Modular Miniature Golf Assembly with Segmented Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing game assemblies for miniature golf lack customization and versatility in design, limiting user engagement and gameplay experience.

Innovation Solution

A game assembly comprising truncated frustrum-shaped cups, vertically extending poles with flags, and hollow spheres with orifices, allowing for customizable setup and gameplay both indoors and outdoors, with options for varying cup numbers, colors, and flag configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional miniature golf assemblies are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the customization and versatility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization and versatilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The miniature golf assembly is divided into separate modular components: bases, poles, flags, and spheres. Each component can be independently manufactured, configured, and recombined to create different gameplay setups, enabling customization without requiring complex integrated designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized pole and base components serve multiple functions: they can be configured in various arrangements, support different flag configurations, and work with multiple sphere types. This multi-functionality allows a single set of components to enable diverse gameplay scenarios, enhancing versatility while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If customizable components are added to enhance gameplay experience, then user engagement improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegameplay customizationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Customization is achieved through local variations in component properties rather than overall system complexity. For example, flags can have different colors or configurations, spheres can have different materials or markings, and bases can be arranged in different patterns. Each component remains simple to manufacture, but local variations provide gameplay diversity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for nested configurations where smaller components are integrated into larger structures. Flags are attached to poles, which are mounted on bases, creating a hierarchical assembly structure. This nesting approach enables complex-looking setups to be built from simple, easily manufactured individual parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11285366B2Golfing game assembly

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 BARNETT JENNINGS

AI summary

A golfing game assembly for playing miniature golf games includes a plurality of cups, a plurality of poles, and a plurality of spheres. Each cup is truncated frustrum shaped so that a base of the cup can be positioned on a surface with the cup being stabilized in an upright configuration. Each pole is selectively couplable to a respective cup so that the pole extends substantially vertically from the respective cup. The pole has a flag engaged thereto distal from the respective cup. The spheres are hollow, and each sphere has a plurality of orifices positioned therein. A respective sphere can be positioned on the surface distal from a respective cup. A user then is positioned to strike the sphere with a golf club in an attempt to propel the sphere into a respective cup.