TARGET BALL

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of the earlier U.S. Utility patent application to Albert Ben Currey, Ser. No. 13/887,099, filed May 3, 2013, now pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a target ball game and method of using the target ball game. More specifically it relates to a stationary or portable target ball game that involves a player's station and a target for the use of a striking implement to hit a projectile toward the target.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are numerous sports and games that involve striking a projectile with an implement. Some of those sports/games also involve a target such as golf, croquette, and hockey. However, even where there is no specific target such as baseball, tennis and racquetball there is a tremendous advantage to being able to place your shot. In addition, taken at their lowest common denominator developing the skill to be able to hit a projectile accurately is very satisfying and lends itself to enjoyable competitions. Some of the skills required to succeed in these endeavors include the development of excellent hand eye coordination and muscle training to enable the participant to accurately direct the projectile to a desired location. In addition, some of these games, such as golf are time consuming and require a lot of space. Therefore a need exists to offer a challenging target game which includes a player's station, a striking implement, a projectile and target(s) to develop these desirable skills, encourage competition and yet can be played in a reasonable time span and in a limited area.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stationary or portable target ball game. The invention therefore includes a system for facilitating the practice and play of target ball game, said system comprising: a player's station, a target having a predetermined diameter and a plurality of concentric rings, vertical lines and horizontal lines, at least one ball and at least one club, said target being configured to receive a ball upon being hit by a player.

Embodiments also provide a method for using such a game. The method providing a player's station and a target having a plurality of concentric rings, vertical lines and horizontal lines; providing a ball and a club; placing the target a predetermined distance from a hitting area, wherein the distance is measured from the center of the target; hitting the ball from the hitting area to the target with the club; and scoring the shot based on the point of impact of the ball on the target. The scoring may include scoring a shot between 0 and 10 based on concentric rings of the target; scoring the shot based on accuracy straight line shots between 0 and 10 by use of the vertical lines of the target; and scoring the shot based on accurate distance shots between 0 and 10 by use of horizontal lines.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a target for use with a target ball game system, with portions of the target not shown in order to clearly see the features of the embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a target ball game system;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a target showing a location of where a ball hit the target;

FIG. 4 is a view of a display of a player's station of a target ball game system;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method of playing a target ball game;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a target for use with a target ball game system;

FIG. 7 is a view of another configuration of a target for use with a target ball game system; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of yet another configuration of target for use with a target ball game system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention therefore includes a system for facilitating the practice and play of target ball game, said system comprising: a player's station; and a target having a predetermined diameter and a plurality of concentric rings with vertical and horizontal lines, at least one ball and at least one club, said target being configured to receive a ball upon being hit by a player.

Embodiments of the target game have at least a dual purpose. A first purpose includes the target game providing a form of competition, wherein one or more competitors play in order to see who can score the highest. This can occur in various formats of play, such as one player hitting all of the balls established for game play and determining the score based on the accuracy of this as recorded by the ball hitting the target. Then additional players can do the same to determine who scored the most. Another embodiment of play may include players alternating hits, wherein each players score per hit is recorded and each player can see their current standing until all balls have been hit. Players may include multiple rounds of play and even have a tournament type of set up and play.

A second purpose includes improving accuracy of a players golf game. By hitting golf balls to a target, a player may improve his or her accuracy. This is accomplished because the game can be used for different types of clubs and includes scoring in a vertical and horizontal direction. Accordingly, a player is awarded for hitting a ball the proper distance and for hitting the ball in line with the intended inner target circle laterally. If a player hits the ball long or short, the player will need to adjust the golf swing in order to have the proper ball flight, trajectory and the like to hit the intended target. This adjustment over time translates into better judgment of distance during a round of golf.

Likewise, a player often deals with hitting golf shots that are often referred to as a draw or a fade and often golfers have a natural draw of fade. A draw is determined as the flight path of the ball curving in a direction toward the side of the ball the golfer stands on to hit. A fade is determined as the flight path of the ball curving in a direction away from the side of the ball the golfer stand on to hit. A bad draw is often referred to as a hook and a bad fade is often referred to as a slice. Golfers that are beginning often suffer from a hook or a slice in their swing at least in certain clubs. Embodiments of the present invention help beginning golfers improve and rid themselves of a hook or slice through repetitious hits toward a target in order to simulate a golf shot and swing. It also provides a fun way to do so, wherein a golfer is more likely to work on that aspect of their swing in order to improve the score. Repetition in performing a proper golf swing translates into more accurate swings on the golf course during a round of golf.

Further still embodiments of play may include having obstacles between the golf tee box and the target, wherein a player would need to hit a controlled draw or fade in order to hit the target. This assists the golfer in honing his or her skill in accurately shaping a shot that can translate into hitting a similar shot in a round of golf.

Accordingly, embodiments of the system may include a game and a golf swing training aid. This provides for competition and instruction in order to improve a person's swing in a way that can be translated into actual rounds of golf.

According to embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a target 102 is provided and may be placed on a large, flat area. Suitable large areas include, but are not limited to, a field, such as a football field, a court, a stadium or driving range. The target 102 has a predetermined diameter comprising a plurality of concentric rings 104 along with vertical lines 106 and horizontal lines 108. The target 102 is scored concentrically, horizontally and vertically with a points value assigned based on distance where a ball hits the target 102. The concentric nature of the target 102 assists in improving the accuracy of the golf swing, because in the game of golf, a player is attempting to get the ball into a round hole and with concentric rings 104, a player is attempting to perform a similar feat. Further, the vertical lines 106 of the target assist in improving the straightness of the shot and the horizontal lines 108 assist in improving the distance of the shot. Accordingly, close shots to a golf hole from the fairway or other part of the golf course, not on the green is determined concentrically. Therefore, having concentric rings 104 assists in the mental aspect of the game that is transferable to conventional round of golf, while the vertical and horizontal lines 106 and 108 assist in fine tuning the swing for repeatability and consistency.

Referring further to FIG. 2, in addition to the target 102, the a game system 100 includes a player's station 110 that is a computing device 112 having a display 113, such as a, but not limited to, a computer with a monitor or screen, a mobile computing device, like a tablet, a smart phone and other similar computing devices. While a small computing device is used in some embodiments, it will be understood that any type of computing device may be used with the game system 100. The target 102 is in communication with the player's station 110. The communication is typically a wireless communication, but other types of communication networks may be utilized to accomplish the purpose of the system.

The player's station 110 operates to identify the player 120. Further, the player's station 110 associates the player 120 having a player's identification with a set of target balls 114. The set of target balls 114 may be in any number of target balls 114 as determined by the type of game being played. The system 100 may also include a club 115. During play, the player's station 110 records all hits of target balls 114 with the club 115 and further records all of the hits on target 102. The player's station 110 records, processes and displays the score 116 of hits on target 102 by the player 120. In order to help the player 120 improve his or her accuracy, the system 100 records and processes statistics 118 (such as shot location and club head speed) of each player for every ball 114 hit. Accordingly, every ball 114 hit, whether is hits or misses the target 102 is recorded and the system 100 further records stats of the where the ball 114 hits the target 102. Additionally, the club head speed of the club 115 may be recorded by the player's station 110 by use of a sensor for determining club head speed, as well as other club swing stats.

Every hit may also include scoring in three ways, however, other embodiments may include other non-limiting scoring configurations. The three way scoring, for example, without limitation, may be between 0 and 10 on the concentric rings 104, 0 to 10 for the vertical lines 106, and 0 to 10 for the horizontal lines 108, wherein 0 points is for not hitting the target 102, and 30 points for hitting dead center on the target 102, which may be denoted by cross hairs. Accordingly, the player's station 110 can record and display the score 116 for each shot and then process the scores to record and display the player's total score of the game.

The score 116 includes small increments to better reflect the accuracy of the shot. In other words, the scoring can be calculated in various increments, such as, but not limited to, whole numbers, by tenths of a point, by hundredths of a point or by thousandths of a point. The incremental scoring is determined by the system 100 comprising an accurate measuring system 130, wherein the measuring system 130 can measure the location of where the ball 114 hits the target 102. In some embodiments, the measuring system 130 can measure to the nearest tenth of a foot. However, other embodiments may include a more accurate measurement such as, but not limited to the nearest hundredth of a foot, or the nearest thousandths of a foot. The location between lines/rings on the target 102 determine the score 116.

For example and without limitation, as shown in FIG. 3, a target 102 may include concentric rings 104 that are one foot apart from each adjacent ring; vertical lines 106 that are one foot apart from adjacent vertical lines; and horizontal lines 108 that are one foot apart from adjacent horizontal lines, wherein every tenth of a foot is a scoring increment of 0.1 point, every hundredth of a foot is a scoring increment of 0.01 point, and every thousandths of a foot is a scoring increment of 0.001 point. A hit location 140 on the target 102 of a ball 114 may be measured to be 0.500 of a foot between concentric rings 104 that have a point value of 2 and 3; 0.250 of a foot between vertical lines 106 that have a point value of 4 and 5; and 0.250 of a foot between horizontal lines 108 that have a point value of 5 and 6. Accordingly, the concentric ring score is 2.500, the vertical line score is 4.250, and the horizontal line score is 5.250 for a total shot score of 12.000. While one particular manner of scoring is shown, it will be understood that other scoring options are available for the game 100.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the display 113 received the shot score 13.509 and displays the total shot score 116 to the player 120 located at the player's station 110. The entire total shot scores 116 are added together to form the game score 117. In some embodiments, a website may track the statistics and scores of the player or players. In these embodiments, players that are competing do not need to be in the same location to compete, however they can be in the same location at their own player's station, wherein every player of a particular game can see the scores of all other players in that game.

The player's station 110 may also include a timer 150. The timer 150 operates to allow each player a certain amount of time to hit each ball and/or balls 114. Penalties may be associated with not hitting a ball and/or balls 114 within the allotted time, or alternatively, bonuses may be awarded to players who do hit within the time limit.

The game system 100 may be a stationary game located at a specific location, or the game system 100 may be a portable game, wherein the target 102 and the player's station 110 are moveable to various locations. Accordingly, the mobility of the game system 100 provides the ability of choosing the type of venue to play in and further would allow for indoor and outdoor play. Additionally, embodiments may be sold on a consumer level wherein the game system is sold as a kit from a retailer, the kit including a target 102, a player's station 110 with balls 114 and club 115.

Additionally, the player's station 110 and target 102 may include a measuring system 130 that comprises sensors. These sensors include, but are not limited to, lasers and contact sensors. All information gathered by the target 102 is sent to the player's station 110.

According to embodiments, the target ball game 100 includes target ball clubs 115 and target balls 114 where perfection of a player's swing is consistent for each swing. For example, a player 120 may have a particular club head speed that results in hitting a ball 114 a particular distance. An example of this includes, but is not limited to, a player 120 who has a club head speed of 80 mph and hits the ball 114 a distance of 25 yards. Accordingly, the club 115 is designed to hit the ball at 80 mph club head speed with ball 114 traveling 25 yards. In embodiments target balls 114 have a specific predetermined density, similar to a golf ball. Generally, the density of the target ball 114 is less than the density of a golf ball and may be a density used for predetermined distances, such as, but not limited to a density used for distances within the range of 0 to 100 yards. Therefore, the clubs 115 may be designed to hit the ball 114 at a certain club head speed, the distances that include, without limitation, 0 to 100 yards.

In embodiments, the ball 114 is coded and may have a microchip or other tracking device and records the point of impact where the ball hits the target. Each microchip comprises a unique identifier. Each target may be set to receive and record only a preprogrammed ball as set apart by its unique identifier. In embodiments, the ball may have a tracking device that coordinates with target, such that when the ball hits the target, the tracking device is recognized by the target and the location can be determined in response to the ball striking the target.

It will be understood that the density of the target ball 114 may be adjusted based on the area of play and the desired effects of playing the game. For example, if used in a training mode where the area of play is large enough to hit any club in a player's bag, the ball 114 may have an identical density of a standard golf ball, wherein the feel and play of the golf ball is substantially similar to the feel of hitting a conventional golf ball. This would help in translating the feel of the swings of the golf club into an actual conventional round of golf. Other embodiments may require the use of a lower density ball based on the area of play and the like.

A dual identifier system may be used giving a player and ball the same identifier. In one embodiment, the ball is coded with a bar code. A bar code scanner would then scan the ball prior to playing and activate the target to recognize only that ball.

In other embodiments, where there are multiple players on the same target 102, identifying the player with the ball through a bar code allows for scoring to be segregated between all players on the same target 102. In at least this way, each player can have a score associated with them in order to determine a winner of the competitive game.

The target game 100 may use modified balls 114 and clubs 115. The balls 114 used in the target game 100 have a different or lower density than a standard golf ball. The target game 100 also uses modified clubs 115 so the same full speed type golf swing may be used to hit balls 114 to the target 102. The clubs 115 may be set to match your club head speed when playing traditional golf club. In other words, by modifying the club 115 with a ball 114 that is lower in density, it still allows for translatability of the swing to traditional golf play.

During play, there may be a time limit on the number of balls the player may hit, for example, hitting 10 balls in 5 minutes, or some other time designation depending on the number of balls. There also may be a bonus ball. A monitor, screen or other type of display is set up which gives club head speed and score based on data received from the target.

In embodiments, the system includes a network connection, wherein the target is in communication with a server through a wireless or other type of network. The target 102 may include a processor, wherein the target 102 has a means of determining the point of impact of the ball 114 having a microchip, a bar code, or the like, wherein the means of d determining the point of impact of the ball determines the location of a point of impact the ball and then transmitting the location of the point of impact to a server. The server may include a software application, wherein the software application operates to determine the score of each point of impact of a ball. The target will only transmit information relating to points of impact, and accordingly, if a ball misses the target, the player will not be scored for that shot, thereby affecting the total game score. The players may then access the score through a web portal wherein the web portal displays the scores processed by the server. In some embodiments, the server is the computing device of the player's station.

Embodiments of the software application can be preset with certain point totals for each ring or for each vertical and horizontal scoring target area. In some embodiments, the scores for these areas may be user controlled. For example, if a novice player wishes to play a more experienced player, the scoring areas for each may include different point totals, thereby making the game more competitive, wherein the novice player has higher scoring totals for areas further away from the center of the target. This allows the system to provide a game that is competitive between players with any skill level.

In another embodiment, multiple players may take turns using the same target. Further, in another embodiment, more than one target ball system may be used with multiple players.

Further, in other embodiments various types of targets may be utilized, wherein the targets 102 are a grid system. For example the grid system may include the target 102 shown in FIG. 6 with concentric rings, vertical lines and horizontal lines. The grid system may be vertical lines and horizontal lines only as shown in FIG. 7. Further, the grid system may have concentric rings with radially extending lines, as shown in FIG. 8, to form a target with a grid system similar to a dart board. While these grid systems of target 102 have been disclosed, it is understood that other types of grid systems may be utilized without departing from the scope of the claims.

Some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 5, include a method 170 of using a target ball game. The method 170 may include providing a player's station (Step 171); providing a target having a plurality of concentric rings, plurality of vertical lines and a plurality of horizontal lines (Step 172); providing a target ball and a club (Step 173); placing the target a predetermined distance from a player's station (Step 174), wherein the distance is measured from the center of the target; hitting the ball from the player's station to the target with the club (Step 175); and scoring the shot based on the point of impact of the ball on the target (Step 176). The method may include repeating the hitting of the ball and scoring of the shot for each ball hit. The scoring of each shot may include incrementally scoring each shot in fractions of a point based on the location of the point of impact of the ball. The method may also include providing a predetermined number of balls to be hit during a game. The method may also include providing a predetermined time period in which to hit the predetermined number of balls. The method may also include using the same club for each ball hit, or alternatively varying the club used during play of the game.

The method may also include providing a server in communication with the target, wherein the target transmits information regarding the point of impact of the ball. The method may include determining the score of the shot by the computer through use of a software application, wherein the score is determined based on the point of impact of the ball on the target. The method may also include providing a web portal, wherein the player accesses the score provided by the server and display the score of the device utilized to access the web portal.

It will be understood that other means for electronically scoring may be utilized with embodiments and the use of a web based system to score the game is provided in this disclosure as merely an example of one way of providing a score to the player.

Other embodiments of the method may incorporate various types of game play, such as, but not limited to an alternate shot game between one or more players, a round by round game between multiple players, a tournament style play, a skins style of play and skills style of play for providing different types of golf shots toward the target.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements may be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.