WO2008132270A1

WO2008132270A1 - Floating golf green or corresponding target area for golf balls

Info

Publication number: WO2008132270A1
Application number: PCT/FI2007/050515
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sebastian Kahakorpi; Timo Kojo
Original assignee: Golf Island Oy
Priority date: 2007-04-25
Filing date: 2007-09-25
Publication date: 2008-11-06
Also published as: FI20075285A0

Abstract

The invention relates to a floating golf green (1) or a corresponding target area for golf balls (22) hit with a 5 golf club comprising at least one floating member (2) providing the floating effect of the floating golf green (1) as the floating golf green (1) floats on water. At least one of the floating members (2) is an inflatable and deflatable floating member (2) comprising at least one 10 essentially gas-tight inner space (9). The essentially gas- tight inner space (9) can at least partially be filled with gas, such as air, in order to increase the buoyancy of the inflatable and deflatable floating member (2). The essentially gas-tight inner space (9) can at least partially 15 be emptied of gas, such as air, in order to decrease the buoyancy of the inflatable and deflatable floating member (2).

Description

Floating golf green or corresponding target area for golf balls

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a floating golf green according to the preamble of claim 1.

Area of the invention

The floating golf green or a corresponding target area for golf balls, to which this invention relates, is especially, but not excluding other uses, intended for being anchored in water at a distance from the shore so that the hitter of the golf balls can attempt to hit the golf balls with a golf club from the shore to the golf green floating on water. A floating golf green according to the invention can in addition to be used as a floating golf green also be used as a golf green on land for example at a driving range.

Prior art

Various kinds of floating golf green solutions are known. For example a floating device is known comprising a pontoon-platform type structure, on top of which a golf green or a corresponding target area for golf balls has been arranged. The floating member in this known device for providing buoyancy for the golf green as the golf green floats on water comprises in this known device solid pontoons, such as concrete pontoons or concrete floats.

Publication US 6,398,662 discloses a floating golf green according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

The known solutions present the problem that despite its floating and consequently at least in principle movable structure, this known solution cannot be easily moved from one place to another and hence used at different places.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to design a floating golf green or a corresponding target area for golf balls, which floating golf green can be easily moved from one place to another. Brief description of the invention

The floating golf green according to the invention is characterized by that which is defined in the independent claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the floating golf green according to the invention are presented in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on that at least one of the floating members for providing buoyancy for the floating golf green is a inflatable and deflatable floating member that can be at least partly filled with gas, such as air, and that said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member comprises at least one essentially gas-tight inner space. Said at least one essentially gas-tight inner space of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member can at least partially be filled with gas, such as air, in order to increase the buoyancy of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member. Said at least one essentially gas-tight inner space of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member can further at least partially be emptied of the gas therein, such as air, in order to reduce the buoyancy of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member.

The use of inflatable and deflatable floating members is especially advantageous in such embodiments of the floating golf green according to the invention, having at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member for providing buoyancy for the floating golf green, which inflatable and deflatable floating member is at least partially made of foldable and essentially gas-tight material. The gas can be emptied from the essentially gas-tight inner space(s) of the inflatable and deflatable floating members at least partly made of foldable and essentially gas-tight material for the duration of transport and/or storage, wherein the space required for transportation and/or storage is reduced. One advantage of using inflatable and deflatable floating members for providing buoyancy for the floating golf green is low weight of the floating members combined with great load carrying capacity.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member for providing buoyancy for the floating golf green consists of a shell structure entirely made of foldable and essentially gas-tight material, such as of a shell structure comprising thin, foldable polymer material, for example PVC vinyl. In this preferred embodiment, said shell structure forms i.e. limits at least one essentially gas-tight inner space. In this preferred embodiment said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member for providing buoyancy for the floating golf green is formed into its final shape as the essentially gas-tight inner space(s) of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member is filled with gas, such as air.

In one preferred embodiment of invention at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member for providing buoyancy for the floating golf green comprises at least one inflation valve for admitting gas into at least one essentially gas tight inner space of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the floating golf green comprises a pressure control apparatus for measuring the pressure and/or air quantity inside at least one essentially gas tight inner space of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member for providing buoyancy for the floating golf green, and for adding gas, when necessary, into said at least one essentially gas tight inner space of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member, as the pressure an/or air quantity drops below a predefined level.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention at least one essentially gas tight inner space of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member for providing buoyancy for the floating golf green comprises at least one exhaust valve for admitting gas out of at least one essentially gas tight inner space of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the floating golf green comprises a releasable attachable covering. One purpose of the releasable attachable covering is to prevent the golf ball from bouncing off the floating golf green, i.e. to absorb the kinetic energy of the golf ball as the golf ball hits the releasable attachable covering. Said releasable attachable covering is preferably, but not necessarily, fastened with a hook and loop fastener, i.e. with Velcro® fasteners to at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member.

In one preferred embodiment of the floating golf green according to the invention the floating golf green comprises at least one hole for golf balls. Said at least one hole for golf balls can be connected to a ball-collecting arrangement for collecting the balls entering the hole. Said at least one hole for golf balls can be provided with a guide arrangement for guiding golf balls coming into the vicinity of the hole into the hole.

In one preferred embodiment of the floating golf green according to the invention the floating golf green comprises anchoring means or corresponding fixing means for anchoring and/or fixing the floating golf green into an essentially immobile position as the floating golf green floats on water, e.g. at a distance from a teeing point the shore.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the floating golf green further comprises inflatable and deflatable decorative parts that can be filled with or emptied of gas, such as air, for example artificial stones and artificial trees that can be filled with gas and that are fixedly or removably attached to the floating golf green. It is, for example, possible that the floating golf green according to the invention comprises removably attachable, inflatable and deflatable decorative parts that are changed according to a certain theme, for example the emblems and trade marks used by a certain company. It is also possible that at least some of the decorative parts are non-inflatable and deflatable parts, which are fixedly or removable attached to the floating golf green.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the floating golf green further comprises attaching means for removably attaching advertisements or the like to the floating golf green. Such advertisement or the like can further or alternatively be printed on any component of the floating golf green.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the floating golf green is provided with a position adjustment arrangement for remotely adjusting the position of the floating golf green as the floating golf green floats on the water for example to various positions or distances from the teeing point on the shore.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the floating golf green is provided with a boom arrangement at least partly surrounding the floating golf green as the floating golf green floats on the water. One purpose of the boom arrangement is to collect and "store" floating golf balls, if floating golf balls are used, which lands close to the floating golf green, but not on the floating golf green, so that the floating golf balls can easier be collected and picked up for re -use. In one especially preferred embodiment of the invention the floating golf green comprises an inflatable and deflatable floating member, which comprises a foldable shell structure made of foldable and soft, essentially gas tight PVC- vinyl material, which shell structure has several essentially gas-tight inner spaces each of which can be filled with gas, such as air. In this especially preferred embodiment of the invention said foldable shell structure, in other words the inflatable and deflatable floating member, is adapted to receive its final shape when the essentially gas-tight inner spaces of the inflatable and deflatable floating member are filled with gas, such as air. In this especially preferred embodiment the foldable shell structure comprises inflation valves, which are high pressure valves provided with a check function, for filling the essentially gas tight inner spaces of the inflatable and deflatable floating members with air. In this especially preferred embodiment the shell structure comprises, in addition to the inflation valves, special exhaust valves for emptying air from the essentially gas tight inner spaces of the inflatable and deflatable floating members. In this especially preferred embodiment a releasable attachable covering is removable fastened to the foldable shell structure, in other words to the inflatable and deflatable floating member, with hook and loop fasteners e.g. Velcro® fasteners. In this especially preferred embodiment the cover comprises an artificial grass mat forming a golf green area and an artificial sand bunker mat forming a sand bunker area. In this especially preferred embodiment of the invention the floating golf green also comprises a hole for golf balls, a guide arrangement for guiding golf balls coming into the vicinity of the hole into the hole, and a ball collecting arrangement for collecting and storing golf balls entering the hole.

The floating golf green according to the invention can, for example, be an island- like floating structure with a diameter of from 5 to 20 meters, for example from 7 to 8 meters.

List of figures

The invention is further explained below with reference to the appended figures, wherein Figure 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a floating golf green according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional side view of a second embodiment of a floating golf green according to the invention, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a floating golf green according to the invention,

Figure 4 is a top view of the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a side view of the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3,

Figure 6 shows in partly de-assembled state a fourth embodiment of the invention,

Figure 7 is a detailed view of the inflatable and deflatable floating member of the fourth embodiment of the invention, Figure 8 is a detailed view of the green mat and the hole,

Figure 9 is a detailed view of the hole and the devices around the hole,

Figure 10 is a principle view of a floating golf green having a distance adjusting arrangement,

Figure 11 is a side view of the winch means of the distance adjusting arrangement shown in Figure 10,

Figure 12 shows the winch means shown in figure 11 from another side,

Figure 13 is a top view of the floating golf green having a distance adjusting arrangement shown in figure 10,

Figure 14 a top view of a floating golf green having a floating boom arrangement partly surrounding the floating golf green,

Figure 15 is a side view of two boom sections of a boom arrangement, and

Figure 16 is a detailed view of a boom section.

Detailed description of the invention Figure 1 shows one preferred embodiment of a floating golf green 1 according to the invention or a corresponding target area (later referred to as "floating golf green") for golf balls 22, which are for example hit with a golf club (not shown).

The floating golf green 1 comprises at least one floating member 2 or pontoon element for providing buoyancy for the floating golf green 1 as the floating golf green 1 floats on or at least partly in water (not shown).

In the floating golf green 1 according to the invention at least one of the floating members 2 for providing buoyancy for the floating golf green 1 is a inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 comprising at least one essentially gas-tight inner space 9. Said at least one essentially gas-tight inner space 9 of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 can at least partially be filled with gas, such as air, in order to increase the buoyancy of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2. Said at least one essentially gas-tight inner space 9 of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member can correspondingly at least partially be emptied of gas, such as air, in order to reduce the buoyancy of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2.

All of the floating members 2 in a floating golf green 1 according to the invention are preferably, but not necessarily, inflatable and deflatable floating members 2 comprising at least one essentially gas-tight inner space 9. A floating golf green 1 according to the invention can comprise several inflatable and deflatable floating members 2 so that each of the inflatable and deflatable floating members comprises at least one gas-tight inner space 9.

A single inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 can comprise several separate essentially gas tight inner spaces 9 or sections, which can, preferably, but not necessary, independently of other the other essentially gas tight inner spaces 9 of the inflatable and deflatable floating member 2, be filled with gas or correspondingly emptied of gas.

It is clear for a person skilled in the art that the floating golf green 1 according to the invention can be made of material floating in itself and that the floating golf green 1 can at least partially float without at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 being at least partly filled with gas, such as air.

It is clear for a person skilled in the art that the floating golf green 1 according to the invention can be made of material sinking in itself and that the floating golf green 1 sinks, if at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 is not at least partly filled with gas, such as air.

Said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 is preferably, but not necessarily, at least partially made of foldable, essentially gas-tight material. It is also possible that all inflatable and deflatable floating members 2 of the floating golf green 1 are at least partially made of foldable, essentially gas-tight material.

Said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 provided with at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 comprises preferably, but not necessarily, a shell structure 34 at least partially made of foldable material. It is also possible that all inflatable and deflatable floating members 2 of the floating golf green 1 comprise a shell structure 34 made of foldable, essentially gas-tight material.

Said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 provided with an essentially gas tight inner space 9 consists more preferably, but not necessarily, of a shell structure 34 at least partially made of foldable material. It is also possible that all inflatable and deflatable floating members 2 of the floating golf green 1 consists of a shell structure 34 made of foldable, essentially gas-tight material.

Said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 comprises preferably, but not necessarily, a shell structure 34 at least partially made of polymer material. It is also possible that all inflatable and deflatable floating members 2 of the floating golf green 1 comprise a shell structure 34 at least partly made of polymer material.

Said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 preferably, but not necessarily, comprises a shell structure 34 made entirely of polymer material. It is also possible that all inflatable and deflatable floating members 2 of the floating golf green 1 comprise a shell structure 34 made entirely of polymer material. Said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 preferably, but not necessarily, comprises a shell structure 34 at least partially made of foldable polymer material. It is also possible that all inflatable and deflatable floating members 2 of the floating golf green 1 comprise a shell structure 34 at least partly made of foldable polymer material.

Said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 preferably, but not necessarily, comprises a shell structure 34 made entirely of foldable polymer material. It is also possible that all inflatable and deflatable floating members 2 of the floating golf green 1 comprise a shell structure 34 made entirely of foldable polymer material.

Said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 preferably, but not necessarily, comprises a shell structure 34 at least partially made of PVC vinyl. It is also possible that all inflatable and deflatable floating members 2 of the floating golf green 1 comprise a shell structure 34 at least partly made of PVC vinyl. Each shell structure 34 preferably, but not necessarily, comprises stitched and glued joints and seams in order to provide sufficient strength and tightness.

Said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 preferably, but not necessarily, comprises a thin shell structure 34 entirely made of PVC vinyl. It is also possible that all inflatable and deflatable floating members 2 of the floating golf green 1 comprise a shell structure 34 made entirely of PVC vinyl. The shell structure 34 preferably, but not necessarily, comprises stitched and glued joints in order to provide sufficient strength and tightness.

In figure 6 and 7, the inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 of the floating golf green 1 comprises a first inflatable and deflatable floating member 2a, which also forms the outer lateral sides of the floating golf green 1. The first inflatable and deflatable floating member 2a has an aperture 31 so that the first inflatable and deflatable floating member 2a can be considered to be in the form of a ring. In the aperture 31 is a set of second inflatable and deflatable floating members 2b arranged into an X- shaped structure. One task for the second inflatable and deflatable floating members is to support the first inflatable and deflatable floating member 2b so that it keeps its shape. One other task for the second inflatable and deflatable floating members 2b is to provide support for the later to be presented releasable attachable covering 13 at the region of the aperture 31. Said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 comprises preferably, but not necessarily, at least one inflation valve 3 for admitting gas to at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 of the inflatable and deflatable floating member 2. If the floating golf island comprises several inflatable and deflatable floating members 2, comprises each inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 preferably, but not necessarily, at least one inflation valve 3 for admitting gas into each essentially gas tight inner space 9 of each inflatable and deflatable floating member 2. Each inflation valve 3 is preferably, but not necessarily, a high pressure valve provided with a check function.

If a inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 comprises several essentially gas-tight inner spaces 9, comprises each essentially gas tight inner space 9 preferably, but not necessarily, at least one inflation valve 3 for admitting gas separately into each essentially gas tight inner space 9 of the inflatable and deflatable floating member 2.

The floating golf green 1 according to the invention comprises preferably, but not necessarily, a pressure control apparatus 4 for measuring the pressure and/or air quantity inside at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2, and for adding gas, when necessary, into said at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2, as the pressure and/or air quantity drops below a predefined level. The floating golf green 1 according to the invention comprises more preferably, but not necessarily, a pressure control apparatus 4 for measuring the pressure and/or air quantity inside each essentially gas tight inner space 9 of each inflatable and deflatable floating member 2, and for adding gas, when necessary, into said at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2, as the pressure and/or air quantity drops below a predefined level.

Said pressure control apparatus 4 preferably comprises both a gas-filling apparatus 5 for adding gas, when necessary, to at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2, and a pressure- measuring apparatus 6 for measuring gas pressure in at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 in order to control the operation of said gas-filling apparatus 5 according to the pressure measured inside said at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2. Said pressure control apparatus 4 can, when necessary, also be used for filling at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 with gas, such as air, as the floating golf green 1 according to the invention is being made operational. The pressure control apparatus 4 can be functionally connected with inflation valves 3 to lead gas, such as air, from the pressure control apparatus 4 via an inflation valve 4 into at least one inner space 9 of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member.

Said pressure control apparatus 4 can be arranged adjacent to the golf green 1, so that it is located at the floating golf green 1. It is also conceivable that said pressure control apparatus 4 is designed so that at least part of it is located at the shore and that the gas is being fed to the golf green 1 floating on water at a distance from the shore through a hose 7 or the like.

Especially with floating golf greens 1 according to the invention that are big in size it is preferable to use a gas-filling apparatus with a continuous function.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the gas floating golf green 1 comprises a source of compressed gas (not shown in the figures) for inflating at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2. Said source of compressed gas can for example be a gas bottle of the type which is commonly used in inflatable life rafts for marine vessels to automatically, when needed for example in an emergency situation, fill the inflatable portions of the inflatable life raft. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the floating golf green 1 comprises a source of compressed gas, such as a bottle of the type which is used in inflatable life rafts for marine vessels for inflating all essentially gas tight inner space 9 of all inflatable and deflatable floating members 2 of the floating golf green 1. Sources of compressed gas such as gas bottles are convenient to use at locations, where electricity for air compressors cannot be used.

Said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 comprises preferably, but not necessarily, in addition to at least one inflation valve 3, at least one exhaust valve 8 for admitting gas out of at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2. If the floating golf island comprises several inflatable and deflatable floating members 2, comprises each inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 preferably, but not necessarily, at least one exhaust valve 8 for admitting gas out of each essentially gas tight inner space 9 of each inflatable and deflatable floating member 2. Each exhaust valve 8 comprises preferably, but not necessarily, a cap (not shown) provided with threads (not shown), which cap is threaded to corresponding threads in the inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 and which cap covers, when treaded to said corresponding threads the inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 an opening (not shown) leading between the inside and the outside of at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9 of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2. By removing the cap from the corresponding treads can gas pass from the inside to the outside of said at least one essentially gas tight inner space 9.

If a inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 comprises several essentially gas-tight inner spaces 9, is each essentially gas tight inner space 9 preferably, but not necessarily, provided with at least one exhaust valve 8 in order to admit gas separately out of each essentially gas tight inner space 9 of the inflatable and deflatable floating member 2.

The floating golf green 1 shown in the figure comprises a golf green area 10 on its top surface.

The floating golf green 1 shown in figure 2 comprises an inclined golf green area 10. The floating golf green 1 shown in figure 2 is preferably placed in water, so that the inclination is towards the hitting location or the teeing point. The inclined golf green area 10 provides a stereoscopic effect as well makes the golf green area 10 more visible for the hitter of the golf ball 22 and for any possible viewers. The inclined golf green area 10 can, as is shown in the drawing, comprise several sections inclining in different manners and towards different directions and in combination forming the golf green area 10.

The floating golf green 1 shown in figure 5 further comprises an edge area 11 surrounding the golf green area 10. In figure 5 the edge area 11 is a raised area, one function of which is to guide golf balls 22 onto the floating golf green 1, but not necessarily to the actual golf green area 10 or to the hole 12 for golf balls 22, if the floating golf green 1 is provided with a hole 12. If the floating golf green 1 according to the invention is provided with the aforementioned edge area 11 surrounding the golf green area 10, the golf green area 10 can be surrounded by a such edge area 11 either partly or entirely. The edge area 11 is preferably, but not necessarily made of an inflatable and deflatable structure that can be filled with gas, such as air. In figure 5, the edge area 11 is formed of the upper part of the inflatable and deflatable floating member 4 which also gives the floatable golf green 1 its peripheral shape.

The floating golf green 1 according to the invention comprises preferably, but not necessarily, at least one releasable attachable covering 13. In figure 6, the floating golf green comprises one releasable attachable covering 13. The releasable attachable covering 13 is preferably, but not necessarily, attached directly to the inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 or to the inflatable and deflatable floating members 2, if there are several inflatable and deflatable floating members 2.

At least one of the releasable attachable coverings 13 comprises preferably, but not necessarily, first fastening means 24 co-operating with second fastening means 25 of the least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 for releasable attaching the releasable attachable covering 13 to at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2.

In figure 6, the releasable attachable covering 13 comprises first fastening means 24 co-operating with second fastening means 25 of the inflatable and deflatable floating member 2 for releasable attaching the releasable attachable covering 13 to at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member 2.

The first fastening means 24 and the second fastening means 25 can, for example, be a hook and loop fastener, such as a. Velcro® fastener.

The releasable attachable covering 13 is preferably, but not necessarily, a polyester plastic grass mat. At least one of the releasable attachable coverings 13 comprises an artificial grass mat 23 to form a golf green area at the floating golf green 1. In figure 6, the artificial grass mat 23 comprises third fastening means 26 co-operating with fourth fastening means 27 of the releasable attachable covering 13 for releasable attaching the artificial grass mat 23 to the releasable attachable covering 13. The third fastening means 26 and the fourth fastening means 27 can, for example, be a hook and loop fastener, such as a. Velcro® fastener. The artificial grass mat 23 is preferably, but not necessarily, a Green golf mat or a corresponding relatively smooth or "short-haired" mat.

At least one of the releasable attachable covering 13 comprises an artificial sand bunker mat 30 to form a sand bunker area at the floating golf green 1. In figure 6, the artificial sand bunker mat 30 comprises fifth fastening means 28 co-operating with sixth fastening means 29 of the releasable attachable covering 13 for releasable attaching the artificial sand bunker mat 30 to the releasable attachable covering 13.

The fifth fastening means 28 and the sixth fastening means 29 can, for example, be a hook and loop fastener, such as a. Velcro® fastener. The floating golf green 1 shown in the figures mainly consist of an inflatable and deflatable floating member 2, onto which a releasable attachable covering 13 is removably attachable.

The covering can be provided with a heating arrangement for heating the coveting and keeping it free from snow and ice. The floating golf green 1 shown in the figures comprises a hole 12 for the golf balls 22.

In the figures the hole 12 has been provided with a flag 14, i.e. a flagpole, denoting the location of the hole 12.

The hole 12 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with a guide arrangement 15 for guiding a ball to the hole 12 as the golf balls fall or come close enough to the hole

12. The hole 12 can, for example, be provided with a funnel or cut with a cone shaped structure surrounding the hole 12 in order to guide the balls that are or which lands close enough to the hole 12.

The floating golf green 1 according to the invention is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with a ball-collecting arrangement 16 for collecting golf balls 22 falling or ending up at the floating golf green 1.

If the floating golf green 1 according to the invention is provided with a hole 12 for golf balls 22, attached to the hole 12 is a ball-collecting arrangement for collecting the golf balls 22 entering the hole 12. The ball-collecting arrangement can, for example, comprise a tube 17 connected to the hole 12 and fixed at one end thereof, into which the golf balls 22 entering the hole 12 are collected. The fixed end of the tube 17 can be provided with an opening mechanism 18 for removing the golf balls 22 from the tube 17. In the figure the tube 17 is adapted to extend inside the floating golf green 1, more particularly in the inflatable and deflatable floating member 2. The tube is preferably, but not necessarily, a plastic tube. The floating golf green 1 according to the invention preferably, but not necessarily, comprises anchoring means or corresponding fixing means 19 for anchoring and/or fixing the floating golf green 1 into an essentially immobile position as the floating golf green 1 floats on water. In figure 2 the floating golf green 1 is anchored by means of anchoring means 19 comprising a weight 32 (Anchor) and a chain 33 attached between the weight 32 and the floating golf green 1.

Said anchoring means 19 or corresponding fixing means can, for example, comprise metal loops or corresponding attaching points for attaching an anchor line or chain as is shown in figure 3. Said loops or corresponding attaching points are preferably, but not necessarily, both stitched and glued to the floating golf green 1. The floating golf green 1 according to the invention preferably, but not necessarily, comprises several metal loops or corresponding attaching points, so that the floating golf green 1 can be fixed at several points thereof for anchoring or corresponding fixing.

The floating golf green 1 according to the invention preferably, but not necessarily, further comprises decorative parts that can be filled with or deflated of gas, such as air, for example inflatable and deflatable stones 20 and inflatable and deflatable trees 21 that are fixedly or removably attached to the floating golf green 1. It is, for example, possible that the floating golf green 1 according to the invention comprises removably attachable, air-inflatable and deflatable and air-deflatable decorative parts that are changed according to a certain theme, for example the emblems and trade marks used by a certain company.

The floating golf green 1 according to the invention preferably, but not necessarily, comprises fixed or removably attachable decorative parts. It is, for example, conceivable that the floating golf green 1 according to the invention comprises removably attachable decorative parts that are changed according to a certain theme, for example the emblems and trade marks used by a certain company. The floating golf green 1 shown in figure 10 comprises a position adjusting arrangement 35 for adjusting the position of the floating golf green 1 in the water as the floating golf green 1 floats on water. The position adjusting arrangement 35 comprises preferably, but not necessarily, at least one wire 36, rope or the like attached to the floating golf green 1 for adjusting the position of the position of the floating golf green 1 as the floating golf green 1 floats on water. By means of said at least one wire 36, rope or the like the floating golf green 1 can for example be towed and fastened i.e. positioned at various distances from the teeing point 37 i.e. the place from which the player is intended to attempt to hit golf balls from to the floating golf green 1. The rope, wire 36, or the like forms preferably, but not necessarily, an endless loop 38 to which the floating golf green 1 is attached. In figures 10 and 13, or in that the rope, wire 36, or the like is fastened at opposite sides of the floating golf green 1 and the rope, wire 36, or the like forms an endless loop 38 together with the floating golf green 1. In figures 10 and 13 the endless loop 38 is movable guided by two rotatable wheels 39 so that the position of the floating golf green 1 with respect to the teeing point 37 is adjustable by moving the endless loop 38 clockwise and anticlockwise about the rotatable wheels 39.

The floating golf green 1 shown in figures 10 and 13 comprises rotating means 40 for rotating one of the rotatable wheels 39 so that the endless loop 38 moves about the rotatable wheels 39 and so that the floating golf green 1 moves as the floating golf green 1 floats on the water.

The rotating means 40 of the floating golf green 1 shown in figures 10 and 13 is shown in figure 11 and 12. The rotating means 40 shown in figures 11 and 14 comprises a support structure 41, tightening means 54 for fastening the rotation means 40 for example to a pontoon 42, a crank 43, two chain wheels 44, and a chain 45 functionally connecting the two chain wheels 44 together. One of the chain wheels 44 is functionally connected by a first axle 55 with the crank 43 so that when the crank 43 is rotated the chain wheel 44 rotates. The other chain wheel 44 is functionally connected by a second axle 56 to one of the rotatable wheels 39 so that when the chain wheel 44 is rotated the rotatable wheel 39 rotates and the endless loop 38 rotates about the rotatable wheels 39 and the floating golf green 1 moves on the water. In figure 10 the weights 32 keeping the floating golf green 1 in position in the water are adapted to be lifted from the bottom when the floating golf green 1 is moved by means of the positioning adjusting arrangement 35.

In figures 10 and 13 one of the rotatable wheels 39 comprises an anchoring device 46 for anchoring the rotatable wheel 39 in the water. In figures 10 and 13 the anchoring device 46 comprising a buoy 47 or similar floating device for providing buoyancy for said at least one rotatable wheel 39 and an anchoring means 48 for essentially immovably anchoring said at least one rotatable wheel 39 and said buoy 47 or similar floating device at least partly in the water. It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that also a conventional floating golf green not having inflatable and deflatable floating members can be provided with a position adjustment arrangement of the type disclosed here.

In figure 14 the floating golf green 1 comprises a floating boom arrangement 49 at least partly surrounding the floating golf green 1. The floating boom arrangement 49 can alternatively completely surround the floating golf green 1.

The floating boom arrangement 49 is preferably, but not necessarily releasable of fixedly fastened to the floating golf green 1.

In figure 14 the floating boom arrangement 49 comprises a plurality of boom sections 50 releasable attached to each other. A preferable embodiment of a boom section 50 is shown in figures 15 and 16.

The boom section 50 shown in figures 15 and 16 comprises a floating tube part 51 having a hollow interior 52 which is open at both sides so that it can be filled with water as the boom section 50 is in the water. By allowing water to enter the tube the boom section floats steadier in the water. The floating tube part can for example be made of polymer such as expanded polystyrene. The floating boom arrangement 49 comprises preferably, but not necessarily, a net arrangement for allowing water to pass through the net arrangement and stopping golf balls from passing through the net arrangement. The boom section shown in figures 15 and 16 comprises in a net arrangement in the form of a mesh net portion 53 which is attached to the floating tube part 51 so that the mesh net portion 53 hangs down in the water from the floating tube part 51 when the boom section 50 floats in the water. Because the mesh net portion is provided with holes (not shown in the figures) or similar apertures having a size preferably less that 1 cm² can water flow through the mesh net portion 53 but golf balls can not go through the holes or similar apertures of the mesh net portion 53. Because water can pass through the mesh portion, the mesh net portion does not necessarily move when movement in the water occurs. The lower end of mesh net portion 53 is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with weights (not shown in the figures) to stretch out the mesh net portion 53 as the boom section 50 floats in the water.

It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that as techniques develop, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in various ways. Consequently, the invention and the embodiments thereof are not confined to the above examples but can vary within the scope of the claims.

List of reference numerals

1. Floating golf green

2. Floating member, inflatable and deflatable floating member 3. Inflation valve

4. Pressure control apparatus

5. Gas-filling apparatus

6. Pressure-measuring apparatus

7. Hose 8. Exhaust valve

9. Essentially gas-tight inner space

10. Golf green area

11. Edge area

12. Hole 13. Releasable attachable covering

14. Flag

15. Guide arrangement

16. Ball-collecting arrangement

17. Tube 18. Opening mechanism

19. Anchoring or fixing means

20. Inflatable and deflatable stone

21. Inflatable and deflatable tree

22. Golf ball 23. Artificial grass mat

24. First fastening means

25. Second fastening means

26. Third fastening means

27. Fourth fastening means 28. Fifth fastening means

29. Sixth fastening means 30. Artificial sand bunker mat

31. Aperture

32. Weight

33. Chain 34. Shell structure

35. Position adjusting arrangement

36. Wire

37. Teeing point

38. Endless loop 39. Rotatable wheel

40. Rotating means

41. Support structure

42. Pontoon

43. Crank 44. Chain wheel

45. Chain

46. Anchoring device

47. Buoy

48. Anchoring means 49. Floating boom arrangement

50. Boom section

51. Floating tube part

52. Hollow interior

53. Mesh net portion 54. Tightening means

55. First axle

56. Second axle

Claims

1. A floating golf green (1) or a corresponding target area for golf balls (22), the floating golf green (1) comprising at least one floating member (2) for providing buoyancy for the floating golf green (1) as the floating golf green (1) floats on water, characterized in that at least one of the floating members for providing buoyancy for the floating golf green (1) is a inflatable and deflatable floating member (2) comprising at least one essentially gas-tight inner space (9), said at least one essentially gas-tight inner space (9) of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member (2) can at least partially be filled with gas, such as air, to increase the buoyancy of said at least inflatable and deflatable floating member (2), and said at least one essentially gas-tight inner space (9) of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member (2) can at least partially be emptied of gas, such as air, to reduce the buoyancy of said at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member (2).

2. The floating golf green according to claim 1, characterized in that said it comprises at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member (2) that is at least partially made of foldable and essentially gas-tight material and which forms at least one essentially gas-tight inner space (9).

3. The floating golf green according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member (2) that comprises a shell structure (34) at least partially made of foldable and essentially gas- tight material, and in that the shell structure (34) forms and limits at least one gas-tight inner space (9).

4. The floating golf green according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member (2) that consists of a shell structure (34) essentially entirely made of foldable and essentially gas- tight material, and in that the shell structure (34) forms and limits at least one gas-tight inner space

(9).

5. The golf green according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said it comprises at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member (2) that comprises at least one inflation valve (3) for leading gas into at least one essentially gas-tight inner space (9) of the inflatable and deflatable floating member (2).

6. The golf green according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a pressure control apparatus (4) for measuring the pressure and/or air quantity in at least one essentially gas-tight inner space (9) of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member (2), and for adding gas, when necessary, into at least one essentially gas-tight inner space (9) of at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member (2).

7. The golf green according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member (2) that comprises at least one exhaust valve (8) for leading gas out of at least one essentially gas tight inner space (9) of the inflatable and deflatable floating member (2).

8. The floating golf green according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a releasable attachable covering (13).

9. The floating golf green according claim 8, characterized in that the releasable attachable covering (13) comprises first fastening means (24) co-operating with second fastening means (25) of the least one inflatable and deflatable floating member (2) for releasable attaching the releasable attachable covering (13) to at least one inflatable and deflatable floating member (2).

10. The floating golf green according claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the releasable attachable covering (13) comprises an artificial grass mat (23) to form a golf green area at the floating golf green (1).

11. The floating golf green according claim 10, characterized in that the artificial grass mat (23) comprises third fastening means (26) co-operating with fourth fastening means (27) of the releasable attachable covering (13) for releasable attaching the artificial grass mat (23) to the releasable attachable covering (13).

12. The floating golf green according claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the releasable attachable covering (13) comprises an artificial sand bunker mat (30) to form a sand bunker area at the floating golf green (1).

13. The floating golf green according claim 12, characterized in that the artificial sand bunker mat (30) comprises fifth fastening means (28) co-operating with sixth fastening means (29) of the releasable attachable covering (13) for releasable attaching the artificial sand bunker mat (30) to the releasable attachable covering (13).

14. The floating golf green according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises at least one inflatable and deflatable decoration element, such as an inflatable and deflatable tree (21) or inflatable and deflatable stone (20).

15. The floating golf green according to any of the claims 14, characterized in that said at least one inflatable and deflatable decoration element comprises seventh (36) fastening means co-operating with eight fastening means (37) at the floating golf green (1) for releasable attaching the inflatable and deflatable decoration element to the floating golf green (1).

16. The floating golf green according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it comprises at least one hole (12) for golf balls (22).

17. The floating golf green according to claim 16, characterized in that at least one hole (12) for golf balls (22) is provided with a guide arrangement (15) for guiding golf balls (22) into the hole (12).

18. The floating golf green according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that there is a ball-collecting arrangement (16) connected to the hole (12) for collecting balls entering the hole (12).

19 The floating golf green according to any of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it comprises anchoring means (19) or corresponding fixing means for anchoring and/or fixing the floating golf green (1) into an essentially immobile position as the floating golf green (1) floats on water.

20. The floating golf green according to any of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it comprises a position adjusting arrangement (35) for remotely adjusting the position of the floating golf green in the water as the floating golf green (1) floats on water.

21. The floating golf green according to claim 20, characterized in that the position adjusting arrangement (35) comprises a wire (36), rope or the like attached to the floating golf green for adjusting the position of the position of the floating golf green as the floating golf green (1) floats on water.

22. The floating golf green according to claim 21, characterized in that the rope, wire (36), or the like forms an endless loop (38) to which the floating golf green (1) is attached, or in that the rope, wire (36), or the like forms an endless loop (38) together with the floating golf green (1), in that the endless loop (38) is movable guided by rotatable wheels (39) ,and in that position of the floating golf green is adjustable by moving the endless loop (38) clockwise and anticlockwise about the rotatable wheels (39).

23. The floating golf green according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises rotating means (40) for rotating at least one rotatable wheel

(39) so that the endless loop (38) moves about the rotatable wheels (39) and so that the floating golf green moves as the floating golf green (1) floats on the water.

24. The floating golf green according to claim 22 to 23, characterized in that at least one rotatable wheel (39) comprises an anchoring device (46), and in that the anchoring device (46) comprising a buoy (47) or similar floating device for providing buoyancy for said at least one rotatable wheel (39) and an anchoring means (48) for essentially immovably anchoring said at least one rotatable wheel (39) and said buoy (47) or similar floating device at least partly in the water.

25. The floating golf green according to any of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that it comprises a floating boom arrangement (49) at least partly surrounding the floating golf green (1).

26. The floating golf green according to claim 25, characterized in that the floating boom arrangement (49) is fastened to the floating golf green (1).

27. The floating golf green according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the floating boom arrangement (49) comprises a plurality of boom sections (50) releasable attached to each other.

28. The floating golf green according to any of the claims 25 or 27, characterized in that the floating boom arrangement (49) comprises a net arrangement for allowing water to pass through the net arrangement and stopping golf balls from passing through the net arrangement.