Golf putting cup with random-direction ball ejection means

Claim 1

A device for randomly ejecting an article comprising: a casing having opposed open upper and closed lower ends; power operated article ejection means within said casing and including an elongated element having an upright axis, means connected on the lower end of said element and engaging said lower end to support said element thereabove, said element being movable in one direction towards said open end and in a second direction towards said closed end; actuating means connected to said power operated article ejection means and operable to effect an actuation of said power operated article ejection means and consequently, the movement of said element in its said one direction disengaging said support means from said closed end and causing said element to operatively engage an article entering said casing through said open end, thereby forcibly ejecting said article from said casing through said open end, said power operated article ejection means being rendered inoperable following the ejection of said article and causing said article ejection means to move in its said second direction to reengagE said support means on said closed end and causing said article ejection means to move a lesser distance in said one direction and to turn about its said longitudinal axis; and a power source connected with said power operated article ejection means and with said actuating means to supply power to said article ejection means upon operation of said actuating means.

Claim 2

A device for randomly ejecting an article comprising: a casing having opposed open upper and closed lower ends; power operated article ejection means within said casing and including an elongated element having an upright axis, means connected on the lower end of said element and engaging said lower end to support said element thereabove, said element being movable in one direction towards said open end and in a second direction towards said closed end; actuating means connected to said power operated article ejection means and operable to effect an actuation of said power operated article ejection means and consequently, the movement of said element in its said one direction disengaging said support means from said closed end and causing said element to operatively engage an article entering said casing through said open end, thereby forcibly ejecting said article from said casing through said open end, said power operated article ejection means being rendered inoperable following the ejection of said article and causing said article ejection means to move in its said second direction to reengagE said support means on said closed end and causing said article ejection means to move a lesser distance in said one direction and to turn about its said longitudinal axis; and a power source connected with said power operated article ejection means and with said actuating means to supply power to said article ejection means upon operation of said actuating means.

Claim 20

A device for randomly ejecting an article, said device comprising: an elongated cylindrical casing having an open upper end and a closure wall extending across its opposed lower end; an elongated substantially hollow tubular guide member centrally disposed within said casing and extending longitudinally thereof, said guide member having a lower end supported on said closure wall and its upper end extending towards but terminating inwardly of said upper end of said casing; a first wall connected on said lower end of said guide member and projecting laterally outwardly therefrom, and a second wall mounted on said guide member and projecting laterally and outwardly therefrom intermediate its upper and lower ends; said first and second walls and that portion of said guide member extending therebetween cooperating to form a continuous laterally opening chamber; an annular unit comprising a source of electrical energy, said unit being disposed in said chamber; means in said chamber and engaging said unit to prevent its movement in said chamber; an electromagnet winding surrounding said upper end of said guide member and supported on said second end wall; an elongated upright hollow tubular article ejector element mounted for reciprocation in said guide member and comprising the armature for said electromagnet, said ejector having its upper end terminating in a plane disposed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said ejector element and disposed below the upper end of said guide member, said ejector element having a curvilinear slot extending transversely therethrough and axially thereof; a normally open article actuated switch disposed within said casing; an electrical circuit connecting said electrical source, said winding and said switch; said switch being actuated in response to an article entering said open end of said casing to close said circuit, thereby energizing said winding causing said article ejection means to move in one direction towards said open end of said casing to effect impaction of said planar end against said article to forcibly eject said article from said casing while simultaneously opening said switch and deenergizing said winding; and said slot coacting with said ejector element to cause the latter to turn about its longitudinal axis to randomly position the planar end as said ejector moves in its other direction.

Claim 21

A device for randomly ejecting an article, said device comprising: an elongated cylindrical casing having an open upper end and a closure wall extending across its opposed lower end; an elongated substantially hollow tubular guide member centrally disposed within said casing and extending longitudinally thereof, said guide member having a lower end supported on said closure wall and its upper end extending towards but terminating inwardly of said upper end of said casing; a first wall connected on said lower end of said guide member and projecting laterally outwardly therefrom, and a second wall mounted on said guide member and projecting laterally and outwardly therefrom intermediate its upper and lower ends; said first and second walls and that portion of said guide member extending therebetween cooperating to form a continuous laterally opening chamber; an annular unit comprising a source of electrical energy, said unit being disposed in said chamber; means in said chamber and engaging said unit to prevent its movement in said chamber; an electromagnet winding surrounding said upper end of said guide member and supported on said second end wall; an elongated upright hollow tubular article ejector element mounted for reciprocation in said guide member and comprising the armature for said electromagnet, said ejector having its upper end terminating in a plane disposed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said ejector element and disposed below the upper end of said guide member, said ejector element having a curvilinear slot extending transversely therethrough and axially thereof; a normally open article actuated switch disposed within said casing; an electrical circuit connecting said electrical source, said winding and said switch; said switch being actuated in response to an article entering said open end of said casing to close said circuit, thereby energizing said winding causing said article ejection means to move in one direction towards said open end of said casing to effect impaction of said planar end against said article to forcibly eject said article from said casing while simultaneously opening said switch and deenergizing said winding; and said slot coacting with said ejector element to cause the latter to turn about its longitudinal axis to randomly position the planar end as said ejector moves in its other direction.