Indoor Golf Putting Game

Abstract

A golf putting game for playing on a floor surface is disclosed. In a first embodiment, a golf ball has a substantially uniform magnetic field therearound and includes at least one magnetically attractive target. Preferably at least one magnetically attractive hazard is included. In use, the golf ball may be struck by a golf club to roll on the surface towards the target to be captured thereby, indicating that the ball was hit properly to the target. An elongated base may be included for playing on hard surfaces, the base including a carpeted or tufted playing surface. Non-magnetic golf course elements and printed indicia may be included on the playing surface. In a second embodiment of the invention, the golf ball is magnetically attractive, and the target and hazards have a substantially uniform magnetic field therearound, such as by including magnetic particles uniformly distributed therethrough.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/892,526, filed on Mar. 1, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to games, and more particularly to a novel indoor golf putting game apparatus.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Many golfers enjoy the ability to practice putting indoors, away from inclement whether, at night, or while at work or home. Indoor golf practice mats of the prior art commonly include a recessed hole therein that represents a golf green hole or target. Typically a recessed target is accomplished by elevating the mat on a base, or including an elevated section around the target which slopes downward towards the rest of the mat. However, such a target cannot typically be as deep as an actual golf green hole, which is at least four inches, and therefore does not accurately simulate the interaction of a golf ball on an actual outdoor golf course. Further, providing a structure for an actual hole in such a practice mat results in an apparatus that is bulky and difficult to store and transport.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,221 to Gordon on Jun. 24, 1975, teaches a magnetic golf target having a plurality of magnets arranged around a periphery thereof, and a golf ball having a magnetically attractive material therein. One drawback to such a device is that the target represents an obstruction as opposed to an open hole. A strongly-hit ball would be deflected back from such an object, whereas on a regular golf green such a strongly-hit ball would likely traverse the hole and roll away therefrom on the opposite side. Further, such a target is bulky and therefore requires in inordinate amount of storage space.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,704 to Mazer teaches an indoor golf course that includes a flat mat. However, such a device does not realistically simulate the game of golf because the obstructions and hazards thereon do not affect the movement of a ball rolling across them. Rather, if a ball happens to come to rest on such an object a point penalty is assessed. Thus, while such a device is easy to transport and store due to it being substantially flat, such a device does not provide substantial realism during play.

US Patent Application 2004/0235579 to Shojiro teaches a magnetic ball carrier that is adapted for accommodating a ball rolling across a wooden or other hard floor surface towards a magnetically attractive target. Such a device, however, is quite awkward to use in that the carrier must be struck with the putter, not the ball. Such a device has significantly reduced realism in use as a result.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,404,892 to Pearce on Oct. 8, 1968, teaches a golf ball having magnetic properties and a vertical golf target mat that is magnetically attractive. Such a device is design for practicing chipping as opposed to putting. While the practice mat could be laid horizontally, such a mat is ill-suited for use as a practice target for a putting green hole.

Therefore, there is a need for a golf putting practice game apparatus that allows use on both hard and soft floor surfaces, such as tile or carpeted floors. Such a needed device would be compact and easy to store and transport, and also relatively inexpensive to manufacture as a result. Further, such a device would realistically simulate putting behavior of a golf ball as used on a golf green. Further, golf hazards such as obstructions or sand traps could be simulated. The needed device would further allow for a variety of games and target configurations utilizing such hazards and elements. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present device is a golf putting game for playing on a floor surface. In a first embodiment of the game, a golf ball has a substantially uniform magnetic field therearound from, in one embodiment, a plurality of magnets arranged in a symmetric pattern and imbedded just below or substantially at a surface of the ball. The magnetic field is preferably substantially uniform so that as the ball rolls towards or by a magnetically attractive target, the ball will not wobble erratically but instead will display uniform attraction to the target or otherwise uniform motion. The first embodiment of the game further includes at least one of the magnetically attractive targets.

The first embodiment of the game preferably further includes at least one magnetically attractive hazard which, when placed on the surface between the target and the ball, increases the difficulty of contacting the target with the ball directly.

In use, the golf ball may be struck by a golf club to roll on the surface towards the target. When the ball is close enough to the target to be significantly magnetically attracted thereto, the target captures the golf ball, indicating that the ball was hit properly to the target. The at least one hazard may be placed between the ball and the target so as to increase the difficulty of contacting the target with the ball directly.

Optionally, the golf putting game may further include an elongated base that has a lower side for resting on the surface, and an upper side comprising a playing surface. As such, the magnetically attractive target is fixed either to the playing surface or under the playing surface, proximate a distal end thereof A proximate end of the playing surface includes a ball starting area. As such, with the golf ball placed in the ball starting area and struck by the golf club, the ball rolls on the playing surface towards the target. The playing surface, in such an embodiment, may include a plurality of target indicia each associated with a point scoring value, and non-magnetically attractive golf course elements representing elements such as sand traps, ponds, trees, tunnels, intersections, bridge and the like.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the golf ball is magnetically attractive and made with ferrous metal particles, for example, distributed therethrough. The target has a substantially uniform magnetic field therearound, such as by including magnetic particles uniformly distributed therethrough. In such an embodiment, naturally, the hazards also include at least one magnet or the magnetic particles distributed thereon.

The present invention is a golf putting practice game apparatus that is configurable for use on both hard and soft floor surfaces, such as both tile or carpeted floors. The present device is compact and easy to store and transport, and as such is also relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Further, the present invention realistically simulates putting behavior of a golf ball as used on a golf green, and includes golf hazards such as obstructions or sand traps. The present device further allows for a variety of games and target configurations utilizing such hazards and other elements. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned view of a golf ball incorporating magnets imbedded at or near the surface;

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned view of a golf ball incorporating magnetic particles distributed therein;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a magnetically attractive target illustrating on the right side thereof an alternate embodiment that includes a high-friction material surface;

FIG. 4 is a partial top perspective view of magnetically attractive targets further illustrating alternate embodiments that include (4A) a plurality of magnets arranged in a symmetric pattern and imbedded around a peripheral edge of the target, and (4B) magnetic particles distributed substantially evenly throughout the target;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a magnetically attractive hazard;

FIG. 6 is a top view of an embodiment of the invention having an elevated base;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 taken generally along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional end elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 taken generally along lines 8-8 of FIG. 6, and further illustrating a golf club for striking the golf ball; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the invention playable on a surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 6 and 9 illustrate a golf putting game 10 for playing on a floor surface 15, such as a hard floor 15 or a carpeted floor 16. Such a game 10 is played with a golf ball 20 and a golf club 18, such as a putter.

In a first embodiment of the game 10, a golf ball 20 has a substantially uniform magnetic field therearound from, in one embodiment, a plurality of magnets 40 arranged in a symmetric pattern and imbedded just below or substantially at a surface 22 of the ball 20 (FIG. 1). Alternately, magnetic particles 50 may be distributed substantially evenly through the ball 20 or evenly proximate the surface 22 of the ball 20 (FIG. 2). The magnetic field is preferably substantially uniform so that as the ball 20 rolls towards or by a substantially flat magnetically attractive target 30, the ball 20 will not wobble erratically but instead will display uniform attraction to the target 30 or otherwise uniform motion.

The first embodiment of the game 10 further includes at least one of the magnetically attractive targets 30, preferably made from a circular substantially flat ferrous metal plate 35. As used herein, the term “substantially flat” shall refer to having a thickness of preferably no larger than ⅛ of an inch. As such, the at least one target 30 represents the cup on a traditional golf green. A high-friction lower surface 32 (FIG. 3) may be included on the target 30 for resisting movement thereof along the surface 15, such as when struck with the ball 20, for example.

The first embodiment of the game 10 preferably further includes at least one substantially flat magnetically attractive hazard 60 (FIG. 5) which, when placed on the surface 15 between the target 30 and the ball 20, increases the difficulty of contacting the target 30 with the ball 20 directly, as it is magnetically attractive to the ball 20 and tends to be captured thereby when the ball 20 rolls close thereto. Such a hazard 60 may represent a sand hazard or water hazard as in the traditional game of golf, for example, and may also be a relatively flat ferrous metal plate 60.

In use on a carpeted surface, for example, the target 30 and hazards 60 may be placed on the surface 15 in any suitable configuration, and the golf ball 20 may be struck by a golf club 18 to roll on the surface 15 towards the target 30. When the ball 20 is close enough to the target 30 to be significantly magnetically attracted thereto, the target 30 captures the golf ball 20, indicating that the ball 20 was hit properly to the target 30. The at least one hazard 60 may be placed between the ball 20 and the target 30 so as to increase the difficulty of contacting the target 30 with the ball 20 directly.

Optionally, the golf putting game 10 may be played on a hard surface 15, such as a wood, tile, vinyl, or other substantially hard flat floor surface, with an included elongated base 70 that has a lower side 72 for resting on the surface 15, and an upper side 78 comprising a playing surface 80. Such a base 70 may be a flexible mat material, for example, such as artificial grass or carpet. As such, the magnetically attractive target 30 is either placed on the playing surface 80 or under the base 70, proximate a distal end 76 thereof. The hazards 60 are placed on the playing surface 80 or under the base 70 as desired. A proximate end 74 of the playing surface 80 includes a ball starting area 90. Foam bumpers 71 may be included around a portion of the base 70 to prevent errantly hit balls 20 from rolling off of the base 70.

As such, with the golf ball 20 placed in the ball starting area 90 and struck by the golf club 18, the ball 20 rolls on the playing surface 80 towards the target 30. The playing surface 80, in such an embodiment, may include a plurality of target indicia 110 each associated with a point scoring value (FIG. 6), so that a variety of scoring games may be played thereon. Such indicia 110 may include a play line 41, a first play line 42, a first score multiplier 43, a second play line 44, a second score multiplier 45, a third play line 46, and a third score multiplier 47, for example (FIG. 6). As such, depending upon which play line is utilized, a score multiplying penalty may be assessed for choosing a less-difficult play line. Further, non-flat and non-magnetically attractive golf course elements 120 may also be included, representing elements such as sand traps, ponds, trees, tunnels, intersections, bridge and the like (FIG. 9). Such a golf course element 120 may also include at least one deflector 24 (FIG. 6). Moreover, if desired, an uneven portion of the playing surface 80 may be formed in the playing surface 80 to provide additional challenge. The base 70 may also be elevated at one corner or side thereof to provide a sloped playing surface 80 (not shown).

In a second embodiment of the invention, the golf ball 20 is magnetically attractive and made with ferrous metal particles, for example, distributed therethrough. The target 30, in such an embodiment, has a substantially uniform magnetic field therearound, such as by including magnetic particles 50 uniformly distributed therethrough (FIG. 4 at 4B). Alternately, the target 30 may include magnets 40 around a peripheral edge 38 thereof (FIG. 4 at 4A). In such an embodiment, naturally, the hazards 60 also include at least one magnet 40 or the magnetic particles 50 distributed thereon.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the types of hazards illustrated and the layout of the playing surface 80 may vary widely. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A golf putting game for playing on a floor surface, comprising:

a golf ball having a substantially uniform magnetic field therearound; and

a substantially flat magnetically attractive target;

whereby the golf ball may be struck by a golf club to roll on the surface towards the target, such that the target magnetically attracts and captures the golf ball when the ball is hit properly.

2. The golf putting game of claim 1 wherein the golf ball includes a plurality of magnets arranged in a symmetric pattern and imbedded just below or substantially at a surface of the ball.

3. The golf putting game of claim 1 wherein the golf ball includes magnetic particles distributed substantially evenly throughout.

4. The golf putting game of claim 1 further including at least one substantially flat magnetically attractive hazard that, when placed on the surface substantially between the target and the ball, increases the difficulty of contacting the target with the ball directly.

5. The golf putting game of claim 1 wherein the magnetically attractive target is a circular ferrous metal plate.

6. The golf putting game of claim 1 wherein the magnetically attractive target includes a high-friction lower surface for resisting movement thereof on the surface.

7. The golf putting game of claim 1 further including an elongated base having a lower side for resting on the surface, and an upper side comprising a playing surface, the magnetically attractive target resting on the playing surface proximate a distal end thereof, a proximate end thereof including a ball starting area, whereby the golf ball may be placed in the ball starting area and struck by the golf club to roll on the playing surface towards the target, such that the target magnetically attracts and captures the golf ball when the ball is hit properly.

8. The golf putting game of claim 7 wherein the playing surface includes target indicia each associated with a point scoring value.

9. The golf putting game of claim 7 further including at least one substantially flat magnetically attractive hazard that, when placed under the playing surface and substantially between the target and the ball starting area, increases the difficulty of contacting the target with the ball directly.

10. The golf putting game of claim 7 further including golf course indicia fixed to the playing surface, the golf course indicia simulating elements of a golf course.

11. A golf putting game for playing on a floor surface, comprising:

a magnetically attractive golf ball; and

a substantially flat target having a substantially uniform magnetic field therearound;

whereby the golf ball may be struck by a golf club to roll on the surface towards the target, such that the ball magnetically attracts and is captured by the target when the ball is hit properly.

12. The golf putting game of claim 11 wherein the target includes magnetic particles distributed substantially evenly throughout.

13. The golf putting game of claim 11 further including at least one substantially flat magnetic hazard that, when placed on the playing surface between the target and the ball, increases the difficulty of contacting the target with the ball directly.

14. The golf putting game of claim 11 further including an elongated base having a lower side for resting on the surface, and an upper side comprising a playing surface, the target fixed to the playing surface proximate a distal end thereof, a proximate end thereof including a ball starting area, whereby the golf ball may be placed in the ball starting area and struck by the golf club to roll on the playing surface towards the target, such that the ball magnetically attracts and is captured by the target when the ball is hit properly.

15. The golf putting game of claim 14 wherein the playing surface is uneven.

16. The golf putting game of claim 14 further including at least one substantially flat magnetic hazard that, when placed under the playing surface and between the target and the ball starting area, increases the difficulty of contacting the target with the ball directly.

17. The golf putting game of claim 14 further including golf course indicia fixed to the playing surface, the golf course indicia simulating elements of a golf course.