Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Anchored projectile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-05
2001-07-10
Nguyen, Kien T. (Department: 3712)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Anchored projectile
C473S146000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257989
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for practicing golf shots within a very limited space. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for estimating both the length and the accuracy of a practice golf shot.
There are a number of devices and methods presently available for practicing a golf swing and golf shots in a small area. Such devices and methods include a plastic or foam-rubber ball that does not travel very far, or a net or other restraining method to keep the ball from traveling too far. Although these types of devices and methods provide some degree of golf practice there is very little feedback regarding the effectiveness of the shot, namely the distance and accuracy of same.
A partial solution to the feedback problem is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,393 to Dennesen incorporated herein in full by reference. This patent discloses a device that allows for practicing golf shots in a limited area and the device includes elements that provide an estimate of the distance that the shot would travel. The invention disclosed in the patent includes a golf ball tethered to a rotatable axle and circuitry for calculating the estimated length of the shot from the initial velocity of the ball. The device provides feedback, in the form of displaying the estimated length on a display, to a practicing golfer. Except to the extent that the practicing golfer visually observes deviation of the ball from what would be a straight and accurate shot, this device does not provide very much feedback regarding the accuracy of the shot.
A device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,920 to Mangeri provides both distance and deviation estimates, however, such device requires overly sensitive instrumentation including a flexible disk and multiple strain gauges precisely located on the disk. The disk is mounted on the outside of the device and directly contacts a rope that is attached to a golf ball. The disk and the multiple strain gauges are susceptible to wear and failure from such direct contact. The assembly is further susceptible to the environment because the disk and strain gauge assembly must be exposed in order to contact the rope.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for practicing golf shots in a limited area. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that provides feedback as to accuracy of the practiced shot. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that provides feedback as to both distance and accuracy of the practiced shot. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such distance and accuracy feedback with simple and inexpensive parts and a durable design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects of the invention are achieved with an apparatus that includes a base, an axle mounted to the base, a golf ball attached to the axle and a sensor coupled to the axle for determining motion thereof for estimating a distance and a direction of the golf ball based upon motion of the axle. When the golf ball is struck by a golf club, the ball and axle attached thereto rotate around a pivot point provided by the base. Within approximately ninety degrees of the first rotation of the golf ball, the sensor detects the angle of the plane in which the ball is moving around the pivot point based upon a lateral motion of the axle. By determining the plane in which the ball initially or soon thereafter traveled, the deviation of the ball from a straight shot may be determined. The distance that the ball would have traveled is derived from the speed with which the axle rotates.
In another embodiment, an apparatus for estimating the accuracy of a practice golf shot includes a ball attached to an axle slidable along its axis, an axial sensor for detecting axial motion of the axle, and circuitry coupled to the axial sensor for converting the detected axial motion of the axle into an estimated direction of the practice golf shot. The apparatus further includes a display coupled to the circuitry for displaying the estimated direction of the practice golf shot. The axial sensor may further include an optical sensor that has a slotted element coupled to the axle and a first optical sensor that detects motion of the slotted element. A second optical sensor may be used to detect the direction of the motion of the slotted element. Other embodiments utilize an axial sensor with a strain gauge oriented such that the strain gauge is actuated upon axial motion of the axle. The apparatus may also include a rotation sensor for detecting angular motion of the axle, whereby the circuitry further converts the detected angular motion of the axle into an estimated distance of the practice golf shot.
The invention further includes a method for estimating the accuracy of a practice golf shot including providing a ball attached to an axle, detecting axial motion of the axle with an axial sensor, and converting the detected axial motion of the axle into an estimated direction of the practice golf shot.
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Dennesen James J.
Tortola Angelo
Choate Hall & Stewart
Dennco, Inc.
Jarrell, Esq. Brenda H.
Nguyen Kien T.
Pasternack, Esq. Sam
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