US3912275A

US3912275A - Miniature golf course

Info

Publication number: US3912275A
Application number: US439070A
Authority: US
Inventors: Torvald Hagelberg
Original assignee: Bengt Petersson New Products Investment AB
Current assignee: Bengt Petersson New Products Investment AB
Priority date: 1973-02-06
Filing date: 1974-02-04
Publication date: 1975-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-14
Also published as: DE2405471A1; DE2405471B2; GB1457573A; JPS49105630A; JPS537860B2; DE2405471C3; CA1009676A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a miniature golf course comprising a first section including a starting zone or ''''tee'''' and a middle section with a number of obstacles and a last section including a finishing zone or ''''green'''' with a hole or other ball catching device and the middle section is provided with a device including changeable obstacles so that in the same course several types of obstacles can be played, whereby a very rich variety of obstacles can be played and the obstacles are suitable to be automatically changed by means of a mechanism.

Description

Unite States tent 11 1 1111 3,912,275 Hagelberg 1451 Get. 14, 1975 [54] MINIATURE GOLF COURSE 2,827,299 3/1958 Dean 273/l76 F [75] Inventor: Torvald Hagelberg, Molnlycke,

Sweden Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo Assigneez Bengt Petersson New Products Attorney, Agent, or FzrmToren, McGeady and Investment AB, Goteborg, Sweden Filed: Feb. 4, 1974 Appl. No.: 439,070

Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 6, 1973 Sweden 7301590 Sept. 25, 1973 Sweden.... 7313009 Stanger [5 7] ABSTRACT The present invention relates to a miniature golf course comprising a first section including a starting zone or tee and a middle section with a number of obstacles and a last section including a finishing zone or green with a hole or other ball catching device and the middle section is provided with a device including changeable obstacles so that in the same course several types of obstacles can be played, whereby a very rich variety of obstacles can be played and the obstacles are suitable to be automatically changed by means of a mechanism.

10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures U.S;. Patent Oct. 14,1975" Sheet10f6 3,912,275

FIG!

US. Patent Oct-1411975 Sheet 2. of 6 Sheet 4 of 6 US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975" Sheet5of6 3,912,275

IVIINIATURE GOLF COURSE The present invention relates to a miniature golf course comprising a first section including a starting zone or tee, a middle section with a number of obstacles and a last section including a finishing zone or green with a hole or other ball catching device.

Usually conventional plants for miniature golf games comprise nine, twelve or eighteen courses of the kind mentioned. In each course the first section and last section are substantially similar to the corresponding section of the other courses. The most important difference between the different courses is to be found in the middle section at which obstacles of various types are arranged. Consequently, it is theoretically possible to obtain all the desired types of ball paths and degrees of difficulty represented in a complete miniature golf game plant by means of only one course, if the middle section of the same is provided with changeable obstacles. It is evident that the reducing of the plant to only one or a few courses means a reduction in the costs and the area needed for a complete arrangement.

From the prior art (Swiss patent specification 474 273) a miniature golf course is known in which the obstacles are changeable. However, in this known device the obstacle arrangements are bulky and not suitable to be combined with a machine for the automatic changing of the obstacles. The reachable variation in the types of obstacles is also very low which does not make the playing so interesting.

An object of the invention is to provide an obstacle device in which the types of obstacles available are very different in their character and which types are corresponding to the types of the obstacles used in conventional miniature golf courses. 9

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device comprising changeble obstacles for a miniature golf course, which device is suitable to combine with an automatic obstacle changing machine.

It is another object of the invention to provide a mechanism for changing the obstacles of the device.

The objects of the invention are obtained by means of a miniature golf course in which the middle section provides a substantially plane playing ground and thereabove shutter means pivotable by means of a shaft which is substantially horizontal and transverse to the course between a first position in which the edge of the shutter means opposite to the shaft connects to the playing ground so that the shutter means forms a playing ground sloping upwards in the direction from the first section and a second position in which the shutter means is lifted from the playing ground allowing the passage of playing ball under it whereby changeable obstacle means are positioned under the shutter means and connected to the playing ground and at the upper end of the shutter so that a ball can be played first through the first obstacle means on the playing ground when the shutter is in its upper position and upon the shutter through the second obstacle means when the shutter is in its lower position.

An embodiment of the invention is described in the following and shown on the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. I is perspective view of a miniature golf course according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an obstacle device of the same in section;

FIG. 3 shows a mechanism for automatic changing of the obstacles in elevational view;

FIG. 4 is a section along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3 in an enlarged scale;

FIG. 5 is an electric circuit relating to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an obstacle means;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another obstacle means, and

FIGS. 8 I1 illustrate the obstacle means in FIG. 7 in different positions.

According to FIG. 1 the course comprises a first section 1 with a starting zone or tee and a play ground 3; a middle section 4 with a play ground 5 underlying an obstacle device 6; and a last section 7, forming a finishing zone or green with a playing ground 8 and a hole 9 in which the ball can be sunk. A barrier 10 open at the starting zone surrounds the playing ground 3, 5, 8. The obstacle device 6 includes changeable obstacles. By a game the ball is played from the tee 2 through that obstacle of the obstacle device 6 which is changed in working position and to the green 7 into the hole 9. By next game new obstacles of the obstacle device 6 is changed in position and the ball has to be played in another way and so on. i

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the obstacle device 6 is provided with shutter means 11 connected to a sloped playing ground 12 and stretching between two gable pieces 13. The shutter means 11 is pivotable by means of a shaft 17 between a position in which the lower end, opposite to the shaft 17 connects to the playing ground 3 of the first section 1 (this position is shown in FIG. 2 by means of continuous lines) and an upper position (shown in FIG. 1 and by means of dash-dotted lines in FIG. 2) in which the playing ground 5 under the obstacle means 6 is accessible. Under the shutter means 11 and over the playing ground 5 there is provided a first obstacle means 14, which is pivotable by means of a shaft 16 and at the upper end of the sloped playing ground 12 is provided a secod obstacle means 15 pivotable by means of a shaft 18 (FIG. 2). According to the intended function of the desribed arrangement the ball is to be played from the playing ground 3 through the obstacle means 14 and on the playing ground 5 to the last section 7 when the shutter is moved to said upper position and when the same is in its lower position the ball is intended to run on the playing ground 3 upwards on the shutter 11 and the sloped playing ground 12 and through the obstacle means 15 from which it drops down onto the playing ground 8 thereby directed towards the hole 9 by a board 35 (FIG. 2).

Accordingly, there are two main variations possible by means of the two positions of the shutter means; in the one the ball is played in a substantially plane running way and in the other on a slope. These two main variations are in turn variable by means of the different positions of the respective pivotable obstacle means 14 and 15. Consequently, all the various obstacle combinations of the obstacle device 6 is possible to obtain by means of pivoting of the three

shafts

16, 17 and 18.

The first obstacle means 14 is shown in FIG. 6. To the shaft 16 are three

screens

36, 37 and 38 attached and also a box-shaped part 39. The screen 36 is in the middle provided with a relatively wide gate 40, the screen 37 is provided with gates 41 at its ends and the screen 38 is in the middle provided with a narrow gate 42. The box-shaped part 39 is in the middle provided with a chute 43 open in both ends. In different pivoting positions of the obstacle means 14 the screens 36 38 or the part 39 in turn connects to the playing ground 8 and consequently the ball has to be played through the

gates

40, 41, 42 or the chute 43 respectively. (By using the side gates 41 the ball is played so it bounces against the barrier The second obstacle means is shown in FIG. 7 in perspective and in section in FIG. 2. It comprises a board 44 and a plate forming a part of a circumference and of a chord to a circle which has its centre in the shaft 18. On the part forming the circumference five gates 46 (FIGS. 1, 7) are provided which continue on the board 44. The middle gate is stretching all over the circumferential part and ends at 47 (FIG. 7) on the part forming the chord.

Opposite to the plate 45 is a box-shaped part 48 attached to the board 44. This part is showing a T-shaped lid" 49, the stem of which is connected to the board 44 by means of a gable 50 while the side sections are open. In the middle of the T-shaped part 49 there is a hole 51 and within the box-

shaped part surfaces

52 and 53 provided to re-bound the ball are arranged.

In the position of the obstacle means 15, shown in FIG. 2, the ball has to be played through the middle gate at 47 (FIG. 7); by the position shown in FIG. 8 through one of the five gates 46; in a position in which the edge of the board 44 connects to the sloped playing ground 12 through the middle gate 46; by the position shown in FIG. 9 over the edge of the playing ground 12 in a bounce against the board 44; in the position shown in FIG. 10 over the edge of the playing ground 12 through the slit in front of the board 44 and in the position shown in FIG. 11 in a bouncing movement within the part 49 and out through the opening 51.

As mentioned in the foregoing all the variations of the obstacle device are possible by pivoting the three

shafts

16, 17. and 18 in a certain sequence. An automatic mechanism for the pivoting of the shafts is shown in FIG. 3. The ends of the three

shafts

16, 17 and 18 are shown in the figure. The shaft 16 is provided with a sprocket 23 and the shaft 18 with a sprocket 27 while the shaft 17 is provided with a lever 30. The

sprockets

23 and 27 are provided with chains 24 which in one end are subjected to the force from

springs

25 and 28 respectively. The other end of the chains are attached to

links

26, 29 respectively. The lever 30 is provided with a link 31. All of the links are connected to a pin 22 which is movable in elongated grooves ending a distance from the end of the respective link. The pin 22 is attached to a nut 21 cooperating with a screw 20 turnable by means of a motor 19. On the nut 21 is attached a plate 32 which by means of holes in the same actuates electrical switches 33 and by means of end stops a change-over switch 34. The motor 19 is connected to the switches 33 and reversible by means of the changeover switch 34. This arrangement will make it possible to bring the pin 22 to move to and fro along the screw 20 whereby the pin 22 brings the

links

26, 29, 31 to move when the pin contacts the respective outer ends of the grooves or it moves free in the grooves accordingly to the position of the pin 22 on the screw 20 and the position of the grooves relatively thereto. The movement of the links when the pin 22 is in contact with the end of the groove will appear in two directions: either the links with the connected chains are drawn in the direction away from the respective sprocket or the links are allowed to move in direction towards the sprocket under the force of the springs. At the shaft 17 the link 31 perform a corresponding movement whereby the weight of the shutter 11 will give a force equal to the force of the springs. When the pin has allowed the respective link to move so far towards the sprocket or the shaft 17 respectively that the obstacle means or the shutter respectively have reached their end positions the pin will move free in the respective groove by further movement of the screw 10 and the links will stand still.

The arrangement of the switches is evident from FIG. 4. When the hole provided plate 32 passes the switches the current to the motor 19 will be switched off when the switch in the circuit with its manoevre lever falls in into one of the holes in the plate 32. The holes are suited to the intended position of the

shafts

16, 17, 18 and the reached position remains until the motor is momentarily subjected to the current during a moment so long that the plate 32 moves such a distance that the hole passes the switch. Of the three switches 33 the one is intended to work in the one running direction of the motor and the other to work in the other running direction of the motor. The third switch is intended to give the starting position for the cycle. This arrangement is evident from FIG. 5 according to which one switch 33 is connected to the motor by the one position for the reversing change-over switch 34 and the other of the switches 33 by the other position of the change-over switch. By means of this arrangement it is possible to reach different stopping positions by forward and backward movement.

If the mechanism is in the position shown in FIG. 3 whereby the obstacle means 14 and the shutter means 11 are in the position shown in FIG.2 and the motor 19 turns the screw 20 so that the nut 21 moves to the right in FIG. 3, the pin 22 will draw the

links

26 and 31 with it whereby the shutter means 11 swings upwards and the obstacle means 14 pivots clock-wise (in FIG. 2). Simultaneously the pin 22 moves free in the groove of the link 29 so that the obstacle means 15 stands in the end position shown in FIG. 2 under the force of the spring 28. During the movement the mechanism will stop in different stopping positions according to the function of the switches 33, which positions correspond to different playing positions of the obstacle means 14. Thereby the shutter means 11 will be in different pivoting positions in the upper part of its pivoting range which, however, has no importance to the play. When the motor 19 and thereby the nut 21 reverses in the end position of the latter by means of the changeover switch 34 the shutter means 11 is lowered and the obstacle means 14 is pivoted back to the end position shown in FIG. 2. When the position shown in FIG. 3 of the pin 22 again is reached during its movement to the left, the pin can move freely in the grooves of the

links

26 and 31 while the link 29 begins to be drawn by the pin 22. Thereby the sprocket 27 turns and the obstacle means 15 pivots. By the next end position the pin 22 reverses and the obstacle means 15 pivots against the force from the spring 28 until it reaches the position shown in FIG. 3 and described in the foregoing. By suitable stopping positions obtained by means of the plate 32 and the switches 33 the obstacle means 15 can be brought to stop in the intended positions with the obstacles in playing position. In the same way it is possible to reach the end position for a finished play.

the same course.

I claim: t 1. A miniature golf course comprising a first section including a starting zone, a middle section extending from one end of said first section and a last section extending from the opposite end of said first section and having a number of obstacles located thereon, and a last section extending from the opposite end of said middle section from said last section and including a finishing zone with a hole or other ball-catching device, wherein the improvement comprises that said middle section comprises a substantially level playing ground, a pivotally mounted shutter meanslocat'ed above said playing ground, said shutter means including support means located above said playing ground for supporting said shutter means for pivotal displacement between a first position in which an edge of said shutter means contacts said playing ground and forms a playing surface sloping upwardly from said playing ground and said playing surface extending from the location of contact with said playing ground-in the direction from said first section toward said last section and 'a second position wherein the edge which contacts said playing ground in the first position is spaced upwardly from said playing ground so that a ball can be played from said first section over said playing ground towards said last section passing under said shutter means, a first obstacle means mounted on said playing ground below said shutter means and said first obstacle means including a plurality of movably displaceable obstacles thereon selectively positionable relative to said playing ground for affording a variety of obstacles on said playing ground and second obstacle means mounted on said shutter means at a position thereon spaced from the location at which said shutter means contacts said playing ground in the first position and said second obstacle means including a plurality of movably displaceable obstacles thereon selectively positionable relative to said playing surface on said shutter means for affording a variety of obstacles on said playing surface.

2. A miniature golf course, as set forth in claim 1, wherein means are operatively connected to said first and second obstacle means and to said shutter means for coordinating the movement of said first and second obstacle means and said shutter means for affording a variety of arrangements of the obstacle means and the shutter means.

3. A miniature golf course, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said support means comprises a first shaft pivotally mounting said shutter means, a second shaft pivotally mounting said first obstacle means, a third shaft pivotally mounting said second obstacle means, and said means operatively connected to said first and second obstacle means and to said shutter means comprises a driving means and a linkage arrangement connected to said driving means and to each of said first, second and third shafts for pivoting said shafts for selectively locating said shutter means and said first and second obstacle means.

4. A miniature golf course comprising a first section including a starting zone, a middle section extending from said first section, and a last section extending from the opposite end of said middle section from said first section and including a finishing zone with a hole or other ball-catching device, .wherein the improve- "ment comprises that said middle section comprises a substantially level playing ground, a pivotally mounted shutter means located above said playing ground, said shutter means including a shaft supported above said playing ground and'being level and extending transversely of the direction of said middle section extending between said first section and last section, said shutter means being pivotally displaceable between a first position in which an edge of said shutter means extending generally parallel to said shaft contacts said playing ground and forms a playing surface sloping upwardly from said playing ground and said playing surface extending from the location of contact with said playing ground in the direction extending from said first section toward said last section and a second position wherein the .edge of said shutter means which contacted said playing ground in the first position is spaced upwardly from said playing ground so that a ball can be played from the starting zone of said first section over said playing ground toward said last section passing under said shutter means, a first obstacle means mounted on ,said playing ground below said shutter means and said first obstacle means including a plurality of movably displaceable obstacles thereon selectively positionable relative to said playing ground for affording a variety of obstacles on said playing ground and second obstacle means mounted on said shutter means at a position thereon spaced from the location at which said shutter means contact said playing ground in the first position and said second obstacle means including a plurality of movably displaceable obstacles thereon selectively positionable relative to said playing surface on said shutter means for affording a variety of obstacles on said playing surface, and means operatively connected to said first and second obstacle means and to said shaft for said shutter means for coordinating the movement of said first and second obstacle means and of said shutter means.

5. A miniature golf course, as set forth in claim 4, wherein a second shaft pivotally mounts said first obstacle means, a third shaft pivotally mounts said second obstacle means and said means operatively connected to said first and second obstacle means and to said shaft for said shutter means comprises a driving motor and linking means connected to said driving motor and to said shaft for said shutter means and said second and third shafts for transmitting the driving action of said driving motor to said shafts for selectively positioning said shutter means and said first and second obstacle means.

6. A miniature golf course, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said driving motor includes a screw extending from and turnable by said motor, means including a pin mounted on said screw and arranged for movement therealong as said screw is turned by said motor, a lever connected to said shaft for said shutter means, a first link connected at one end to said pin and at said other end to said lever, a second link connected at one end to said pin and having its other end positioned adjacent said second shaft for said first obstacle means, a sprocket mounted on said second shaft, a spring-biased chain connected to said second link and extending over said sprocket for said second shaft, a third link connected at one end to said pin and extending therefrom with its other end located adjacent said third shaft, a sprocket mounted on said third shaft, a spring-biased chain connected at one end to the end of said third linkage adjacent said third shaft and extending over said sprocket on said third shaft, and switch means positioned in the path of said means including said pin movable along said screw for controlling said motor for coordinating the movements of said shafts for selectively and automatically positioning said shutter means and said first and second obstacle means.

7. A golf course including a section having a substantially level playing ground, a shaft positioned above said playing ground, a shutter means pivotally mounted on said shaft for movement between a first position in which an edge of the shutter means contacts said playing ground and a second position in which the edge contacting the playing ground in the first position is pivoted upwardly from said playing ground so that a ball can pass along said playing ground below said shutter means, a first obstacle means mounted on said playing ground below said shutter means and said first obstacle means including a plurality of movably displaceable obstacles thereon selectively positionable relative to said playing ground for affording a variety of obstacles on said playing ground, second obstacle means mounted on said shutter means and located on the upper end of said shutter means when said shutter means is in the first position, said second obstacle means including a plurality of movably displaceable obstacles thereon selectively positionable relative to said playing surface on said shutter means for affording a variety of obstacles on said playing means, a second shaft pivotally mounting said first obstacle means, a

third shaft pivotally mounting said second obstacle means, and a driving organ, a plurality of links interconnected to one another and connected to said driving organ with each of said links connected to a different one of said first, second and third shafts so that each link movably displaces one of said shafts for selectively positioning said shutter means and said first and second obstacle means.

8. A miniature golf course, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said links are arranged to be driven in one direction by said driving organ and spring means connected to said links associated with said second and third shafts for moving said links in the opposite direction to the movement by said driving organ.

9. A miniature golf course, as set forth in claim 7, wherein a driving screw is connected to said driving organ and means movable along said driving screw in response to the driving action of said driving organ and connected to said links for transmitting the driving action of said driving organ to said links.

10. A miniature golf course, as set forth in claim 7, wherein a programming means is arranged to selectively operate said driving organ, said programming means comprising a switching arrangement disposed in the path of movement of said means on said driving screw for regulating the direction of movement of said driving screw via said driving organ for coordinating the movement of said shutter means and said first and second obstacle means.

Claims

1. A miniature golf course comprising a first section including a starting zone, a middle section extending from one end of said first section and a last section extending from the opposite end of said first section and having a number of obstacles located thereon, and a last section extending from the opposite end of said middle section from said last section and including a finishing zone with a hole or other ball-catching device, wherein the improvement comprises that said middle section comprises a substantially level playing ground, a pivotally mounted shutter means located above said playing ground, said shutter means including support means located above said playing ground for supporting said shutter means for pivotal displacement between a first position in which an eDge of said shutter means contacts said playing ground and forms a playing surface sloping upwardly from said playing ground and said playing surface extending from the location of contact with said playing ground in the direction from said first section toward said last section and a second position wherein the edge which contacts said playing ground in the first position is spaced upwardly from said playing ground so that a ball can be played from said first section over said playing ground towards said last section passing under said shutter means, a first obstacle means mounted on said playing ground below said shutter means and said first obstacle means including a plurality of movably displaceable obstacles thereon selectively positionable relative to said playing ground for affording a variety of obstacles on said playing ground and second obstacle means mounted on said shutter means at a position thereon spaced from the location at which said shutter means contacts said playing ground in the first position and said second obstacle means including a plurality of movably displaceable obstacles thereon selectively positionable relative to said playing surface on said shutter means for affording a variety of obstacles on said playing surface.

4. A miniature golf course comprising a first section including a starting zone, a middle section extending from said first section, and a last section extending from the opposite end of said middle section from said first section and including a finishing zone with a hole or other ball-catching device, wherein the improvement comprises that said middle section comprises a substantially level playing ground, a pivotally mounted shutter means located above said playing ground, said shutter means including a shaft supported above said playing ground and being level and extending transversely of the direction of said middle section extending between said first section and last section, said shutter means being pivotally displaceable between a first position in which an edge of said shutter means extending generally parallel to said shaft contacts said playing ground and forms a playing surface sloping upwardly from said playing ground and said playing surface extending from the location of contact with said playing ground in the direction extending from said first section toward said last section and a second position wherein the edge of said shutter means which contacted said playing ground in the first position is spaced upwardly from said playing ground so that a ball can be played from the starting zone of said first section over said playing ground toward said last section passing under said shutter means, a first obstacle means mounted on said playing ground below said shutter means and said first obstacle means including a plurality of movably displaceable obstacles thereon selectively positionable relative to said playing ground for affording a variety of obstacles on said playing ground and second obstacle means mounted on said shutter means at a position thereon spaced from the locatioN at which said shutter means contact said playing ground in the first position and said second obstacle means including a plurality of movably displaceable obstacles thereon selectively positionable relative to said playing surface on said shutter means for affording a variety of obstacles on said playing surface, and means operatively connected to said first and second obstacle means and to said shaft for said shutter means for coordinating the movement of said first and second obstacle means and of said shutter means.

7. A golf course including a section having a substantially level playing ground, a shaft positioned above said playing ground, a shutter means pivotally mounted on said shaft for movement between a first position in which an edge of the shutter means contacts said playing ground and a second position in which the edge contacting the playing ground in the first position is pivoted upwardly from said playing ground so that a ball can pass along said playing ground below said shutter means, a first obstacle means mounted on said playing ground below said shutter means and said first obstacle means including a plurality of movably displaceable obstacles thereon selectively positionable relative to said playing ground for affording a variety of obstacles on said playing ground, second obstacle means mounted on said shutter means and located on the upper end of said shutter means when said shutter means is in the first position, said second obstacle means including a plurality of movably displaceable obstacles thereon selectively positionable relative to said playing surface on said shutter means for affording a variety of obstacles on said playing means, a second shaft pivotally mounting said first obstacle means, a third shaft pivotally mounting said second obstacle means, and a driving organ, a plurality of links interconnected to one another and connected to said driving organ with each of said links connected to a different one of said first, second and third shafts so that each link movably displaces one of said shafts for selectively positioning said shutter means and said first and second obstacLe means.