Abstract: A practice putting green includes an elongated plank having a top wall and a plurality of depending, longitudinally extending ribs that stiffen the top wall against sagging along the length of the plank while allowing the top wall to twist under the weight of the plank. A putting surface is supported on the top wall, and a hole sized for receipt of golf balls extends through both the putting surface and the top wall. Legs are provided for independently adjusting the height of the putting surface at each corner, and the top wall twists under the weight of the plank to assume the shape dictated by the position of the legs. A system incorporating the putting green includes an elongated base positionable beside the green, a ball holding tray, and a catch tray positionable beneath the hole.

Abstract: A ground surface contour modifying apparatus and method which includes a plurality of independent, selectively actuable hydraulic elements positioned below the surface of a defined area of ground. Selective actuation of the hydraulic elements enables modification of the contours of the overlying ground surface.

Abstract: A table top football game apparatus includes a table like base having a generally horizontal playing surface. A plurality of elongated parallel slots are provided on the playing surface and a plurality of football player figurines are moveably mounted upon the plurality of slots for sliding travel thereupon, between end portions of the playing surface which are respective goal lines. The players are moved in the slots and independently of one another by a plurality of controls mounted at the end portions of the table which correspond to the opposing goal lines. At least some of the figurines face in opposite directions thus defining offensive and defensive players. The spaced offensive and defensive controls move the respective players up and down the slots and contacts are provided for forming a connection between two players facing in opposite direction to signify a tackle for example.

Abstract: A golf putting surface is provided that is adjustable in height at selected locations within the surface within a continuum of vertical positions by means of a plurality of height adjustment mechanisms. The height adjustment mechanisms are themselves adjustably located horizontally along substantially the entire perimeter of the surface to produce numerous surfaces with differing undulation. The surface is covered with one of a selection of interchangeable surface materials of differing friction and texture to use in combination with the undulating surface to simulate different playing conditions.

Abstract: A golf mat for practicing golf shots is disclosed that accurately simulates the feel of natural turf, while at the same time has no moving portions and is readily transported by the golfer. The device has a base member formed of a resilient plastic material, such as polycarbonate, that is supported by multiple feet formed of a resilient foam material. A layer of tufted material defining a golf ball hitting surface, which may be greige goods material having a non-hardening elastomeric adhesive secondary backing, is attached to an upper side of the base member at discrete, spaced apart areas. The tufted layer, which may be attached to the base member by adhesive bonding, is attached to the generally rectangular base member only at areas adjacent to the corners of the base member. The tufted layer should be attached to the base member at the minimum number of points to improve the simulation of natural turf.

Abstract: A golf putting practice target is disclosed comprised of a one hpiece molded plastic target piece adapted to rest on a floor surface. The target requires careful control over the speed of the ball, which must be putted so as to be directed into an intermediate depression formed between the peaks of a gently inclined entrance ramp and a more steeply inclined back ramp, without returning out of the depression because of a too fast putt. The height of the peak of the back ramp is substantially higher than the height of the peak of the entrance ramp so that any slight excess speed of a stroked golf ball will likely result in escape from the intermediate depression by returning past the entrance ramp peak. In a preferred embodiment a strip of carpet covers the entrance ramp, extending from the peak to a point, forward of the target piece to provide a putting approach surface.

Abstract: An adjustable and folding putting green which includes an enclosure for receiving a foldable playing surface characterized by a flexible material resembling an artificial grass-like ground covering sold under the trademark "Astroturf" mounted on a folding support carried by a folding frame, which frame and support are extendible from the enclosure for playing purposes and foldable inside the enclosure for storage. The frame is provided with multiple pivoting adjusting levers which can be independently attached to the support and manipulated to tilt the playing surface in a desired configuration and contour to simulate varying terrain and provide a surface contouring effect while putting. A player support is hinged to one end of the folding frame for supporting a golfer and the opposite end of the playing folding frame is provided with a rotating cup member having cups located in varying positions thereon, to present different targets for the putter.

Abstract: A selectively contourable putting green including an elongated platform having a rigid subbase supporting a flexible resilient base, which in turn supports a flexible putting surface. A number of contour bars are disposed in transverse slots formed in the subbase. The contour bars contact the under side of the flexible resilient base. Each end of each of the contour bars is independently selectively adjustable between a position flush with the level surface of the subbase and a position fully raised above the level surface. A selectively movable elevation block is associated with each end of each contour bar to position it at a predetermined level, thereby producing a selected contour of the putting surface along the length of the elongated platform.

Abstract: Amusement apparatus for use as a game or for improving manual dexterity includes an undulant support surface defining a plurality of substantially parallel, alternating rounded grooves and rounded ridges and a plurality of substantially identical, round, saucer-shaped, nesting elements for positioning within the grooves and for manually manipulating among the grooves and over the ridges.

Abstract: A golf putting device having an inclined ramp and an abutting normally plane surface having a hole for receiving a golf ball stroked toward the hole and traversing the ramp and plane surface. Lifting rods are disposed for cooperating with the normally plane surface for distorting the normally plane surface. In a typical example, the mat covering the plane surface is slightly elevated at one location by one of the lifting rods disposed underneath the mat. A control handle and slide rod are coupled to the lifting rods to control the amount of elevation as well as the location in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A rectangular mat having a side edge extending generally parallel to the flight direction of a golf ball is fixed to the ground for fore and aft reversible orientation, fixedly mounts a tee bar type golf swing guide member in strip form on the upper surface of the mat including a base strip defining the golfer swing path and bearing multiple tee positions along its length to the right and left of a center strip guide leg extending perpendicularly outwardly therefrom. The guide leg bears an adjustably positioned foot placement member along the length of the guide leg and controlling the position of the golfer's feet to respective sides of the center guide leg and at a desired distance from the base strip. A face reversible tee placement instruction strip is removably mounted to the upper surface of the mat and bears indicia relative to the tee placement positions for right and left handed golfers on respective faces thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for playing a spectator-controlled game including a playfield and an object (e.g. a ball) which is movable over the playfield under the control of an audience of spectators. The playfield described includes selectively controllable means for impelling a ball and means for obstructing the ball, and various non-controllable forms of ball obstructing devices. The spectators have control devices having push-buttons for selecting one of a plurality of output `vote` signals, for obstructing the ball, or impelling it in any one of four specific directions. A programmable controller embodying a decision-making logic system provides control signals for activating the respective impelling and obstructing devices in response to predetermined majorities of vote signals provided by the spectators' control devices, so that the ball is impelled and obstructed in accordance with the majority wishes of the spectators.

Abstract: A game apparatus of the table level type wherein projectiles, e.g., pucks or discs, are hand-propelled to slide over an elongated surface from a launch area to a target area, is disclosed, which employs an elongated slide surface which is formed into a fixed contour so as to present the sliding projectile, as it travels along the length of the slide surface, with surfaces of varying pitches.

Abstract: A competitive game device which comprises a frame having a rippled playing surface. The rippled surface is formed by a plurality of transversely extending spaced apart recesses separated by arcuately shaped transversely extending ridge portions. The various recesses are assigned scoring values and certain of the recesses also have higher scoring values than other recesses. Each player may have a plurality of balls bearing his indicia. For example, the balls of each player may be a different color. A ramp leads downwardly to the first recess and the players take turns releasing balls down the ramp and onto the rippled playing surface. In a preferred form, the values of successive recesses initially increase; however, if a player's ball goes past the highest value recess, he will get a lower score, by virtue of the ball landing in a lower scoring recess or other area such as a gutter.