Convertible Target Pad

Abstract

This invention discloses a circular target pad which may be used alternately as a target in connection with a golf putting game or as a flying disc. The target pad is shaped such that a golf ball may rest in its center but also may be easily dislodged by a striking force. The target pad also is shaped such that when thrown as a flying disc, its flight path is straight.

Claims

1. A golf putting target pad comprising a. A center disc and b. An outer over mold ring.

2. The target pad of claim 1 wherein the outside diameter of the target pad is between eleven and thirteen inches and wherein the height of the target pad is between 1.25 inches and 2.5 inches.

3. The target pad of claim 1 wherein the center disc further comprises a flat top shelf, a beveled hole in the center of the center disc, a drop-down ridge, an angled rim, and a mechanical interface intersecting with the outer over mold ring, and wherein the outer over mold ring is angled.

4. The target pad of claim 1 wherein the beveled hole is centered to the disc and the surface of the disc approaching the hole is beveled in shape.

5. The target pad of claim 1 wherein the drop-down ridge is shaped in such a way that it may serve as a retaining edge for a golf ball which is either immobile or moving at a low velocity.

6. The target pad of claim 1 wherein the drop-down ridge is shaped in such a way that when tossed or thrown, the drop-down ridge provides an area of lower pressure to equalize pressure differences due to wind changes, straightening the flight of the disc.

7. The target pad of claim 3 wherein the angled rim has an angle of attack between twenty and thirty degrees.

8. The target pad of claim 3 wherein the center disc is made of a plastic material.

9. The target pad of claim 3 wherein the beveled hole is sized to allow a golf ball to rest in the center hole and to be easily dislodged.

10. The target pad of claim 3 wherein the beveled hole is sized large enough to serve as a pressure relief hole to allow for the target pad to remain stable when in flight after being tossed.

11. The target pad of claim 3 where in the outer over mold ring is made from a material which bonds to hard plastic chemically and mechanically at its interface with the center disc.

12. The target pad of claim 10 wherein the outer over mold ring further comprises an edge thick enough to absorb some but not all of the kinetic energy of a putted golf ball such that the golf ball rolls smoothly onto the top shelf of the target pad.

13. The target pad of claim 7 wherein the outer over mold ring further comprises an edge thick enough to mitigate the centrifugal force which results from throwing the target pad such that the target pad lands softly in the hand of catcher of the target pad.

14. A method of playing a golf putting game, comprising: a. Providing an extendable putter; a circular target pad with a center divot and rubber lift ring; putting golf ball, a target golf ball, a target flag, and a mesh bag; b. Playing at least a first round of the golf putting game, the first round comprising the steps of: i. Placing the target pad on ground suitable for rolling a golf putt; ii. Placing the target golf ball on the center divot of the target pad; iii. Selecting a starting location for a putt; and iv. Putting the putting golf ball toward the target pad; and v. Replacing the target golf ball with any putting golf ball which successfully dislodges the target golf ball, and which comes to a rest in the center divot of the target pad; and c. Awarding points based upon whether a putt misses the target pad, contacts the target pad, contacts the target ball and knocks the target ball off the target pad, or contacts the target ball without dislodging the target ball; and d. Further awarding points for putted golf balls which come to a rest within a predetermined distance from the target pad and e. Further awarding points for any putted ball which remains on the target pad at the end of a round.

15. A method of playing a golf putting game, comprising: a. Providing a ring with dividers separating the ring into four quadrants, a putter, and a golf ball; b. Playing at least a first round of a golf putting game, the game comprising the steps of: i. Placing the ring on ground suitable for rolling a golf putt; ii. Selecting a starting location for a putt; iii. Putting the golf ball toward the ring, while attempting to place the golf ball in one of the four quadrants of the ring; and iv. Repeating the putt of the golf ball toward the ring at least four times. c. Awarding points based upon whether all four quadrants of the ring have a golf ball.

16. All methods, systems and information contained in the specification herein provided.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 shows the components to a multi-purpose game that includes a target pad (1), upward angled bezel ring (2), target ball (3) a striking ball (4), extendable putter (5) and a roll of painter's tape (6).

[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the target pad (1).

[0012] FIG. 2a is a top-down view of the target pad (1)

[0013] FIG. 2b is a cross sectional view of the target pad (1)

[0014] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the target pad (1)

[0015] FIG. 3a is a top-down view of the target pad (1)

[0016] FIG. 3b is a sectional view of the target pad (1).

[0017] FIG. 4 is a section view of the center disc (7).

[0018] FIG. 4a is a top-down view of the center disc (7).

[0019] FIG. 4b is a sectional view of the center disc (7).

[0020] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the outer over mold ring (8)

[0021] FIG. 5a is a top down view of the outer over mold ring (8).

[0022] FIG. 5b is a cross sectional view of the outer over mold ring (8)

[0023] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the bezel ring (2) that is used around the outside of the target pad (1).

[0024] FIG. 6a is a top down view of the bezel ring (2).

[0025] FIG. 6b is a cross sectional view of the bezel ring (2).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] In accordance with the invention, FIG. 1 shows the components to a multi-purpose game that includes two putting games, a flying disc game, a flying ring game and a flying ring with a flag as a golf chipping game. The first game consists of a target pad (1), upward angled bezel ring (2), target ball (3) (that is approximately golf ball sized), a striking ball (4) (that is approximately golf sized), extendable putter (5), and a roll of painter's tape for use to smooth floor transitions or to be used to mark boundaries (6).

[0027] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the target pad (1). The target pad (1) consists of a center disc (7) and an outer over mold ring (8). The target pad (1) is circular in shape to accommodate putting towards the target pad (1) from any direction and to provide for the use of the target pad (1) as a flying disc. Ideally, the target pad (1) has an outside diameter of 11 to 13 inches and a height of 1.25 to 2.25 inches. The center disc (9) features a hole (10), a drop-down ridge (11) and an angle rim (12), and a mechanical interface (16) to the over mold ring (8). The bezel ring (2) has an angle (15).

[0028] In FIG. 2b, a cross sectional view of the target pad (1) can be seen, showing the ring (2). Its optimal angle of attack is 27 degrees, though it could range between 20 degrees to 30 degrees. The ring also includes material comprising a flag holder (17) to indicate that it is a target to throw and chipping towards. The center disc (7) of the target pad is made of a plastic material such as TPE, TPU or PP and features a top platform (9) with a center hole (10), a ridge drop (11) around the top platform (9) and an angle of attack (12). The diameter of the top platform (9) is between 4.5 and 6.5 inches to allow for enough surface area to host multiple golf balls (4) to rest during play.

[0029] The center hole (10) is 5.5 mm to 6 mm with a radius of 4.5 mm. The center hole (10) is sized to allow the target ball (3) to nest in the center hole (10) such that it could be knocked off with minimal force by the striking ball (4). The ridge drop (11) is 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. The ridge drop (11) is a critical component in that it will catch and hold the target ball (3) or the striking ball (4) if the force from the putt is minimal. At the same time, it is not too tall to restrict either the target ball (30) or the striking ball (4) from overcoming the force presented by the ridge drop (11) and rolling to the floor, provided that the putt has additional force to roll over the ridge drop (11) to the floor. The angle of attack (12) is such that a smooth transition and deceleration may be accommodated for the striking ball (4). This angle of attack (12) is additionally important so that a striking ball (4) with depleting energy rolling down from the target pad (1) will not have so much momentum as to roll too far away from the target pad (1).

[0030] The over mold ring (8) is made from materials such as TPU or TPE 64 and bonds to the hard plastic of the center disc (7) chemically and mechanically at an interface (16). The over mold ring (8) also features a thick edge (13) for better disc doss weight and performance. The center hole (10) and the drop-down ridge (11) also assist in the performance of the target pad (1) when used as a flying disc by allowing the underside pressure in flight to equalize, which achieves a much straighter flight.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the outer over mold ring (8) that is made of a material with a durometer of 60 to 80, such as rubber, silicon or TPU or TPE. The over mold ring (8) has a diameter of 9.5 to 11 inches and a height of 1 inch.

[0032] In accordance with the invention, a golf putting target pad (1) is provided, comprising a center disc (7) and an outer over mold ring (8). The target pad (1) has an outside diameter between eleven and thirteen inches and a height between 1.25 inches and 2.5 inches. The center disc (7) further comprises a flat top shelf (9), a beveled hole (10) in the center of the center disc (7), a drop-down ridge (11), an angled rim (12), and a mechanical interface (16) intersecting with the outer over mold ring (8), and wherein the outer over mold ring (8) is angled. The beveled hole (10) is centered to the disc (7) and the surface of the disc (7) approaching the hole is beveled in shape.

[0033] In one embodiment, the drop-down ridge (11) of the target pad is shaped in such a way that it may serve as a retaining edge for a golf ball (3) which is either immobile or moving at a low velocity. The drop-down ridge (11) is also shaped in such a way that when the target pad (1) is tossed or thrown, the drop-down ridge (11) provides an area of lower pressure to equalize pressure differences due to wind changes, straightening the flight of the target pad (1).

[0034] In one embodiment, the target pad (1) has an angled rim (12) with an angle of attack between twenty and thirty degrees.

[0035] In another embodiment, the center disc (7) of the target pad (1) is made of a plastic material.

[0036] In another embodiment, the beveled hole (10) of the target pad (1) is sized to allow a golf ball to rest in the center hole and to be easily dislodged. The beveled hole (10) is also sized large enough to serve as a pressure relief hole to allow for the target pad to remain stable when in flight after being tossed.

[0037] In another embodiment, the outer over mold ring (8) is made from a material which bonds to hard plastic chemically and mechanically at its interface (16) with the center disc (7).

[0038] In another embodiment, the outer over mold ring (8) further comprises an edge (13) thick enough to absorb some but not all of the kinetic energy of a putted golf ball (3) such that the golf ball rolls (3) smoothly onto the top shelf (9) of the target pad (1). The edge (13) may also be thick enough to mitigate the centrifugal force which results from throwing the target pad (1) such that the target pad (1) lands softly in the hand of catcher of the target pad (1).

[0039] The target pad (1) may be used in a golf putting game, the game comprising the steps of (a) providing an extendable putter (5); a circular target pad (1) with a center divot and rubber lift ring; putting golf ball (4), a target golf ball (3), a target flag, and a mesh bag; (b) playing at least a first round of the golf putting game, the first round comprising the steps of: (i) placing the target pad (1) on ground suitable for rolling a golf putt; (ii) placing the target golf ball (3) on the center divot of the target pad (1); (iii) selecting a starting location for a putt; and (iv) putting the putting golf ball (4) toward the target pad (1); and (c) replacing the target golf ball (3) with any putting golf ball (4) which successfully dislodges the target golf ball (3) and which comes to a rest in the center divot of the target pad (1); and (d) awarding points based upon whether a putt misses the target pad (1), contacts the target pad (1), contacts the target ball (3) and knocks the target ball (3) off the target pad, or contacts the target ball (3) without dislodging the target ball (3); and (e) further awarding points for putted golf balls (4) which come to a rest within a predetermined distance from the target pad (1) and (f) further awarding points for any putted ball (4) which remains on the target pad (1) at the end of a round.

[0040] The bezel ring (2) may be used in a golf putting game, the steps of which comprise: (a) providing a bezel ring (2) with dividers separating the ring into four quadrants, a putter (5), and a golf ball (3); (b) playing at least a first round of a golf putting game, the game comprising the steps of: (i) placing the ring (2) on ground suitable for rolling a golf putt; (ii) selecting a starting location for a putt; (iii) putting the golf ball (3) toward the ring (2), while attempting to place the golf ball (3) in one of the four quadrants of the ring; and (iv) repeating the putt of the golf ball (3) toward the ring (2) at least four times; and (c) awarding points based upon whether all four quadrants of the ring (2) have a golf ball.

[0041] Finally, the target pad (1) may also be used as a flying disc with a soft rubber edge (13) for comfortable catching and the outer over mold ring (8) can be used in a ring toss or horseshoes game. The outer over mold ring (8) can be used as a chipping target by adding a flag.

[0042] The invention also comprises the appendix enclosed herein.

[0043] It is to be understood that the foregoing description is not a definition of the invention but is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.