초록 ▼

Apparatus for simulating the playing of golf includes a tee area from which a player may drive a golf ball toward a curved target screen in front of the tee area. Optical sensing devices are positioned to gather data as to the speed and distance of travel of a ball driven from the tee area. With the

Apparatus for simulating the playing of golf includes a tee area from which a player may drive a golf ball toward a curved target screen in front of the tee area. Optical sensing devices are positioned to gather data as to the speed and distance of travel of a ball driven from the tee area. With the data from the sensing devices, computer apparatus produces an estimate for display of the distance of travel and ultimate resting position the driven ball would have if allowed free flight. Sensing devices also allow the computer apparatus to determine when a ball falls into a cup located in front of the target screen. If a ball enters the cup, and if the computer apparatus determines that the ball would have landed within a prescribed distance from the location of a target hole towards which the ball is driven, a “holed out”condition is presumed.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for simulating the playing of golf comprising: a support defining a tee area from which a golf ball may be driven by a player utilizing a golf club; a target screen disposed in front of the tee area for receiving balls driven from the tee area and from which balls will rebound; first senso

Apparatus for simulating the playing of golf comprising: a support defining a tee area from which a golf ball may be driven by a player utilizing a golf club; a target screen disposed in front of the tee area for receiving balls driven from the tee area and from which balls will rebound; first sensor means including means for calculating the speed of a ball and including means for detecting the direction of travel of said ball driven from the tee area toward the screen; first computing means (response) responsive to said first sensor means for producing an estimate of the distance of travel and ultimate resting position the driven ball would have if allowed free flight; a cup disposed in front of the tee area close to said target screen into which rebounded balls may fall, said cup having an upper rim that is generally flush with a floor surface placed between said target screen and tee area support; second sensor means for detecting when a ball falls into said cup; and logic means for indicating a holed-out condition when said second sensor means detects a ball in said cup and when the first computing means determines that the ultimate resting position of the driven ball is within a predetermined distance from a golf hole location, said golf hole location being representative of the location of a simulated golf hole towards which the player has driven the golf ball.