GOLF DISC
A golf disc assembly includes a disc configured for flying upon being cast into the air and a sonic finding unit which is attached to the disc and which emits a sonic locating signal after the sonic finding unit conducts a delay of a predetermined amount of time.
This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/239,258, entitled “SONIC FINDING GOLF DISC”, filed Sep. 2, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to flying objects, and, more particularly, to golf discs.
2. Description of the Related Art
Disc golf is an international recreational and professional sport. The game is similar to the traditional game of golf, except the “ball” is a flying disc thrown by the player and the “hole” is a basket or other predetermined target. Once thrown, a traditional disc must be found visually. Fairways of established disc golf courses must be suitably mowed and maintained to allow for visual finding of discs during play.
Disc golf courses are often located in multi-use parks that invariably have some fairways with closely adjacent rough areas with tall grass, thick leaves, or brush. Discs thrown into these types of roughs are difficult to find and are often lost. A lost golf disc delays the game while the player(s) search, and if not found, the lost disc must be replaced with a new purchase. Many internet web sites exist with pages dedicated to “lost and found” golf discs.
In addition to the annoyance and expense of losing golf discs on established courses, the locations where the traditional golf disc can be played is currently limited to public and private parks having large mowed areas allowing for visual finding of thrown discs. This prevents establishment of courses in otherwise available public natural areas because they do not permit or desire large areas to be mowed for suitable disc golf fairways. Those same currently unavailable natural areas for the game of golf disc are often under-used, with their managers desiring to increase public access.
What is needed in the art is a golf disc which carries a sonic beacon in a suitable manner, the sonic beacon being delay-activated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a golf disc which carries a sonic beacon in a suitable manner, the sonic beacon being delay-activated.
The invention in one form is directed to a golf disc assembly which includes a disc configured for flying upon being cast into the air and a sonic finding unit which is attached to the disc and which emits a sonic locating signal after the sonic finding unit conducts a delay of a predetermined amount of time.
The invention in another form is directed to a method of using a golf disc assembly, the method including the steps of: providing a disc with a sonic finding unit attached thereto; flying the disc upon casting the disc into the air; conducting a delay of a predetermined amount of time by the sonic finding unit; and emitting, by the sonic finding unit, a sonic locating signal after the sonic finding unit conducts the delay.
An advantage of the present invention is that the sonic golf disc makes possible the development of courses in natural areas without detriment to the conservation values the park seeks to promote. For example, in a public park managed for tall grass prairie it would be improbable and extremely frustrating to play traditional disc golf because most throws will result in a visually lost disc. However, within this same natural area, a sonic finding golf disc makes enjoyable play possible along already established hiking trails, with thrown discs easily found in adjacent roughs by way of the sonic beacon.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a golf disc with an attachment device that can be used to attach not only a sonic finding unit but also a variety of other accessories, such as, for example, a light element.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a fully functional sonic finding unit and method for incorporating the sonic finding unit into the structure of a golf disc.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReferring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
Sonic finding unit 24 is attached to disc 22. Sonic finding unit 24 is a unit which emits a sound (a sonic locating signal 28) so that disc assembly can be found by way of the emitted sound. Thus, sonic finding unit 24 emits sonic locating signal 28 (the sound/noise, which can also be referred to as a sonic beacon 28) which is loud enough to enable a person with normal hearing abilities to hear the sound from at least 50 feet to 100 feet away from sonic finding unit 24 for average conditions (or at least 120 decibels ten centimeters away from sonic finding unit 24); the sound 28 should not be so loud that the sound 28 is audible at the tee by following disc golfers. Upon hearing sonic locating signal 28, the person can locate disc assembly 20. Traditional golf discs are often visually lost during play on fairways with adjacent difficult natural or rough areas such as tall grass, heavy leaves, or brush. The present invention solves this problem. Thus, if the disc 22 is equipped with sonic finding unit 24, the disc 22 can be easily found through audible ways in those same conditions. Further, sonic finding unit 24 emits sonic locating signal 28 after sonic finding unit 24 conducts a delay of a predetermined amount of time. The delay can be considered a countdown to initiating emission of sonic locating signal 28. Disc 22 is designed to retain and protect sonic finding unit 24 from damage during play without significantly affecting the flight capabilities and aerodynamic qualities of disc 22. Sonic finding unit 24 can be small, lightweight, weight balanced and built into a water and shock resistant round low profile disc 22 or shell/case 32 which can optionally be wafer-shaped and plastic. Disc assembly 20 can use a lower end weight discs 22. Though the weight of disc assembly 20 can be very minimal, the reduction on gyroscopic effect from the centered rotational mass can be offset by selecting a disc 22 from models that already have the lightest interior centered mass so that the added unit and connector mass is offset by the comparatively increased weight at outer edge (rim 26) of discs 22. Sonic finding unit 24 can be formed so as not to exceed ten grams total weight.
According to one embodiment of sonic finding unit 24, sonic finding unit 24 includes a printed circuit board 34, a first switch 36, a battery holder 38, a battery 40 attached to said battery holder 38, and a programmable sonic beacon and timer device 42.
First switch 36, battery holder 38, and sonic beacon and timer device 42 are mounted to printed circuit board 34. Printed circuit board 34 is a frame or substrate which mechanically supports first switch 36, battery holder 38, and sonic beacon and timer device 42. Printed circuit board 34 can include electrical circuitry 44 which electrically powers any of the components of sonic finding unit 24 which are or can be powered by electricity 44 (such as any of the components of sonic finding unit 24 shown in the drawings).
Sonic beacon and timer device 42 is programmable and thus includes a controller 50. Sonic beacon and timer device 42 is electronic. Sonic beacon and timer device 42 further includes a sounder 52 (which can also be referred to as a sonic beacon, a noisemaker) and a timer 52. Sonic beacon and timer device 42 can further include a housing 56 which wholly or at least partly encloses sounder 52, timer 54, and a controller which controls the interrelationship of sounder 52 and timer 54. The controller of device 42, sounder 52, and timer 54 can be electrically powered by battery 40. The controller of device 42 can be controller 50 shown in
Sonic finding unit 24 is configured for emitting at least one initial signal 30 when first switch 36 is activated (when switch 36 is turned on to power sonic finding unit 24) and thereby for indicating a power level of battery 40. Initial signal 30 is different from sonic locating signal 28. Initial signal 30 can be a sound 30A produced by sounder 52, this sound being of relatively short duration; thus, sonic beacon and timer device 42 is configured for emitting at least one sonic signal 30A as at least one initial signal 30. Initial signal 30 can be used to indicate that sonic finding unit 24 is on, functioning, and has sufficient battery strength. If battery strength is low, then initial sonic signal 30A can have a correspondingly weaker sound than if battery 40 is at full strength; in other words, lower voltage from battery 40 causes sounder 52 to emit a weaker sound (both for the initial sonic signal 30A and for sonic locating signal 28). Initial signal 30 can be any variety of sonic signals of various durations. Sonic finding unit 24 can optionally include a light element 48 which is attached to printed circuit board 34 such that initial signal 30 can be a light 30B produced by light element 48, this light 30B being of relatively short duration or being continuous; thus, sonic finding unit 24 includes light element 48 which is mounted to printed circuit board 34 and is configured for emitting a light signal 30B as at least one initial signal 30 alternatively or in addition to the initial sonic signal 30A. Light element 48 can optionally be controlled by controller 50. Thus, sonic finding unit 24 can be provided such that when sonic finding unit 24 is activated sonic finding unit 24 does not audibly sound but instead displays a light 30B from light element 48 to indicate that sonic finding unit 24 is on and has sufficient battery strength. As the initial signal 30, light 30B of light element 48 can be displayed to indicate that sonic finding unit 24 is on, functioning, and has sufficient battery strength. A low battery strength could be indicated by light element 48 not illuminating or a distinctive sound when battery strength is near exhaustion. Light element 48 can be reasonably impact/shock resistant and reasonably water resistant to dews or lightly wet surfaces. Light element 48 can be a bright light emitting diode (LED) device or other low energy high lumen light. Light element 48 can be situated so that light element 48 can shine through both top and bottom of case of sonic finding unit 24. Further, a small LED light element 48 can blink to confirm sonic finding unit 24 is on, that the time delay countdown has started, and that sufficient power exists for the audible sound/alarm 28. If sonic finding unit 24 is turned off, the LED light element 48 can be off as well. Optionally, if battery power is low but sounder 52 is still operable, then LED light element 48 can come on but not blink. Alternatively, a lighted display 62 (such as a liquid crystal display 62) can serve as the light element of the present invention which provides the initial light signal 30B which confirms disc assembly 20 is ready to be thrown.
Sonic beacon and timer device 42 is configured for initiating the delay when first switch 36 is activated (when first switch 36 and thus sonic finding unit 24 is turned on). Alternatively, sonic beacon and timer device 42 is configured for initiating the delay when a second switch 58 of sonic finding unit 24 is selectively activated following first switch 36 being activated, as shown in
According to another embodiment of the present invention, light element 48 can emit a light signal 60 when sonic locating signal 28 is actuated, the light signal 60 being a repeating light or a continuous light. Stated another way, light element 48 can actuate at the same time as the repeating sonic beacon 28 (sonic locating signal 28) actuates. Thus, both sound and light can be used by end-user to locate disc assembly 20. Light element 48 can optionally be controlled by controller 50. Light element 48 can be a colored light.
Disc 22 includes a first wall 64 and a second wall 66. First wall 64 is disc 22 less second wall 66. Second wall 66 can be formed monolithically with first wall 64 by way of injection molding, first and second walls 64, 66 being made of the same plastic material (such as urethane); all of retaining cup 72 can be made of the same plastic material, such as urethane. First wall 64 includes an underside 68 and a rim 26. Rim 26 is the outer circumferential portion 26 of first wall 64. Second wall 66 depends from underside 68 and thus extends below underside 68. Second wall 66 includes an inside surface 70. First and second walls 64, 66 together at least partly form a retaining cup 72. Retaining cup 72 is shown in broken lines in
Retaining cup 72 defines an interior space 82 and includes a retention feature 78, 80 which retains sonic finding unit 24 entirely within interior space 82. As shown in
Second wall 66 of disc 22 protects the electronics of sonic finding unit 24 from underside strikes with ground objects during landing and elevated objects during flight. Objects or protrusions positioned on underside 68 of disc assembly 20 that are above (as disc assembly 20 is oriented in
According to one alternative of retention feature, retention feature 78, 80 includes a ramped projection 78 projecting inwardly from inside surface 70 into interior space 82. Ramped projection 78 is essentially a triangular structure including a ramped section and a bottom section which is generally parallel with first wall 64. The ramped section slopes radially inwardly from second wall 66 into interior space 82 in a direction running from the distal end of second wall 66 toward the proximal end of second wall 66 (the proximal end being that portion of second wall 66 which is attached to first wall 64), ramped projection 78 thereby providing that retaining cup 72 can easily receive at least a portion of sonic finding unit 24. While
Capture groove 84 can be sized to provide space between printed circuit board 34 and first wall 64, that space being sized to hold a shock-absorbing element 86 (which can also be referred to as a shock-absorbing pad 86). Thus, disc assembly 20 can further include shock-absorbing element 86 positioned within interior space 82 between sonic finding unit 24 and first wall 64.
According to another alternative of retention feature 78, 80 as shown in
According to another embodiment of disc assembly 20 as shown in
According to another embodiment of the present invention, components of sonic finding unit 24 are placed about the circumference 26 (more specifically, rim 26) of disc 22, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Sonic finding unit 24, as shown by
According to another embodiment of the present invention, sonic finding unit 24 can be provided that when activated emits any variety of sonic signals of various durations to indicate that sonic finding unit 24 is on and has sufficient battery strength.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, sonic finding unit 24 can be provided that has timing and sounding components that are entirely mechanical and driven by a wind-up spring and timing gears. This embodiment is not shown.
In use according to one embodiment of the present invention, sonic finding unit 24 of the golf disc assembly 20 is activated by way of on-off first switch 36 prior to throwing disc assembly 20. Upon activation of first switch 36, sonic finding unit 24 can be programmed (for example, programmed by the manufacturer) to emit one audible initial sonic signal 30A of one second duration to indicate that sonic finding unit 24 is on and has sufficient battery strength. Upon first switch 36 being activated or after initial sonic signal 30A sounds, sonic finding unit 24 can be programmed (for example, programmed by the manufacturer) to automatically begin the timed silent countdown (which is the predetermined time delay) to allow undisturbed throws by multiple disc golf players; the timed silent countdown has a predetermined duration, which can be, for example, sixty seconds. After disc assembly 20 has been thrown and the silent countdown expires, sonic finding unit 24 can be programmed (for example, by the manufacturer) to begin emitting a one second sonic beacon 28 (i.e., a noise)—sonic locating signal 28—which repeats every five seconds to allow the player to locate disc assembly 20 audibly. Thus, the repeating sonic locating signal 28 is delay-actuated, and can be so delay-actuated through use of a programmed electronic timer 54 operating within sonic finding unit 24 (specifically, within sonic beacon and timer device 42). Once the time delay expires, sounder 52 of sonic beacon and timer device 42 is electronically actuated and programmed to continue repeating sonic locating signal 28 until the end-user audibly locates disc assembly 22 and deactivates sonic finding unit 24. That is, sonic finding unit 24 continues emitting the repeating sonic beacon 28 (sonic locating signal 28) until the player finds golf disc assembly 20 and deactivates sonic finding unit 24 by returning first switch 36 to the “off” position.
The present invention further provides a method of using a golf disc assembly 20. The method includes the steps of: providing a disc 22 with a sonic finding unit 24 attached thereto; flying the disc 22 upon casting the disc into the air; conducting a delay of a predetermined amount of time by sonic finding unit 24; and emitting, by sonic finding unit 24, a sonic locating signal 28 after sonic finding unit 24 conducts the delay. Sonic finding unit 24 can include printed circuit board 34, first switch 36, battery holder 38, battery 40 attached to battery holder 38, and programmable sonic beacon and timer device 42, first switch 36, battery holder 38, and sonic beacon and timer device 42 being mounted to printed circuit board 34. The method can further include (a) selectively activating and deactivating, using first switch 36, sonic finding unit 24 and thereby selectively activating and deactivating sonic beacon and timer device 42, (b) emitting, by sonic finding unit 24, at least one initial signal 28 when first switch 36 is activated and thereby indicating a power level of battery 40, and (c) initiating the delay using sonic beacon and timer device 42 when first switch 42 is activated or when a second switch 58 of sonic finding unit 24 is selectively activated following first switch 36 being activated, and (d) emitting, by sonic beacon and timer device 42, sonic locating signal 28 after sonic beacon and timer device 42 conducts delay and until switch 36 is deactivated.
The embodiments of the present invention provide for a simple manufacturing process to attach electrical-mechanical components into golf disc 22. Instead of a complex process of molding components into disc, the present invention provides easily achieved modifications to a golf disc 22 for reliable and simple ways of attachment as part of a final assembly 20. In addition, the design of retaining cup 72 and related systems provide the highest level of protection of the components of sonic finding unit 24 from direct and indirect impact during play. The methods, structures, and/or ways disclosed herein for attaching an electrical-mechanical accessory to a golf disc 22 describe systems that are uniquely advantageous to the manufacturing process, uniquely advantageous to the survivability of the accessory components, and uniquely advantageous to the ability to add such components to a disc 22 with minimal or no loss of flight integrity. Therefore, the described ways for attaching accessories and their components to golf discs 22 are intended to cover not only attachment of the sonic finding device 24 described herein, but use of those ways for attaching any other accessory built into a recreational disc 22, including, but not limited to, other possible accessories for use with golf discs such as IR locating chips, remotely activated finding devices, and lighting units. While several particular embodiments of the present invention have been described, numerous modifications could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the type of battery, volume and pattern of sonic beacon, length of silent countdown (the predetermined time delay), various controls, status indicators of the components of sonic finding unit 24, shape of sonic finding unit 24, type of frame or case and shape thereof which hold the components of sonic finding unit 24, shape of retaining cup 82, shape of projections 78, 80 within retaining cup 72 and printed circuit board 34 can all be modified without significantly altering the overall structures described herein. The present invention is intended to cover all such changes and modifications. The ways of attachment described herein are for the purpose of retaining and protecting any type of electrical and/or mechanical device within a disc 22, including lights, noisemakers, or other types of finding systems. The present invention also applies not just to discs 22 used in the game of disc golf but also to any other recreational throwing disc.
While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A golf disc assembly, comprising:
- a disc configured for flying upon being cast into the air; and
- a sonic finding unit which is attached to said disc and which emits a sonic locating signal after said sonic finding unit conducts a delay of a predetermined amount of time.
2. The golf disc assembly according to claim 1, wherein said sonic finding unit includes a printed circuit board, a first switch, a battery holder, a battery attached to said battery holder, and a programmable sonic beacon and timer device, said first switch, said battery holder, and said sonic beacon and timer device being mounted to said printed circuit board.
3. The golf disc assembly according to claim 2, wherein said first switch is configured for selectively activating and deactivating said sonic finding unit and thereby for selectively activating and deactivating said sonic beacon and timer device, said sonic finding unit configured for emitting at least one initial signal when said first switch is activated and thereby for indicating a power level of said battery, said sonic beacon and timer device configured for initiating said delay one of when said first switch is activated and when a second switch of said sonic finding unit is selectively activated following said first switch being activated, said sonic beacon and timer device emitting said sonic locating signal after said sonic beacon and timer device conducts said delay and until said first switch is deactivated.
4. The golf disc assembly according to claim 3, wherein at least one of:
- (a) said sonic beacon and timer device is configured for emitting at least one sonic signal as at least one said initial signal, and
- (b) said sonic finding unit includes a light element which is mounted to said printed circuit board and is configured for emitting a light signal as at least one said initial signal.
5. The golf disc assembly according to claim 3, wherein said disc includes a first wall and a second wall, said first wall including an underside and a rim, said second wall depending from said underside, said first and second walls together at least partly forming a retaining cup, said retaining cup defining an interior space and including a retention feature which retains said sonic finding unit entirely within said interior space, said rim defining a substantially horizontal plane which is positioned entirely below said second wall when said disc is in an upright position.
6. The golf disc assembly according to claim 5, further including a shock-absorbing element positioned within said interior space between said sonic finding unit and said first wall.
7. The golf disc assembly according to claim 5, wherein said second wall includes an inside surface, said retention feature of said retaining cup including a ramped projection projecting inwardly from said inside surface into said interior space and retaining said sonic finding unit within said interior space.
8. The golf disc assembly according to claim 5, wherein said retention feature of said retaining cup includes a projection projecting inwardly from said underside of said first wall into said interior space, said printed circuit board defining a through-hole which receives said projection and thereby attaches said sonic finding unit to said disc.
9. The golf disc assembly according to claim 3, wherein said sonic finding unit includes a waterproof case which encloses said printed circuit board, said first switch, said battery holder, said battery, and said sonic beacon and timer device.
10. The golf disc assembly according to claim 3, wherein said sonic finding unit is attached to said disc not by way of a retaining cup but by way of one of (a) a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners, (b) a friction tape, and (c) an adhesive.
11. The golf disc assembly according to claim 1, wherein said disc includes a circumferential portion, said sonic finding unit including a first switch, a battery holder, a battery attached to said battery holder, and a programmable sonic beacon and timer device, said first switch, said battery holder, and said sonic beacon and timer device being distributed about and attached to said circumferential portion, said first switch, said battery, and said sonic beacon and timer device being electrically coupled with one another, said first switch configured for selectively activating and deactivating said sonic finding unit and thereby for selectively activating and deactivating said sonic beacon and timer device, said sonic beacon and timer device configured for emitting at least one initial sonic signal when said first switch is activated and thereby for indicating a power level of said battery, said sonic beacon and timer device emitting said sonic locating signal immediately after said sonic beacon and timer device conducts said delay and until said first switch is deactivated.
12. The golf disc assembly according to claim 1, wherein said sonic finding unit includes a light element which emits a light signal when said sonic locating signal is actuated, said light signal being one of a repeating light and a continuous light.
13. The golf disc assembly according to claim 1, wherein said sonic finding unit includes a device configured for selectively setting said predetermined amount of time and thereby for selectively setting said delay.
14. The golf disc assembly according to claim 1, wherein said sonic finding unit includes a device configured for selectively setting a type of sound of said sonic locating signal.
15. The golf disc assembly according to claim 1, wherein said sonic finding unit includes a device configured for selectively setting a rate of sounding of said sonic locating signal.
16. The golf disc assembly according to claim 1, wherein said sonic finding unit includes a device configured for selectively setting a volume of said sonic locating signal one of to a constant level and to a level which increases over time.
17. The golf disc assembly according to claim 1, wherein said sonic finding unit includes a display configured for displaying at least one of a volume level of said sonic locating signal, a delay time countdown, and a battery power strength.
18. A method of using a golf disc assembly, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a disc with a sonic finding unit attached thereto;
- flying said disc upon casting said disc into the air;
- conducting a delay of a predetermined amount of time by said sonic finding unit; and
- emitting, by said sonic finding unit, a sonic locating signal after said sonic finding unit conducts said delay.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said sonic finding unit includes a printed circuit board, a first switch, a battery holder, a battery attached to said battery holder, and a programmable sonic beacon and timer device, said first switch, said battery holder, and said sonic beacon and timer device being mounted to said printed circuit board.
20. The method according to claim 19, further including (a) selectively activating and deactivating, using said first switch, said sonic finding unit and thereby selectively activating and deactivating said sonic beacon and timer device, (b) emitting, by said sonic finding unit, at least one initial signal when said first switch is activated and thereby indicating a power level of said battery, and (c) initiating said delay using said sonic beacon and timer device one of when said first switch is activated and when a second switch of said sonic finding unit is selectively activated following said first switch being activated, and (d) emitting, by said sonic beacon and timer device, said sonic locating signal after said sonic beacon and timer device conducts said delay and until said switch is deactivated.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 2, 2010
Publication Date: Mar 3, 2011
Inventor: Neal R. Lewis (Orland, IN)
Application Number: 12/874,535
International Classification: A63B 65/10 (20060101); A63B 65/00 (20060101); A63B 67/06 (20060101);