US3897947A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A game apparatus comprising a target with a plurality of target zones each of which is operatively connected to an impact responsive signal generator, a signal selecting circuit and a scoreboard by which objects impacting upon the target produce signals above an adjustable level that will register on the scoreboard. In a specific embodiment, the target may take the form of a simulated golf green and is combined with an allweather golf driving range including a driving booth in which the environment is controlled, a fairway designed such that snow removal and ball retrieval are enhanced, and means for registering the longer drives.

Description

United States Patent Heffley, Jr. 1 1 Aug. 5, 1975 1541 GAME APPARATUS 1020,53 6 11/1971 Lau 273/182 R 3.7063152 12/1972 Souciem, 173/35 R [76] Hemq 3.720.413 -7/1973 Ready 273/1115 R Lochlnvar DH t/ 1784207 1/1974 o11t1111t1111 1 .1 273/176 FA x 46825 [22] Filed: Oct. I], 1973 Primary Examiner-George J1 Marlo [21} Appl. No: 405,575

I57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 273/35 B; 273/176 A; 273/182 R; A game apparatus comprising a target with a plurality 273/185 R; 273/195 R; 273/1022 S of target zones each of which is operatively connected [51] Int. Cl A63b 69/36 to an impact responsive signal generator, a signal se- [58] Field ofSearch 1. 273/176 184, 185 182. lecting circuit and a scoreboard by which objects im 273/35 195 pacting upon the target produce signals above an adjustable level that will register on the scoreboard In a [56] References Cited specific embodiment, the target may take the form of n- STATES PATENTS a simulated golf green and is combined with an all 2,734,000 3/1957 51111111111 273/1215 A x 'f golf l g bnmh 3081005 3/963 273/184 R X wh1ch the environment is controlled. a flurway de- 3310310 3/1967 McKee H 273/176 A signed such that snow removal and ball retrieval are 1411,7813 [/1968 Br di 373 134 X enhanced and means for registering the longer drives. 14131105 11/1968 Stearns 1 1 273/176 A 3,464,703 9/1969 Vallas 273/176 A 15 Clalms- Drawmg figures I L2 ZJ :IGG

PATENTEU 51975 3.897, 947SHEET 4 HZ]- F////// 105711,]!

PATENTEDAUG 5% 3; 897, 947SHEET 5 TO OTHER ZONES :38 I40 :34 f I42 SCORE PANEL I44 ,125 REFERENCE FROM 7 :0THER zoNEs B6 (I40 I42] I34 I r TO *SCORE PANEL I V REFERENCE To OTHER TO 1E5GATES 140 OTHER 7 ZONES GAME APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to game apparatus and targets, and more particularly, to targets in combination with electronic circuitry and a scoreboard by which impacts on the target will register on the scoreboards, and still more particularly, to such targets, circuitry, and scoreboards in combination with an allweather golf driving range, a fairway enhancing snow removal and ball retrieval, driving booths in which the environment is controlled, and means for registering the longer drives.

2. Description of the Prior Art Several driving range structures have heretofore been proposed which have devices for the collection of the golf balls and/or the return thereof to the tee area. These structures have included nets, sloping surfaces, and the like. Additionally, enclosed tee areas provided with heaters have been used in conjunction with driving ranges. Still, it is desirable to provide an all-weather driving range construction having improved means by which the balls are collected and returned to the tee area, means for removing from the fairway surface snow, ice and the like, and an improved driving booth in which the environment can be controlled in both summer and winter. It is highly desirable such a structure be relatively simple in construction and economical to build.

There have also been a variety of targets proposed. Some of these targets are useful as driving range golf greens. However, none of these targets are combined with a scoreboard and impact responsive devices by which the scoreboard registers a score in response to an impact on the target. Such targets when used as golf greens are susceptible to a plurality of impacts by a single ball resulting from the ball bouncing on the green. It is therefore highly desirable to provide not only a target having impact responsive devices and means for driving a scoreboard, but such a target equipped with signal selecting circuitry whereby only one signal is generated by any one ball impacting on the target and the remaining bounces of the ball on the green are not recorded on the scoreboard.

It is further highly desirable to provide a driving range structure incorporating the greens abovedescribed and an electronic golf game by which competing players may accumulate a score. Such would enhance the interest in golf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide an improved driving range structure.

It is another primary object of the invention to provide an improved target and scoreboard combination.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide an improved driving range structure having tees in a controlled environment.

It is another object to provide an improved scoreboard and target combination, the target of which is provided with impact-responsive signal generators and a signal selector circuit whereby only the signal in response to impacts of a predetermined magnitude are registered on the scoreboard.

Another object is to provide an improved target which is especially desirable as a golf green.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved driving range structure which includes means by which snow and ice removal from the fairway thereof and ball collection and return thereof to the tee area are enhanced.

It is another object of this invention to provide registration of the distance a ball is driven from the tee.

It is still further an object of the invention to provide an improved driving range having one or more target greens connected to a scoreboard which registers golf balls impacting upon the green and accumulates the score of a person using the driving range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following descrip tion of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a driving range complex incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the driving range com plex illustrated in FIG. 1 taken substantially along the section line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the driving range complex illustrated in FIGS. I and 2 taken substantially along the section line 33 of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the driving range complex illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 taken substantially alongsection line 44 of FIG. I;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary and enlarged sectional view of a portion of the driving range complex of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 4 particularly showing the mechanism by which the golf balls are returned to the tee area;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the target green of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the target green of the invention;

FIG. 8A is a sectional view of the target green illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 taken substantially along the section line 8-8 of FIG. 7 and showing the structure of the target green illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 8B is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 8A suggesting an alternate construction of the target of the invention;

FIG. 8C is a sectional view like FIG. 8A showing another alternate construction of the target green of the invention;

FIG. 8D is a fragmentary enlarged view of the structure shown in FIG. 8C;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing one of the driving booths and the tee area of the driving range of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary and sectional view of the driving booth illustrated in FIG. 9 taken substantially along the section line l0l0 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the scoreboard which is mounted over the tee in the driving booth illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the electronics associated with the yardage indicator of the driving range of the invention; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic of the electronics associated with the target greens of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIGS. I through 5 there is shown the improved driving range structure of the invention. The driving range structure includes an elongated fairway I2 and aclubhouse 14. The fairway I2 is shown to have opposite ends I6 and I8 and a centrally located alley extending between the opposite ends I6, 18 of thefairway 12. A plurality ofindividual driving booths 22 are posi tioned side by side so as to extend across thefairway 12 atend 16. In each of these booths there is positioned a golf tee; both thebooths 22 and the tee will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Adjacent end I8 of the fairway I2 at various positions 24 (only some of thepositions 24 are shown) is at least one target green. The target greens of the invention will also be described in more detail hereinafter.

Thefairway 12 extends from the drivingbooths 22 between the opposite ends I6, 18 and between spaced apart oppositelongitudinal fairway boundaries 26 and 28. As shown in FIG. 1 thefairway 12 is wider atend 18 than atend 16 such that the fairway l2 tapers outwardly from the drivingbooths 22 linearly between the opposite straightlongitudinal boundaries 26 and 28.

As is shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, end 18 is provided with ascreen 30 andlongitudinal boundaries 26, 28 are provided withscreens 32.Screen 30 is approximately twice the height ofscreen 32 and has threeindependent sections 34, 36 and 38. Each of thesections 34, 36 and 38 extends horizontally across theend 18 and while supported one over the other byposts 40 as shown in FIG. 5, they are not connected to the adjacent sections. Each of thesections 34, 36 and 38 is con nected to theposts 40 by a series of microswitches 154 (shown only in FIG. 12) which are normally open. Overscreen 30 is mounted an electrically lightedyardage indicator 44. Each of thesections 34, 36 and 38 of thescreen 30 is connected to the electronics shown in FIG. 12 and to theyardage indicator 44 in a manner so that a golf ball impacting on any one of thesections 34, 36 and 38 will appropriately light theyardage indicator 44. Impacts onsection 38 will indicate 200 yards; impacts onsection 36 will indicate 250 yards; and impacts onsection 34 will indicate 300 yards. See FIGS. 2 and 3. The electronics shown in FIG. 12 will be described in detail hereinafter.

Also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is the configuration of fairway l2. Fairway I2 slopes downwardly from the oppositelongitudinal boundaries 26, 28 toward thealley 20. In addition, thefairway 12 also slopes downwardly fromend 16 towardend 18. The slope in both directions is sufficient to cause balls landing on the surface of thefairway 12 to roll toward thealley 20 and collect in thealley 20adjacent end 18, as shown in FIG. 5.Adjacent end 18 at the low point of thealley 20 there is provided a drain through which moisture as from rain, melting of snow and ice on the fairway I2 is discharged.

Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the tee areas andbooths 22 of the invention will now be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the driving range structure above-described is fully operable with conventional tees aligned in side by side fashion across theend 16 of thefairway 12.

Each of thebooths 22 may be identical, thus, the description of one will suffice for all. Further, thebooths 22 may be a part of a larger building such as theclub house 14 as shown in FIG. I or may be individual booths. Further, the booths may be temporary buildings such as a booth constructed on a mobile home or truck chassis or the like. By illustrating the booths in FIG. 9 as a fragmentary perspective view, it is to be understood that a plurality of booths in any event will be aligned in a side by side relationship so as to extend over the entire length ofend 16 of thefairway 12 or over a portion thereof.

Booth 22 has a frame 50,upstanding walls 52, 54, 56 and 58, a roof (not shown) is supported by the walls of the booth so as to form an enclosure.Wall 56 has adoorway 59 therein to provide access to and from the booth. Asuitable floor 60 is laid over the frame 50 and extends between thewalls 52, 54, 56 and 58.

Wall 52 has anopening 62 therein.Opening 62 extends substantially betweenwalls 54 and 58 and between thefloor 60 and the roof. However, over theopening 62 on the exterior ofwall 52 is mounted anair curtain 64.Air curtain 64 extends over theentire opening 62 and beyond the peripheral boundaries of opening 62 on the opposite sides thereof a small distance. Similarly positioned on the interior ofwall 52 is ascoreboard 66. This scoreboard is illustrated in FIG. 11 and will be described hereinafter in more detail.

Adjacent to opening 62, anartificial tee 68 is positioned on thefloor 60.Tee 68 again extends substantially across theentire opening 62 and rearwardly thereof a distance suitable to allow both right-handed golfers and left-handed golfers to properly address a golf ball positioned on the tee at a variety of locations.Lamps 70 are positioned on each of thewalls 54 and 58 so as to illuminate thetee 68 at all times.

Rearwardly of the tee areaadjacent wall 58 are positioned a plurality oflockers 72 and astorage area 74 in which is located the electronics associated with thescoreboard 66, theyardage indicator 44 previously described and illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the target greens of the invention. A fragment of thecable 76 is shown by which the electronics enclosed in thestorage area 74 are connected to the target greens of the invention and theyardage indicator 44.

Adjacent wall 54 and directly opposite the lockers and thestorage areas 72 and 74 are a plurality ofvending machines 78. These vending machines are selected from conventional vending machines to vend beverages, foods, tobacco and the like such that persons using the driving range are provided with light snacks, lunches, and the like. Directly opposite thestorage area 74 is positioned asecond storage area 80 containing the environmental control equipment. Both air conditioning, heating facilities and water and electrical utilities are located instorage area 80. Adjacent therear wall 56 is provided aspectators bench 82 which extends from thestorage cabinet 74 to thedoor opening 59.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown thescoreboard 66 mentioned hereinabove. This scoreboard is connected to the target green of the invention by means of thecable 76. The target green of the invention will be described in detail hereinafter. The scoreboard allows golfers to compete and to play a novel golf game. In playing this game, each player drives golf balls toward the target green of the invention. A score is indicated on thescoreboard 66 for each ball driven. The total of each of a player's balls will be added.

Now referring to FIGS. 6, 7, 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D the target green 94 of the invention will now be described. As mentioned hereinabove relative to FIG. 1, one or more target greens of the invention are provided and positioned in one or more of thepositions 24 illustrated in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that while the target green now to be described incorporates the invention, conventional artificial greens can be used with the driving range structure, if desired.

The target green 94 of the invention has a plurality of target zones including abulls eye 96 and concentricannular target zones 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110. The target greens 94 may be positioned on a platform equipped with casters, 127 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8C or may be supported on a platform without casters as illustrated in FIG. 8A or the target green of FIGS. 8A and 83 may be used without any platform at all; in this latter construction the target green is in the form of a carpet which may be rolled up and stored when not in use. As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 7, each of the target zones are independent of each other and radially spaced apart.

As shown in FIG. 8A and in the enlarged view thereof in FIG. 83, each of the target zones may comprise a multi-layer construction having uppermost an allweather covering 112. In a specific embodiment. this weather covering may be ASTRO TURF" as manufactured and distributed by Monsanto Corp. Still referring to FIGS. 8A and 88, each of the target zones foredescribed comprises an uppermostmetallized rubber layer 114, an intermediatemetallized rubber layer 116, and a bottommostmetallized rubber layer 118. Metallized rubber layers 114 and 116 are separated and insulated from each other by insulatinglayer 120. Similarly, metallized rubber layers 116 and 118 are separated and insulated from each other by insulatinglayer 122. As shown in FIG. 8B, the uppermostmetallized rubber layer 114 and the bottommostmetallized rubber layer 118 are connected toground 125. The middlemetallized rubber layer 116 is connected by means ofcable 76 to the electronics housed instorage cabinet 74 of thebooths 22. The specific electronics are schematically illustrated in FIG. 13, and will be discussed hereinafter.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8A, each of the laminated target zones are supported on aframe 124. The laminates and theframe 124 are spaced apart by means of an insulating layer which in the specific embodiment illustrated takes the form of a plurality ofblocks 126 of STYROFOAM. Shown also in FIG. 8A iscable 76 aforementioned. As mentioned above,frame 124 can be provided with casters. Also, as mentioned above, each of the laminate target zones can be completely encapsulated in molded rubber and theframe 124 eliminated. in this form, the target green appears like a large circular and rubberized carpet which can be rolled up and stored when desired. This carpet also can be placed upon aframe 124, with or without casters.

Referring now to FIGS. 8C and 8D, a similar construction of target green 94 is illustrated. This form of target green is to be positioned on aframe 124, but theframe 124 can be with or withoutcasters 127 as desired. In this embodiment, the target green 94 is also covered with a weather covering 112 and the various target zones are also separated from theframe 124 by insulatingmaterial 126. Each of the target zones comprise, as is more clearly shown in FIG. 8D,metallic plates 130 supported in a spaced apart relationship with insulatingmembers 126 by means of supportingblocks 132. Affixed to each of theplates 130 is apressure transducer 134 which may take the form of a microphone, strain gauge or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the electronics connected with the target greens of the invention will now be described in detail. As shown, each of thetransducers 134 or in the alternative the middlemetallized rubber layer 116 of each target zone is connected to anamplifier 136. Each of the amplifiers are connected to asignal level detector 138, each level detector having an adjustable reference point, as indicated, such that thelevel detector 138 will pass only signals from the target zones of a predetermined magnitude. All other signals are blocked. The level detectors are in turn connected togates 140.Gates 140 are primarily electronic switches which are normally conductive.Gates 140 are connected toscoreboard drivers 142 which in turn are connected to the appropriate lighting devices of thescoreboard 66. Also, as shown, each of thescoreboard drivers 142 is connected to agate 144 and adelay circuit 146. Thedelay circuit 146 is connected to each of thegates 140. In a specific embodiment, each of thescoreboard drivers 142 may include a one shot multivibrator, or the like for a purpose to be explained below.

Now referring to FIG. 12 the electronics connected between thescreen portion 34, 36 and 38 and theyard indicator 44 will now be described in detail. In general, an alternatingcurrent power supply 150 is connected to ground 152 and to one side of a lamp in theyardage indicator 44. Themicroswitches 154 of eachscreen section 34, 36 and 38 are connected to a directcurrent power supply 156 by means of an appropriatelysized resistor 158 and an integrated circuit in the form of amonostable multivibrator 160 similar to that abovedescribed. Themultivibrator 160 is connected between the power supply and ground I62 and between thepower supply 156 andground 152 by an appropriately sized resistor 164 and acapacitor 166. Themultivibrator 160 in turn is connected to aswitch 168 which is connected toground 152. Aresistor 170 is connected between themultivibrator 160 andground 152, respec' tively.

In a specific embodiment thefairway 12 is 200 yards in length, the width of thefairway 12 atend 18 is about 200 yards, and the width of thefairway 12 atend 16 is about lOO yards. The slope of thefairway 12 both towardsend 18 and towards thealley 20 is about 10 feet in 100 feet. The dimensions of the driving booths are about 10 feet by 9 feet by 1 1 feet and are equipped with either forced air heating or radient heating and air conditioning. The air curtain mounted over theopening 62 can be of the type manufactured by the King Company of Owatonna, Minn. or Minivei] Company of New Castle, Pa. Such air curtains not only provide a means for controlling environmental factors within booths such as heat and humidity, but also prevent insects and the like from entering the tee area viaopenings 62. Thescreens 30 and 32 may be of epoxy mesh material such as that sold by E. I. duPont deNemours Company of Wilmington, Del.Screen 32 is approximately 12 feet in height andscreen 30 is approximately 35 feet in height. The threesections 34, 36 and 38 are respectively 8 feet, 8 feet, and 4 feet in height. The entire surface of the fair- 7 way is finely graded, compacted and overlaid with ASTRO TURF as sold by Monsanto Company.

The target greens 94, in a specific embodiment. are about 25 feet in diameter. Each of the annular target zones from 98 through I10 are substantially equal in thickness measured in a radial direction. In the construction illustrated in FIGS. 8C and 8D, themiddle plates 130 are of 1/16 inch aluminum sheet, the insulatingmaterial 126 is a 2 inch styrofoam sheet, and the supportingbars 132 are aluminum and measure /z-inch square in crosssection. In the construction shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the insulating areas measure 1/32 of an inch and the conductive layers measure 1/16 of an inch. and the entire green structure as shown in FIG. 8B measures one-fourth inch.

In a specific embodiment, a radio controlledcart 180 is provided to push the golf balls collecting in thealley 20 back toward the tee. This cart I80 may be a conventional four wheel or three wheel cart having a single speed and the capability of going both forward and backward. The cart is provided with a plow I82 made of silicone rubber backed with aluminum and fixed at its leading edge. Plow I82 is generally complimentary with the shape of thealley 20. Acompartment 184 is provided in which thecart 180 can be stored when not in use. Compartment I84 is located behind thescreen 30 and underground. The bottom, the sides and the top ofcompartment 184 can be of concrete as can be thealley 20.

In operation the target of the invention can be used as a target green as disclosed above. Alternatively, with obvious modifications, the target can be used as an archery target, a firearm target, or the like. In each case, an impact upon any of the target zones of the target will produce a signal. Said signal will either be produced by the resonance of theplates 130 having thetransducers 132 operably connected thereto or by the flexing of the layers I14 through I22. As this signal will be small, the signal is first amplified byamplifiers 136. The signal can then either be passed by the level detectors I38 or rejected. In the specific embodiment where the target is a target green, the level detectors are adjusted such that the impact of a golf ball initially on the green will be passed by the level detector but subsequent bounces of the golf ball on the green will generate signals of a magnitude that will not be passed by thelevel detector 138. If passed by thelevel detector 138, the signal is passed by thegate 140 so as to actuate the driver I42. The driver I42 remains actuated for a period of time determined by its internal circuitry. The signal fromdriver 142 is also applied viagate 144 to delay 146. The delay in turn applies, after a brief delay period. a signal togates 140 rendering them non-conductive. This prevents further signals from passing through the system until driver I42 automatically turns off. After this preadjusted period of time has passed, thedriver 142 turns off and the gate I40 becomes conductive such that thegate 140 will pass a subsequent signal. Thescoreboard 66 to which thedrivers 142 are connected, has a digital readout display. The display may, in a specific embodi ment remain lighted until the scoreboard drivers change the display.

As mentioned above, the target structure is also use ful as an archery target, a firearm target or the like. In such applications, the inhibitory circuitry may be eliminated in thelevel detector 138. Otherwise the structure will remain the same.

In operation, the target green of the invention and the remaining structure disclosed above is fully operable as an all-weather driving range. Thebooths 22 are equipped with lockers where golfers may store their personal belongings. Golfers may practice their golf shots or compete in the manner above-described both in winter and summer inasmuch as each of the booths are heated and air conditioned. Additionally, theair curtain 64 allows theopening 62 to remain open when the booth is in operation and to maintain the environment in thebooth 22 in a heated or air conditioned state. Both right-handed and left'handed golfers may drive balls from thetee 68 through theopening 62 and onto thefairway 12. Balls which land anywhere on the 15fairway surface 12 will roll toward the alley and be collected therein. Balls collected in thealley 20 will roll towardend 18. Once enough balls are collected in thealley 20, in the specific embodiment including thecart 180,cart 180 can be actuated to remove the balls from 20adjacent end 18 toadjacent end 16 where they can be collected and distributed once again to thebooths 22.

The slope of thefairway 12 also allows rain and other moisture to collect in thealley 20 and to be discharged through thedrain 46. When snow and ice collect on the fairway I2, the same can be removed by merely spreading salt on the fairway or spreading the same with salt water.

The screens and 32 will prevent most balls driven from thevarious tees 68 to stay within the confines of the fairway l2. Calculations indicate that a drive must be well over 300 yards to clear ascreen 20 feet high atend 18. As above-mentioned,screen 30 is 35 feet high. Thus, it would appear that balls could clearscreen 32 at lesser distances when the ball is sliced or hooked, otherwise the ball would remain within the confines 0f thescreens 30 and 32. When a ball strikes any of thescreen sections 34, 36 and 38 theyardage indicator 44 will indicate, in the specific embodiment illustrated, either 300 yards, 250 yards, or 200 yards. This is accomplished by connecting the microswitches of the screen sections to theyard indicator 44 by the electronics illustrated in FIG. 12. When the ball impacts any one of the screen sections, the microswitches supporting that screen will be closed. The closing of the switch will trigger theintegrated circuit 160 which will produce a pulse. The duration of this pulse will be adjusted for the desired display time. The pulse will actuate the silicone controlledrectifier 168 to turn on theyardage indicator 44. After the pulse has lapsed,switch 168 will turn off the yardage indicator and theswitch 168 will be reset for subsequent operation.

The game apparatus of the invention provides an entirely new concept in combination target-Scoreboards and driving range structures meeting all of the objects of the invention. By the use of the invention, increased competition and thereby increased interest will be gained in all activities which heretofore have used targets. Additionally by the driving range structure of the 6 invention, golfers may practice their golf shots and compete year round and in all weather, winter or summer.

While there have been described above the principles of this invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A game apparatus comprising a green-like target having a plurality of target zones, a plurality of impact responsive signal generators, each of said target zones having at least one said signal generators operatively connected to said zone, whereby an object impacting on each of said target zones will create a signal, a signal selector circuit including level detector, gate and delay circuits operatively connected to said signal generators, a plurality of scoreboard drivers operatively connected to said selector circuit and each of said target zones, each of said target zones having one of said level detector circuits connected to each of said signal generators, each of said target zones having one of said gates connected to each of said level detector circuits at least one of said drivers being connected to said gates of each of said target zones, said delay circuit connected to each of said gates and drivers, a golf tee and a scoreboard, said scoreboard having a plurality of means for visually registering impacts on said target zones, said registering means being connected to said drivers, said scoreboard being positioned adjacent to said tee, said scoreboard being viewable by both left-handed and right-handed golfers addressing a ball on said tee, said registering means of said scoreboard being arranged in groups, one of said groups being connected to at least one of said target zones.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said tee and scoreboard structures are mounted within a booth, said booth having a floor and ceiling, said booth having a wall connecting said floor and ceiling, said wall having an opening therein, said tee being positioned on said floor adjacent said opening, said target being spaced from said booth, a line between said tee and the center of said target passing through said opening, the distance between said line and the peripheral boundaries of said opening being sufficient to allow a golf ball to be driven from said tee within said booth toward said target.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein said scoreboard is mounted over said opening and facing said tee, a plurality of the group consisting of lockers, vending machines and seating facilities positioned adjacent said wall within said booth.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein said booth opening is provided with means for blowing air across said opening to maintain a controlled environment in said booth and to generally prevent ingress and egress of insects.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein a plurality of said booths are located side by side, each of said booth openings being generally in a common plane, a fairway extending from said booth openings to a position beyond said target, said fairway adjacent said openings having a dimension measured transversely thereof at least as long as the cumulative dimension of said openings in the direction of said common plane.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 5 further including a target fence extending transversely of the fairway adjacent said distal end thereof in a generally perpendicular plane, said target fence including a plurality of target sections, said target sections being serially disposed in vertical relationship.

7. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein each of said target sections corresponds to a different driven yardage of a ball, and further including a plurality of electrical sensing means individually coupled to different ones of said target sections for generating electrical signals in response to an object impacting thereon, and scoreboard means for visibly registering the impact of said objects on different ones of said sections.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein said fairway slopes downwardly from said booths to said target fence and is concavely sloped towards its longitudinal center line, said fairway further including a ball receiving trough extending longitudinally of said fairway adjacent the center line thereof, whereby balls landing in said fairway are caused to roll into said trough and toward the distal end of said fairway, and further including means for collecting the balls in said trough and returning the same to said booths.

9. A game apparatus of the driving range type com prising an elongated fairway, one end of said fairway being narrower than the other of said ends, said fairway sloping downwardly from said one to said other end thereof, said fairway having a longitudinal axis and being sloped downwardly from the lateral edges thereof toward said axis, a recess extending longitudinally of said fairway and downwardly therefrom, said recess being sloped downwardly from said one end to said other end of said fairway and at least one target having a plurality of target zones, said target being movably positioned on said fairway and including means for generating an electrical signal in response to an object initially but not subsequently striking individual ones of said target zones.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of said target zones comprises a flexible laminate having three vertically spaced-apart layers of flexible, electrically conductive material, there being a layer of flexible, electrically insulating material disposed between each of said electrically conductive layers, at least one of said layers being grounded, said electrical signal generating means including another of said layers.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of said target zones comprises a rigid resonant plate, said signal generating means comprising at least one resonant detector rigidly secured to each of said plates.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 further including at least one booth disposed adjacent said narrow end of said fairway, said booth having walls, a floor, and a ceiling, one of said walls having an opening therein facing said fairway, a tee positioned on said floor adjacent said opening, the dimensions of said booth and said opening being sufficient to allow a golf ball to be driven from within said booth through said opening.

13. The apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein said booth further includes a scoreboard mounted over said opening and facing said tee, said scoreboard including means operatively coupled to said signal generating means to indicate the impact of an object on individual ones of said target zones.

14. The apparatus ofclaim 13 further including a target fence extending transversely of said fairway adjacent said wider end thereof and in a generally perpendicular plane, said target fence including a plurality of target sections, said target sections being serially disposed in vertical relationship, each of said target sections corresponding to different driven yardage of an object, and further including a plurality of electrical impact sensing means individually coupled to different ones of said target sections for generating electrical signals in response to an object impacting thereon, and means for visibly registering the impact of said object on different ones of said sections.

sensing means coupled to said target zones for generating electrical signals in response to the impact of an object on individual ones thereof, bounce-signal gate means connected to said signal generating means, and scoreboard means connected to said gate means and mounted within said booth in a position viewable from said tee for indicating the initial impact of an object on individual ones of said target zones, but not subsequent impacts.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFCORRECTION 3 897 947 Dated August 5 1975 Patent No- Russell H. Heffley, J}.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent d that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 9line 5 after "one" insert --o f--.

Signed and Scaled this Fifth Day of October 1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON Arresting ()jficer C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner oj'lalents and Trademarks

Claims (15)

1. A game apparatus comprising a green-like target having a plurality of target zones, a plurality of impact responsive signal generators, each of said target zones having at least one said signal generators operatively connected to said zone, whereby an object impacting on each of said target zones will create a signal, a signal selector circuit including level detector, gate and delay circuits operatively connected to said signal generators, a plurality of scoreboard drivers operatively connected to said selector circuit and each of said target zones, each of said target zones having one of said level detector circuits connected to each of said signal generators, each of said target zones having one of said gates connected to each of said level detector circuits at least one of said drivers being connected to said gates of each of said target zones, said delay circuit connected to each of said gates and drivers, a golf tee and a scoreboard, said scoreboard having a plurality of means for visually registering impacts on said target zones, said registering means being connected to said drivers, said scoreboard being positioned adjacent to said tee, said scoreboard being viewable by both left-handed and right-handed golfers addressing a ball on said tee, said registering means of said scoreboard being arranged in groups, one of said groups being connected to at least one of said target zones.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tee and scoreboard structures are mounted within a booth, said booth having a floor and ceiling, said booth having a wall connecting said floor and ceiling, said wall having an opening therein, said tee being positioned on said floor adjacent said opening, said target being spaced from said booth, a line between said tee and the center of said target passing through said opening, the distance between said line and the peripheral boundaries of said opening being sufficient to allow a golf ball to be driven from said tee within said booth toward said target.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said scoreboard is mounted over said opening and facing said tee, a plurality of the group consisting of lockers, vending machines and seating facilities positioned adjacent said wall within said booth.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said booth opening is provided with means for blowing air across said opening to maintain a controlled environment in said booth and to generally prevent ingress and egress of insects.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said booths are located side by side, each of said booth openings being generally in a common plane, a fairway extending from said booth openings to a position beyond said target, said fairway adjacent said openings having a dimension measured transversely thereof at least as long as the cumulative dimension of said openings in the direction of said common plane.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a target fence extending transversely of the fairway adjacent said distal end thereof in a generally perpendicular plane, Said target fence including a plurality of target sections, said target sections being serially disposed in vertical relationship.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said target sections corresponds to a different driven yardage of a ball, and further including a plurality of electrical sensing means individually coupled to different ones of said target sections for generating electrical signals in response to an object impacting thereon, and scoreboard means for visibly registering the impact of said objects on different ones of said sections.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said fairway slopes downwardly from said booths to said target fence and is concavely sloped towards its longitudinal center line, said fairway further including a ball receiving trough extending longitudinally of said fairway adjacent the center line thereof, whereby balls landing in said fairway are caused to roll into said trough and toward the distal end of said fairway, and further including means for collecting the balls in said trough and returning the same to said booths.

9. A game apparatus of the driving range type comprising an elongated fairway, one end of said fairway being narrower than the other of said ends, said fairway sloping downwardly from said one to said other end thereof, said fairway having a longitudinal axis and being sloped downwardly from the lateral edges thereof toward said axis, a recess extending longitudinally of said fairway and downwardly therefrom, said recess being sloped downwardly from said one end to said other end of said fairway and at least one target having a plurality of target zones, said target being movably positioned on said fairway and including means for generating an electrical signal in response to an object initially but not subsequently striking individual ones of said target zones.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of said target zones comprises a flexible laminate having three vertically spaced-apart layers of flexible, electrically conductive material, there being a layer of flexible, electrically insulating material disposed between each of said electrically conductive layers, at least one of said layers being grounded, said electrical signal generating means including another of said layers.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of said target zones comprises a rigid resonant plate, said signal generating means comprising at least one resonant detector rigidly secured to each of said plates.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 further including at least one booth disposed adjacent said narrow end of said fairway, said booth having walls, a floor, and a ceiling, one of said walls having an opening therein facing said fairway, a tee positioned on said floor adjacent said opening, the dimensions of said booth and said opening being sufficient to allow a golf ball to be driven from within said booth through said opening.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said booth further includes a scoreboard mounted over said opening and facing said tee, said scoreboard including means operatively coupled to said signal generating means to indicate the impact of an object on individual ones of said target zones.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further including a target fence extending transversely of said fairway adjacent said wider end thereof and in a generally perpendicular plane, said target fence including a plurality of target sections, said target sections being serially disposed in vertical relationship, each of said target sections corresponding to different driven yardage of an object, and further including a plurality of electrical impact sensing means individually coupled to different ones of said target sections for generating electrical signals in response to an object impacting thereon, and means for visibly registering the impact of said object on different ones of said sections.

15. A game apparatus of the type which includes an outdoor target comprising a booth having a floor, ceiling, anD walls, one of said walls having an opening therein, there being a golf tee mounted within said booth adjacent said opening, the dimensions of said booth and said opening being sufficient to allow a golf ball to be driven from said tee and within said booth, a fairway extending outwardly of said opening, at least one target movably positioned on said fairway, said target including a plurality of target zones, and electronic sensing means coupled to said target zones for generating electrical signals in response to the impact of an object on individual ones thereof, bounce-signal gate means connected to said signal generating means, and scoreboard means connected to said gate means and mounted within said booth in a position viewable from said tee for indicating the initial impact of an object on individual ones of said target zones, but not subsequent impacts.

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