Patent Application
20220047928
The present invention relates to sports games and to an implement used to play a sports game. In particular, the present invention relates to a game involving a game stick or club and a ball.
As is well known in the art, golf is a game that is played on a golf course which includes nine or eighteen holes. Each hole includes a tee-off location, a fairway and a green, with the tee-off location being situated some distance from the green. A cup (a depression in the ground) is located somewhere on the green and is marked by a flag so that the golfer has a visual aid at which to aim during play. The golfer positions his or her ball at the tee-off location on a particular hole and strikes the ball with the head of one of a group of clubs to move the ball through the air to some distance down the fairway. The fairway is of a sufficient length to require the golfer to strike the ball one or more times to move the ball from the tee-off location to the remote green. Once at the green, the golfer selects a putter (a specially designed club) to strike the ball so that it rolls across the surface of the green toward the cup and drops into the same. Depending on the skill of the golfer, the putter may need to be used more than once to sink the ball in the cup. Each strike of the ball with a club or with a putter is counted as a single stroke. Each hole on the golf course is rated so that the golfer will know a desired number of strokes to play for that particular hole. Scoring is based on how many strokes it takes the golfer to get the golf ball from the tee-off location to the point he or she sinks the ball in the cup. Thus, a hole is a par-three (three strokes), par-four (four strokes) or par-five (five strokes). The fairway will typically include one or more obstacles such as sand-traps or water hazards to increase the difficulty of play. Penalties can be accrued on a hole if a golfer makes a miss-step during play.
Golfers are required to play in accordance with a standard set of procedures and rules. The rules are dependent upon the country in which the game is played with the majority of the world playing in accordance with the rules set out by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland. In the United States golfers have to adhere to rules administered by the United States Golf Association (USGA).
While there are a vast number of golfers in the world it has become apparent over recent years that fewer younger people are taking part in this well-loved sport. The reasons for this are not entirely clear but several studies have suggested that the game is too slow for the younger generation, requires too much time, skill, and effort, and is too costly from the point of view of equipment needed, lessons that have to be taken, as well as for the play of a single round of the game. Because of this situation, golf courses, particularly at the local level, are struggling to stay afloat financially.
In addition to this situation, there is growing evidence that younger people are not as active as they should or could be and this lack of activity is posing a serious risk to their long-term health.
There is therefore a need in the art for a game that encourages younger people to become more active, is fun, quick to learn and relatively inexpensive to play.
A game and a game stick for playing this new game are disclosed. The game is a new athletic sport that can be played on a course which includes one or more ‘holes’. Preferably, the course is outdoors and each hole includes a starting location, a remote target location and a fairway between the start and target locations. The course could be a grassy course or a sandy course (such as on a beach), or could even be an indoor course. Existing golf courses may act as suitable courses for playing the new game but it is contemplated that dedicated courses for the game could also be utilized. It is still further contemplated that players could set up their own course at any desired location, such as a beach for example, and play a “pick-up” version of the game that will be described further herein.
A specially designed game stick is used for play and this game stick includes a shaft with a grip at one end and a head at the other end. The game ball may be played in at least two different ways using this game stick. In a first aspect, the invention may provide a game stick having a shaft with a first end and a second end; a head provided at the second end of the shaft; a channel defined in the head and configured to receive the game ball therein and from which channel the game ball is thrown during play. The game stick also may include a striking or pushing surface provided on the stick for pushing or putting the game ball when the ball is resting on a ground surface during play.
The game ball may be a specially designed ball for a particular game stick and game, or the game ball can be a golf ball and the game stick configured consistent with golf ball dimensions. In embodiments, the channel can be configured to be only slightly larger than the ball which is to be used for the game, for example only 0.5 mm to 10 mm bigger than the diameter of the ball at the mid-point of the ball when the ball is in the channel. So, if a regular golf ball is used, the channel will be sized at the mid-point of a golf ball as it travels along the channel to be marginally wider than the diameter of a regular golf ball (which in the Unites States is 42.67 mm and in Britain is 41.15 mm). In embodiments where a golf ball is used, the width of the channel is less than 50 mm, 49 mm, 48 mm, 47 mm, 46 mm, 45 mm, 44 mm, 43.5 mm, 43 mm, 42.5 mm or even 42 mm. In embodiments, the channel size can be less than 120%, 115%, 110%, 108%, 106%, 105%, or even 104% wider than the width of the ball at the mid-point of the ball when the ball is in the channel. In embodiments where a U.S. golf ball is used, the width of the channel can be between 43.17 and 46.67 (inclusive), 43.67 and 45 mm (inclusive), or about 44 mm.
During play on a course like a golf course, the player will place the ball in the channel of the head and throw the ball a distance down a fairway of a particular hole on the course. Throwing is accomplished by swinging the game stick through the air such as, for example, when throwing with a lacrosse stick, and then finishing the swing in such a way that the ball flies out of an opening at one end of the channel. The ball is retained in the head by centrifugal force during the swing and is propelled in part by that same force as it exits the channel. The game stick may be swung in pretty much any manner so that the player is able to throw the ball therefrom in a variety of different ways including but not limited to an overhand throw, underhand throw, forehand throw, backhand throw, a lob or any other manner that suits the player. The game stick may also be utilized to put a spin on the ball. The player may take a running start when throwing the ball.
The game begins at a starting location. If the course being utilized is a golf course, the starting location may be an area on a particular hole where traditional golfers tee off. Alternatively, the starting location may be an area that is specially designated and set up for players of this new sport and may be marked in any suitable fashion.
A player swings his or her game stick through the air to throw the ball down the fairway of the course and toward a target location. This may be with a running start, where the ball is released prior to crossing a start position. The player will then move to the position on the fairway where the ball landed after the throw, pick up the ball by hand (or using the stick) and place the ball in the channel of the game stick (or pick up the ball with the game stick) and then make a second throw of the ball toward the target location. One or more throws may be required to move the ball from the starting location to the target location. When the ball reaches the target location, such as a green surrounding a flagged cup of a golf course, the player will change their grip on the game stick from a throwing grip to a putting/pushing grip. The player will then use the dedicated striking surface on the game stick to push or putt the ball in a direction toward the sunken cup in order to try and sink the ball in the cup. One or more putts or pushes may prove to be necessary to accomplish this play. Alternatively, the player could use a conventional putter when the player reaches the green.
The head of the game stick may further include a recessed region on one of the side walls, rear wall or front wall thereof. The ball may be placed in this recess for throwing or chipping the ball shorter distances. Still further, the head may include a surface on one or both side walls, end wall or in some instances the front wall for hitting the ball. In this type of play, the ball may be tossed in the air and then struck with this hitting or striking surface.
Still further, the head may be adjustable relative to the shaft so that the player is able to make changes to the angle at which the channel extends relative to the shaft. This enables the player to change an arc through which the ball is thrown and also to affect the spin on the ball as desired. Alternatively, a player may have more than one game sticks, each with a different angle at which the channel extends relative to the shaft.
Still further, the head has a length which is measured from a front end to a back end thereof; and the channel generally extends along the majority of this length. It is contemplated that a hinge may be provided somewhere between the front and back ends which allows a front region of the head to pivot relative to a back region thereof. This feature could also be used to impart increased speed and/or spin to the ball. The hinge may alternatively be placed between the head and the shaft of the game stick.
During play on any particular hole, the player may mark the ball's position on the fairway (as is done in golf games) and then placing the ball in the game stick move several steps or paces back toward the starting location from the mark, move rapidly or run toward the target location, and throw the ball no later than when they reach the mark. This action obviously increases the velocity with which the ball is thrown from the head. It is contemplated that the rules and scoring of this new game will generally follow the rules and scoring of golf, with some exceptions that are set out later herein. It should be understood, however, that vastly different rules may be fashioned.
As indicated previously, the game stick itself has a shaft with a head at one end. The head defines a channel on its upper surface and into which the ball is placed. A grip preferably is provided at the opposite end of the shaft so that the game stick may be more easily held onto during the throwing movement when playing the game. The head may include a stop at a rearward first end of the channel which limits movement of the ball in a first direction. An opening is defined at a second end of the channel and it is through this opening that the ball exits the head during a throw.
In one aspect, the invention may provide a channel that together with the back wall is substantially J-shaped along their entire length from the first end thereof to the second end. This shape of the channel affects spin on the ball and creates an arc of flight for the ball.
In another aspect, the orientation of the head relative to the shaft may be adjustable. This feature enables the player to set the channel at a desired orientation relative to the shaft and to thereby manipulate the arc of flight for a ball thrown therefrom. The adjustment assembly is of such a nature as to enable the player to make quick and easy adjustments on the golf course during play. The player therefore does not need to carry a hole range of game sticks to play the game as one will suffice.
In another aspect, the game stick may be used as a putter when the player reaches the target location. To this end, at least a portion of the bottom edge of the head, at its outermost surface, can be straight, such that the head can rest flat on the ground and travel easily across the surface of the ground or grass when pushing or putting the ball at the target location. Additionally, a least a region of an exterior surface of a side region of the head proximate the straight portion can be planar in nature so that it can be used to strike or push the ball during a putting/pushing stroke.
The game stick can be configured so that during play the player will receive at different times a sensation similar to a perfect stroke in golf, the acceleration of throwing a jai-alai ball, and the power of a hockey slap-shot. The fun and challenge of the sport comes from the ability of the player to manipulate the spin, trajectory and distance of the ball in order to achieve precision, to avoid hazards, and to push/putt accurately, thereby getting to the target location and the hole in as few shots as possible.
It should be noted that the game is contemplated to be played by a group of players all throwing their balls down the fairway or by a group of mixed players some of whom are playing traditional golf using traditional clubs and some of whom are playing the new throwing sports using the game stick disclosed herein.
The new sport is more active and includes a more natural and athletic swing for the player than is the case in traditional golf. Additionally, the new sport is easy to learn, has a lower cost of entry, has quicker rounds and increased options for shots, and has simplified rules relative to traditional golf. For these reasons it is contemplated that the new sport will appeal to the younger generation.
It is further contemplated because of the looser swing and more athletic nature of the presently disclosed new sport and because there is no need to strike the ball on the ground as in traditional golf, the new sport could extend the season of a golf course in cooler climates, thus providing additional revenue to the golf course owners.
In one aspect of the invention, a game stick for use with a game ball is provided. The stick includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, where the first end is for gripping a shaft and the second end is attached to a rigid head. The head has (i) a neck for attachment to the shaft, (ii) a back wall extending from the neck curved in a radius to seat a golf ball, (iii) a bottom wall extending from the back wall along which the golf ball may travel from the back wall without interruption when the golf ball is thrown from the game stick, and (iv) side walls extending from the back wall. The bottom wall and side walls define a channel with an open end distal from the back wall through which the golf ball is released when the golf ball is thrown from the game stick. The shaft defines an shaft axis along its length and the channel defines a channel axis along its length, and the shaft axis and channel axis intersect at an obtuse angle. The channel can be between 42 and 50 millimeters in width along its length which is between 2 and 12 inches. The shaft is between 30 and 70 inches long, and the bottom wall extends from the back wall in a path toward the open end along a distance of at least 2 inches that is straight or concave, whereby the ball when under centrifugal force can move uninterrupted along the bottom wall at least three inches before leaving the open end of the channel. In this manner, spin is provided when throwing the ball.
In embodiments, then channel is preferably at least between 3 inches long. In embodiments, then channel can be between 3 and 6 inches long. In embodiments, the channel can be between 3 and 5 inches long.
In embodiments, the side walls can be at least 15, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, or 30 mm tall (versus the upward facing wall of the bottom wall. In embodiments, the side walls are between 20 mm and 70 mm tall.
In embodiments, at least one side wall defines an aperture for receiving a portion of the golf ball when the ball is positioned against the back wall. In embodiments, each side wall can define an aperture for receiving a portion of the golf ball when the ball is positioned against the back wall. The aperture can be virtually any shape, and in embodiments shown, the aperture is round.
In embodiments, the side walls can be substantially parallel to each other.
In embodiments, at least one of the side walls can define a concavity on its exterior surface having a radius of at least 21.3 millimeters, for cradling and pushing a golf ball resting on a ground surface.
In embodiments, the head can include a plurality of apertures for reducing the weight of the head.
In another aspect, the invention may provide a method of playing a game utilizing a game stick and a ball, where the game is played on a course; said method including the steps of:
The method may further include the step of putting or pushing the game ball with a part of the game stick other than the inside surface of the channel when the game ball is resting on a ground surface. In embodiments, the ball can be a golf ball and the game stick can be constructed having dimensions as described herein.
A sample embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
Referring to
The game is contemplated to be played with a ball and, preferably, this ball has the general dimensions of a golf ball. It will be understood, however, that other differently dimensioned game balls could be utilized, with the general dimensions of the game stick being selected to be complementary to the game ball utilized. The general objective of the game is to engage the game ball with the game stick and to use the game stick to throw the game ball from the starting location to the target location down the fairway. The distance from the starting location to the target location may require one or more throws of the game ball. Once the target location is reached, the game stick is used to sink the game ball into a cup. A plurality of these holes will be played during the course of a single game. The game stick and the method of playing this new game will be further described herein.
Several embodiments of a game stick in accordance with different aspects of the invention are described herein.
A first embodiment of a game stick in accordance with aspects of the invention is shown in
Shaft 412 may be fabricated from any one or more suitable materials including but not limited to wood, titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber, or plastic and will therefore be relatively rigid. Alternatively, shaft 412 may be fabricated from a material that enables it to be flexible to a greater or lesser degree. For instance, at least a portion of shaft 412 may be fabricated from a rubber which gives it resilience and flexibility. Preferably, the materials selected for shaft 412 will be light-weight so that a player does not have to expend undue effort to play the game.
Shaft 412 may be fabricated to be of a set length “L” (
A grip 416 is optionally provided proximate first end 412a of shaft 412 and can be configured in a similar fashion to the grip of a golf club, although longer grips are contemplated as the hands may be spaced apart when throwing the ball more so than is typical of hand placement when playing golf. The grip can extend along the entire length of the shaft. The grip 416, therefore, may be at least 6, 8, 10 12, 14, 16, 18 or even at least 24 inches in length. Grip 416 preferably is fabricated from a material suitable to aid the player in adequately gripping shaft 412 as it is swung through the air to throw the game ball, as will be hereinafter described. Grip 416 may therefore be provided with texturing or other means of helping the player to hold onto shaft 412.
Head 414 preferably is fabricated by injection molding a strong, durable, and rigid material such as plastic. Head 414 may alternatively be fabricated so that at least certain portions thereof are not rigid. So, for example, a bottom wall 436 (
Alternatively, the securement may be of a nature that causes head 414 and shaft 412 to be permanently engaged with each other. Suitable securements in this instance might include heat welding if the head and shaft are fabricated from a plastic material, or if the head and shaft are fabricated from metal the securement could include welding. Still further, it will be understood that instead of head 414 and shaft 412 being separate components; they could instead be fabricated as a single unitary component.
Referring to
As indicated above body 424 extends outwardly from a bottom end of neck 422. Body 424 includes a back wall 430, a first side wall 432, a second side wall 434, and a bottom wall 436. Back, first and second side and bottom walls 430-436 are integrally formed with each other and are substantially continuous with each other. Back wall 430 has an interior surface 430a and an exterior surface 430b. First side wall 432 has an interior surface 432a, an exterior surface 432b, a front edge 432c and a top edge 432d. Second side wall 434 has an interior surface 434a, an exterior surface 434b, a front edge 434c and a top edge 434d. Bottom wall 436 has an interior surface 436a, an exterior surface 436b and a front edge 436c.
The interior surfaces of back, first and second sides, and bottom walls 430a-436a bound and define a channel 438. Channel 438 has a width as measured between interior surface 432b and 434b at the center point of the ball when the ball is in the channel and this width along the length of the channel is configured to be generally equal to but slightly larger than the diameter of a game ball 48. In this manner, the game ball can roll along the interior surface 436a of the bottom wall 436 from one end of the channel to the other. The width can be configured to be only a fraction of a millimeter wider than the diameter of a golf ball. In embodiments, however, the width can be 25, 50, 100 or more millimeters wider than the diameter of a golf ball. In the embodiment shown, the channel 438 is about 44 millimeters, less than about 2 millimeters wider than the diameter of the golf ball (42.67 millimeters).
Front edges 432c, 436c, 434c define a first opening to channel 438. In the embodiment shown, top edges 432d, 434d defined a second opening to channel 438, whereby the ball may be placed in the channel along substantially all of its length. In the embodiment shown, side walls extend outwardly from the bottom wall. Once the side walls reach a height defined by the mid-point of the game ball in the channel, the walls maintain a channel width at least the width of the game ball over the remainder of their height.
As is evident from
Two apertures, however, serve an additional purpose. As shown in
In addition to the apertures 440, head 414 is provided with a plurality of angled surfaces such as indicated at 444 (
As shown in
By way of example, the pushing surface 442 on head 414 can be a concavity 446 (
Concavity 446, when in the shape of a partial cylinder as shown, can be disposed substantially perpendicular relative to the ground surface when the bottom of the head 424 is placed on the ground. In this position, shaft 412 is in a plane perpendicular to the ground surface and the shaft is positioned at an angle defined by the oblique angle between the shaft axis and channel axis. The angle of the shaft to the ground is similar to that when putting a golf ball.
As will be understood, surface 442 need not be in the shape of a partial cylinder. The surface can be, for example, in the shape of a partial sphere. It also can be rectangular in shape. It also can be a flat surface, with or without protrusions for cradling the game ball. If a flat surface, the ball can be pushed or even putted in the same manner as occurs with the head of a golf putter. Still further, the surface for pushing or putting game ball 48 could also be convex in shape, but this configuration may make it a little more challenging for a player to control the direction in which a pushed or putted game ball would move.
Thus, head 414 can be positioned to present the pushing or striking surface, in this instance, concavity 446, in order to push, putt or make any type of action used to direct the game ball 48 toward the sunken cup at the target location.
It is also contemplated that the surface for pushing or putting the ball may be provided elsewhere on the game stick 410. For example, the pushing/striking surface may be provided on the grip end 416 of stick 416. Furthermore, the pushing/striking surface may be retractable into the region of game stick 410 on which it is provided. When it is desired to putt or push game ball 428, a suitable activation mechanism will be engaged so that the striking surface is extended to a position where it may be used to putt or push a ball on the ground surface. Furthermore, the pushing/striking surface may be detachably inserted into an end of the game stick.
Referring to
Referring still to
Head 414 also has a length “L2” as measured from front edge 436c of bottom wall 436 to a rearmost region of the exterior surface 430b of back wall 430. This length “L2” may be varied on different head configurations in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. Typically, the length L2 will be between 2 and 8 inches. In one embodiment, length “L2” is about 3¾ inches and the width of channel 436 between side walls 432 and 434 is about 1¾ inches. Channel 438 is only slightly shorter than length “L2” by about the thickness of back wall 430. Different length bottom walls 436 and therefore channels 438 will impart different ball flight and throwing characteristics to head 414.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the ratio of the shaft length “L” relative to the channel length “L2” is at least 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1 or even 14:1.
First and second side walls 432, 434 can be mirror images of each other and originate at bottom wall 436 and extend upwardly and outwardly therefrom. Top edges 432d, 434d extend outwardly and forwardly from back wall 430 and neck 422 and terminate at front edges 432c, 434c, respectively. Top edges 432d, 434d angle downwardly from proximately back wall 430 to front edges 432c, 434c. Thus, side walls 432, 434 taper in height relative to bottom wall 436 from proximate the back of head 414 to the front thereof. As best seen in
In the embodiment shown, the channel in cross-section as defined by the bottom and side walls does not define a surface that matches exactly the radius of the golf ball. The channel in cross-section is somewhat irregular. As a result, when the head is tilted to one side at an angle of, for example, 45 degrees, the game ball is in contact with two points of the channel, one along the interior surface of the bottom wall and one along the interior surface of a side wall. This has worked well in practice, although a channel with a more regular radius can result in the game ball only contacting a single point in the channel, also contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.
It should be noted that instead of neck 422 and therefore shaft 412 being disposed at an angle ““S” relative to bottom wall 436 of head 414, the angle of neck 422 relative to body 424 may be varied in different heads 414 in accordance with the invention. If this is the case, then shaft 412 will be oriented at an angle other than “S” relative to bottom wall 436.
Referring to
The new game is similar in nature to golf in that the player starts play at the starting location at a first hole of the golf course. The player will complete the first hole and then play a second hole and so on until they have played a particular, set number of holes on the course—such as nine holes or eighteen holes, for example. (It will be understood that any other desired number of holes may constitute play of this new game.). Instead of the player standing at a tee-off location at any respective hole, placing ball 48 on a tee and then striking the game ball 48 with the head of a golf club to cause the ball to move down the fairway toward the target location, the player stands at the tee-off location and places game ball 48 into channel 438 of game stick 410. The player may swing or otherwise move the head of game stick 410 backwardly in a first direction. The stick may be swung or moved in any manner, including, but not limited to, that similar to a swing of a golf club, lacrosse game stick, jai-alai game stick, hockey game stick, or even a tennis racquet. In other words, the player may move stick 410 to a position for an overhand throw, an underhand throw, or a throw similar to a backhand, a forehand, a slice, or a volley, in motions similar to strokes played in tennis. In any of these motions game stick 410 is typically initially swung in a first direction and then subsequently swung in a second direction. Typically, if the player 52 is standing at the tee-off starting location and is facing the target location, the first movement will place the head of game stick 410 behind the player's back and the second swing will move the head of game stick 410 to a position generally in front of the player.
Player 52 will walk to where the ball 48 has landed on the fairway and will take a second throw in the direction of the target location at the end of the fairway. On a golf course, player 52 will take a second throw aiming at a flag on a green at the end of the fairway in question, because the flag indicates where the sunken cup is positioned on the green. In accordance with rules of the present game, set out hereafter, player 52 may place a mark on the fairway to indicate where his ball 48 has landed. Player 52 is permitted to pick up ball 48 and once again place it in channel 438 of game stick 410 to ready himself or herself for a second throw on that particular hole. Player 52 may move several paces away from that mark in the opposite direction to the green, i.e., toward the starting location (on a golf course, toward the tee-off location) and is then permitted to move rapidly or even run toward the mark on the fairway and in the direction of the target location and to throw ball 48 from game stick 410 at or before the mark he or she previously placed on the golf course. (It should be understood that the player may also use a running start at the tee-off location for the first throw.)
Each throw is the equivalent of a stroke played by in a typical golf game and is scored accordingly. Player 52 will throw a first throw in a similar way to a golfer playing a first stroke. The player 52 will then walk (or drive in a golf cart) to where his or her ball 48 landed on the fairway and throw the ball 48 a second time, and so on. The player 52 attempts to get game ball 48 onto the green at the end of the fairway (the target location) in much the same way as a golfer will do who is playing strokes with a golf club.
When ball 48 lands proximate the target location such as on the green, the player 52 changes his or her hold on grip 416 so that game stick 410 is able to be used as a type of putter. This is illustrated in
It should be noted that bottom wall 436 and or the second regions of one or both side walls 432, 434 preferably are substantially flat/planar to slightly curve along its entire length and width and are free of any ridges or protrusions which could accidentally contact the green as head is moved to push ball 48. In other words, bottom wall 436 and/or second regions of side walls 432, 434, can be substantially smooth along their entire length and width. In general, the bottom should be free of protrusions that would hinder smooth movement of the head along a green, such as is the case with a putting iron.
Player 52 putts or pushes ball 48 in order to try to sink ball 48 in the sunken cup adjacent the flag on the green. So, on a par four hole, for example, player 52 will try and throw ball 48 and then subsequently push/putt ball 48 to sink the same in the cup in a total of four plays. The game is scored in a similar fashion to traditional golf, i.e., in accordance with the Rules of Play referenced in the Background herein, with some exceptions. These exceptions include but are not limited to:
It will be understood that types of target locations other than a flagged hole on a green and types of ending plays at those target locations, other than sinking the game ball 48 in a sunken cup at the target location, may be incorporated into the new game.
In accordance with an aspect of the new game, a method of playing the game is disclosed utilizing a game stick 410 and a ball 48; and wherein the game is played on a game course includes the steps of:
During play, the step of swinging shaft 412 includes swinging shaft 412 through the air and without head 414 touching the ground surface of the game course upon which the player stands.
The method further comprises the step of pushing or putting ball 48 with the head 414 of game stick 410 toward a sunken cup situated at the target location. When ball 48 is to be putted, as is shown in
The method further comprises the step of rolling or sliding ball 48 along channel 438 in head 414 as shaft 412 is swung through the air. The step of rolling or sliding ball 48 includes moving ball 48 along channel 438 by way of centrifugal force.
Referring now to
Referring again to
In accordance with an aspect of the game stick 10 and as shown in
Second part 20 of head 14 may be fabricated in a variety of ways.
In accordance with an aspect of the game stick 10, second part 20 is adjustable in orientation relative to first region 18. This allows the player to make adjustments to game stick 10 during play in order to alter the arc of flight or trajectory of the ball 48. Second part 20 is provided with an adjustability assembly to enable this adjustment in orientation to be made. In one aspect, the adjustability assembly is comprised of slots provided in one or both of first region 18 and second part 20 and fasteners that pass through these slots and are operable to slide from one location to another to change the orientation of second part 20; and to be locked at any particular location within the slots to retain a desired orientation.
In particular, a first slot 34 and a second slot 35 are defined in plate 30. Similarly, a first slot 36 and a second slot 37 are defined in plate 32 (
It will be understood that while slots 34, 36, 35 and 37 are disclosed as being defined in plates 30, 32 and the apertures (unnumbered) that are alignable therewith for receiving fasteners 38, 39 therethrough are disclosed as being defined in plates 22, 24; it may be desirable in some instances to have the slots defined in the plates 22, 24 of the first part 18 of head 14; and to have the apertures defined in the plates 30, 32 of the second part 20 of head 14. This configuration would still permit the position of the head relative to the shaft to be adjusted.
During play, second part 20 of head 14 may be adjusted relative to first part 18 as follows. As is shown in
Preferably, second part 20 further includes a center plate 44 disposed intermediate the interior surfaces of first and second plates 30, 32. Center plate 44 is shorter in height than either of first and second plates 30, 32 and has a first end 44a, a second end 44b, an upper edge 44c and a lower edge 44d. Upper edge 44c is curved and is generally J-shaped (
In accordance with another aspect of game stick 10, the interior surfaces of first and second plates 30, 32 and the upper edge 44c of center plate 44 define a channel 46 in second part 20 of head 14. Channel 46 is defined in the top surface of second part 20 and preferably is substantially aligned with shaft 12 when game stick 10 is viewed from the side. Channel 46 is accessible from between upper edges 30c, 32c of first and second plates 30, 32 and extends for substantially the entire length of first and second plates 30, 32 as measured from the hooked-shaped stop at first end 44a of center plate 44 to proximate front edges 30e, 32e, 44b. Channel 46 has a width as defined between the interior surfaces of first and second plates 30, 32 and this width is sized to be slightly larger than a game ball 48 that is to be received therein. The width of channel 46 is substantially constant along substantially the entire length of channel 46.
In accordance with an aspect of the game to be played with game stick 10, channel 46 preferably is sized to be slightly wider than the diameter of a standard golf ball. Channel 46 also has a length as measured from a first end 46a thereof (proximate shaft 12) to a second end 46b thereof (proximate the edge of second part 20 of head 14). Bottom edge 30d of head 14 preferably is from about 5 inches in length up to about 8 inches in length. Channel 46 is at least the length of the diameter of a golf ball and preferably is substantially longer than the diameter of a golf ball. The length of channel 46 is selected relative to the overall length of bottom edge 30d of head 14. Channel 46 preferably extends from a short distance inwardly rear edge 30e to front edge 30f. Thus, channel 46 ranges from about 4½ inches in length up to about 7½ inches in length. In accordance with an aspect of game stick 10, channel 46 is defined in the uppermost face of head 14 and terminates in the front face (i.e., in the face defining front edge 30f according to the attached figures). It should further be noted that it is not contemplated that a player could catch a game ball in channel 46 or in any other part of head 14. Thus, the width of the channel 46 closely approximates the diameter of the game ball for substantially the entire length of channel 46 and no other part of the head 14 is provided with apertures or nets or any other means by which a ball could be caught. Game stick 10 is configured so that a player will place the game ball in channel 46 by hand.
Channel 46 is curved along its length from a first end 46a to a second end 46b thereof. A platform 50 preferably is provided on top edge 44c of center plate 44, proximate first end 46a. Platform 50 provides for initial placement of ball 48 thereon such that ball 48. Platform 50 further acts as a spacer and gives strength and rigidity to second part 20. In accordance with another aspect of game stick 10, and referring to
Center plate 44 may be replaced with a substantially continuous wall that extends between the interior surfaces of first and second plates 30, 32. In this instance, there will be no need for spacers 42 and the substantially continuous wall will preferably be fixedly secured to plates 30, 32. Thus, channel 46 will be generally U-shaped in cross-section. It is alternatively contemplated that an upper wall (not shown) could also be spaced between the interior surfaces of first and second plates 30, 32 and disposed opposite a substantially continuous bottom wall. Then upper wall would require an aperture to be defined therein and into which the game ball 48 could be placed. When the game stick including these features is swung, the game ball 48 will travel through essentially what constitutes a chute in the head 14 and exit the head through an opening 54 defined between front edges 30e, 32e.
It is also contemplated that some type of friction altering material could be applied to the surfaces that define channel 46 in whatever format it takes. The friction-altering materials could be materials that allow the ball 48 to slide more easily of the surfaces defining channel 46; or they may be material that impede the travel of ball 48 slightly so that game stick 10 has to be swung more vigorously to release ball 48 at speed.
The first and second parts 18, 20 of head 20 preferably are fabricated from a suitable rigid plastic material that is both strong and light weight. Other suitable materials for use could be materials such as titanium, for example. Although not illustrated herein it will be understood that one or both of first and second parts 18, 20 of head 14 may include one or more cut-outs or apertures defined between the interior and exterior surfaces of plates 22, 24, 30, 32 to decrease the overall weight of head 14. These cut-outs would also permit airflow to aid in moving ball along channel 46.
The new game is played with game stick 10 in much the same manner as described with reference to game stick 410. However, the method of play may further include steps for adjusting the orientation of head 14 of game stick 10 relative to shaft 12 thereof. This adjustment is accomplished by loosening a first fastener 38 which secures a first part 18 of head 14 to a second part 20 thereof; sliding first fastener 38 along a pair of aligned first slots 34, 36 defined in one of the first and second parts 18, 20 of head 14 from a first position to a second position; and tightening first fastener 38 when in the second position.
The method further comprises the step of aligning first fastener 38 with a marking 40 provided on a region of the head 14 adjacent at least one of the first slots 34, 36. The method may further include the step of loosening a second fastener 39 which secures first and second parts 18, 20 of head 14 together by sliding second fastener 39 along a pair of aligned second slots 35, 37 defined in one of the first and second parts 18, 20 of head from a first position to a second position simultaneously with the sliding of the first fastener 38 along the pair of first slots 34, 36; tightening the second fastener 39 in place at the second position thereof.
It will be understood that because the heads 414, 14, 114, and 214 are secured to the associated shaft with some type of fastener, the player could have a plurality of differently configured heads and swap them during the course of a game for different conditions and throws that have to be made. Similarly, the player could have a plurality of different shafts that are longer or shorter; or more or less flexible; or made out different materials that are lighter or heavier, for example, and then could combine any of the shafts with any of the heads to custom make his or her game stick for the particular course or hole or play he or she wishes to make.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the aspects of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/842,211 filed Jul. 2, 2013, and U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/170,584 filed Feb. 1, 2014, the entire specifications of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61842211 | Jul 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15600425 | May 2017 | US |
| Child | 17513671 | US | |
| Parent | 14259855 | Apr 2014 | US |
| Child | 15600425 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14170584 | Feb 2014 | US |
| Child | 14259855 | US |
