WO1997012649A1

WO1997012649A1 - Vertical golf game

Info

Publication number: WO1997012649A1
Application number: PCT/FR1995/001299
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alain Tetart
Original assignee: Alain Tetart
Priority date: 1995-10-05
Filing date: 1995-10-05
Publication date: 1997-04-10

Abstract

An assembly for playing a sports game in which the accessories (balls, clubs) used by a player are the same as in golf and the postures required are the same as in a real golf game, as regards the positions of the feet, the body and the shoulders, the choice of club and the grip. The assembly thus forms a serious golf practice device when its use is monitored by an instructor. Said assembly mainly consists of a front panel (1) with a suitable pattern of suitably sized apertures (2). For safety reasons, the front panel and the side (3) and top (3bis) walls are made of a ball impact-resistant net. The front panel and the walls are supported by a suitable rigid framework (6). The player (4) assumes a variety of positions on the playing area (5) covered with artificial grass. The above assembly has the additional advantage of being easy to dismantle and transport and suitable for use outdoors or indoors.

Description

Title: Vertical golf game,

Description:

The invention relates to a device presented in the form of a sports game which uses the same material as real golf (balls and clubs), and in which the holes of the course are replaced by holes drilled on a vertical surface, this game, of modest dimensions, can also be used as an educational golf tool, with the assistance of a teacher.

The device which is the subject of the invention makes it possible to play all shots of real golf, such as "puttings", "swings" (or "long drives") and all intermediate shots. It also allows the player's level to be assessed in figures. It can be achieved with inexpensive means, easy to install and transport. Other devices have been previously proposed in order to assist in the training of golf players, but they are not used as games. For example, in class A63 B 69/36:

- International patent n ° WO 89/04700, filed on 17/11/87

But this device does not allow the player to assess the accuracy and effectiveness of his shots.

- European patent n ° 336 839, filed on 07/04/88

However, this device requires the use of very complex computer technology and its production is very expensive.

- International patent n ° WO 92/07632 filed on 03/11/90 But this device does not allow the evaluation of different types of shots.

- European patent n ° 0491 102 A1 filed on 19/12/90

But this device is a golf training tool and not a game.

The present invention has been designed to make a simple way of playing sports equipment allowing, in addition, to train the player in the classic game of golf.

The essential element of the device is represented in fig. 2:

It consists of a pediment with a height of several meters, for example 5 meters and a width which can be for example 3 meters.

It is preferably made up of a net capable of withstanding the impacts of golf balls and capable of retaining them inside the game. This net is fixed on a solid, metallic or other frame. The construction and the shrouding of this frame are carried out according to known techniques and such that the assembly is removable and transportable without difficulty.

In the pediment net (1), orifices of variable dimensions and shapes are provided in order to adapt the difficulty of the game to the degree of practice of the players.

Each hole is positioned at a height such that, depending on the "iron" (or

"wood") used by the player, his shot corresponds to a well-determined distance that the ball would have traveled in an identical shot on a real golf course. The orifices, marked (2a), (2b), (2c) etc. in FIG. 2 are aligned along three axes X1, X2, X3, so as to cause the player to orient his shots correctly, by placing his feet as it should.

The edges of each orifice are reinforced with damping beads (7), colored differently according to their height and their axis.

As drawn in FIG. 3, each orifice of the pediment is extended towards the rear by a flexible or rigid chute (8a), (8b), (8c) etc. which collects the balls which have entered this orifice.

Each hole is assigned a number which represents the number of points acquired by the player who sends his ball into this hole.

These figures are all the higher as the orifice is difficult to reach, in particular in height.

At the end of the game, the player comes to count his results and collect his balls. The total points earned are comparable to the scores achieved by a golfer along an actual golf course.

According to another arrangement, the counting system can be automated and computerized, for example, the orifices can be replaced by plates which record the impacts of bullets. Likewise, returning the balls to the player's shooting location can be mechanized, as in bowling games. A game installation can include from one to several pediments.

In front of each pediment, a playing area (5) is reserved for players who can place themselves at varying distances from the pediment.

The playing area is limited by side and upper nets, for obvious safety reasons, or by any other material combining safety and visibility. The playing area has the same width as the pediment. Its length is equal to at least twice the height of the pediment.

The player (4) places himself at a distance from the pediment which is a function of the angle of fire he seeks and the iron he uses.

The ground of this play area will preferably be covered with synthetic grass in order to compensate for premature wear and to get as close as possible to the natural grass of the "greens".

This game, produced according to the invention, can be implemented outside or in a covered space, closed or not, in all seasons. It can be practiced in natural daylight or under artificial lighting. It can be the subject of local or national or international contests, according to regulations to be established in agreement with the Golf Federations.

This game obviously constitutes a very effective means of golf training, both for beginners and for experienced players.

It is clearly specified that the invention is not limited to the description above but embraces all the variant embodiments within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1 - Device constituting a sports game using the same material as golf (balls and different models of clubs). It is intended to be used either in a playful perspective - with evaluation of the score achieved by each player - or as a training device for the game of golf, to allow the sportsman to seek to improve the precision of a particular stroke. In both cases, the device can be mounted in a covered room (however quite large) or outside, on grassy ground or sandy beach.

2 - The device according to claim 1 is essentially composed of vertical pediments (1) pierced with orifices (2) of variable shapes and dimensions, so that each pediment corresponds to a different level of performance. These pediments are designed to be pivotable around a lateral vertical axis, so that each player can easily activate the one that corresponds to his choice.

3 - The device according to claim 2 is large. The dimensions of the pediments are approximately: height = 5 meters, width = 3 meters, these values being considered as orders of magnitude, not imperative. Thus the shots of the players are carried out with the same force as for the game of golf on traditional course.

4. The device according to claim 3 is characterized in that the orifices made in the pediments are arranged along three vertical axes X1, X2, X3, so that the player adopts the same playing attitudes as a golfer (in particular position of the feet relative to ball and pediment).

5. The device according to claim 4 is characterized in that the orifices are positioned at a height above the ground corresponding to the shooting angles usually used by golfers depending on the length of the shot they want to make and the "iron" that 'they use for this shot.

6. The device according to claim 5 is characterized in that it is made of simple and inexpensive materials: protective nets (3) and (3a), metal supports (or other materials), synthetic grass (5), the whole being designed to be easy to transport and assemble.

7. The device according to claim 6 is characterized in that each orifice of the pediments is assigned a tracking number and which can represent the number of points acquired by the player who sends his ball into this orifice. These figures are all the higher as the orifice is difficult to reach, in particular in height. The total of points acquired is comparable to the score achieved by a golfer after a golf course

8. The device according to claim 7 is characterized in that, on the rear face of the pediments, each orifice is extended by a chute, flexible or rigid (θ) collecting the balls having crossed the orifice, thus allowing the counting of the results of each player , at the end of his shots. This simple system can be replaced by a more sophisticated counting system, produced using known impact recording techniques.

9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to β is characterized in that it is equipped with flexible and transparent protective panels, for example nets, themselves subject to the general structure by flexible systems, for example elastic fasteners. These panels are placed on the sides and in the upper part of each playing area, between the shooting range and the pediment: they protect spectators from balls fired outside the pediments while allowing players to be observed. MODIFIED RrZVENDICATIONS

[received by the International Bureau on July 15, 1996 (July 15, 1996); claims 1-3,6 and 7 amended; other claims unchanged (1 page)]

1 - Device constituting a sports game using the same equipment as golf (balls and different models of clubs) It is intended to be used either for fun purposes - with evaluation of the score achieved by each player - or as a training device to the game of golf, to allow the sportsman to seek to improve the precision of such and such a stroke s This device is characterized by the existence of one or more vertical pediments (1) perforations of πfices (2) whose size and the layout on each pediment are designed to meet different levels of performance

2 - The device according to claim 1 is characterized in that the pediments are designed to be able to pivot about a lateral vertical axis, so that each player can easily 0 put in place the one which corresponds to his level of personal qualification

3 - The device according to claim 2 is characterized in that it is of large dimension, so that the players can strike their ball with the same force as for the game of golf on traditional course Thus the dimensions of each pediment are approximately height = 5 meters, width = 3 meters, these values being considered as orders of magnitude, 5 not imperative

4 The device according to claim 3 is characterized in that the oπfices practiced in the pediments are arranged along three vertical axes X1, X2, X3, so that the player adopts the same playing attitudes as a golfer (in particular position of the feet by with respect to the ball and the pediment) 0 5 The device according to claim 4 is characterized in that the holes are positioned at a height above the ground corresponding to the shooting angles usually used by golfers as a function of the length of the shot that they want to perform and the "iron" they use

6 The device according to claim 5 is characterized in that it is made of simple and inexpensive matéπaux 5 - protective nets (3) and (3a), metal supports (or other matéπaux), synthetic grass (5) - but also very resistant to intensive use. The design of the assembly of the various constituent elements makes this device able to be easily moved from one site to another

7 The device according to claim 6 is characterized in that each oπfice of pediments 0 is assigned a tracking number This figure can represent the number of points acquired by the player who sent his ball in this oπfice This number of points is d higher as the profit is difficult to reach, in particular in height The total of points acquired is comparable to the score achieved by a golfer after a golf course

8 The device according to claim 7 is characterized in that, on the bitter side of the 5 pediments, each oπfice is extended by a chute, flexible or πgide (8) collecting the balls having passed through the orifice, thus allowing the counting of the results of each player, at the end of his shots This simple system can be replaced by a more sophisticated counting system, realizes according to known techniques of impact recording

9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is characterized in that it is equipped with flexible and transparent protective panels, for example nets, themselves subject to the general structure by flexible systems, for example elastic fasteners These panels are arranged on the ribs and in the upper part of each playing area, between the shooting range and the pediment they protect spectators from balls fired outside the pediments while allowing players to be observed