Pneumatic Patents (Class 473/135)
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Patent number: 11944888Abstract: System and method for launching a ball onto the ground of a playing field. The system includes an outlet chamber configured to receive the ball therein; an outlet conduit or frame configured to contain the outlet chamber and allow the same to move through the outlet conduit towards a second position on the ground; movement capability of the outlet chamber, connected to and configured to move the outlet chamber between at least the first position and the second position, where the outlet chamber includes an outlet mouth and launching means for launching the ball arranged in the outlet chamber. A field including the system is also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Inventor: Diego Roel Cardama
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Patent number: 10556166Abstract: An automatic batting training apparatus includes: a bottom part; a hopper assembly disposed on one side of the bottom part to sequentially discharge a plurality of balls stored therein; and a driving assembly disposed on the other side of the bottom part and including a transfer module adapted to transfer the balls discharged from the hopper assembly in a vertical direction and an ascending/descending module having a tee stand disposed movable upward and downward in such a manner as to allow the balls received from the transfer module to be seated one by one onto top thereof to perform tee batting.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Inventor: Moo Sung Kim
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Patent number: 8753217Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for correcting a head-up phenomenon during a golf swing, and more specifically to an apparatus for correcting a head-up phenomenon during a golf swing, which helps a golfer keep his or her eyes on the place where a golf ball to be struck is located, by making the ball ascend just before the impact only if the swing speed exceeds a pre-set value. According to the apparatus for correcting a head-up phenomenon especially during the golf tee-shot training, a golf ball either ascends above the ground or descends toward the ground from above just before the impact only if a down-swing is performed or only if the swing speed exceeds the pre-set value, such that the user may not suffer too much burden when swinging the golf ball placed on the tee.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Inventor: Jang Yeon Seong
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Patent number: 7959525Abstract: A dual composition polymeric device to be used as a golf tee, the device having a polymeric hollow stiff stem portion with an integral cone portion at its top end, a cone-shaped polymeric flexible face portion mechanically joined to the cone and stiff stem portion and an internal air passage through the center of the cone-shaped flexible face and a removable mechanical screw joining the cone-shaped flexible face portion with the stiff stem portion and its integral cone portion. The flexible face portion internal cone is made from a 50-85 durometer elastomer material and the stiff stem portion and its integral external cone is made from a 90-95 durometer elastomer material.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Inventor: Louis S. Brown
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Patent number: 7775897Abstract: An automatic tee-up device including a golf ball reservoir, a platform with a groove for a golf ball to travel from the reservoir to a tee, and a ball ejector disposed to eject golf balls one at a time from the reservoir onto the groove. The tee is movable from below a level of the golf ball in the groove to above the level of the golf ball in the groove. After the golf ball is ejected by the ejector, the golf ball travels on the groove to the tee and is raised by the tee into a position suitable for striking with a golf club.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Inventor: Donald R Jones
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Publication number: 20090111597Abstract: Disclosed is a golf swing training machine, which allows a golf beginner to comfortably strike a golf ball in a stable mental state without a burden from the golf ball, thus allowing the golf beginner to effectively master a swing posture in a short period of time. In the golf swing training machine, a tee having a golf ball laid thereon and a tee having no golf ball laid thereon are alternately located at a striking point, or one tee is provided at the striking point such that a golf ball is not laid on the tee during aiming and then is laid on the tee just before a point of the striking time, thereby allowing a trainee to aim at the tee having no golf ball during aiming and thus to strike the golf ball in a stable mental state.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventor: Joong-Hoon Nam
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Patent number: 7252595Abstract: A semi-automatic teeing device includes a cylindrical housing having a gas inlet port connectable to a gas pressure source; a removable cover for sealed engagement with the housing so as to define therewith a sealable container; a tee mounted within a central support portion of the cover; air-pressure-operated apparatus located within the container for moving the tee between an at-rest position, and a primed position in which the tee supports a practice golf ball at a useful height; and an air-pressure control, responsive to the presence of a practice golf ball on the tee, to substantially seal the container so as to activate the air-pressure-operated apparatus to move the tee from the at-rest position to the primed position and operative, upon removal of the ball from the tee, to release the air pressure within the container, thereby to permit the return of the tee to the at rest position.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Airtee Ltd.Inventor: Shay Regev
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Patent number: 7018300Abstract: An automatic golf ball teeing up device for use by a golfer at driving ranges, and other facilities. The teeing up device includes a pair of holding cylinders, a pneumatic cylinder, and a photoelectric sensor in communication with a timer and relay. A holding cage and tube gravity feed golf balls one at a time past the holding cylinders into a loading chamber. The pneumatic cylinder has a piston rod having a tee thereon, which extends upwardly through the loading chamber to tee up the golf ball. The photoelectric sensor has a photoelectric eye and reflector axially aligned with the teed up golf ball therebetween. When the golf ball is removed from the tee, the photoelectric eye and reflector connect to signal the timer and relay to actuate the holding cylinders and pneumatic cylinder to feed and tee another golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Inventor: Christopher Peter Paicos
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Publication number: 20040259652Abstract: An automatic golf ball teeing up device for use by a golfer at driving ranges, and other facilities. The teeing up device includes a pair of holding cylinders, a pneumatic cylinder, and a photoelectric sensor in communication with a timer and relay. A holding cage and tube gravity feed golf balls one at a time past the holding cylinders into a loading chamber. The pneumatic cylinder has a piston rod having a tee thereon, which extends upwardly through the loading chamber to tee up the golf ball. The photoelectric sensor has a photoelectric eye and reflector axially aligned with the teed up golf ball therebetween. When the golf ball is removed from the tee, the photoelectric eye and reflector connect to signal the timer and relay to actuate the holding cylinders and pneumatic cylinder to feed and tee another golf ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventor: Christopher Peter Paicos
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Publication number: 20040224782Abstract: A golf ball teeing device comprising, a platform having an upper surface, an opening in the platform, a tee for a golf ball the tee being arranged for reciprocal movement with respect to the opening between a lower position where the top of the tee is at a level below the upper surface of the platform to an upper position where the top of the tee is above upper surface of the platform, and golf ball deliver means arranged to load a golf ball on top of the tee when it is in the lower position, wherein the golf ball is at a level below the upper surface of the platform when it is loaded onto the tee by the golf ball delivery means.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Applicant: Tee Up Pty Ltd.Inventors: Franz Charles Eckhardt, Christopher Patrick Heffernan, James Francis Howe
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Patent number: 6666776Abstract: An automated tee device uses air pressure through a tee to determine whether a ball is rested on the tee or whether a next ball should be supplied. When a ball is in a rest position on the tee, the airflow through a passage within the tee is inhibited. Consequently, by determining the current condition of airflow through the tee, it can be determined whether a ball is rested on the tee or whether a next ball should be supplied. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, the tee can be adjusted to any height within a preselected vertical range. Upper and lower limit switches reverse the adjustment of a tee height in response to determining that the upper or the lower limit of the range has been reached. The automated tee device may be used in sports such as golf, baseball and softball.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Inventor: Hideo Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 6631828Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a golf/tee placement device having a housing 32 having a hopper 18 therein for the placement of a plurality of golf balls 14 and a canister for the placement of a plurality of tees 16. The housing uses compressed air to move a golf ball 14 and golf tee 16 away from the device and drive the tee 16 into the ground with the golf ball 14 placed thereon. Positioned on the exterior face of the housing 32 is a control panel 26 with user selectable variables such as the depth of the golf tee and the time duration for the placement of subsequent balls and tees. The device moves a tee 16 into the extending placement arm 22 using compressed air. In conjunction with the loading of the tee 16 a single ball 14 is released into the placement arm 22.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Inventor: Trisha Reardon
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Publication number: 20030162598Abstract: A golf ball teeing device (200) comprising, a platform (208) having an upper surface, an opening (213) in the platform, a tee (215) for a golf ball (212) the tee being arranged for reciprocal movement with respect to the opening between a lower position where the top of the tee is at a level below the upper surface of the platform to an upper position where the top of the tee is above upper surface of the platform, and golf ball delivery means (249) arranged to load a golf ball on top of the tee when it is in the lower position, wherein the golf ball is at a level below the upper surface of the platform when it is loaded onto the tee by the golf ball delivery means.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventors: Franz Charles Eckardt Jr, Franz Eckhardt Sr, Christopher Patrick Heffernan, James Francis Howe, Lawrence Adrian Roche
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Patent number: 6595863Abstract: A golf simulator has a flooring system comprising a tee area, a green area, a green-side area and a ball feed system adjacent the flooring system. From measurements taken when the ball is hit, the computer control system computes the next shot position of the ball after it is hit and the corresponding location on the flooring system. A ball feed system collects the ball into a ball feed chute and moves the ball toward a return gutter. When the ball contacts a gutter sensor, the sensor signals a gutter door to open, corresponding to a feed tube. The ball is sent down the return gutter and drops, at the position where the gutter door opened, into a feeding tube and a ball lifting mechanism positions a ball at the appropriate location on the flooring system. This process continues until a player finishes the hole. Accordingly, a player need not touch the golf ball, except when under penalty, more similar to an actual round of golf.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Par Action Golf, Inc.Inventors: Stephen B. Chamberlain, Charles W. Playforth, John C. Pfeiffer, James R. Kaiser
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Patent number: 6120383Abstract: An apparatus that positions a golf ball on a tee, retrieves and positions a new ball on the tee each time a golfer makes a tee shot. A bucket of balls is charged into the apparatus, and a ramp directs the balls, one at a time, to a tee loading station. Alternatively, balls can enter the tee loading station from an automatic ball dispensing machine by gravity or force-feed. As the tee rotates forward and down, the rotary tee action drives the tee into a ball in the tee loading station. The tee has a bore formed in it that communicates with a source of negative pressure so that a tee driven into contact with the ball is held to the tee by vacuum. The resulting increase in a vacuum line reconfigures a four way valve and activates a mechanism that rotates the tee and ball into a vertical position so that the golfer may strike the ball. The shot disconnects the ball from the tee, resulting in bleeding of the vacuum line, and reconfiguration of the four way valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1998Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Inventor: Louis S. Brown
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Patent number: 5916033Abstract: Disclosed is a device for teeing up golf balls having a hopper, a cycle start button, and an adjustable rubber tee. The hopper is operatively connected to the teeing up device to supply golf balls through the gravity fed supply tube to the rubber tee. The teeing up device comprises an air cylinder for raising and lowering in a cylinder tube to receive golf balls one at a time.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Inventor: William L. Doherty
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Patent number: 5738593Abstract: Air flowing in a transportation conduit delivers golf balls from a central repository to dispensers located throughout a driving range. An apparatus for introducing the golf balls into this flowing stream of air includes a valving system capable of introducing batches of balls in an air stream flowing in a substantially horizontal direction. The valving system is controlled by a compressor and timer. An optional vacuum system is provided to deliver the golf balls to the apparatus for introducing the golf balls into the air stream in those situations where gravity cannot be relied upon to deliver the golf balls to the entrance of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1997Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Airball Enterprises L.L.C.Inventors: Michael P. Coury, Philip S. Coury
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Patent number: 5685780Abstract: A golf cup is provided for securement to a golf practice putting platform wherein the cup comprises a cylinder defining a hollow chamber having a closed bottom end and a circular open top end. The securement means is provided adjacent the open top end for securing the golf cup to the putting platform. The golf cup is provided with a plurality of gadgetry, mechanically or electronically constructed, to induce laughter to one or more players playing the putting game on a miniature golf putting course. There is also provided a golf tee for securement to the practice putting platform and comprised of a cylinder having a hole therein for securement of a tee element which extends thereabove. The cylinder housing is detachable secured to a support base having securement means for securing the golf tee to the putting platform. Various gadgetry is also connected to the tee to further induce laughter to the players.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1996Date of Patent: November 11, 1997Inventor: Pierre Desjardins
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Patent number: 5662526Abstract: An automatic golf ball teeing machine is constructed around a housing that includes a substantially horizontal plate. A fluid pressure cylinder with an inlet and a piston above the inlet is attached to the housing under a hole in the plate. The piston is moveable between an advanced position and a retracted position, but is biased toward its retracted position. A tee is connected to the piston and is moveable with the piston between a loading position and a maximum height position in which a portion of the tee extends above the plate. A supply conduit sized to carry golf balls is attached to the housing with one end adjacent the tee when in its loading position. A source of high pressure fluid is connected to the inlet of the fluid pressure cylinder. A pressure regulating valve is positioned between the inlet and the source of high pressure fluid and is capable of adjusting pressure acting on the piston to balance the tee between its loading position and its maximum height position.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1996Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Inventor: Dave Sutherlin
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Patent number: 5645491Abstract: An automatic apparatus that positions a golf ball on a tee retrieves and positions a new ball on the tee each time a golfer makes a tee shot. A bucket of balls is charged into the apparatus, and a ramp directs the balls, one at a time, to a tee loading station. A plunger drives a ball in the tee loading station into contact with a horizontally positioned tee. The tee has a bore formed in it that communicates with a source of negative pressure so that a ball driven into contact with the tee by the plunger is held to the tee by a vacuum. The resulting increase in a vacuum line reconfigures a four way valve and activates a mechanism that rotates the tee and ball into a vertical position so that the golfer may make a tee shot. The shot disconnects the ball from the tee, resulting in bleeding of the vacuum line, and the drop in pressure reconfigures the four way valve. The valve activates a mechanism that returns the tee to its horizontal position so that it may retrieve another ball from the tee loading station.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1996Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Inventor: Louis S. Brown
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Patent number: 5643096Abstract: An apparatus is provided to detect the presence or absence of an object thereon in order to actuate a pneumatic circuit. In particular, the apparatus is directed to detecting the presence or absence of a golf ball on a tee of an automatic golf ball teeing apparatus. The sensing apparatus includes a plunger engaged with a tee on which the golf ball rests. The plunger has a groove formed therein. The groove of the plunger is operatively engaged with a lever of a valve of a pneumatic circuit to be actuated. The plunger rests on a spring such that when a golf ball is present, the spring is compressed and the groove and lever of the valve keep the valve in a closed position. When the object is absent, the spring forces the plunger, and thus the groove, into an operative position in which the lever of the valve causes the valve to vent air. When the valve vents air, the pneumatic circuit is actuated and automatic replacement of the object is initiated.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1996Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Inventor: Richard D. Lowe
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Patent number: 5549299Abstract: An automatic apparatus that positions a golf ball on a tee retrieves and positions a new ball on the tee each time a golfer makes a tee shot. A bucket of balls is charged into the apparatus, and a ramp directs the balls, one at a time, to a tee loading station. A plunger drives a ball in the tee loading station into contact with a horizontally positioned tee. The tee has a bore formed in it that communicates with a source of negative pressure so that a ball driven into contact with the tee by the plunger is held to the tee by a vacuum. The resulting increase in a vacuum line reconfigures a four way valve and activates a mechanism that rotates the tee and ball into a vertical position so that the golfer may make a tee shot. The shot disconnects the ball from the tee, resulting in bleeding of the vacuum line, and the drop in pressure reconfigures the four way valve. The valve activates a mechanism that returns the tee to its horizontal position so that it may retrieve another ball from the tee loading station.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Inventor: Louis S. Brown