US3630601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photoelectric registration of ball rotation as teaching aid for ball games
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-02-24
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1989-02-24
Abstract
Abstract The ball is provided with a surface pattern of regions of different optical properties. Light reflected from the moving ball is modulated by the rotation of these regions, transformed into a time variable electrical signal in a photocell, and recorded or displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt Lehovec
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:14
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/36; A63B69/3658; G; G09; G09B; G09B23/00; G09B23/06; G09B23/08; G09B23/10; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/30; A63B2220/34; A63B2220/35; A63B43/00; A63B43/008; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for registration of the rotational component of an unrestricted rotational motion of a substantially spherical body around an axis through the center oF said body, said axis of direction fixed in space, said apparatus comprising i. a pattern of optically distinct regions on the surface of said body, said pattern consisting of identically shaped spots equally spaced across said surface, ii. means to illuminate said body, iii. means to project an image of said body on a photocell, using light reflected from said body, iv. said photocell exposed only to a portion of said image of said body, said portion being strip-shaped, and oriented parallel to said axis of direction fixed in space, and v. electrical means to count or otherwise record the responses of said photocell to the images of said regions as they move through said strip-shaped portion due to said rotational component of motion of said spherical body around said axis.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for registration of the rotational component of an unrestricted rotational motion of a substantially spherical body around an axis through the center oF said body, said axis of direction fixed in space, said apparatus comprising i. a pattern of optically distinct regions on the surface of said body, said pattern consisting of identically shaped spots equally spaced across said surface, ii. means to illuminate said body, iii. means to project an image of said body on a photocell, using light reflected from said body, iv. said photocell exposed only to a portion of said image of said body, said portion being strip-shaped, and oriented parallel to said axis of direction fixed in space, and v. electrical means to count or otherwise record the responses of said photocell to the images of said regions as they move through said strip-shaped portion due to said rotational component of motion of said spherical body around said axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means to keep said image of said spherical body centered with respect to said strip-shaped exposed portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 whereby said strip-shaped portion is narrower than the spacing between said spots.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 whereby said optically distinct regions differ in color from the background surface of said sphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 whereby said optically distinct regions differ in reflectivity from the background surface of said sphere.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a second photocell exposed to the image of a second strip-shaped portion of said spherical body, said second strip-shaped portion orthogonal to said strip-shaped portion of claim 21, electrical means to count or otherwise record the responses of said second photocell to the images of said regions as they move through said second strip-shaped portion, whereby the most general rotation of said body is resolved and fully characterized by its rotational components around said fixed axis of claim 21, and around a second axis of direction fixed in space, said second axis perpendicular to said axis of claim 21 and oriented parallel to said second strip-shaped portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6 including means to center said second striplike portion with respect to said spherical body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 whereby said spherical body is a bowling ball and said axis is chosen substantially perpendicular to the floor of the bowling alley.
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) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |