Patent Publication Number: US-4150826-A

Title: Game ball

Description:
REFERENCE TO EARLIER INVENTION 
     This application is a division of application Ser. No. 573,773, filed May 1, 1975, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,561. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many generations of sportsmen and sportswomen have enjoyed the game of golf which, in the classic instance, is played on an 18-hole course having a playing length of several thousand yards. The approximate area of an average eighteen hole regulation golf course is one-hundred twenty acres. Most golfers enjoy the long fairways and the broad greens and look forward to each next occassion when they can travel to the golf course and indulge in this fine game. 
     However, due to increased population, rising real estate prices, and higher taxes, as well as other factors including inflation, it is no longer a simple matter to raise the substantial amount of funds necessary in order for the establishment and construction of a golf course of regulation size. 
     Because a golf course typically requires so much acreage, and because of the land values and municipal taxes involved, it is necessary to create golf courses that are further and further from residential areas. This of course means that a golfer must travel for great distances in many instances in order to pursue this game. Also, he or she must be willing to pay large membership fees and substantial yearly fees if he or she is to belong to a typical golf club. 
     A number of substitutes for the regulation game of golf have been proposed, but none of these has ever achieved popularity. 
     SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION 
     In accordance with this invention, we have evolved a new game we call &#34;softgolf&#34; which may be played in much the manner of regulation golf but in locations where considerable acreage is not available. Because we utilize a ball having a weight closely similar to the weight of a regulation golf ball, but which has a diameter of approximately 5 inches, our ball has a small weight-to-size ratio. Because of the small weight-to-size ratio and the elasticity of the ball material, the coefficient of restitution is greatly affected. We have found through extensive experiments that our ball will travel only one-fourth or one-fifth the distance that the regulation golf ball would have traveled had it been struck with an equivalent swing by a corresponding regulation golf club. 
     Not only does the softgolf ball in accordance with this invention travel for comparatively short distances, but also, because of the type materials used and its small weight-to-size ratio, it will not cause harm or damage, which of course is another way of saying that even if the ball in flight strikes a person, it will not have the possible lethal effect that a regulation golf ball would have had. 
     Because we have carefully sized the ball while retaining a proper weight thereof, and proportionately sized up the face of each of the clubs of the set of clubs we use, we have preserved the &#34;feel&#34; that the golfer normally obtains when he swings a regulation golf club and hits a regulation golf ball. In other words, we have made it possible for a golfer having only a limited space available, to nevertheless keep up his game and be able to hit balls with full energy swings without having to travel considerable distances in order to find space sufficient for hitting conventional golf balls. 
     The game we have developed is realistic in many aspects, for we envision a set of clubs closely corresponding to regulation golf clubs insofar as length, weight and face angle are concerned, with the principal departure involving an increase in face area so as best to contact the large ball we use. The golfer can practice his driving, putting and other requisite skills of the golfer in the privacy of his home or yard, or in a nearby vacant lot, and thus effectively keep in practice without wondering if he will cause damage or lose the ball. 
     As should be obvious, the game we have devised lends itself as a sport played by the individual, or by groups or families, and various contests and competitions may be established in the form of leagues, tournaments, and other challenges. Our game also may form the basis for a business franchise, operated separately or in conjunction with campgrounds, mobile home parks, hotels, recreation parks, resorts and the like, with all of this being able to be accomplished at but a fraction of the cost of a regulation golf course. For example, a nine hole course in accordance with this invention can be accommodated in approximately five acres, and an eighteen hole course in approximately eight acres. 
     It is another object of our invention to provide a novel yet realistic golf game utilizing a ball having a comparatively low weight-to-size ratio, which advantageously will travel only about one-fourth or one-fifth the distance of a regulation golf ball when equivalent swings are involved, thus enabling the full enjoyment of the game to be realized in approximately one-fourth the time span of regulation golf. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a ball of lightweight construction that on the one hand is durable, but on the other hand is of such lightweight construction as to enable it to be struck by a novel, large size golf club without involving a jolt to the arms and wrists of the golfer. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a ball of closed cell, lightweight, flexible foam, that is properly sized and sufficiently light, durable and inexpensive as to enable its effective use in a golf game apparatus. 
     It is yet another object of our invention to provide a properly sized ball several inches in diameter, constructed of closed cell flexible foam and of such light, durable and inexpensive construction as to enable its effective use in connection with a practice form of golf game. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a golfer holding a club and addressing a ball in accordance with this invention, with this figure revealing to some extent the increase in accordance with this invention of the size of the ball and club face over that of regulation golf; 
     FIG. 2 is a view to full scale looking into the front of a typical loft club in accordance with this invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a full scale view of a preferred embodiment of a ball in accordance with our softgolf game, with the ball in this instance being constructed of closed cell lightweight foam, over which a skin of tough, wear-resistant flexible material is provided; 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of a putter club in accordance with this invention, and FIG. 4A is a side view of the same club; 
     FIG. 5 is another embodiment of a softgolf ball in accordance with this invention, in this instance involving a ball having a thick outer wall and a hollow interior, with closed cell medium density foam being utilized in its construction; 
     FIG. 5A is still another embodiment of a softgolf ball, in this instance being a ball entirely constructed of closed cell flexible foam and having an integral skin foamed in place; 
     FIG. 6 typifies a golfer teeing off on a softgolf course, in this instance involving a par 4 playing hole with a distance of 65 to 85 yards, with the solid line showing the travel of a softgolf ball, and the dashed lines being utilized to show the distance that would have been traveled by a regulation golf ball when hit with the same force by a golfer using a regulation golf club; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a ball trap in accordance with this invention, with a softgolf ball shown entering the trap. 
    
    
     GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
     Turning to FIG. 1, it will there be seen we have shown a golfer in a typical golfing stance, holding a golf club 10 in accordance with our invention. It is to be noted that the club head 12 is of a size that is noticeably larger than that of the corresponding regulation club, with this enlarged size being appropriate for contacting the ball 14 we use, which is of considerably larger diameter than the diameter of a regulation golf ball. 
     As will be explained at length hereinafter, the club head 12 and the ball 14 are of a weight such that the golfer will obtain a &#34;feel&#34; almost identical to that when a golfer swings a regulation club and hits a regulation golf ball. However, the ball 14 in accordance with this invention is spherical, weighing approximately 2.2 ounces and having a diameter of approximately 4.8 inches, so it has a weight-to-size ratio of about 0.458. However, we prefer to refer to the ball in terms of its weight-to-volume ratio, as will be seen hereinafter, with this ratio being approximately one seventeenth of the weight-to-volume ratio of a regulation golf ball. As a result, our ball will not travel nearly as far as a regulation ball for an equivalent swing by the golfer, and as a matter of fact, the ball in accordance with this invention typically only travels about one-fourth as far. Although we prefer the weight and size specified, we are not to be limited to these, and as explained hereinafter, there can be some variation in diameter and weight of the balls we use. 
     Turning to FIG. 2, we have there provided a full size showing of the head 12 of a typical club in accordance with this invention, with the face 16 of the club being disposed at approximately 55 degrees. In this regard, the club shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to a wedge club of regulation golf. However, the area of the face 16 in accordance with this invention is approximately 15.4 square inches, or approximately 2.8 times the area of the face of the corresponding regulation club. It will be pointed out in connection with FIG. 13 how the clubs in accordance with this invention have in each instance the same loft angle as the corresponding regulation club, as well as the same weight and total length of the shaft and head, but have a much larger club face area. We prefer to use club heads of aluminum alloy, but are not to be limited to this material. 
     Turning to FIG. 3, it is there to be seen that we have shown a first embodiment of a ball 14 in accordance with this invention, with a portion of the ball being cut away so as to reveal internal construction. In a typical instance, a ball along the lines of that shown in FIG. 3 has an internal portion 18 of closed cell flexible foam of a density of approximately 3 lbs. to 4 lbs. per cubic foot. Obviously, many types of lightweight foams could not withstand direct, forceful contact with the clubs in accordance with this invention, so we typically have a covering 20 that is molded in place. This may be either an integral formed skin or a thin tough skin formed as a result of an applied coating. 
     A modified form of a ball in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3 may be of a closed cell flexible foam of a density of 2 lbs. to 3 lbs. per cubic foot, molded with a thick integral formed skin, or alternatively equipped with a thick skin coating that has been applied. In any event, the ball normally has a diameter of 4.80 inches, but we are not to be limited to this, for the ball diameter could be as great as 5.0 inches or as small as 4.2 inches. 
     The ball 14 in accordance with this invention normally has a weight of 2.2 ounces, but we are not to be limited to this weight, for the ball can have a weight as great as 2.5 ounces, or as small as 2.0 ounces. 
     Based on the preferred or nominal weight of 2.2 ounces and diameter of 4.80 inches, our ball has a nominal weight-to-volume ratio of 0.038. This value is obtained by dividing 2.2 ounces by 57.906 cubic inches, latter being the volume corresponding to this diameter. As should be apparent, this weight-to-volume ratio is quite small when compared to the weight-to-volume ratio of a regulation golf ball. 
     Inasmuch as a regulation golf ball has a weight of 1.62 ounces and a diameter of 1.68 inches, its weight-to-volume ratio is 0.6525, this value being obtained by dividing 1.62 by 2.48 cubic inches, the volume corresponding to a diameter of 1.68 inches. 
     Dividing the weight-to-volume ratio of the regulation golf ball by the weight-to-volume ratio of the softgolf ball reveals that the weight-to-volume ratio of the regulation golf ball is seventeen times greater than the weight-to-volume ratio of our novel ball, thus providing a very basic reason for the regulation golf ball traveling four or so times the distance of our ball for equivalent swings of respective clubs. 
     The weight-to-volume ratio of 0.038 is given by way of example, and also by way of comparison with the weight-to-volume ratio of a regulation golf ball. Actually, the ratio for a 5 inch diameter ball weighing 2 ounces would be 0.0305, whereas the ratio for a 4.2 inch diameter ball weighing 2.5 ounces would be 0.0644. 
     Turning to FIG. 5, it is to be seen that balls meeting the weight and diameter criteria we have chosen do not necessarily have a solid core. As shown in this Figure, the ball may have a hollow interior, but utilize a comparatively thick shell or outer covering portion. We have found that we can maintain the desired weight by utilizing closed cell foam of approximately 17 pounds per cubic foot up to approximately 36 pounds per cubic foot. 
     Turning to FIG. 5A, it is also to be seen that by utilizing closed cell foam of particularly tough construction, it is possible to get by without having a discrete covering on the ball. Other examples of balls in accordance with our invention may utilize an interior portion of cork or other light material, the external portion of which has been covered with a smooth tough covering of plastic or the like. 
     FIG. 6 reveals a golfer utilizing a golf course constructed in accordance with the present invention, in which the fairway is of a much smaller size than the conventional fairway, with the green likewise being much closer than the green of a conventional golf course. This figure portrays a par 4 softgolf playing hole, with a distance of 65 to 85 yards being involved, whereas the green of the conventional course is to be seen in phantom lines in the far distance, normally 290 yards to 425 yards. 
     In FIG. 6, the golfer driving a softgolf ball in accordance with this invention has utilized an unrestricted swing, with the solid line representation revealing a flight distance of say 15 to 55 yards. Had he been using a regulation club and regulation ball, his drive would have carried say 60 to 250 yards, as depicted by the dashed lines. 
     Quite obviously, the city dweller can obtain all of the benefits of the sport and exercise associated with golf merely by utilizing equipment in accordance with this invention, inasmuch as the ball does not travel, for an equivalent swing, nearly as far as the regulation ball would have traveled. This of course makes it possible for softgolf to be played quite effectively in a much more confined area than regulation golf would have required. 
     Turning to FIG. 7, we have shown an isometric view of a preferred form of portable ball trap for a softgolf ball, the use of which makes possible an impromptu playing of the game of softgolf. This ball trap 24 of course is to allow the golfer to practice his or her putting on a lawn, in a grass park area, athletic field, or even in the livingroom or the family room of a home. 
     As viewed in FIG. 7, upon a softgolf ball being putted in the direction of the ball trap, it rolls over the outer ring and over certain of the tines, which, because of the thinness of the material used, are quite flexible, which tines give way and allow the ball to pass over in the manner shown in FIG. 7. However, because of the resilient tine construction utilized, as soon as the ball has traveled beyond the tines originally contacted, such tines immediately return to their original position, in which they form approximately a 45° angle with the base. 
     If the ball has been putted harder than was necessary to merely pass over the tines first contacted, the ball will of course travel across the mid-portion of the base 26 and on to the other side of the ball trap. As long as the ball is traveling at a speed no greater than the limit permitted by the design of the device, upon the ball striking the tines on the opposite side of the device, it will be deflected back in approximately the original direction. This is because the longitudinal rigidity or column strength of the tines encountered on the opposite side of the ball trap is sufficient to arrest the ball in its forward travel and cause it to remain in the trap. We have found that the trap in accordance with this invention is effective for a wide range of ball speeds, although it is of course to be realized that if the ball is traveling at great speed, the trap will no longer be effective, for the ball may tend to jump over the tines at the far side of the trap. 
     We are of course not to be limited to a portable version of a ball trap, for permanent installations may be utilized. If a hole in the ground or other playing surface is utilized, we prefer for the opening to be approximately of a 10 inch or 11 inch diameter in order to provide a realistic test of putting skills.