US3595581A

US3595581A - Golf green

Info

Publication number: US3595581A
Application number: US584397A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert I Anderson; Paul R Hoffman
Original assignee: Brunswick Corp
Current assignee: Brunswick Corp
Priority date: 1966-10-05
Filing date: 1966-10-05
Publication date: 1971-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-27

Abstract

A contourable green for use in a golf game including a platform of sufficient rigidity to support one or more golfers and yet of sufficient flexibility to be distorted to a plurality of nonplanar forms. The platform includes an upper putting surface with a golf cup therein supported by two elongated flexible beams with a plurality of flexibly connected rigid crossbeams supported thereon. The beams comprise at least two abutting flexible plates adjacent a flexible walled partially restrained tube, whereby fluid pressure may be applied to the tube for rigidification of the beams. Apron members provide a pivotal connection between the platform supporting means and the floor. Included are at least two jacks secured to the underside of the platform at spaced locations for changing the contour thereof and stabilizers to prevent swaying movement of the platform. A selectively operable control for the jacks includes a cam surface with associated sensors whereby the jacks may be operated to distort the platform thereby providing a rolling, contoured putting surface.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventors Robert 1. Anderson 3,107,920 /1963 Strunk 273/195 (A) X Muskegon; 3,156,471 11/1964 Bibeau .1 273/182 X Paul R. Hoffman, Farmington, both of, 3,170,694 2/1965 Dolce 273/176 (H) X Mich. 3,366,388 1/1968 Del Raso 273/176 (H) P 584397 Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo [221 Ned I966 Anorne -Hofgren We ner Allen Stellman and McCord 451 Patented July 27,1911 g [73] Assignee Brunswick Corporation ABSTRACT: A contourable green for use in a golf game including a platform of sufficient rigidity to support one or more [54] GREEN golfers and yet of sufficient flexibility to be distorted to a plu- 19 Chins 12 Drawing Figs. rality of nonplanar forms. The platform includes an upper putting surface with a golf cup therein supported by two elon- U.S. CL H, gated flexible beams a plurality of connected 273/l95 14/28 14/17 14/73 rigid crossbeams supported thereon. The beams comprise at II?- least two abutting flexible plates adjacent a flexible walled of Search partially restrained tube whereby pressure may be ap.

195; 14/28 plied to the tube for rigidification of the beams. Apron members provide a pivotal connection between the platform sup- [56] Reerences Cned porting means and the floor. Included are at least two jacks UNITED STATES PATENTS secured to the underside of the platform at spaced locations 1,612,291 12/1926 Jackson 273/176 (H) for changing the contour thereof and stabilizers to prevent 2,879,996 3/1959 Lederer 273/195 (B)X swaying movement of the platform. A selectively operable 2,937,875 5/1960 Mason et a1. 273/195 (B) control for the jacks includes a cam surface with associated 2,334,540 11/1943 Buffham 273/176 (H) sensors whereby the jacks may be operated to distort the plat- 2,678,823 5/1954 Hugman 273/176 (H) X form thereby providing a rolling, contoured putting surface.

64 5'2 84 82 9m 72 72 94 86 7g 74 526 86 r/ 525 90/ LlT/|;l;$;$sL/D46L 0 E 90 92 .92

PATENTEU JUL27 I971 SHEET 1 OF 1 GOLF GREEN In the last few years, many proposals have been made for indoor golf games wherein a golfer may take a full swing at a free-flying ball and play a simulated golf course from tee to green through a plurality of holes. Some such games have been sufficiently practical such that they have actually been commercialized. Of course, the commercial success of such an indoor golf game depends almost entirely upon the degree of realism provided. That is to say, an indoor golf game that utilizes equipment that closely simulates the conditions on an outdoor golf course will enjoy a greater degree of success than a game that does not provide a realistic simulation. Of the indoor golf games known to be commercialized, one very detracting factor from the realism provided thereby lies in the inability to provide a suitable green surface that closely simulates the green on a natural course.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the inventionto provide a new and improved golf green that is particularly well suited for use in indoor golf games.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a golf green that very closely simulates an outdoor golf green and that may be used indoors where space requirements are comparatively limited.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a golf green of a husky construction such that it may support a plurality of golfers while being of such a size as to fit within a suitable building and which includes means for selectively altering the contour of the green to follow the contour ofa natural golf green at differing radial positions thereon relative to the hole.

Yet another object is the provision of a golf green such as that mentioned in the preceding paragraph wherein the contour of the golf green may be selectively altered to provide the contour of each of several differing natural greens on a golf course.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a golf green such as that mentioned above including a flexible putting surface, a support means for the putting surface that is sufficiently rigid to support one or more golfers and yet sufficiently flexible so that it may be distorted when a significant force is applied thereto to change the contour of the putting surface, a plurality of spaced means connected to the support means for moving the support means to cause the distortion thereof, each of the moving means being independently operable of the others so as to cause differing movement of different points of the support means to provide differing contours, and a control means for the moving means including a programming means and a means responsive to the programming means for controlling the moving means in accordance with the conditions of the programming means.

Another object is the provision of a contourable greenincluding at least two spaced beams, a platform of sufficient rigidity to support a golfer and that is somewhat flexible such that its shape may be distorted to provide a desired contour, a putting surface on the platform, at least one mechanism associated with each of the beams for moving the respective beam to cause movement and distortion of the platform and control means for operating the mechanism.

A further object is the provision of a golf green such as that mentioned in any of the preceding paragraphs additionally including a stabilizing means for the platform or supporting surface and including a first means secured to the platform for movement therewith and a second means for engaging the first means to permit up and down movement thereof while precluding side to side movement thereof to thereby prevent swaying movement of the green when it is supporting a golfer.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of one form ofa green made according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment illustrated in FlGr'al with portions thereof broken away; 1 FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken approximately along the line 3-3 ofFlG. 2;

FIG 4 is a vertical section taken approximately along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section proximately along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

F IG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken approximately along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a schematic of a hydraulic system for changing the contour of the embodiment of the green shown in the preceding figures;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view ofa programming cam;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation with parts shown in section of a programming device utilizing the cam of FIG. 9;

FIG. I] is a horizontal section taken approximately along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is an electrical schematic of a control system for the hydraulic system shown in FIG. 8.

One exemplary embodiment ofa contourable green made in accordance with the teachings of the invention may be seen in perspective in FIG. 1. The green includes a surface 40 which is formed of suitable sheets of matlike material such as carpeting or the like to simulate the putting surface on a green. Surrounding the surface 40 is a second surface area 42 made of suitable carpeting or the like that serves as the fringe area surrounding a green. Preferably, the carpeting forming the

surfaces

40 and 42 is green with the carpeting forming the surface 40 being ofa slightly lighter shade of green than the carpeting forming the surface 42 to provide an aesthetic appearance similar to that normally observed on a golfcourse.

Near one end of the green surface 40, there is placed a golf taken apapproximately cup 44 in which a conventional flag stick 46 bearing a pennant 48 may be received.

The green surface 40 and the fringe 42 are disposed above a pit having a floor 50 and end and sidewalls 52E and 525, respectively. By means of a supporting structure and mechanism to be described hereinafter, the contour of the green surface 40 and the fringe surface 42 may be selectively changed, the supporting structure and mechanism being located within the pit and mounted on the floor 50. The end walls 525 support the ends of the fringe surface 42 while the sidewalls 528 are spaced significantly from the sides of the fringe surface 42. lnterposed between the sides of the fringe surface 42 and the upper ends of the walls 528 is a flexible apron surface 56 which accommodates movement of the green surface 40 and the fringe surface 42 relative to the floor 50 of the pit and flooring 58 surrounding the walls 52 of the pit. Preferably, the apron surface 56 is covered with a green carpet of the same color as the fringe surface 42 and the flooring 58 is similarly covered.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the form of the green illustrated in FIG. I and has portions thereof broken away to illustrate the supporting structure for the green surface 40, the fringe surface 42 and the apron surface 56. A plurality of rigid crossmembers 60 such as common wood 2 6 beams are laid sideby-side with their shortest dimension in a horizontal plane and are supported by elongated flexible beams 62. The upper surface ofthe crossmembers 60 is covered by a foam rubber pad 64 which, in turn, is covered by the carpeting forming the

surfaces

40 and 42.

Apron members 66 have one end thereof supported by beams 62 and the other end supported on the upper edge of the sidewalls 528 of the pit. Portions of the supper surface of the apron members 66 are also covered by a foam pad 68 which, in turn, is covered by the apron surface 56.

A plurality of support frames are mounted on the floor 50 of the pit and support lOjacks 72. The jacks 72 may be divided into two groups of five each, each group being placed adjacent one of the sidewalls 52S and associated with one of the beams 62. Each jack 72 is spaced with respect to the other jacks 72 in the same group directly beneath the corresponding beam 62.

Twelve stabilizers 74 are mounted on the floor 50 of the pit and are connected to the beams 62. The stabilizers 74 are in two groups of six and are symmetrically disposed with respect to the group. of five jacks 72 adjacent the corresponding sidewall 525. The stabilizers 74 permit a small amount ofshifting movement of the green in a direction parallel to its length while precluding such shifting movement in a direction transverse to its length as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

In order to provide a substantially continuous surface between the carpeting on the flooring 58, the carpeting comprising the apron surface 56 and the carpeting of the fringe surface 42, first border means 76 are provided between the flooring 58 and the apron 56. Second border means 78 are provided between the apron surface 56 and the fringe surface 42 while third border means 80 are provided between the flooring 58 and the fringe surface 42.

The connection of the jacks 72 between the frames 70 and the beams 62 may be best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each jack 72 is comprised of a conventional double-acting hydraulic cylinder 82 having a piston rod 84. The lower end of each cylinder 82 is pivotally connected at 86 to a corresponding one of the frames 70. The pivotal axis of the connection 86 is in a direction transverse to the length of the green. The upper end of the piston rod 84 is pivotally connected as at 88 to the underside of the corresponding beam 62. Again, the pivotal axis of the connection 88 is transverse to the length 'of the green.

One contour effect achieved by operation of the jacks 72 may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. The various jacks 72 in each group of five may be operated to have their piston rods 84 extended from the cylinders 82 varying distances. As illustrated in FIGS. 3, the leftmost jack 72 is partially extended while the second jack 72 from the left is fully extended. The third jack from the left is extended slightly more than the leftmost jack 72 while the fourth and tifth jacks 72 from the left are extended only a small amount or not at all. As a result, a golfer standing at the left-hand edge of the green and looking toward the cup 44 will be faced with a putt that will be initially uphill changing to downhill as the distance to the cup 44 is decreased. At a point just. pass the cup 44, the slope reverses.

itself to again present an uphill characteristic.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the green may be contoured to provide a break" to one side or the other, the specific break illustrated being from left to right. In order to achieve a conshown in FIG. 4 while operating another set of corresponding jacks in the two groups of five to assume a position opposite that shown in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 3 and 4 also illustrate the construction of the stabilizers 74. It will be appreciated that operation of the jacks 72 to provide a contoured surface in the manner described previously will cause various points on the beams 62 intermediate the ends thereof to shift slightly in a direction parallel to the length of the green. However, it is not desirable to permit shifting ofthe beams 62 in a direction transverse to the length of the green, and the stabilizers 74 are utilized to permit shifting of the former type while precluding movement of the latter type. Each stabilizer 74 is comprised of a tube 90 which may be formed of relatively heavy pipe and has its lower end secured by a pivotal connection 92 to the floor 50 of the pit. The pivotal axis of the connection 92 is transverse to the length of the green. Telescopingly received in the tube 90 isa stiff rod or pipe 94 which has its upper end secured to the underside of the corresponding beam 62. The rod 94 is freely slidable within the tube to accommodate extension of the jacks 72. The interconnection betweer the tube 90 and, the beam 62 provided by the rod 94 precludes movement of the beam 62 relative to the floor 50 to which the tube 90 is secured in any direction other than a direction transverse to the pivotal axis of the connection 92. That is, only up and down movement and movement of the beam 62 relative to the floor 50 in a direction parallel to the length of the green is permitted. As a result of this construction, the green will not sway when walked upon by a golfer.

The specific construction of the beams 62 is best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. As stated previously, the beams 62 are flexible and may be distorted by the jacks 72 to provide the various contours discussed previously. Each beam 62 must additionally provide sufficient rigidity to maintain a desired contour once the contour has been set by the jacks 72. The beam construction to be described possesses the attributes of rigidity when required and flexibility when required.

Each beam 62 includes a flexible hydraulic hose capable of withstanding substantial hydraulic pressure. The hose 100 is sandwiched between two groups of elongated flexible plates 102, formed of any suitable material and extending the length of the green as viewed in FIG. 3, each group being comprised of two or more such plates 102. Spaced at relatively close intervals, are metallic bands 104 which surround the hose 100 and the two groups of plates 102.

When it is desired tocause the green to assume a new contour, hydraulic pressure within the hose 100 is released and the jacks 72 are operated as required. Movement of the jack 72, in turn, causes movement of the beams 62; and as a result, the abutting plates 102 slide relative to each other. When the desired contour has been set by the jacks 72 to rigidify the beam 62, hydraulic pressure is again applied to the hose 100. This, in turn, causes abutting ones of the plate 102 to be frictionally forced together due to the confining function provided by the bands 104 and the pressure applied to the plates 102 by the hydraulic hose 100. The frictional interlock between abutting ones of the plates 102 is sufficiently great to preclude slipping movement of a plate 102 relative to the abutting plate 102 even when a significant load is placed on the beam 62 as, for example, when one or more golfers walk onto the green surface 40 and, in effect, the assemblage comprised of the hose 100,'the plates 102 and the bands 104 is a one-piece rigid beam. The jack 72 may then be placed in an inactive position, the beams 62 being sufficiently rigid at this point to support the green surface 40 and a number of golfers standing thereon. Swaying of the beams 62 in such a position is precluded by the operation of the stabilizers 74 in the manner previously mentioned.

As best seen in FIG. 6, a first plate 106 is placed on the upper end of one of the plates 102 while a second plate 108 is placed under the lowermost one of the plates 102. The

plates

106 and 108 have a significantly greater width than the plates 102 and may be maintained in the position indicated by means of bolts, not shown.

The plate 108 has a side 110 extending inwardly towards the center of the green and mounts a wear strip 112 on which the beams 60 rest. The arrangement between the wear strip 112 and the beams 60 is such that some sliding movement therebetween is permitted. The connection also provides the support of the beams 60 on the flexible beams 62 for movement of the former with the latter when a contour is being set by the jacks 72. The pivotal connection 88 between the piston rod 84 of each jack 72 is made directly to the underside of the plate 108.

The upper plate 106 has a side 114 which projects outwardly from the center of the green toward the adjacent sidewall 52S and serves to provide a pivotal and slidable connection between the beam 62 and the apron member 66. As best seen in FIG. 5, each apron member 66 is formed from an inverted U-shaped channel; At one end of each U-shaped apron member 66 and formed in the legs thereof is a bulbshaped slot 116 in which the end 114 of the plate 106 is received, At the other end of each U-shaped apron member 66 and formed in the legs thereof is a curved slot 118 which provides a portion ofa pivotal connection between the apron member 66 and the upper edge of the sidewall 528. A cleat 120 is mounted on the upper edge of each sidewall 52S and sandwiches a bracket 122 between the under surface of the flooring 58. The bracket 122 has a curved end 124 which is received in the slot 118. As a result of the construction just described, the flexible beam 62 may be moved by the corresponding jack 72 and the pivotal, slidable connection provided by the end 114 and the plate 106 and the bulb-shaped slot 116 in the apron member provides a flexible connection between the apron member and the beam and the former will follow movement of the beam. The pivotal connection formed by the slot 118 and the end 124 of the bracket 112 maintains the apron member 66 in close adjacency with the sidewall 52S regardless of the movement of the flexible beam 62 to thereby provide a continuous surface between the flooring 58 and the beam 60 supporting the green surface 40.

From the foregoing, it will beapparent that when the green is caused to assume a contour that is anything but perfectly flat, the upper surface of adjacent ones of the beams 60 will be disposed in differing planes. Since the beams'60 merely rest on the wear strip 112 (FIG. 6), it will be apparent that a means is required to maintain orientation of the beams 60 with respect to each other. Such a means is shown in FIG. 7 and comprises a stringer rod disposed in aligned apertures 132 in adjacent beams. Surrounding the stringer rod 130 at the interface between adjacent ones of the beams 60 are spacing washers 134.

In actuality, a plurality of the stringer rods 130 are used. The length ofeach such stringer rod is equal to approximately six times the width of the beam 60 plus five-seven times the width of a spacing washer 134. The stringer rods 130 are disposed in a staggered relation in a generally horizontal plane such that certain ones of the stringer rods 130 are disposed closer to the center of the green than the remainder of the rods 130. The staggered relation is shown in part by the staggered relation of the apertures 132 as seen in FIG. 6. Furthermore, the ends of the stringer rods 130 are overlapped in the following manner. The first stringer rod.l at an end of the green is disposed through apertures 132 in the first through sixth beams 60. The second rod stringer 130 is disposed in another set of the apertures 132 and engages the fourth through 10 beams 60. The third stringer rod is disposed in a set of apertures 132 corresponding to the apertures 132 in which the first stringer rod 130 is disposed and is in contact with the eighth through 14 beams 60, etc. As a result of the just described construction, adjacent ones of the beams 60 are maintained in the desired orientation with respect to each other but are free to move slightly with respect to other. beams 60 engaging the same stringer rod 130 to provide a substantially continuous platform surface. Any discontinuities present between the upper surfaces of adjacent ones of the beams 60 are small and are effectively eliminated by the thickness ofthe foam rubber pad 64 and the thickness of the carpeting forming the green surface 40.

As mentioned previously, the fringe surface 42, the apron surface 56 and the carpeting covering the flooring 58 are formed of discrete pieces of material to facilitate relative movement during the contouring of the green \vhile-prevent ing undue stress on the carpeting forming the surfaces. The ends of the carpeting forming the surfaces are covered by the border means 76, 78 and 80 mentioned in conjunction with the description of FIG. 2. Turning now to FIG. 6, the construction of the border means 76 and 78 may be seen. The first border means 76 are comprised of a resilient metal plate 140 and a continuation 142 of the carpeting 144 covering the flooring 58. The resilient plate 140 issecured to the flooring 58 at the edge thereof overlying the cleat 120 and is formed to engage a portion 146 of the apron surface 56 and to hold thelatter firmly against the upper surface of the apron 66 through all positions of movement of the latter. The continuation 142 of the carpeting 144 is adhered to the upper surface of the plate and at its end, includes a downturned portion 148 which snugly abuts the surface of the carpeting forming the apron surface 56. However, if desired, the downturned portion 143 may be tucked under the plate 140.

The second border means 78 is formed of a layer of carpeting 150 adhered to the upper surface of a resilient plate 152. The resilient plate has its center secured by means not shown to the upper surface ofa U-shaped channel 154 which, in turn, is secured to the upper surface of the plate 106. It will be recalled that the plate 106 is secured to the beams 62. The ends of the resilient plate 152 overlie both the apron members 66 and the beams 60 and the inherent resilience of the plate 152 is such as to cause the latter to follow the movement of the beams 60 and/or the apron members 66 through all positions of movement of each.

In order to secure the innermost end of the apron surface 56 to the apron members 66, the end of the plate 152 overlying the apron members 66 bears against the upper surface of the carpeting forming the apron surface 56 to clamp the latter against the foam pad 68 thereunder to hold the two firmly against the upper surface of the apron members 66. The other end of the plate 152 bears against the upper surface of the fringe surface 42 to clamp the latter firmly against the upper surface of the beams 60. It will be noted that the extent of the foam pad 64 is not as great as the extent of the fringe surface 42 and is held in place only by the fringe surface 42 which, in turn, is held in place by the resilient plate 152. 1

Turning now to FIG. 7, the construction of the third border means 80 may be seen. A mounting plate is secured by means not shown to the edge of the flooring 58 adjacent end walls 52E of the pit. The upper surface of the mounting plate in turn mounts a resilient plate 162, the under surface of which bears against the carpeting forming the fringe surface 42 which, in turn, bears against the foam rubber pad 64 to hold the two against the upper surface of the beams 60. The plate 162 is covered by a continuation 164 of the carpeting 144 covering the flooring 58, and, of course, the continuation 164 of the carpeting 144 is adhered to the upper surface of the plate 162.

a control system for changing and maintaining the contour of the green is illustrated in FIGS. 8-l2, inclusive. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the hydraulic portion of the control system for operating the jack 72 and the pressurizing the hydraulic hoses 100 forming parts of the flexible beams 62. The hydraulic system includes a pump and a tank or reservoir 172 associated therewith in a conventional manner. The output from the pump 170 is led to a port ofa three-way valve 174 having a solenoid pilot 176. Similarly, the tank 172 is connected to a port on the three-way valve 174. The output of the valve 174 is connected directly to the hydraulic hoses 100. The arrangement is such that when the solenoid pilot 176 is actuated, the valve 174 will permit communication between the hydraulic hoses I00 and the pump 70 while when the pilot 176 is deenergized, there will be fluid communication between the tank 172 and and hydraulic hoses 100. In terms of the result produced by this construction, energization of the pilot 176 will cause pressurization of the hydraulic hoses 100 to rigidify the flexible beams 62 while deenergization of the pilot 176 will render the beams 62 flexible such that their shape may be changed by action of the jacks 72.

The pump 170 and tank 172 also form a part of the control system for the jacks 72. Since the construction of the control system for each of the jacks 72 is identical only one will be described, it being understood that there are 10 such systems in all. Both the pump 170 and the tank 172 are in fluid communication with various ports of a conventional double piloted four-way valve 178. Outlet ports of the valve 178 are connected respectively to the upper end and to the lower end of the double-acting hydraulic cylinder 82 comprising the jack 72. Additionally, a pilot-operated check or holding valve 180 is interposed in the line between the lower end of the cylinder 82 and the four-way valve 178. The holding valve 180 also has a connection for its pilot to the line between the four-way valve 178 and the upper end of the cylinder 82.

As mentioned above, the four-way valve 178 is double piloted and accordingly includes a first solenoid pilot 182 and a second solenoid pilot 184. The overall arrangement is such that when the first pilot 182 is actuated, fluid communication between the pump 170 and the upper end of the cylinder 82 is made and the piston rod 84 of the jack will descend within the cylinder 82. Additionally, pressure will be applied to the pilot I of the check valve 180 thereby opening the latter to permit fluid on the underside of the piston to flow backwardly through the four-way valve 178 to the tank 172. When the second pilot 184 is energized, fluid communication is established from the pump 170 through the holding valve 180 to the lower end of the cylinder 82 to force the piston rod 84 thereof upwardly. Simultaneously, fluid communication is established between the tank 172 and the upper end of the cylinder 82 to preclude a pressure buildup therein. When neither of the

pilots

182 or 184 are energized, the nature of the valve 178 is such as to preclude fluid communication between the pump 170 and either end of the cylinder 82. At such a time, the force of gravity will prevent upward movement of the piston within the cylinder 82 while the action of the holding valve 180 will preclude the piston from descending therein.

Turning now to FIG. 9, there is seen a control cam 186 for providing the system with contour information. The cam 186 is generally circular and includes an aperture 188 in the center thereof which receives a shaft as will be seen. A cam surface 190 of the cam 186 is contoured to simulate the putting surface of a natural green. The aperture 188, which is located at the center of the cam 186, is also located at the point at which the cup or hole on a natural green would be located. Thus, the cam 186 may be said to comprise a miniature green.

Turning now to FIG. 10, the cam 186 is shown in section and a shaft 192 is disposed in the aperture 188 thereof. A suitable key 194 is used to lock the cam 186 to the shaft 192 for rotation therewith. "the lower end of the shaft 192 is mounted in a suitable bearing 196 which, in turn, is secured in any suitable manner to a bracket 198. The bracket 198 includes an upper portion mounting a similar bearing 200 for journaling the upper end of the shaft 192. The upper extremity of the shaft 192 includes a manually operable knob 202 which may have a pointer associated therewith for cooperation with a scale (not shown).

Mounted above the cam 186 by means of ears 204 on the bracket 198 are pote ntiometers, generally designated 206, each having a corresponding actuator 208 that is spring urged downwardly to ride on the cam surface the pit, of the cam 186. In other words, the actuators 208 are cam followers that follow the cam surface 190 ofthe cam 186.

As best seen in FIG. 11, the actuators 208 are disposed with respect to each other and with respect to the center of the greenlike upper cam surface 190 of the cam 186 on which the position of the shaft 192 is representative of the hole or cup of the green, in a manner identical to the disposition of the jacks 72 with respect to each other and the cup 44 on the green surface 40. Each actuator 208 controls its corresponding potentiometer 206 to move the wiper thereof thereby shifting the ratio of resistance on either side of the variable tap port provided by the wiper in a manner proportionalto its degree of extent which, of course, is proportional to the contour of the upper surface 190 of the cam 186. Thus, a distinct signal may be produced for each of the jacks 72 to control the degree of extent thereof.

Turning now to H6. 12, a means for utilizing such a signal and controlling the hydraulic system for each jack 72 is schematically indicated. Since the control for the hydraulic system for each jack 72 is identical, only one will be described, it being understood that there are ten such means. The end taps of the potentiometer 206 are connected across a source of DC power 210, and a second potentiometer 212 is similarly connected to the DC power source 210. The wiper of the potentiometer 212 is moved in response to movement of the piston rod 84 of each double-acting hydraulic cylinder comprising a jack 72 by means of any suitable mechanical connection such that the wiper position of the potentiometer 212 is dependent upon the degree of extent of its corresponding jack 72. The arrangement is that ofa conventional DC bridge circuit with the potentiometer 206 providing the control signal while the potentiometer 212 provides a suitable feedback signal. The error signal from the bridge is taken from the wipers of the

potentiometers

206 and 212 and fed through the coil 214 ofa micropositioner. The coil 214 operates a blade 216 which is interposed between a first contact 218 and a second contact 220. The contact 218 is connected to the solenoid pilot 182 of the four-way valve 178 and then to one side of a source of power 222 while the contact 220 is connected to the solenoid pilot 184 of the valve 178 and then to the source of power 222. The blade 216 is connected through a relay coil 224 and then to the opposite side of the source of power 222.

The overall arrangement is such that when the cam 186 is rotated by manipulation of the knob 202, the resulting movement of the wiper of the potentiometer 206 will cause an imbalance in the DC bridge. As a result, current will flow through the coil 214 of the micropositioner in a direction dependent upon the polarity of the imbalance caused. If the nature of the imbalance if such as to cause current to flow from the wiper of the potentiometer 206 to the wiper of the potentiometer 212, energization of the coil 214 will cause the blade 218 to close a circuit through the contact 218 to energize the pilot 182. As a result, the four-way valve 178 will be appropriately actuated and fluid will be admitted to the underside of the piston of the hydraulic cylinder comprising the jack 72 to cause the jack 72 to extend itself. As the jack 72 extends, the wiper of the potentiometer 212 will be movedby the jack 72 until the bridge is again balanced. When the bridge is balanced, current will cease to flow through the coil 214 and the blade 216 will return to a normally open position.

Were the imbalance caused by rotation of thecam 186 to be of the opposite polarity of that just described, the blade 216 would have closed a circuit through the contact 220 to energize the pilot solenoid 184 to ultimately cause the piston of the cylinder comprising the jack 72 todescent until the wiper of the potentiometer 212 had been moved to a sufficient distance to rebalance the bridge.

From the foregoing description of the circuitry, it will be apparent that whenever the blade 216 completes a circuit through either a

contact

218 or 220, the coil 224 will be energized. Associated with the coil 224 is a set of normally closed contacts 226 which are connected in series with the pilot 176 of the three-way valve 174 and across the source of power 222. Thus, whenever the coil 224 is energized in response to an imbalance in the bridge circuit, the contacts 226 will be opened to deenergize the solenoid pilot 176 of the three-way valve 174 to thereby relax the pressure in the hydraulic hoses to cause the beam 62 to revert to a flexible state wherein it may be moved by the jacks 72. When the bridge is balanced, which corresponds to a jack 72 reaching its programmed extension to provide a desired contour, the coil 224 will be deenergized and the contacts 226 will close to energize the pilot 176 thereby causing the threeway valve 174 to admit fluid under pressure to the hydraulic hoses 100 and rigidify the beams 62.

Since it is essential that the beams 62 remain in a flexible state until all of the jacks 72 have reached their programmed extension, the power applied to the four-way valve pilots associated with all of the jacks 72 is taken from the junction of the blade 216 and the coil 224 rather than directly from the source of power 222. Thus, if the bridge circuits associated with nine of the jacks are balanced but the 10 circuit remains unbalanced, the coil 224 will remain energized to preclude the pressurization of the hydraulic hoses 100 and thus, the rigiditication of the beams 62.

Once all of the jacks have attained their programmed extent, it will be apparent that they will be maintained in such a position by operation of their corresponding holding valves 180. Similarly, the beams 62 will be rigidified due to the deenergization of the coil 224 and the resultant energization of the pilot 176 associated with the three way valve 174.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that by mere manipulation of the knob 202 the cam 186 may be rotated to simultaneously program each of the jacks 72 and Cause the green to achieve a desired contoured configuration. When the green is used in conjunction with an indoor golf game, it will be apparent that the cam 186 could be used to provide 18 different green contours. A suitable index could be associated with the knob 202 and numbered in terms of holes such that each 20 of rotation of the shaft 192 would correspond to the changing of the contour of the green from one hole to the next hole. Alternatively, if the indoor golf game is such as to provide the golfer with information relative to the position on the green at which his ball stopped, as for example, the 6 oclock position, the knob 202 may be manipulated to rotate the cam 186 such that the actuators 208 for the potentiometers 206 sense the contour of the cam surface 190 at the 6 oclock position thereof. When such a method is sued, it may be desirable to provide a plurality of interchangeable cams 186 having differing upper surfaces 190, each corresponding to a different hole on a golf course, or a plurality of the structures shown in FIG. 10 one for each hole on a golf course, maybe provided with suitable switch means for selectively connecting a desired one of the structures into the bridge circuit illustrated in FIG. 12.

While we have shown and. described certain embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A contourable green for use in a golf game comprising: a flexible putting surface including a cup therein for reception ofa golf ball; means providing a support for said surface that is sufficiently rigid to support at least one golfer and sufficiently flexible so as to be distorted whereby the contour of said putting surface may be changed; a plurality of means spaced from one another and connected to said support means for moving said support means, each of said plurality of moving means being individually operable independently of the other of said moving means whereby different ones of said moving means may be operated to cause differing movement of differing points of said support means to cause distortion of the latter; and control means for said plurality of moving means comprising programming means for simultaneously providing information relative to a predetermined operation for each of said plurality of moving means, and means responsive to said programming means for individually operating each of said plurality of moving means in accordance with the information provided by said programming means.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said support means comprise at least two elongated flexible beams and a plurality of rigid crossmembers supported by said beams and movable therewith.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said crossmembers are formed ofa material such as wood.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of moving means comprises a jack having a member reciprocal in two directions connected to said support means and means for moving said member in said two directions.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said programming means comprises means for providing information relative to a predetermined amount of movement of said support means by each of said moving means and feedback meansassociated with each of said moving means for providing information relative to the amount of actual movement of said support means caused thereby, means for comparing said information relative to a predetermined amount of movement and said information relative to the amount of actual movement and means responsive to said comparing means for causing operation of each of said moving means when there is a difference between the information relative to a predetermined amount of movement and the information relative to the amount of actual movement.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said programming means includes a cam having an undulating cam surface for producing contours corresponding to those on a green.

7. A contourable green comprising: at least two beams spaced from each other, comprising at least two elongated flexible plates mounted in'abutment with each other for selective slidable movement relative to each other along their longitudinal" axes; means for frictionally locking said plates against each other to rigidify the flexible beam formed thereby; means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support a golfer and being somewhat flexible such that its shape may be distorted to provide a desired contour, said platform being supported on said beams to be movable therewith; means on said platform providing a putting surface, a cup associated with said putting surface for receiving a golf ball propelled thereacross; at least one mechanism associated with each of said beams for moving the respective beam to cause movement of said platform, each said mechanism being operable independently of the other whereby said beams may be moved different amounts to cause distortion of said platform whereby said putting surface may be contoured; and control means for operating said mechanisms.

8. A contourable green comprising: at least two beams spaced from each other; means providing a platform of suffcient rigidity to support a golfer and being somewhat flexible such that its shape may be distorted to provide a desired contour, said platform providing means comprising a plurality of closely spaced rigid members spanning said beams and flexibly connected to each other, said platform'being supported on said beams to be movable therewith; means on said platform providing at putting surface, a cup associated with said putting surface for receiving a golf ball propelled thereacross; at least one mechanism associated with each of said beams for moving the respective beam to cause movement of said platform, each said mechanism being operable independently of the other whereby said beams may be moved different amounts to cause distortion of said platform whereby said putting surfacemay be contoured; and control means for operating said mechanisms.

9. A contourable surface comprising: means providing a relatively rigid surface that is adapted to be distorted by moving differing parts thereof unequal distances; at least one beam supporting said surface, said beam comprising at least two abutting flexible plates adjacent a flexible walled tube and restraining means at least partially surrounding said plates and said tube; and means for applying fluid pressure within said tube to cause rigidification of said beam to thereby maintain said surface in a desired configuration.

10. The invention of claim 9 further including means for moving differing parts of said surface unequal amounts, means responsive to initiation of operation of said moving means for releasing fluid pressure within said tube; and means responsive to the cessation of operation of said moving means for causing said fluid pressure applying means to apply fluid pressure within said tube.

11. A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufflcient rigidity to support at least one golfer and of sufficient flexibility such that it may be distorted to simulate undulations in a green; means providing a putting surface on said platform providing means; a plurality of means for moving said platform-providing means differing amounts to distort the latter; and stabilizing means for said platform including first means secured to said platform for movement therewith and second means for engaging said first means for permitting up and down movement thereof while effectively precluding side-to-side movement thereof thereby preventing swaying movement of said platform providing means when it is supporting a golfer.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said platform providing means is supported by at least one beam, said first means comprising a rigid rod connected to said beam and said second means comprising a rigid tube pivotally connected to a stationary member, said rod being telescopingly and slidably received in said tube so that when said platform is distorted, said rod may slide within said tube to permit up and down movement of said platform and yet will form an unbendable structure to effectively preclude side-to-side movement of said platform.

13. A contourable green for use in a golf game and capable of supporting a plurality of golfers comprising: a base-supporting surface, at least two spaced elongated beams mounted for generally independent up and down movement, means mounting said beams in an elevated position relative to said base supporting surface, at least one moving means associated with each of said beams for moving the associated beam, 21 distortable platform comprising a plurality of rigid crossmembers generally transverse to and supported by said beams, a plurality of stringers running generally parallel to said beams and flexibly interconnecting said crossmembers to permit relative movement between said crossmembers, and a sheet of material having an upper putting surface supported by said crossmembers, and ball-receiving means associated with said putting surface.

14. The contourable green of claim 13 wherein said rigid I crossmembers are closely spaced, said stringers comprise aligning rods received in apertures in said crossmembers, and said sheet comprises a carpetlike mat.

15. A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support one or more golfers and of sufficient flexibility to be distorted to a plurality of nonplanar forms; means providing a floor spaced from at least a part of said platform providing means; apron means flexibly interconnecting said platform providing means and said floor providing means to provide a substantially continuous surface therebetween; a putting surface on said platform providing means and including means for receiving a ball; at least two powered jack means secured to the underside of said platform providing means at spaced locations; and control means for said powered jack means whereby said platform providing means may be selectively distorted.

16.The green of claim 15 wherein said apron-providing means comprises a plurality of closely spaced rigid members having pivotal connections to said platform providing means and to said floor-providing means.

17. The green of claim 16 wherein some of said pivotal connections are additionally slidable connections.

18. A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support one or more golfers and of sufficient flexibility to be distorted to a plurality of nonplanar forms; a putting surface on said platform providing means and including means for receiving a ball; at least two powered jack means secured to the underside of said platform providing means at spaced locations; control means for said powered jack means whereby said platform providing means may be selectively distorted, said powered jack means being bidirectional to raise or lower said platform providing means; and said control means including means for selecting a desired contour of said surface, means for providing information relative to the selected contour and a means for receiving said information and for automatically, in response thereto, actuating said powered jack means in the proper direction to distort said surface to said selected contour.

19. A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufficient'rigidity to support one or more golfers and of sufficient flexibility to be distorted to a plurality of nonplanar forms; a putting surface on said platform providing means and including means for receiving a ball; at least two powered jack means secured to the underside of said platform providing means at spaced locations; control meansfor said powered jack means whereby said providing means may be selectively distorted, sar control means including a cam having a cam surface configured proportionally to a desired contour of said green; and sensing means associated with said cam surface for operating said powered jack means.

latform

Claims

1. A contourable green for use in a golf game comprising: a flexible putting surface including a cup therein for reception of a golf ball; means providing a support for said surface that is sufficiently rigid to support at least one golfer and sufficiently flexible so as to be distorted whereby the contour of said putting surface may be changed; a plurality of means spaced from one another and connected to said support means for moving said support means, each of said plurality of moving means being individually operable independently of the other of said moving means whereby different ones of said moving means may be operated to cause differing movement of differing points of said support means to cause distortion of the latter; and control means for said plurality of moving means comprising programming means for simultaneously providing information relative to a predetermined operation for each of said plurality of moving means, and means responsive to said programming means for individually operating each of said plurality of moving means in accordance with the information provided by said programming means.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said crossmembers are formed of a material such as wood.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said programming means comprises means for providing information relative to a predetermined amount of movement of said support means by each of said moving means and feedback means associated with each of said moving means for providing information relative to the amount of actual movement of said support means caused thereby, means for comparing said information relative to a predetermined amount of movement and said information relative to the amount of actual movement and means responsive to said comparing means for causing operation of each of saId moving means when there is a difference between the information relative to a predetermined amount of movement and the information relative to the amount of actual movement.

7. A contourable green comprising: at least two beams spaced from each other, comprising at least two elongated flexible plates mounted in abutment with each other for selective slidable movement relative to each other along their longitudinal axes; means for frictionally locking said plates against each other to rigidify the flexible beam formed thereby; means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support a golfer and being somewhat flexible such that its shape may be distorted to provide a desired contour, said platform being supported on said beams to be movable therewith; means on said platform providing a putting surface, a cup associated with said putting surface for receiving a golf ball propelled thereacross; at least one mechanism associated with each of said beams for moving the respective beam to cause movement of said platform, each said mechanism being operable independently of the other whereby said beams may be moved different amounts to cause distortion of said platform whereby said putting surface may be contoured; and control means for operating said mechanisms.

8. A contourable green comprising: at least two beams spaced from each other; means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support a golfer and being somewhat flexible such that its shape may be distorted to provide a desired contour, said platform providing means comprising a plurality of closely spaced rigid members spanning said beams and flexibly connected to each other, said platform being supported on said beams to be movable therewith; means on said platform providing a putting surface, a cup associated with said putting surface for receiving a golf ball propelled thereacross; at least one mechanism associated with each of said beams for moving the respective beam to cause movement of said platform, each said mechanism being operable independently of the other whereby said beams may be moved different amounts to cause distortion of said platform whereby said putting surface may be contoured; and control means for operating said mechanisms.

11. A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support at least one golfer and of sufficient flexibility such that it may be distorted to simulate undulations in a green; means providing a putting surface on said platform providing means; a plurality of means for moving said platform-providing means differing amounts to distort the latter; and stabilizing means for said platform including first means secured to said platform for movement therewith and second means for engaging said first means for permitting up and down movement thereof while effectively precluding side-to-side movement thereof thereby preventing swaying moVement of said platform providing means when it is supporting a golfer.

13. A contourable green for use in a golf game and capable of supporting a plurality of golfers comprising: a base-supporting surface, at least two spaced elongated beams mounted for generally independent up and down movement, means mounting said beams in an elevated position relative to said base supporting surface, at least one moving means associated with each of said beams for moving the associated beam, a distortable platform comprising a plurality of rigid crossmembers generally transverse to and supported by said beams, a plurality of stringers running generally parallel to said beams and flexibly interconnecting said crossmembers to permit relative movement between said crossmembers, and a sheet of material having an upper putting surface supported by said crossmembers, and ball-receiving means associated with said putting surface.

14. The contourable green of claim 13 wherein said rigid crossmembers are closely spaced, said stringers comprise aligning rods received in apertures in said crossmembers, and said sheet comprises a carpetlike mat.

16. The green of claim 15 wherein said apron-providing means comprises a plurality of closely spaced rigid members having pivotal connections to said platform providing means and to said floor-providing means.

19. A contourable green for a golf game comprising: means providing a platform of sufficient rigidity to support one or more golfers and of sufficient flexibility to be distorted to a plurality of nonplanar forms; a putting surface on said platform providing means anD including means for receiving a ball; at least two powered jack means secured to the underside of said platform providing means at spaced locations; control means for said powered jack means whereby said platform providing means may be selectively distorted, said control means including a cam having a cam surface configured proportionally to a desired contour of said green; and sensing means associated with said cam surface for operating said powered jack means.