US1907412A - Game - Google Patents

Description

y 1933. F. A. ZIMMER 1,907,412

GAME

Filed Aug. 25, 1930 JNVENTOR, 71" ader/c l A 2721/1/16]:

ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 2, 1933 UNITED STATES- FREDERICK A. ZIMMER, OF WTOOIDSTON, KANSAS GAME,

* Application filed August 25, 1930. Serial No. 477,643.

This invention relates to game apparatus and particularly structure built to support a ball which is driven in flight, it being the principal object of the invention to provide apparatus which will allow substantially free flight of the ball in a given direction, and to return the ball to the point of beginning.

This apparatus is particularly useful and adapted to assist in practicing the game of golf and especially in allowingthe operator to practice driving without having to retrieve the ball through any means other than the device contemplated by this invention.

I It is understood that the device made in accordance with this invention may be used in practicing baseball, football, hockey, golf, tennis, or similar games where balls are used and Where it is desired to reach a high degree of efficiency in causing the ball to travel at a high rate of speed.

Obviously, the game device is adapted more particularly for use in connection with longdrive practice and the device is herein described and illustrated in connection with the well known golf ball and any suitable tee for supporting the same at the point of drive-off.

One of the primary objects of the instant invention is the provision of a carrying apparatus for the ball which will not impede its flight after being struck and which will compensate for the inaccuracies on the part of the driver.

An even further "object of the present invention is to provide a stop plate and signal for the device which may or may notbe used, but which fills an important place in the invention due to the fact that a signal is transmitted to the operator when a substantially perfect drive of a predetermined distance has been made.

The many minor objects of the invention,

including structural details of the preferred form of the invention, will appear during the course of the detailed specification, refering to the accompanying drawing, wherein but a single form of the invention is shown. In the drawing Figure 1 is a side view of the assembled apparatus showing the ball being returned by gravity to the point of striking.

Fig. 2'is an enlarged vertical fragmentary section through the supporting base of one of the standards, taken along line IIII of Fig. 1'.

Fig. 3 is an even further enlarged fragmentary detail view of the supported ball and its means of connection to the trolley-wheel taken along line III-III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section through the signal actuating members and the striking plate.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view of one of the standards and the bracket used in bracing the striking plate, and

Fig. 6 is a view in smaller scale taken along line VIVI of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrow.

Like reference characters designate similar parts of the apparatus throughout the several views and the numeral 8 indicates a cable which may be of any suitable material susceptible of being stretched comparatively taut through the assistance of a weight or the like 10 which is connected to one end of the cable 8 after it has passed over a supporting bracket 12 which is adj-ustably secured to a suitable mast 14 by the set screw 16. This mast 14 be set in a concrete foundation 18, as illustrated, and should be high in comparison with mast 20 which supports the opposite end of cable 8. It is preferred to have cable 8 suspended from and to masts 14 and 20 in an inclined position so that the later described parts traveling along cable 8 may return to the point of striking by gravity. 7

A similar bracket 22 is adjustably carried by mast 20 and the lower mast 20 should be formed to have a goose-neck 24 which allows clearance for the club when striking the ball from the tee 26 positioned below cable 8 and near the standard 20. A stop 28 is adjustably secured to cable 8 to limit the return movement of the ball and is preferably positioned above tee 26 for the reasons hereinafter set forth. To support a ball 30 in a manner which will allow substantially free flight, the invention" contemplates the use of a trolley-wheel 32 which is pivotally mounted within a yoke 34 and which rides along cable 8. This 'novelly' constructed yoke 34 has an enlarged ring portion 36 ard construction however, is the most valuthrough which the cable may pass as the ball is in flight. This construction allows the ball to travel without engagement of any sort with the cable which would impede its travel. When the flight has been completed, it is, of course, desirable to have the trolleywheel 32 return to engagement with cable 8 and to facilitate and insure this action a pair of guide members in the form of integral lugs 38 are provided as illustrated in Fig. 3. The means of connecting the trolley wheel 32 and the ball 30 is further novelly constructed through the use of a swivel 40 which allows the ball to turn and a leash 42 between which and the yoke 34 is interposed an elastic link 44. This assembly which is the means of connecting the ball 30 to the wheel 32 is capable of allowing the ball to be struck and carried a maximum distance without interference. Manifestly, the assembly should be made as light as possible so that the striking force may carry the same without difficulty. When the ball 30 is returned to the point of beginning it rests upon tee 26 to again be re-struck.

Ball v3O is novelly constructed with a shaft 74 passing axially therethrough to which the swivel 40 is attached.

It is desirable in constructing an apparatus in accordance with this invention to provide a striking plate 46, which is hung from cable 8 through the use of a fixture 48 having friction elements 50 therein as illustrated in Fig. 4. The brace 52 should be provided which is also attached to the cable 8 by a bearing 54 which, likewise, has a gripping member 56 therein. These gripping members 50 and 56 respectively allow adjustment longitudinally along cable 8 without additional apparatus. When the ball 30 has been struck to be carried a predetermined distance the striking plate 46 will preclude its winding around mast 14 and to make the game even more novel and interesting a visible or audible signal may be included in the combination which is actuated by the wheel 32 striking a bumper 58. A. spring 60 behind this bumper 58 will be compressed when the same is struck and the two electrical contacts 62 brought together to close a circuit through wires 64 which lead to a light or hell 66 mounted upon the top of mast 14. A pin 68 may slidably enter a bearing 70 formed in bracket 48 to guide the bumper 58 and the distance from the tee 26 to the Just described signal operating members may able.

It is understood that the apparatus may be made up 'in many diflerent ways so long as the salient features of the invention are retained in the structure and it is desired to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. y

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A game apparatus comprising a cable, a standard to support each end of said cable respectively, a ball supported for movement along said cable, one of said standards having a goose-neck formed therein whereby the ball may be struck from a position-directly beneath said cable to cause the same.

to travel therealong.

2. A game apparatus comprising-a cable, a trolley-wheel mounted for movement therealong, a ball supported by the trolley-.

wheel and means to connect said trolleywheel and ball including a yoke having an enlarged ring portion adapted to receive the cable as the ball is in flight and a plurality of guide members formed by the yoke to guide th cable to the wheel engaging position when the ball has reached the end of its flight.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

FREDERICK A. ZIMMER.

be computed in a mannerwhich will allow v the operator to determine just what. sort of a drive he has made when the signal is actuated.

The standard 20 with its goose-neck 24 is pivotally supported in its foundation as at 72 to allow right or left hand strokes to be made. The clearance feature-of this stand-

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