US3778067A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic golf ball teeing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-02-22
•
Granted: 1973-12-11
•
Expires: 1991-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A golf ball teeing apparatus functional in providing either golf practice or golf game mode of operation through an open-loop control system to yield multi-position tee elevation, thus enabling the golfer to perform both tee and fairway shots from the same tee. The apparatus consists basically of a ball teeing means having a reciprocating tee to elevate the ball from a lowermost ball receiving position to either an intermediate ball hitting position or an uppermost ball hitting position, a ball dispensing means for storing a plurality of balls, a ball receptacle for receiving or storing balls for subsequent use by the ball teeing means, a vend initiating means for initiating apparatus operation, a counter to monitor the number of balls to be supplied to the ball teeing means per vend, and pushbutton and punched tape control means for inciting tee height positional commands to the teeing means.
Inventors
- 👤 J Gentiluomo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:43
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B57/00; A63B57/0006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A golf apparatus comprising in combination, a ball teeing means including a ball elevating means reciprocally mounted therein; and an open-loop control system operatively associated with said ball elevating means to effectuate positioning thereof between a lowermost ball receiving position and an intermediate ball hitting position, or between a lowermost ball receiving position and an uppermost ball hitting position, said control system being further characterized as having means to provide automatic switching between said lowermost-to-intermediate positional mode of operation and said lowermost-to-uppermost positional mode of operation, thus enabling the golfer to expeditiously execute both tee and fairway shots.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A golf apparatus comprising in combination, a ball teeing means including a ball elevating means reciprocally mounted therein; and an open-loop control system operatively associated with said ball elevating means to effectuate positioning thereof between a lowermost ball receiving position and an intermediate ball hitting position, or between a lowermost ball receiving position and an uppermost ball hitting position, said control system being further characterized as having means to provide automatic switching between said lowermost-to-intermediate positional mode of operation and said lowermost-to-uppermost positional mode of operation, thus enabling the golfer to expeditiously execute both tee and fairway shots.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further characterized as including a ball receptacle so oriented with respect to said ball teeing means as to prvide balls thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said open-loop control system is further characterized as including operatively associated position sensors disposed within said ball teeing means fo effectuating said positioning of said ball elevating means between said ball receiving and said intermediate or said uppermost positions, and between said intermediate and said uppermost positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said ball elevating means is further characterized as including a drive mechanism therewithin, and said open-loop control system is further characterized as including a prime mover operatively associated with said drive mechanism for providing motion thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said ball elevating means is further characterized as including a tee at its uppermost end, and said open-loop control system is further characterized as including ball sensing means disposed within said ball teeing means for sensing balls delivered to and dislodged from said tee.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said open-loop control system is further characterized as including a counter module functionally associated with said ball sensing means for counting a predetermined number of balls dislodged from said tee by the golfer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said open-loop control system is further characterized as including operator selection means therewithin for initiating the golf practice mode of apparatus operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said open-loop control system is further characterized as including operator selection means therewithin for initiating the golf game mode of apparatus operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said open-loop control system is further characterized as including programming means therewithin to automatically provide control commands for positioning of said functionally associated ball elevating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said open-loop control system is further characterized as including an initiating means therewithin for commencing apparatus operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10, further characterized as including a ball dispensing means functionally associated with said ball receptacle for providing balls thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said ball teeing means is further characterized as including restraints therewithin for stopping said ball elevating means at said cited positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said ball elevating means is further characterized as including a drive mechanism therewithin, and said open-loop control system is further characterized As including a prime mover operatively associated with said drive mechanisms for providing motion thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said ball elevating means is further characterized as including a reciprocally mounted tee at its uppermost end, and an actuator functionally associated with said tee for switching it automatically between said intermediate and said uppermost position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 14, further characterized as including a ball receptacle functionally associated with said ball teeing means to provide balls thereto.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said open-loop control system is further characterized as including ball sensing means disposed within said ball teeing means for sensing balls delivered to and dislodged from said tee.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said open-loop control system is further characterized as including a counter module functionally associated with said ball sensing means for counting a predetermined number of balls dislodged from said tee by the golfer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said open-loop control system is further characterized as including operator selection means therewithin for initiating the golf practice mode of apparatus operation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said open-loop control system is further characterized as including operator selection means therewithin for initiating the golf game mode of apparatus operation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said open-loop control system is further characterized as including programming means therewithin to automatically provide control commands for positioning of said functionally associated ball elevating means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said open-loop control system is further characterized as including an initiating means therewithin for commencing apparatus operation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 21, further characterized as including a ball dispensing means functionally associated with said ball receptacle for providing balls thereto.
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) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |