US3114554A

US3114554A - Golf game apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3114554A
Application number: US153943A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick A Hurley
Original assignee: Forward Industries Inc
Current assignee: Forward Industries Inc
Priority date: 1961-11-21
Filing date: 1961-11-21
Publication date: 1963-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 1980-12-17

Description

Dec. 17, 1963 F. A. HURLEY 3,114,554

GOLF GAME APPARATUS Filed Nov. 21, 1961' '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR FREDERICK A. HUR LEY BY M X ATTORNEY-7 Dec. 17, 1963 F. A. HURLEY GOLF GAME APPARATUS Filed NOV. 21, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig- 3 PLAYER SCORE E.zw/ 4/0 /392 I2 [ET-Z] 4B fags F9 4?! A194 P 4 6 IE] INVENT OR FREDERICK A. HURLEY ATTORNEY Dec. 17, 1963 Filed Nov. 21, 1961 F. A. HURLEY 3,1 14,554

GOLF GAME APPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

FREDERICK A. HURLEY Dec. 17, 1963 F. A. HURLEY 3,114,554

GOLF GAME APPARATUS Filed Nov. 21, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 A HOLE ZZZ? 1 CKZ' l //05' HOL A PLAYER A HOLE INPUT Q SELECTOR SELECTOR cxr l i cm.

10,0 A PLAYER A PLAYER A PLAYER A PLAYER A PLAYER 6w R LIMIT 2 SCORE 1: SCORE & SCORE p SCORE cK' r "0.1 No.2 No.8 N04 /03/ /0/ mr 10a 1 109 INVENTOR.

FREDERICK A. HURLEY Dec. 17, 1963 F. A. HURLEY GOLF GAME APPARATUS Filed NOV, 21, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 H-AYER LMl/T CKT Pu YER sELEc TOR cxr ma l6 lee;

HOL E 5 CORE CK T IN VEN TOR.

FREDERICK A. HURLEY al uw w Dec. 17, 1963 F. A. HURLEY 3,114,554

GOLF GAME APPARATUS Filed Nov. 21, 1961 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 PL YER SCORE FREDERICK A. HURLEY Dec. 17, 1963 F. A. HURLEY 3,114,554

com GAME APPARATUS Filed Nov. 21, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 [2J HOLE SE L EC TOR CI T HOLE J6'l HOLE 2 ,au

INVENTOR.

FREDERICK A. HURLEY Y wxx d United States Patent 3,114,554 GOLF GAME APPARATUS Frederick A. Hurley, Miami, Fla, assignor to Forward Industries, Inc, a corporation of Florida Filed Nov. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 153,943 31 Claims. (Cl. 273-176) This invention relates to game apparatus and more particularly to a relatively compact game apparatus which makes it possible to closely simulate the actual game of golf.

Because of the widespread interest in golf, prior art workers have proposed numerous types of game apparatus, usually intended for indoor use, which enable the player or players to simulate the actual game of golf to some degree. In most cases, such apparatus have provided only a single hole and, even though sometimes embodying scoring features and the like, have offered the player little more than the opportunity to demonstrate his skill in putting. In some few instances, game apparatus heretofore proposed have provided more than one hole. In those cases, however, the plurality of open holes, necessarily positioned close together because of the limited extent of the playing surface, have done little to improve similarity of the game to actual golf as played on the links and have presented the player with the almost impossible task of avoiding two or more holes when attempting to sink a putt in another hole.

A general object of this invention is to provide a relatively compact game apparatus, capable of being installed indoors, which allows player to use a conventional golf club, if desired, and a conventional golf ball to play a competitive game which, save for being limited in space so that only putting strokes are used, is very closely similar to the game of golf as actually played on full size outdoor links.

Another object is to provide such a game apparatus embodying a plurality of holes, spaced at various points on a playing surface, but so constructed and arranged that only one of the holes is presented in open condition for play at any given time during the game.

A further object is to provide a game apparatus of the type described which is adapted to be activated for play by a single control device, such as a coin-operated switch, and which operates automatically, once activated, to keep and display accurate scores for all of the players involved.

In order that the manner in which these and other objects are attained in accordance with the invention can be understood in detail, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf game apparatus constructed in accordance with one advantageous embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with some parts broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on

lines

33 and 44, FIG. 2, respectively;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are side elevational and bottom plan views, respectively, of one of the hole closure devices employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical control system employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 8a-8c are interrelated schematic diagrams illustrating in detail the electrical control system of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relation between FIGS. Biz-8c.

Stated in general terms, the game apparatus of the present invention provides a playing surface having a "ice plurality of holes suitably spaced from one end of the playing surface, which end will hereinafter be referred to as the teeing area. Each of the holes is equipped with a closure device comprising a movable closure member normally disposed within the hole and effective to completely close the hole in such manner that the playing surface is effectively continuous so long as the closure member is in its normal position. Each closure device also includes an actuator which can be operated to move the closure device to an open position which will allow balls to pass through the hole. Advantageously, a single control device, such as a coin operated switch, is employed to activate the game apparatus for play. Control means in the form of an electrical control system, is operatively connected to the actuators of the closure devices in such fashion as to operate the closure devices to open the several holes sequentially. The coin operated switch, or other activating device, is connected to the control means to condition the same to operate a given one of the actuators, and thereby cause a given one of the holes to be opened, in response to operation of the coin operated switch. Activation of the apparatus for play is thus accomplished by opening of the first hole.

Thereafter, in response to occurrence of a predetermined sequence of playing events, the control means functions automatically to open the second hole at the proper time and, concurrently, to close the first hole. This manner of operation is continued sequentially, hole by hole, until the game has been completed by all of the players. Advantageously, the apparatus includes means for detecting and counting the passage of balls through the holes, and for detecting and counting the players strokes, as well as means for maintaining and displaying scores for each hole for each player.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated and described, a coin operated switch is employed to determine the number of players who will be involved in the game, each player is allowed to continue putting to each hole until he has succeeded in sinking his putt, and the progression from one hole to the next is effected automatically in response to passage through the open hole of a number of balls equal to the member of players.

Turning now to the drawings in detail, and first to FIGS. 14 thereof, it will be seen that this embodiment of the invention comprises a generally horizontally extending frame 1 having a bottom wall 2, spaced upright side walls 3 and an end wall 4. For convenience of reference, end wall 4 will be referred to as at the back of frame 1. It will be noted that, near the front of bottom wall 2, the side walls 3 stop short of the end of the bottom wall so that a portion 5 of the latter is left free to define the teeing area.

Disposed above bottom wall 1, and having three of its edges securely attached in any suitable fashion to side walls 3 and end wall 4, respectively, is a forwardly and downwardly slanting ball return partition 6. In addition to serving as an inclined support along which balls may roll toward the teeing area, partition 6 also mounts three framing members which extend respectively parallel to the two side walls 3 and the end wall 4 but are spaced inwardly therefrom. Thus, the two members 7 are each parallel to one of the side walls 3, while the member 8 is parallel to end wall 4. The

framing members

7 and 8 support a contoured sheet 9, which can be of plywood or any other suitable sheet material, of such shape as to define the playing surface of the game apparatus. As they meet bottom wall 2, adjacent the forward end of side walls 3, the forward ends of partition 6 and sheet 9 are suitably feathered, so that the upper surface of sheet 9 blends into the upper surface of bottom wall 2 at the teeing area.

The portion 5 of bottom wall 2 which defines the teeing area, and the entire upper surface of contoured sheet 9, are covered with a sheet of material suitable for simulating a putting green. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a sheet of felt, pile fabric or the like can be employed for this purpose.

The sheet 9 can be characterized as having an undulating configuration. Thus, as viewed from the front of the machine, the sheet 9 first rises from the teeing area, then slants downwardly toward both sides of the apparatus, and then again rises toward the top of back wall 4. Accordingly, once a ball has been stroked along the playing surface from the teeing area with sufficient force to climb the initial rise, it must gravitate to one side or the other of the apparatus, assuming it does not pass through one of the holes hereinafter described. Framing members '7 coact with the upper surface of partition 6 and with the side walls 3 of the main frame to define forwardly extending and downwardly slanting ball return runways 11 which terminate just before reaching the forward ends of side walls. At its forward end, each side wall 3 carries an inwardly directed deflecting member 12 which is disposed in the path of balls rolling down the corresponding one of the return runways 11. From FIG. 2, it will be noted that the playing surface blends with the surface of the teeing area generally adjacent to the locations of deflecting members 12. Accordingly, returned balls which roll into engagement with the deflecting members are directed to the teeing area in order that they may again be placed in play.

In the area between back wall 4 and its first raised portion, as viewed from in front of the apparatus, the contoured sheet 9 is provided with nine circular openings 13 which serve as the holes to which the balls are directed by the players. As illustrated, the holes 13 are dispersed over the playing surface in such fashion that, considering the contour of the playing surface which is established by sheet 9, the problem of sinking a putt from the teeing area in any one of the nine holes will be distinctly different than that of sinking a putt in any of the others of the holes.

Assuming for the moment that all of the holes 9 are open, so that balls may be passed therethrough, it will be understood that a ball passing through any of the holes will drop into the area defined by framing

members

7 and 8, and will therefore not be within the return runway 11. Accordingly, a plurality of diagonally slanting guide strips 14 are secured to the upper face of partition 6, as seen in FIG. 2, in such fashion as to cause balls which have dropped through the holes to roll toward the framing strips 7 and thus toward the return runway 11. At the lower end of each guide strip 14-, the corresponding one of framing members 7 is provided with an outlet opening through which the balls may pass and gain access to the corresponding return runway 11.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be seen that the closure device, indicated generally at 15, which is provided for each of the holes 13, comprises a hinged closure member 16 and a solenoid actuator 17. Closure member 16 comprises a circular main body portion 18 having a diameter such that the closure member can close the hole 13 with which it is associated simply by having the body 18 completely fill the hole. Body 18 is carried by a flat plate 19 secured to one leaf of a conventional double leaf hinge 20. The other leaf of hinge 20 is rigidly attached to the lower surface of sheet 9, properly positioned adjacent hole 13 so that, when plate 19 swings upwardly into contact with the lower surface of sheet 9, circular body 18 comes into precise registration with and effectively completely fills the hole 13.

Also secured to the same leaf of hinge 20 which carries the closure member is a force-transmitting arm 21. As will be clear from FIG. 5, the arm 21 depends from closure member 16 and it will be understood that the arm lies at least generally in a plane which includes a diameter of the hole 13 and is disposed at right angles to the axis of the pivot pin of hinge 20. At its free end, arm 21 carries a pivot pin 22 journaled in the bifurcated end portion 23 of shaft 24 of the solenoid actuator 17. Pivot pin 22 extends parallel to the pivot pin of hinge 20.

Actuator 17 comprises a fully encased, spring biased solenoid assembly 25 which is of cylindrical form and rigidly carried by a channel-shaped frame member 26. The longitudinal axis of assembly 25 lies in the plane of the force-transmitting arm 21. At the end of the solenoid assembly opposite arm 21, frame member 26 is pivoted to a mounting bracket 27 by means of transversely aligned pivot pins 28. Solenoid assembly 25 is spring biased to force shaft 24- outwardly, the shaft being drawn inwardly (to the left, as viewed in FIGS. 5 and 6) upon energization of the solenoid. When the solenoid is deenergized, the spring force is adequate to move shaft 24 through a distance which causes plate 19 to pivot upwardly into engagement with sheet 9, body 18 therefore closing hole 13. Upon energization of the solenoid, shaft 24 is actuated through a distance which causes plate 19 to pivot downwardly to such an extent that a golf ball can escape between sheet 9 and the lowermost portion of body 18.

Depending from sheet 9, and terminating below the lowermost operative position of body 18, is a ball guiding shield 29. Formed of at least relatively stiff sheet material, shield 29 has outwardly projecting top flanges 30 on opposite sides of opening 13 and securedto sheet 9 in any suitable manner, as by screws 31. In the form illustrated, shield 29 is of U-shaped transverse cross section, having side walls 32 and a wall '33 which faces the teeing area. Wall 33 is provided with an exit opening 34' of such size as to allow free passage of a golf ball. Accordingly, when the solenoid is energized to pivot closure 16 downwardly, so that hole 13 is open, a golf ball dropping through the hole will roll down member 18 and, guided by shield 29, will escape via opening 34 so as to drop onto partition '6 and find its way to one of the return runways 11.

Mounted on sheet 9 by bracket 35 in such fashion as to be located outside of shield 29 near exit opening 34 is a ball detector switch 36. Switch 36 is of conventional type, including switch housing 37 and actuating plunger 38, for example, and comprises a resilient feeler 39. The feeler slants downwardly through opening 34 into the space within shield 29, in such fashion that a golf ball rolling through opening 34 must engage the feeler and displace the same in a direction and to an extent such as to depress plunger 38 and actuate the switch. Hence, any ball which drops through opening 13 and exits through opening 34 is caused to move feeler 39 and thereby actuate switch 36.

As will be discussed in detail hereinafter, strokes made by a player are counted by detecting passage of the ball from the teeing area along the undulating playing surface toward the openings 13. For this purpose, there is provided a photoelectric system comprising a light source, such as an ordinary incandescent lamp, mounted on one of the side walls 3 of frame 1 at 40, FIG. 2, in such manner as to project a light beam across the playing surface toward the opposite side Wall 3. On the opposite wall 3, in transverse alignment with light source 49, is mounted a photoelectric cell 41. Light source 40 and photoelectric cell 41 are so disposed that the flow of light from the source to the photoelectric cell is interrupted whenever a golf ball rolls along the playing surface from the teeing area 5 toward openings 13.

Mounted adjacent one side wall 3 is an upright housing provided at its top with a coin slot 43, a suitable conventional coin-operated switch being mounted within the housing to serve as an activating control device in the manner hereinafter described in detail.

At end wall 4 of the frame 1, the apparatus is provided with an upright casing 44 provided with a forwardly facing viewing window 45.

The block diagram in FIG. 7 shows the control system and illustrates the cooperation between the various component circuits. The system operates in response to three independent electrical pulse signals developed by coin switch unit lltlti, hole input circuit ltll, and. stroke input circuit 162. The coin switch unit 100 includes coin slot 43 in FIGS. 1-3 and develops an output pulse each time a coin is deposited in the unit. The stroke input circuit 102 includes the photoelectric system shown in FIG. 2, i.e., light source 40 and photoelectric cell 41, and develops an output pulse each time a player takes a stroke adequate to cause the ball to interrupt the light beam. The hole input circuit 101 includes all the ball detecting switches and develops an output pulse whenever a golf ball passes through any one of the holes 13.

An electrical counting device, such as a stepping rela is employed as the principal component in each of the remaining circuits. These counters are so arranged that an electrical pulse on the A input advances the indicated count by one digit and an electrical pulse on the R input returns the counter to its initial position.

The player limit circuit 1% is employed to register the number of players playing the game. The A input of the palyer limit circuit is connected to receive the electrical pulses developed by coin switch unit 100. Accordingly, each time a coin is deposited, indicating an additional player, the player limit circuit is advanced one digit. At the completion of the game, the player limit circuit is reset by an electrical pulse on the R input thereof.

Hole score circuit 104 registers and indicates the number of strokes taken by an individual player attempting to pass a golf ball through an open hole 13. The A input of the hole score circuit is connected to receive electrical pulses from stroke input circuit MP2 and therefore the hole score circuit advances one digit each time a stroke is detected. The R input of the hole score circuit is connected to receive an electrical pulse from hole input circuit ltll and thus the hole score circuit is reset whenever a ball passes through the open hole.

One function of player selector circuit 105 is to indicate which of the various players should be playing the game at any particular time. The A input of the player selector circuit is connected to receive electrical pulses from hole input circuit ml to advance the player selector circuit one digit each time a golf ball passes through the open hole being played. Whenever the player selector circuit attempts to advance one digit beyond the num- -ber of players using the game, player limit circuit 163 detects this situation and develops an output pulse which is received by the R input of the player selector circuit. Thus, in this manner, the player selector circuit advances one digit at a time, indicating each successive player, and then automatically resets when each player has had an opportunity to play a particular hole.

A second function of the player selector circuit is to distribute the pulse stroke indications from stroke input circuit M2 to the proper player score circuit res-res. The player score circuits maintain and indicate a running score of strokes taken by an individual player. Initially, the player selector circuit is in a position corresponding to the first player and therefore any strokes detected by stroke input circuit 102 pass through the player selector circuit to the A input of player score circuit 1% and hence advance the count of the first players score. Similarly, when the player selector circuit advances to the position corresponding to a second player, strokes detected advance the count on player score circuit 107. Player score circuits 168 and 109 are similarly advanced whenever the player selector circuit indicates third and fourth players.

Hole selector circuit 114 is employed to open the holes successively, the next successive hole being opened after each player has had an opportunity to play the previous hole. The A input of the hole selector circuit is connected to receive the same electrical output pulse which resets player selector circuit as developed by player limit circuit M3. Therefore, after each player has had an opportunity to play a particular hole, the player selector circuit is reset and the hole selector circuit is advanced one digit. The hole selector circuit also develops an electrical pulse indicating the completion of a game. This is accomplished by providing hole selector circuit with a tenth digit position, so that Whenever the hole selector circuit attempts to advance to this position an electrical pulse is developed which resets the hole selector circuit, the player score circuits 1064M, and the player limit circuit 193. Thus, the output pulse developed by hole selector circuit 110 resets the control system for a new set of players.

To illustrate the operation of the control system, assume, for example, that three players are using the game. Initially, three coins are deposited and the coin switch therefore develops electrical pulses advancing player limit circuit 103 to store the count of three. The first player then takes one or more strokes, attempting to place a ball through the first hole, reach of these strokes developing electrical pulses which advance hole score circuit 104. Player selector circuit 105 is in its initial position and therefore the pulses from stroke input circuit 162, via player selector circuit 1%, advance the count on the first player score circuit 106. Vfhen the first player passes a golf ball through the open first hole, hole input circuit lull develops a pulse which resets the hole score circuit and advances the player selector circuit to the position corresponding to the second player. The second player then takes his strokes which are indicated by the hole score circuit and registered and indicated by the second player score circuit 197 via player selector circuit W5. When the second player golf ball passes through the open first hole, the player selector circuit advances to the third position and the third player plays the first hole in like manner. After the third players ball passes through the hole, player selector circuit 105 attempts to advance to the fourth position. However, this condition is detected by player limit circuit 1% which resets the player selector circuit and advances hole selector circuit 119 to close the first hole and open the second. The game is played in this manner until all players have played all nine holes. As the last ball passes through the hole, hole selector circuit 113 attempts to advance to a tenth position, and therefore a reset signal -is developed, ending the game, resetting hole selector circuit 110, player limit circuit 1&3 and player score circuits 1tl51t 9.

A detailed schematic diagram of the control system is given in FIGS. 8a-8c, these figures forming portions of 'a single schematic diagram which may be placed together as shown in FIG. 9. Conductors AA-FF pass between FIGS. 8a and 8b, conductor GG passes between FIGS. 8b and 8c, and conductors HHLL pass between FIGS. 8:: and 80.

Power for the various components is supplied from a dinect current power supply circuit shown in the upper portion of FIG. 8a. This power supply circuit includes a transformer 1215 having a center tapped secondary Winding 121 and 'a primary winding 122, the primary winding being connected to a suitable source of alternating cur-rent (not shown). Rectifying

diodes

123 and 124 have their anodes connected to the ends of secondary winding 121, and their common cathode connection connected to positive bus-bar 125. Negative bus-bar 126- is connected to the center tap of secondary winding 121.

When a game is completed, it is desirable that certain of the indicating lamps and other components remain energized so that the players may compare scores after the completion of the game. However, it is necessary that other portions of the control circuit be disconnected and rendered inoperative so that more coins must be deposited in order to continue play. Accordingly, a second positive bus-bar 127 is provided which is connected to the positive output from the power supply via the normally open contacts 128. Contacts 122; are associated with a latch type relay having a main Winding 12% and a latch winding 1-39. When main winding 129 is energized, contacts 123 are closed and locked in the closed position. The contacts remain closed until latch winding 13 is subsequently energized to release the latch and permit the contacts to open.

Coin switch 131 is indicated as a simple switch, but is arranged in housing 4 2 for operation by coins deposited through slot 43. Coin switch 131 is normally open but closes momentarily each time a coin is received. The coin switch is connected in series with main winding 129 between positive bus-bar 125 and negative bus-bar 126. When a coin is received, the coin switch closes momentarily, energizing winding 129 to close contacts 12?, encrgizing bus-bar 127. Contacts 12% remain closed until the game is completed, at which time, as explained hereinafter, the latch winding 139 is energized.

The player limit circuit, the player selector circuit, the hole score circuit and the hole selector circuit contain stepping relays 132-135, respectively. Stepping relay 132, for example, contains a wiper anm 136 which pivots about a center point and successively connects with the circularly disposed contacts 1413-144. Advance winding 14 6 cooperates with an armature mechanically connected to wiper arm 136 to advance the wiper arm step by etc in a clockwise direction. The mechanical connection may be a conventional ratchet and pawl anparatus which advances the wiper arm to an intermediate position each time the winding is energized, and which subsequently advances the wiper arm to the next position when the advance winding is deenergized. In this manner, the Wiper arm advances from contact to contact sequentially in a clockwise direction as successive pulses of electrical energy are received by advance winding 146. Whenever reset winding 147 is energized, the wiper arm 136 is automatically returned to the initial position, the initial position being the one shown in the diagram.

Stepping relays 133-135 contain wiper a ums 137-139 and associated sets of contacts 151-156, 165-169 and 171-136, respectively, arranged and operated in like manner. Similarly, advance windings 181-183 and reset windings 184-186 associated with the stepping relays 133-135, respectively, control the position of their associated wiper arms.

One end of advance winding 145 is connected to the negative bus-bar via conductor 188, and the other end is connected to one terminal of coin switch 131. Thus, each time the coin switch is actuated, advance winding 142 is energized and wiper arm 136 advances one position clockwise, thus registering a count indicative of the number of coins deposited.

Strokes are detected by a photoelectric stroke input circuit including the light source it; and photoelectric cell 4 1 shown in FIG. 2. These components are shown schematically in FIG. 8a as incandescent lamp 1% and photoelectric cell 191.

Lamp 190 is connected between positive bus-bar 127 and negative bus-bar 1 25 via conductor and is therefore illuminated whenever bus-bar 127 is energized. The light from lamp 191) is received by photoelectric cell 111 which is connected across relay winding 192. Normally, the light received by the photoelectric cell develops electrical energy sufficient to energize relay winding 192 and maintain the normally closed relay contacts 193 in the open position. Any time a golf ball passes between lamp 190 and photoelectric cell 191, relay winding 192 is de energized and relay contacts 193 close.

Relay contacts 193 are connected in series with relay winding 1%, this series combination being connected between positive bus-bar 127 and negative bus-bar 126. Relay winding 194 is associated with a set of normally closed relay contacts 196 and a set of normally open relay contacts 195. Since contacts 193 are usually in the open position, relay winding 1% is normally \deenergized and therefore

contacts

195 and 1% are usually in their normal position shown. However, during the interval when a golf ball passes between the lamp and photoelectric cell, winding 194 is energized and therefore contacts 1% close and contacts 1% open.

The hole score circuit counts and indicates the number of strokes taken by a player in attempting to pass a golf ball through an open hole. Thus, stepping relay 134 in this circuit is arranged to advance one position each time a stroke is detected. Advance winding 182 is connected between negative bus-bar 126 and

contacts

196 and 195. The other terminal of contact 195 is connected to the positive busbar 127 and the other terminal of contact 195 is connected to the negative bus-bar 126. Since one end of the advance winding is connected to the negative bus-bar, a completed current path through this winding exists only when contacts 195 close momentarily. Thus, each time a stroke is detected by the photoelectric cell, the advance winding is energized and the associated wiper arm 133 is advanced one position clockwise.

The number of strokes taken, as represented by the position of the wiper arm, is indicated by appropriate ones of indicating lamps Nil-2113. Lamp 2130, for example, is connected between positive bus-bar and contact 161B. Wiper arm 133 is connected to

contacts

195 and 1%, and therefore the wiper arm is normally con nected to the negative busbar, completing the circuit through indicating lamp 2%. Indicating lamps 2191-2123 are similarly connected to contacts 161-168, respectively, and are illuminated in a similar manner when the wiper arm is connected to the associated contact.

In many installations, it is more desirable to have a single numerical indicating device instead of a plurality of indicating lamps as shown in the schematic diagram. Any type of a numerical display device may be employed, preferably one of the type displaying an illuminated number when the appropriate input is energized.

The hole input circuit includes a plurality of normallyopen microswitches 216 each associated with a different one of the holes on the playing surface. The switches are actuated to the closed position when a golf ball passes through the associated hole. These switches are connected in parallel to one another.

Reset winding of stepping relay 134 has one terminal connected to the negative bus-bar via conductor 188 and has its other terminal connected to positive bus-bar 125 via the microswitches 210. Thus, whenever any one of the microswitches are actuated to the closed position, reset winding 185 is energized to reset stepping relay 134 to its initial position.

The player selector circuit indicates which of the players is to use the game and is therefore arranged to "advance one position each time a golf ball passes through a hole. One terminal of advance winding 131 is connected to the negative bus-bar via conductor 183 and the other terminal is connected to the positive bus-bar via microswitches 210. Whenever a ball passes through a hole and actuates one of the microswitches, advance winding 181 is energized to advance wiper arm 137 one position clockwise.

A visual indication indicating which player is to use the game is obtained by means of the indicating lamps 211-214. Lamp 211, for example, is connected between positive bus-bar 125 and relay contact 151. Wiper arm 137 associated with contact 151 is connected to the negative bus-bar via relay contacts 196. Therefore, whenever wiper arm 137 is positioned to connect with contact 151, lamp 211 is illuminated by current flowing through contact 1%, wiper arm 137, and contact 151. Indicating lamps 212-214 are connected to relay contacts 152-154, respectively, and are similarly illuminated when wiper arm 137 is appropriately positioned.

The circuit for resetting stepping relay 133 operates via the player limit circuit. Contacts 152-155 of stepping relay 133 are connected respectively to contacts 141-144 of stepping relay 132. Wiper arm 136- is connected to positive bus-bar 127 via relay winding 215. Normally-open relay contacts 216, associated with winding 215, are connected between positive bus-bar 127 and one terminal of reset winding 184, the other terminal of the reset winding being connected to the negative bus-bar via conductor 188.

tepping relay 132 is arranged to advance one position each time a coin is deposited and, hence, it three players are using the game, three coins are deposited and wiper arm 136 rests connected to contact 143. Stepping relay 133 indicates which player should use the game and associated Wiper arm 137 advances one position each time a golf ball passes through an open hole. As the third golf ball passes through a particular hole, wiper arm 137 advances from contact 153 to contact 164. Under these circumstances, a current path is complete from the negative bus-bar via contacts 196, wiper arm 137, contact 154, contact 143 and wiper arm 136 to energize relay winding 2-15, closing contacts 216 and energizing reset winding 134. Accordingly, when three players are using the game, stepping relay 133, instead of advancing to indicate a fourth player, is automatically reset, indicating that the first player should now play the next hole. The player limit circuit resets stepping relay 133 in similar fashion for one, two, and four players, the reset in each case taking place as wiper arm 137 attempts to advance one digit more than there are players using the game.

The player score circuit No. 1, shown at the top of FIG. 8b, is employed to maintain and indicate a running score for the first player. The main component of this circuit is stepping relay 221}, which is similar to stepping relays 13 2-135, previously described, containing a wiper arm 234, a set of circularly disposed contacts 2511-259, an advance winding 230 for advancing wiper arm 234 step by step clockwise, and a reset winding 2411 for returning wiper arm 234 to its initial position. Stepping relay 2211* also includes a second wiper arm 244 so connected to wiper arm 234 to advance one digit position each time wiper :arm 234 makes a complete revolution. In other words, every time wiper arm 234 advances ten digit positions, wiper arm 244 advances one digit position. Wiper arm 244 is returned to its initial position whenever reset winding 24%} is energized.

Indicating lamps 2711-279 are connected between the negative bus-bar 126 and contacts 250-253, respectively. Indicating lamps 281-283 are connected to contacts 261-263, respectively. Wiper arms 234 and 244 are connected to positive bus-bar 125. Accordingly, as the wiper arms are advanced to successive positions, indicating lamps 2715-2233 are illuminated, indicating successively the numbers zero to thirty-nine. The individual illumina ing lamps 2719-233 may be replaced by other suitable numerical indicators having the appropriate number of input terminals.

Stepping

relays

221, 222 and 223 are the same as stepping relay 220 and include advance windings 231-233 and reset windings 241-243, arranged to position associated wiper arms 235-237 and 245-247 in substantially the same manner. Associated with wiper arms 235-237 are the sets of contacts 285-287, and associated with wiper arms 245-247 are the sets of contacts 295-297, respectively. Sets'of indicating lamps 3115-3417 are connected respectively to individual relay contacts 285-287, respectively, and sets of indicating lamps 315-317 are similarly associated with sets of relay contacts 255-297, respectively. Thus, indicating lamps 305-3117 and 315-317 appropriately indicate the number of electrical pulses received by the associated advance windings 231-233 in the same manner as lamps 2711-233 indicate the number of electrical pulses received by advance winding 2311.

Advance winding 23d of stepping relay 225 receives electrical pulses via contact 151 of stepping relay 133. Whenever contacts 195 close, i.e., when a stroke is detected, current flows from positive bus-bar 127 through contacts 195, Wiper arm 137, contact 151, through advance winding 23% to negative bus-bar 126. Therefore, stepping relay 22d advances one digit each time a stroke is detected, provided wiper arm 137 is connected to contact 151. Stepping relay 221 is similarly advanced when wiper arm 137 is connected to contact 152, and stepping

relays

222 and 223 are similarly advanced when wiper arm 137 is connected to

contacts

153 and 154, respectively. In this manner, the player selector circuit appropriately distributes the stroke indications to the proper player score circuit where a running total is maintained and indicated.

The functions of the hole selector circuit, including stepping relay 135 in FIG. 80, are (1) to sequentially open the holes, giving each player an opportunity to play each hole, (2) to indicate which hole is to be played, (3) to indicate the par score for each particular hole, and (4) to develop a signal indicating that the game is completed.

Advance winding 133 is connected to positive bus-bar 127 via normally open contacts 216 of relay 215. Thus, advance winding 133 is energized momentarily each time reset Winding 184 is energized, which occurs each time the player selector stepping relay 133 advances one digit beyond the number of players registered in the player limit circuit stepping relay 132. In other words, advance winding 183 is energized each time all of the players has had an opportunity to play the previous hole.

Indicating lamp 321 is connected between negative busbar 126 and contact 171 of stepping relay 135. Whenever wiper arm 139 is in the initial position, current flows from positive bus-bar through wiper arm 139, contact 171 and lamp 321, this current flow illuminating the lamp with the number 1, indicating that the first hole is to be played. Indicating lamps 322-329 are similarly connected to contacts 172-179, respectively, and are sequentially illuminated in like manner as the wiper arm 139 is advanced in step by step fashion.

One end of relay winding 331 is connected to the negative bus-bar 126 while the other end is connected to contact 171 of stepping relay 135. When wiper arm 139 is in the initial position, current flows from positive busbar 125 through wiper arm 139, contact 171 and relay winding 331 to energize the relay and close the associated normally-

open relay contacts

341 and 351. Relay windings 332- 39 are simiarly connected to contacts 172-179, respectively, and are similarly energized to close their respective normally-open contacts 342-349 and 352-359. Thus, successive ones of relays 331-339 are energized in the same sequence as the indicating lamps 321-329.

Solenoid winding 361 is associated with the closure device of the first hole, as described in FIGS. 5 and 6, and is .operative to open the hole when the winding is energized. One end of solenoid winding 361 is connected to positive bus-bar 125, and the other end of the winding is connected to one terminal of relay contacts 341. The other terminal of relay contacts 341 is connected to the negative bus-bar 126. Thus, whenever relay winding 331 is energized, current flows from the positive bus-bar through solenoid winding 361, relay contacts 341 to the negative bus-bar, actuating the solenoid and opening hole 1. Solenoid windings 362-369 are similarly connected to positive bus-bar 125 and relay contacts 342-349, respectively. In like manner, solenoid windings 362-369 are energized successively in accordance with successive positions of wiper arm 139, and therefore holes in the playing surface are opened sequentially.

Lamps 371-373 are connected to indicate the par score for a particular hole. The par score for each of the particular holes is determined in advance, holes 1, 5 and 9, for example, are selected as par one holes, holes 2, 4, 6 and 8 are selected as par two holes, and holes 3 and 7 are selected as par three holes. One terminal of indicating lamp 371 is connected to the negative bus-bar 126, while the other terminal is connected to one terminal of

contacts

351, 355 and 359. Thus, when wiper arm 139 is in the position which opens

holes

1, 5 or 9, lamp 371 is illuminated, indicating a par one hole. Similarly, lamp 372 1 l is connected to one terminal of contacts 3-52, 354., 356 and 358 to indicate by illumination a par two hole whenever

holes

2, 4, 6 and 8 are open. Likewise, lamp 373 is connected to contacts and 357 to indicate par three whenever

holes

3 and 7 are open.

The end of game signal is developed through the wiper arm when the wiper arm advances to the tenth position associated with contact 1%). Relay Winding 374 has one end connected to the negative bus-bar and the other end connected to contact 189. Thus, whenever wiper arm 13? reaches the tenth position, current lows from positive bus-har 125 through wiper arm 1239, contact 12% and winding 374 to the negative bus-bar. Vfl'hen relay winding 374 is energized, associated normally-open contacts 375 an 376 are closed. Reset winding 147 in the player limit circuit and reset winding 186 in the hole selector circuit are connected between the negative bus-bar and contacts 375. The other side of contacts 375 is connected to positive bus-bar 127. Thus, when contacts 375 close, reset winding 147 and 1526 are energized, resetting stepping

relays

132 and 135 to their initial position.

Reset windings 24tl243 in the player score circuits are connected between negative bus-bar 126 and one side of relay contacts 375. The other side of contacts 376 is connected to positive bus-bar 162.7. Therefore, when contacts 376 close, reset windings 2443-243 are energized, resetting, respectively, stepping relays 226-225 to their initial position. When wiper arm 139 is connected to contact 180, current flows through the wiper arm, contact 180 and latch winding 135, to positive bus-bar 125. Energization of latch winding 13% releases contacts 125 which open, deenergizing positive bus-bar 127. In this manner, certain portions of the control system are deactivated to prevent further playing of the game. However, certain of the indicating lamps and associated components remain energized to attract further players.

Indicating lamp 330 is connected between one side of contacts 376 and negative bus-bar 126. Therefore, when contacts 376 close at the end of the game, lamp 380 is illuminated, so indicating completion of the game.

Normally open switch 379 is connected between contact 180 of stepping relay 135 and the positive bus-bar 125. it is seen that, if switch 379 is closed, a positive potential is provided to terminal 180 the same as would be the case at the end of the game when wiper arm 139 connects to contact 1th Thus, switch 379 provides manual game reset and, when closed, energizes latch winding 130 and energizes relay winding 374 to close

contacts

375 and 376 to in turn reset the stepping relays. The manual reset would be employed in situations where new players wish to start a new game before completing the previous game.

Returning now to FIG. 4, wherein a scoreboard is illustrated which is suitable for use with the control system shown schematically in FIGS. 8(1-80, the scoreboard is generally opaque except for certain translucent areas, to be described, through which game indicia are provided. In the center of the scoreboard an area 3% is set off to appear as a golf putting green.

Indicating (lamps 2114.14, in FIG. 8a, are disposed behind separate ones of translucent areas 3 13'4 to, respectively, selectively illuminate the indicia PRO- 1, PRO-2, PRO-3 and PRO- i. The illuminated indicia indicates which player is to play the game.

Indicating lamps 3214529, in EEG. 8c, are disposed behind triangularly shaped translucent areas till-409 containing numerical incL cia l to 9, respectively. The translucent areas are shaped to represent the triangular flags found at each hole of a conventional golf course. The number of the hole being played is indicated by illuminating the corresponding numerical indicia in areas 401-469 by means of the indicating lamps.

The individual player scores are indicated, respectively, by a pair of illuminated numerical indicators. Each of these indicators includes a number of indicating lamps iii positioned behind suitable masks. When a lamp is illuminated, light passes through the mask and through a light conducting channel to be diffused upon a translucent front panel to provide an illuminated numerical indicia. Each lamp is associated with a different mask to provide all the desired difierent indicia.

Indicating lamps 270-279, in FIG. 8b, are included within the numerical indicator positioned behind area 3-10, in FIG. 4, and indicating lamps 281-283 in FIG. 8b are included within the numerical indicator positioned behind area 411 in FIG. 4. This pair of numerical indicators provide the first players score. The second players score is provided by means of

numerical indicators

412 and 413 which include, respectively, lamps 395 and 315, in FIG. 81). Similarly, numerical indicators 41 2 17 include, respectively, lamps 3%, 316, 3&7 and M7 and indicate the third and fourth players scores.

The par score and the hole score are provided by two numerical indicators positioned behind

areas

418 and 419. These indicators include, respectively, lamps 371-373 in FIG. and lamps Zfiil-ZGS in FIG. 80.

While one advantageous embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the inveniton, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a golf game apparatus, the combination of means providing a playing surface provided with a plurality of holes;

a plurality of closure devices each associated with a different one of said holes and comprising a movable closure member normally disposed to close the hole with which it is associated and an actuator for actuating said member to open position to allow balls to pass through the hole; an activating control device; and

control means operatively connected to said actuators,

said activating control device being connected to said control means to condition the same to operate a given one of said actuators and thereby cause a given one of said holes to be opened in response to operation of said activating control device,

said control means comprising at least one additional control device operative, following operation of said activating control device, to condition said control means to operate others of said actuators.

2. A golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 1 and wherein said at least one additional control device is a ball detector operatively disposed at said given hole to be operated by a ball passing through said given hole.

3. A golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 2 and wherein said activating control device is a coin operated switch device operative to detect the number of coins deposited therein, and

said control means is constructed and arranged to respond to a plurality of actuations of said ball detector corresponding to the number of coins detected by said coin operated switch device.

4. In a golf game apparatus, the combination of meat s providing a playing surface having at least two holes;

a plurality of closure devices each associated with a different one of said holes and each comprising a movable closure member, means biasing said closure member to a normal position in which the same closes the one of said holes with which it is associated, and an actuator for moving said closure member to an 13 open position to allow balls to pass through the hole; a plurality of ball detector devices each operatively associated with a different one of said holes each for actuation by a ball passing through the hole with which the ball detector device is associa'tcd; an activating control device; and control means operatively connected tosaid actuators,

said activating control device and said ball detector devices being connected to said control means and said control means being operative to operate the actuator for the movable closure member of a first of said holes to move the closure member to open position in response to operation of said activating control device, and to operate the actuator for the movable closure member of a second of said holes to move that closure member to open position in response to actuation of the one of said ball detector devices associated with said first hole. 5. A golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 4 and wherein said activating control device is a coin operated switch device operative to detect the number of coins deposited therein, said ball detector devices are electrical switches, and said control means includes electrical circuit means constructed and arranged to respond to a number of .actuations of each of said electrical switches corresponding to the number of coins detected by said coin operated switch device. 6. In a coin operated golf game apparatus, the combination of means forming a playing surface having a plurality of holes; a plurality of closure devices each associated with a different one of said holes and each comprising a movable closure member, means biasing said closure member to a normal position in which the same closes the one of said holes with which it is associated, and an actuator for moving said closure member to an open position to allow balls to pass through the hole; coin operated switch means; a plurality of ball detector switches each operatively associated with a ditferent one of said holes, each for actuation by a ball passing through the hole with which it is associated; hole selector circuit means operatively connected to said actuators to operate the same selectively in sequence, said coin operated switch means being connected to said hole selector circuit means to condition the same to operate a first one of said actuators, to open a first one of said holes, in response to actuation of said coin operated switch means, whereby the apparatus is conditioned for play by opening only a single hole when coins are deposited, said ball detector switches being connected to said hole selector circuit means to condition the same, subsequent to actuation of said coin operated switch means, to operate the others of said actuators in sequence to open the others of said holes in sequence and to deactivate each previously operated actuator, so that preceding holes are closed as succeeding holes are opened, in response to predetermined operation of the respective ones of said ball detector switches. 7. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 6 and further comprising first resettable digital counting means controlled by said coin operated switch means for establishing a 14 player count dependent on the total value of coins by which said coin operated switch means is operated, said hole selector circuit means comprising second resettable digital counting means electrically operable to sequentially complete circuit portions each connected to an individual one of said actuators, and electrical means controlled by said first counting means and connected to said second counting means to advance the same by one digit in response to occurrence of the last of a number of actuations of one of said ball detector switches equal to the player count established by said first counting means. 8. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 7 and further comprising a plurality of electroresponsive indicators equal in number to said holes, and energizing circuit means connecting said indicators to said second counting means, digital advance of said second counting means effecting stepwise selective energization of said indicators via said energizing circuit means. 9. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 7 and further comprising circuit means responsive to occurrence of the last of said number of actuations of the last of said ball detector switches for resetting both said first and second counting means. 10. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 9 and further comprising an electroresponsive game end indicator, and circuit means connected to energize said game end indicator only in response to resetting of said second counting means. 11. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 7 and further comprising third resettable digital counting means; said ball detector switches being connected to said third counting means to cause the same to be advanced one digit upon occurrence of each actuation of any of said ball detector switches; and resetting control means for setting said third counting means each time the same has been advanced by a number of digits equal to the player count established by said first counting means; said electrical means for advancing said second counting means being controlled by said resetting control means. 12. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 11 and further comprising a plurality of player selector indicators, each of said player selector indicators being electroresponsive; and energizing circuit means connecting said player selector indicators to said third countin means, digital advance of said third counting means eifecting stepwise selective energization of said player selector indicators via said energizing circuit means. .13. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim ll and wherein said third counting means is a stepping switch equipped with an advance winding and a reset Winding, and said ball detector switches are normally open switches connected in parallel, the parallel combination of said ball detector switches being connected in series with said advance winding to effect energization thereof whenever one of said ball detector switches is closed. '14. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 11 and wherein said third counting means is a stepping switch equipped with an advance winding and a reset winding, and said resetting control means comprises an energizing circuit connected to said reset winding and including a control switch, and circuit means connected to operate said control switch and completed via said first and third counting means. 15. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 14 and wherein said second counting means is a second stepping switch equipped with an advance winding and a reset wincls, said electrical means for advancing said second counting means being connected to the advance winding of said second stepping switch for completion, to energize said winding, only upon operation of said control switch to effect resetting of said third counting means. 16. A golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 7 and wherein each of said actuators is an electromagnet, said hole selector circuit means comprising a plurality of relays each connected to be energized via said second counting device when the same is in a different stage of digital advance, said relays having contact sets each connected to effect cnergization of a different one of said electromagnets. 17. A golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 7 and further comprising a plurality of par indicators, each of said par indicators being electroresponsive, and energizing circuit means connecting said par indicators to said second counting device for selective energization of said par indicators in accordance with the stage of digital advance of said second counting device. 18. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 16 and further comprising A plurality of par indicators, each of said par indicators being electroresponsive, and a plurality of energizing circuits each connected to energize a different one of said par indicators each of said energizing circuits including a contact set of a difierent one of said relays, whereby energization of one of said relays to cause one of said holes to be opened is accompanied by energization of one of said par indicators to indicate par for the opened hole. 19. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 7 and further comprising resettable, digital, hole-score counting means; stroke detecting means operatively arranged to detect strokes made by players in directing balls toward said holes, and circuit means controlled by said stroke detecting means and connected to said hole-score counting means for advancing the latter by one digit upon detection of a stroke by said stroke detecting means. 2t). A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 19 and wherein said ball detector switches are connected to said holescore counting means to reset the same each time one of said ball detector switches is actuated. 21. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 20 and wherein said hole-score counting means is a stepping switch equipped with an advance winding and a reset winds, said circuit means controlled by said stroke detecting means being connected to said advance winding, and said ball detector switches being connected to said reset Winding. 22. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 11 and further comprising a plurality of resettable digital score indicating means each for presenting the total score of a different player; stroke detecting means operatively arranged to detect strokes made by players in directing balls toward said holes; and.

circuit means for operating said score indicating means through said third counting means in response to operation of said stroke detecting means.

23. A coin operated golfgame apparatus in accordance with claim 22 and wherein said score indicating means each comprises a stepping switch equipped with an advance winding and a reverse winding;

said third counting means is another stepping switch,

and

the advance windings of the stepping switches of said score indicating means are each connected for energization via a different contact of said other stepping switch.

24. A coin operated golf game apparatus in accordance with claim 11 and further comprising stroke detecting means operatively arranged to detect strokes made by players in directing balls toward said holes;

resettablc, di ital, hole-score counting means;

a plurality of resettable, digital score indicating means each for presenting the total score of a different player;

circuit means for advancing said hole-score counting means by one digit upon detection of a stroke by said stroke detecting means; and

circuit means for operating said score indicating means through said third counting means in response to detection of strokes by said stroke detecting means.

25. In a golf game apparatus, the combination of means forming a playing surface provided with a plurality of holes;

controllable means associated with each of said holes operative to designate individual ones of said holes as ready for play;

an activating control device;

ball detector means; and

control means operatively connected to said controllable means, said activating control device being con nected to said control means to condition the same to operate said controllable means to designate one of said holes as ready for play in response to operation of said activating control device,

said control means thereafter being operative in response to a predetermined sequence of playing events, as detected by said ball detector means, to sequentially designate others of said holes as ready for play.

26. In a golf game apparatus, the combination of means providing a playing surface with a plurality of holes;

a plurality of closure devices each associated with a different one of said holes and comprising a movable closure member normally disposed to close the hole with which it is associated and an actuator for actuating said member to an open position to allow balls to pass through the hole; control means connected to said actuators;

a game initiating control device connected to said control means and operative via said control means to condition the same to operate one of said actuators and thereby cause the corresponding one of said holes to be opened in response to operation of said game initiating control device; and

sensing means operative to detect the completion of play to individual ones of said holes,

said sensing means being connected to said control means and operative via said control means to operate the others of said actuators sequentially and thereby cause the others of said holes to be opened in sequence.

27. In a golf game apparatus, the combination of means forming a playing surface having a plurality of holes;

controllable means for closing and opening said holes;

a game initiating control device;

means responsive to operation of said game initiating control device for controlling said controllable means to open a first of said holes, whereby one hole is presented for play upon operation of said game initiating control device and the balance of said playing surface is left in condition to support rolling balls;

sensing means operative to detect the completion of play to individual ones of said holes; and

means responsive to operation of said sensing means,

subsequent to operation of said game initiating control device, to control said controllable means to close said first hole and open a second of said holes.

28. In a golf game apparatus, the combination of means forming a playing surface having a plurality of holes;

controllable means for closing and opening said holes;

a coin operated switch;

counting means responsive to operation of said coin operated switch for establishing a player count dependent upon the total value of coins by which said coin operated switch is operated;

means responsive to operation of said coin operated switch for controlling said controllable means to open a first of said holes, whereby one hole is presented for play upon operation of said coin operated switch and the balance of said playing surface is left in condition to support rolling balls; and

means operative in response to a predetermined sequence of playing events, subsequent to operation of said coin operated switch, to control said controllable means to close said first hole and open a second of said holes,

said means operative in response to a predetermined sequence of playing events comprising means for detecting the number of players who have played to said first hole and being operative to effect closing of said first hole and opening of said second hole when said number of players is equal to the player count established by said counting means.

29. In a golf game apparatus, the combination of means forming a playing surface provided with a plurality of holes;

a plurality of movable closures each operatively associated with a different one of said holes and each arranged for pivotal movement between a first position, in which the closure closes the hole with which it is associated and completes said playing surface in the area of that hole in such fashion that balls can roll unimpeded across the hole, and a second position, in which the closure slants downwardly beneath said playing surface and thereby constitutes means along which balls passing through the corersponding hole can roll by gravity;

actuating means connected to said closures to actuate individual ones thereof selectively to their second position;

automatic electrical control means operatively connected to said actuating means to cause individual actuation of each of said closures to said second position during the play of a single game, said closures being actuated sequentially such that only a single one of said closures is in said second position at any one time; and

a plurality of ball detector switches each mounted to detect passage of balls along a different one of said closures when the latter is in said second position,

said ball detector switches each being connected to said automatic electrical control means to cause actuation of a different one of said closures to said second position in response to passage of a ball being detected.

30. In a golf game apparatus, the combination of means forming a playing surface provided with a plurality of holes;

a plurality of controllable devices operative to designate individual ones of said holes as the hole to be played at any given time during the sequence of p y;

coin operated switch means;

ball detector means; and

an electrical control circuit operatively connected to said controllable devices to operate the same selectively,

said coin operated switch means being connected to said control circuit to condition the same to operate a first one of said controllable devices in response to actuation of said coin operated switch means, whereby the apparatus is conditioned for play by designation of a single hole when coins are deposited,

said ball detector means being connected to said control circuit to condition the same, subsequent to actuation of said coin operated switch means, to operate others of said controllable devices to selectively designate others of said holes and to deactivate each previously operated one of said controllable devices.

31. In a golf game apparatus, the combination of means forming a playing surface provided with a plurality of holes;

a plurality of controllable devices operative to designate individual ones of said holes as the hole to be played at any time during the sequence of play;

a coin operated switch means;

counting means responsive to operation of said coin operated switch means for establishing a player count dependent upon the total value of coins by which said coin operated switch means is operated;

said coin operated switch means being connected to said control circuit to condition the same to operate a first one of said controllable devices in response to actuation of said coin operated switch means, whereby the apparatus is conditioned for play by designation of a single hole when coins are deposited; and

sequence control means connected to said control circuit and operative in response to a predetermined sequence of playing events, subsequent to operation of said coin operated switch means, to condition said control circuit to operate others of said controllable devices to selectively designate others of said holes and to deactivate each previously operated one of said controllable devices, said sequence control means comprising means for detecting the number of players who have played to said first hole,

said sequence control means being operative to condition said control circuit to deactivate said first controllable device and operate another of said controllable devices when said number of players is equal to the player count established by said counting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 669,576 Dixon Mar. 12, 1901 2,646,986 Mentzer July 28, 1953 3,011,791 Page Dec. 5, 1961

Claims

1. IN A GOLF GAME APPARATUS, THE COMBINATION OF MEANS PROVIDING A PLAYING SURFACE PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF HOLES; A PLURALITY OF CLOSURE DEVICES EACH ASSOCIATED WITH A DIFFERENT ONE OF SAID HOLES AND COMPRISING A MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER NORMALLY DISPOSED TO CLOSE THE HOLE WITH WHICH IT IS ASSOCIATED AND AN ACTUATOR FOR ACTUATING SAID MEMBER TO OPEN POSITION TO ALLOW BALLS TO PASS THROUGH THE HOLE; AN ACTIVATING CONTROL DEVICE; AND CONTROL MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID ACTUATORS, SAID ACTIVATING CONTROL DEVICE BEING CONNECTED TO SAID CONTROL MEANS TO CONDITION THE SAME TO OPERATE A GIVEN ONE OF SAID ACTUATORS AND THEREBY CAUSE A GIVEN ONE OF SAID HOLES TO BE OPENED IN RESPONSE TO OPERATION OF SAID ACTIVATING CONTROL DEVICE, SAID CONTROL MEANS COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE ADDITIONAL CONTROL DEVICE OPERATIVE, FOLLOWING OPERATION OF SAID ACTIVATING CONTROL DEVICE, TO CONDITION SAID CONTROL MEANS TO OPERATE OTHERS OF SAID ACTUATORS.