US3114556A

US3114556A - Game apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3114556A
Application number: US139553A
Authority: US
Inventors: Miller Abe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-09-20
Filing date: 1961-09-20
Publication date: 1963-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 1980-12-17

Description

Dec. 17, 1963 Filed Sept. 20. 1961 A. MILLER GAME APPARATUS llIiNili'l 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. A BE MILL E R BY W ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 1963 A. MILLER 3,114,556

GAME APPARATUS Filed Sept. 20. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ABE M l LLE R JZ BY M,%

ATTO R NEYS United States Patent 3,114,556 GAME APPARATUS Abe Miller, 10118 E. 2nd, Tulsa, Okla. Filed Sept. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 139,553 3 Claims. c1. 273 17s This invention relates to a game apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus adaptable for use in a variety of ways as the basis for types of miniature golf games and including provisions whereby miniature golf ranges may be set up in any smooth area, such as a back 'lawn, in only a short time.

An object of this invention is to provide a device, unlimited in its modifications, which can form the basis of a new type of game somewhat similar to the popular game of miniature golf. Miniature golf ranges have been established in most cities of the United States. This type of amusement combines the accuracy required for golf, especially putting accuracy, with novel types of traps. The acceptance of this type of sport or amusement is indicated by the large number of commercial miniature golf installations in the nation. Even though a miniature golf course does not require a large amount of area, the establishment of such a course is fairly expensive so that heretofore miniature golf has been limited to commercial installations.

This invention provides an apparatus adaptable for use in small level areas, such as the back yards of homes, the front lawns of hotels and motels, and so forth. By the basic apparatus of this invention, a miniature golf course can be set up in just a few minutes on any smooth area providing the test of skill and the novel types of hazards ordinarily found in commercial miniature golf courses. The provision of the game apparatus of this invention has additional advantages in that as soon as play is terminated the apparatuses may be removed from the field of play for easy storage. By utilizing the game apparatus of this invention, a miniature golf course may be established in the back yard of a home in approximately the same amount of time as required to set up a back yard croquet course.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a game apparatus utilizing the skill normally associated with the putting of golf balls to provide a basis for establishing miniature golf courses.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game apparatus of a type adaptable to demand of players not only skill in the putting of a golf ball, but also to add novelty and uncertainty in the play of the game.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game apparatus, portable in its use, which is adaptable for easy positioning at random spaced intervals and locations in a relatively small flat area to provide means for the immediate establishment of a miniature golf course.

These and other objects and a better understanding of the invention may be had from the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the attached drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of a configuration of the base member of the invention.

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the invention as it is positioned for play.

FIGURE 4 is a top view of one embodiment of the base member of the invention.

FIGURE 5 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a base member of the invention.

FIGURE 6 is an isometric view of a removable cup and flag holder as utilized as a portion of one embodiment of the game apparatus of this invention.

3,114,556 Patented Dec. 17, 1963 FIGURE 7 is a top view of an arrangement of a base member of this invention having three ball openings.

FIGURE 8 is an isometric view of a cover member of an embodiment of a game apparatus of this invention having, when inverted over a base member, a configuration as shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view of a game apparatus as formed with the apparatus base of FIGURE 7 and the cover member of FIGURE 8, as taken along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 10 is a top view of one embodiment of a base member of this invention showing an arrangement having two ball openings.

FIGURE lil is a top view of an arrangement of a base member of this invention having three ball openings. FIGURE 11 is contrasted with FIGURE 7 which also has three ball openings to exemplify the variety of arrangements to which the invention is subject.

Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGURE 1, the game apparatus of this invention is indicated general-ly by the numeral 18. The game apparatus 10 may be of various sizes, but in the considered optimum embodiment is of a size which is easy to handle and of a weight so that a typical player can easily move it about so that it may be easily stored or placed into playing position, or may be rotated to various positions during play.

Game apparatus 10, as shown in FIGURE 1, has four ball openings 12 formed therein adaptable to receive 'a golf ball. Game apparatus 10 serves the function of a cup in the ordinary golf game. That is, it is a device positioned to receive a ball for scoring. It can be seen that with the configuration of FIGURE 1 a player approaching the game apparatus 10 may putt the ball into either one of the four ball openings 12. In one embodiment, and the considered optimum embodiment, only one of the ball openings 12 leads into the cup, which Will be described subsequently, and the other three ball openings 12 serve, in one way or another, as traps so that the ball will be returned for play Without the player having scored.

A cup cover 14 covers the cup, which will be described and shown in more detail subsequently. One of the ball openings 12 leads into a cup covered by cup cover 14 so that if a player chooses the proper ball opening 12 and putts the ball accurately into this proper opening, it will remain in the cup in the game apparatus 10. By lifting the cup cover 14 from the game apparatus 10, the cup is exposed and the player may retrieve his ball, having scored the hole represented by the game apparatus 10, and proceed to the next hole.

Cup cover 14 may be equipped as shown with a small flag staff 16 adaptable to support a flag 18 which may have a numeral 20 formed thereon to identify the hole in the game sequence.

Game apparatus 10 is comprised basically of a body member 11 having various openings and passages formed therein. Body member 11, in the simplest embodiment, may be composed of a single basic element having the mentioned various openings and passages formed therein, as will be described subsequently. As a manufacturing expedient the body member 11 is best composed of two basic components, a base member and a cover member. For simplicity of explanation, the body member 11 is shown in this description as composed of these two basic elements.

FIGURE 9 discloses a cross-sectional view of a game apparatus 10 wherein the body member 11 is composed of a cover member 22 and a base member 24. Cover member 22 may be formed of any material, but preferably of some light material such as plastic. Cover member 22 may be in a multitude of configurations as long as openings 12 are provided for receiving the entrance of a golf ball. The other basic component of the game apparatus is the base member 24. Base member 24 may be made of a variety of materials, but a light material such as foam plastic is preferable. Ball passages 26 are formed in the base member 24 communicating to ball openings 12 in the cover member 22. In the preferred embodiment of the invention only one of the ball passages 26 leads to a cup cavity 28 formed in approximately the center of base member 24.

If the body member 11 of FIGURE 1 is constructed of a base member and a cover member, the base member has a configuration such as that shown in FIGURE 2. By this arrangement a golf ball which enters ball opening 12A and travels through ball passage 26A will enter the cup cavity 28. A ball which enters

ball openings

12B or 128 will travel through ball passage 26B and thus come out the other side. A ball which enters ball opening 12C will travel through ball passage 26C to a dead end and the ball will thus be returned out the same opening. It can be seen then that when a player approaching the game apparatus 10 of FIGURE 1 desires to score the hole, he must not only have sufiicient proficiency at putting to enter the ball opening 12 which he selects, but he must select the proper ball opening 12A. If he selects any of the other ball openings, 12B, 123' or 120, he will not score and will be required to put his ball into position to enter another one of the ball openings 12 which he has selected, which also may be the incorrect opening. Thus, the apparatus of this invention provides a device having three basic desirable characteristics which are as follows: One, a game apparatus is provided which is light and portable and movable, easy to store and easy to position on the playing field so that a miniature golf course may be established in any smooth playing area in just a few minutes utilizing one or more of the game apparatuses 10. In typical use, according to the size of the playing field, three, four, six or even more of the game apparatuses 10 may be positioned on the playing field. Second, a game apparatus is provided requiring putting skill of the participants in putting the ball into the proper opening 12, thus utilizing the skill golfers possess, or would like to possess. Third, a game apparatus is provided introducing putting hazards, that is, the participant must select the proper opening in which to enter before he can score the hole and his incorrect estimates of which is the proper opening 12 will increase the number of putts necessary to score a hole.

FIGURE 1 is merely exemplary of a multitude of embodiments which may be originated using the basic concepts of this invention.

Referring again to FIGURE 9, it can be seen that base member 24 is provided with a flat bottom surface 29 adaptable to support the game apparatus 10 on any type of fiat playing surface.

FIGURE 3 discloses an alternate embodiment providing sides which slope up to a substantially flat top 32. The configuration of the game apparatus 10 will depend to a great extent upon the type of material and manufacturing process used, however, any such configurations embodying the concepts and novelty of this invention is within the purview of this disclosure.

FIGURE 8 is an isometric view of the cover member 22 of the overall apparatus configuration of FGURE 3. The cover member 22 of FIGURE 8 is shown inverted to disclose the internal configuration. The cover member 22 of FIGURE 8 shows an embodiment using only three ball openings 12. Cover member 22 is provided with a cup opening 33 adaptable to receive the cup cover 14, as shown in FIGURE 3 and in cross-section in FIGURE 9. The cover member 22 is adaptable for use in conjunction with the base member 24 shown in FIGURE 7. Base member 24 of FIGURE 7 is provided with ball passages 26A and 263. Ball passage 26A leads to the cup cavity 28, while ball passage 26B leads all the way through the base member 24, around cup cavity 28, to communicate with opposite sides of the base member 24. With the cover member 22 of FIGURE 8 positioned and secured to the base member 24 of FIGURE 7, a game apparatus is provided having the general external configuration of FIGURE 3, except only three ball openings 12 are provided.

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIGURE 7 showing the apparatus combining the cover member 22 of FIGURE 8 and the base member 24 of FIGURE 7. Note in FIGURE 9 that the cup cover 14 is positioned in cup opening 33 of the cover member 22. In the manufacturing process, as the game apparatus 10 is assembled, the base member 24 will be secured to cover member 22 as by cementing, or with screws, etc. The means of securing the cover member 22 to base member 24 will depend primarily on the types of materials used.

Game apparatus 19 is so designed that a player, under usual playing conditions, cannot visually ascertain which of the ball openings 12 he must enter to score. Rules of the various games which could be made up to utilize the game apparatus of this invention would prohibit the player from close examination of the game apparatus 10 to determine which ball opening 12 to enter so that all players would be forced equally to the mental choice of which ball opening to first enter. In play, after a hole is scored, the other players would then know which ball opening 12 to enter the device. To make the game equal to all players, a player, after scoring a hole and removing his golf ball from the cup cavity 28, may pick the apparatus 10 from the playing surface and spin it around or place it back down after rotating it so that the following players Will be confused as to which ball opening to enter and will be forced to make the same mental decision he had to make in order to score the hole.

Referring back to FIGURE 9, it can be seen that after a ball has entered the correct ball opening 12A and travelled through ball passage 26A it enters cup cavity 28. The player may then, by use of the flag staff 16, lift off cup cover 14- to retrieve his ball and then proceed to the next hole.

An alternate embodiment whereby a player, after scoring a hole, may confuse his fellow players as to which of the ball openings 12 must be entered is shown in FIG- URES 5 and 6. Referring first, however, to FIGURE 4, a top view is shown of the configuration of the base member 24 of FIGURE 2. As can be seen in this top view, only a ball entering ball passage 26A can go to cup cavity 23. The ball which enters ball passage 26B will pass around cup cavity 28 and pass out the other side. The ball entering ball passage 26C will meet a dead end and will return out the same opening. Using a game apparatus having a base member 24 as shown in FIGURE 4 would require the player, after scoring a hole, as previously described, to lift the entire game apparatus 10 to spin it around so that the following co-players will be forced to make a mental choice as to which opening to enter. An alternate arrangement which avoids the necessity of moving the entire game apparatus is shown in FIGURE 5. In this arrangement base member 24- is provided with ball passages 26 which are symmetrical, that is, all of ball passages 26 in FIGURE 5 lead to the cup area. In this embodiment, however, a removable cup 35, as shown in FIGURE 6, is utilized. Removable cup 35 is of a cylindrical construction having side walls 36 with an opening 38 in one quadrant of side walls 36. The removable cup 35 is equipped with the cup cover 14, which is best integrally formed therewith, and flag staif16. The cylindrical lower portion of the removable cup 35 is completed with a bot-tom 4t). Splines 42 are formed on the exterior of the removable cup 35 to align the cup as it is replaced in the base member 24. As can be seen in FIGURE 5, the base member 24 is provided with spline grooves 44 to receive splines 42. The provision of splines 42 and spline grooves 44 means that when the removable cup 35 is remo 'ed from the game apparatus it may be reinserted to align cup opening 3% with any of the ball passages 26.

The provision of removable cup 35 permits a player who has scored a hole to retrieve his ball and at the same time he may replace the removable cup 35 in a different position so that the following. players will have to choose which ball opening 12 to enter. Whereas in the embodiment shown in FIGURES l and 3 the entire game apparatus CW must be lifted and rotated to con- :fuse the following players, in the embodiment of FIG- URES 5 and 6 only the removable cup 35 must be removed in order to alter the opening which will score the hole.

it is apparent that the game apparatus 10 of this invention may be varied in an unlimited number of ways. For instance, in FIGURE 10* a top view of a base member 24 is shown having only two ball passages 26, one of which leads to cup cavity 28 and the other leading to a dead end.

FIGURE ll discloses a top view of a base member 24 having three ball passages 26 as is shown in FIGURE 7 with the difference that two of the ball passages 26B- and lead to dead ends. This is merely exemplary of the tremendous number of alternate embodiments which could be made utilizing the novel concept of this invention.

The apparatus readily suggests many games and many sets of rules providing for scoring procedures, extra stroke penalties, and so forth. in some arrangements all of the game apparatus in will be exactly alike and the novelty is introduced in that each player has the privilege of confusing the following players as to which opening they must enter to score the hole. In other games the sets or" game apparatus 1% may all be diiferent, introducing new hazards and novelties to the game.

This invention is not to be considered to be limited to these specific embodiments shown herein, but this disclosure is intended only to describe embodiments which may be considered to be in some Ways optimuim, but which are primarily exemplary of the application of the concepts of the invention. Many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Iclairn:

1. A game apparatus adaptable for use as a cup to receive a golf ball as said ball is potted on a playing surface comprising a portable body member having a fiat bottom surface whereby said body member is supported on said playing surface, said body member having a cup cavity formed substantially in the center thereof and a cup opening in the top surface thereof communicating with said cup cavity, said body member having at least two ball openings therein adjacent said bottom surface each adaptable to receive a golf ball and said body memher having a ball passage formed therein individually comrnunioating each of said ball openings with said cup cavity; and a removable oup member insertable in said cup cavity, said cup member having a bottom, sides and a top, said cup member having a ball opening formed in one area of said sides adaptable to align with at least one of said internal grooves of said body member whereby said 'oup member receives only golf balls entering said groove aligned 'with said ball opening.

2. A game apparatus according to claim 1 including means wherein said cup member is insertable in said cup cavity only in an attitude wherein said ball opening in said oup cavity aligns with one of said grooves communicating with said cup cavity.

3. A game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said body member at the area of said cup cavity has a multiplicity of substantially vertical, parallel spline grooves formed therein and whereby said means wherein said cup member is insertable in said cup cavity only in an attitude wherein said ball opening in said cup cavity aligns with one of said grooves communicating with said cup cavity includes a multiplicity of splines integrally formed on the exterior of said sides of said cup member adaptable to enter said spline grooves formed in said body member.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,736,447 Kindt et al. Nov. 19, 1929

Claims

1. A GAME APPARATUS ADAPTABLE FOR USE AS A CUP TO RECEIVE A GOLF BALL AS SAID BALL IS PUTTED ON A PLAYING SURFACE COMPRISING A PORTABLE BODY MEMBER HAVING A FLAT BOTTOM SURFACE WHEREBY SAID BODY MEMBER IS SUPPORTED ON SAID PLAYING SURFACE, SAID BODY MEMBER HAVING A CUP CAVITY FORMED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE CENTER THEREOF AND A CUP OPENING IN THE TOP SURFACE THEREOF COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CUP CAVITY, SAID BODY MEMBER HAVING AT LEAST TWO BALL OPENINGS THEREIN ADJACENT SAID BOTTOM SURFACE EACH ADAPTABLE TO RECEIVE A GOLF BALL AND SAID BODY MEMBER HAVING A BALL PASSAGE FORMED THEREIN INDIVIDUALLY COMMUNICATING EACH OF SAID BALL OPENINGS WITH SAID CUP CAVITY; AND A REMOVABLE CUP MEMBER INSERTABLE IN SAID CUP CAVITY, SAID CUP MEMBER HAVING A BOTTOM, SIDES AND A TOP, SAID CUP MEMBER HAVING A BALL OPENING FORMED IN ONE AREA OF SAID SIDES ADAPTABLE TO ALIGN WITH AT LEAST ONE OF SAID INTERNAL GROOVES OF SAID BODY MEMBER WHEREBY SAID CUP MEMBER RECEIVES ONLY GOLF BALLS ENTERING SAID GROOVE ALIGNED WITH SAID BALL OPENING.