Golf putting game device
O United States Patent 1191 1111 3,876,210  
 Brandell Apr. 8, 1975 l l GOLF PUTTING GAME DEVICE Primary E.\&#39;uminerGeorge J. Marlo 76 l ventor: John R. Brandell, 1527 Se uo1a l 1 n Tflq Glenview, L 60025 q Attorney, Age/11, 0r Firm-Root &amp; O Keeffe e [21.] Filed. Aug. 13, 1973 ABSTRACT [21] Appl&#39; No; 387740 A golf-putting game device which may be laid on a carpet, or the like, to afford a target onto which a golf [52] U.S. Cl 273/180; 273/176 G ball may be putted; the game being convex-upwardly [51 Int. Cl A63b 69/36 and embodying a plurality of target areas onto which a [58] Field of Search 273/l80, 178, l84, 185. ball may be putted from a position remote from the 176 game; the target areas embodying scoring depressions toward which putts may be directed for the pur- [56] References Cited pose of scoring positive points, and hazard forma- UNITED STATES PATENTS tions, including trap&#34; depressions and bunker&#34; 450 781 4/1891 Hadlev et al. 273/127 B ridges for creating dlfficulies Putting into the l.58l:()92 4/1926 Brooks 273/178 R seering depressions and, Possibly, Causing the 1.682.601 8 1928 Cunningham 273/178 R p y r to r eiv negative points. 2.325.243 7/1943 Gorospe 273/127 B 3.059931 10 1962 Garcia 273/127 B 5 Clams 8 Fgures GOLF PUTTING GAME DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to golf putting game devices, and, more particularly, to golf putting game devices which are particularly well adapted for use in living rooms of homes, and the like.  
  It is a primary object of the present invention to af ford a novel golf putting game device.  
  Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting game device which may be placed on the carpet or floor, or the like, and onto which the player or players may putt golf balls from a position remote from the device.  
  Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting game device which affords a novel golf putting practice device.  
  Another object is to afford a novel golf putting game device embodying scoring depressions constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner, and affording targets into which a player may attempt-to putt a ball, or balls, for the purpose of scoring positive points.  
  Yetanother object of the present invention is to afford a&#39; novel golf putting practice device of the aforementioned type, which embodies hazard formations constructed and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner and affording obstructions which cause difficulties in the putting of a ball into the aforementioned scoring depressions.  
  A further object is to afford a novel golf putting practice device of the aforementioned type, wherein the aforementioned hazard formations include trap depressions into which an improperly putted ball may fall to thereby prevent the ball from coming to rest in a scoring depression, and which may result in the loss of points, or the actual scoring of negative points.  
  Another object is to afford a novel golf putting game device wherein the aforementioned hazard formations include bunker ridges or obstacles which constitute raised obstructions which must be circumvented if a putt is to result in a ball falling into a scoring depression.  
  Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting game device which is convexupwardly in shape and embodies an outer peripheral edge portion over which golf balls may be putted onto designated target areas on a raised central portion of the device.  
  &#39;An object ancillary to the foregoing is to enable a novel golf putting game device of the aforementioned type to be afforded from self-supporting sheet material which is relatively thin so that the outer peripheral edge thereof affords substantially negligible obstruction to the rolling of a putted ball onto the device.  
  Yet another object of the present invention is to afford a novel golf putting game device of the aforementioned type, and wherein the outer peripheral edge is polygonal in shape to afford a plurality of entrances over which golf balls may be putted from outside the device onto respective target areas on a raised central portion of the device.  
  A further object is to afford a novel game device of the aforementioned typein which the target areasare constructed, arranged and separated from each other in a novel and expeditious manner.  
  Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel and practical golf putting game device which may be readily and economically produced commercially.  
  Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show the preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA&#39;wINGs In the drawings:  
  FIG. 1 is a top plan view ofa golfputting game device embodying the principles of the present invention;  
  FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the golf putting game device shown in FIG. 1;  
 FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 in FIG. 1;  
 FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substan-v tially along the line 44 in FIG. 1;  
  FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken. substan tially along the line 55 in FIG. 1;  
  FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 in FIG. 1;  
  FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 in FIG. 1; and  
  FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 in FIG. &#39;1.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT SHOW HEREIN A golf putting game device 1 is shown in the drawings to illustrate the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
  The golf putting game device 1 embodies a body member 2, which is convex-upwardly in shape and which preferably is made of a single sheet of material having a&#39;thickness of not substantially more than fivesixty-fourths of an inch and preferably in&#39;the nature of one-sixteenth of an inch. The body member 2 may be made of any suitable material, but preferably it is made of a suitable plastic material such as, for example, polystyrene. Also, it may be made in any suitable manner, but preferably, is vacuum formed in suitable molds.  
  The body member 2 embodies a substantially flat, uniplanar outer peripheral edge portion 3 and a central portion 4, which slopes upwardly and inwardly from the peripheral edge portion 3.  
  The peripheral edge portion 3 is preferably polygonal in shape, and it is to be observed that, in the preferred form of the golf putting game device 1 shown in the drawings, the peripheral edge 3 is hexagonal in shape, embodying six substantially straight edge portions 5-10, respectively, FIG. 1. Each of the edge portions 5-l0 affords the outer peripheral edge of a respective target area 11-16, respectively, onto which a golf ball may be putted by a player from a position remote from the device, the putted ballrolling across the respective peripheral edge portion; 5 10 onto the respective target area 11-16, as will be discussed in greater detail presently.  
  In the preferred form of golf putting game device 1 shown in the drawings, the top of the body member 2, which is disposed at the center of the central portion 4, is substantially flat, FIG. 2, and has a central depression 17, formed therein, FIGS. 1 and 3-5, for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail presently. The depression 17 is round in shape and the outer periphery thereof is defined by a substantially upright annular sidewall 18. Elongated ribs 19-24 extend downwardly from the sidewall 18 and terminate at their lower ends in closely adjacent relation to the outer peripheral edge portion 3 of the body member 2, FIG. 1.  
  The ribs 19-23 afford separating barriers between the target areas 11-16, respectively, and the rib 24 affords a separating barrier between the target areas 11 and 16. The pairs of adjacent ribs 19-24 and the respective portions of the sidewall 18 disposed therebetween afford substantially U-shaped abutment members defining outer peripheral edges of the respective target areas 11-16 disposed inwardly of the respective edge portions -10. As may be seen in FIG. 1, the U- shaped ribs or abutment members at the respective target areas 11-16 diverge from each other from the center portion of the central portion 4 toward the outer peripheral edge 3, so that they afford a relatively widemouthed&#39;type&#39; of entrance opening into each of the target areas 11-16. Also, it will be seen that the U-shaped ribs are of substantial height, FIGS. 3-5, so that they afford effective barriers against balls putted thereagainst continuing on across the device 1.  
  As will be discussed in greater detail presently, each of the target areas 11-16 embodies scoring depressions into which a ball may be putted for the purpose of obtaining a positive score; and hazard formations disposed in position to afford obstructions to the putting of a ball, or balls, into the aforementioned scoring depressions. Also, as will be discussed in greater detail presently, the aforementioned hazard formations include trap&#34; depressions into which an improperly putted ball may fall to thus prevent the ball from rolling into a scoring depression, and also, to cause the player to lose points or receive a negative score; and bunker ridges or obstacles, which are raised portions of the central portion 4, these bunker ridges being disposed in the direct line of putt to particular scoring depressions.  
  Thus, for example, as may be seen in FIG. 1, the target area 12, which is disposed between the ridges l9 and 20, embodies five scoring depressions 25-29, respectively, disposed in the form of two legs of an equilateral triangle, with the base of the triangle being afforded by the depressions 25 and 29, which are spaced from each other along a line parallel to the edge portion 6, the apex of the triangle being afforded by the depression 27, and the other two depressions 26 and 28 being disposed between the apex depression 27 and the base depressions 25 and 29, respectively. No hazard formations are disposed in the target area 12.  
  The target area 13 embodies a scoring depression 30, the outer periphery of which is defined by a sidewall 31 which projects upwardly above the surrounding adjacent portions of the target area 13. It also includes a bunker ridge 32 disposed immediately below the depression 30, midway between&#39;the ridges and 21, which define the opposite sides of the target area 13; and two trap depressions 33 and 34, disposed adjacent to the ridges 21 and 20, respectively, on opposite sides of the bunker ridge 32.  
  The target area 14 includes three scoring depressions 35, 36 and 37, disposed in line with each other, midway between the ridges 21 and 22, which define the oppositely disposed lateral edges of the target 14, with the scoring depression 35 disposed the furthest away from the edge portion 8, and the scoring depression 37 disposed the closest to the edge portion 8. Three bunker ridges 38-40 extend between the ribs 21 and 22 at the lower edges of the depressions 35-37, respectively. The ridges 38-40 preferably are substantially V-shaped so that a ball putted over one ,of the ridges 38-40 and dropping therebehind will roll into the respective one of the scoring depressions 35-37. I  
 The target area 15 embodies three scoring depressions 41-43 disposed in the shape ofa triangle, with the depression 42 forming the apex of the triangle and being disposed the furthest from the edge portion 9. A trap depression 44, which can be considered to be a creek or moat extends between the ridges 22 and 23 below the scoring depressions 41-43.  
  The target area 16 embodies a single scoring depression 45 disposed substantially in the center thereof, with a substantially cone shaped bunker ridge 46 disposed immediately therebelow. A groove 47 is formed in the central portion 4 immediately above the scoring depression 45 and sloping downwardly thereinto.  
  The target area 11 embodies a substantially straight, trough-shaped ramp 48 which extends from the central portion of the leading edge portion 5 into the scoring depression17, so that a ball putted directly into the lower end of the ramp 48 will move upwardly therealong and drop into the depression 17. Two trap depressions 49 and 50 are disposed adjacent to the ridges l9 and 24, respectively, on respective sides of the ramp 48.  
  As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, an inwardly projecting knob or abutment 51 is formed on the sidewall 18 of the depression 17 immediately opposite the ramp 48. The abutment 51 is disposed at the upper, inner edge portion of the sidewall 18 in position to engage a ball which is putted up the ramp 48 and flies across the depression 17 into engagement with the opposite side of the sidewall 18, to thereby deflect the ball laterally so that it will roll around the depression 17. The depression 17 has another abutment member 52 in the form of a raised button 52 in the center of the bottom thereof. The button 52 has a plurality of arms 53 spaced therearound and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, FIG. 1. The bottom of the depression 17 is concave-downwardly in shape, so that a ball coming to rest therein will gravitate into engagement with the buttom 52. Each adjacent pair of the arms 53 are disposed in position relative to each other to receive a golf ball therebetween. Thus a ball putted into the depression 17 will, by chance, eventually come to rest between one of the pairs of arms 53. Scoring indicia such as the indicia 54 may be afforded in the depression 17 to indicate the score made by the player, as determined by which pair of the arms 53 affords the stopping place for&#39;the ball.  
  In the use of the golf putting game device 1, it may be placed on a suitable supporting surface, such as, for example, a carpeted floor, with the peripheral edge portion 3 resting flat on the supporting surface, in position to support the central portion 4 of the body member 2 in upwardly and inwardly sloping relation to the peripheral edge portion 3. A golfer or player may then position himself an apporpriate distance from the device 1 such as, for example. two or three feet, or more, and may putt one or more golf balls toward the selected adjacent one of the target areas 11-16. ln so doing, the player endeavors to cause the putted ball to come to rest in one of the aforementioned scoring depressions. Each time that the player is successful in causing the ball to come to rest in a scoring depression in the target area at which he is putting, he receives positive scoring points, the number of points depe&#39;nding upon the points assigned to that particular scoring depression. Such points may be actually indicated in the individual depressions by suitable indicia such as, for example, the indicia 55, the latter, preferably, being molded into the body member 2.  
  1n the playing of the game, if the player misses the scoring depressions and his ball comes to rest in a trap depression, he loses points, or obtains negative points, and the number of points so lost may be indicated by suitable indicia, such as the indicia 56.  
  If, on the other hand, the golfer completely misses the target area or the ball rolls in and out of the target area without coming to rest in any of the scoring or trap depressions, he receives no score for that particular putt.  
  It will be seen that, with the golf putting game device 1 constructed in the manner shown herein, certain of the hazard formations such as the trap depressions 33, 34, 49 and 50 afford lateral hazards which narrow the path along which a putt may be successfully effected, as well as affording traps&#34; into which a ball may roll with lost points being the consequence; other of the hazard formations, such as the ridges 32 and 38-39 and the depression 44, afford hazards of the bunker type, over which a ball must be bounced or hit on the fly (chipped) in order to cause the ball to come to rest in the intended scoring depression; and the ridge 46 affords an obstruction which normally would be circumvented by putting therearound.  
  From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel golf putting game device, which provides an effective golf putting practice device.  
  In addition, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel golf putting game device which is well adapted for use in the game rooms and living rooms of homes, and the like, with the game being played by actually putting golf balls across carpets, or the like onto the device.  
  In addition, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel golf putting game device wherein varied and interesting putting conditions can be afforded in a single unit.  
  Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel golf putting game device, which is highly practical and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.  
  Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.  
  1 claim: 1. A golf putting game device for use on a suitable supporting surface such as a carpeted floor, and comprising a, a convex-upwardly body member comprising 1. an outer peripheral edge adapted to rest on such a supporting surface; 2. a central portion a. sloping upwardly and inwardly from said peripheral edge; and Y b. including target-area means thereon onto which a golfer may putt a golf ball across said peripheral edge from a position on said supporting surface remote from said body member,  
 b. said target area means including 1. upwardly convex ridges generally in the form of inverted U-shaped abutments having leg portions diverging outwardly away from each other from the center portion of said central portion toward said peripheral edge for defining the inner end and outer side boundaries of target areas and affording abutments projecting upwardly above the main body portion of said target areas for limiting movement of such putted balls across said target areas,  
 2. scoring depression means, toward which such a golfer may aim his putt, for receiving and retaining a putted ball for a positive score, and  
 3. hazard formation means in said target areas for obstructing movement of such a putted ball toward said scoring depression means.  
  2. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said center portion has a depression therein, and  
 b. said target area means includes a ramp 1. extending from said peripheral edge to said depression, and  
 2. having an elongated trough-shaped upper surface extending therealong and along which such a putted ball may roll from said peripheral edge into said depression.  
  3. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said ridges 1.extend outwardly from the center portion of said central portion toward said peripheral edge, and  
 2. each ridge has two ends disposed adjacent to the respective opposite sides of a respective one of said target areas at said peripheral edge, and  
 b. said ridges extend around selected ones of said depression means.  
  4. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said hazard formation means comprise trap depressions for affording an obstruction to putting into said scoring depression means and affording a negative score if a ball is putted thereinto.  
  5. A golf putting game device as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said hazard formation means comprise bunker ridges for affording an obstruction to putting into said scoring depression means. l