Patent GB-458663-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for playing a game
IPC: A63B71/06
Filed: 1935-03-19
Abstract: 458,663. Games simulating golf &c. SIMON, L. J., Riverside Works, Hertford Road, Barking, Essex, and MITCHELL, F. A., 18, Cornwall Gardens, South Kensington, London. March 19, 1935, No. 8606. [Class 132 (ii)] An apparatus for playing a ball game comprises means to limit the flight of a ball when struck by a player, an indicator, means for moving the indicator in accordance with the force of the blow imparted to the ball, a device for showing when loft is to be imparted to the ball and mechanism associated with the device adapted to set a limit to the operation of the indicator when the device indicates that loft is to be imparted and until a stroke is made imparting a predetermined loft to the ball. Before commencing play, a semi-transparent chart 96, Figs. 2, 9, representing a golf course and stretched between two rollers 94 is adjusted by a knob 117, Fig. 1, to display one or more " holes " behind a window W. Verticallymovable carriers 69, Figs. 2, 6, at each side of the casing, each corresponding to a player are also adjusted by handles 103 to their lowermost positions, and a main switch is closed in the electric supply. The ball 36, tethered to a spring-drum is teed up in alignment with a guide arm 58 capable of vertical and horizontal rotation. The tether 9 passes through a loop 59 in the end of the guide arm. The first player drives the ball, and if the drive is straight the guide arm remains undeflected and the spring drum is rotated. A sliding nut on the spindle of the drum operates a set of switches and the drum returns under the restraint of a centrifugal governor. The switches cause energization of an electromagnet 64 to liberate a gravity motor 61 which then raises the appropriate carrier 69 (for example, left-hand, Fig. 6) under the pull of its counterweight 78. On the completion of the return movement of the spring drum a switch is opened to re-arrange the circuit and de-energize the magnet 64 thereby stopping the gravity motor and carrier 69. A lamp 70, Fig. 6, mounted in the carrier is also illuminated to project a spot of light through an optical system 71 on to a mirror 76 and thence to the semi-transparent chart 96 to give an indication thereon of the point reached by the ball as a result of the stroke. At the same time an arrow-shaped aperture in the carrier permits the lamp to give an indication of the distance driven on a scale 97, Fig. 9, of yards marked on the edge of the chart. A stroke by the second player, if straight, operates the second carrier (right-hand, Fig. 6) in a manner similar to that described above to give similar indications for the second-player's stroke. The two carriers when passing one another are arranged to operate a throw-over device co-operating with a switch so as to illuminate an indicator lamp corresponding to the lower carrier (that is, the shorter ball) and thus indicate which of the players is now due to play. If a player slices or pulls the ball so as to deflect the guide arm horizontally to a considerable extent, a further re-arrangement of the circuit energizes an electromagnet so as to rock the appropriate mirror 76, Fig. 6, and cause the projected spot of light to move laterally on the chart to indicate the deviation of the ball in addition to the yards driven. The lateral indication is, however, delayed until the carrier 69 has substantially completed its movement. If the lateral deviation is excessive, the circuit controlling the gravity motor is broken and no indication of any advance is given, a lamp being illuminated to indicate " out of bounds " on the chart. If the result of the stroke causes an indication to be given in a bunker, a warning lamp is illuminated and it is necessary for the player's next shot to be sufficiently lofted to extricate the ball. If the ball is not sufficiently lofted (that is the guide arm 59 is not sufficiently raised by the stroke) the circuits prevent movement of the carriers, the circuits for the various bunkers being under the joint control of spring-pressed electric contacts engaging columns of slots in the sides of the chart, and a set of contacts on the horizontal pivotal axis of the guide arm. The indication of distance driven is reduced when a lofted stroke is played by a re-arrangement of the circuit to reduce the movement of the carrier 69. If a stroke made just in front of a bunker is insufficiently lofted to clear the bunker, the next indication on the chart is shown in the bunker. If the ball is shown on the chart as having reached a green, the player putts a free ball along a putting surface 178, Fig. 1, and if the ball enters the hole 181 it closes an electric contact and the carrier 69 moves upwards and the indication is transferred to the next tee. To enable a person to play by himself, a switch is provided for cutting out the right-hand part of the apparatus. Specification 458,718 is referred to.