US1667481A - And edwin w - Google Patents

Description

April 24. 1928.

C. H. LANGE ET AL GAME Filed Dec. 17. 1926 3 s t- -51 INY ENTORS Cam/EL Eon 1N W. VOLLERT L HNGE ATTORNEYS April 24, 1928.

c. H. LANGE ET AL GAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 17. 1326 INYENTORS IV. T 4% ATTORNEYS dandy-nus Patented Apr. 24, 1928.

\ UNITED STATES 1,667,48t PATENTOFFM? 11 dilmdl a CARVEL I'I. LANGE, OF NEW YORK, AND EDWIN W. VOLLEBT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS 'IO PLAYMOB GOLF, INC., A, CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

GAME.

Application filed December 17, 1926. Serial No. 155,359.

This invention relates to game devices and has for its principal object to provide a new and ii'nproved construction for such a device, particularly adapted for use as a practicing apparatus of relatively small dimensions, capable of being employed by golfers for practicing various golf strokes- In its essential details, the device consists of a platform upon which a player may stand while addressing and striking a golf ball, said platform being provided with a suitable locating device to maintain the ball in a stationary position while it is being addressed, but permitting the free. movement of the ball from such position when it is struck. For the purpose of enablingthe player to test the accuracy and skill of his shots, the device further includes an objec tive or target into, or against, which the ball is intended to be propelled. The de vice further includes aninstrumentality for bringing a ball from a supply thereof to the aforementioned stationary position, and also means for returning the ball, afterit has been played, to said supply.

For the purposes of the present application, the invention has been illustrated by way of example as embodied in a simulation of a putting green, in which the target above referred to is in the form of the conventional cup. As hereinafter. more fully disclosed, the embodiment selected for illustration herein is particularly adapted for use at an'iusenient parks, fairs or the like, and such embodiment includes automatically actuated means for delivering a certain predetermined number of balls, one after another, to the player, after a coin controlled or a manually operated device is actuated.

Other objects of the invention, such as relative simplicity, and therefore low cost of construction, durability and attractiveness of appearance, will appearmore fully from the following more detailed description, and by, reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein Fig. l'is'a longitudinal vertical section through aconstructional example of a de vice embodying the principles of our invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.; Fig. 3 is an enlarged ver tical section of th e'means for moving the balls to the striking position; Fig. is a plan view of thestructure shown in Fig. i 3; Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail; Figs. 6 to 9 .edupon supports 11, so as to raise the platform to the desired height. The platform 10 preferably slopes slightly from one end towards the other end thereof. At the latter end, a grooved channel or runway 12 is provided, having at the longitudinal center a through hole 13. A short distance inward- 1y of the platform from the hole 13 a second aperture 14 is provided. Fitted into the apertures 13 and 1 1 are the upwardly profleeting spouts 15 and 16 respectively, each of which communicates at its lower end with a return pipe or trough 17. The trough 17 slopes in the opposite direction to the platform 10 and serves to return balls which have been played to a feeding apparatus located adjacent to and below the front end of the platform 10. Secured to the two sides of the platform and to the rear end thereof,is an upwardly projecting wall 18, which serves to keep the balls from being propelled (iii entirely off the playing surface of the de vice.

The front end of the pipe 17 communicates with a vertical pipe or tube 19, shown more clearly in Fig. 3. Slidably mounted within said tubc19 is a ball feeding memher, which, in the constructional example disclosed, is in the form of a hollow cylinder 20, having its upper end closed by a plate 21 of any suitable material. This plate is provided with a small central depression 22, in which a golf ball 23 is adapted to be seated,

said depression serving to hold the ball in a stationary position while it is being addressed and struck by a golf club grasped in the hands of the player. A small rod 24 passes through the center of the cylinder 20 and is normally held, by means of a spring 25 confined between the base plate 26 of said cylinder and a stop 27 secured to said rod, with the upper end of said rod projecteda slight distance above the surface ofthe depression 22 above referred to.

7 The base plate 26 of the cylinder is preferably constructed of electric insulating material and has secured thereto a pair of spaced electrical contacts 28, adapted to be bridged-by a switch plate 29, secured to a pose and operation of which will hereinafter be more fully described.

35, into which projects a crank pin 36. The

crank pin 36extends laterally from the side of a gear 37, secured to one end of a jack shaft 38, the latter being journaled in a standard 39 secured to, or formed integral with, a base 40. The base 40 has secured thereto a gear reduction box 41, which'contains a reduction gear, preferably a worm reduction consisting of the worm 42 and worm wheel 43. The worm 42 is mounted upon a shaft 44 driven through a coupling 45 from the armature shaft 46 of a small electric motor 47. The worm wheel 43 is mounted upon a shaft 48; one end of which projects from the gear reduction box 41 and has secured thereto a pinion 49, which meshes with the gear 37, above referred to. Mounted upon the other'end of the jack shaft 38 is a; pinion 50 which meshes with a spur gear 51. i The gear 37 is provided with a pin 52, adapted, when said gear is in theposition shown in Fig. 3, to engage with a flat spring 53, having one end thereof secured to the standard 39. The other end of the spring 53 is free and has secured thereto an elcc-' tric contact 54, adapted to be held in engagement when the pin 52 is in the position shown in Fig. 3 with a co-operating fixed contact 54*. These two contacts 54-54 form a switch which will hereinafter be des ignated the auxiliary switch. The gear 51 also carries a pin 55, adapted to operate a similar spring member 56, which carries a contact 57, adapted to co-operate with a fixed contact 58, thus forming a switch, hereinafter to be called the primary switch. The auxiliary switch formed by the contacts 54- 54, the primary switch formed by the contacts 5758, and the ball switch formed by the members 28--29 are interposed in the electric circuit to the motor 47, as indicated in the diagrams of Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive. These switches are adapted to be antonn1tically actuated, in the manner presently to be described, to cause the ball feeding apparatus to perform a certain cycle of o 'icratioiw, after a main actuating device has been thrown in operation. The main actuating device may take the form of a n'ninnally operated switch or a coin controlled switch. For the purpose of the present application, the said device has been illustrated as a coin controlled switch, consisting of a spring switch lever 59, adapted. to be operated by the weight of a coin dropped in a coin slot 01' chute 60, the said slot being located at any convenient point near the front end of the platform 10. The weight of the coin upon the switch lever 59 will cause the switch con tacts 61 to be closed in a manner which will be readily understood. In order that the switch comprising the contacts 61 will remain closed for a sullicient period of time to insure the movement of the pins and out of engagement with the spring arms 53, 56, and therefore the closing of the primary and auxiliary switches, any suitable stop means are provided for momentarily holding the coin in engagement with the lever 59. As shown, these stop means may comprise a leaf spring 62, having one en d scoured to the upper end of a lever 63. he other end of the spring 62 is free and presses against any suitable abutment, such as a portion of the table 10 to hold the lever 63 normally in the position shown in Fig. 3. The lever 63 is pivoted between its ends on any suitable fixed support, such as the bracket 64, secured to standard 39. Pivotally connected with the lower end of the lever 63 is one end of a trip rod 65, the other end of which projects into the path of movement of: the pin 55 in a position to be engaged by said pin as the gear 51 rotates approximately a quarter revolution from the position shown in Fig. 3. When the pin engages the rod 65, it will push said rod to the left (Fig. thus causing the upper end of lever 63 to he moved to the right, thereby to release the coin which may drop into any suitable receptacle (not shown).

\Vhen the device is cmistructed particularly for use as an amusement park attraction, we prefer to associate with the spout 16 leading to the cup aperture 14 some form of a signal device, such as an alarm bell, siren or other audible signal, or a lamp, or othervisual signal, which will be actuated by the dropping of the ball through the said spout, thereby thus indicating that the player has, for example, sunk a putt. The device associated with the spont 16 may be of any suitable construction. As an example, we have shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing, a

small shutter or lever 80, pivoted, as at 61,

to the side Wall of the spout 16 and having ill) ltlll one end thereofprojecting well. into the terior of the spout. The other end ot the lever 80 providedwith an electric contact 52, adapted, when the: inner end oi the lever is moved downwardly hy the weight of the ball, to engage a second"electric contact 83, which completes a circuit 84-,having i11 eluded therein any suitable liormot signal dcvice'tlii. i

\Vhile the plattorm it) has been described as sloi'iing towards the cup or aperture 14, it maybe found desirable where the device terms part of the equipment of a golf practicing school, tomaintain the entire playing surface or field normally horizontal. In this case, if desired, the use of the'grooved channel or runway 12 maybe dispensed with, as the player wimld ordinarily continue playing until the puttis sunk. If it is de sired toluivc the playingfield as nearly horizont-al as possible during the time the ball.

is traveling towards the cup, but also to provide means TEOI' clearing the field of the ball; the platttorm ll'ltt-Ybtillltldtilfl two sections lunged together as at 86.

dropping one end of the platform; As an example ot an automatic means, we have shown adjacent to the rear end a pair of cams 87, secured upon a cam shaft 88, joun naled in a pair ot standards. 89, the latter preferably being .tormed integrally with a base plate 90. Secured to the cam shaft 88 is a sprocket or nlllcy 91 about which is trained a chain or belt 92 driven by a SPIOCliCt or pulley 9B, ctmnected' to the ball feeding mechanism so that when the latter is actuated, the cam shaft 87 willbe rotated to bring the throw of thecamsto theirlowermost position and thereby allow therear end of the platform to dropa'lter a hall hasbeen i ilayed. while when thecylindhr is in its uppermost position with the hall :teeding nici'rhanism stopped, thecain throws will. be in their UlHXPI'l'llObt position to niaintain the platform lcvcl.

il hen the device is constructm'l in simulation of a puttinggreeu as illustrated by way ot' example inthis application, the platform ll) is preferably covered with a relatively hard nap carpctot other suitable covering material. I i a the n'liilfiiliil' in which the device is used and the operation of theparts is astollows: i'\.ssuuiing that the device is constructed for use as an t'll'l'lllSGll'lQl'li park attraction the playermounts the plat'lornir it), inserting a coin in the coin box and thereby energizing the main actuating switchlever 59. It will be assumed that the hall feeding ap mratus is in the position shown in Fig. 3, with the exception that no ball 23 is seated within the ball positioning recess 22. Therefore, the rod 24: will be in its uppermost position In this case, any suitable means,e1thcr manually or auto mat cally operated, may be employed ttor With" the contacts 28-29 in engagement. Beforethe switch lever 59 is actuated by the weight of the coin, the electric circuit to the niotor=4t7is as indicated in 6 of the drawing, from which it will be seen that the ball switch E28-29 is closed and theprimary and aitlxiliary switches fish-55, 5j7-58 and 59 are open. When the main switch 59 is actuated bythe coin, the circuit is as shown in Fig. '7; the ball switch 2829 and the main switch 59 are closed thereby to permit the current toflow to the motor 47, while the auxiliary and primary switches 5 l and 575S, which as shown in the diagrams, are shunted about the ball. switch and main switch, respectively, are open. .The motor at? being ci'iergized, the gear trains shown in Figs. 3 and t of the drawing will start rotating, thereby moving the cylinder 20,

tl'irougli the action of the lever 31, from the uppermost position shown in full lines of Fig. 3, to the lowermost dotted line position. As the gears 37, 51 start rotating, the pins 52,v 55, provided on the respective gears,

move out et engagement with their respective co-operating spring arms 53, 56, thus permitting the primary and auxiliary switches to be closed. Shortly after the gears have moved far enough to permit the last mentioned switches to close, the lever (33 is actuated to release the coin, which drops thereby permitting the ball at the exit of said conduit to roll onto the top plate 521 of said cylinder. Themovement of the cylinder is sutliciently slow and the distance the top plate 21 moves below the exit of said pipe 17 is sutficient to allow enough time for thehall to roll onto the top plate 21, without necessitating the use of any stop or dwell in the gearing which actuates said cylinder. After the ball has moved onto the plate 21 and has depressed the rod 24 against the action otthe spring 25, thereby moving the switch plate 29 out of engagement with the contacts 28, the circuit willbe as shown in l ig. 8, from which it will be seen that the ball and main; switches are open, while the prunary and auxiliary switches are closed,

the latter switches having been closed as a result of the moven'ient of the pins 52, 55 out springarm 53 to open the auxiliary switch thus stopping the apparatus with the parts in the position shown. No further movement will occur until the ball has been movedfrom the locating position within the recess 22.. V i 1 Y y A llhe'p-layer, upon mounting the platform, is handed golf club bythe attendant, and taking his stance adjacent to the ball, addresses the ball and putt-s towards the cup aperture 14. If the putt is sunk, the ball will drop throughthe spout 16, thereby causing the signal 85 to be actuated. Should the player fail to sink the putt, the downward slope of the platform will cause the ball to, roll into the trough or groove 12, which, as

will be readily understood, is inclined downwardly from the sides of the platform towards the central aperture 13. In either event, the ball will fall to the pipe 17 and will roll through said pipe under the influence of gravity, due to the downward slope of the pipe, towards the rear end of the apparatus. s After the ball is. propelled from its posi- -tiou within the recess 22, the rod 24 is actuated i'ipwardly by the spring 25, thus causing the switch plate 29 to bridge across the contacts 28 and again complete the circuit to the motor 4:7. The circuit will now be as shown in Fig, 9, from which it will be seen that the ball switch 28-29 and the primary switch 5758 are closed, while the auxiliary switch 5 l and the main switch or coin 59 are open. The primary switch 57-58 remains closed at this time, because of the gear reductlon provided by the gears 50, 51.

This gear reduction, as shown in the illustrated example, is in theratio 'of three to one, so that three revolutions of the gear 37 will occur for one revolution'of the gear 51.

The cylinder 20 will therefore again be moved dmvnwardly to. receive another ball,

a full revolution, thereby bringing its pin .55 again 1n engagen'ient Wltl]. the spring arm 56,: thereby opening the primary switch FS758. After the third ball is driven off the plate 21, no further movement of the parts will. occur, until a 'coin is dropped lotothe coin box, because until a coin is dropped. in said l)OX, bOtl1 switches 5'Z58 and59 are open,

. It will be understood that a sufiicient supply of golf balls will be provided, so that there will always be a ball at the exit end of the pipe 17 in position to roll upon the plate 21, when the cylinder reaches its lowermost position.

. t will also be understood that the principles of the invention are not limited to the specific constructional exan'iple heroin disclosed, as many 'ariations and modifications may be resorted to without departing from said 'n'inciples. Obviously, any equivalent structure, such as cams or the like, may be employed for the gears shown for actuating the feeding mechanism. Likewise, the number of balls fed successively may be varied as desired. It will also be obvious that although I have illustrated the feeding apparatus as controlled by a plurality of electrical contacts, that equivalent mechanical devices could be used to perform the same functions. Likewise, the invention is not limited to a coin control for actuating the main actuating switch. The employment of the coin control, while desirable if the device is to be used as an amusement park attraction, would be dispensed with, if the device is constructed for use as part of the appa 'atus of a golf instruction school. l urthermore, the invention is not limited to the simulation of :1 putting green, but obviously could be used equally well for the practice of other club shots, in which case the nature and location of the targets would be appropriately designed and positioned for the particular class of club shots for which the device is intended to be used.

It will further be understood that when the ball feeding apparatus is electrically operated and installed in places where the amperage of the current leading to the motor is so high as to make it unadvisablc to permit the full strength of the current to pass through the switches, suitable well known and common electrical. devices and circuits may be employed for bringing about the desired reduction of the current flowing through said switches.

The term platform as used herein is not to be construed in the narrower sense as limited to a structure which is raised or elevated, but as meaning any approximately horizontal plane supporting surface whether raised, depressed or level with the ground, floor or other adjacent main supporting member.

lVe claim:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a platform upon which a player is adapted to stand, said platform having associated therewith a positioning member adapted to hold a golf ball in a stationary position to be struck by a golf club in the hands of the player, said platform further including a playing field and a target totill position until said ball is propelled therefrom by the player.

2. A device of the character set forth,

comprising a ball feeding member adapted to be associated with a playing field for bringing a golf ball from a supply thereof to a position approximately in horizontal alignment with said field, and Within a certain definite area of said field, and means to actuate said member, including a device actuated by the weight of aball upon said member for ai'itomatically causing said member to be n'ioved from said position to the supply of balls and back to said position.

A device of the character set forth, comprising a ball feeding member adapted to be associated with a playing field for bringing a golf ball from a supply thereof to a position approximately in horizontal alignment with said field, and within a certain definite area of; said field, and means to actuate said member, including a device actuated by the weight of a ball upon said member for automatically causing said member to be moved from said position to the supply of balls and back to said position, and means to cause a predetermined number of such movements of said member to be made in succession.

4:. A device of the character set forth, comprising a ball feeding member adapted to be associated with a playing field for bringing a golf ball from a supply thereofto a position approximately in horizontal alignment with said field, and within a certain definite area of said field, and means to actuate said member, said means including a motor device, means driven thereby to move said member and a controlling member to stop the operation of said motor upon the completion of one full movement of said member from and to said position.

5. A device of the character set forth, comprising a ball feeding member adapted tobe associated with a playing field for bringing a golf ball from a supply thereof to a position approximately in horizontal alignment with said field, and Within a certain definite area of said field, and means to actuate said member, said means including a motor device, means driven thereby to move said ball feeding member, a controlling member to stop the operation of said motor upon the completion of one full movement of said ball feeding member from and to said position, and a second controlling member for again starting the operation of said motor device.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5,-in which the operation of the second controlling member is governed by the weight of a ball upon said ball feedingmember.

7. A device of the character set forth, com-- prising a ball feeding member adaptedto be associated with a playing field for bringing a golf ball from a supply thereof to a position approxii'natelyin horizontal alignment with said field, and within a certain definite area of said lield,-and means to actua'tesaid member, said means including a motor device, a maincontrolling member to causethe operation of said motor-device initially to actuate said ball feeding mom-- her, a primary controlling member :to stop the operation of said ball feeding member after a predetermined number of complete movements thereof, an auxiliary controlling member for stopping the operation of said ball feeding member after one complete movement thereof, and an additional controlling member to start the operation of said ball feeding member after it has been stopped by said auxiliary controlling memher.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7, in which the operation of the additional controlling member is governed by the weight of a ball upon said ball feeding member.

9. A device as set forth in claim 7, in which the additional controlling member is associated with said ball feeding member and is provided with means adapted to be held inoperative by the weight of a ball upon said ball feeding member and means to cause it to be held normally in operative position when no ball is on said ball feeding member.

10. A device of the character set forth, comprising a ball feeding member adapted to be associated with a playing field for bringing a golf ball from a supply thereof to a position approximately in horizontal alignment with said field, and within a certain definite area of said field, and means to actuate said member, said means including a motor, driving means connecting said motor with said ball feeding member, a main switch for initially starting said motor, a primary switch for stopping said motor after a predetermined number of movements of said member, an auxiliary switch for stopping said motor after one complete movement of said member and a ball controlled switch for starting said motor after it has been stopped by said auxiliary switch.

11. A device of the character described, comprising a platform upon which a player is adapted to stand, said platform including a playing field, a target associated with said platform, a positioning member for moving a golf ball from a supply thereof to a definite predetermined position with respect to said-platform, said memberbeing movable relatively to said platform from and to said definitepredetermined position to and from field to a position adjacent to said positioning'member. V

12. A device of the character described, comprising a platform upon which a player is adapted to stand, said platform having associated therewith a positioning member adapted to hold a golf ball in a stationary position to be struck by a golf club in the hands of the player, said platform further including a playing field, a target towards which the ball is adapted to be driven means to return the ball to the playing position, including cams for normally holding said zoplatform substantially level and for dropping one end thereof to cause the hall to roll towards said end.

13. A device of the character described, comprising a platform including a playing field and target, a positioning member adapted to hold a golf ball in position on said platform, means for returning played balls to a place of supply, an actuating; device adapted to cause said positioningmenu her to travel to said place of supply and return to playing position, and a coin device comprising means for starting said actuatilm; device and controlling same so as to cause said positioning member to so convey a predetermined number of balls.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

CARVEL 11E. LANG-E. EDiVIN \(V. VOlililGR'l.

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