BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to a system and apparatus for simulating a golf hole and more particularly to such a system and apparatus characterized by an improved tee and target portion for simulating the flight of a golf ball and projecting the same onto a screen while also enabling real chipping, sand shots and putting.

Previously, a golf simulating system and apparatus has been developed in which a video projector displays an image of a golf hole onto a screen. In such a system a matrix of conductors lies behind the screen and is formed by a first group of conductors oriented in one direction and a second group in a second direction with the conductors of each group lying in a given plane. The planes are spaced slightly apart whereby by driving a golf ball into the screen a conductor of one group will contact a conductor of the other group so as to identify the location on the screen where the ball has struck.

In the foregoing arrangement it has been observed that most balls will strike the screen within a generally common region whereby the intersection of conductors in such region can become worn out. However, as disclosed herein the conductors are extensible filaments so as to

prolong their usefulness, and extend the life thereof in the region where the ball can be expected to usually strike the screen, or otherwise.

In the foregoing arrangement a tee supports a ball in a manner whereby upon being struck by a golf club, a ball movement sensor means carried by the tee detects movement to provide information for computer analysis of the flight of the ball.

It has been observed that prior tee and movement sensor arrangements have been subject to certain problems caused by the presence of ambient light and by requiring accurate alignment of ball and tee, resulting in inaccurate detection of spin, speed of the ball, and the like. Thus, as disclosed herein the light path directed against reflective portions of the ball travels along a closed path unaffected by ambient light, and is more easily positioned.

Prior tee and movement sensors have also had the disadvantage of not being able to simulate shots from a sand trap, whereas foregoing sensors as disclosed herein have the added ability of accurately sensing shots from a sand trap.

In addition, as disclosed herein, the driving booth includes a downwardly depending, transversely extending transparent safety panel for deflecting a driven golf ball within the booth. This safety panel serves to protect the player from being struck by a ball deflected from high on the target screen. The foregoing safety panel is especially useful in applicant's construction since the tee assembly is located well within the booth whereby the projected image of the hole is made more realistic to the player, and room is saved.

In addition as disclosed herein, the driving booth itself doubles as a putting green. This putting green is made more realistic by providing, at the end opposite the screen, an area for chipping and sand shots, so that a player may hit actual chip and sand shots onto the putting green in the booth rather than into a projected image of the green appearing on the screen.

The disclosed invention further includes two embodiments of improved means for detecting where the driven ball strikes the screen, so as to provide additional input information for computer analysis.

The disclosed invention further includes a unique indoor plaza type layout in which driving booths, and amenities are arranged around the periphery of a building leaving the central portion for putting greens and holes so that putting, chipping, and sand shots are safely completed in conjunction with long shots in the simulator booths to most effectively simulate and indoor golf course.

The disclosed invention also further discloses how long driving and closest to the pin contests may be more accurately played on a simulator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS

As disclosed herein a system for simulating the playing of a hole of golf includes the improvement of the tee portion of the golf hole for more accurately detecting spin applied to the ball when struck. The tee includes an upstanding stem portion carrying a plurality of bundles of light pipes. Such bundles are disposed on opposite sides of the intended line of flight of the ball. The ball has a non-reflective portion thereon for positioning on the tee element in alignment to cover the otherwise exposed ends of the bundles, or to pass over the bundles of light

pipes upon being struck. The remaining portion of the ball is reflective whereby photo emitter/detector means associated with each of the bundles serve to direct light against the ball on the tee and also serves to receive reflected light from the reflective cover of the ball to provide signals from each of the photo emitter/detector means. Finally computer means coupled to the emitter/detector means serves to receive the signals for detecting the rate of spin applied to the ball in response to being struck.

In addition to the above the present invention includes a system for simulating the playing of a hole of golf including an image of such hole projected onto a screen to form a target. The target serves to detect the locus thereon where a ball driven from the tee element engages the target. The target includes a matrix of conductors comprising a first plurality of extensible conductors disposed in a first direction, and a second plurality of extensible conductors disposed in a second direction and at a substantial angle to the first direction, each of the first and second pluralities lying substantially in a plane associated with each to define first and second planes thereof, the first and second planes being closely spaced apart. A flexible pliant sheet of material ^" disposed in front of the matrix serves to provide the screen onto which an image is projected. A sheet of heavier, pliant material disposed behind the matrix serves to dampen the impact of the ball striking the screen. The pluralities being mutually independent of each other and sufficiently closely spaced whereby, as a ball strikes the first sheet of material, the ball will move a conductor of one of the pluralities into engagement with a conductor of the other one of the pluralities to identify the locus of impact of the ball on the screen.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved indoor golf simulator.

Another object of the invention is to provide an indoor golf simulator having improved spin detection means for detecting the degree of "slice" or "hook" imparted to a driven ball.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved target screen assembly for detecting the point of contact of the ball therewith.

Yet an additional object of the invention is to provide a target screen assembly characterized by extensible conductors so as to minimize wear of the target assembly in the region where balls usually can be expected to strike the screen.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an area for chipping and making sand shots just outside the booth/putting surface, so that shots from bunkers and fringe areas may be actually chipped onto the green/booth area putting surface, instead of the usual practice of chipping at an image of a green projected onto the screen, thus adding more realism to the activity.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an indoor simulated golf course consisting of simulators played in conjunction with separate associated holes, greens, and surrounds.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become more readily evident from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a booth assembly containing a golf simulating system according to the invention;

Figure 1A shows a side elevation diagram of a portion of figure 1 for purposes of explanation;

Figure 2 shows an elevation section view of a golf tee assembly according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail of a portion of figure 2 in section taken along the line 3 - 3 thereof;

Figure 4 shows a transverse plan view in section taken along the line 4 - 4 of figure 2;

Figure 5 shows a plan view of a golf ball mounted upon the upper end of a golf tee shown according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic side elevation view of a screen assembly according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic perspective exploded view of a screen assembly as shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows a diagram of portions of a screen assembly for purposes of explanation;

Figure 9 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of an elongate extensible electrode element as used in the screen assembly shown in figures 6 and 7;

Figure 10 shows a diagrammatic system for detecting the locus of a ball striking the screen assembly of figures 6 and 7;

Figure 10A shows output signals associated with photo detectors 62, 62' of figure 2.

Figure 11 shows an enlarged detail in perspective showing a portion of figure I disclosing how the upper end of the screen assembly is mounted;

Figure 12 shows a diagram for purposes of explanation of side spin and back spin;

Figure 13 shows an equation for determining back spin:

Figure 13A shows an equation for determining side spin.

Figure 14 shows a pulse diagram for purposes of explanation of side spin and how it is detected by a computer.

Figure 15 shows a diagram of a golf plaza including a number of golf booths and associated holes and greens as disclosed herein;

Figure 16 shows another construction for a screen assembly;

Figure 17 shows a plan view of another tee sensor assembly according to the invention;

Figure 18 shows a side elevation section view taken along lines 18-18 of figure 17, and;

Figure 19 and 19A show an elevation section view of sand trap sensor arrangements according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in figure 1 a golf simulating system and apparatus is generally confined within a rectangularly shaped booth 10.

Booth 10 has been constructed primarily of elongate piping sections 11 interconnected at their ends and having the vertical piping secured by means of the fixtures 12 to a rigid flooring or base 13.

The sides and the top of booth 10 are formed from a pliable canvas-like plastic 14 formed along its edges with a number of grommets 16 whereby the material 14 can be laced to a sequence of screw eyes 17 disposed along base 13, . as well as being laced to upwardly disposed pipe members.

One or more reinforcing cross bars 21 fastened at their opposite ends to fixtures 22 carried by rods 11 serve to reinforce the framework.

A video projector 23 carried by a projector frame 24 serves to project the image of a given golf hole onto the screen 26.

In the construction of the disclosed system it is preferred to locate the tee assembly 27 well inside the canopy for safety and so that the player will be seeing the full screen especially as it might be seen on a golf course. The farther the tee is positioned away from the screen, the more the player will have the undesired feeling of driving the ball in a tunnel, and the narrower will be the angle of the player's view of the screen. It has, however, been observed that by disposing the tee from the screen a distance on the order of 3/4 of the width of the screen a very realistic positioning of the ball is achieved. For example, using a 12 foot wide screen the

tee is set back 9 1/2 feet from the screen, but remains well within the booth.

This provides a wide angle of observation, just as when playing on an outdoor course. Since projector 23 is mounted high in the booth the player will not cast a shadow onto the screen.

By thus locating tee assembly 27 at that position. The impact position of all shots from woods to pitching irons can be measured by the screen. If a ball is hit relatively high on the screen there is a good chance that it will come back and strike the player. However as shown in Figures 1 and 1A a downwardly depending ball deflecting panel 28 of transparent plastic material hangs down from the ceiling of the booth. Thus the projection of images from the video projector 23 will not be blocked. Panel 28 extends transversely to the intended line of flight of a ball driven from the tee.

Accordingly as shown in Figure 1A if a ball is struck from tee 27 at an upward angle along the line of flight 29 it will carom off screen 26 glancing upwardly along the path 31 and then be deflected off of ceiling 32. In the absence of the downwardly depending panel 28 the ball would return along the imaginary line of flight 33 which could bring it into impact with the player. However, with the presence of panel 28 located as shown, the ball will be intercepted by panel 28 and fall harmlessly to the putting surface 14. This will have no effect whatever on the play of the game other than the fact that the flight of the ball will be shown on the screen as having been hit quite high.

Finally, with regard to figure 1 the top surface of support base 13 has been covered with artificial grass and

provided with an opening 34 to provide a putting surface 14 for the golf hole.

In a further embodiment of the structure to be employed, booth 10 with putting surface 14 and hole 34 has been provided with an adjacent fairway portion 37A for chipping and sand trap 37 preferably at the end of putting green 14 opposite the screen, although the chipping and sand areas could be positioned at the front or side. This fairway and sand is used to provide real chipping and sand shots to the green instead of into an image on the screen.

Thus, as the game is played, the flight of a driven ball from tee assembly 27 into screen 26 will be projected by projector 23 onto screen 26 for observation by the player. In addition, additional information from various sensors will be supplied as described further below to a control console 36 which includes a computer. Control console 36 and its computer will then cause projector 23 to locate the position of various balls on the screen and associate a player number or name therewith as shown in figure 1. The foregoing routine applies only when the ball has been hit to the location of the green or adjacent thereto. Thus, as shown in figure 1 a plan view 35 of the hole is shown on the screen and golfer number 1 has hit his ball to the right and slightly short of hole 34. Player number 1 will thereby be able to locate his ball at position 1A for purposes of putting into hole 34. Player number 2 has fallen short of the green into the fringe area 37A that usually surrounds most golf greens. He will place his ball at a corresponding location 2A and proceed from there. Player number 3 has driven his ball into sandtrap 37 located at the front of booth 10. Therefore, he/she will put the ball into trap 37 as shown at 3A. Finally, golfer number 4 has driven to a location to the left and at the front edge of the green or artificial grass putting surface area of booth 10, and will position his ball at a

corresponding actual position 4A whereby actual putting, chipping and sand shots can be required to finish out the holes played. Players 2 and 3 are required to chip toward hole 34 onto green 13 directly, instead of artificially onto screen 26 if areas 37 and 37A had not been provided.

A further advantage of providing chipping and sand trap areas at the end of the booth/green opposing the screen is that mishit chip or sand shots which overshoot the green will mostly impact the screen. So that if the screen assembly is of a type as herein disclosed and remains actively coupled to computer means, then mishit balls can be detected and where necessary repositioned back into fringe or sand for a repeat shot instead of otherwise dropping off screen and landing near hole. This arrangement also provides a very safe environment for mishit shots as described above.

According to another embodiment, as shown in Figures 17, 18 an optical sensor system 110 comprises rubber tubes 111 with centers of optical fibers 114 embedded in tee matt 113. Beneath said matt and on the end of each optical fiber or bundle is a photo detector 115, activated by an overhead light 116 said sensors are placed behind ball 117, i.e. between ball and club position. In this sensor system, club head speed and angle can be measured so that together with the flight time and position that the ball hits screen 26 of figure 1 a reasonable ball trajectory can be determined either for use on its own or as a back up measuring system in case the primary measuring system should fail.

As club head 112 approaches the ball, light is successively cut off from sensors 111A, B, C where the velocity of the club is given by the time taken to cut sensors 111A, and the average of B and C while the angle

of the face is given by the time differential between readings from sensors B and C.

As noted above in order to minimize premature wear and damage to the screen assembly in the region where the ball will normally be expected to hit, extensible conductors have been employed in the screen assembly.

Accordingly as shown in figure 9 an elongate strip 38 of elastic material has been sewn with three lines of a single conductor or multiple fibers in a conventional way using a conventional sewing machine employing a locking thread on the back side of strip 38. Thus the lines of the conductor form a zigzag path from one end to the other so that stretching material 38 will not cause any damage to conductors 39. As shown in figure 7 a freely hanging sheet 41 of fabric material such as nylon or canvas or the like is hung in front of a first plurality of vertically extending strips 38. A sheet of material 42 such as a carpeting material or the like carries another plurality of elastic conductive strips 43 disposed horizontally, and which correspond to strips 38 in structure.

As shown in figure 11 a transversely extending rod 11 carries a channel member 44 laced thereto. Channel member 44 includes a pair of opposed downwardly depending sidewalls 46,47, both of which are perforated with a series of openings, 48 therethrough for receiving the lacing therein. Means providing a flange centrally between the two side walls 46,47 has been provided by an elongate angle member 49. Accordingly the flange of angle member 49 parallel to the bottom surface of channel member 44 can be readily secured thereto by employing suitable fastening means or otherwise and prior to application of the angle member 49 a series of holes can be drilled through the downwardly extending flange thereof.

Thus, as shown in figure 11 the carpet 42 can be bolted to the downwardly directed flange of angle member 49 while front sheet 41 formed with grommets 51 along its upper edge will provide reinforced openings to correspond with the openings 48 of the downwardly extending flange 46. The bottom edge of screen 41 will hang free as shown in the drawings but the bottom ends of conductive strips 38 can be anchored semi-permanently. Accordingly should it be necessary to change the screen 41 this can readily be done without disrupting the vertically oriented conductive strips 38.

From the foregoing it will be readily evident as shown in figure 8 that an output signal on any of the horizontal elastic strips 43 will identify a position along the Y axis whereas an output received from any of the vertically oriented conductive strips 38 will provide an indication of the displacement of the signal along the X axis. Thus when a ball driven against the screen 41 moves one of the conductive strips 38 into engagement with a conductive strip 43 the X and Y position of the ball striking the screen will be identified as now to be described with regard to figure 10.

Accordingly Figure 10 is merely diagrammatic and shows only four conductors in both the vertical and horizontal direction however this is only for purposes of illustration as a larger number of conductors are employed.

Thus, an input/output device 51 for rows of conductors and a column input/output device 52 serve to alternately function as follows. With unit 51 configured as an output unit, signals will appear on all four horizontal conductors 43. At the same time conditioning the unit 52 as an input unit, i.e. to receive signals as soon as the signal is sent by unit 51 the identity of the column on

which the signal is detected can be stored. Next the condition of units 51,52 is reversed so that unit 51 becomes a receiving unit and unit 52 becomes a transmitting unit on all 4 columns. By placing a signal on the four columns as shown, a signal will be detected on one of the rows fed to unit 51. This information is also stored.

In this way it can be determined which conductor or conductors in the X direction and which conductor or conductors in the Y direction have been forced into contact by the impact of the golf ball, hence determining its position in X and Y coordinates on the screen.

According to another embodiment of the target screen, reference is made to Figure 20. In figure 20, horizontal conductors 143 are made up of multi-filament conductors, such as; stainless steel yarn which is woven into a pliant fabric 144. A similar piece of fabric 146 is disposed and hung behind fabric 144 but with conductors 138 in a vertical orientation. These two sheets of fabric 144 and 146 are disposed between a carpet like drape 42 and screen 41 respectively of Figure 7 so that the position of a golf ball impacting screen can be determined as disclosed above.

In order to accurately calculate the light of a golf ball it is necessary initially to detect its general direction, i.e. between tee and screen assembly as shown in booth 10, but modified by spin applied by the club's contact with the ball. Thus, it is known that (for a right handed golfer) if the club face is left open or if the golf club is moving from "outside" to "inside" (i.e as viewed from behind the righthand side of the player, from right to left) the ball will "slice" or curve rightwardly after it is hit. Closing the club face or hitting from "inside" to "outside" produces a "hook" or curve to the left.

Thus, the general direction of the ball is initially determined by an imaginary line between tee and the point of contact with the screen assembly. By feeding the X-Y location on the screen to a . computer the initial input direction data can be derived, knowing the position of the tee assembly while velocity can be determined by measuring time between the ball leaving the tee and impacting the screen.

As shown in figure 2 a pliant resilient golf tee 54 includes a base flange 54a and at least one pair of longitudingly extending openings 56, 57. Openings 56, 57 contain bundles of elongate fine optical fibers 66 for transmitting light in both directions along the openings 56, 57.

Accordingly the bundles of light fibers 66 (Figure 3) are separated into two groups, one group in opening 56 is connected to photo emitter 61 transmitting light upwardly while a second group in opening 56 transmits reflected light downwardly to photo receiver 62 while bundles of fibers 66 in opening 57 connect to photo emitters 61' and detector 62' respectively.

Accordingly, as shown in figure 2 photo emitter means such as the group of photo emitters 60,61,61' and associated controller 55 transmit light upwardly along tee 54 in response to signals from controller 55. While photo detectors 62 and 62' and associated circuit 59 sense radiation reflected down light bundles 66 for interpretation by micro-processor 600.

Ball 58 as shown in Figure 2 has been marked on one side with an arrow 63 or other marks shown best in figure 5 and on its opposite side marked with spaced nonreflective marks 159, 161. The embodiment shown in figure 5 pertains

to a different embodiment of ball 58 as described further below.

Accordingly, as ball 58 is struck by a golf club moving from the "outside" to the "inside" as described above, the ball will move forward and at the same time tend to rotate clockwise. A measure of the speed of rotation of the ball is determined by counting the rate of passage of the nonreflective marks 159, 161 detected by photo detectors 62, 62 ^• . This speed of rotation is then measured by subtracting the forward speed of the ball which is determined by the time it takes the ball to make contact with the screen having left the tee or other suitable means. Thus as the ball leaves the tee the marks 159, 161 will pass successively over their respective optical fibers to be sensed by photo detectors 62, 62' . This movement also can serve to initiate the time it takes for the ball to reach its target as described above.

If ball 58 shown in Figure 5 is rotating clockwise as viewed from above the speed of the right hand sector of ball 58 will be subtracted from the rate of forward movement of the ball while the speed of the left hand sector will be added to the forward movement speed. This provides a differential in movement speeds, as represented in Figure 2 by the phantom arrows 164. Thus the differential between the two speeds represents the degree of side spin. Finally, as shown in figure 3 the bundle of optical fibers is shown in greater detail where in the group of optical fibers 66 are captured within a flexible sheath 67 and the upwardly extending stem supporting side walls of openings 56, 57.

According to another embodiment as shown in figure 12 at least one nonreflective stripe 167 has been applied to the ball 168. Thus by disposing stripe 167 just behind or on an opening 258 at least three sets of emitter/receiver

light pipe bundles 256, 257, 258 are embedded in tee 254 in a triangular configuration in plan as shown, the spin of the ball can be calculated as described herein. In addition, figure 14 shows pulses from sensor 256, 257 and 258 respectively. If a "slice" is present a first pulse designated VA is shown in comparison to a second pulse representing the velocity of the B sector, if the lefthand side of the ball is designated as segment A and the righthand segment designated as B. If the ball is hit in a direction as shown by the arrow 69 the amount of backspin can be calculated by dividing the sum of the velocity of segment A and velocity of segment B (disregarding the sign) by 2 and subtracting the forward velocity of the ball. A measure of the velocity of side spin can be calculated by subtracting VB from VA. Whether a hook or a slice is present will depend upon which of the two signals is first to appear or which is smaller between VA and VB.

As shown in figure 15 an indoor golfing plaza of a type where a number of groups can play golf at the same time forms an indoor simulated golf course.

Accordingly with the building represented by the walls 81 an entryway 82 permits access to a pro shop 83, seventeen practice or single hole booths 84 and nine golf simulator booths 86 and a single instruction booth 87.

In addition, space is provided for a kitchen, restaurant, bar, and an appropriate putting green for practicing putting.

Players may begin play be entering any of simulator booths 86 each of which said booth allows play of at least nine simulated holes. When a player or group in a booth has played a simulated hole from tee to within a distance determined by outside associated hole green and surround.

then player or group exit booth and place balls outside in accordance with the position indicated by overhead view of said outside area as automatically designated and displayed by display in said simulator booth.

These elements are arranged in a space and function efficient form by having around the periphery of building 85 the driving simulator booths, pro shop and restaurant/bar 93 leaving the center portion clear to house at least one green 88 which contains nine holes 89. Such greens include chipping and sand areas between booths and greens. Between the two greens and opposite sand traps 90,91 is disposed a net 92 or other barrier so that balls which inadvertently carom out of sand from mishit sand shots or chips are stopped from reaching a driving booth where the balls could be dangerous. In this way the most efficient use of an indoor space for a simulated golf course is achieved. This unique arrangement of peripheral simulator booths and facilities with generally central greens played in conjunction with booths can be expanded or contracted in size and number of booths, greens or facilities to accommodate various sizes of facilities.

In this way players move from inside booth to outside associated holes and greens to simulate an indoor golf course. Players may play holes in sequence or in order to avoid slow players may choose any empty booth or hole after a hole or booth play has been completed. Also in this way players can occupy greens and booths simultaneously to maximize usage and revenue of said indoor space.

Fairway sand is an important part of golf and has never been accurately simulated.

As shown in Figures 19, 19A fairway sand 95 can be accurately used however by placing a sand box 96 within booth 10 in close proximity to simulated tee 27.

In this system, either or both of fiber optic sensors 54, 111 shown in figures 2 and 18 are embedded in the sand so that their tops are approximately level with the top of sand 95 as in figures 19, 19A.

The ball 97 is then either placed on top of or in front of sensors 54 or 111 respectively in order to give accurate simulated fairway sand shots, when ball 97 is hit into an active screen 26 of the type disclosed herein.

Long drive contests are difficult to hold on present simulators. Long drive contests can be facilitated however by a separate input via, for example: a keyboard so that when activated the computer program causes players to be automatically displayed and updated on the screen in order of length of hit over a given period of the contest in such a way that players who have driven off the fairway are disqualified and not shown.

Closest to the pin contests can also be held in the same manner so that the computer automatically ranks, displays and updates the contestants closeness to the pin over the period of the contest.

From the foregoing it will be readily evident that there has been provided an improved golf course simulator and booth with respect to prior constructions.