A Mobile Device to Launch a Golf Ball Pneumatically and Play Golf [Robogolfer]
This invention discloses a mobile device similar to a golf-club-bag pull cart that transports a golf-ball pneumatic launcher [Robogolfer]. The launcher propels a golf ball in a manner similar to striking it with a golf club. Robogolfer allows an individual unskilled or physically handicapped in swinging a golf club to play golf. The operator positions the device where a golf shot is desired and points the barrel in the direction of the shot. The trajectory and distance of the golf shot is controlled by the angle of loft and pneumatic pressure of the golf-ball launcher. Pressurized gas is instantaneously released into the barrel of the launcher by a dump valve, thus propelling the golf ball forward on the golf course. Since skill is required in selecting the direction, loft, and distance for each golf shot launched, individuals can use Robogolfer to play golf competitively on a standard golf course.
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Golf is an exceedingly popular sport internationally. It provides players healthy exercise and the pleasure of competition and skill enhancement. Participation in the sport of golf requires special skills on the part of the player. Because considerable time and money is necessary to acquire these skills the opportunity to play golf is not available to most individuals. Also, certain handicapped individuals are prohibited from playing conventional golf. The present invention provides an individual unskilled or handicapped in swinging a golf club an opportunity to play golf on a conventional golf course.
Robotics have been applied to golf for a variety of purposes. Davies et al. [U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,711,388; 5,944,132] and Romy [DE19941807] describe an autonomous personal service robotic golf caddy. Toru [JP32446] describes a robotic caddy that in addition to transporting the golfer's clubs displays useful information for the golfer. Commercial versions of robotic golf caddies are available that follow the golfer around the course (Shedda Robotic Electric Golf Caddy/Cart (Gettig Engineering and Manufacturing Company, Spring Mills, Pa.). A hands-free golf-ball teeing device has been patented by Bacon [U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,804]. Andreae, Jr. et al. have patented a power assisted adapter for pull-type golf club bag carrying carts [U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,470 B1].
A variety of patents relating to robotic control of a golf-club swing have been issued [Hiroshi et al., JP2001190729; Akio et al., JP2002224246; Hamilton, U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,030; Kamato, JP6210038]. Golf club manufacturers utilize robots to test their equipment. Kun-Lin Chien describes a golf bombarding testing machine that propels golf balls toward a club to test club durability [U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,497,650; 6,415,1671 B1]. Commercial versions of ball cannon robotics are available to propel golf balls at precise points on the golf clubface testing the dimensional stability of the club. Loft, lie, and swinging robots are also available commercially to test clubs and golf balls [Burrows Golf, Inc., Valencia, Calif. 91355].
Robotics departments at universities have challenged students to develop a variety of robotic devices in their laboratories that play golf. These devices have generally been constructed out of LEGO components and operate only in a small area. Besson [FR2689409] and Rowland [U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,058] have patented miniaturized robotic golf games. Plattsburgh University challenges students to build a robotic golf ball locater and retriever for the visually impaired. The University of Texas asks students to build an autonomous robot capable of playing robo-golf over a 4 by 6 foot playing area. MIT challenges its students to build autonomous robots that can place golf balls in holes on a pre-designed table. Robotics Trade Organization which represents over 50 robotics manufacturers in the United States has challenged their membership to build a robot that can play golf autonomously on a conventional golf course. They have set down a number of criteria including the requirement that the robot swing a conventional golf club. Robots by Design (Louisville, Ky.) has modified one of its robots to swing an iron and hit a golf ball. The estimated cost of this robot is $250,000.
Handicapped golf has been played in the United Kingdom since World War I and more recently in the United States organizations have been formed to assist physically handicapped individuals play golf. The focus of these organizations has been to assist amputees swing a golf club. None of the previous art allows a severely handicapped person unskilled or unable to swinging a golf club to play on a golf course in a competitive manner.
Pneumatic launching devices (paint ball guns and air cannons) have been used to propel a variety of missiles including paint balls, potato plugs, T-shirts, and golf balls. All these devices have basic similarities in that pressurized gas is abruptly released by means of a valve into a barrel where it propels objects out of the barrel at different velocities and distances. A variety of patents have been issued covering pneumatic-gun devices to propel balls [U.S. patents: Fujimoto, U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,176 B1; Juan, U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,092 B2; Gardner, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,707; Lotuaco, III, U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,736; Lucus, U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,483; Williams, U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,982; Kotsiooulos, U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,778; Henderson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,662,729]. Simpler air cannons have been developed that do not have bolt actions like a gun. Among these are Spudguns that can launch potato plugs, tennis balls, and T-shirts by releasing compressed gas (air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen) abruptly by the activation of a quick-release dump valve into a barrel containing the projectile. Pneumatic devices have been described for launching golf balls to strike golf clubs in order to test their integrity [U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,497,650; 6,415,671 B1].
None of the present art describes a method of launching a golf ball pneumatically in a manner similar to striking it with a golf club where the direction, loft, and distance traveled by the ball is controlled by the operator. Such a device would enable a large population of individuals presently unable to play golf to participate in this popular sport.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention provides a means for individuals unskilled or handicapped in swinging a golf club to play golf on a conventional golf course. The mobile golf-ball launching device, Robogolfer 1, in this invention allows an individual to simulate a conventional golf shot by controlling the direction, loft, and distance of the golf ball when it is launched. The golf-ball launcher (
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the transport means 42 has an adjustable loft means (
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a pneumatic golf-ball launcher (
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, Robogolfer 1 is equipped with a rapid-release dump valve 19, pneumatically or electronically activated, by an actuator valve 21 that can instantaneously release pressurized gas into the air release channel 25 propelling the golf ball B out through the breech 27 and barrel 29. Such action allows a golf ball B to be propelled from the launcher barrel at a rapid velocity and for a considerable distance. In the preferred embodiment of this invention golf balls can be launched over 300 yards. The dump valve 19 can consist of one of several configurations known to the art such as a piston valve or diaphragm valve. The preferred valve for this invention is a piston valve activated by an actuating valve.
By utilizing the transport means 42, adjustable loft means (
The objective of this invention is to allow an individual unskilled or handicapped in swinging a golf club to launch a golf ball in a manner similar to striking it with a club and play golf on a conventional golf course. In order to realize this objective a mobile device has been invented consisting of a transport means 42 (FIGS. 8,9,10,11), a golf-ball launching means (
The Robogolfer 1 transport means 42 (FIGS. 8,9,10,11) provides a way to move the golf-ball launcher of Robogolfer to various sites on a golf course where a golf shot can be executed. Robogolfer has wheels 107 and an axel 101 for transportation and an adjustable loft means (FIGS. 12,13,14,15A,15B,16A,16B) that helps adjust the loft and direction of the golf shot and stabilizes Robogolfer 1 during a golf shot. The Robogolfer transport means (FIGS. 8,9,10,11) is similar to a golf-bag pull cart to which a casement 3,5 is attached to an upper 57 and lower 119 frame member. The casement 3,5 houses the golf-ball launcher which consists of an accumulator 13, compressor 7 with a removable/rechargeable battery pack 7′. The compressor 7 is connected 11 to the accumulator 13 which has a dump valve 19 that regulates the discharge of compressed gas from the accumulator 13 into the air release channel 25. An actuating valve 21 is connected to the dump valve 19. The Robogolfer transport means also has a display screen 47 (
The golf-ball launching means (
The Robogolfer transport means 42 has an adjustable loft means that allows the operator to precisely set Robogolfer 1 to simulate the loft of various golf shots (
The Robogolfer transport means 42 is constructed to facilitate movement of Robogolfer 1 and provide the proper loft for a golf shot, as well as, provide stability during the shot. To accomplish these goals the transport means 42 consists of an upper frame member 43 and lower transporter frame member 119 to which two parallel guide rails 73 are attached. Between the guide rails 73 there is an angle adjustment screw shaft 63 which is attached to the upper transport frame member 43 and lower transport frame member 87. Movement of the launch angle adjustment member upward causes the movement of the Robogolfer wheels 107 backward subsequently increasing the angle of loft of the Robogolfer barrel (
Pneumatic launching devices for solid projectiles can use blow forward or blow back technology. Blow forward designs do not use any hammers or bolts instead the gas that propels the projectile is fed directly into a chamber with the piston. When the launcher is fired the piston is released and the gas pressure pushes the projectile forward in one stroke. When the piston reaches the end of its travel, a spring pushes it back for another shot. Blow back technology uses a hammer or bolt that strikes against a valve. The valve releases two jets of gas. One jet blows down the barrel, propelling the object, while the other pushes the bolt back, re-cocking the launcher for the next shot.
A preferred embodiment of this invention (
The ball-launch switch 55 for Robogolfer can be either electronically, mechanically, or pneumatically activated. The ball-launch switch 55 activates the actuating valve 21 which releases a small volume of pressurized gas behind the piston in the dump valve 19 causing it to move rapidly backward opening the seal between the dump valve 19 and the air release channel 25. Consequently, the pressurized gas (air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen) in the accumulator 13 is rapidly dumped into the barrel 29 and propels the golf ball B out the barrel end. Following the shot the piston in the dump valve 19 is repositioned into its original position either by a spring or pneumatic force.
A manufacturer of Robogolfer can recommend predetermined lofts and pressures for making various golf shots. Operators of Robogolfer can also apply their own skills in selecting the proper direction, loft, and distance in executing a golf shot.
This invention does not exclude the use of mechanical rather than pneumatic force to propel the golf ball by the launching means. It is within the scope of this invention to automate, motorize, and computerize its launching means, transport means, alignment and loft control means, and velocity and distance control means. This invention also includes the adaptation of Robogolfer for games other than golf and target shooting, Robogolfer can be used to comparatively test golf balls. It is understood that new rules may be necessary for playing golf utilizing Robogolfer on a conventional golf course.
Claims
1. A mobile golf-ball launching device comprising
- a wheeled transport means that can move the components of the golf ball launcher over ground and a golf course;
- a means of launching a golf ball pneumatically attached to the transport means;
- a means of stabilizing and adjusting the loft angle the golf ball is launched;
- a means to control the amount of pneumatic force used to propel the golf ball and control the velocity and distance of the launch; and
- a means of setting the direction that the golf ball will be launched.
2. A mobile golf-ball launching device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means of transportation over ground is a wheeled device similar to a golf-bag pull cart.
3. A mobile golf-ball launching device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means of launching a golf ball is a pneumatic launcher that releases pressurized gas by means of a quick-release dump valve into a barrel containing a golf ball.
4. A transport means as set forth in claim 2 in which the loft is adjusted to a desired angle by a movable structure on the transport means.
5. A pressure control means as set forth in claim 1 in which the pressure released by a golf-ball launcher when a golf shot is made is regulated by a pressure sensor on the accumulator and an on/off switch on a compressor.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 14, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 2, 2005
Applicant: (Shepherdstown, WV)
Inventor: Charles Wilson (Shepherdstown, WV)
Application Number: 10/904,506