AU2020101974B4

AU2020101974B4 - A golf target

Info

Publication number: AU2020101974B4
Application number: AU2020101974A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Steve Whittle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-08-25
Filing date: 2020-08-25
Publication date: 2020-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-25
Also published as: AU2020101974A4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a golf target. The target comprises a frame adapted to support a target face at an inclined angle relative to the surface on which the frame sits, wherein the 5 target face is divided into a plurality of pockets, each of the pockets being recessed below the plane of the target face. 10

Description

A GOLF TARGET

The present invention relates to a golf target, and particularly to a golf target for pitching or chipping.

Background

.0 Golf is a technical game requiring a range of physical and mental skills including coordination, dexterity and strength. The game may involve a variety of shots where a small ball is struck with a club. The club may be of differing design dependent on the type of shot desired to be played by the golfer.

.5 Golf is typically played on an expansive outdoor course and is enjoyed by many around the world in both social and competitive contexts. The nature of the game and the precision required means that significant practice is needed to master the game of golf.

While golf practice ideally takes place on a golf course in a similar context to where a game is o played, the size of such courses and their potential lack of accessibility due to both location and cost means that all those who wish to practice golf may not be able to with the regularity they desire.

Certain alternative apparatus, facilities and equipment such as driving ranges, various nets, and practice golf balls made from alternative materials have been developed to provide golf players with options to practice aspects of the game away from the golf course.

While these have provided some alternative ways for golfers to practice away from the golf course, there remains a need for further alternatives which allow practice of the range of shots a golfer may play, and which are convenient for players to set up and use using a standard golf ball.

Summary of the invention

In a first broad aspect of the invention, there is provided a golf target comprising a frame adapted to support a target face at an inclined angle relative to the surface on which the frame sits, wherein the target face is divided into a plurality of pockets, each of the pockets being recessed below the plane of the target face.

Preferably, the plurality of pockets comprises a central 'bullseye' pocket and a plurality of radially extending pockets. .0 The frame adapted to support the target face at an inclined angle relative to the surface on which the frame sits may comprise a plurality of rigid legs, or may comprise a network of inflatable tubes.

.5 The pockets may include an outlet to permit a golf ball to exit the pocket.

The golf target may further comprise a sensor module which detects when a golf ball has passed through an outlet and transmits a signal corresponding to this.

O Description of the drawings

In further describing a preferred embodiment of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a golf target according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a front view of a golf target according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows a rear view of a golf target according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a top view of a golf target according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a side view of a golf target according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a golf target according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 shows a cross-section view of adjacent pockets of a golf target according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description

An embodiment of the golf target will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a golf target .0 according to the invention.

With reference to Figure 1, an embodiment of the invention is shown generally showing a golf target 10. The golf target 10 generally comprises a target face 11 mounted on a frame 12 (generally not pictured in figure 1), where the frame supports the target face at an inclined .5 angle relative to the surface on which the frame 12 sits or is positioned.

By way of example in figure 1, target face 11 is generally circular and is divided into a plurality of pockets 14 including a central 'bullseye' pocket 13. The pockets 14 and bullseye pocket 13 are recessed below the plane of the target face 11 and adapted to receive and retain a golf ball .0 which lands in the pocket. The pockets and bullseye are in fact of a size which could receive a number of golf balls. Such an arrangement may be useful in an embodiment of the invention where no outlets 19 are present.

In figure 1, central 'bullseye' pocket 13 is surrounded by eight equal sized radially extending pockets 14. Each of the pockets 14 are formed from a pocket base 17, pocket back 15, and a pair of pocket sidewalls 16 as best shown in figure 1. Each of the pocket bases 17 is attached to the frame at or near the perimeter 18 of target face 11 and tapers down and inwards towards bullseye pocket 13. The way in which the pocket bases 17 taper in and downwards is best shown in figure 5 where the underside of the pocket base is shown as 17*.

Preferably, each pocket 14 includes an outlet 19 adjacent to the central bullseye pocket 13 at the intersection of pocket base 17 and pocket back 15. By including an outlet 19, when a golf ball is hit and lands in a pocket 14, it is carried by gravity and the slope of the pocket base 14 towards outlet 19. Similarly, bullseye pocket 13 also preferably includes an outlet 19.

The one or more outlets 19 permit a ball to exit the pocket 14 or bullseye in which it lands and drop to the ground, a receptacle, or preferably a sensor module 26 below target face 11 as shown in Figure 5. An alternative embodiment may omit outlets 19, thereby catching and retaining balls which hit the target face 11 in the pocket base 17 or at the base of bullseye pocket 13.

The radial arrangement of the pockets 14 about the central bullseye pocket 13 is a preferred arrangement of the target face. In this embodiment the adjacent pockets are joined by fixing of .0 their respective pocket walls 16. Such an arrangement is depicted in Figure 7 which provides a cross-sectional view of the walls of adjacent pocket walls 16 and their respective pocket bases 17. As shown by Figure 7, the adjacent pocket walls 16 are joined using a walljoiner 21, which in a preferred embodiment is a flexible member such as a material strap which can be folded as shown in Figure 7 and then fixed to each pocket wall by use of welding, sewing or .5 mechanical fixing means in order to secure the adjacent pocket walls together. Alternative arrangement of pockets on the target face, such as use of pockets of differing sizes or shapes, such as quadrilaterals, could also be achieved using a similar fixing process.

As exemplified in the figures such as figure 1, bullseye pocket 13 is a generally cone shaped .0 central opening at the centre of target face 11. The example shown in the figures includes a bullseye 13 with an octagonal pyramidal geometry comprising an octagonal base in the plane of the target face 11, each of its eight sides constituting a pocket back 15 of the adjacent pocket 14. The shape of bullseye pocket 13 is generally conical in order to serve its role as the centre of the target and taper towards a collection point or outlet at its base. In addition, the material of construction of the target and base will affect the shape of the bullseye.

Any configuration of a central bullseye pocket 13 providing a central target zone opening in the manner customary of a bullseye on a dart board could be used. This may be a circular, octagonal, hexagonal, or other shaped opening, partly dependent on the nature of the surrounding pockets 14. The conical shape of bullseye pocket 13 allows balls which enter the opening of bullseye 13 to be directed to its base or to an outlet 19 at what would be considered the apex of the cone.

The pockets 14 and their constituting pocket back 15, pocket walls 16 and pocket base 17 are preferably made from ripstop PVC. In a preferred embodiment, the pockets may be made using alternate colours such as black and white. Similarly, the bullseye pocket 13 is preferably made from ripstop PVC and may be made in a bold colour such as red to reflect the traditional colour of a bullseye of a dart board. Alternative materials to fulfil the same purposes may also be used for these aspects of the target, such as the use of resilient and weatherproof materials such as tightly woven net sufficient to receive and retain a hit golf ball.

The perimeter 18 constitutes part of the target face 11 and may provide a linking point between .0 the pockets 14 and the frame 12. In such case, the pockets 14 may be fixed to the perimeter 18 such as by stitching and perimeter 18 may be linked to the frame by use of Velcro, straps or other fastening means. Alternatively, pockets 14 may be fixed to the frame 12 using Velcro, straps of other fastening means and the perimeter 18 may also be fixed to the frame by similar or alternative fastening means so as to overlay the frame and its connection to the pockets 14. .5

The perimeter is preferably made from ripstop tarpaulin and may be made from a single piece or from multiple pieces joined together by stitching or other means of fixing. Where made from separate pieces, alternating colour may be used to distinguish the outer perimeter of the respective adjacent pockets, such as for example green and red. Additionally, the perimeter 18 .0 is also preferably randomly numbered so as to provide scoring values for the respective pockets and add greater challenge to skilled players. For example, if the target face is divided into eight radial pockets surrounding the bullseye pocket, the pockets may be numbered 1 through 8 as indicated by 22 in figure 6. Alternatively, if a differing number or configuration of pockets are used, the pockets may be numbered with scores in a different manner such as random numbering which could instead be indicated on the pocket bases themselves, or differing scoring values based on the difficulty of hitting certain pockets. In this manner, players may target certain pockets worth more points as part of a competition.

The target face 11 of the embodiment of the invention as shown in the figures is thereby formed by attachment of adjacent pockets to each other at their pocket walls 16 in the manner as described above with reference to figure 7. Additionally, in the embodiment using radial pockets surrounding a central bullseye pocket each pocket back 15 is attached to the central bullseye pocket 13 in the manner that other pockets are attached as described above.

The target face 11 and its inclined nature is supported and provided by the frame, generally indicated as 12 throughout the figures. Frame 12 is preferably formed from an upper rim (not pictured), a base 24 and a plurality of legs 25 as best shown in figure 5. The upper rim sits below perimeter 18 and defines the bounds of target face 11. Preferably, as generally shown in the figures by the shape of perimeter 18, the upper rim is of a generally circular shape. The base 24 provides weight, support and structure, but may be omitted if legs alone are used for the frame. If present, the diameter of base 24 is generally larger than the diameter of the target face so as to provide a wider base of support and lower centre of gravity for the target.

.0 Preferably the frame 12 comprises a network of inflatable tubes which are inflated in order to provide frame of a sufficient structure and rigidity to support the target face 11. The tubes are an airtight network which are centrally inflated through inflation port 23 as shown infigure 5. In a preferred embodiment there are eight legs 25 which connect the base 24 and upper rim. In order to provide the incline of the target face the legs are of differing lengths, whereby legs at .5 the back of the frame are longer than the shorter legs at the front in order to provide the inclined target face intended to face towards a user during use of the target. Alternative numbers of legs can be used

The tubes may be made of any material capable of retaining air following inflation and .0 maintaining the structure of the frame for a chosen minimum time following inflation. Less favourable alternatives would be the use of constant inflation, however this detracts from the targets portability, or the separate inflation of sections of the frame. Preferably, the tubes constituting the frame are made from PVC and are approximately 250 to 300 mm in diameter.

An alternative embodiment involves the use of a frame comprising the upper rim supported by a plurality of rigid legs 25. Such an arrangement omits a base, yet may still be used to support and incline target face 11 relative to the surface on which the frame is placed. Preferably, there are at least six rigid legs and most preferably eight legs arranged in a manner similar to that shown in figure 5. In such case the legs may be inserted into the ground or weights used to hold the target in place in case of wind. As with the inflatable frame system, the legs 25 at the back of the frame are longer than the shorter legs at the front in order to provide the inclined target face intended to face towards a user during use of the target. In this case, the rigid legs and upper rim may be made of a metal material such as aluminium or stainless steel, or alternatively a rigid polymeric material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE).

Regardless of construction, the target preferable includes lifting handles in order to allow for easy movement of the target once it has been erected. Preferably, such lifting handles are straps attached to the legs at the sides of the target, however, any configuration of straps to help achieve simpler movement of the target could be used.

The golf target may preferably include a sensor module 26 as shown in figure 5. The sensor module is present at the underside of the target face 11 and is positioned so as to receive balls exiting outlets 19. The sensor is preferably located directly adjacent to the outlets 19 and may .0 be attached to the underside of the target via clips or alternative fastening means at the base of the cone in order to provide simple passage of balls through the outlet past the sensor.

When a ball exits an outlet in a pocket, the outlet and optionally an intermediate channel guide the ball past a sensor which detects the ball and the outlet through which the ball has passed .5 and subsequently assigns an allocated score for the pocket. The sensor module may then send the score to a central server or computer such as by WiFi or Bluetooth to enable remote scoring. Preferably the sensor is an infrared (IR) sensor, however, alternatives such as the use of an ultrasonic sensor or a camera for detection of balls may be used.

.0 In an embodiment of the invention having outlets 19 but absent a sensor module, a mere

receptacle such as a bucket may be placed below the outlets in order to efficiently collect balls which hit the target and exit an outlet.

The golf target may include a skirt 27 as shown in figures 1 and 3 for example. The skirt covers the frame 12 and underside of the target 10 including the sensor module 26, if present. The skirt is preferably attached to the frame and target face by Velcro or an alternative means of fastening which allows for simple application and removal of the skirt from the frame 12. The skirt is preferably made from PVC or an alternative resilient and weatherproof material. The skirt 27 preferably includes access closure 20 as shown in figure 3. Access closure 20 is preferably a zip located at the rear of the target, however it may be an alternative fastening means such as buttons or domes and may be located at any position allowing access to the underside of the target face 11 and to the sensor module 26, if present.

The diameter of target face may vary depending on end use requirements, for example, from 1 metre to 8 metres diameter or width. Preferably, the diameter of a circular target face 11 may be 3 metres, 4.5 metres or 6 metres. Such variation provides scope for players of differing abilities or wishing to practice different skills to use the target.

While some preferred aspects of the invention have been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that modifications and/or improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed in this specification.

.0 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word ''comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated feature but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. .5

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A golf target comprising a frame which comprises a network of inflatable tubes, the frame adapted to support a target face at an inclined angle relative to the surface on which the frame sits, wherein the target face is divided into a plurality of pockets, each of the pockets being recessed below the plane of the target face.

2. The golf target according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pockets comprise a central bullseye pocket and a plurality of radially extending pockets.

.0 3. The golf target according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the pockets includes an outlet to permit a golf ball to exit the pocket.

4. The golf target according to claim 3, further comprising a sensor module which .5 detects when a golf ball has passed through an outlet and transmits a signal corresponding to this.