US3759528A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for simulating the playing of golf strokes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-30
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Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1991-08-30
Abstract
Abstract This invention is a machine enabling a golfer to practice golf strokes, striking a real golf ball against a net. Light reflected from the ball during flights is detected by directional detectors arranged in vertically and horizontally arranged banks, and a computer displays range achieved, lateral deviation, height deviation, lateral deviation due to spin, new distance to hole, and so on. The first bank of detectors gives information about the left-right position of the ball. The second bank of detectors gives information about the start-height of the ball and initiates a timing cycle for determining ball velocity. The third bank of detectors terminates the timing cycle. For detecting spin, the golf ball may be provided with a super-reflective semicircular strip which is arranged to extend from top to bottom facing away from the club face. The energization of the detectors is controlled by a sensor which normally receives light radiation but is cut off from the radiation when the ball is on the tee prior to being struck. The machine also includes a club selector unit and a distance of hole selector.
Inventors
- 👤 J Christophers
- 👤 D James
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:15
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B24/00; A63B24/0021; A63B69/00; A63B69/36; A63B69/3658; A63B2024/0028; A63B2024/0031; A63B2024/0034; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/10; A63B2220/16; A63B2220/20; A63B2220/24; A63B2220/30; A63B2220/34; A63B2220/35; A63B2220/80; A63B2220/805; A63B43/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for simulating the playing of golf strokes comprising a first bank of differently directed directional devices sensitive to radiation reflected from a golf ball in flight, and first electrical connections from the first bank for giving a first electrical signal representing a first characteristic of the trajectory of the golf ball, a second bank of differently directed directional devices snesitive to radiation reflected from a golf ball in flight, and second electrical connection from the second bank for giving a second electrical signal representing a second characterisitc of the trajectory of the golf ball, directional devices sensitive to radiation reflected from a golf ball in flight spaced apart in the direction of flight, for deriving start and stop signals, and means for determining from the start and stop signals a range signal related to the velocity of the ball, and a computer responsive to the first and second electrical signals and the range signal for computing what would be the termination of the flight of the ball.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for simulating the playing of golf strokes comprising a first bank of differently directed directional devices sensitive to radiation reflected from a golf ball in flight, and first electrical connections from the first bank for giving a first electrical signal representing a first characteristic of the trajectory of the golf ball, a second bank of differently directed directional devices snesitive to radiation reflected from a golf ball in flight, and second electrical connection from the second bank for giving a second electrical signal representing a second characterisitc of the trajectory of the golf ball, directional devices sensitive to radiation reflected from a golf ball in flight spaced apart in the direction of flight, for deriving start and stop signals, and means for determining from the start and stop signals a range signal related to the velocity of the ball, and a computer responsive to the first and second electrical signals and the range signal for computing what would be the termination of the flight of the ball.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means directing radiation at the area through which the ball will pass after being struck.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including start and stop devices respectively sensitive to radiation received from two different vertical planes spaced apart along the flight path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including means arranged to measure the time interval between reception of radiation by the respective start and stop devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including a generator of a decaying function commencing when the start device receives radiation, and ending when the stop device receives radiation, with the function at a measured level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 including a generator of a ramp function which increases linearly with time, and means responsive to increase of the function to a value corresponding to the said measured level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including a pulse generator and means responsive to the number of pulses generated over the time necessary for the ramp function to reach the said corresponding value for giving an indication of ball velocity or range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 including a divider arranged to use a proportion of the said number of pulses to give an indication of deviation to left or right of a desired flight path, the proportion being dependent on which of the bank of horizontally spaced devices receives radiation from the ball as it passes the plane of that bank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 including means defining a reference signal level and means responsive to the measured level being below the reference signal level to adjust the signal level automatically.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which the automatic adjustment is effected by switching in an amplifier operating with a precisely determined gain.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a sensor which normally receives radiation but is cut off from the radiation when the ball is on a tee prior to being struck, which sensor operates to render devices operative when the ball leaves the tee.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a platform for supporting the golfer and the golf ball prior to its being struck and a net for stopping the golf ball after it has been struck, the devices being sensitive to radiation received from different directions in vertical planes between the striking place and the net.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a sensor responsive to pulses of radiation received from the ball in flight as it spins about an axis with a vertical component, and means for providing from the sensor a signal related to the lateral deviation of the flight path due to the spin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 including means for superimposing the deviation due to spin on the flight deviation due to the direction in which the ball is struck being to right or left of the desired direction.
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) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |