WO2006078203A1 - Device at games for playing miniature golf - Google Patents

Device at games for playing miniature golf Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006078203A1
WO2006078203A1 PCT/SE2005/002023 SE2005002023W WO2006078203A1 WO 2006078203 A1 WO2006078203 A1 WO 2006078203A1 SE 2005002023 W SE2005002023 W SE 2005002023W WO 2006078203 A1 WO2006078203 A1 WO 2006078203A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
course
ball
arrangement
question
miniature golf
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE2005/002023
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jan Hansen
Original Assignee
Jan Hansen
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jan Hansen filed Critical Jan Hansen
Priority to US11/795,341 priority Critical patent/US20080096681A1/en
Priority to EP05819163A priority patent/EP1841511A1/en
Priority to JP2007552086A priority patent/JP2008528098A/en
Publication of WO2006078203A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006078203A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
    • A63B24/0021—Tracking a path or terminating locations
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
    • A63B69/3691—Golf courses; Golf practising terrains having a plurality of driving areas, fairways, greens
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B47/00—Devices for handling or treating balls, e.g. for holding or carrying balls
    • A63B47/02—Devices for handling or treating balls, e.g. for holding or carrying balls for picking-up or collecting
    • A63B47/025—Installations continuously collecting balls from the playing areas, e.g. by gravity, with conveyor belts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B67/00—Sporting games or accessories therefor, not provided for in groups A63B1/00 - A63B65/00
    • A63B67/02—Special golf games, e.g. miniature golf or golf putting games played on putting tracks; putting practice apparatus having an elongated platform as a putting track
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
    • A63B69/3623—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf for driving
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/36—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for golf
    • A63B69/3658—Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
    • A63B24/0021—Tracking a path or terminating locations
    • A63B2024/0028—Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
    • A63B2024/0031—Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch at the starting point

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an arrangement for playing miniature golf .
  • the aforementioned obj ect is achieved by means of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, which is characterized essentially in that a film proj ection screen or some other similar display surface is arranged over a part of a shortened miniature golf course to permit the proj ection of an image of the entire extent of a miniature golf course of the kind in question, in that arranged along the part in question of the shortened miniature golf course is a plurality of sensors that are so arranged as to sense the direction in which and the speed at which a ball in question is struck and to cause these to be recorded, in that computer means are so arranged as to record the information in a computer that is so arranged as to process the information for the subsequent display on the aforementioned display surface of the continued travel of the ball on the course, and in that a golf ball return means is so arranged as to return the ball to the tee for further driving or further putting on the aforementioned miniature golf course in question or for new driving on a subsequent miniature golf course .
  • Fig . 1 shows schematically an arrangement for miniature golf on a small area and viewed from the side
  • Fig . 2 shows display means for the course included in the arrangement
  • Fig . 3 shows a part of the course with a ball return means in the active position
  • FIG. 4 shows an image of a course on the screen .
  • An arrangement 1 for playing miniature golf 2 in accordance with the invention comprises a film proj ection screen 3 , a part 4 of a shortened miniature golf course, ball sensors 5 , computer means 6 with a computer 7 and a golf ball return means 8. More precisely, a film projection screen 3 or some other suitable, similar proj ection surface, which is intended for the projection of an image 11 of a space situated in the area in front of the golfer 9 in question and an intended tee 10.
  • the aforementioned sensor 5 is so arranged as to sense the direction in which and the speed at which a ball in question is struck and to cause these to be recorded in computer means in the form of a suitable recording memory 6 in a computer 7 which, with the help of a suitable program, is so arranged as to process the information relating to the stroke for the subsequent display on the aforementioned display surface 3 of the continued travel of the ball on the course 12.
  • the golf ball return means 8 that is provided is intended to return the ball 13 to the tee 10 for further driving or for further putting on the aforementioned miniature golf course 12 in question or for new driving on a subsequent miniature golf course .
  • a course 12 of the kind in question is so arranged as to be capable, by actuation of the computer 7 , of being displayed by a projector 14 or some other display means on a screen 3 or some other display surface in front of the miniature golf player 9.
  • the display of the image of the course is so arranged as to be capable of variation depending on the stopped position of the struck ball 13 after subsequent strokes .
  • the aforementioned image of the course is so arranged as to be capable of being rotated through a maximum of 180 ° about a vertical axis at least in one direction so that, before the next stroke, the course is displayed in the direction in which the player would normally face if he were playing on an ordinary course and if he continued to play after the first stroke, and the ball does not then go into the hole 15 or find its target in some other suitable fashion . All strokes are intended and arranged to move in this case in a common direction with the driving of the ball 13 from the same tee 10.
  • Sensors 5, 5A in the form of photocells or other sensors are distributed along the longitudinal extent 16 of the course in question, along both sides 17 , 18 of the course and/or are distributed along the ball rolling surface 19 of the course along and/or across its longitudinal extent 16, which sensors are so arranged as to sense the direction of striking and/or the speed of striking of the ball 13 when the ball 13 is rolling along the course 12.
  • the display of the path of the ball 13 along the course 12 is preferably so arranged as to take place after the ball has travelled past the aforementioned display surface 3A, as a result of which the player 9 gains an impression from the image on the screen 3 that the course continues on its way behind the screen 3.
  • an arrangement 1 in accordance with the present invention is , on a small area, to permit the creation of conditions suitable for playing miniature golf on a plurality of different courses , which courses are so arranged as to be projected in turn from a computer 7 via a projector 14, etc . , onto a film proj ection screen 3 , in conjunction with which the computer is also so arranged as to keep track of the players and their respective number of strokes , etc .
  • First stroke the course is displayed in its entirety, the player takes aim and strikes the ball; as it moves forwards , the speed and direction of the ball are read by photocells, from which information is passed to the computer .
  • the ball disappears under the film proj ection screen, and the continuing path of the ball is displayed immediately on the film projection screen, after which the ball is returned automatically via the return mechanism under the course .
  • Second stroke in the event that the ball does not reach its target on the first stroke, but requires additional strokes , the image of the course is rotated prior to the subsequent stroke, so that all strokes always go in the same direction . After removing the ball from the last hole , the next course is played, and so on .

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Displays For Variable Information Using Movable Means (AREA)
  • Closed-Circuit Television Systems (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement (1) for playing miniature golf (2) . Arranged over a part of a shortened miniature golf course is a film projection screen (3) or some other similar display surface for the projection of an image of the entire extent of a miniature golf course (12) of the kind in question. Arranged along the part (4) of the shortened miniature golf course in question is a plurality of sensors (5) that are so arranged as to sense the direction in which and the speed at which a ball in question is struck and to cause these to be recorded. Computer means (6) are so arranged as to record the information in a computer (7) that is so arranged as to process the information for subsequent display on 'the aforementioned display surface (3) of the estimated continued travel of the ball on the course (12) . A golf ball return means (8) is so arranged as to return the ball (13) to the tee (10) for further driving or further putting on the aforementioned miniature golf course (12) in question or for new driving on a subsequent miniature golf course.

Description

Device at games for playing miniature golf
The present invention relates to an arrangement for playing miniature golf .
The need also exists for a so-called virtual golf course in the case of immature golf, since the outdoor season for this is short and large areas are required for miniature golf courses indoors , even if an attempt is made to position the courses close together and next to one another . Previously disclosed in US 5437457 A, for example, is a golf simulator, although this does not solve the above-mentioned problems but is arranged for the purpose of sensing the rotation of a golf ball . The principal obj ect of the present invention is thus, in the first instance, to solve the aforementioned problems in a simple and effective fashion and by effectively functioning means .
The aforementioned obj ect is achieved by means of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, which is characterized essentially in that a film proj ection screen or some other similar display surface is arranged over a part of a shortened miniature golf course to permit the proj ection of an image of the entire extent of a miniature golf course of the kind in question, in that arranged along the part in question of the shortened miniature golf course is a plurality of sensors that are so arranged as to sense the direction in which and the speed at which a ball in question is struck and to cause these to be recorded, in that computer means are so arranged as to record the information in a computer that is so arranged as to process the information for the subsequent display on the aforementioned display surface of the continued travel of the ball on the course, and in that a golf ball return means is so arranged as to return the ball to the tee for further driving or further putting on the aforementioned miniature golf course in question or for new driving on a subsequent miniature golf course .
The invention is described below as a preferred illustrative embodiment, in conjunction with which reference is made to the accompanying drawings , in which :
Fig . 1 shows schematically an arrangement for miniature golf on a small area and viewed from the side,
Fig . 2 shows display means for the course included in the arrangement, Fig . 3 shows a part of the course with a ball return means in the active position, and
Fig . 4 shows an image of a course on the screen . An arrangement 1 for playing miniature golf 2 in accordance with the invention comprises a film proj ection screen 3 , a part 4 of a shortened miniature golf course, ball sensors 5 , computer means 6 with a computer 7 and a golf ball return means 8. More precisely, a film projection screen 3 or some other suitable, similar proj ection surface, which is intended for the projection of an image 11 of a space situated in the area in front of the golfer 9 in question and an intended tee 10. The aforementioned sensor 5 is so arranged as to sense the direction in which and the speed at which a ball in question is struck and to cause these to be recorded in computer means in the form of a suitable recording memory 6 in a computer 7 which, with the help of a suitable program, is so arranged as to process the information relating to the stroke for the subsequent display on the aforementioned display surface 3 of the continued travel of the ball on the course 12. The golf ball return means 8 that is provided is intended to return the ball 13 to the tee 10 for further driving or for further putting on the aforementioned miniature golf course 12 in question or for new driving on a subsequent miniature golf course . A course 12 of the kind in question is so arranged as to be capable, by actuation of the computer 7 , of being displayed by a projector 14 or some other display means on a screen 3 or some other display surface in front of the miniature golf player 9.
The display of the image of the course is so arranged as to be capable of variation depending on the stopped position of the struck ball 13 after subsequent strokes . The aforementioned image of the course is so arranged as to be capable of being rotated through a maximum of 180 ° about a vertical axis at least in one direction so that, before the next stroke, the course is displayed in the direction in which the player would normally face if he were playing on an ordinary course and if he continued to play after the first stroke, and the ball does not then go into the hole 15 or find its target in some other suitable fashion . All strokes are intended and arranged to move in this case in a common direction with the driving of the ball 13 from the same tee 10.
Sensors 5, 5A in the form of photocells or other sensors are distributed along the longitudinal extent 16 of the course in question, along both sides 17 , 18 of the course and/or are distributed along the ball rolling surface 19 of the course along and/or across its longitudinal extent 16, which sensors are so arranged as to sense the direction of striking and/or the speed of striking of the ball 13 when the ball 13 is rolling along the course 12. The display of the path of the ball 13 along the course 12 is preferably so arranged as to take place after the ball has travelled past the aforementioned display surface 3A, as a result of which the player 9 gains an impression from the image on the screen 3 that the course continues on its way behind the screen 3.
Arranged beneath the display surface 3A and the screen 3 is a space 20 in the form of a gap, through which the ball 13 is so arranged as to be capable of passing on its onward path to the aforementioned ball return mechanism 8.
The function of an arrangement 1 in accordance with the present invention is , on a small area, to permit the creation of conditions suitable for playing miniature golf on a plurality of different courses , which courses are so arranged as to be projected in turn from a computer 7 via a projector 14, etc . , onto a film proj ection screen 3 , in conjunction with which the computer is also so arranged as to keep track of the players and their respective number of strokes , etc .
First stroke : the course is displayed in its entirety, the player takes aim and strikes the ball; as it moves forwards , the speed and direction of the ball are read by photocells, from which information is passed to the computer . The ball disappears under the film proj ection screen, and the continuing path of the ball is displayed immediately on the film projection screen, after which the ball is returned automatically via the return mechanism under the course .
Second stroke : in the event that the ball does not reach its target on the first stroke, but requires additional strokes , the image of the course is rotated prior to the subsequent stroke, so that all strokes always go in the same direction . After removing the ball from the last hole , the next course is played, and so on . The invention is naturally not restricted to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings . Modifications are possible, in particular with regard to the nature of the various parts , or by the use of equivalent technology, but without for that reason departing from the area of protection afforded to the invention, as defined in the Patent Claims .

Claims

Patent Claims
1. An arrangement ( 1) for playing miniature golf (2 ) , characterized in that arranged over a part of a shortened miniature golf course is a film proj ection screen ( 3 ) or some other similar display surface for the proj ection of an image of the entire extent of a miniature golf course ( 12 ) of the kind in question, in that arranged along the part ( 4 ) in question of the shortened miniature golf course is a plurality of sensors ( 5, 5A) that are so arranged as to sense the direction in which and the speed at which a ball in question is struck and to cause to be recorded, in that computer means ( 6) are so arranged as to record the information in a computer (7 ) that is so arranged as to process the information for the subsequent display on the aforementioned display surface (3) of the continued travel of the ball on the course ( 12 ) , and in that a golf ball return means ( 8 ) is so arranged as to return the ball ( 13 ) to the tee ( 10) for further driving or further putting on the aforementioned miniature golf course (12 ) in question or for new driving on a subsequent miniature golf course .
2. An arrangement as claimed in Patent Claim 1, characterized in that the course ( 12 ) in question is so arranged as to be capable, by actuation of the computer (7 ) , of being displayed by a proj ector ( 14 ) or some other display means on the display surface (3 ) .
3. An arrangement as claimed in one or other of the foregoing Patent Claims, characterized in that the display of the image of the course is so arranged as to be varied depending on the stopped position of the struck ball (13) after subsequent strokes .
4. An arrangement as claimed in Patent Claim 3 , characterized in that the image of the course is so arranged as to be capable of being rotated through a maximum of 180 ° about a vertical axis .
5. An arrangement as claimed in one or other of the foregoing Patent Claims , characterized in that sensors ( 5 , 5A) are in the form of photocells ( 5) or other sensors ( 5A) distributed along the longitudinal extent ( 16) of the course in question .
6. An arrangement as claimed in Patent Claim 5, characterized in that sensors ( 5) are distributed along the sides ( 17 , 18 ) of the course .
7. An arrangement as claimed in one or other of Patent Claims 5-6, characterized in that sensors are so arranged as to be capable of sensing the speed of the ball (13 ) when it is rolling along the course ( 12 ) .
8. An arrangement as claimed in one or other of Patent Claims 5-7 , characterized in that sensors are so arranged as to be capable of sensing the speed of the ball ( 13 ) when it is rolling along the course (12) .
9. An arrangement as claimed in one or other of the foregoing Patent Claims , characterized in that the display of the path of the ball ( 13) along the course ( 12 ) is so arranged as to take place after the ball ( 13 ) has travelled past the aforementioned display surface ( 3A) .
10. An arrangement as claimed in Patent Claim 9, characterized In that, arranged beneath the display surface (3A) , is a space through which the ball ( 13) is so arranged as to be capable of passing on its onward path to the aforementioned ball return mechanism.
PCT/SE2005/002023 2005-01-24 2005-12-23 Device at games for playing miniature golf WO2006078203A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/795,341 US20080096681A1 (en) 2005-01-24 2005-12-23 Agent To Remove Paint, Lacquer, Glue, Plastic Or Similar From Objects And The Use Of It
EP05819163A EP1841511A1 (en) 2005-01-24 2005-12-23 Device at games for playing miniature golf
JP2007552086A JP2008528098A (en) 2005-01-24 2005-12-23 Device for playing miniature golf games

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE0500173A SE526965C2 (en) 2005-01-24 2005-01-24 Device for mini golf games
SE0500173-0 2005-01-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006078203A1 true WO2006078203A1 (en) 2006-07-27

Family

ID=35431014

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE2005/002023 WO2006078203A1 (en) 2005-01-24 2005-12-23 Device at games for playing miniature golf

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20080096681A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1841511A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2008528098A (en)
SE (1) SE526965C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2006078203A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008046312A1 (en) * 2006-10-16 2008-04-24 Dream N Act. Co. Ltd. Golf swing training method and apparatus

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TW200813014A (en) * 2002-03-28 2008-03-16 Astrazeneca Ab Quinazoline derivatives
KR101338815B1 (en) 2011-09-21 2013-12-06 박혜경 Mini golf-course
KR102535671B1 (en) * 2023-02-13 2023-05-30 주)제이와이디자인 Screen golf course structure with modified golf ball collection path

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4150825A (en) * 1977-07-18 1979-04-24 Wilson Robert F Golf game simulating apparatus
US4437672A (en) * 1980-12-01 1984-03-20 Robert D. Wilson Golf Game simulating apparatus
US5056791A (en) * 1989-09-28 1991-10-15 Nannette Poillon Golf simulator and analyzer system
US5226660A (en) * 1989-05-25 1993-07-13 Curchod Donald B Golf simulator apparatus
WO2005032669A1 (en) * 2003-10-02 2005-04-14 Indoor Sportsysteme Produktions- Und Vertriebs Gmbh Simulator system

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5333874A (en) * 1992-05-06 1994-08-02 Floyd L. Arnold Sports simulator
US5478077A (en) * 1993-03-31 1995-12-26 Elm Inc. Object collision point detecting apparatus

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4150825A (en) * 1977-07-18 1979-04-24 Wilson Robert F Golf game simulating apparatus
US4437672A (en) * 1980-12-01 1984-03-20 Robert D. Wilson Golf Game simulating apparatus
US5226660A (en) * 1989-05-25 1993-07-13 Curchod Donald B Golf simulator apparatus
US5056791A (en) * 1989-09-28 1991-10-15 Nannette Poillon Golf simulator and analyzer system
WO2005032669A1 (en) * 2003-10-02 2005-04-14 Indoor Sportsysteme Produktions- Und Vertriebs Gmbh Simulator system

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008046312A1 (en) * 2006-10-16 2008-04-24 Dream N Act. Co. Ltd. Golf swing training method and apparatus
US7594860B2 (en) 2006-10-16 2009-09-29 Dream N Act Co. Limited Golf swing training method and apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2008528098A (en) 2008-07-31
SE0500173L (en) 2005-11-29
SE526965C2 (en) 2005-11-29
US20080096681A1 (en) 2008-04-24
EP1841511A1 (en) 2007-10-10

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