US3738660A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Golf practicing apparatus
Assignee: LECTRON IND Inc
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Filing: 1971-02-16
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1991-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A golf practicing apparatus includes a platform; a target mounted on the platform for receiving practice of golf shots; a display panel for indicating distance information, hook-slice information, and push-pull information; and electronic circuitry responsive to movement of the target for actuating the display panel. The target comprises a simulated golf ball and a stem which are supported for rotation about a first axis extending through the ball and the stem, a second axis extending perpendicularly to the first axis, and a third axis extending perpendicularly to the second axis and in the plane of the first axis. In operation, the speed of rotation of the target about the second axis is sensed to provide distance information, the direction and amount of rotation of the target about the first axis is sensed to provide hook-slice information, and the direction and amount of rotation of the target about the third axis is sensed to provide push-pull information. Rotation of the ball and stem about the first axis is detected by an assembly including a cam and conventional automobile breaker point assemblies. Rotation about the second axis is detected by a system including a lamp assembly, a phototransistor, and a rotatable opaque shutter including two spaced apart holes which permit two sequential light pulses to reach the phototransistor. Rotation about the third axis is detected by a system including a lamp assembly and a rotatable opaque shutter which uncovers one or more phototransistors arranged in a V-shaped array.
Inventors
- 👤 W Branz
- 👤 J Pennington
- 👤 L Terpening
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:32
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/0073; A63B69/0091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
In a golf practicing method of the type in which a target is struck with a golf club, the improvement comprising: measuring the movement of the target about a first axis and generating a first error indicative output in response to the measurement; measuring the speed of movement of the target about a second axis that extends perpendicular to the first axis and generating a distance indicative output in response to the measurement, and measuring the movement of the target about a third axis that extends perpendicular to the second axis and generating a second error indicative output indicative output in response to the measurement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a golf practicing method of the type in which a target is struck with a golf club, the improvement comprising: measuring the movement of the target about a first axis and generating a first error indicative output in response to the measurement; measuring the speed of movement of the target about a second axis that extends perpendicular to the first axis and generating a distance indicative output in response to the measurement, and measuring the movement of the target about a third axis that extends perpendicular to the second axis and generating a second error indicative output indicative output in response to the measurement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improved golf practicing method according to claim 1 wherein the first measuring step is further characterized by generating an output indicative of both the direction and the amount of rotation of the target about the first axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improved golf practicing method according to claim 1 wherein the third measuring step is further characterized by generating an output indicative of both the direction and the amount of rotation of the target about the third axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improved golf practicing method according to claim 1 including the additional step of altering the distance indicative output in response to the generation of either of the error indicative outputs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
A golf practicing apparatus comprising: a target supported for rotation about a first axis; a second axis which extends horizontally through thE first axis, and a third axis which extends perpendicularly to and through the second axis; means for generating an output signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the target about the second axis; means for generating a first error signal indicative of rotation of the target about the first axis, and means for generating a second error signal indicative of rotation of the target about the third axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
A golf practicing apparatus comprising: a target supported for rotation about a first axis; a second axis which extends horizontally through thE first axis, and a third axis which extends perpendicularly to and through the second axis; means for generating an output signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the target about the second axis; means for generating a first error signal indicative of rotation of the target about the first axis, and means for generating a second error signal indicative of rotation of the target about the third axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the output signal generating means comprises remote sensing means for measuring the speed of rotation of the target without physical attachment thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the first error signal generating means comprises means for generating an error signal indicative of both the direction and the amount of rotation of the target about the first axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the second error signal generating means comprises means for generating a second error signal indicative of both the direction and the amount of rotation of the target about the third axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 5 further characterized by means responsive to the generation of either error signal for altering the output signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means for generating an output signal comprises: means for generating first and second signals representative of the passage of the target past predetermined fixed locations; circuitry responsive to said first and second signals for generating a sequence of clock pulses representative of the speed of passage of the target past said fixed locations, and means for converting said sequence of clock pulses into a distance indicative signal proportional to said speed of passage of the target.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said converting means comprises: binary to decimal converting means for nonlinearly converting said sequence of clock pulses into said distance signal and register means for accumulating said distance signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising: circuitry for subtracting from said distance signal in response to either of said error signals, and circuitry for inhibiting the display of said distance signal until the generation of one of said error signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising: compensation circuitry for inhibiting the subtraction from said distance signal upon the occurrence of preselected combinations of said error signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
120 words
A golf practicing apparatus comprising: a simulated golf ball; a stem fixed to the simulated golf ball and extending therefrom to a pivot point; first bearing means for supporting the stem for rotation about a first axis extending through the ball, the stem and the pivot point; second bearing means for supporting the stem for rotation about a second axis extending through the pivot point and perpendicular to the first axis, third bearing means for supporting the stem for rotation about a third axis extending through the pivot point and perpendicular to the second axis, and means responsive to the speed of rotation of the ball and the stem about the second axis for generating a distance indicative output signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
120 words
A golf practicing apparatus comprising: a simulated golf ball; a stem fixed to the simulated golf ball and extending therefrom to a pivot point; first bearing means for supporting the stem for rotation about a first axis extending through the ball, the stem and the pivot point; second bearing means for supporting the stem for rotation about a second axis extending through the pivot point and perpendicular to the first axis, third bearing means for supporting the stem for rotation about a third axis extending through the pivot point and perpendicular to the second axis, and means responsive to the speed of rotation of the ball and the stem about the second axis for generating a distance indicative output signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 14 further including means for generating an error signal in response to rotation of the stem and the ball about the first axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 15 further including means responsive to rotation of the ball and the stem about the first axis for altering the distance indicative output signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
86 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the speed responsive means comprises: means responsive to movement of the ball and stem past first and seconD locations for generating first and second signals; circuitry responsive to said first and second signals for generating a sequence of clock pulses representative of the speed of movement of the ball and stem past said first and second locations, and means for converting the sequence of clock pulses into a distance indicative display proportional to said speed of movement.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
68 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said means responsive to movement of the ball and stem comprises: means for generating a light beam; a shutter mounted for movement with the ball and stem, and means responsive to said light beam and to the movement of the shutter with the ball and stem past said first and second locations for generating said first and second signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a golf practicing apparatus of the type including a simulated golf ball mounted on a stem and structure supporting the ball and stem for rotation about a first axis extending through the ball and the stem for rotation about a second axis extending through and perpendicular to the first axis, the improvement comprising: means supporting the ball and stem for free rotation in either direction about the second axis and for permitting termination of such rotation with the ball randomly oriented relative to the axis; means for generating an output indicative of both the direction and the amount of rotation of the ball about the first axis, and means responsive to the output for generating an error signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a golf practicing apparatus of the type including a simulated golf ball mounted on a stem and structure supporting the ball and stem for rotation about a first axis extending through the ball and the stem for rotation about a second axis extending through and perpendicular to the first axis, the improvement comprising: means supporting the ball and stem for free rotation in either direction about the second axis and for permitting termination of such rotation with the ball randomly oriented relative to the axis; means for generating an output indicative of both the direction and the amount of rotation of the ball about the first axis, and means responsive to the output for generating an error signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
71 words
The improved golf practicing apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the output generating means includes a member mounted for rotation with the ball about the first axis, at least two rotation detecting members positioned at spaced points circumferentially of the member and each for generating an output in response to rotation by the member, and circuitry responsive to the combined outputs of the rotation detecting members for generating an error signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improved golf practicing apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the circuitry is further characterized by means for counting the number of rotations of the member relative to rotation detecting members.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a golf practicing apparatus of the type including a simulated golf ball mounted on a stem and structure supporting the ball and stem for rotation about a first axis extending through the ball and the stem and for rotation about a second axis extending through and perpendicular to the first axis, the improvement comprising: photosensitive means; a lamp for directing a light beam toward the photosensitive means, and a shutter positioned between the lamp and the photosensitive means and mounted for rotation with the ball and stem about the second axis, and including means for changing the energization of the photosensitive means by the light beam from the lamp in response to movement of the ball and stem past first and second locations, whereby the photosensitive means generates first and second signals indicative of the speed of rotation of the ball and the stem about the second axis.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a golf practicing apparatus of the type including a simulated golf ball mounted on a stem and structure supporting the ball and stem for rotation about a first axis extending through the ball and the stem and for rotation about a second axis extending through and perpendicular to the first axis, the improvement comprising: photosensitive means; a lamp for directing a light beam toward the photosensitive means, and a shutter positioned between the lamp and the photosensitive means and mounted for rotation with the ball and stem about the second axis, and including means for changing the energization of the photosensitive means by the light beam from the lamp in response to movement of the ball and stem past first and second locations, whereby the photosensitive means generates first and second signals indicative of the speed of rotation of the ball and the stem about the second axis.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
68 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 22 further characterized by: circuitry responsive to said first and second signals for generating a sequence of clock pulses representative of the speed of rotation of the ball and stem past the first and second locations, and means for converting said sequence of clock pulses into a distance indicative signal proportional to the speed of rotational of the ball and stem.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
64 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the shutter is opaque and has a pair of apertures formed through it, one for permitting the light beam to engage the photosensitive means as the ball and stem pass the first location, and the other for permitting the light beam to engage the photosensitive means as the ball and stem pass the second location.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
101 words
A golf practicing apparatus comprising: a target assembly including a simulated golf ball and a stem affixed thereto; first bearing means for supporting the target assembly for free rotation about a first axis extending through the stem and the ball; second bearing means for supporting the target assembly for rotation about a second axis extending perpendicular to the plane of the first axis; means responsive to the speed of rotation of the target assembly about the second axis for generating a distance indicative signal,and means responsive to rotation of the target assembly about the first axis for generating an error signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
101 words
A golf practicing apparatus comprising: a target assembly including a simulated golf ball and a stem affixed thereto; first bearing means for supporting the target assembly for free rotation about a first axis extending through the stem and the ball; second bearing means for supporting the target assembly for rotation about a second axis extending perpendicular to the plane of the first axis; means responsive to the speed of rotation of the target assembly about the second axis for generating a distance indicative signal,and means responsive to rotation of the target assembly about the first axis for generating an error signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 25 further characterized by means interconnecting the distance indicative signal generating means and the error signal generating means for altering the distance indicative signal in response to the generation of an error signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
80 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the distance indicative signal generating means includes a member mounted for rotation with the target assembly about the second axis; remote sensing means detached from and responsive to the speed of rotation of the member for generating an output signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the member, and circuitry for receiving the output signal of the rotation responsive means and for converting such signal into a distance indicative display.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
41 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the error signal generating means is further characterized by means for generating an error signal indicative of the direction and the amount of rotation of the target assembly about the first axis.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
77 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the error signal generating means is further characterized by dual means each for detecting rotation of the target assembly about the first axis,said dual means being positioned at circumferentially spaced points about said axis, and circuitry responsive to the outputs of both of said dual means for generating an error signal indicative of the direction and the amount of rotation of the target assembly about the first axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2528616A
Cited
US3535936A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |