Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Ball feeding means and tee
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-30
2002-04-09
Wong, Steven (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Ball feeding means and tee
C473S166000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06368229
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a system for dispensing golf balls. More particularly, it refers to a system for cleaning, automatically transporting and dispensing golf balls to a golfer in a practice mode.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
practice golf ranges have proliferated during the past fifteen years because of the increased popularity of golf. The typical practice range uses a pick-up vehicle to retrieve practice balls. In most cases, the retrieved balls are washed and then either hand packed into wire baskets or fed by hand into a dispenser that dispenses a set number of balls in response to coins deposited into slots on the dispenser. This system is time consuming and service staff intensive.
A system is needed which will accelerate the delivery of golf balls from the pick-up vehicle to the dispenser without the need for intervention by several staff personnel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
I have invented a system for automatic direct delivery of retrieved golf balls from a cleaning station to multiple golf ball dispensers located at a practice range. My system commences at a cleaning station where golf balls have been deposited by the golf ball retriever or pick-up vehicle. After washing, the golf balls are rotated on a tray from which they fall into a channel where they are sucked up by air pressure and lifted in a tube to a height of about thirty feet, after which they fall by gravity at about 4 inches every ten feet to a diverter electromagnetically operated to direct the balls to two or more golf ball dispensers from which a player can obtain a basket of golf balls by depositing a coin into the dispensers.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1229979 (1917-06-01), Kyle
patent: 2670835 (1954-03-01), Huttmann
patent: 3314679 (1967-04-01), Kolln
patent: 3407932 (1968-10-01), Northoff
patent: 3599980 (1971-08-01), Harmond, et al.
patent: 3797827 (1974-03-01), Child
patent: 5033642 (1991-07-01), Hooghiemstra
patent: 5145176 (1992-09-01), Lipson
patent: 5163677 (1992-11-01), Foley
patent: 5439224 (1995-08-01), Bertoncino
patent: 5738593 (1998-04-01), Coury et al.
patent: 5766085 (1998-06-01), Knez
patent: 6287212 (2001-09-01), Wetherell et al.
Larson James E.
Larson & Larson P.A.
Wong Steven
LandOfFree
Golf ball delivery system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Golf ball delivery system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Golf ball delivery system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2876574