Abstract:
An apparatus, used as a goal in a game with a game ball and club, comprises a frame arranged to be supported on the ground which defines a perimeter boundary surrounding a goal area sustantially at ground level and a goal mouth extending at least partway about the perimeter boundary substantially at ground level. The goal mouth fully surrounds the goal area and provides access of the game ball therethrough to the goal area. A retaining mechanism comprises a plurality of gates selectively spanning the goal mouth to control entry and exit of the game ball to and from the goal area.

Description:
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/772,866, filed Feb. 14, 2006. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to an apparatus for a game and more particularly to an apparatus for a game played in a manner similar to golf. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Golf is a popular sport and miniature golf is a well known recreational activity derived from golf in which even someone relatively unskilled in the sport can partake. However, participation in each of these activities requires a laid out course and therefore conventionally requires travel to a site having such a course and payment of a fee, whether on a membership or pay-per-play basis, to a proprietor who operates and maintains the site. This arrangement may place restrictions on when an individual or party may partake in golf and/or related activities, for example through monetary and transportation requirements and the hours of operation of a course. 
   As a result, there is a desire for a game that can be played in a manner similar to miniature golf and can be readily setup in a variety of locations. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for use as a goal in a game using a game ball, the apparatus comprising: 
   a frame arranged to be supported on the ground to define:
         a perimeter boundary surrounding a goal area spanning an interior of the perimeter boundary substantially at ground level; and   a goal mouth extending at least partway about the perimeter boundary substantially at ground level and arranged to provide access of the game ball therethrough to the goal area; and       

   a retaining mechanism spanning the goal mouth and being arranged to both allow entry of the game ball into the goal area through the goal mouth and prevent exit of the game ball from the goal area through the goal mouth. 
   The goal mouth and the retaining mechanism may extend along the perimeter boundary about at least two opposed sides of the frame whereby entry to the goal area across the perimeter boundary from ground level is achievable from said at least two opposed sides of the frame. 
   More preferably, the goal mouth and the retaining mechanism may extend along the perimeter boundary at a plurality of locations positioned circumferentially about the perimeter boundary whereby entry to the goal area across the perimeter boundary from ground level is achievable from said plurality of locations positioned circumferentially about the perimeter boundary. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the goal mouth and the retaining mechanism fully surround the goal area about the perimeter boundary whereby entry to the goal area across the perimeter boundary from ground level is achievable in all directions. 
   The goal mouth is preferably sufficient in height to receive a baseball or a softball therethrough. 
   The retaining mechanism may comprise a plurality of gates in which each gate is supported for movement between a first position, in which the gate spans across a respective portion of the goal mouth to prevent access of the game ball into the goal area, and a second position, in which said portion of the goal mouth is substantially unobstructed by the gate member to allow access of the game ball through said portion of the goal mouth. 
   Each gate is preferably biased toward the first position. 
   There may be provided a first blocking member arranged to prevent movement of each gate beyond the first position in a direction opposite travel toward the second position. When each gate is displaced upwardly and inwardly in the second position in relation to the first position, there may also be provided a blocking member arranged to prevent movement of each gate beyond the second position in a direction opposite travel toward the first position. 
   The frame is preferably supported above the goal area at the perimeter boundary with the gates being suspended on the frame at the perimeter boundary for pivotal movement between the first and second positions. 
   When the apparatus is provided in combination with the game ball, each gate is preferably movable to the second position by engagement of the game ball during rolling motion through the goal mouth into the goal area. 
   The gates are preferably arranged to be freely pivotal from the second position to the first position when the game ball is generally centrally located within the goal area. 
   The apparatus may further be provided in combination with a club for striking the game ball to induce rolling motion thereof toward the goal area. 
   The frame may comprise a generally circular frame member suspending the gates therefrom and a central shaft arranged to support the circular frame member spaced above the ground. 
   The gates may be pivotal into a storage position lying generally in a common plane with the circular frame member. In this instance, the central shaft is separable from the circular frame member so as to be arranged to lie generally flat against the common plane of the circular frame member in the storage position. 
   According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a game apparatus comprising: 
   a perimeter boundary disposed substantially parallel to ground level; 
   a goal area spanning an interior of the perimeter boundary; and 
   a retaining mechanism adapted to allow entry to the goal area across the perimeter boundary from ground level and prevent exit from the goal area across the perimeter boundary. 
   Preferably the goal area is two dimensional and substantially coplanar with ground level. 
   Preferably the retaining mechanism substantially surrounds the goal area. 
   Preferably entry to the goal area across the perimeter boundary from ground level is achievable in all directions. 
   Preferably a mouth through which entry to the goal area is achieved is defined immediately above the goal area. 
   Preferably the retaining mechanism comprises a plurality of obstruction elements supported for movement between first and second positions, each obstruction element obstructing exit from the goal area to ground level across the perimeter boundary in the first position and allowing entry to the goal area from ground level in the second position. 
   Preferably movement of each obstruction element from the first position in a direction opposite travel toward the second position is substantially blocked. 
   Preferably motion of each obstruction element between the first and second positions is unrestricted by adjacent obstruction elements. 
   Preferably the obstruction members comprise pivotal gate members hanging from a frame. 
   Preferably the obstruction elements return to the first position having allowed entry of the ball into the goal area. 
   Preferably the goal area is substantially circular. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a game apparatus, a ball and a club; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view the game apparatus and ball of  FIG. 1  illustrating entry of the ball into a goal area of the apparatus; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a partly sectional elevational view of the apparatus according to  FIG. 3  once assembled in use in which the gate is shown in a first position in solid line and in a second position in broken line; and 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the apparatus according to  FIG. 3  in which one of the gates is in the second position. 
   

   In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Shown in  FIG. 1  is an apparatus for playing a game that is played in a manner similar to miniature golf, but that does not require a prefabricated course. The apparatus  10  features a frame  12  having a base  14  for sitting upon a ground surface. The base  14  includes a ring  16  forming a perimeter which defines a goal area  18  within the ring. The game is played with a ball  20  and a club  22 . A swinging motion of the club  22  is used to hit the ball  20  in an attempt to roll it over the ring  16  into the goal area  18 . Played similar golf, the ball is first hit from a predetermined starting point and the number of strokes taken in reaching the goal area is counted, with a lower score therefore being better than a higher one. Definition of a goal area  18  coplanar with the ground surface by the apparatus  10  eliminates the need for sunken holes as used in golf such that the game can be played on essentially any surface. Therefore a game similar to miniature golf can be played, for example, at home without having to travel to and pay for use of a conventional miniature golf course. 
   The apparatus  10  includes a retaining mechanism  24  for preventing exit of the ball  20  from the goal area upon entry thereto over the ring  16 . The retaining mechanism is made up of a plurality of hanging gates  26  extending around the goal area  18 . The gates  26  hang from a support ring  28  that is supported on an upper cross member  30  that extends diametrically across the goal area  18 . The upper cross member  30  is supported atop a vertical shaft  32  centrally disposed in the goal area  18  to elevate the upper cross member therefrom. A lower cross member  34  extends diametrically across the base ring  16  to connect the shaft  32  and base  14  of the frame  12 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment, each gate is formed by a rod bent to form a horizontally disposed central portion  36  having upward extending leg portions  38  at either end thereof and a hook  39  formed at an end of each leg portion opposite the central portion. The hooks  39  extend over the support ring  28  to hang the gate  26  and support it for pivotal motion about the support ring  28 . Each gate  26  is sized such that a space left between the central portion at the bottom thereof and the base ring  16  is smaller in height than the ball  20 . This means that the ball  20  cannot enter the goal area  18  by rolling over the rim  16  without pushing the gate inward toward the centrally disposed shaft  32 . 
   As shown rolling into the goal area  18  in  FIG. 2 , the ball  20  pushes the gate  26  from a first hanging position, in which the gate obstructs entry to the goal area, pivotally toward a second position in which the central portion  36  is raised to the height of the ball  20 . When the central portion  36  passes over the center of the rolling ball  20 , the gate  26  is then free to pivot back toward the original hanging position, to which it is biased by gravity. A blocking ring  42  having a diameter slightly larger than the support ring  28  is concentrically supported therebelow to encompass the hanging gates  26 . The blocking ring  42  prevents pivotal motion of the gates  26  radially outward (with respect to the rings  16 ,  28 ,  42 ) from the hanging position shown in  FIG. 1 . This means that the gates  26  can each swing inward to allow the ball  20  to enter the goal area  18 , but cannot swing outward to allow exit of the ball once having so entered. In other words, the retaining mechanism  12  prevents exit of the ball  20  from the goal area  18  over the base ring  16  in any direction, instead requiring the ball  20  to be manually lifted out of the goal area from above. 
   A second blocking ring may be provided concentric to the support ring  28  above and/or just inside thereof to prevent flipping of the gates over the support ring to extend outside the illustrated blocking ring  42 . Looking at the drawings, it should be appreciated that when rolling with excessive speed, contact of the ball with a gate may cause it to pivot about the support ring to such an extent that it flips completely over to the outside of the illustrated blocking ring  42 . In such a position the gate would act in a reverse manner, allowing exit and preventing entry of a ball  20 , due to the relative positioning of the gate and blocking ring  42 . A second blocking ring supported above and or inside the support ring  28  would block the gates from flipping over to the outside of the illustrated blocking ring  42 , thereby limiting motion of the gates about the support ring to ensure that they are always arranged to allow entry and prevent exit, and not vice versa. It should be appreciated that a second blocking element may have forms other than a ring, so long as it achieves the same effect of limiting the gate motion without obstructing removal of the ball  20  from above the apparatus  10 . 
   By preventing exit from the goal area, the retaining mechanism  12  ensures that even in high speed rolling motion, a ball  20  having entered the apparatus will remain therein. This differs from putting in golf, where a ball hit too hard will tend to skip over or out of the hole and increase the player&#39;s score. The apparatus  10  of the present invention, therefore allows players of varying skill to play together with the possibility of a more balanced score between them. In other words, while aim is certainly required for the ball  20  to reach the apparatus  10  in a relatively low number of strokes, precise velocity control may not be as significant in determining a player&#39;s score. 
   A vertical space between the base ring  16  and the blocking ring  42  defines a mouth through which the ball  20  must pass to enter the goal area  18 . The hanging gates  26  are shaped to ensure that two adjacent gates do not overlap in space at any point in time. In other words, two neighbouring gates commonly pushed by a ball can each move toward the second position at the same time without interference from the other. At the same time, it is desirable to keep the hanging gates  26  in relatively close fitted arrangement about the support ring  28  so that there is not enough room between any two gates to allow the ball  20  to exit the goal area  18  between them. As a result, each gate  26  is tapered from top to bottom by convergence of its leg portions toward its central portion at its lower end opposite the support ring  28 . The gates are thus closely spaced at the support ring  28  but sufficiently spaced at along their lengths so as not to contact one another during pivotal motion about the support ring  28 . Each gate is long enough to hang down past the height of the ball  20 , but is shorter than the radius of the support ring  28  so that it won&#39;t jam against the central shaft  32  during pivotal motion. 
   As seen in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  features a sign panel  44  detachably mounted on the upper cross member  30  by clamping elements  46  disposed in a spaced manner therealong. The sign panel  44  may be used to display indicia for providing information relevant to the game. For example, a plurality of apparatuses may be used to lay out a course having a plurality of goal areas, similar to a miniature golf course having a plurality of holes. In such a case, the sign panel may be used to number the multiple apparatuses to indicate the order in which their play is to be completed and/or indicate par for each individual apparatus. Par is a well-known term used in golf to indicate a standard against which a player&#39;s score may be measured. 
     FIG. 1  shows a club  22  for use with the apparatus  10  and the ball  20 . The club  22  features an elongate shaft  48  having a head  50  and a handle, or grip,  52  disposed at opposite ends. The grip  52  is held in the hands of a player to swing the club  22  to strike the ball  20  with a face  54  of the head  50 . The face  54  is disposed substantially parallel to the shaft  48  and offset to one side thereof. The apparatus may be sized for use with a ball of another game or sport, for example a baseball or softball. This allows the game to be played without having to purchase a ball for the specific purpose of playing the game. A user may therefore use a all already in their possession or purchase a new ball that can be used for more than one particular activity. 
   The apparatus  10  may be modular in assembly to allow collapse to a more compact state for storage. In such a case, the vertical shaft  32  is detachable from each of the upper and lower cross members  30 ,  34  to separate the base  14  from the retaining mechanism  24 . It should be appreciated that the retaining mechanism  24 , including the upper cross member  30 , support ring  28 , hanging gates  26  and blocking ring  42 , can be collapsed in height to be laid atop a flat surface by pivoting hanging gates  26  to extend radially inward from the support ring  28 . Thus, the removed sign panel  44 , shaft  32 , base  14  and retaining mechanism can all be laid, or stacked, on a horizontal surface for storage in a vertically compact arrangement. Different types of detachable connection are well known and can be applied to the apparatus to provide its collapsibility. For example, a hollow center of the shaft  32  may be sized to receive upward and downward vertical projections on the lower and upper cross members  34 ,  30  respectively so that the shaft  32  and retaining mechanism  24  are simply stacked atop one another for assembly. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 3 through 5 , a second embodiment of the apparatus  10  is shown. In the second embodiment, the apparatus is played in a game similarly to the previous embodiment in which a ball, for example a baseball but preferably a softball, is directed at the apparatus  10  which acts as a goal for recording points in the game. The apparatus  10  is particularly suited for playing a game having rules which are similar to golf. 
   The apparatus  10  includes a frame  12 , which in the second embodiment is collapsible, comprised of three base frame members  100  which are moveably connected to one another for movement between an in use position shown in  FIGS. 3 through 5  and a collapsed position for storage in which the three members  100  all lie flat generally against one another in a common plane. 
   Each of the three frame members  100  is comprised of a vertical post  102  joined integrally with a foot  104  at a bottom end and a support arm  106  at a top end thereof. The foot  104  and the support  106  are generally parallel to one another and spaced apart at opposing ends of the respective post  102  to form a generally U-shaped structure of each member  100 . A suitable collar or fastener secures the three posts  102  alongside one another for relative pivotal movement about the respective longitudinal axis of the post. The three posts  102  of the members  100  respectively together form a central shaft  32  of the frame similar to the previous embodiment. 
   The foot and the support arm of each member projects radially from the posts  102  defining the central shaft  32  a distance which corresponds approximately to a radius of the support ring  28  supported thereabove which defines the perimeter boundary  108  which surrounds the goal area  110  lying horizontally on the ground in use within the perimeter of the boundary  108  as defined by a circular area joining the free ends of the feet  104  of the members  100  or the perimeter defined directly below the support ring  28 . 
   The support ring  28  is arranged similarly to the previous embodiment to define the upper portion of the frame  12 . The support ring comprises a circular frame member supported on the free ends of the support arm  106  of the three members  100 . Eyelets  112  are provided at circumferentially spaced positions about the support ring  28  so as to be evenly spaced relative to one another and arranged for receiving pins  114  formed to extend vertically upward from respective free ends of the support arms  106 . The support ring thus rests on top of the support arms  106  and is maintained in position by mating connection of the pin  114  being received within the eyelets  112  respectively. 
   The support ring is arranged to be supported by shaft  32  of the frame members  100  to lie generally horizontally spaced above the ground and directly above the defined perimeter boundary  108  of the goal area. The support ring  28  of the frame  12  is suspended spaced above the ground by the central shaft  32  so that a goal mouth  116  is defined about a full perimeter of the goal area so as to fully surround the goal area and provide access to the goal area by the game ball. The goal mouth  116  is thus arranged to provide access to the goal area from a plurality of opposed directions and a plurality of positions spaced circumferentially about a full perimeter of the frame. 
   As in the previous embodiment a retaining mechanism  24  is provided in the form of a plurality of obstruction elements or gates  26  which are suspended from the support ring  28 . Each gate  26  is generally U-shaped having a bottom bar  118  and two side bars  120  joined therewith in a generally U-shaped configuration. The space between the two side bars  120  is arranged to be narrower than the game ball to prevent access of the game ball therebetween. Furthermore the gates are positioned adjacent one another at circumferentially spaced positions about the support ring  28  such that the side bars  120  of two adjacent gates are also spaced apart by a distance which is less than the diameter of the game ball to prevent the game ball being passed therebetween. The space between adjacent gates is only slightly less than the width of each gate. The gates are supported on the support ring  28  by lugs supported at prescribed circumferentially spaced positions. Each gate is supported by two lugs spaced apart by a circumferential spacing which is slightly less than the width of the gate. Hook ends are provided in the upper ends of the side bars  120  of the gates opposite the bottom bar  118  in which the hook ends project inwardly towards one another for being engaged within respective apertures in the lugs associated with that gate. 
   Each gate is arranged to be pivoted between a first position extending generally vertically downward from the support ring a sufficient distance that the bottom bar  118  is position sufficiently close to the ground that the game ball is not permitted to pass between the bottom bar  118  and the ground without displacing the gate. Each gate  26  thus blocks a respective portion of the goal mouth  116  in the first position. 
   Each gate  26  pivots from the first position radially inwardly towards a second position pivoted upwardly in relation to the first position to a generally horizontal orientation in which the goal mouth  116  is substantially unobstructed by the gate to permit access of the game ball across the perimeter boundary into the goal area. The gates are freely hinged on the support ring so that gravity biases the gates from the second position towards the first position. 
   Similarly to the previous embodiment a first blocking ring  42  is provided in the form a circular member which is only slightly greater than the support ring  28  so as to be very near or identical in diameter relative to one another. The blocking ring  42  is positioned spaced vertically below the support ring so as to prevent the gates  26  from pivoting outwardly from the first position in a direction away from the second position. Preventing displacement of the gates beyond the first position thus restricts a ball from exiting the goal area across one of the gates once the gates have been pivoted into the first position. 
   In the second embodiment a second blocking ring  122  is also provided which is positioned upwardly and inwardly in relation to the support ring while having a diameter which is near or preferably less than the support ring. In this arrangement the gates  26  are each prevented from pivoting upwardly beyond the second position away from the first position. More particularly the blocking ring  122  serves to prevent the gates from being rotated upwardly to an over center position in which the gates are rotated upwardly and outwardly beyond the perimeter boundary. In this arrangement the gate is always maintained within the perimeter boundary  108  so that gravity always biases the gate back to the first position. 
   The support ring and the two blocking rings are all fixed in position relative to one another by a set of coupling bars  124  positioned at circumferentially spaced positions corresponding to the locations of the eyelets  112 . 
   A sign  126  is also provided as in the previous embodiment for providing indicia to indicate to a player of the game the location or other criteria about the apparatus  10  upon which the sign is mounted. The sign includes a pair of sockets  128  which are positioned at opposing ends of the sign at a spacing which corresponds to the spacing between any two of the pins  114  of the frame members  100  so that once the pins are inserted through the eyelets respectively, the sign  126  can in turn be supported thereabove by inserting the portion of the pin extending above the eyelet into the sockets  128  of the sign respectively. 
   The components of the apparatus  10  are suitably sized such that the bottom bars of the gates  26  are suspended spaced above the ground with a height in relation to the feet  104  of the frame members  100  which corresponds to a dimension which is greater than half the diameter of the game ball, but is preferably nearer to three quarters of the diameter of the game ball. The increased space between the bottom bar and the bottom of the frame prevents debris including grass or leaves and the like from interfering with the pivoting motion of the gates between the first and second positions thereof. 
   Furthermore the sum of the overall height of the gates in the first position together with the outer diameter of the game ball is arranged to be less in magnitude than a space between the support ring and the bottom of the shaft  32  at the center of the goal area. In this arrangement as the game ball nears the center of the apparatus  10 , the game ball fully clears the bottom of the gate and the gate is permitted to freely return to the first position under biasing of gravity. Furthermore the first blocking ring  42  is arranged to be positioned near the support ring so that space between the blocking ring  42  and the perimeter boundary defined by the feet is arranged to be considerably greater than the diameter of the game ball so that the blocking ring  42  does not interfere with entry of the game ball across the goal mouth. In this instance the goal mouth is effectively defined between the perimeter boundary at the bottom of the frame and the blocking ring  42 . 
   When it is desired to store the apparatus  10  according to the second embodiment, the sign is removed from the pins  114  followed by the support ring and blocking rings which are together removed from the pins as well. The gates can then all be pivoted inwardly to a generally horizontal position in a common plane with the support ring. The gates are spaced apart from one another sufficiently that when the gates are pivoted to the storage position, with the bottom bars being pivoted inwardly towards the center of the apparatus, no interference results from the bottom bars abutting one another. Folding the three frame members  100  to lie flat against one another and against the support ring then permits all components of the apparatus  10  to be folded into a generally flat configuration for storage. 
   The apparatus may be sold with or without one or more balls and with or without one or more clubs. Apparatuses may be sold individually or in sets. For example, a set of nine apparatuses may be sold to allow setup of a course similar to a nine-hole golf course without having to repeatedly move an individual apparatus around to create different playing layouts. Alternatively, a single apparatus can be purchased for use and easily moved around as desired. Unlike a miniature golf course, the goal area can be approached from any initial starting direction, thereby altering the approach layout without having to move the apparatus. The number of apparatuses a person desires to own may depend on the amount of space available for play, for example as defined by the person&#39;s yard size. Selling individual apparatuses allows a person to add more to their collection as they see fit. 
   Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.