And Obstacle (e.g., Miniature Golf Course Windmill, Etc.) Patents (Class 473/158)
  • Patent number: 11192010
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable outdoor game kit that includes (a) a portable carrying case; (b) a boundary configured to be positioned on a ground surface and formed into a predetermined shape; (c) a plurality of targets configured to be positioned within the boundary when the boundary is positioned on the ground surface and formed into the predetermined shape; (d) a plurality of offensive implements configured for throwing towards and/or into at least one of the plurality of targets while the game kit is in use; and (e) a plurality of blocking implements configured to block or impede movement of the offensive implements towards the plurality of targets while the game kit is in use. Also disclosed herein is a method of playing a game with the disclosed portable outdoor game kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventors: Cris Areskog, Michael Karaffa
  • Patent number: 10801224
    Abstract: The present teachings generally relate to accommodations (e.g., a hotel or other lodgings) providing access to a golf driving range from a guest's private room. Methods of entertainment for guests of a hotel comprising multiple guest units is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventor: Claudio Vincenzo Sorrentino
  • Patent number: 10751572
    Abstract: A surveillance network is disclosed herein. The surveillance network includes a processor, one or more video cameras, a student-monitor, and an instructor-monitor. The processor can transmit and receive digital information. The video cameras can communicate digitally with the processor and can record video and transmit the video signal to the processor. The student-monitor and the instructor-monitor are each also able to communicate digitally with the processor and may each play back video as received from the processor. The processor may transmit either a live or recorded video signal to both the student-monitor and the instructor-monitor, such that the student-monitor and the instructor-monitor receive and play back video simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Fred Quillin
  • Patent number: 10207165
    Abstract: A bumper golf game system, and related methods, are disclosed. The system includes a flexible putting mat including inner and outer surfaces, first and second goal recesses extending at least partially through the mat, an array of a plurality of central obstacle recesses extending at least partially through the mat positioned generally between the first and second goal recesses, a pair of first goal obstacle recesses extending at least partially through the mat flanking the first goal recess, and a pair of second goal obstacle recesses extending at least partially through the mat flanking the second goal recess. The system also includes a plurality of obstacles configured to mount within the obstacle recesses and extend past the inner surface of the mat. The system further includes a plurality of rails configured to interconnect and extend over the inner surface of the mat to bound a portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Gary Krueger
  • Patent number: 9089758
    Abstract: A putting practice system and apparatus including a main unit, putting pad and rail. The main unit has a bored hole through a top surface into a hollow portion of the main unit. The putting pad has a front end and a rear end and is located at a distance to the main unit. At least one rail is between the main unit and putting pad, the rail having a center portion, a left side, and a right side extending the entire length of the rail between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventor: Matthew D. McWilliams, PGA
  • Patent number: 8951135
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus includes first and second end rails, a flexible rectangular playing surface, and first and second side rails. A first end edge of the surface is connected to the first end rail, and a second end edge of the surface is connected to the second end rail. The first and second side rails are configured for removable attachment to the first and second end rails. A method includes unrolling a flexible rectangular playing surface and attaching first and second side rails. Further, an apparatus comprises a rectangular playing surface, a rectangular raised perimeter border, and a plurality of golf course construction elements, wherein at least some of the elements comprise complementary curves so that the elements fit with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventors: Reynolds W. Guyer, Kathryn D. Guyer, Steven J. Huebl
  • Patent number: 7488260
    Abstract: A miniature golf course device that is in the shape of an elephant. An internal frame provides support for a ball guide with moving parts and an external body covering. A golf ball enters the trunk opening, the pivoting trunk is raised, and the golf ball travels through the interior of the elephant. The ball exits the rear end to simulate the elephant pooping the ball. The trunk is raised by operating a tail lever. Operation of the tail lever is accompanied by visual and acoustic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Inventors: Elizabeth Ann Moorehead, Jeffry Thomas Russell
  • Publication number: 20080214318
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Huixi Xie
  • Publication number: 20080153614
    Abstract: A green complex comprising of a universal design concept and entities that support this concept are disclosed therein. The universal design concept is to stimulate a golfer by offering a method of operation that combines traditional golf and disc golf that can be played at any time; day or night. These design entities are inclusive to, but not limited to, the variation of colors of the target structure, flag, and corresponding synthetic green, and the illuminating concept for the green perimeter, cup, structure, and flag. A golf course with a plurality of holes, that includes the present invention, would be arranged as to where each hole contains a theme that is inclusive to the universal design concept.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Tony Marshall
  • Patent number: 6939238
    Abstract: A golf putting training device is described and which includes an elongated frame having opposite ends and sides, and defining a channel therebetween the opposite ends and sides; and a bridge extending between the opposite sides and located intermediate the opposite ends of the frame, and wherein the bridge defines, in part, an aperture through which a golf ball may pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Terry Brayton
  • Publication number: 20040180728
    Abstract: A golf ball putting practice member has a main body portion provided with one or more golf ball receiving pockets. Each of the pockets has a pocket shape which inhibits a ball rolled into the pocket from rebounding back out of the pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: INSHES AVENUE OFFICE & STORAGE LIMITED
    Inventor: Frank Van Oirschot
  • Patent number: 6053819
    Abstract: A golf park including a golf course having a single fairway with multiple greens. At least two greens are provided, at opposite ends of the fairway. One or more additional greens may be provided between the first two greens and along the fairway. Also, multiple tees are provided for the one fairway. At least one tee is provided at each end of the fairway, the tee facing down the fairway towards the green at the opposite end of the fairway. Each green may be the target of two or more tees disposed at different locations on the fairway. The golf course is occupied for a predetermined limited period of time by an individual or a single group of golfers. The individual or single group of golfers plays back and forth along the fairway, for as long as they have reserved the course. They can play at their own pace, undisturbed by other golfers because there are no other golfers on the course. The only limitation is duration: eventually they will have to stop because their reserved interval of play has terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Peter J. Wilk
  • Patent number: 5749789
    Abstract: A portable miniature golf game to be played with a putter and ball having multiple, flexible retaining rails, obstacles, and a ball receptacle which are attachable to multiple putting mats arranged in desired abutting relationships. Each of the putting mats has a top-playing surface of loop-like fibers which are suitable for interlocking engagement with hook-like projections incorporated into the base surface of each retaining rail and obstacle. The hook-like projections are disposed on mount devices that are interconnected with each retaining rail and obstacle. The number and distribution of mount devices interconnected with each retaining rail and obstacle is dependent on the size of each retaining rail and obstacle. The ball receptacle may be disposed on any desired location on any putting mat, and the retaining rails and obstacles may be detachably attached to the putting mats at any desired location to form various miniature golf hole configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: James S. Karl
  • Patent number: 5730660
    Abstract: A sand trap practice device includes a one piece, integral trough including a substantially rectangular base and a pair of side rails extending upwardly from the base and extending along opposed longitudinal sides of the base. A flexible tee is attached to the base along the center line of the base extending upwardly from the base substantially the same as the height as the side rails. Visual indicia is positioned on top surfaces of the side rails behind the tee indicative of proper club positioning. Additionally, sand is supported on the base between the rails extending to the top surface of the tee and the side rails. In operation, a golf ball is placed on the flexible tee, a golfer addresses the ball and swings away making sure the club does not hit the ball but instead enters the sand indicated by the visual indicia. The base will not permit the club to dig into the sand to excessive amounts such that the ball will come out of the bunker each time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: William Andrew Young
  • Patent number: 5692963
    Abstract: A golf game is disclosed which has disks for simulating holes which may be selectively positioned about the surface of a mat to alter the course layout. The mat may be marked with obstacles to simulate playing hazards. Additionally, a teeing disk may also be provided. The disks are preferably provided with fasteners to temporarily secure the disks to the mat for play. The fastener may be hook and loop, adhesive strip or a staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventor: Donald Holcombe
  • Patent number: 5580319
    Abstract: A miniature golf putting course laid out in the form of a maze. The miniature golf course is placed inside of a maze and is then controlled by a series of gates. Changing the position of the gates changes the route one must follow to correctly negotiate the course. Each of the holes have a cover suitable for simulating the effect of a golf ball rolling on grass, each of the hazards are arranged to interfere with the path of a golf ball, and each of the holes have a tee end and a green end which may be changed by changing the position of the gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Charles P. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 5516108
    Abstract: A new and improved yard golf game comprised of a plurality of golf clubs. Included in the game are a plurality of hazards each having two spikes extending from a bottom portion thereof. The two spikes serve to embed the hazards into the yard. Included in the game are a plurality of golf holes each having a bottom portion and a cylindrical side wall extending perpendicularly upward therefrom. The cylindrical side wall terminates in an open upper periphery. The bottom portion has an aperture formed therethrough. Included in the game are a plurality of lids. Each lid is adapted to be received within open upper periphery of the plurality of golf holes. Included in the game are a plurality of golf balls. The golf balls are adapted to be received within the plurality of golf holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Foster, Lynn D. Winterhof