Abstract: A miniature golf hole with a spinning wheel is disclosed. An example miniature golf hole includes a spinning wheel that defines cavities arranged circumferentially about the spinning wheel. A cavity surface of each of the cavities defines one or more cavity openings through which the golf ball is capable of traveling upon entering the respective cavity. The one or more cavity openings of each of the cavities are positioned at a radial distance along the spinning wheel that is different to that of the one or more cavity openings of the other of the cavities. A transfer panel is stationary and positioned below the spinning wheel. The transfer panel includes concentric rings each of which aligns vertically with the one or more cavity openings of a respective one of the cavities to receive the golf ball from the respective cavity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 15, 2022
Date of Patent:
February 10, 2026
Assignee:
Puttshack LTD
Inventors:
Samuel Nicolas Jones, Thomas Stephen David Hopkinson
Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for a standalone and multi-game miniature golf structure. A structure includes a digital display screen positioned to align vertically with a rear end of a putting surface and sensor(s) positioned below the digital display screen. The sensor(s) are configured to detect lateral positions at which balls cross the rear end. The structure includes processor(s), that for each shot of a plurality of miniature golf games, are configured to send command signals to the digital display screen to display putting target(s); identify, via the sensor(s), a lateral position at which a golf ball crosses the rear end of the putting surface; determine whether the lateral position of the golf ball aligns vertically with any of the putting target(s); and generate a score for the shot based on the lateral position of the golf ball relative to the putting target(s).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 14, 2024
Date of Patent:
October 15, 2024
Assignee:
Puttshack LTD
Inventors:
Samuel Nicolas Jones, Thomas Stephen David Hopkinson, Stephen Peter Slade, Adam Camies