US3595581A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Golf green
Assignee: Brunswick Corp
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Filing: 1966-10-05
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1986-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A contourable green for use in a golf game including a platform of sufficient rigidity to support one or more golfers and yet of sufficient flexibility to be distorted to a plurality of nonplanar forms. The platform includes an upper putting surface with a golf cup therein supported by two elongated flexible beams with a plurality of flexibly connected rigid crossbeams supported thereon. The beams comprise at least two abutting flexible plates adjacent a flexible walled partially restrained tube, whereby fluid pressure may be applied to the tube for rigidification of the beams. Apron members provide a pivotal connection between the platform supporting means and the floor. Included are at least two jacks secured to the underside of the platform at spaced locations for changing the contour thereof and stabilizers to prevent swaying movement of the platform. A selectively operable control for the jacks includes a cam surface with associated sensors whereby the jacks may be operated to distort the platform thereby providing a rolling, contoured putting surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert I Anderson
- 👤 Paul R Hoffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:41
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B67/00; A63B67/02; A63B2067/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A contourable green for use in a golf game comprising: a flexible putting surface including a cup therein for reception of a golf ball; means providing a support for said surface that is sufficiently rigid to support at least one golfer and sufficiently flexible so as to be distorted whereby the contour of said putting surface may be changed; a plurality of means spaced from one another and connected to said support means for moving said support means, each of said plurality of moving means being individually operable independently of the other of said moving means whereby different ones of said moving means may be operated to cause differing movement of differing points of said support means to cause distortion of the latter; and control means for said plurality of moving means comprising programming means for simultaneously providing information relative to a predetermined operation for each of said plurality of moving means, and means responsive to said programming means for individually operating each of said plurality of moving means in accordance with the information provided by said programming means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A contourable green for use in a golf game comprising: a flexible putting surface including a cup therein for reception of a golf ball; means providing a support for said surface that is sufficiently rigid to support at least one golfer and sufficiently flexible so as to be distorted whereby the contour of said putting surface may be changed; a plurality of means spaced from one another and connected to said support means for moving said support means, each of said plurality of moving means being individually operable independently of the other of said moving means whereby different ones of said moving means may be operated to cause differing movement of differing points of said support means to cause distortion of the latter; and control means for said plurality of moving means comprising programming means for simultaneously providing information relative to a predetermined operation for each of said plurality of moving means, and means responsive to said programming means for individually operating each of said plurality of moving means in accordance with the information provided by said programming means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said support means comprise at least two elongated flexible beams and a plurality of rigid crossmembers supported by said beams and movable therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said crossmembers are formed of a material such as wood.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of moving means comprises a jack having a member reciprocal in two directions connected to said support means and means for moving said member in said two directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said programming means comprises means for providing information relative to a predetermined amount of movement of said support means by each of said moving means and feedback means associated with each of said moving means for providing information relative to the amount of actual movement of said support means caused thereby, means for comparing said information relative to a predetermined amount of movement and said information relative to the amount of actual movement and means responsive to said comparing means for causing operation of each of saId moving means when there is a difference between the information relative to a predetermined amount of movement and the information relative to the amount of actual movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said programming means includes a cam having an undulating cam surface for producing contours corresponding to those on a green.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
171 words
A contourable green comprising: at least two beams spaced from each other, comprising at least two elongated flexible plates mounted in abutment with each other for selective slidable movement relative to each other along their longitudinal axes; means for frictionally locking said plates against each other to rigidify the flexible beam formed thereby; means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support a golfer and being somewhat flexible such that its shape may be distorted to provide a desired contour, said platform being supported on said beams to be movable therewith; means on said platform providing a putting surface, a cup associated with said putting surface for receiving a golf ball propelled thereacross; at least one mechanism associated with each of said beams for moving the respective beam to cause movement of said platform, each said mechanism being operable independently of the other whereby said beams may be moved different amounts to cause distortion of said platform whereby said putting surface may be contoured; and control means for operating said mechanisms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
A contourable green comprising: at least two beams spaced from each other, comprising at least two elongated flexible plates mounted in abutment with each other for selective slidable movement relative to each other along their longitudinal axes; means for frictionally locking said plates against each other to rigidify the flexible beam formed thereby; means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support a golfer and being somewhat flexible such that its shape may be distorted to provide a desired contour, said platform being supported on said beams to be movable therewith; means on said platform providing a putting surface, a cup associated with said putting surface for receiving a golf ball propelled thereacross; at least one mechanism associated with each of said beams for moving the respective beam to cause movement of said platform, each said mechanism being operable independently of the other whereby said beams may be moved different amounts to cause distortion of said platform whereby said putting surface may be contoured; and control means for operating said mechanisms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
151 words
A contourable green comprising: at least two beams spaced from each other; means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support a golfer and being somewhat flexible such that its shape may be distorted to provide a desired contour, said platform providing means comprising a plurality of closely spaced rigid members spanning said beams and flexibly connected to each other, said platform being supported on said beams to be movable therewith; means on said platform providing a putting surface, a cup associated with said putting surface for receiving a golf ball propelled thereacross; at least one mechanism associated with each of said beams for moving the respective beam to cause movement of said platform, each said mechanism being operable independently of the other whereby said beams may be moved different amounts to cause distortion of said platform whereby said putting surface may be contoured; and control means for operating said mechanisms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
151 words
A contourable green comprising: at least two beams spaced from each other; means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support a golfer and being somewhat flexible such that its shape may be distorted to provide a desired contour, said platform providing means comprising a plurality of closely spaced rigid members spanning said beams and flexibly connected to each other, said platform being supported on said beams to be movable therewith; means on said platform providing a putting surface, a cup associated with said putting surface for receiving a golf ball propelled thereacross; at least one mechanism associated with each of said beams for moving the respective beam to cause movement of said platform, each said mechanism being operable independently of the other whereby said beams may be moved different amounts to cause distortion of said platform whereby said putting surface may be contoured; and control means for operating said mechanisms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
A contourable surface comprising: means providing a relatively rigid surface that is adapted to be distorted by moving differing parts thereof unequal distances; at least one beam supporting said surface, said beam comprising at least two abutting flexible plates adjacent a flexible walled tube and restraining means at least partially surrounding said plates and said tube; and means for applying fluid pressure within said tube to cause rigidification of said beam to thereby maintain said surface in a desired configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
A contourable surface comprising: means providing a relatively rigid surface that is adapted to be distorted by moving differing parts thereof unequal distances; at least one beam supporting said surface, said beam comprising at least two abutting flexible plates adjacent a flexible walled tube and restraining means at least partially surrounding said plates and said tube; and means for applying fluid pressure within said tube to cause rigidification of said beam to thereby maintain said surface in a desired configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention of claim 9 further including means for moving differing parts of said surface unequal amounts, means responsive to initiation of operation of said moving means for releasing fluid pressure within said tube; and means responsive to the cessation of operation of said moving means for causing said fluid pressure applying means to apply fluid pressure within said tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support at least one golfer and of sufficient flexibility such that it may be distorted to simulate undulations in a green; means providing a putting surface on said platform providing means; a plurality of means for moving said platform-providing means differing amounts to distort the latter; and stabilizing means for said platform including first means secured to said platform for movement therewith and second means for engaging said first means for permitting up and down movement thereof while effectively precluding side-to-side movement thereof thereby preventing swaying moVement of said platform providing means when it is supporting a golfer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
114 words
A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support at least one golfer and of sufficient flexibility such that it may be distorted to simulate undulations in a green; means providing a putting surface on said platform providing means; a plurality of means for moving said platform-providing means differing amounts to distort the latter; and stabilizing means for said platform including first means secured to said platform for movement therewith and second means for engaging said first means for permitting up and down movement thereof while effectively precluding side-to-side movement thereof thereby preventing swaying moVement of said platform providing means when it is supporting a golfer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
90 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said platform providing means is supported by at least one beam, said first means comprising a rigid rod connected to said beam and said second means comprising a rigid tube pivotally connected to a stationary member, said rod being telescopingly and slidably received in said tube so that when said platform is distorted, said rod may slide within said tube to permit up and down movement of said platform and yet will form an unbendable structure to effectively preclude side-to-side movement of said platform.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
126 words
A contourable green for use in a golf game and capable of supporting a plurality of golfers comprising: a base-supporting surface, at least two spaced elongated beams mounted for generally independent up and down movement, means mounting said beams in an elevated position relative to said base supporting surface, at least one moving means associated with each of said beams for moving the associated beam, a distortable platform comprising a plurality of rigid crossmembers generally transverse to and supported by said beams, a plurality of stringers running generally parallel to said beams and flexibly interconnecting said crossmembers to permit relative movement between said crossmembers, and a sheet of material having an upper putting surface supported by said crossmembers, and ball-receiving means associated with said putting surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
126 words
A contourable green for use in a golf game and capable of supporting a plurality of golfers comprising: a base-supporting surface, at least two spaced elongated beams mounted for generally independent up and down movement, means mounting said beams in an elevated position relative to said base supporting surface, at least one moving means associated with each of said beams for moving the associated beam, a distortable platform comprising a plurality of rigid crossmembers generally transverse to and supported by said beams, a plurality of stringers running generally parallel to said beams and flexibly interconnecting said crossmembers to permit relative movement between said crossmembers, and a sheet of material having an upper putting surface supported by said crossmembers, and ball-receiving means associated with said putting surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The contourable green of claim 13 wherein said rigid crossmembers are closely spaced, said stringers comprise aligning rods received in apertures in said crossmembers, and said sheet comprises a carpetlike mat.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
119 words
A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support one or more golfers and of sufficient flexibility to be distorted to a plurality of nonplanar forms; means providing a floor spaced from at least a part of said platform providing means; apron means flexibly interconnecting said platform providing means and said floor providing means to provide a substantially continuous surface therebetween; a putting surface on said platform providing means and including means for receiving a ball; at least two powered jack means secured to the underside of said platform providing means at spaced locations; and control means for said powered jack means whereby said platform providing means may be selectively distorted.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
119 words
A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support one or more golfers and of sufficient flexibility to be distorted to a plurality of nonplanar forms; means providing a floor spaced from at least a part of said platform providing means; apron means flexibly interconnecting said platform providing means and said floor providing means to provide a substantially continuous surface therebetween; a putting surface on said platform providing means and including means for receiving a ball; at least two powered jack means secured to the underside of said platform providing means at spaced locations; and control means for said powered jack means whereby said platform providing means may be selectively distorted.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The green of claim 15 wherein said apron-providing means comprises a plurality of closely spaced rigid members having pivotal connections to said platform providing means and to said floor-providing means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The green of claim 16 wherein some of said pivotal connections are additionally slidable connections.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
150 words
A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support one or more golfers and of sufficient flexibility to be distorted to a plurality of nonplanar forms; a putting surface on said platform providing means and including means for receiving a ball; at least two powered jack means secured to the underside of said platform providing means at spaced locations; control means for said powered jack means whereby said platform providing means may be selectively distorted, said powered jack means being bidirectional to raise or lower said platform providing means; and said control means including means for selecting a desired contour of said surface, means for providing information relative to the selected contour and a means for receiving said information and for automatically, in response thereto, actuating said powered jack means in the proper direction to distort said surface to said selected contour.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
150 words
A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support one or more golfers and of sufficient flexibility to be distorted to a plurality of nonplanar forms; a putting surface on said platform providing means and including means for receiving a ball; at least two powered jack means secured to the underside of said platform providing means at spaced locations; control means for said powered jack means whereby said platform providing means may be selectively distorted, said powered jack means being bidirectional to raise or lower said platform providing means; and said control means including means for selecting a desired contour of said surface, means for providing information relative to the selected contour and a means for receiving said information and for automatically, in response thereto, actuating said powered jack means in the proper direction to distort said surface to said selected contour.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
116 words
A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support one or more golfers and of sufficient flexibility to be distorted to a plurality of nonplanar forms; a putting surface on said platform providing means anD including means for receiving a ball; at least two powered jack means secured to the underside of said platform providing means at spaced locations; control means for said powered jack means whereby said platform providing means may be selectively distorted, said control means including a cam having a cam surface configured proportionally to a desired contour of said green; and sensing means associated with said cam surface for operating said powered jack means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
116 words
A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support one or more golfers and of sufficient flexibility to be distorted to a plurality of nonplanar forms; a putting surface on said platform providing means anD including means for receiving a ball; at least two powered jack means secured to the underside of said platform providing means at spaced locations; control means for said powered jack means whereby said platform providing means may be selectively distorted, said control means including a cam having a cam surface configured proportionally to a desired contour of said green; and sensing means associated with said cam surface for operating said powered jack means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |