Patent US3743296A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3743296A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Golf practicing apparatus
Assignee: LECTRON IND Inc
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Filing: 1971-02-16
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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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 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
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:39
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/0073; A63B69/0091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A golf practicing apparatus comprising: a target comprising a simulated golf ball and a stem depending therefrom; a shaft extending perpendicularly to the stem of the target; first bearing means for supporting the end of the stem of the target remote from the simulated golf ball on the midportion of the shaft and for permitting free rotation of the ball and the stem about a first axis extending therethrough; a yoke comprising a pair of opposed bifurcations extending from a supporting end; second bearing means for supporting the opposite ends of the shaft on the bifurcations of the yoke and for permitting pivotal movement of the shaft, the first bearing means, and the stem and the simulated golf ball of the target about a second axis extending through the shaft; third bearing means for supporting the end of the yoke remote from the bifurcations and for permitting pivotal movement of the yoke, the second bearing means, the shaft, the first bearing means, and the stem and the simulated golf ball of the target about a third axis extending through the yoke; and remote sensing means wholly independent of any physical contact with the yoke and responsive to pivotal movement of the yoke about the third axis for generating an error signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A golf practicing apparatus comprising: a target comprising a simulated golf ball and a stem depending therefrom; a shaft extending perpendicularly to the stem of the target; first bearing means for supporting the end of the stem of the target remote from the simulated golf ball on the midportion of the shaft and for permitting free rotation of the ball and the stem about a first axis extending therethrough; a yoke comprising a pair of opposed bifurcations extending from a supporting end; second bearing means for supporting the opposite ends of the shaft on the bifurcations of the yoke and for permitting pivotal movement of the shaft, the first bearing means, and the stem and the simulated golf ball of the target about a second axis extending through the shaft; third bearing means for supporting the end of the yoke remote from the bifurcations and for permitting pivotal movement of the yoke, the second bearing means, the shaft, the first bearing means, and the stem and the simulated golf ball of the target about a third axis extending through the yoke; and remote sensing means wholly independent of any physical contact with the yoke and responsive to pivotal movement of the yoke about the third axis for generating an error signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 1 further characterized by means for generating electromagnetic waves, means for receiving the electromagnetic waves and for producing an output in response thereto, and means for effecting the receipt of electromagnetic waves by the receiving means in accordance with pivotal relationship of the yoke to the third axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the remote sensing means comprises a shutter secured to the yoke for rotation therewith and photoelectric means responsive to the positioning of the shutter for generating the error signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The golf practicing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the photoelectric means comprises a plurality of photosensing members mounted in a V-shaped array and light means for illuminating the photosensitive means, and wherein the shutter is adapted for movement between the light means and the photosensitive means to progressively expose the photosensitive means to illumination from the light means in accordance with the rotation of the yoke about the third axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a golf practicing apparatus of the type including a target comprising a simulated golf ball supported on a stem, structure including a shaft extending perpendicularly to the stem for supporting the target for rotation about the first axis extending through the stem and the simulated golf ball, structure including a yoke having a supporting end and a pair of opposed bifurcations which receive the shaft for supporting the shaft and the target for pivotal movement about a second axis extending perpendicularly to the first axis, and structure engaging the supporting end of the yoke for supporting the yoke, the shaft and the target for pivotal movement about a third axis extending perpendicularly to the second axis, the improvement comprising: means for generating an electromagnetic signal; means responsive to the electromagnetic signal for producing an output; and means for effecting the receipt of the electromagnetic signal by the signal responsive means in accordance with the pivotal positioning of the yoke relative to the third axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a golf practicing apparatus of the type including a target comprising a simulated golf ball supported on a stem, structure including a shaft extending perpendicularly to the stem for supporting the target for rotation about the first axis extending through the stem and the simulated golf ball, structure including a yoke having a supporting end and a pair of opposed bifurcations which receive the shaft for supporting the shaft and the target for pivotal movement about a second axis extending perpendicularly to the first axis, and structure engaging the supporting end of the yoke for supporting the yoke, the shaft and the target for pivotal movement about a third axis extending perpendicularly to the second axis, the improvement comprising: means for generating an electromagnetic signal; means responsive to the electromagnetic signal for producing an output; and means for effecting the receipt of the electromagnetic signal by the signal responsive means in accordance with the pivotal positioning of the yoke relative to the third 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) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |