Patent Publication Number: US-2021170250-A1

Title: Portable putting golf square game

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a mat game or board game, and more particularly, to a portable indoor/outdoor putting golf game. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The traditional game of golfing is inconvenient to play and learn due to factors such as: golf course availability, distance to a golf course, outdoor weather conditions, time required to play, expense of playing at a golf course, expense of the equipment required to play, and required health of the player. 
     Golfing facilities are expensive. Tee sheets are half filled because no one really has the extra money or time to spend on six hours in the sun waiting for the golfers ahead to find their balls or putt out on the green. 
     Golfing equipment is expensive. Basic starter and junior sets that contain woods, irons and a putter are usually cost prohibitive for most middle to lower income individuals who are interested in trying a new sport. For those looking for equipment from top manufacturers, they can expect an expensive bill which can even cost as much as a month or more of an average US income. 
     Golfing takes time. On a somewhat popular course, a golfer may spend as much as 4.5 hours minimum for 18 holes. Studies show that leisure time has shrunk for both sexes, and that fathers are doing more work around the house, though mothers still devote more time to chores and childcare than their spouses. Fathers spend an average of 2.6 hours per week participating in sports (compared to 1.4 hours for mothers), which isn&#39;t nearly enough time to play 18 holes. Children today seem to be nearly as overscheduled as their parents. And like their parents, teens don&#39;t have the time to play 18 holes as they are often busy with other activities such as soccer practice, saxophone lessons, and coding classes. 
     Golfing requires good health. The average golfer will walk up to four miles in a single round of golf. Back pain, shoulder pain, and knee pain are common when playing the traditional game of golf. 
     Miniature golfing is a popular alternative to traditional golfing but still has the same drawbacks of expense, time, weather, and availability. 
     Accordingly, there is an established need for a golfing game that is inexpensive, portable, fast, always available, and less stressful on the body of a player. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A portable putting golf square game has been developed that is inexpensive, portable, fast, always available, and less stressful on the body of a player. The portable putting golf square game of the present invention can be conveniently enjoyed by the young, the old, the rich, and the poor. The portable putting golf square game of the present invention fosters unity in families, lasting bonds with friends and neighbors, moments of laughter, and unforgettable memories. 
     In a first embodiment of the invention, a portable putting golf square game includes: a rectangular mat divided into forty-nine squares arranged in a seven by seven matrix and a rectangular section forming a front side of the rectangular mat; a first subset of the forty-nine squares contain indicia representing a first distance from a center square of the seven by seven matrix; and a second subset of the forty-nine squares, having a greater number of squares than the first subset, containing indicia representing a second distance from the center square of the seven by seven matrix. 
     In one aspect, the portable putting golf square game may further comprise a third subset of the forty-nine squares, having a greater number of squares than the second subset, containing indicia representing a third distance from the center of the seven by seven matrix. 
     In another aspect, the putting stick may comprise a pivoting shaft and a head attached to the pivoting shaft. 
     In another aspect, the pivoting shaft may pivot along a longitudinal direction of the head allowing a right-handed or a left-handed user to use the putting stick. 
     In another aspect, the ball may be 2.3 inches in diameter. In another aspect, the ball may weigh 2.0 ounces. 
     In another aspect, the rectangular mat may be 28 inches wide and 48 inches long. 
     In another aspect, a majority of the forty-nine squares may have 4 inch sides. 
     In another aspect, the first distance may be within one square of the forty-nine squares away from an inner perimeter of the center square of the seven by seven square matrix. 
     In another aspect, the first distance may be equal to the distance of one square of the forty-nine squares. 
     In another aspect, the second distance may be within two squares, of the forty-nine squares, away from an inner perimeter of the center square of the seven by seven square matrix. 
     In another aspect, the second distance may be equal to the distance of two squares of the forty-nine squares. 
     In another aspect, the third distance may be within three squares, of the forty-nine squares, away from an inner perimeter of the center square of the seven by seven square matrix. 
     In another aspect, the third distance may be equal to the distance of three squares of the forty-nine squares. 
     In second embodiment of the invention, a portable putting golf square game comprises: a rectangular mat divided into forty-nine squares arranged in a seven by seven matrix and a rectangular section forming a front side of the rectangular mat; wherein a first subset of the forty-nine squares contains indicia representing a first distance from a center of the seven by seven matrix; wherein a second subset of the forty-nine squares has a greater number of squares than the first subset and contains indicia representing a second distance from the center of the seven by seven matrix; wherein a third subset of the forty-nine squares has a greater number of squares than the second subset and contains indicia representing a third distance from the center of the seven by seven matrix; and wherein each of the forty-nine squares have 4 inch sides. 
     In one aspect, the putting stick may comprise a pivoting shaft and a head attached to the pivoting shaft. 
     In another aspect, the pivoting shaft may pivot along a longitudinal direction of the head allowing a right-handed or a left-handed user to use the putting stick. 
     In another aspect, the ball may be 2.3 inches in diameter. 
     In a third embodiment of the invention, a portable game comprises a rectangular mat divided into forty-nine squares arranged in a seven by seven matrix and a rectangular section forming a front side of the rectangular mat; a first subset of the forty-nine squares contain indicia representing a first distance from a center of the seven by seven matrix; a second subset of the forty-nine squares containing indicia representing a second distance from the center of the seven by seven matrix; a third subset of the forty-nine squares containing indicia representing a third distance from the center of the seven by seven matrix; wherein the first distance is equal to the distance of one square of the forty-nine squares; wherein the second distance is equal to a distance of two squares of the forty-nine squares; wherein the third distance is equal to a distance of three squares of the forty-nine squares; and wherein the front side of the rectangular mat is sloped on at least one perimeter side. 
     In one aspect, the portable game of may further comprise a putting stick with a pivoting shaft and a head attached to the pivoting shaft, wherein the pivoting shaft pivots along a longitudinal direction of the head allowing a right-handed or a left-handed user to use the putting stick. 
     In another aspect, the ball may be 2.3 inches in diameter. 
     In another aspect, the rectangular mat may be 28 inches wide and 48 inches long. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  presents a perspective view of a portable putting golf square game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  presents a perspective view of a portable putting golf square game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  presents a top diagrammatic view of a rectangular game mat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  presents a perspective view of a ball and putting stick in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  presents a perspective view of a ball, putting stick, and game-player-positioning in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  presents a perspective view of a rectangular game mat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  presents a partially-magnified perspective view of a portable putting golf square game and scoring device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  presents a perspective view of a portable putting golf square game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a portable putting golf square game that includes a rectangular mat divided into forty-nine squares arranged in a seven by seven matrix and a rectangular section forming a front side of the rectangular mat and a putting stick used to hit a ball toward the rectangular mat. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a portable putting golf square game  100  is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The portable putting golf square game  100  includes a rectangular mat  300 , a playing surface  116 , a ball  414 , and a putting stick  400 . The putting stick  400  includes a putting stick handle  408 , a pivoting shaft  410 , a putting stick head  412 , and a fastener  418 . As shown, the rectangular mat  300  includes a square section  304  that is divided into forty-nine smaller squares and a rectangular section  322  forming a front  324  of the rectangular mat  300 . The rectangular mat  300  may be positioned on the flat playing surface  116  with the front  324  facing the player  106  allowing the player  106  to putt or hit the ball  414  onto the rectangular mat  300  using the putting stick  400 . The rectangular mat  300  may be made from rubber, polyurethane, polymeric compounds, paper, plastics, cardboard, petroleum derivatives, metals, or any materials capable of providing a thin flat surface for receiving the ball  414  as the ball  414  rolls toward the rectangular mat  300 . The flat playing surface  116  is shown as a driveway of the home  120 , but may be any flat surface inside of a structure or outside of a structure that provides enough area to the hit ball  414  onto the rectangular mat  300 . Examples of flat playing surfaces may include: hallways, bedrooms, kitchens, dining areas, porches, driveways, sidewalks, streets, parking lots, and floors of hospitals, nursing homes, retirement centers, schools, etc. The portable putting golf square game  100  may be played as one or more players  106  putt or hit the ball  414  toward the front  324  of the rectangular mat  300  using the putting stick  400 . Player  106  is shown as a right handed player, however, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the pivoting shaft  410  of the putting stick  400  pivots in a longitudinal direction of head  412  about an axis defined by fastener  418 ; thus allowing a right-handed player  106  or a left-handed player  206  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) to use the same putting stick  400 . In the event of rain, player  106  can easily take the portable putting golf square game  100  inside to finish the game. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a portable putting golf square game  200  is illustrated inside of the home  120 . The portable putting golf square game  200  includes the aforementioned rectangular mat  300 , a playing surface  216 , the aforementioned putting stick  400  and the ball  414 . Player  206  is shown as a left-handed player using the same putting stick  400  as previously shown in  FIG. 1 . The head  412  of the putting stick  400  is rotated about an axis defined by the fastener  418  allowing the left-handed player  206  to use the same putting stick  400  as is shown being used by the right-handed player of  FIG. 1 . The player  206  uses the putting stick  400  to the hit ball  414  toward the game mat  300  by way of the front edge  324 . The square section  304  and the rectangular section  322  provide surfaces for receiving the ball  414  as it is hit toward the game mat  300 . The square section  304  may provide visual feedback for scoring a golfing game of the present invention. A bottom surface of the game mat  300  may be made from non-scratch material in order to provide protection to the flooring of the home. Additionally, the bottom surface of the game mat  300  may be made from non-slip material so the game mat  300  does not slip along the playing surface  116 / 216  when the ball  414  rolls onto the mat or when the player picks up the ball from the mat. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the rectangular game mat  300  of the present invention may include a seven row  304   a  by seven column  304   b  square matrix of forty-nine squares represented by elements  310 ,  312 ,  314 . The forty-nine squares feature eight number 1&#39;s, sixteen number 2&#39;s, twenty-four number 3&#39;s, and one blank center square  326 . The number 1&#39;s, number 2&#39;s, and number 3&#39;s are indicial representations of a distance or number of squares from the center  326 . The number 1&#39;s represent a first subset of the forty-nine squares. The number 2&#39;s represent a second subset of the forty-nine squares, the second subset being more numerous or being a larger subset of the forty-nine squares than that of the first subset. The number 3&#39;s represent a third subset of the forty-nine squares, the third subset being more numerous or being a larger subset of the forty-nine squares than that of the first or second subset. The number 3&#39;s also equal the total of number 1&#39;s added to the number 2&#39;s, i.e., eight number 1&#39;s plus sixteen number 2&#39;s equal twenty-four number 3&#39;s. The indicial representations may be surface markings, imprints, molded marks, colors, letters, numbers, words, painted marks, engraved marks, overlay markings, integral formed markings, or a combination thereof. The elements  310 ,  312 , and  314  are shown as numbers representing a distance from the center  326 , but in other aspects of the invention, elements  310 ,  312 , and  314  may be colors such as green, yellow and red where all of the green squares represent a distance of one square from the center, all of the yellow squares represent a distance of two squares from the center, and all of the red squares represent a distance of three squares from the center. In other aspects, words, letters, numbers, colors, patterns, or a combination thereof may be used to represent a first distance, a second distance, and a third distance from the center  326  instead of the numbers as shown in  FIG. 3 . Side elements  316 ,  318 ,  320 , and  322 , formed as solid lines for illustrative purposes, provide examples of sides of each of the forty-nine squares. Each of the forty nine-squares have approximately the same size and dimensions for each of the side elements forming each of the forty-nine squares making each square about 4 inches on each side. Each of the forty-nine squares have approximately the same inner area bound by side elements  316 ,  318 ,  320 , and  322 . The side elements  316 ,  318 ,  320 , and  322  may be surface markings, imprints, molded marks, colors, letters, numbers, words, painted marks, engraved marks, overlay markings, integral formed markings, or a combination thereof. 
     In one or more alternative embodiments the overall shape of game mat  300  may be round, square, rectangle, or any other shape capable of providing or supporting a matrix  304   a / 304   b.    
     In alternative embodiments rings, concentric circles, shapes, or colors may present a matrix, pattern, and/or shape that visually represents a distance to a center position on the game mat  300  instead of square matrix  304   a / 304   b.    
     The rectangular section  322  provides an entrance point for the ball  414  to be hit onto before stopping or landing on the square matrix. The rectangular section  322  may include one or more sloped edges providing a bevel for the ball to transition onto the game mat. The bevel may be located on the front edge  324  of the rectangular section  322  of the game mat  300 . The rectangular game mat  300  may have an overall length  302  of 48 inches and an overall width  304   b  of 28 inches. The seven by seven square matrix may be 28 inches wide 304b and 28 inches long  304   a . A thickness of the rectangular game mat  300  may be between 0.000001 of an inch and 1 inch thick. A beveled perimeter may facilitate the ball rolling onto the mat, such as in the event of using a smaller ball, a sloped surface, etc. 
     Now looking to  FIG. 4 , the putting stick  400  and the ball  414  of the previous figures are illustrated in greater detail. As mentioned heretofore, the putting stick  400  includes a putting stick handle  408 , a pivoting shaft  410 , a rotating head  412 , and a fastener  418 . The putting stick handle  408  interfaces with the pivoting shaft  410  to complete a putting stick length  402 . The putting stick length  402  may be between 35 and 45 inches with an illustrative preferred length of 39 inches. The pivoting shaft  410  may be between 20% to 40% of the overall putting stick length  402 . The putting stick handle  408  may be between 60% to 80% of the overall putting stick length  402 . The pivoting shaft  410  may be square or round in shape such that the putting stick handle  408  may screw, slide, fasten, or engage inside of the pivoting shaft  410 . Additionally, the square shape of the pivoting shaft  410  may create a desirable surface for fastening the rotating head  412  to the pivoting shaft  410 . The putting stick handle  408  may adjust in and out of pivoting shaft  410  allowing the overall putting stick length  402  to be adjusted. The rotating head  412  is fastened to pivoting shaft  410  by way of fastener  418 . The rotating head  412  is capable of rotating about an axis  506  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) defined by the fastener  418  allowing the pivoting shaft  410  to pivot side-to-side while the rotating head stays parallel to a playing surface  116 / 216 . The fastener  418  may be a bolt, screw, nail, cotter pin, roll pin, rivet, or an equivalent that allows pivoting shaft  410  to pivot, shown by element  504  in  FIG. 5 , in relation to the rotating head  412 . The rotating and pivoting features of the pivoting shaft  410  and the rotating head  412  allow the putting stick  400  to be useable by a left-handed player  206  or a right-handed player  106  of the portable putting golf square game. 
     The ball  414  is preferably molded from rubber, plastic or other synthetic or semi-synthetic polymers and may be between 2 inches and 3 inches in diameter and weighs between 1.5 ounces and 3.0 ounces with a preferred diameter of 2.3 inches and a preferred weight of 2.0 ounces. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the ball  414 , the putting stick  400 , and a game-player-positioning  500 . The game-player-positioning  500  includes the player  106 , the playing surface  116 , a player shoe  508 , a player-toe-line  510 , the putting stick  400 , the pivoting shaft  410 , the rotating head  412 , the rotating/pivoting axis (shown as element  506 ), a distance between rotating/pivoting axis and player-toe-line  502 , the fastener  418 , and the ball  414 . The distance  502  is about 14 inches for the average putting golf game player. The game mat is preferably 28 inches wide; and 14 inches is the optimal putting distance based on the length of the putting stick  402  and the width of the rectangular game mat. The player-toe-line  510  can also be at a side edge of the rectangular game mat without needing to step on the rectangular game mat while putting the ball  414 . The player-toe-line  510  may be determined by a longest protruding portion of a shoe  508  of the player  106 . 
     The rotating head  412  is fastened to the pivoting shaft  410  by way of the fastener  418 . The rotating head  412  is capable of rotating about an axis  506  defined by the fastener  418  allowing the pivoting shaft  410  to pivot side-to-side while the rotating head stays parallel to a playing surface  116 / 216 . The fastener  418  may be a bolt, screw, nail, cotter pin, roll pin, rivet, or an equivalent that allows the pivoting shaft  410  to pivot in relation to the rotating head  412 . The rotating and pivoting features of the pivoting shaft  410  and the rotating head  412  allow the putting stick  400  to be useable by a left-handed player  206  or a right-handed player  106  of the portable putting golf square game  100 / 200 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a rectangular game mat  600  of the present invention is illustrated. The rectangular mat  600  includes one or more sloped or beveled edges  602 / 604 / 606 / 608 . The beveled edges may be required if the rectangular game mat  600  has a thickness of greater than 0.125 of an inch. Front edge  324  may, alternatively or additionally, be beveled to keep the ball  414  from bouncing when approaching the front edge  324  and/or to provide a smooth transition onto the rectangular section  322 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a portable putting golf square game  700  is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The Portable putting golf square game  700  includes John  706 , Bill  704 , Dave  702 , the rectangular mat  300 , a score card device  708 , projected view of the score card device  708   a , score card data  710 / 724 / 726 / 728 / 730 / 732 / 734 , balls-in-play  718 / 720 , the playing surface  116 , the putting stick  400  and the ball  414 . As shown, the rectangular mat  300  includes the rectangular section  322  forming a front of the rectangular mat  300 . The rectangular mat  300  may be positioned on the flat playing surface  116  allowing the player  702  to putt or hit the ball  414  onto the rectangular mat  300  using the putting stick  400 . The score card device  708  may be an electronic device such as a smartphone running application software that provides player name registrations and score tracking similar to  708   a . Additionally or alternatively, score card device  708  may be a manual score card as shown in the magnified view  708   a . Score card  708   a  shows Dave  702  needing to take his last putt  724  before the winner is decided. John&#39;s last putt resulted in the ball  718  landing on a number 2 and his score of “2” was entered in at  732 . Bills last put resulted in the ball  720  landing on a number 3 and his score of “3” was entered in at  734 . John&#39;s final score was 14 while Bill&#39;s final score was 17. Dave hit the center square on his first putt and this resulted in a “−5” being entered in at  728 . Dave&#39;s previous putt resulted in the ball landing on the rectangular section  322  and this gave him a 4. Bill&#39;s fifth put landed off of the game mat  300  resulting in a “5” being entered in at  730 . Dave has this game won before he even putts his last shot because the highest score he can achieve is 13 if his putt lands off of the mat  300 . Balls  718  and  720  are shown on the game mat for illustration purposes. During a normal game sequence, a ball  414 ,  720 , or  718  may be picked up after a putt thereby allowing an open game mat to receive a subsequently putted ball. When a putted ball lands between two numbers, an edge of the mat, or between the rectangular section  322  and the square matrix, the higher number becomes the number entered for that putt. For instance, if the ball  414  lands between a “1” and a “2” the entered score would be a “2”. If the ball  414  lands between rectangular section  322  and playing surface  116  the entered score would be a “5”. If ball  414  lands between rectangular section  322  and a “3” the entered score would be a “4”. If a ball  414  lands between a “3” and playing surface  116  the entered score would be a “5”. Various rules and modes of play may be implemented within the present invention without limiting the scope of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a portable putting golf square game  800  is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Portable putting golf square game  800  includes rectangular game mat  300 , putting stick  400 , ball  414 , player  802 , 5-foot putting distance  806 / 814 , 7-foot putting distance  808 / 812 , and 10-foot putting distance  810 / 414 . A method of playing the putting golf game of the present invention may include putt starting distances of 5, 7, and 10 feet measured from interface  816 , the interface defined by the union between the seven by seven square matrix  304  and the rectangular section  322 . Various rules and modes of play may be implemented within the present invention without limiting the scope of the invention. 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it is understood that any of the features presented in the embodiments may be integrated into any of the other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.