Patent US3591184A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3591184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spherical shell and spin detector
Assignee: Brunswick Corp
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Filing: 1969-04-30
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1989-04-30
Abstract
Abstract An indoor golf game including a spherical target which is arranged so that all points thereon are equidistant from the tee point. Golf balls rebound from the target at a low velocity, and are returned to the tee area by an inclined runway and a ball elevator system including a motor driven wheel which engages the ball at the tee area. Electrical switches arranged in an arcuate row relative the tee point are actuated by balls rolling down the runway and cooperate with sensors in the target and at the tee point to provide information relating to the theoretical free flight trajectory of the ball, which is projected on a scene of a golf course by a computer controlled golf ball spot projector. The target is formed of interchangeable components to enhance the overall life thereof and the sensors therein are in the form of spaced conductive rubber strips extending horizontally and vertically.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Conklin
- 👤 Robert I Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:12
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B24/00; A63B24/0021; A63B69/00; A63B69/36; A63B69/3658; A63B2024/0028; A63B2024/0031; A63B2024/0037; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/30; A63B2220/34; A63B2220/35; A63B2220/80; A63B2220/801; A63B47/00; A63B47/02; A63B47/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A data acquisition system for an indoor golf game comprising: means defining a tee area having a predetermined tee point therein; a target spaced from said tee point and formed of a material having a high hysteresis loss whereby the collision of a golf ball therewith will be highly inelastic, said target presenting a generally spherical surface to said tee point with the center of said spherical surface being located at said tee point; spin detecting means located between said tee point and said target and adapted to receive a low velocity ball rebounding from said target and for providing information relative to the lOcation of the rebounding ball; horizontally arranged means within said target for, when hit by a golf ball, providing information relative to the initial angle of elevation of the ball hit from the tee point; generally vertically arranged means within said target for, when hit by a ball, generating information as to the initial angle of azimuth of a ball hit from the tee point; means associated with said tee point for providing information when a ball has been hit therefrom; and means on said target for providing information when a ball has collided therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A data acquisition system for an indoor golf game comprising: means defining a tee area having a predetermined tee point therein; a target spaced from said tee point and formed of a material having a high hysteresis loss whereby the collision of a golf ball therewith will be highly inelastic, said target presenting a generally spherical surface to said tee point with the center of said spherical surface being located at said tee point; spin detecting means located between said tee point and said target and adapted to receive a low velocity ball rebounding from said target and for providing information relative to the lOcation of the rebounding ball; horizontally arranged means within said target for, when hit by a golf ball, providing information relative to the initial angle of elevation of the ball hit from the tee point; generally vertically arranged means within said target for, when hit by a ball, generating information as to the initial angle of azimuth of a ball hit from the tee point; means associated with said tee point for providing information when a ball has been hit therefrom; and means on said target for providing information when a ball has collided therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The data acquisition system of claim 1 wherein said spin detecting means comprises a plurality of switch means, each adapted to be actuated by a rebounding ball, located in an arc having its center at said tee point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The data acquisition system of claim 2 wherein a ball rebounding surface is interposed between said target and said spin detecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The data acquisition system of claim 3 wherein each said switch means comprises a switch having an actuator located above said rebounding surface a distance less than the diameter of a golf ball.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
The data acquisition system of claim 1 wherein said target comprises a rigid backing having a layer of an opened celled foam on the tee side thereof and a layer of rubber on the tee side of the foam layer; said horizontally arranged means comprising a plurality of generally horizontal, spaced conductive rubber strips located on the tee side of said rubber layer; said vertically arranged means comprising a plurality of generally vertically arranged, spaced, conductive rubber strips located on the tee side of said rubber layer; nonconductive means interposed between said horizontal rubber strips and said vertical rubber strips normally maintaining said horizontal rubber strips and said vertical rubber strips in a spaced, nonconducting relation; and a protective covering located on the tee side of said rubber strips.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
The data acquisition system of claim 5 wherein said rigid backing, said foam layer, said rubber layer and said protective covering are formed in at least two symmetrical portions with said rubber strips included therein, releasable means for securing said portions together to define a single target and means for releasably electrically interconnecting at least some of the rubber strips in each portion whereby the portions may have their locations interchanged to minimize localized wear and extend the life of the target.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
A data acquisition system for an indoor golf game comprising: means defining a tee area having a predetermined tee point therein; a target spaced from said tee point and presenting a generally spherical surface to said tee point with the center of said spherical surface being located at said tee point; means associated with said tee point for providing a signal when a golf ball is hit therefrom; means associated with said target for providing a signal when a golf ball impacts against said target; and means for utilizing said two signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
A data acquisition system for an indoor golf game comprising: means defining a tee area having a predetermined tee point therein; a target spaced from said tee point and presenting a generally spherical surface to said tee point with the center of said spherical surface being located at said tee point; means associated with said tee point for providing a signal when a golf ball is hit therefrom; means associated with said target for providing a signal when a golf ball impacts against said target; and means for utilizing said two signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
A data acquisition system according to claim 7 wherein said target includes a generally horizontally arranged electrical matrix for providing information relative to the initial angle of elevation of a ball hit from said tee point, and a generally vertically arranged electrical matrix for providing information relative to the initial azimuth angle of a ball hit from said tee point; said means for providing a signal when a golf ball impacts against said target being comprised of at least one of said matrices.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
A data acquisition system according to claim 8 wherein said horizontally arranged matrix comprises a plurality of generally horizontal electrically separated conductive rubber strips; said generally vertically arranged matrix comprises a plurality of electrically spaced, vertical conductive rubber strips; and said target further includes inherently resilient means interposed between said horizontally arranged strips and said vertically arranged strips for normally electricalLy separating the same except when a golf ball impacts against said target to thereby drive one of said horizontal strips and one of said vertical strips together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |