Open field game arrangement including glowing and responsive targets

• US 10,232,241 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2017
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Offcourse Productions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Offcourse Productions Incorporated
• Inventors: Peterson, Robert Glen, Brewer, Stephen W
• Primary Examiner(s): Deodhar, Omkar A
• Application Number:
  US15/401,323
• Publication Number:
  US 20170197128A1
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/02 Special golf games, e.g. miniature golf or golf putting games played on putting tracks; putting practice apparatus having an elongated platform as a putting track
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/02 for large-room or outdoor sporting games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 : Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/00 : Design or layout of playing courts, rinks, bowling greens or areas for water-skiing; Covers therefor golf courses A63B69/3691; water roundabouts A63G3/00; construction of surfaces of foundations E01C; roofs E04B7/00; buildings or groups of buildings for sports E04H3/10; swimming or splash baths or pools E04H4/00; coverings for baths E04H4/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/08 : Mechanical means for marking-out

Abstract

An open field game arrangement includes glowing targets and provides responses, such as lights and sounds, when the targets are hit.

Claims

1. An open field game arrangement, comprising:

a plurality of targets arranged on an open field, each of said targets comprising a thin skin that permits light to pass through, the thin skin of each of said targets defining an inner surface and an outer surface;

a plurality of lights, each of said lights shining outwardly onto and through the respective inner surface of a respective one of said thin skins and out the respective outer surface to illuminate said thin skins;

a sensor arrangement, which senses when the respective thin skins of the respective targets are hit, generates an electronic signal representative of a hit occurrence and transmits said signal to a controller;

wherein said controller selectively generates the following responses in response to the receipt of said signal;

turning on a light shining on the target that has been hit; and

generating a sound.

2. An open field game arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor arrangement includes an individual sensor at each target.

3. An open field game arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor arrangement includes a tracking system which tracks projectiles as the projectiles travel toward the targets.

4. An open field game arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller generates different sounds in response to different targets being hit.

5. An open field game arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said thin skins are foldable.

6. An open field game arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller further generates a score display in response to the receipt of said signal.

7. An open field game arrangement as recited in claim 6, wherein said score display includes a kiosk.

8. An open field game arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said targets is transparent in order to display a product inside said one target.

9. An open field game arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said targets comprises a thin skin defining a shape that is inflated by a gas, said thin skin being water tight and defining a first cable opening, said first cable opening having a perimeter and a gasket along said perimeter for receiving and sealing around a power cable;

said thin skin also defining a zip lock closure which enables a user to open said zip lock closure to insert a product into the interior of said thin skin, and then to close said zip lock closure to restore the water tightness of said thin skin;

said thin skin also defining a first inflation opening with a sealable closure, which may be used for injecting gas into the interior of said thin skin.

10. An open field game arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said targets comprises a foldable, inflatable thin skin through which light can shine, said thin skin having an interior and an exterior and forming a shape at least three feet tall when inflated and resting on the ground;

and a skirt surrounding and extending outwardly from said shape and having an interior and an exterior, said skirt being made of a foldable thin skin through which light can shine, said skirt also extending to the ground and having an open bottom.

11. An open field game arrangement as recited in claim 5, wherein at least one of said targets is floating on water.

12. An open field game arrangement as recited in claim 11, wherein at least another of said targets is resting on the ground.

13. An open field game arrangement as recited in claim 5, wherein at least one of said targets is transparent in order to display a product inside said one target.