Patent US3720413A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3720413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Game target
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-29
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1991-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A forwardly inclined target board is rotationally mounted on each of five horizontally extending pivot shafts which are vertically spaced from each other: Each lower board extends upward to a position forward of the lower portion of the board immediately thereabove. An upright member positioned rearwardly of the target boards is mounted so as to be pivoted rearwardly about a pivot axis at its lower end in response to rearward movement of any of the target boards about its associated pivot shaft. The rearward movement of the upright member actuates a hydraulic system which provides the golfer at the tee area with an indication of the probable distance the ball would have been driven had it not hit one of the target boards. If a driven ball hits a narrow central zone of any target board with a force that would have enabled the ball to reach the cup in a putting green, suitable electrical components are provided to indicate that a hole-in-one has been scored. Additional boards and electrical components may be provided on opposite sides of the above mentioned five boards to indicate that a ball has been driven into a bunker or the rough. Golf balls are deflected downward from the target boards into a trough for being returned to the tee area.
Inventors
- 👤 A Ready
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:05
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
In apparatus for use in tests of skill, comprising a plurality of independent upstanding target boards, and means for independently mounting said target boards at successively different vertical levels, the improvement comprising common indication generating means for all said boards, and means for individually coupling said boards to said generating means whereby said generating means give an indication when any said board is struck by a projectile, each said coupling means being dependent on the height of the associated board whereby said indication varies according to which of said boards is struck by said projectile.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
In apparatus for use in tests of skill, comprising a plurality of independent upstanding target boards, and means for independently mounting said target boards at successively different vertical levels, the improvement comprising common indication generating means for all said boards, and means for individually coupling said boards to said generating means whereby said generating means give an indication when any said board is struck by a projectile, each said coupling means being dependent on the height of the associated board whereby said indication varies according to which of said boards is struck by said projectile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
In apparatus for use in tests of skill, comprising a plurality of independent upstanding target boards, and means for independently mounting said target boards at successively different vertical levels, the improvement comprising common indication generating means for all said boards, and means for individually coupling said boards to said generating means whereby said generating means give an indication when any said board is struck by a projectile, each said coupling means being dependent on the height of the associated board whereby said indication varies according to which of said boards is struck by said projectile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
In apparatus for use in tests of skill, comprising a plurality of independent upstanding target boards, and means for independently mounting said target boards at successively different vertical levels, the improvement comprising common indication generating means for all said boards, and means for individually coupling said boards to said generating means whereby said generating means give an indication when any said board is struck by a projectile, each said coupling means being dependent on the height of the associated board whereby said indication varies according to which of said boards is struck by said projectile.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said generating means includes a flexible fluid reservoir, a pressure member which is forced into the reservoir when one of said target boards is struck, and means for indicating the resulting increase in pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 for practicing the game of golf in which the indicating means also indicate a bunker and/or ''''rough.''''
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 for practicing the game of golf in which said target boards are so constructed that a ball striking any said board is guided into a trough, for reuse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
In golf driving practice apparatus comprising a plurality of independent upstanding target boards, and means for independently mounting said target boards at successively different vertical levels, improved indication means comprising an upstanding member, means for pivotally mounting said member about an axis at or below the lowermost of said boards, separate coupling means for each said board, coupling the associated board to said member at a height dependent on the level of the associated board, means for restraining said member, and means for displaying the movement of said member in response to the impact of a ball on any said board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
In golf driving practice apparatus comprising a plurality of independent upstanding target boards, and means for independently mounting said target boards at successively different vertical levels, improved indication means comprising an upstanding member, means for pivotally mounting said member about an axis at or below the lowermost of said boards, separate coupling means for each said board, coupling the associated board to said member at a height dependent on the level of the associated board, means for restraining said member, and means for displaying the movement of said member in response to the impact of a ball on any said board.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Golf driving practice apparatus according to claim 5 in which the target boards are of substantially equal width and arranged one above the other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Golf driving practice apparatus according to claim 5 in which each board is mounted for limited pivotal movement about its own horizontal pivot axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
Golf driving practice apparatus according to claim 7 in which each board, except the lowermost board, is overlapped by that immediately lower up to at least the pivot axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
Golf driving practice apparatus according to claim 5 in which each board is inclined to the vertical, the upper edge being closer than the lower edge to the driving point.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
Golf driving practice apparatus according to claim 9 in which there is a trough below the boards for the collection of balls deflected downwards after striding the boards.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
Golf driving practice apparatus according to claim 5 in which each board is pivoted about a horizontal axis and has an arm which engages against a cam track secured to the member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
Golf driving practice apparatus according to claim 5 in which the display means comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder which is operated on by the member to displace fluid in order to display the angular movement of the member at the driving point.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
Golf driving practice apparatus according to claim 5 in which each of at least some of the boards carries means which when the board is struck on a limited zone with a prescribed impact operates an indicator representing a ''''hole-in-one.''''
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
Golf driving practice apparatus according to claim 13 in which the means carried by the board comprises an electric switch arranged to be operated when the board is struck on the limited zone and electrically coupled with the indicating means to complete a circuit to the ''''hole-in-one'''' indicator when the indicating means indicate that a prescribed distance has been driven.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
Golf driving practice apparatus according to claim 5 in which the target boards are flanked by auxiliary boards which are arranged to give separate indication when struck.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |