Patent ID: 6997816
Filing Date: 2006-02-14
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A mechanical handling device for golf balls at a driving range, comprising a ball reservoir, a pivotally mounted balance or lever arm provided at one end with a tee, a ball striking surface located above the arm and having a ball delivery guide for delivering balls between the reservoir and the tee, said tee receiving and supporting 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 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 for causing the 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 for causing the tee to be pivotally returned to its neutral position.