US3655202A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Golf game
Assignee: Brunswick Corp
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Filing: 1969-10-20
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Granted: 1972-04-11
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Expires: 1989-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A tee trigger for use in computerized golf games. There is provided an overhead light source which generates a a line of light crossing a tee area in such a way that a ball hit from a line simulating means will break the line of light and reflect light to an overhead photocell to generate a first signal. A second signalling device is spaced from the projected line of light and provides a second signal when the ball reaches that point and the time between the two signals is indicative of the ball''s velocity. Through the use of the line of light, the life of the lie simulating means may be increased inasmuch as the ball need not be placed at but a single point thereon for each shot.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael G Gautraud
- 👤 James W Sanders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:11
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B24/00; A63B24/0021; A63B69/00; A63B69/36; A63B69/3658; A63B2024/0028; A63B2024/0031; A63B2024/0034; A63B2024/0037; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/30; A63B2220/80; A63B2220/805
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
In a golf game having a tee area including means in the area for simulating the lie of a portion of a golf course and from which a golf ball may be hit from the area, a first sensing means for determing when a golf ball has been hit from the lie simulating mEans, a second sensing means forwardly of the lie simulating means for detecting when a ball hit from the lie simulating means for detecting when a ball hit from the lie simulating means has traveled a predetermined distance therefrom and a computer responsive to both said sensing means for generating trajectory information, the improvement for maximizing the life of the lie simulating means wherein said first sensing means comprises a light source for projecting a line of light across said tee area in such a position that a ball hit from the lie simulating means will pass through the line of light, and photo-sensitive means responsive to the ball passing through the line of light for providing said first signal, said photosensitive means being positioned remote from said lie simulating means and oriented to receive only light which is reflected by an object passing through said line of light, and comprising a photocell having a sensitivity such that it will respond to an amount of light no less than that reflected by a golf ball passing through said line of light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a golf game having a tee area including means in the area for simulating the lie of a portion of a golf course and from which a golf ball may be hit from the area, a first sensing means for determing when a golf ball has been hit from the lie simulating mEans, a second sensing means forwardly of the lie simulating means for detecting when a ball hit from the lie simulating means for detecting when a ball hit from the lie simulating means has traveled a predetermined distance therefrom and a computer responsive to both said sensing means for generating trajectory information, the improvement for maximizing the life of the lie simulating means wherein said first sensing means comprises a light source for projecting a line of light across said tee area in such a position that a ball hit from the lie simulating means will pass through the line of light, and photo-sensitive means responsive to the ball passing through the line of light for providing said first signal, said photosensitive means being positioned remote from said lie simulating means and oriented to receive only light which is reflected by an object passing through said line of light, and comprising a photocell having a sensitivity such that it will respond to an amount of light no less than that reflected by a golf ball passing through said line of light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said light providing means projects a beam of light in a direction generally parallel to the sensing plane of said second sensing means, and wherein said photocell is positioned to receive substantially only that light reflected in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of projection of said beam of light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A golf game according to claim 1 wherein said light source is arranged to project said line of light in a direction generally parallel to the sensing plane of said second sensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
214 words
In a golf game having a tee area including means in the area for simulating the lie of a portion of a golf course and from which a golf ball may be hit from the area, a first sensing means for determining when a golf ball has been hit from the lie simulating means, a second sensing means forwardly of the lie simulating means for detecting when a ball hit from the lie simulating means has traveled a predetermined distance therefrom and a computer responsive to both said sensing means for generating trajectory information, the improvement for maximizing the life of the lie simulating means wherein said first sensing means comprises a light source projecting a line of light across said lie simulating means in a first direction generally parallel to the sensing plane of the second sensing means so that a ball hit from any position on the lie simulating means behind the line of light will pass through the line of light, and photosensitive means responsive to the ball passing through the line of light for providing said first signal said photo-sensitive means comprising a photocell positioned to receive only such light as is reflected substantially along the reciprocal of said first direction by a ball passing through the line of light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
214 words
In a golf game having a tee area including means in the area for simulating the lie of a portion of a golf course and from which a golf ball may be hit from the area, a first sensing means for determining when a golf ball has been hit from the lie simulating means, a second sensing means forwardly of the lie simulating means for detecting when a ball hit from the lie simulating means has traveled a predetermined distance therefrom and a computer responsive to both said sensing means for generating trajectory information, the improvement for maximizing the life of the lie simulating means wherein said first sensing means comprises a light source projecting a line of light across said lie simulating means in a first direction generally parallel to the sensing plane of the second sensing means so that a ball hit from any position on the lie simulating means behind the line of light will pass through the line of light, and photosensitive means responsive to the ball passing through the line of light for providing said first signal said photo-sensitive means comprising a photocell positioned to receive only such light as is reflected substantially along the reciprocal of said first direction by a ball passing through the line of light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A golf game according to claim 4 wherein said light source and said photo-sensitive means are mounted above said tee area and behind said lie simulating means with said line of light being projected downwardly from said light source to said tee area and crossing said lie simulating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A golf game according to claim 5 wherein said light source projects an arcuate line of light.
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) | 1975-04-11 | 1975-10-11 | 1976-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-11 | 1979-10-11 | 1980-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-11 | 1983-10-11 | 1984-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |