tongue detachably engaging said recess, an arm positioned in front of each of said legs and secured to said legs, a resilient bumper secured to the lower end of each of said arms, hinge members secured to said base, door swingably mounted between each pair of legs and having a pin on its upper end engaging said hinge members, lugs extending from the sides of said doors for engagement with said legs to limit the swinging movement of said doors in one direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,112,075 Lush Sept. 29, 1914 1,208,838 Rolfe Dec. 19, 1916 2,266,337 Seigenberg Dec. 16, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 3,471 Great Britain 1891 22,584 Great Britain 1914