Soccer-golf games with electronic scoring and sensing system

Abstract

An impact-responsive scoring and sensing goal post that forms an active target for hybrid soccer golf games of numerous variations, and a soccer golf game using the goal pole. The portable electronic “goal-pole” comprises an upstanding, cylindrical stanchion that supports sensor circuitry and display apparatus. The goal pole can be disposed in different predetermined locations over a playing surface to provide a target. The solid state circuitry responds to an impact-responsive electrical switch to energize an activation line for a predetermined time, turning on a trio of driver transistors activating a motor that rotates the visual display, a plurality of LED's, and a loud recorded message for audibly indicating a score.

1 . A method of playing a soccer golf game on a course comprising of a plurality of holes, a plurality of teeing grounds, a fairway and a target in the form of a goal pole, the method comprising the steps of:
 selecting a number of players to participate in the game;   providing a playing ball for each of said players;   selecting one of said players to begin play by placing said ball on the ground on a teeing ground with the intent of kicking said ball towards said target;   repeating said kicking by each player until all said balls have been kicked from said teeing ground;   repeating said kicking until each players' said ball has contacted said target goal pole;   counting the number of kicks each player used to reach said target; and, indicating that the target has been reached and impacted to complete play of a given hole by a given player with the goal pole.   
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in claim I wherein:
 after each of said players has kicked his her ball, the player whose ball is furthest from said goal pole relative to said balls of other players shall repeat kicking of his or her ball towards said goal pole; and,   after each of said players has impacted said goal pole with his or her ball, the players move on to the next hole and repeat the process until all the holes are completed and a total of all the kicks for all the holes for each player is tabulated.   
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in claim I wherein the target goal pole comprises:
 means for securing the goal pole in a vertically upright position;   an elongated stanchion having a bottom adapted to be disposed upon a playing surface;   display means elevated by said stanchion;   sensor means for providing an activation signal in response to ball impact;   circuit means for activating the goal pole in response to said sensor means; and,   motor means for activating said mechanical display means in response to said circuit means.   
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 3  including the further step of securing the goal pole stanchion bottom to a conventional golf green cup. 
   
   
       5 . The method as defined in  claim 3  including the further step of securing the goal pole stanchion bottom to a planar base overlying the playing surface. 
   
   
       6 . The method as defined in  claim 3  including the further steps of:
 Providing a soccer ball as a display;   Interconnecting said motor means via a driveshaft extending vertically upwardly to said display to rotate said soccer ball; and,   audibly indicating a score with said circuit means in response to goal pole impact.   
   
   
       7 . The method as defined in  claim 6  including the further steps of providing a plurality of lights for indicating a score, and activating said lights with said circuit means in response to said sensor means. 
   
   
       8 . The method as defined in  claim 7  wherein said plurality of lights comprise LED's and said circuit means comprises means for flashing said LED's for a predetermined time after an impact. 
   
   
       9 . A portable goal pole for use in the game of soccer-golf for sensing the impact of a ball and indicating a score, the goal pole comprising:
 an elongated stanchion having a bottom adapted to be disposed upon a playing surface and a top;   a housing secured to said stanchion;   mechanical display means secured to said housing;   sensor means disposed within said housing for detecting goal pole impacts;   circuit means disposed within said housing for providing an activation signal in response to said sensor means;   motor means for activating said mechanical display means in response to said circuit means; and,   means for securing the stanchion to deploy the goal pole in a vertically upright position.   
   
   
       10 . The goal pole as defined in  claim 9  further comprising means for securing the stanchion bottom to a conventional golf putting cup. 
   
   
       11 . The goal pole as defined in  claim 9  further comprising means for securing the stanchion bottom to a planar base overlying the playing surface. 
   
   
       12 . The goal pole as defined in  claim 9  wherein the mechanical display means comprises a rotatable sphere, and said motor means is connected via a driveshaft extending vertically upwardly from said motor means through said housing. 
   
   
       13 . The goal pole as defined in  claim 12  wherein the mechanical display means is in the form of a soccer ball disposed within a plastic housing. 
   
   
       14 . The goal pole as defined in  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of lights for indicating a score, and said circuit means includes driver means for activating said lights in response to said sensor means. 
   
   
       15 . The goal pole as defined in  claim 14  wherein said plurality of lights comprise LED's, and said circuit means comprises means for flashing said LED's for a predetermined time after an impact. 
   
   
       16 . The goal pole as defined in  claim 9  wherein said sensor means comprises an impact sensing switch formed from a displaceable, elongated, electrically conductive shaft extending coaxially within a conductive, spiral spring mass. 
   
   
       17 . A portable goal pole for use in the game of soccer golf for sensing the impact of a ball and indicating a score, the goal pole comprising:
 an elongated stanchion adapted to be disposed in a vertically upright position upon a playing surface;   a housing secured to said stanchion;   display means secured to said housing;   sensor means disposed within said housing for detecting goal pole impacts;   circuit means disposed within said housing for providing an activation signal in response to said sensor means;   motor means for moving said display means in response to said circuit means for a predetermined time after impact;   a plurality of LED's for visually indicating a score in response to said circuit means for a predetermined time after impact; and, transducer means for audibly indicating a score in response to said circuit means for a predetermined time.   
   
   
       18 . The goal pole as defined in  claim 17  wherein said display means comprises a rotatable sphere emulating a soccer ball that comprises a plurality of shiny, reflective panels that glisten brightly in sunlight. 
   
   
       19 . The method as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said goal pole further comprises means for securing the stanchion bottom to a conventional golf green cup. 
   
   
       20 . The method as defined in  claim 17  wherein said goal pole further comprises means for securing the stanchion bottom to a planar base overlying the playing surface.