US20100190563A1

US20100190563A1 - Golf Ball Placement Apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20100190563A1
Application number: US12/695,741
Authority: US
Inventors: Craig A. Smith
Original assignee: ACUTE VENTURES PROPERTIES dba THOUGHTS TO PAPER LLC
Current assignee: ACUTE VENTURES PROPERTIES dba THOUGHTS TO PAPER LLC
Priority date: 2009-01-28
Filing date: 2010-01-28
Publication date: 2010-07-29

Abstract

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.

Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/206,325 filed on Jan. 28, 2009.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a golf ball placement apparatus that automatically sets a golf ball onto a tee after each driving swing. More specifically, the present invention discloses an apparatus that repeatedly sets golf balls onto a tee automatically without golfers having to repeatedly bend over to set up the next golf ball after each driving swing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, a golfer must bend down to the tee to manually place a golf ball onto the tee after each driving swing. This traditional routine is time consuming for picking up a ball to set onto a tee, tiresome for repeatedly bending over to set the ball and therefore keeping golfers out of rhythm. In order to improve over the mentioned traditional routine, it is an objective of the present invention to introduce a golf ball placement apparatus that automatically sets a golf ball onto a tee after each driving swing. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf ball placement apparatus that repeatedly sets golf balls onto a tee automatically without golfers having to repeatedly bending over to set up the next golf ball after each driving swing. By automatically setting golf ball onto a tee after each driving swing, golf ball placement apparatus helps golfers to keep rhythm and consistency in golf swings by significantly reducing the time of setting golf balls on a tee caused by repeatedly bending over to set the next ball after each driving swing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of this invention is to help golfers keep rhythm and consistency in golf swings by significantly reducing the time of setting golf balls on a tee caused by repeatedly bending over to set the next ball after each driving swing. To achieve this objective, the present invention discloses a golf ball placement apparatus that repeatedly sets golf balls onto a tee automatically without golfers having to bend over to set up the next golf ball after each driving swing.
This 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 in an inclined position from vertical, and a control arm attached to the base assembly and rotatable through a hinge point.
The hollow cylinder body has an open end at its top to allow multiple golf balls to be loaded and an open end at its bottom to allow a bottom golf ball from a plurality of golf balls to be dispensed.
Additionally, the control arm comprises a scoop positioned at the bottom, control arm rails fixed to the middle, and a placement cup positioned at the top. The placement cup includes a handle positioned on the right side to allow a golfer to initiate rotation of the control arm by placing a golf club over the handle.
When the golfer places the golf club over the handle to rotate the control arm from an initial up-position downward to a final down-position, the bottom golf ball is forced by the scoop onto the control arm rails and rolls into the placement cup.
When the control arm is in the final down-position, the bottom golf ball is set 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 plurality of golf balls is positioned into the scoop and ready for the next dispense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf ball placement apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a right-side elevational view of the golf ball placement apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the base assembly.

FIG. 4 is a right-side elevational view of the base assembly.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the portable golf ball placement apparatus with folding legs in folded position.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the portable golf ball placement apparatus with folding legs in extended position.

FIG. 7 is a right-side elevational view of the portable golf ball placement apparatus with folding legs in extended position.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the portable golf ball placement apparatus with folding legs.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, the golf ball placement apparatus includes a body which is a hollow cylinder 1 in an inclined position from vertical, preferably at a seventy-five degree angle. The cylinder has an open end 2 at top to allow a plurality of at least 12 golf balls to be loaded and individually dispensed at a bottom opening 3. The hollow cylinder 1 has a protective rim fixed to the open end 2. The bottom opening 3 of the hollow cylinder 1 is notched in a curve shape which is wide enough for the bottom ball from the plurality of golf balls to be dispensed from. At the base of the bottom opening 3, a control arm 4 comprises of a scoop 5 attached to the bottom, control arm rails 6 attached to the middle, and a placement cup 7 attached to the top. The scoop 5 guides the bottom ball in the hollow cylinder 1 to be lifted and forced onto the control rails 6 of the control arm 4 and into the placement cup 7. The control rails 6 are formed by a pair of tubes which run parallel to each other. The distance between the tubes of the control rails 6 is smaller than the diameter of a standard golf ball. This space between the control rails 6 allow a golf ball to sit on the control rails 6 while not falling through the space. Both tubes of the control rails 6 are level with each other in addition to being parallel to create a level path for a golf ball to travel on. The placement cup 7 is a cylinder that is notched in a curve shape 8 which flushes to the control arm rails 6 to allow the bottom ball to travel from the control rails 6 and fall into the placement cup 7. The placement cup 7 is pre-aligned with a ball tee 23 which is on the ground before the device is operated. The placement cup 7 is aligned with the tee 23 by positioning the golf ball placement apparatus so that the tee 23 is in the center of the placement cup 7.
Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, the hollow cylinder 1 and the control arm 4 are attached to a base assembly 10. This base assembly 10 contains front and rear square tube axles, 11 and 12 respectively, with end caps 19. These axles will provide connections that bridge a frame and its components at the front and rear axles. The frame is comprised of two aluminum tubes 13, adjustable levelers 21 at each corner, and a flat strap 14 for bracing the hollow cylinder 1 in inclined position. The two aluminum tubes 13 connect and brace the front and rear axles 11 and 12. The two aluminum tubes 13 connect parallel to the ground and are positioned inside the front and rear axles 11 and 12. There are two right angle flanges 15 used for supporting the connection of the control arm 4 by passing a rod 16 through the control arm 4 creating a hinge point. Plastic bushings 20 are inserted at each side between the control arm 4 and the right angle flanges 15 to guide the spacing. A second plastic rod 17 passes through the right and left right angle support flanges 15 to cushion the control arm 4 at its down-position when dispensing. At the point where the control arm 4 is at its down-position, the control rails 6 of the control arm 4 contacts the second plastic rod 17 to subsequently stop the control arm 4 from hitting the ground. The final frame brace is a flat strap 14 connected at the rear axle 12, traveled up to the hollow cylinder 1, and is fastened for inclining support. The flat strap 14 allows a portion of the hollow cylinder's 1 weight to be distributed to and supported by the rear axle 12. The adjustable levelers 21 located in each corner of the base assembly 10 have dials mounted at the top of the axles 11 and 12 for easier adjustment. The bottoms of the levelers have rubber feet 18 attached for vibration and traction. Turning the dials of the adjustable levelers 21 allows the height of that leveler to be increased or decreased. A user can use the adjustable levelers 21 to maintain the present invention level with the ground even if parts of the ground where the invention sits is not level, bumpy, or rugged. The placement cup 7 has a handle 9 positioned on a side of the placement cup 7. The handle 9 is intended for users to initiate the rotating of the control arm 4 by placing a golf club over the handle 9 and tilting the control arm 4 forward. With only a slight tilt of the control arm 4 forward, the control arm 4 will rotate naturally at the hinge point downward due to gravitational pull. The handle 9 has a knob at the end which is larger in diameter than the handle 9. The knob ensures a user's golf club handle maintains contact with the handle when tilting the control arm 4 forward and does not slip off the side of the handle 9.
FIG. 2 illustrates the control arm 4 in initial up-position in which the placement cup 7 rests on the cylinder body 1 and the scoop 5 scoops the bottom golf ball. The control arm 4 in final down-position positions the control arm 4 parallel to the ground. To operate the golf ball placement apparatus, a user places his/her golf club over the handle 9 to initiate a rotating of the control arm 4 downward to a final down-position. When the control arm 4 is rotated from the initial up-position downward to the final down-position, the bottom golf ball is forced by the scoop 5 onto the control arm rails 6 and rolls into the placement cup 7 and is set onto the tee 23 on the ground. To reset the control arm 4, the control arm 4 is lifted back to the initial up-position by using the golf club to lift the handle on the placement cup 7. At the initial up-position, another bottom golf ball from the stack of golf balls is scooped into the scoop 5 ready for the next dispensing.
Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, in an alternative embodiment, a second model is also developed with folding legs 22 replacing the base frame and levelers and providing a more portable version of its frames using the same hollow cylinder 1 and control arm 4 assembly and support. In this alternative embodiment, the folding legs 22 comprises of two legs wherein the two legs are attached to the hollow cylinder 1 at top. The folding legs 22 rotate towards and away from the invention at the point of attachment to the hollow cylinder 1. Each leg of the folding legs 22 attaches to a brace wherein the brace is fixed to the hollow cylinder 1. The brace sets a fixed distance that the folding legs 22 are able to rotate away from the invention. When the folding legs 22 are pushed inward towards the invention to a folded position, the brace rotates downward to fold in with the folding legs 22. When the folding legs 22 are pushed outward and away from the invention into a propped position, the braces rotates upward until parallel with the ground and prevents the folding legs from rotating further away from the invention. In this propped position, the weight of the invention can be distributed to the base frame and to the folding legs 22. An arm stand is fixed to a bottom of the control arm 4 to support the weight of the control arm 4 on the ground when the arm is in its final down-position.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Obvious changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by those skilled in the art to achieve the same purpose the invention. The exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It is intended that the present invention cover all other embodiments that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A golf ball placement apparatus, comprising:

a base assembly;

a hollow cylinder body attached to said base assembly;

said 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;

a control arm attached to said base assembly and rotatable through a hinge point; and

when said control arm is rotated downward, said bottom golf ball is forced onto said control arm and being set onto a tee on the ground.

2. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base assembly includes adjustable levelers for adjusting level of said base assembly.

3. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base assembly includes two right angle flanges for supporting a connection of said control arm by passing a rod through said control arm creating said hinge point.

4. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 3, wherein said rod includes plastic bushings inserted each side between said control arm and said two right angle flanges to guide spacing.

5. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 3, wherein a plastic rod passes through said two right angle flanges to cushion said control arm at a final down-position of the control arm.

6. A golf ball placement apparatus for holding and dispensing golf balls onto tees automatically, comprising:

a base assembly;

a hollow cylinder body attached to said base assembly in an inclined position;

when said control arm is rotated from an initial up-position downward to a final down-position, said bottom golf ball is forced onto said control arm for setting onto a tee on ground.

7. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 6, wherein said base assembly includes adjustable levelers for adjusting level of said base assembly.

8. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 6, wherein said base assembly includes two right angle flanges for supporting a connection of said control arm by passing a rod through said control arm creating said hinge point.

9. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 8, wherein said rod includes plastic bushings inserted each side between said control arm and said two right angle flanges to guide spacing.

10. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 8, wherein a plastic rod passes through said two right angle flanges to cushion said control arm at its said final down-position.

11. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 6, wherein said base assembly includes a flat frame brace traveling up to said hollow cylinder body and said flat frame brace is fastened to said hollow cylinder body for support.

12. A golf ball placement apparatus for holding and dispensing golf balls onto tees automatically, comprising:

a base assembly;

a hollow cylinder body attached to said base assembly in an inclined position from vertical;

said bottom opening of the cylinder is notched in a curve shape, which wide enough for said bottom golf ball to be dispensed from;

a control arm attached to said base assembly and rotatable through a hinge point;

said control arm comprises of a scoop at bottom, control arm rails in middle, and a placement cup at top;

said placement cup includes a handle positioned on right side to allow rotations of said control arm by placing a golf club over said handle;

when said control arm is rotated from said initial up-position downward to a final down-position, said bottom golf ball is forced by said scoop onto said control arm rails and rolls into said placement cup;

when said control arm is in said final down-position, said bottom golf ball is set onto a tee on the ground; and

when said control arm is lifted back to said initial up-position, a second bottom golf ball from said multiple golf balls is scooped into said scoop ready for next dispensing.

13. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 12, wherein said base assembly includes adjustable levelers for adjusting level of said base assembly.

14. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 12, wherein said base assembly includes two right angle flanges for supporting a connection of said control arm by passing a rod through said control arm creating said hinge point.

15. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 14, wherein said rod includes plastic bushings being inserted on each side between said control arm and said two right angle flanges to guide spacing.

16. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 14, wherein a plastic rod passes through said two right angle flanges to cushion said control arm at its said final down-position.

17. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 12, wherein said multiple golf balls are at least twelve balls.

18. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 12, wherein said control arm initial up-position is when said placement cup rests on said cylinder body and said scoop holds said bottom golf ball; and

said final down-position is when said control arm parallels to the ground.

19. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 12, wherein said base assembly includes a flat frame brace traveling up to said hollow cylinder body and said flat frame brace is fastened to said hollow cylinder body for support.

20. The golf ball placement apparatus of claim 19, wherein said flat frame brace comprises folding legs providing portability.