US4660039A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for locating a sport object
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-02-14
•
Granted: 1987-04-21
•
Expires: 2005-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A locating system for sport objects where the user carries an r.f. transmitter, and the sport object has a conductive stripe thereon which increases the load on the transmitter as it moves closer to the sport object. The conductive stripe has an effective length of one-quarter wavelengths at the signal frequency to act as a tuned antenna.
Inventors
- 👤 Mary S. Barricks
- 👤 Robert A. Yereance
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:40
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B43/00; A63B24/00; A63B24/0021; G; G01; G01V; G01V15/00; A63B2024/0053; A63B2225/00; A63B2225/50; A63B2225/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for providing improved locating abilities for sports projectiles of the type to be propelled at great distances from the user, said apparatus comprising: (a) signal generating means for providing a single frequency signal within a predetermined band of frequencies; (b) antenna means coupled to said signal generating means for radiating said electrical signal; (c) indicating means responsive to the signal generating means for indicating changes in magnitude of the generated signal; (d) a sports projectile having an outer surface; and (e) conductive strip means affixed to the outer surface of said sports projectile, said conductive strip means increasing the load on said generating means when encountered by the signal radiated from said antenna means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for providing improved locating abilities for sports projectiles of the type to be propelled at great distances from the user, said apparatus comprising: (a) signal generating means for providing a single frequency signal within a predetermined band of frequencies; (b) antenna means coupled to said signal generating means for radiating said electrical signal; (c) indicating means responsive to the signal generating means for indicating changes in magnitude of the generated signal; (d) a sports projectile having an outer surface; and (e) conductive strip means affixed to the outer surface of said sports projectile, said conductive strip means increasing the load on said generating means when encountered by the signal radiated from said antenna means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said conductive strip means comprises at least one conductive stripe located on the outer surface of said sports projectile, said strip having an effective length that is N quarter wavelengths at a frequency within said band, where N is an integer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said conductive strip means comprises at least three conductive strips located on said sports projectiles, said strips being angularly disposed thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said conductive strip means comprises three conductive strips each having first and second ends with an effective length of one-quarter wavelength, said stripes being disposed at 120 degree angles on the surface of said sports projectile with said first and second ends of the three strips being interconnected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said conductive strip means comprises three conductive strips encircling said sports projectile and disposed at right angles on the surface thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said antenna means has a length that is N quarter wavelengths at a frequency within said band, where N is an integer, the electrical load on said antenna being increased by the proximity thereof to the sports projectile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said sport projectile is spherical in shape with a diameter that is N Quarter wavelengths at a frequency within said band, where N is an integer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 further comprising frequency adjusting means coupled to the signal generator for varying the frequency of the signal within the predetermined band.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sports projectile is spherical having a diameter that is N quarter wavelengths at a frequency within said band where N is an integer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said conductive strip means comprises at least one conductive strip located on the outer surface of said projectile and having an arc length of 180 degrees.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said conductive strip means comprises three conductive strips each having an arc length of 180 degrees and angularly disposed at 120 degrees on the surface of said projectile.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said conductive strip means comprises at least one circumferential conductive strip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said conductive strip means comprises three mutually perpendicular circumferential conducting strips.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
A sports projectile having apparatus affixed thereto for location by a source of electrical signals having a selected frequency, said projectile comprising: (a) an outer surface bounding the peripheral region of said projectile; and (b) at least one conducting strip formed on the outer surface of the sports projectile, said conducting strip having an effective length that is N quarter wavelengths at the selected frequency, where N is an integer, said conductive strip increasing the electrical load on the signal source when the distance therebetween is reduced.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
A sports projectile having apparatus affixed thereto for location by a source of electrical signals having a selected frequency, said projectile comprising: (a) an outer surface bounding the peripheral region of said projectile; and (b) at least one conducting strip formed on the outer surface of the sports projectile, said conducting strip having an effective length that is N quarter wavelengths at the selected frequency, where N is an integer, said conductive strip increasing the electrical load on the signal source when the distance therebetween is reduced.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The sports projectile of claim 14 wherein said outer surface is spherical with a diameter that is N quarter wavelengths at the selected frequency, where N is an integer, and said at least one conductive strip defines an arc of 180 degrees on the spherical surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The sports projectile of claim 15 further comprising three conducting strips formed on said spherical surface, and each defining an arc of 180 degrees on the spherical surface and being angularly disposed at 120 degrees in relation to each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sports projectile of claim 15 further comprising three conductive strips each of which encircles the spherical surface and is mutually perpendicular with the other strips thereon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The sports projectile of claim 14 wherein said outer surface is spherical with a diameter that is N quarter wavelengths at the selected frequency, where N is an integer, and said at least one conductive strip encircles the spherical surface.
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) | 1990-04-20 | 1990-10-20 | 1991-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-20 | 1994-10-20 | 1995-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-20 | 1998-10-20 | 1999-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |