Geometrical instruments – Gauge – Circular size
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-02
2001-11-13
Fulton, Christopher W. (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
Circular size
C033S712000, C033S549000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314655
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to an automatic ball sizing device. More particularly, this invention relates to an automatic ball sizing device for measuring the diameter of a golf ball.
Heretofore, various types of devices have been known for measuring the diameter of a ball. In may cases, multiple measurements are taken of the diameter of the ball at different points on the surface of the ball and an average value is taken as the diameter of the ball.
In order to compensate for the dimples in measuring the diameter of a golf ball, it has been known to place the golf ball in a cup and to then position a sensor against the exposed surface of the ball in order to obtain a reading of the diameter of the ball. Since golf balls are not typically produced in a way consistent with perfect sphericity, the sensor is then removed, the ball rotated to a new position and the sensor then repositioned to obtain a second reading. These steps are repeated to obtain a series of readings which are then averaged to obtain a measurement of the ball diameter. However, such a technique is time-consuming and burdensome.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a relatively simple technique for accurately determining the diameter of a dimpled golf ball.
It is another object of the invention to provide a simple device for automatically obtaining the size of a golf ball.
Briefly, the invention provides an automatic ball sizing device which is comprised of a support defining a space for receiving a ball and a pair of gauges mounted on the support. The support is formed with four walls with a pair of the walls being disposed perpendicularly of each other to receive a ball thereon in point-to-point contact. In this way, two points of contact are established between the surface of the ball and the support.
Each gauge is mounted on a respective wall of the other pair of walls of the support for contacting a ball in point-to-point contact. Thus, the distance between the point of contact of the gauge with the ball and the point of contact of the surface of the ball with the opposite support wall establishes a measurement of the diameter of the ball. Each gauge is constructed to emit a signal representative of a measured deviation of the diameter of the ball from a predetermined diameter. Each gauge is also provided with a read out such as a digital display for displaying the plus or minus deviations from a zero reading. In this respect, a viewer can readily determine to what degrees the diameter of the ball being measured is greater or less than the standard diameter.
The information provided by the digital displays of the gauges may then be used to determine the diameter in accordance with the formula:
D
=(predetermined diameter)+(
D
1
+
D
2
)/2
Wherein D
1
is the value of the signal received from one gauge.
D
2
is the value of the signal received from the second gauge.
D is the calculated diameter, and the predetermined diameter is the standard diameter of the ball being measured.
In effect, for each measurement, the two gauges obtain two diameter deviation values for a given ball. These values are then incorporated into the above formula so that a diameter of the ball can be mathematically calculated.
A central processing unit may also be connected to the gauges in order to perform the calculation; however, the use of a central processing unit is not necessary.
A standardizing means, for example, in the form of a cylinder is also provided with the sizing device to establish a standard diameter for a ball and to calibrate each gauge to a zero position prior to sizing a ball. In this respect, the cylinder which is made of metal for long-lasting use is formed with a precise outside diameter. When used for calibrating the sizing device, the cylinder is slid into the ball-receiving space of the support so that the readings on the digital displays of the two gauges may each be set to zero in order to calibrate the gauges. Once the gauges have been calibrated, the cylinder is removed and a golf ball is inserted into the recess of the support so that any deviations of the diameter of the ball from the standard diameter are sensed and measured by the two gauges.
When the sizing device is being calibrated, signals are emitted from the gauges to the central processing unit so that the central processing unit is able to record the diameter of the standardizing cylinder. Subsequent signals which are received from the gauges during a ball sizing operation are thus a measure of the deviations of the diameter of the ball from the standardized diameter.
After a first pair of measurements is obtained, the ball may be rotated into another position to obtain subsequent pairs of measurements. For example, twelve pairs of measurements may be taken for one ball. The central processing unit is then able to calculate a statistical average of all of these measurements to obtain an accurate reading of the diameter.
Each gauge is spring loaded in that a sensing pin or the like is spring biased out of the gauge into the ball-receiving space of the support. In addition, the support is hollow from one end to the other so that a ball may be pushed through the space from one end of the support to the other end. For example, when sizing a ball, the ball is first pressed manually into the space against the bias of the spring loaded pins of the gauges. As the ball is passed through, the maximum values returned by the two gauges are recorded by the central processing unit which, in turn, calculates the corresponding diameter of the ball. Thus, the diameter of a ball may be measured in a relatively simple, fast and accurate manner in one pass through the support. There is no need to pull a ball out of the support as with previous sizing devices since the ball is easily pushed through the support. Also, there are no sensors to reposition and/or reset.
Once the cylinder is placed in the sizing device, the gauges are calibrated, for example, to a zero reading. Subsequent readings on the gauges for a ball then provide a measure of the deviation of the ball from the standard diameter. In effect, the central processing unit calculates the deviation of the ball from the standard diameter in order to obtain an output of the actual diameter of the ball.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1196789 (1916-09-01), Koelpin
patent: 3391465 (1968-07-01), Eidam
patent: 4240206 (1980-12-01), Baresh et al.
patent: 4596076 (1986-06-01), Sigg
patent: 4977682 (1990-12-01), Allen, III
patent: 5107853 (1992-04-01), Plyter
patent: 5351410 (1994-10-01), Hainneville
Quintavalla Steven J.
Thumm-Borst Henry
Carella, Byrne, Bain, Gilfillan, Cecchi etal.
Fulton Christopher W.
Hand Francis C.
United States Golf Association
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