US3815922A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Golf shot measuring apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-10-16
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Granted: 1974-06-11
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Expires: 1992-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A simulated golf ball target is tethered to a generally vertically directed post. The golf ball target is struck by a normal golf stroke and the impacted ball swings in a circular arc around the tether post. The down range component of deflection or strain produced by the centrifugal force vector on the tether post is monitored as by strain gage or other sensor. The sensed deflection or strain signal is integrated to yield an output corresponding to the integral over 180* of arc. The integral is proportional to range and may be displayed on a readout to indicate the down range distance of the golf shot.
Inventors
- 👤 R Brainard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:26
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/0073; A63B69/0079
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
In a golf shot measuring apparatus, moment arm means; means for holding said moment arm at a point of attachment with a substantial longitudinal component of said moment arm means being directed out of the horizontal; golf stroke target means to be struck by the club head as swung by a golfer; coupling means for coupling said golf stroke target to said moment arm and for coupling fOrces imparted to said target upon being struck by said club head into said moment arm; sensor means for sensing the deflection or strain of said moment arm to derive an output proportional thereto; and means for integrating said output to derive a second output proportional to the down range distance a normal golf ball would have traveled if it had been stroked instead of the target.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a golf shot measuring apparatus, moment arm means; means for holding said moment arm at a point of attachment with a substantial longitudinal component of said moment arm means being directed out of the horizontal; golf stroke target means to be struck by the club head as swung by a golfer; coupling means for coupling said golf stroke target to said moment arm and for coupling fOrces imparted to said target upon being struck by said club head into said moment arm; sensor means for sensing the deflection or strain of said moment arm to derive an output proportional thereto; and means for integrating said output to derive a second output proportional to the down range distance a normal golf ball would have traveled if it had been stroked instead of the target.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said moment arm means comprises a post directed out of the horizontal and canted such that a normal projection of said post onto the vertical down range plane makes a substantial cant angle Alpha to the vertical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cant angle Alpha is within the range of 20* to 50* .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cant angle Alpha is approximately 29* .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said coupling means comprises a tether line means for tethering said target to said post, and pivot means for pivotably coupling said tether line means to said post, whereby said impacted target is constrained to a trajectory which swings around said post in a circular arc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said sensor means is coupled to said post for sensing the down range component of deflection or strain imparted to said post.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said sensor means is coupled to said post for sensing the down range component of centrifugal force exerted on said post.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said cant angle Alpha is within the range of 20* to 50*.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 6 including, means for controlling said integrator means for integrating the output of said sensing means for approximately only the time between reversals of the sign of the output of said sensor means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said cant angle Alpha is approximately 29*.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said sensor means senses strain in said post and is disposed proximate the point of attachment of said post to said holding means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises a tether line pivotably coupled to said moment arm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor means comprises a strain sensing means coupled to said moment arm for sensing the strain in said moment arm means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including, means for controlling the operating cycle of said integrator means for integrating the output of said sensing means for approximately the time between reversals of the sign of said sensor output.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor means is coupled to said moment arm means to sense the down range deflection or strain imparted to said moment arm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said sensor means includes a pair of said sensor means, one of said sensors being disposed on the down range side of said moment arm means and the second sensor disposed on the up range side of said moment arm means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 16 including, means for deriving sum and difference outputs of the said first and second sensor means.
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) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |