Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a mat game or board game, and more particularly, to a portable indoor/outdoor putting golf game.

Background Art

[0002] The traditional game of golfing is inconvenient to play and learn due to factors such as: golf course availability, distance to a golf course, outdoor weather conditions, time required to play, expense of playing at a golf course, expense of the equipment required to play, and required health of the player.

[0003] Golfing facilities are expensive. Tee sheets are half filled because no one really has the extra money or time to spend on six hours in the sun waiting for the golfers ahead to find their balls or putt out on the green.

[0004] Golfing equipment is expensive. Basic starter and junior sets that contain woods, irons and a putter are usually cost prohibitive for most middle to lower income individuals who are interested in trying a new sport. For those looking for equipment from top manufacturers, they can expect an expensive bill which can even cost as much as a month or more of an average US income.

[0005] Golfing takes time. On a somewhat popular course, a golfer may spend as much as 4.5 hours minimum for 18 holes. Studies show that leisure time has shrunk for both sexes, and that fathers are doing more work around the house, though mothers still devote more time to chores and childcare than their spouses. Fathers spend an average of 2.6 hours per week participating in sports (compared to 1.4 hours for mothers), which isn’t nearly enough time to play 18 holes. Children today seem to be nearly as overscheduled as their parents. And like their parents, teens don’t have the time to play 18 holes as they are often busy with other activities such as soccer practice, saxophone lessons, and coding classes. [0006] Golfing requires good health. The average golfer will walk up to four miles in a single round of golf. Back pain, shoulder pain, and knee pain are common when playing the traditional game of golf.

[0007] Miniature golfing is a popular alternative to traditional golfing but still has the same drawbacks of expense, time, weather, and availability.

[0008] Accordingly, there is an established need for a golfing game that is inexpensive, portable, fast, always available, and less stressful on the body of a player.

Summary of the Invention

[0009] A portable putting golf square game has been developed that is inexpensive, portable, fast, always available, and less stressful on the body of a player. The portable putting golf square game of the present invention can be conveniently enjoyed by the young, the old, the rich, and the poor. The portable putting golf square game of the present invention fosters unity in families, lasting bonds with friends and neighbors, moments of laughter, and unforgettable memories.

[0010] In a first embodiment of the invention, a portable putting golf square game includes: a rectangular mat divided into forty-nine squares arranged in a seven by seven matrix and a rectangular section forming a front side of the rectangular mat; a first subset of the forty-nine squares contain indicia representing a first distance from a center square of the seven by seven matrix; and a second subset of the forty -nine squares, having a greater number of squares than the first subset, containing indicia representing a second distance from the center square of the seven by seven matrix.

[0011] In one aspect, the portable putting golf square game may further comprise a third subset of the forty-nine squares, having a greater number of squares than the second subset, containing indicia representing a third distance from the center of the seven by seven matrix.

[0012] In another aspect, the putting stick may comprise a pivoting shaft and a head attached to the pivoting shaft. [0013] In another aspect, the pivoting shaft may pivot along a longitudinal direction of the head allowing a right-handed or a left-handed user to use the putting stick.

[0014] In another aspect, the ball may be 2.3 inches in diameter. In another aspect, the ball may weigh 2.0 ounces.

[0015] In another aspect, the rectangular mat may be 28 inches wide and 48 inches long.

[0016] In another aspect, a majority of the forty-nine squares may have 4 inch sides.

[0017] In another aspect, the first distance may be within one square of the forty-nine squares away from an inner perimeter of the center square of the seven by seven square matrix.

[0018] In another aspect, the first distance may be equal to the distance of one square of the forty-nine squares.

[0019] In another aspect, the second distance may be within two squares, of the forty- nine squares, away from an inner perimeter of the center square of the seven by seven square matrix.

[0020] In another aspect, the second distance may be equal to the distance of two squares of the forty-nine squares.

[0021] In another aspect, the third distance may be within three squares, of the forty- nine squares, away from an inner perimeter of the center square of the seven by seven square matrix.

[0022] In another aspect, the third distance may be equal to the distance of three squares of the forty-nine squares.

[0023] In second embodiment of the invention, a portable putting golf square game comprises: a rectangular mat divided into forty-nine squares arranged in a seven by seven matrix and a rectangular section forming a front side of the rectangular mat; wherein a first subset of the forty-nine squares contains indicia representing a first distance from a center of the seven by seven matrix; wherein a second subset of the forty-nine squares has a greater number of squares than the first subset and contains indicia representing a second distance from the center of the seven by seven matrix; wherein a third subset of the forty- nine squares has a greater number of squares than the second subset and contains indicia representing a third distance from the center of the seven by seven matrix; and wherein each of the forty-nine squares have 4 inch sides.

[0024] In one aspect, the putting stick may comprise a pivoting shaft and a head attached to the pivoting shaft.

[0025] In another aspect, the pivoting shaft may pivot along a longitudinal direction of the head allowing a right-handed or a left-handed user to use the putting stick.

[0026] In another aspect, the ball may be 2.3 inches in diameter.

[0027] In a third embodiment of the invention, a portable game comprises a rectangular mat divided into forty-nine squares arranged in a seven by seven matrix and a rectangular section forming a front side of the rectangular mat; a first subset of the forty- nine squares contain indicia representing a first distance from a center of the seven by seven matrix; a second subset of the forty-nine squares containing indicia representing a second distance from the center of the seven by seven matrix; a third subset of the forty- nine squares containing indicia representing a third distance from the center of the seven by seven matrix; wherein the first distance is equal to the distance of one square of the forty-nine squares; wherein the second distance is equal to a distance of two squares of the forty-nine squares; wherein the third distance is equal to a distance of three squares of the forty-nine squares; and wherein the front side of the rectangular mat is sloped on at least one perimeter side.

[0028] In one aspect, the portable game of may further comprise a putting stick with a pivoting shaft and a head attached to the pivoting shaft, wherein the pivoting shaft pivots along a longitudinal direction of the head allowing a right-handed or a left-handed user to use the putting stick.

[0029] In another aspect, the ball may be 2.3 inches in diameter.

[0030] In another aspect, the rectangular mat may be 28 inches wide and 48 inches long. [0031] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

Description of Embodiments

[0032] The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 presents a perspective view of a portable putting golf square game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 2 presents a perspective view of a portable putting golf square game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 3 presents a top diagrammatic view of a rectangular game mat in accordance with an embodiment of the present in vention;

[0036] FIG. 4 presents a perspective view of a ball and putting stick in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 5 presents a perspective view of a ball, putting stick, and game-player positioning in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 6 presents a perspective view of a rectangular game mat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 7 presents a partially-magnified perspective view of a portable putting golf square game and scoring device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0040] FIG. 8 presents a perspective view of a portable putting golf square game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0041] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Detailed Description

[0042] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0043] Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a portable putting golf square game that includes a rectangular mat divided into forty-nine squares arranged in a seven by seven matrix and a rectangular section forming a front side of the rectangular mat and a putting stick used to hit a ball toward the rectangular mat.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 1, a portable putting golf square game 100 is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary' embodiment of the present invention. The portable putting golf square game 100 includes a rectangular mat 300, a playing surface 116, a ball 414, and a putting stick 400. The putting stick 400 includes a putting stick handle 408, a pivoting shaft 410, a putting stick head 412, and a fastener 418. As shown, the rectangular mat 300 includes a square section 304 that is divided into forty-nine smaller squares and a rectangular section 322 forming a front 324 of the rectangular mat 300. The rectangular mat 300 may be positioned on the flat playing surface 116 with the front 324 facing the player 106 allowing the player 106 to putt or hit the ball 414 onto the rectangular mat 300 using the putting stick 400. The rectangular mat 300 may be made from rubber, polyurethane, polymeric compounds, paper, plastics, cardboard, petroleum derivatives, metals, or any materials capable of providing a thin flat surface for receiving the ball 414 as the ball 414 rolls toward the rectangular mat 300. The flat playing surface 116 is shown as a driveway of the home 120, but may be any flat surface inside of a structure or outside of a structure that provides enough area to the hit ball 414 onto the rectangular mat 300. Examples of flat playing surfaces may include: hallways, bedrooms, kitchens, dining areas, porches, driveways, sidewalks, streets, parking lots, and floors of hospitals, nursing homes, retirement centers, schools, etc. The portable putting golf square game 100 may be played as one or more players 106 putt or hit the ball 414 toward the front 324 of the rectangular mat 300 using the putting stick 400. Player 106 is shown as a right handed player, however, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the pivoting shaft 410 of the putting stick 400 pivots in a longitudinal direction of head 412 about an axis defined by fastener 418; thus allowing a right-handed player 106 or a left-handed player 206 (shown in FIG. 2) to use the same putting stick 400. In the event of rain, player 106 can easily take the portable putting golf square game 100 inside to finish the game.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, a portable putting golf square game 200 is illustrated inside of the home 120. The portable putting golf square game 200 includes the aforementioned rectangular mat 300, a playing surface 216, the aforementioned putting stick 400 and the ball 414. Player 206 is shown as a left-handed player using the same putting stick 400 as previously shown in Figure 1. The head 412 of the putting stick 400 is rotated about an axis defined by the fastener 418 allowing the left-handed player 206 to use the same putting stick 400 as is shown being used by the right-handed player of Figure 1. The player 206 uses the putting stick 400 to the hit ball 414 toward the game mat 300 by way of the front edge 324. The square section 304 and the rectangular section 322 provide surfaces for receiving the ball 414 as it is hit toward the game mat 300. The square section

304 may provide visual feedback for scoring a golfing game of the present invention. A bottom surface of the game mat 300 may be made from non-scratch material in order to provide protection to the flooring of the home. Additionally, the bottom surface of the game mat 300 may be made from non-slip material so the game mat 300 does not slip along the playing surface 116/216 when the ball 414 rolls onto the mat or when the player picks up the ball from the mat.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the rectangular game mat 300 of the present invention may include a seven row 304a by seven column 304b square matrix of forty-nine squares represented by elements 310, 312, 314. The forty-nine squares feature eight number l’s, sixteen number 2’s, twenty-four number 3’s, and one blank center square 326. The number l’s, number 2’s, and number 3’s are indicial representations of a distance or number of squares from the center 326. The number l’s represent a first subset of the forty-nine squares. The number 2’s represent a second subset of the forty-nine squares, the second subset being more numerous or being a larger subset of the forty-nine squares than that of the first subset. The number 3’s represent a third subset of the forty-nine squares, the third subset being more numerous or being a larger subset of the forty-nine squares than that of the first or second subset. The number 3’s also equal the total of number l’s added to the number 2’s, i.e., eight number l’s plus sixteen number 2’s equal twenty-four number 3’s.

The indicial representations may be surface markings, imprints, molded marks, colors, letters, numbers, words, painted marks, engraved marks, overlay markings, integral formed markings, or a combination thereof. The elements 310, 312, and 314 are shown as numbers representing a distance from the center 326, but in other aspects of the invention, elements

310, 312, and 314 may be colors such as green, yellow and red where all of the green squares represent a distance of one square from the center, all of the yellow squares represent a distance of two squares from the center, and all of the red squares represent a distance of three squares from the center. In other aspects, words, letters, numbers, colors, patterns, or a combination thereof may be used to represent a first distance, a second distance, and a third distance from the center 326 instead of the numbers as shown in FIG.

3. Side elements 316, 318, 320, and 322, formed as solid lines for illustrative purposes, provide examples of sides of each of the forty-nine squares. Each of the forty nine-squares have approximately the same size and dimensions for each of the side elements forming each of the forty-nine squares maki ng each square about 4 inches on each side. Each of the forty-nine squares have approximately the same inner area bound by side elements 316, 318, 320, and 322. The side elements 316, 318, 320, and 322 may be surface markings, imprints, molded marks, colors, letters, numbers, words, painted marks, engraved marks, overlay markings, integral formed markings, or a combination thereof.

[0047] In one or more alternative embodiments the overall shape of game mat 300 may be round, square, rectangle, or any other shape capable of providing or supporting a matrix 304a/3Q4b.

[0048] In alternative embodiments rings, concentric circles, shapes, or colors may present a matrix, pattern, and/or shape that visually represents a distance to a center position on the game mat 300 instead of square matrix 304a/304b.

[0049] The rectangular section 322 provides an entrance point for the ball 414 to be hit onto before stopping or landing on the square matrix. The rectangular section 322 may include one or more sloped edges providing a bevel for the ball to transition onto the game mat. The bevel may be located on the front edge 324 of the rectangular section 322 of the game mat 300. The rectangular game mat 300 may have an overall length 302 of 48 inches and an overall width 304b of 28 inches. The seven by seven square matrix may be 28 inches wide 304b and 28 inches long 304a. A thickness of the rectangular game mat 300 may be between .000001 of an inch and 1 inch thick. A beveled perimeter may facilitate the ball rolling onto the mat, such as in the event of using a smaller ball, a sloped surface, etc.

[0050] Now looking to FIG. 4, the putting stick 400 and the ball 414 of the previous figures are illustrated in greater detail. As mentioned heretofore, the putting stick 400 includes a putting stick handle 408, a pivoting shaft 410, a rotating head 412, and a fastener 418. The putting stick handle 408 interfaces with the pivoting shaft 410 to complete a putting stick length 402. The putting stick length 402 may be between 35 and 45 inches with an illustrative preferred length of 39 inches. The pivoting shaft 410 may be between 20% to 40% of the overall putting stick length 402. The putting stick handle 408 may be between 60% to 80% of the overall putting stick length 402. The pivoting shaft 410 may be square or round in shape such that the putting stick handle 408 may screw, slide, fasten, or engage inside of the pivoting shaft 410. Additionally, the square shape of the pivoting shaft 410 may create a desirable surface for fastening the rotating head 412 to the pivoting shaft 410 The putting stick handle 408 may adjust in and out of pivoting shaft 410 allowing the overall putting stick length 402 to be adjusted. The rotating head 412 is fastened to pivoting shaft 410 by way of fastener 418. The rotating head 412 is capable of rotating about an axis 506 (shown in FIG. 5) defined by the fastener 418 allowing the pivoting shaft 410 to pivot side-to-side while the rotating head stays parallel to a playing surface 116/216. The fastener 418 may be a bolt, screw, nail, cotter pin, roll pin, rivet, or an equivalent that allows pivoting shaft 410 to pivot, shown by element 504 in FIG. 5, in relation to the rotating head 412, The rotating and pivoting features of the pivoting shaft 410 and the rotating head 412 allow the putting stick 400 to be useable by a left-handed player 206 or a right-handed player 106 of the portable putting golf square game.

[0051] The ball 414 is preferably molded from rubber, plastic or other synthetic or semi-synthetic polymers and may be between 2 inches and 3 inches in diameter and weighs between 1.5 ounces and 3.0 ounces with a preferred diameter of 2.3 inches and a preferred weight of 2.0 ounces.

[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the ball 414, the putting stick 400, and a game-player-positioning 500. The game-player-positioning 500 includes the player 106, the playing surface 116, a player shoe 508, a player-toe-line 510, the putting stick 400, the pivoting shaft 410, the rotating head 412, the rotating/pivoting axis (shown as element 506), a distance between rotating/pivoting axis and player-toe-line 502, the fastener 418, and the ball 414. The distance 502 is about 14 inches for the average putting golf game player. The game mat is preferably 28 inches wide; and 14 inches is the optimal putting distance based on the length of the putting stick 402 and the width of the rectangular game mat. The player-toe-line 510 can also be at a side edge of the rectangular game mat without needing to step on the rectangular game mat while putting the ball 414. The player-toe-line 510 may be determined by a longest protruding portion of a shoe 508 of the player 106.

[0053] The rotating head 412 is fastened to the pivoting shaft 410 by way of the fastener 418. The rotating head 412 is capable of rotating about an axis 506 defined by the fastener 418 allowing the pivoting shaft 410 to pivot side-to-side while the rotating head stays parallel to a playing surface 116/216. The fastener 418 may be a bolt, screw, nail, cotter pin, roll pin, rivet, or an equivalent that allows the pivoting shaft 410 to pivot in relation to the rotating head 412. The rotating and pivoting features of the pivoting shaft 410 and the rotating head 412 allow the putting stick 400 to be useable by a left-handed player 206 or a right-handed player 106 of the portable putting golf square game 100/200.

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 6, a rectangular game mat 600 of the present invention is illustrated. The rectangular mat 600 includes one or more sloped or beveled edges 602/604/606/608. The beveled edges may be required if the rectangular game mat 600 has a thickness of greater than 0.125 of an inch. Front edge 324 may, alternatively or additionally, be beveled to keep the ball 414 from bouncing when approaching the front edge 324 and/or to provide a smooth transition onto the rectangular section 322.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 7, a portable putting golf square game 700 is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The Portable putting golf square game 700 includes John 706, Bill 704, Dave 702, the rectangular mat 300, a score card device 708, projected view of the score card device 708a, score card data 710/724/726/728/730/732/734, balls-in-play 718/720, the playing surface 116, the putting stick 400 and the ball 414. As shown, the rectangular mat 300 includes the rectangular section 322 forming a front of the rectangular mat 300. The rectangular mat 300 may be positioned on the flat playing surface 116 allowing the player 702 to putt or hit the ball 414 onto the rectangular mat 300 using the putting stick 400. The score card device 708 may be an electronic device such as a smartphone running application software that provides player name registrations and score tracking similar to 708a. Additionally or alternatively, score card device 708 may be a manual score card as shown in the magnified view 708a. Score card 708a shows Dave 702 needing to take his last putt 724 before the winner is decided. John’s last putt resulted in the ball 718 landing on a number 2 and his score of “2” was entered in at 732. Bills last put resulted in the ball 720 landing on a number 3 and his score of “3” was entered in at 734. John’s final score was 14 while Bill’s final score was 17. Dave hit the center square on his first putt and this resulted in a “-5” being entered in at 728. Dave’s previous putt resulted in the ball landing on the rectangular section 322 and this gave him a 4. Bill’s fifth put landed off of the game mat 300 resulting in a “5” being entered in at 730. Dave has this game won before he even putts his last shot because the highest score he can achieve is 13 if his putt lands off of the mat 300. Balls 718 and 720 are shown on the game mat for illustration purposes. During a normal game sequence, a ball 414, 720, or 718 may be picked up after a putt thereby allowing an open game mat to receive a subsequently putted ball. When a putted ball lands between two numbers, an edge of the mat, or between the rectangular section 322 and the square matrix, the higher number becomes the number entered for that putt. For instance, if the ball 414 lands between a “1” and a “2” the entered score would be a “2”. If the ball 414 lands between rectangular section 322 and playing surface 116 the entered score would be a “5”. If ball 414 lands between rectangular section 322 and a “3” the entered score would be a “4”. If a ball 414 lands between a “3” and playing surface 116 the entered score would be a “5”. Various rules and modes of play may be implemented within the present invention without limiting the scope of the invention.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 8, a portable putting golf square game 800 is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Portable putting golf square game 800 includes rectangular game mat 300, putting stick 400, ball 414, player 802, 5 -foot putting distance 806/814, 7-foot putting distance 808/812, and 10-foot putting distance 810/414. A method of playing the putting golf game of the present invention may include putt starting distances of 5, 7, and 10 feet measured from interface 816, the interface defined by the union between the seven by seven square matrix 304 and the rectangular section 322. Various rules and modes of play may be implemented within the present invention without limiting the scope of the inventi on.

[0057] Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it is understood that any of the features presented in the embodiments may be integrated into any of the other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.