US3870314A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Golf practice machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-04-08
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1994-04-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for use by a golf player in practicing golf club strokes in a confined area, and which visually indicates the driving force in terms of distances, so that the apparatus can be used as a game; the device including a hollow platform having a slot through which a vertical shaft protrudes upwardly and having a golf-ball shaped knob on its upper exposed end for being struck by a golf club which, when struck, causes the vertical shaft to pivot forwardly about a horizontal, transverse shaft which at the same time is forwardly slided in supporting slots against the action of a return spring, the horizontal shaft having a plate attached thereto with electric contacts thereupon which during travel progressively engage with corresponding stationary sets of contacts so to progressively close different circuits each having a different indicator lamp designating a particular driving distance.
Inventors
- 👤 Dominick Bertucci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:23
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/0073; A63B69/0091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
In a golf Practice Driving Range the combination of a base upon which a golf player can stand, an operative unit in said base, including a housing having a slot on its top side, an upstanding shaft protruding upwardly through said slot, a ball secured on an upper end of said shaft for being struck by a golf club held by said player and means for indicating a quality of a driving force by said player to said ball, said means comprising a scoring unit separately located from said base, and an electric circuit including switch means in said operative unit activated by movement of said ball, and lamp indicating means in said scoring unit, said ball shaft being pivotable about a cross shaft slidable in slots of sidewalls of a housing of said operative units, said cross shaft carrying electrical contacts engagable with sets of stationary contacts of said housing, said contacts sets being in circuit with different ones of a set of differently identified lamps of said scoring units.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a golf Practice Driving Range the combination of a base upon which a golf player can stand, an operative unit in said base, including a housing having a slot on its top side, an upstanding shaft protruding upwardly through said slot, a ball secured on an upper end of said shaft for being struck by a golf club held by said player and means for indicating a quality of a driving force by said player to said ball, said means comprising a scoring unit separately located from said base, and an electric circuit including switch means in said operative unit activated by movement of said ball, and lamp indicating means in said scoring unit, said ball shaft being pivotable about a cross shaft slidable in slots of sidewalls of a housing of said operative units, said cross shaft carrying electrical contacts engagable with sets of stationary contacts of said housing, said contacts sets being in circuit with different ones of a set of differently identified lamps of said scoring units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a golf Practice Driving Range the combination of a base upon which a golf player can stand, an operative unit in said base, including a housing having a slot on its top side, an upstanding shaft protruding upwardly through said slot, a ball secured on an upper end of said shaft for being struck by a golf club held by said player and means for indicating a quality of a driving force by said player to said ball, said means comprising a scoring unit separately located from said base, and an electric circuit including switch means in said operative unit activated by movement of said ball, and lamp indicating means in said scoring unit, said ball shaft being pivotable about a cross shaft slidable in slots of sidewalls of a housing of said operative units, said cross shaft carrying electrical contacts engagable with sets of stationary contacts of said housing, said contacts sets being in circuit with different ones of a set of differently identified lamps of said scoring units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a golf Practice Driving Range the combination of a base upon which a golf player can stand, an operative unit in said base, including a housing having a slot on its top side, an upstanding shaft protruding upwardly through said slot, a ball secured on an upper end of said shaft for being struck by a golf club held by said player and means for indicating a quality of a driving force by said player to said ball, said means comprising a scoring unit separately located from said base, and an electric circuit including switch means in said operative unit activated by movement of said ball, and lamp indicating means in said scoring unit, said ball shaft being pivotable about a cross shaft slidable in slots of sidewalls of a housing of said operative units, said cross shaft carrying electrical contacts engagable with sets of stationary contacts of said housing, said contacts sets being in circuit with different ones of a set of differently identified lamps of said scoring units.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein spring return means are connected to said shaft and cross shaft.
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) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |