Pivotal Arm Ball Feed Patents (Class 473/137)
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Patent number: 11846480Abstract: A bore guide for cleaning a firearm has an elongated body defining a bore configured to receive a cleaning rod and brush, the elongated body having a forward end configured to be received in a chamber of the barrel and having a forward aperture to transmit the brush to the barrel bore, the elongated body having a rear end opposite the forward end and defining a rear aperture, a stop adjustably connected to an intermediate portion of the elongated body and movable over a range of different positions along the length of the elongated body, and the stop being adjustable to generate a rearward force against a portion of the firearm, and a forward force by the forward end of the elongated body against the chamber. The elongated body may be externally threaded, and the stop may engage the threads. The stop may extend laterally from the elongated body.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: MTM MOLDED PRODUCTS COMPANYInventors: Steve William Minneman, Dexter Joseph Minneman
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Patent number: 9119995Abstract: A golf ball teeing device and methods of use are described. Embodiments of the golf ball teeing device include a swing arm rotatably coupled to a base. The base can be included to secure the swing arm to a golf mat or the ground. In a general operation, a golf ball can be moved to a cradle of the swing arm using a golf club. The golf club can then be used to engage and rotate the swing arm. As the swing arm is rotated, the golf ball can follow a track to an aperture. After the swing arm has rotated approximately 120 degrees, the golf ball can exit the aperture and deposit onto a tee. In some embodiments, a biasing structure can be included to return the swing arm to a starting position.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Inventor: Andrew J. Fischer
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Patent number: 9044649Abstract: A novel device for automatically supplying golf balls. A stopper, a golf ball lifting part, an inclined guide part and an inclined lifting part disposed inside a main body cooperate with each other to automatically lift a golf ball from a rear portion of the main body by placing the golf ball on a lifting tee so that a golfer can hit the ball using a driver. An iron shot hitting part is further provided at one side of the main body so that the golfer can practice driver shots and iron shots concurrently and conveniently at the same time. The lifting tee is inclined to the left in order to supply a ball seated on the inclined lifting part to the iron shot hitting part. The iron shot hitting part has a plurality of detection recesses with which a golfer or a beginner can correct his/her posture.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Inventor: Jae-Woo Choi
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Patent number: 8974312Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic golf ball supply device, being an automatic golf ball supply device which automatically supplies golf balls to a position where the golf balls will be hit with a golf club by the user, which comprises: a frame on the upper part of which is formed a golf ball withdrawal hole; an ascending and descending mount which ascends and descends by means of a motor, and on the upper surface of which is provided a tee member where a golf ball rests, and which is provided so as to ascend and descend freely in the withdrawal hole direction following a guide provided in the frame; and a golf ball conveying loader which conveys golf balls towards the tee member of the ascending and descending mount as the outer circumferential surface rotates and makes contact with the golf balls inside a golf-ball-waiting chamber in such a way as to be able to push each golf ball and to rest the same on the tee member.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Inventor: Wan Je Cho
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Publication number: 20150018109Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using a plurality of golf balls to train a person to swing a golf club are described. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a ramp, a golf ball holder and a trigger, which may be mechanical or electrical. The ramp conveys the plurality of golf balls, one at a time, from a first end of the ramp to a second end of the ramp. At least a portion of the ramp is angled downward from the first end to the second end. The holder contains the plurality of golf balls. It is arranged near the first end of the ramp to release one of the plurality of golf balls at a time onto the ramp. The holder further has an input. The trigger is connected to the input of the holder and arranged so that it can sense the golf swing, wherein when the trigger senses the golf swing, it triggers the input of the holder to cause the holder to release one of the plurality of golf balls into the ramp.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventor: George A. Goebel
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Patent number: 8926442Abstract: The invention relates to a portable and ergonomic instrument for storing golf balls and tees and for automatically positioning a tee in the ground at a predetermined height and a ball in balance thereon, by means of a movement of one hand on the part of the player in the standing position. Said instrument consists primarily of a main body (10) serving as a storage unit (12) for balls (Bn), a multi-purpose shuttle (20) and a retaining clamp (P). After setting the desired height of the ball on the thumbwheel (50), the alternating movement of the shuttle (20) from abutment to abutment, using the knob (21), first upward, then downward and finally upward, enables the result to be achieved. Any golfer who has difficulty bending down or squatting, and those who do not wish to bend down or squat, may be interested in owning such an instrument.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Inventor: GĂ©rard Dubois
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Publication number: 20140357389Abstract: A golf ball teeing device and methods of use are described. Embodiments of the golf ball teeing device include a swing arm rotatably coupled to a base. The base can be included to secure the swing arm to a golf mat or the ground. In a general operation, a golf ball can be moved to a cradle of the swing arm using a golf club. The golf club can then be used to engage and rotate the swing arm. As the swing arm is rotated, the golf ball can follow a track to an aperture. After the swing arm has rotated approximately 120 degrees, the golf ball can exit the aperture and deposit onto a tee. In some embodiments, a biasing structure can be included to return the swing arm to a starting position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventor: Andrew J. Fischer
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Patent number: 8840482Abstract: A ball supply device where a ball is automatically supplied to a designated position is provided. The ball supply device includes a mat unit having an inclined surface and a hole, where a ball provided along the inclined surface is positioned; a tee member lifted up and down along an axial line of the hole in the mat unit and moving the ball positioned in the hole to a tee shot position at a spot that is upwardly spaced from a plane of the mat unit; a loading unit located on a plane lower than the mat unit and moving the ball loaded thereon to the mat unit; and a feeding member positioned between the loading unit and the mat unit and providing balls, which are provided from the loading unit one by one, to the inclined surface of the mat unit by performing a swing motion within a range.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: RD-Tek Co., Ltd.Inventor: Song Hwan Choi
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Publication number: 20140113735Abstract: A novel device for automatically supplying golf balls. A stopper, a golf ball lifting part, an inclined guide part and an inclined lifting part disposed inside a main body cooperate with each other to automatically lift a golf ball from a rear portion of the main body by placing the golf ball on a lifting tee so that a golfer can hit the ball using a driver. An iron shot hitting part is further provided at one side of the main body so that the golfer can practice driver shots and iron shots concurrently and conveniently at the same time. The lifting tee is inclined to the left in order to supply a ball seated on the inclined lifting part to the iron shot hitting part. The iron shot hitting part has a plurality of detection recesses with which a golfer or a beginner can correct his/her posture.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Inventor: Jae-Woo Choi
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Patent number: 8485912Abstract: The present invention relates to a powerless automatic tee up machine, which repeats the transporting of the golf balls onto a golf tee through potential energy, a cam curve, a principle of balancer and a link system without using power, and which has a maximally simplified structure to significantly reduce manufacturing costs as compared to conventional machines.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Inventor: Hyong Jun Kim
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Patent number: 8409023Abstract: A golf ball dispensing and teeing device is provided which allows a single golf ball to be metered from a supply tube and travel therefrom to rest within an elevated ball tee.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Inventor: Dave W. Hogan
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Patent number: 8348778Abstract: The present invention relates to a feed unit 10 mounted at one side of an interior of a body 1 so as to feed a golf ball 40 and an adjustment unit 20 mounted at an other side of the interior of the body 1 so as to adjust a height of a golf tee 30, wherein the feed unit 10 includes: a main body 11, a pulley 14, movable plates 15, and a feed motor 18. The adjustment unit 20includes: an upper plate 21, a lower plate 22, a support rod 23, guide rods 24, an elevating board 25, golf tee 30, gears 26a, 26b, a stepping motor 27, a power gear 28, and a timing belt 29whereby the golf ball 40 dispensed through the outlet port 13 of the feed unit 10 is teed up on the golf tee 30 of the adjustment unit 20.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Inventor: Sang-Won Park
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Patent number: 7963854Abstract: A golf ball dispensing apparatus includes a tube configured to receive at least one golf ball, at least one leg configured to attach to said tube, means for releasing a golf ball from said tube, means for supplying power configured to engage said means for releasing a golf ball, an arm configured to receive a golf ball from said tube wherein said arm is configured to engage said tube at a hinge, and means for sensing motion configured to engage said means for releasing a golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Re-Pete-R Enterprises, LLCInventors: Ed Nugent, David Hollis, Peter Beames, Charles John Mansfield
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Publication number: 20110124426Abstract: This invention is an apparatus which provides the operator a method of setting golf balls onto a golf tee (which is also a part of the mechanism) using their own foot pressure on a lever and their golf club to guide the ball into place thereby enabling the user to shoot continuous golf balls without the need to replace a tee, retrieve a new ball and bend down to place the ball onto the tee manually.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventor: Alfredo Meola
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Publication number: 20110092302Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic golf ball supply device for automatically supplying golf balls to a position where the user hits the golf ball using a golf club.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventor: Wan Je Cho
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Publication number: 20110065521Abstract: A golf ball dispenser includes a golf ball storage container and associated placement means for reception of a golf ball from the storage container and automatic placement of the golf ball on an associated tee for striking by a golfer. The golf ball storage container comprises a removable golf ball magazine which is demountably engagable with the placement means.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Inventors: Leslie Egan, Jonathan Mangan
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Patent number: 7871332Abstract: An apparatus at a driving tee for golf balls or the like, comprising a raisable and lowerable ball support a so-called peg, on which a ball may be placed for driving thereof after lifting of the ball support with the ball to the desired level above the tee, the ball support being disposed on means for switching of the ball support from a low position for loading of the ball support with a ball to a higher position of said desired ball driving level, the ball support being disposed on the switching means via positioning means which are disposed to permit pivoting of the ball support in at least the driving direction, wherein the positioning means include a substantially U-shaped bracket between whose shanks the ball support is pivotal.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Inventor: Jordan Knez
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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: 20100190563Abstract: A golf ball placement apparatus, for holding and dispensing golf balls onto a tee automatically, comprises a base assembly, a hollow cylinder body attached to the base assembly, and a control arm attached to the base assembly and rotatable through a hinge point. The hollow cylinder body has an open end at top to allow multiple golf balls to be loaded and an open end at bottom to allow a bottom golf ball from said multiple golf balls to be dispensed. When the control arm is rotated downward, the bottom golf ball is forced onto the control arm for setting right onto a tee on the ground. When the control arm is lifted back to the initial up-position, another bottom golf ball from the multiple golf balls is scooped into the scoop ready for next dispensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventor: Craig A. SMITH
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Patent number: 7625296Abstract: A directional practice device includes an elongated ball-receiving member disposed on a flat surface and having a slot adapted for receiving a plurality of golf balls, and an upright heel-engaging surface disposed at a side of the ball-receiving member and perpendicular to the flat surface. The heel-engaging surface has a lower end defining a side of a head-traveling path extending along a longitudinal direction. The golf balls can be pushed by a putter head to drop from the slot onto the head-traveling path one at a time. After one of the golf balls drops onto the head-traveling path, the putter head can be moved along the head-traveling path to strike the one of the golf balls in the longitudinal direction in such a manner that the heel of the putter head moves on the heel-engaging surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2008Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Inventors: Victor Wu, Leo Wu, Authar Wu
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Publication number: 20090075743Abstract: A golf ball dispensing and teeing device is provided which allows a single golf ball to be metered from a supply tube and travel therefrom to rest atop an elevated ball tee.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2007Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventor: Dave W. Hogan
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Publication number: 20080234061Abstract: A golf ball teeing system which comprises of a golf tray for holding a plurality of golf balls, a teeing mechanism, a means for guiding the golf balls on the golf tray onto the teeing mechanism, and a separate means for fetching the golf balls on the golf tray onto a mat or ground without going through the teeing mechanism. The golf ball teeing machine allows golfers to cherry pick the golf balls to suit their clubs in use. It also allows golfers to easily move golf balls on the golf tray on a mat or ground with the use of their clubs.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventor: Antonio Albesa Luna
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Patent number: 7166034Abstract: A golf ball dispensing and teeing device comprising a ball receptacle for retaining a suitably large quantity of golf balls and delivering them to a ball release mechanism. The ball release comprises an actuator for release of balls from the ball receptacle onto a pivoting ball delivery mechanism, and a pivoting trigger member that controls the release such that balls are released individually. The trigger member is biased to provide a push to the ball and the ball delivery mechanism. The ball delivery mechanism is an elongated track or ramp, and the weight of the golf ball on the track and the push from the trigger member causes the track to pivot downward, such that the ball rolls down the track. A ball teeing structure is provided at the end of the track, and comprises a spout member of generally tubular configuration that stops the lateral movement of the ball and controls its position in the vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2005Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Inventors: Steven Wayne Hines, Kristofor Matthew Kocan
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Patent number: 7104421Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 25, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Tee Up Pty Ltd.Inventors: Franz Charles Eckhardt, Jr., Christopher Patrick Heffernan, James Francis Howe
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Patent number: 7059969Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2004Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Tee Up Pty Ltd.Inventors: James Francis Howe, Christopher Patrick Heffernan, Franz Charles Eckhardt, Jr., Lawrence Adrian Roche, Franz Eckhardt, Sr.
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Patent number: 7037207Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing one golf ball at a time onto a tee, the apparatus includes: a frame supporting a collapsible funnel shaped hopper, a lifting housing, a lifting plunger assembly and a counterweighted tubular arm. The funnel shaped hopper has a wide upper mouth to receive a plurality of golf balls and a smaller lower exit port through which golf balls roll by gravity into lifting housing. The lifting housing receives one or more golf balls via a feed port and allows one golf ball to rest against a ball stop portion of the housing wall in a chambered position. A lifting plunger prevents the golf ball from falling further into the lifting housing. The counterweighted tubular arm is pivotably attached to the frame, the arm being biased by the counterweight to hold its dispensing mouth at an elevation higher than the lifting housing dispensing port.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2004Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Inventor: Terrell W. Bean, Jr.
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Patent number: 6997816Abstract: A mechanical handling device for golf balls at a driving range, comprising a pivotally mounted balance or lever arm provided at one end with a tee adapted, in use, to receive and support a golf ball from a supply source, and provided at its other end with a weight sensitive transducer whereby, from a neutral start position, the arm/tee is initially pivoted downwardly under the influence of the weight of a ball arriving at the tee, such initial movement being sensed by the transducer to activate control means causing the arm/tee to be pivoted to an elevated, striking position, and loss of ball weight at the tee, after striking of the ball, also being sensed by the transducer to activate control means to cause the arm/tee to be pivotally returned to its neutral position. The invention also includes a driving range tee provided with a device.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: All Year Ventures LTDInventor: Philip Gager
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Patent number: 6942578Abstract: A golf ball placement device including a housing, a golf ball container, a actuator which can be actuated to place a golf ball, a tube which can hold a golf ball at its vertical position and place the golf ball at a particular position after being rotated to a horizontal position, and a transmission linkage that links the motion of the actuator to the pivotal motion of the tube is disclosed. The transmission linkage is properly balanced using springs and/or weights so that only a minimum force is needed to actuate the actuator in order to place a golf ball. The device may further include a tee height adjuster to adjust the extent of the rotation of tube to enable the device to dispense a golf ball at a proper height. The device may further optionally include a cover and a place to hold an advertisement. The device may be further made into an ultra portable model by adding a side cover which can be partially flipped open to serve as a golf practice tee.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Inventor: Steven Adolf
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Patent number: 6929556Abstract: A golf ball teeing machine having a convenient carrying case for easily transporting the machine in suitcase fashion by a handle on the top. When set down the top is opened to reveal a golf ball magazine, which may be filled with golf balls. With the top open one side of the case pivots at the base to form a tee off pad with a golf tee centered therein. The golf tees are replaceable and come in different heights. Artificial grass may be snapped onto the tee off pad for easily replacing or removing the grass. Golf balls are delivered to the tee by a pedal sending one ball at a time down a tilting ramp. The tee off pad is attached to the case such that the tee is always in alignment with the tilting ramp for placement of balls on the tee.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Inventor: Mark A. Wolbert
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Publication number: 20040229705Abstract: An apparatus for automatically setting a golf ball on a tee includes an escapement mechanism to isolate a single golf ball from a plurality of golf balls, a hingedly connected chute to channel a golf ball from the escapement mechanism to the tee, and means to raise and lower the chute from alignment with the tee to a position where it will not interfere with the swing of a golfer standing adjacent to the tee. A motor drives a pulley and chain. A cable is pivotally attached to the chain and to a free end of the chute. Rotation of the motor translates into linear movement of the cable, raising or lowering the chute. A helical coil spring may be imposed between the cable and the chute. A tab extending from the chute operates the escapement mechanism so that when the chute is in the raised position, only a single ball drops onto the chute.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventor: J. Richard Hollrock
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Publication number: 20040082398Abstract: A mechanical handling device (6) for golf balls (5) at a driving range, comprising a pivotally mounted balance or lever arm (24) provided at one end with a tee (14) adapted, in use, to receive and support a golf ball (15) from a supply source, and provided at its other end with a weight sensitive transducer (26) whereby, from a neutral start position (FIG. 3), the arm (24)/tee (14) is initially pivoted downwardly under the influence of the weight of a ball (15) arriving at the tee (14), such initial movement being sensed by the transducer (26) to activate control means causing the arm (24)/tee (14) to be pivoted to an elevated, striking position (FIG. 4), and loss of ball weight at the tee (14), after striking the ball, also being sensed by the transducer (26) to activate control means to cause the arm (24/tee (14) to be pivotably returned to its neutral position. The invention also includes a driving range tee (1) provided with a device (6).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventor: Philip Gager
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Patent number: 6685575Abstract: A portable device capable of placing a golf ball on a tee repeatedly without the interaction of the user. The device consists of a base, a ball storage hopper, a ball scoop leading to an arm, a control system including a control panel, a rechargeable battery, an artificial turf mat with a rubber tee, a handle and wheels, and a housing to enclose the device. The user loads golf balls into the storage hopper where they roll down a track to the ball scoop. A sensor signals when a new ball is needed, and a motor lowers the arm which is connected to the ball scoop. When the arm is at its lowest position the ball rolls down the arm to the tee. When the ball is hit off the tee, a new ball is automatically placed on the tee.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Inventor: James H. Anderson
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Patent number: 6682438Abstract: An automatic mechanical golf ball feed apparatus 10 is provided, including a hopper 12 for housing a plurality of golf balls 14, and a gravity driven delivery arm 18 including a counterweight end 22 and a ball delivery end 20, the gravity driven delivery arm 18 being rotatably movable between a loaded position 28 and a delivery position 30. The present invention further includes a chute 16 in communication with the hopper 12 and receiving the plurality of golf balls 14 from the chute 16. An impact gate 52 is positioned between the chute 16 and said gravity driven delivery arm 18, the impact gate 52 including a ball restraint pivot element 80 having a weight biased end 82. The impact gate 52 is rotatable between a gate closed position 84, wherein the plurality of golf balls 14 are restrained from exiting the hopper 12, and a gate open position 86 wherein one of the golf balls 14 is allowed to exit the hopper 12.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Inventor: Chong Dae Lee
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Publication number: 20030171158Abstract: An automatic mechanical golf ball feed apparatus 10 is provided, including a hopper 12 for housing a plurality of golf balls 14, and a gravity driven delivery arm 18 including a counterweight end 22 and a ball delivery end 20, the gravity driven delivery arm 18 being rotatably movable between a loaded position 28 and a delivery position 30. The present invention further includes a chute 16 in communication with the hopper 12 and receiving the plurality of golf balls 14 from the chute 16. An impact gate 52 is positioned between the chute 16 and said gravity driven delivery arm 18, the impact gate 52 including a ball restraint pivot element 80 having a weight biased end 82. The impact gate 52 is rotatable between a gate closed position 84, wherein the plurality of golf balls 14 are restrained from exiting the hopper 12, and a gate open position 86 wherein one of the golf balls 14 is allowed to exit the hopper 12.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2002Publication date: September 11, 2003Inventor: Chong Dae Lee
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Publication number: 20030171157Abstract: An automatic mechanical golf ball feed apparatus 10 is provided, including a hopper 12 for housing a plurality of golf balls 14, and a gravity driven delivery arm 18 including a counterweight end 22 and a ball delivery end 20, the gravity driven delivery arm 18 being rotatably movable between a loaded position 28 and a delivery position 30. The present invention further includes a delivery chamber 24 positioned on the ball delivery end 20 of the gravity driven delivery arm 18. The gravity driven delivery arm 18 is biased towards the delivery position 30 when a golf ball 14 is present in the delivery chamber 24 and biased towards the loaded position 28 when the delivery chamber 24 is empty. The present invention includes a baseline pivot arm 32 including a tee end 34, with the golf tee 38, and a lock end 36. The baseline pivot arm 32 is movable between a ball weighted position 44 and a ball free position 46.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2002Publication date: September 11, 2003Inventor: Chong Dae Lee
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Patent number: 6585603Abstract: A golf teeing device includes a one-piece singulation arm having a ball-receiving region that is connected to a ball-seating region by a ramp region. The unitary singulation arm has a raised rest position and a lowered delivery position. The configuration of the ramp region channels a golf ball to the ball-seating region when the singulation arm is in its delivery position. The configuration of the ball-seating region inhibits horizontal movement of the ball in any direction when the ball reaches this region. In one embodiment, all three regions of the singulation arm have dimensions that are consistent with the channel of the ramp region. A ball-striking mechanism within a supply path to the singulation arm is activated to provide dislodging forces to at least two balls, thereby ensuring a consistent flow of balls to the singulation arm.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Inventor: Samuel A. Montalvo
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Publication number: 20030027654Abstract: A golf ball teeing device comprises a base member, a hopper, and a golf ball delivery track mounted on the base member for pivotal movement between a vertical rest position and a horizontal ball teeing position. A support receives the golf balls from the hopper and presents each golf ball for delivery to the track. A vertical motion transfer member moves with the proximal end of the golf ball delivery track. An actuation mechanism comprising a paddle mounted for pivotal movement in a rotational direction opposite to the golf ball delivery track. The actuation mechanism moves the vertical motion transfer member, to thereby move the golf ball delivery track from the vertical rest position to the horizontal ball teeing position and back again, and permits selective delivery of the golf balls onto the golf ball delivery track for subsequent placement on the tee.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventor: Thomas K. Hong
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Publication number: 20030004004Abstract: A golf ball placement device including a housing, a golf ball container, a actuator which can be actuated to place a golf ball, a tube which can hold a golf ball at its vertical position and place the golf ball at a particular position after being rotated to a horizontal position, and a transmission linkage that links the motion of the actuator to the pivotal motion of the tube is disclosed. The transmission linkage is properly balanced using springs and/or weights so that only a minimum force is needed to actuate the actuator in order to place a golf ball. The device may further include a tee height adjuster to adjust the extent of the rotation of tube to enable the device to dispense a golf ball at a proper height. The device may further optionally include a cover and a place to hold an advertisement. The device may be further made into an ultra portable model by adding a side cover which can be partially flipped open to serve as a golf practice tee.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventor: Steven James Adolf
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Patent number: 6440003Abstract: A ball feeder and method is presented for loading a tee for use at golf driving ranges or the like. The feeder includes a pivotal hopper which has been filled with golf balls with a hinged chute connected thereto. By manually pivoting the hopper rearwardly, the chute is raised from a base into alignment with the tee as a ball is delivered into the chute for direction to the tee. Upon release, the hopper then pivots forwardly towards the tee and allows the chute to return to its dormant position. An agitator which is connected to the base prevents ball jams within the hopper by turning during the pivoting motion of the hopper.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2001Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Inventors: James C. Phillips, Ronald Hermans
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Patent number: 6419589Abstract: An automatic golf ball placement device having a storage tube for holding a quantity of golf balls preparatory for placement onto a tee. One end of the tube receives the balls for storage while the opposite includes an opening for dispensing the first ball into a rotatable receiver for transfer to a dispensing shoot for delivery to the tee. The receiver is weighted so that upon placement of a ball on the tee, the receiver revolves back to the storage tube for accepting the next ball for dispensing onto the tee. A pedal attached to the receiver is actuated by a player's foot or engagement with a golf club to urge rotation of the receiver to dispense the first ball.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Inventor: Ronald Carter
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Patent number: 6375580Abstract: An automatic golf ball dispensing device includes a base, motor, drive link, slide arm, pivot arm, control circuit, dispenser cover, and handle. The base preferably includes two pivot feet on a first end and an adjustable foot on a second end thereof. One end of a drive arm is connected to the shaft of the motor. The other end of the drive arm is pivotally attached to a first end of the drive link. A second end of the drive link is pivotally attached to a second end of the slide arm. The slide arm is slidably attached to a top of the base. A ball stop is formed on a first end of the slide arm and a notch is formed under the ball stop. A first end of the pivot arm is sized to fit under the notch such that the pivot arm is level relative to the top of the base. A ball support extends from a first end of the pivot arm. A bottom of the dispenser cover is attached to a top of the base.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Inventors: Karl Schmidt, Ralph Marshall
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Patent number: 6328659Abstract: A golf ball dispensing and teeing device that is capable of automatically depositing a golf ball on a fixed tee or other desired location. The golf ball dispensing and teeing device has only one moving part and deposits the golf ball in an easy fashion without regard to whether the golfer is predominately left-handed or right-handed. The golf ball dispensing and teeing device includes a housing that is capable of storing a multiple of golf balls in a generally serpentine fashion as well as a guide assembly that transports a golf ball from the housing to the desired location.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Inventor: Arthur H. Peterson
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Patent number: 6315676Abstract: A golf ball teeing device having a hopper containing a plurality of golf balls. A ball placing arm extends from one side of the hopper and rotates between a generally upright, rest position and a generally horizontal, ball-dispensing position. The ball dispensing arm rotates about a rod, which forms a pivot point. The rod extends through the hopper. Attached to the rod and within the hopper is a plate. As the ball dispensing arm rotates, the rod and plate are rotated, thereby agitating the balls within the hopper. A spring is used to bias the ball dispensing arm towards the upright position. A ball stopping arm is biased towards a position which blocks the outlet opening of the hopper, thereby inhibiting the loss of balls escaping the hopper. A locking arm may be used to hold the ball stopping arm in front of the outlet opening of the hopper, thereby stopping operation of the golf ball teeing device to allow transport, etc. without the loss of the balls contained within the hopper.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Inventor: David Alden Sandlin
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Patent number: 6179719Abstract: A golf ball dispenser is comprised of a housing with a funnel for receiving golf balls which are simply poured in. A sloped track is connected between an aperture on the bottom of the funnel and a hole on a side of the housing. A lever arm has an inner end positioned through the hole and hinged to the housing. The lever arm is biased to an up position by a weight on the inner end. An agitator is positioned adjacent the aperture on the funnel and linked to the inner end of the lever arm by a rod for agitating the balls into the aperture whenever the lever arm is operated. A hump is provided at an intermediate point along the track for stopping the balls before they reach the hole in the housing. A ratcheting tab has one end hinged to the inner end of the lever arm, and another end positioned below the hump in the track. When the lever arm is pivoted down by a golf club, the golf ball at the hump is lifted by the ratcheting tab over the hump.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: Kee Y. Hwang
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Patent number: 6174243Abstract: A golf ball feeder includes a hopper for storing a plurality of golf balls therein. The hopper has an opening. A guide chute is positioned below the hopper to receive the golf balls from the opening of the hopper. The golf balls flow along the guide chute. An outlet chute is connected to the guide chute to pass over the golf balls flowed from the guide chute to the outside. A stopper is formed in a boundary region between the guide chute and the outlet chute to stop flowing of the golf balls. A golf ball lifting unit is positioned below the stopper to free one of the golf balls from the stopper. The golf ball lifting unit has a rod. A tee up member is hinged at an outlet side of the outlet chute to receive the golf ball from the outlet chute and put the golf ball on a tee. The golf balls are liable to be stuck in the hopper. Therefore, the golf ball feeder further includes a golf ball releasing unit to release the stuck state of the golf balls in connection with the rod of the golf ball lifting unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventor: Myung Choi
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Patent number: 6106407Abstract: A golf ball practice and swing analyzer that incorporates a golf ball positioner that swings in a vertical plane and resides only momentarily adjacent the tee and then retracts upwardly, thus permitting the golfer to begin his or her swing the instant the ball positioner begins to move upwardly, combined with systems for determining and displaying the two most important, and largely determinative characteristics of the golfer's swing, the swing speed and swing time, in a very economical design criteria is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1996Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Inventor: Gilbert L. Peyton, Jr.
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Patent number: 6106405Abstract: A golf ball set-up apparatus 100 provides a tee assembly 600 which slides within a set-up tube 350 between a lower position wherein a ball advancing from a ball supply trough 410 is mounted on the tee 610 and an upper position wherein the ball is elevated to a position suitable for driving by the golfer. The tee assembly is moved between upper and lower positions by a lift arm assembly 300, which is in turn driven by a driving lever extension 250 extending from the driving lever assembly 200. Pressure of a golf club moves the driving lever assembly between an at-rest position, to a position wherein the tee assembly is fully lowered. When the tee assembly is lowered, a ball stop assembly 500 engages the column of in-coming golf balls, preventing their advancement. When the golf club is removed, a return weight assembly 450 returns the set-up apparatus to the at-rest configuration, with a movement that is damped by the air break assembly 550.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1999Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Inventor: Robert Fox
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Patent number: 6083122Abstract: A dual composition polymeric device to be used as a golf tee or as a suction cup comprising a tubular-shaped polymeric stiff stem portion made from a 90-95 Shore durometer polyurethane resin elastomer bonded to a flared flexible face portion made from a 70-85 polyurethane resin elastomer wherein the device has an air passageway therein and a method of making said device.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Inventor: Louis S. Brown
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Patent number: 5971862Abstract: Apparatus for serially dispensing and teeing golf balls includes tiltable meter mechanism disposed along a golf ball pathway for releasing balls one at a time. The apparatus also includes a golf ball supply tray having an opening and an anti-jam device for preventing golf ball bridging over the opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Inventor: Patrick D. Yates
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Patent number: 5820475Abstract: Abstract: A portable golf ball teeing machine which comprises of a golf ball tray (11), a foldable forward bracket (22) and rear bracket (29), a removable teeing arm (77), an alignment mechanism for aligning the tee ring (78) to a rubber tee (47). The golf ball tray (11) contains a teeing arm channel (83) wherein the teeing arm (77) completely fits within the golf ball tray (11). The golf ball tray (11) is slanted such that a plurality of golf balls (48) rest to the rightmost, bottom corner (13). The golf ball tray (11) also contains a corrugated guards walls (17) which arranges the plurality golf balls (48) in an alternating order. The teeing arm (77) is a counter-weighted pivoting arm which pivots upon the introduction of a golf ball (51) to a ball receiving plate (85) and lines up the golf ball (51) to a rubber tee (47). Upon teeing up the golf ball (51) into the rubber tee (47), the teeing arm (77) pivots out of the way.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1997Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Inventor: Antonio A. Luna