US3897947A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Game apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-10-11
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1993-10-11
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Russell H Heffley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:46
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B63/00; A63B63/007; A63B69/00; A63B69/36; A63B69/3691; A63B69/3694; A63B24/00; A63B24/0021; A63B2024/0037; A63B2024/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
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.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
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.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
124 words
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.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
124 words
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.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
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.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
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.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
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.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
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.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
103 words
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.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
162 words
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.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
162 words
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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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |