US4177996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic golf ball teeing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-05-15
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Granted: 1979-12-11
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Expires: 1998-05-15
Abstract
Abstract A device for storing and dispensing one golf ball at a time onto a chute that serves as a golf tee. The golf tee chute is pivotally mounted so that when a golf ball on the tee of the chute is struck, the chute pivots to operate an escapement to permit one golf ball, stored in the device to roll down the golf tee chute to the tee position. The device is formed of a housing with a top opening that leads to a spiral pathway formed of wires, which lead to the golf tee chute.
Inventors
- 👤 Tommy J. C. Chang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:51
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B57/00; A63B57/0006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A device for storage and individual dispensing of golf balls, comprising: A housing, said housing having a vertical spiral track positioned therein, said track having ball entrance and exit ends; an inclined fixed chute, said fixed chute being attached to said housing and positioned at said exit end of said spiral track for receiving golf balls therefrom; an inclined pivot chute, said pivot chute being attached to said housing by pivot means so as to swing in a substantially horizontal plane and for receiving balls from said fixed chute; escapement means attached to said fixed chute to block the path of a golf ball otherwise freely rolling on said fixed chute, said escapement means being linked to said pivot chute to permit one golf ball on said fixed chute to freely roll off said fixed chute and onto said pivot chute and to permit another ball from said spiral track to roll onto said fixed chute, said one ball and said another ball being respectively simultaneusly released from and retained onto said fixed chute in response to said pivot chute being swung about said pivot means; said pivot chute having means at its lower end for retaining a golf ball in position to be hit by a player.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
208 words
A device for storage and individual dispensing of golf balls, comprising: A housing, said housing having a vertical spiral track positioned therein, said track having ball entrance and exit ends; an inclined fixed chute, said fixed chute being attached to said housing and positioned at said exit end of said spiral track for receiving golf balls therefrom; an inclined pivot chute, said pivot chute being attached to said housing by pivot means so as to swing in a substantially horizontal plane and for receiving balls from said fixed chute; escapement means attached to said fixed chute to block the path of a golf ball otherwise freely rolling on said fixed chute, said escapement means being linked to said pivot chute to permit one golf ball on said fixed chute to freely roll off said fixed chute and onto said pivot chute and to permit another ball from said spiral track to roll onto said fixed chute, said one ball and said another ball being respectively simultaneusly released from and retained onto said fixed chute in response to said pivot chute being swung about said pivot means; said pivot chute having means at its lower end for retaining a golf ball in position to be hit by a player.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
the combination as recited in claim 1, in which said means at the lower end of said pivot chute is formed in the shape of a cup
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination as recited in claim 2, in which the pivot chute is formed of a resilient material so as to permit a user to strike a ball, retained in the cup, with a golf club.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-12-10 | 1983-06-11 | 1983-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-10 | 1987-06-11 | 1987-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-10 | 1991-06-11 | 1991-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |