Agent to remove paint, lacquer, glue, plastic or similar from objects and the use of it -> Monitor Keywords
Fresh Patents
Monitor Patents Patent Organizer How to File a Provisional Patent Browse Inventors Browse Industry Browse Agents Browse Locations
     new ** File a Provisional Patent ** 
site info Site News  |  monitor Monitor Keywords  |  monitor archive Monitor Archive  |  organizer Organizer  |  account info Account Info  |  
04/24/08 | 48 views | #20080096681 | Prev - Next | USPTO Class 473 | About this Page  473 rss/xml feed  monitor keywords

Agent to remove paint, lacquer, glue, plastic or similar from objects and the use of it

USPTO Application #: 20080096681
Title: Agent to remove paint, lacquer, glue, plastic or similar from objects and the use of it
Abstract: An arrangement for playing miniature golf. Arranged over a part of a shortened miniature golf course is a display surface for the projection of an image of the entire extent of a miniature golf course. Arranged along a ball rolling surface of the shortened miniature golf course is a plurality of sensors that are arranged to sense the direction in which and the speed at which a ball is struck by a player, and to cause that information to be recorded. A computer is arranged to receive and record the ball movement information and to process the information for display on the display surface to show the estimated continued travel of the ball on the course. A golf ball return is arranged to return the ball to the tee for further driving or further putting on the virtual miniature golf course. (end of abstract)
Agent: Alfred J Mangels - Cincinnati, OH, US
Inventor: Jan Hansen
USPTO Applicaton #: 20080096681 - Class: 473156000 (USPTO)
Related Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Projectile Addressing Surface And Target, Or Distance Marker (e.g., Course, Putting Green With Cup, Driving Range, Miniature Golf Course, Etc.), Electrical Sensor Or Electrical Indicator Responsive To Swingable Implement Or Projectile, Sensor Is Projectile Responsive (e.g., Free-flight Detection Means, Etc.), Including Sensor Responsive To Projectile On Addressing Surface Or In Flight (e.g., Tee-target Time Detection, Etc.), Pictorial Flight Path Image Display
The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080096681.
Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims  monitor keywords

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an arrangement for playing miniature golf.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] The need exists for a so-called virtual golf course in the case of miniature golf, since the outdoor season for it is short, and large areas are required for miniature golf courses indoors, even if an attempt is made to position the courses close together and next to one another. Previously disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,457 A, for example, is a golf simulator, but it does not solve the above-mentioned problems and is arranged for the purpose of sensing the rotation of a golf ball.

[0005] A principal object of the present invention is thus, in the first instance, to solve the above-mentioned problems in a simple and effective fashion and by effectively functioning means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object is achieved by means of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, which is characterized essentially in that a film projection screen, or some other similar display surface is arranged over a part of a shortened miniature golf course to permit the projection of an image of the entire extent of a miniature golf course of the kind in question. Arranged along the part in question of the shortened miniature golf course is a plurality of sensors that are so positioned as to sense the direction in which and the speed at which a ball is struck, and to cause those parameters to be recorded. Computer means are provided to record the information in a computer that is arranged to process the sensed information for subsequent display on the display surface of the continued travel of the ball on the course. A golf ball return means is provided to return the ball to the tee for further driving or further putting on the miniature golf course, or for new driving on a subsequent miniature golf course.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The invention is described below as a preferred illustrative embodiment, in conjunction with which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 shows schematically a side view of an arrangement for playing miniature golf on a small area,

[0009] FIG. 2 shows a display arrangement for displaying a miniature golf course,

[0010] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a part of the course with a ball return means in the active position, and

[0011] FIG. 4 shows an image of a miniature golf course on a screen.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] An arrangement 1 in accordance with the present invention for playing miniature golf 2 is shown in FIG. 1 and includes a film projection screen 3, a part 4 of a shortened miniature golf course, ball sensors 5, computer means 6 with a computer 7, and a golf ball return means 8. More precisely, a film projection screen 3 or some other suitable, similar projection surface, which is intended for the projection of an image 11 of a space situated in the area in front of the golfer 9 and an intended tee 10. The ball sensors 5 are so arranged as to sense the direction in which and the speed at which a ball in question is struck, and to cause those parameters to be recorded in computer means 6 in the form of a suitable recording memory in computer 7. With the help of a suitable program, the computer is arranged to process the sensed information relating to the stroke and to display on the display surface 3 the continued travel of the ball on the course 12. The golf ball return means 8 that is provided is shown in FIG. 3 and is intended to return the ball 13 to the tee 10 for further driving or for further putting on the miniature golf course 12 in question, or for new driving on a subsequent miniature golf course. As shown in FIG. 2, the golf course 12 in question is capable, by actuation of the computer 7, of being displayed by a projector 14, or some other display means, on a screen 3, or on some other display surface, in front of the miniature golf player 9.

[0013] The display of the image of the course is so arranged as to be capable of variation, depending on the stopped position of the struck ball 13 after subsequent strokes. The image of the course is capable of being rotated through a maximum of 180.degree. about a vertical axis at least in one direction, so that before the next stroke the course is displayed in the direction in which the player would normally face if he were playing on an ordinary course, and if he continued to play after the first stroke, and the ball does not then go into the hole 15 or find its target in some other suitable fashion. All strokes are intended and arranged to move in this case in a common direction with the driving of the ball 13 from the same tee 10.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, sensors 5 in the form of photocells, or other sensors, are distributed along the longitudinal extent 16 of the course in question, along both sides 17, 18 of the course, and/or are distributed along the ball rolling surface 19 of the course. Sensors 5A are distributed across the longitudinal extent 16 of ball rolling surface 19. The sensors 5, 5A are so positioned as to sense the direction of striking and/or the speed of striking of the ball 13 as the ball 13 rolls along the ball rolling surface of course 12.

[0015] The display of the path of the ball 13 along the course 12 is preferably so arranged as to take place after the ball has traveled past the display surface 3A shown in FIG. 4, as a result of which the player 9 gains an impression from the image on the screen 3 that the course continues on its way behind the screen 3.

[0016] Arranged beneath the display surface 3A and the screen 3 is a space 20 in the form of a gap, through which the ball 13 is capable of passing on its onward path to the ball return mechanism 8 shown in FIG. 3.

[0017] The function of arrangement 1 in accordance with the present invention is, on a small area, to permit the creation of conditions suitable for playing miniature golf on a plurality of different courses, which courses are so arranged as to be projected in turn from a computer 7, via a projector 14, etc., onto a film projection screen 3, in conjunction with which the computer 7 is also arranged to keep track of the players and their respective number of strokes, etc.

[0018] First stroke: the course is displayed in its entirety, the player takes aim and strikes the ball; as the ball moves forward the speed and direction of the ball are sensed by photocells 5, 5A, from which the sensed information is passed to the computer 7. The ball disappears under the film projection screen 3, and the continuing path of the ball is displayed immediately as an image 11 on the film projection screen 3, after which the ball is returned automatically via the return mechanism 8 under the course 12.

[0019] Second stroke: in the event that the ball does not reach its target on the first stroke, but requires additional strokes, the image of the course is rotated prior to the subsequent stroke, so that all strokes always go in the same direction.

[0020] After removing the ball from the last hole, the next course is played, and so on.

Continue reading...
Full patent description for Agent to remove paint, lacquer, glue, plastic or similar from objects and the use of it

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
Click on the above for other options relating to this Agent to remove paint, lacquer, glue, plastic or similar from objects and the use of it patent application.
###
monitor keywords

How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents
1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored.
3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords.  
Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Agent to remove paint, lacquer, glue, plastic or similar from objects and the use of it or other areas of interest.
###


Previous Patent Application:
Bowling pin and method of manufacture
Next Patent Application:
Golf club putter heads and golf putters including same
Industry Class:
Games using tangible projectile

###

FreshPatents.com Support
Thank you for viewing the Agent to remove paint, lacquer, glue, plastic or similar from objects and the use of it patent info.
IP-related news and info


Results in 0.48751 seconds


Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories:
Electronics: Semiconductor Audio Illumination Connectors Crypto