US3738664A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Golf practice range
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-21
•
Granted: 1973-06-12
•
Expires: 1990-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A golf practice range construction including a gravity operated ball return system, and an electro-mechanically operated reciprocable ball drag for recovering balls from a driving range for transfer to the aforementioned system.
Inventors
- 👤 M Peeples
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:20
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/36; A63B69/3691; A63B69/3694; A63B47/00; A63B47/02; A63B47/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
Apparatus for sweeping golf balls from a driving range, said apparatus comprising: elongated first track means disposed on opposite sides of said range, said track means including rail means extending longitudinally thereof; wheel mounted first carriage means disposed for reciprocation in each of said first track means with said wheels engaging the immediately adjacent one of said rail means; a reversible electric motor and circuitry therefor connected in driving relationship with each of said carriage means to effect said reciprocation thereof; a circuit reversing limit switch secured on one of said track means adjacent, respectively, each end thereof; means on said carriage means engageable with said limit switches to reverse said electric motor and, consequently, the direction of movement of said first carriage means; golf ball drag means connected on each of said first carriage means; second track means extending longitudinally between said first track means, said second track means including rail means extending longitudinally thereof; second wheel mounted carriage means disposed for reciprocation within said second track means with its said wheels engaging said second rail means; and means for connecting said second carriage means with said drag means to hold said drag means in its ground engaging position when said first and second carriage means are moving in said one direction and to elevate said drag means above said range when said first and second carriage means move in their second direction solely pursuant to their movement in said second direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
243 words
Apparatus for sweeping golf balls from a driving range, said apparatus comprising: elongated first track means disposed on opposite sides of said range, said track means including rail means extending longitudinally thereof; wheel mounted first carriage means disposed for reciprocation in each of said first track means with said wheels engaging the immediately adjacent one of said rail means; a reversible electric motor and circuitry therefor connected in driving relationship with each of said carriage means to effect said reciprocation thereof; a circuit reversing limit switch secured on one of said track means adjacent, respectively, each end thereof; means on said carriage means engageable with said limit switches to reverse said electric motor and, consequently, the direction of movement of said first carriage means; golf ball drag means connected on each of said first carriage means; second track means extending longitudinally between said first track means, said second track means including rail means extending longitudinally thereof; second wheel mounted carriage means disposed for reciprocation within said second track means with its said wheels engaging said second rail means; and means for connecting said second carriage means with said drag means to hold said drag means in its ground engaging position when said first and second carriage means are moving in said one direction and to elevate said drag means above said range when said first and second carriage means move in their second direction solely pursuant to their movement in said second direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: said means for connecting said second carriage means with said drag means comprises a lever having one of its ends pivotally supported on said second carriage means; and means on a second end of said lever for connection on said drag means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein: said driving range is V-shaped in transverse cross-section throughout substantially its entire length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 and: means disposed at longitudinally spaced intervals adjacent the apex of said driving range for draining said driving range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein: said driving range is graded at a substantially constant acute angle relative to a horizontal plane throughout a portion of its length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein: said second track means is vertically spaced below said first track means; and said one end of said lever is mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
A golf driving range comprising: support means; a golf ball rebound strip overlying said support means and having opposed pairs of sides and ends; a plurality of walls of which a pair comprises opposed side walls; track means fixedly connected on each of said side walls, each of said track means including rail means; a carriage for each track means, each of said carriages including support means slidably engaged in the adjacent one of said rail means to enable said carriages to reciprocate relative to said track means from one end of said range to the other; an elongated flexible member extending between said carriages having opposed ends connected on said carriages, respectively, for reciprocation with said carriages; enlarged golf ball rebound strip engaging means connected on said flexible member; and means connected with said carriages to effect the reciprocation thereof substantially simultaneously and in the same direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
148 words
A golf driving range comprising: support means; a golf ball rebound strip overlying said support means and having opposed pairs of sides and ends; a plurality of walls of which a pair comprises opposed side walls; track means fixedly connected on each of said side walls, each of said track means including rail means; a carriage for each track means, each of said carriages including support means slidably engaged in the adjacent one of said rail means to enable said carriages to reciprocate relative to said track means from one end of said range to the other; an elongated flexible member extending between said carriages having opposed ends connected on said carriages, respectively, for reciprocation with said carriages; enlarged golf ball rebound strip engaging means connected on said flexible member; and means connected with said carriages to effect the reciprocation thereof substantially simultaneously and in the same direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein: said golf ball rebound strip is upwardly inclined relative to a horizontal plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein: said rebound strip is V-shaped in transverse cross-section throughout a portion of its length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein: said golf ball rebound strip is upwardly inclined relative to a horizontal plane; and said rebound strip is V-shaped in transverse cross-section throughout a portion of its length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein: said flexible member comprises an elongated cable; and said golf ball engaging elements comprise elongated cylindrical members strung axially on said cable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein: each of said cylindrical members having an elongated hollow cylindrical side wall for engaging said strip and said golf balls; and closure means at each respective end of said cylindrical side wall receiving said cable therethrough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein: said closure means each comprises a substantially solid end cap having an external convex surface; and said golf ball engaging elements being strung on said cable with said convex surfaces of adjacent ones thereof being disposed in, substantially, abutting relationship relative to one another.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein: said rebound strip is substantially V-shaped in transverse cross-section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein: said rebound strip is inclined at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein: said rebound strip is V-shaped in transverse cross-section; and said strip is inclined at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 16 and, a third track disposed substantially at the apex of said rebound strip, said track including rail means extending longitudinally thereof; a third carriage for said third track means, said third carriage including support means slidably engaged in the adjacent one of said rail means to enable said carriages to reciprocate relative to said track means from one end of said range to the other; and means for connecting said third carriage on said cable intermediate the ends thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 17 and a base member extending longitudinally of said golf ball rebound strip substantially at the apex thereof; and said third track being partially embedded in said base member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 18 and: drainage means for said range, said drainage means comprising a plurality of receptacles spaced longitudinally of said base member; each of said receptacles comprising a pair of oppositely disposed and spaced apart upright side walls, a pair of oppositely disposed and spaced apart end walls, and a bottom wall extending between and being fixedly secured to the lower ends of said side and end walls; each of said receptacles further including a trough extending between, supported on, and opening through said end walls, said trough being adapted to receive a portion of said base member therein; and means connecting each of said receptacles to a water disposal system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein all of said track means is C-shaped in transverse cross-section; said first named track members each having a longitudinally extending slot formed therein with said slots disposed in confronting relationship relative to one another; and said third track means having an upwardly opening longitudinally extending slot formed therein.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein: said golf ball rebound strip extends over the upper surface of said base member adjacent each side of said slot formed in said third track means to form a slot between adjacent sides thereof; and cover means superimposed on both sides of said golf ball rebound strip and substantially covering the same throughout its length and width.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein: said strip is formed of a solid water impervious material; and said cover means is formed of a fibrous material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein: said cover means further comprises a tufted weather resistant plastic material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein: all of said carriages are slack connected on said cable.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein: the means for connecting said cable on said third carriage comprises a lever having an end pivotally connected on said third carriage, and a second end including means for connecting said cable thereon.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein: said lever is substantially L-shaped in configuration including a foot portion and leg section; means pivotally connecting the outer end of said foot portion on said third carriage with said leg section having an opening formed therein to receive said cable therethrough and comprising said connecting means for said cable with said third carriage and whereby reversal of the movement of said first named carriages and said cable causes said lever to pivot to elevate said cable and its connected golf ball engaging means above said cover and draws said third carriage in said one direction, and upon reversal of the movement of said first named carriages and cable to move in a second direction, said cable causes said lever to pivot to move said leg section downwardly causing said golf ball engaging elements to engage against said cover.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 26 and: means at one end of said range for collecting golf balls swept by said golf ball engaging means thereto.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein: said collecting means comprises a first transversely extending wall extending between said side walls adjacent said one end of said range, said first transverse wall having an opening formed therein, said opening opening upwardly receiving golf balls therethrough; and means in said first transverse wall for conveying said golf balls to a point of common collection.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein: said conveying means is gRavity operated.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein: said gravity operated conveying means comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced strips extending transversely across said range at each side thereof, said strips converging downwardly in the direction of the apex of said golf ball rebound strip; and hopper means disposed adjacent to and below the converging ends of said strips.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein: said golf ball rebound strip further includes a second transverse wall extending between the opposite ends of said side walls; and said golf ball rebound strip includes a downwardly and inwardly inclined portion adjacent said second transverse wall.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein: said downwardly and inwardly inclined portions of said golf rebound strip includes golf ball cup means connected therewith; and gravity operated golf ball conveying means connecting said cup with said hopper.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 32 and: cover means extending over said downwardly and inwardly inclined portions of said golf ball rebound strip.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 33 and: fence means fixedly secured on said side walls and said second transverse walls and projecting upwardly therefrom.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein: said means for effecting reciprocation of said first named carriages comprises a reversible electric motor and a pulley-cable system connecting said motor with said first named carriages.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 35 wherein: portions of said cable of said pulley-cable system are enclosed within said track.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 36 and: a motor reversing limit switch fixedly secured to each end, respectively, of at least one of said tracks; and means on the carriages associated with said one track engageable with means on said limit switches to effect switch actuation.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 37 wherein: said cover means is provided with colored areas comprising indicia.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein: said support means comprises a plot of ground bounded by said side and end walls.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 39 and: a housing structure adjacent said first transverse wall, said housing structure including a first floor disposed substantially at ground surface and a second floor supported thereover; and said housing structure further including a compartment disposed below said ground surface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 40 wherein: said compartment houses an electric motor; means connecting said hopper with said compartment which serves as a common golf ball collection point.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 41 wherein: said first and second floors include areas reversed for practicing golfers.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 42 and: means dividing said housing structure into a plurality of additional compartments.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 43 and: sand trap and practice greens disposed adjacent said housing structure.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 44 and: simulated rough sand fairways disposed adjacent said sand traps, said greens and said housing structure.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 45 and: sodded areas adjacent said first transverse wall.
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) | 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 |