Patent Application
20070037629
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mini golf game. More particularly, the invention relates to utilizing a configurable platform to produce one or more different combinations of obstacles, hole positions, tee positions, and hazards comprising a mini golf course.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are many examples of related art where miniature putting greens are constructed to allow practice putting for the game of golf. There is also related art showing configuration of mini golf courses over large terrain areas. There are also portable putting green mechanisms to allow the transportation of golf game practice devices.
The act of putting on a practice green does not simulate the game of mini golf where navigating obstacles is one of the primary tests of the game.
For those who desire a mini golf course but do not have the terrain, area, or resources to create a typical nine or eighteen hole course, options are not available.
This invention supports the creation of varied holes on a single platform to allow players to experience a game similar to a large terrain, commercial game in a small amount of space which can be used either indoors or outdoors.
The present invention provides a method for creating one or more golf holes on a single platform. In one embodiment, the platform is a 10 ft by 6 ft platform with a plurality of obstacles, hazards, hole positions, slope creation Slope Elevators, manually placed add-ins, and tee positions. The invention provides a challenging and changing game to one or more players.
The invention provides a control panel that allows a player to change the configuration of the golf hole into one or more configurations. In one embodiment, the control panel uses mechanical methods such as wire cable to expose, hide, or move one or more of the configurable components.
The invention provides a method to move hole locations to provide different challenges.
The invention provides a method to move tee locations to provide different challenges.
The invention provides multiple obstacle types to prevent direct access to hole locations providing a challenge that varies. In one embodiment, obstacle types include a rectangular obstacle which completely blocks access to parts of the putting surface area. In another embodiment, obstacle types include angles that allow players to hit their ball against the angle to navigate around other obstacles or hazards. In a third embodiment, an arc obstacle is provided to allow a player to hit a ball around another obstacle by putting into the arc. It is understood that another embodiment would contain one or all of the obstacle types on a single platform.
The invention provides hazards similar to a regulation golf course representing and imitating water hazards and sand traps. Various embodiments of the invention may contain one or more hazards on the platform. These hazards can be hidden by having a section of putting surface cover them or by having an obstacle block the ball's access to hazards.
The invention may provide one or more elevation rods or inflatables under the putting surface which raise a point on the putting surface to create a raised portion of the putting surface. A raised position of surface has the effect of causing a change in movement of the ball when it is putted on the raised area. In the game of golf, this ball movement is called a break and can add challenges to the game.
One embodiment or the present invention provides for the manual addition of add-ins to the course configuration. An example of an add-in is a piece of lawn art that can add challenge or fun to the game.
The appended claims set forth the features of the invention with particularity. The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
a illustrates one embodiment of the control panel;
b illustrates another embodiment of the control panel;
The present invention provides a single, configurable platform from which one or more mini golf holes can be constructed. A mini golf game involves one or more players hitting a ball with a club from a tee to a hole. The purpose of the game is to get the ball into the hole in as few hits as possible. There are many locations where people can visit and play a number of different mini golf holes. Typically, eighteen holes are used to form a complete mini golf course. These holes also typically contain a variety of obstacles, hazards, and slopes to make the holes challenging and interesting to players.
In the preferred embodiment, the configurable platform has a control panel which allows players to configure the single platform into configurations to provide a challenging and interesting game on a single platform. This allows players to play indoors or outdoors in a significantly smaller area than even two fixed golf holes could be constructed. A player controlled control panel uses mechanisms to enable the physical changing of the configurable components. A typical system consists of wires and pulleys to move the obstacles, cover and uncover hazards, raise and lower the elevation rod and move the hole location.
In one embodiment, the control panel utilizes pneumatic control to inflate and deflate elevators to create slope on the course.
The preferred embodiment does not preclude the players manually placing obstacles or add-ins such as a lawn ornament on the platform.
a shows one embodiment of the Control Panel 110. A series of individual control knobs are used to control the configuration components on the platform. The player turns Knob 210 to move the Tee location. The player turns Knob 220 to move the Hole location. The player turns Knob 230 to cover or uncover the Hazard. The player turns Knob 240 to move the Physical Slope Elevator. The player turns Knob 250 to move, raise, or lower the Rectangular Obstacle. The player turns Knob 260 to move, raise, or lower the Arc Obstacle. The player turns Knob 270 to move, raise, or lower the Angle Obstacle. The Inflate Button 280 increases the size of Inflatable Slope Elevator, and Deflation Switch 290 causes Slope Elevator to decrease in size.
b shows another embodiment of the Control Panel 110. The Control Panel is a Computer 201 which contains software programs to control the obstacles, tee position, hole position, and hazard. A player interacts with the computer through Keyboard 202 and Mouse Pointing Device 203. The player can create a new hole design or select from existing configurations on Monitor 204. The embodiment can also provide a Monitor 204 which has touch screen capability to allow player interaction with Computer 201.
To create a slope on the left side of Platform 100, turn Control Panel Knob 510 which pulls Wire 511, wraps around Pulley 512 and Pulley 513 then attaches to Attachment Hook 514 to move Slope Elevator 504.
Although this disclosure describes illustrative embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments described. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Various adaptations, modifications and alterations may be practiced within the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.
