US3738663A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital controlled golf ball teeing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-29
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1991-03-29
Abstract
Abstract An automatic golf ball teeing apparatus functional in providing either golf practice or golf game mode of operation through use of digital control to yield multi-position tee elevation, thus enabling the golfer to perform both tee and fairway shots from the same tee. The control system consists basically of a stepping actuator to elevate the tee, a translator to convert input drive pulses to predetermined sequential commands for driving the stepping actuator, a pulse source to provide pulsed signals to the translator, counter modules to monitor the number of pulses fed to the stepping actuator to assure proper tee height positioning, a counter module to monitor the number of balls to be supplied to the ball teeing means per vend, and control means including a punched-tape programmer for inciting tee height positional commands.
Inventors
- 👤 J Gentiluomo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:05
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B57/00; A63B57/0006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
An automatic ball teeing apparatus, comprising in combination, a ball teeing means having a reciprocating tee, and a digital control system operatively associated with said ball teeing means to effectuate control thereof, said digital control system includes a stepping actuator which relies on a predetermined number of pulses delivered thereto for establishing the tee height position to be assumed by said tee.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
An automatic ball teeing apparatus, comprising in combination, a ball teeing means having a reciprocating tee, and a digital control system operatively associated with said ball teeing means to effectuate control thereof, said digital control system includes a stepping actuator which relies on a predetermined number of pulses delivered thereto for establishing the tee height position to be assumed by said tee.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the digital control system is further characterized as including a ball sensing means for detecting balls provided to or dislodged from said tee, a pulse generating source to provide pulsed signals to the said stepping actuator, counter modules to monitor the number of pulses fed to said stepping actuator, a counter module to monitor the number of balls to be supplied to the said ball teeing means per vend, controlling means for dictating the said tee height position to be assumed, and a vend initiating means for placing the said digital control system in condition for operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the digital control system is further characterized by including a ball sensing means for detecting balls provided to or dislodged from said tee, a translator to convert input drive pulses to predetermined sequential commands for driving the said stepping actuator, a pulse generating source to provide pulsed signals to the said translator, counter modules to monitor the number of pulses fed to said stepping actuator, a counter module to monitor the number of balls to be supplied to the said ball teeing means per vend, controlling means for dictating the said tee height position to be assumed, and a vend initiating means for placing the said digital control system in condition for operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the digital control system is further characterized as including a punched-tape control means for dictating the said tee height position to be assumed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further characterized by a ball receptacle and ball dispensing means, said ball receptacle being disposed intermediate said ball dispensing means and said ball teeing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said ball teeing means is further characterized as including a base means and a ball elevating means operatively mounted with respect to said base means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defIned in claim 6, wherein the said ball elevating means is further characterized as including a rack and gear drive mechanism having a tee mounted upon the upper end of said rack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the said digital control system is further characterized as including a translator to convert input drive pulses to predetermined sequential commands for driving the said stepping actuator, a pulse generating source to provide pulsed signals to said translator, counter modules to monitor the number of pulses fed to said stepping actuator to assure proper tee height positioning, a counter module to monitor the number of balls to be supplied to said ball teeing means per vend, pushbuttons for dictating the tee height position to be assumed, a ball sensing means for detecting balls provided to or dislodged from said tee, and a vend initiating means for placing the said control system in condition for operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8, further characterized as including a punched-tape control means as an alternate means for dictating the said tee height position to be assumed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the said stepping actuator is further characterized as a stepping gearmotor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the ball sensing means includes a photoelectric sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the said vend initiating means is further characterized as a monetary acceptor unit functional in initiating operation of said apparatus upon receipt of money equivalent to the vend price preset therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2335280A
Cited
US2530698A
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 |