Abstract:
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&#39;s foot or engagement with a golf club to urge rotation of the receiver to dispense the first ball.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/139,834, filed Jun. 21, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field concerning the game of golf, and more particularly to a novel automatic placement device for use in practicing the game of golf by automatically storing and placing a golf ball on a tee preparatory for driving. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     In the past, a variety of practice aids and devices have been employed for improving a golfer&#39;s skill in the game of playing golf. Once such accessory for improving a golfer&#39;s driving skills is to employ a device for automatically placing a golf ball on the top of a tee preparatory for swinging the club and driving the ball in a desired direction. Several devices have been developed for receiving a quantity of balls in a hopper and then selecting a ball from the supply which is then placed on a golf tee. Difficulties and problems have been encountered with such conventional devices since they are not fully automatic and require that the player or golfer remove the selected ball from,the apparatus and place the ball on the tee himself. In other instances, the player must relocate the selected ball to a device which then places the ball on the tee. 
     In these prior situations, the golfer must step away from his driving stance and bend or lean into the hopper for ball selection or for machine operation. Particularly in instances of full use, few machines include counters or other means for determining the number of balls used so that proper charge or ball replacement can be determined. In other prior situations, the ball dispensing devices are usually constructed of materials which easily fatigue or readily damage when placed out-of-doors and in an inclement environment. In many situations, the prior devices are not readily maintainable and require skilled adjustment as well as technical knowledge for maintenance and usage. 
     Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a novel device for placing a golf ball on a tee which is automatic and which may be activated by the golfer without stepping away from his normal swinging stance. The novel device provides a means for automatically selecting and placing the selected ball onto a tee without the golfer having to bend or twist away from his golf swing position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are avoided by the present invention which provides a novel automatic means for placing a golf ball on a golf tee which includes a storage tube for holding a quantity of golf balls having an open end for receiving the golf balls for storage and having an opposite end for selecting and dispensing a ball into a rotating cylinder so that when the cylinder rotates, the selected ball is transferred to a dispensing shoot for delivery over the tee resulting in the placement of the ball on top of the tee. The device further includes a series of links attaching the cylinder to a rotatable pedal whereby depression of the pedal causes the linkage to rotate the cylinder for conducting the selected ball from the storage tube to the dispensing shoot. Counter means are provided which automatically count the dispensing of balls onto the tee operable in response to pivotal movement of the dispensing shoot which rotates in response to depression of the pedal. A feature of the invention resides in the fact that the pedal may be depressed by engagement of the golfer&#39;s golf club with the pedal and with mild depression, actuation ensues. 
     Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel automatic ball-setting or placement device whereby a supply of golf balls is introduced to a selection cylinder for transport to a dispensing shoot wherein the ball is placed automatically on top of a tee. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel golf ball dispensing device having a storage tube feeding a selected ball to an intermediate collection cylinder wherein the cylinder is actuated by a foot pedal for discharging the ball into a dispensing shoot. 
     Another object resides in providing a counter for counting the number of balls which are dispensed automatically from the dispensing device. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel automatic golf ball dispensing device which may remain out-of-doors in an inclement climate without damage or requiring constant maintenance. 
     Still a further object resides in providing a golf ball dispensing device wherein the golfer may use the head of his golf club for actuating dispensing mechanism and linkages so that a selected golf ball from a storage or hopper is automatically placed on top of a tee preparatory for striking with the golf club. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood with reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the novel automatic golf ball placement device incorporating the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the placement device shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 2 illustrating the dispensing shoot activated to place the ball on the top of a tee; 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 3 illustrating return of the dispensing shoot after the ball has been placed on the tee; 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 4 illustrating the dispensing shoot in its non-operative position and receiving a second ball for placement purposes; 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate front and side elevational views of the golf ball placement device preparatory for operation. 
     FIGS. 8-11 illustrate another embodiment of the invention which reduces parts and complexity; and 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view, in section, of a portion of the pad on which the tee rests. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A current practice when a golfer wishes to refine his golf stroke, most often used at commercial driving ranges, is for the golfer to purchase a bucket of balls and then methodically place a golf ball onto a tee and take a practice stroke. Repeating this process over and over in rapid succession is not only tedious and disruptive of the learning process, but constantly stooping over can place a strain on a golfer&#39;s back, potentially causing injury. Once a golfer is tired or sore, it is unlikely that he will continue to take practice shots and, as a result, his golf game may suffer. There is a need for providing equipment by which a golfer automatically tees up his golf ball so that the golfer may rapidly tee up successive balls without having to greatly alter his stance or hand position on the grip of the club. Given the importance of a good golf swing and a strong drive to success in the sport of golf, numerous attempts have been made over the years to perfect a teeing device which mechanically places a ball onto a golf tee for a golfer to strike. Generally speaking, these devices have either been for installation below ground or utilize an above ground approach. However, devices utilizing either of these approaches have additional inherent drawbacks which have prevented their acceptance in the golf industry. Teeing devices which are installed below ground are often mechanically and electronically complex and require excavation prior to their installation. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,964, for example, teaches an underground system where a photoelectric sensor detects movement of the tee (i.e. once the golfer swings and displaces the ball), whereupon the tee is retracted below ground by an electric motor driving a pinion gear and a replacement ball is gravity fed onto the tee at its lowermost retracted position. The height to which the tee will rise is adjusted by use of a height adjustment micro switch. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,148 teaches an underground trough which receives golf balls from a hopper and a pneumatic device which raises the tee to a position higher than ground level. In all of these teeing devices, ball handling requires complex equipment which is costly and requires high maintenance. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the novel golf ball placement device of the present invention is indicated in the general direction of arrow  10  which includes an elongated storage and feed tube  11  which is fixedly carried on a base  12  by means of a bracket  13 . End  14  of feed tube  11  is open so that a plurality of golf balls may be introduced to the tube  11  for storage purposes and for eventually feeding the lowermost ball in a series to a rotatable cylinder  16  via an open end  15  in tube  11 . The intermediate collection cylinder  16  includes an opening  17  so that a ball captured within the cylinder can be transferred through an opening  18  located in the side of a dispensing tube  20 . The dispensing tube is pivotally mounted on a bracket  21  by means of a pivot  22  and a bracket  23 . The pivot rod  22  passes through a sleeve which is attached to a support plate  24  to which the end of tube  20  is fixedly attached. Therefore, it can be seen that the tube  20  can be rotated on its pivot  22  between the brackets  21  and  23 . In order to actuate the pivotal movement of tube  20 , the device is provided with an actuator plate  25  against which a player&#39;s golf club head may be placed in order to actuate the device. Therefore, the golfer may remain in a fixed stance of his selection without having to bend, lean or otherwise lose his stance in order to operate the device. 
     It is of importance to note that the intermediate collection cylinder  16  has a counter weight attached thereto so that after the device has been actuated so that the cylinder is rotated, and the ball placed on a tee  27 , the device is automatically reset by causing the dispensing tube  20  to revert to its vertical and standby position, as illustrated. Also, the cylinder  16  will rotate to its standby position in order to receive another ball from the feed tube  11 . 
     The ball is indicated by numeral  28  which has been placed on the tee  27  and the dispensing tube has been automatically returned to its at rest or start position. A feature resides in placing the tee  27  so as to serve as a hub for receiving a mat  30  in which a center hole is placed over the tee  27 . The mat augments the device by simulating turf and prevents the golfer&#39;s club head from striking or damaging the base for support on which the device is mounted. A linkage  31  extends from a crank arm  32  attached at one end to the cylinder  16  and to the actuator plate  25  via the pivot  22  and the feed tube  20 . Therefore, any actuation of the plate  25  will cause the cylinder  16  to rotate via the linkage  31  and bell crank  32 . 
     Since the device is intended to be used for commercial applications, it is important to count balls as they are dispensed from the dispensing tube and for this reason, an automatic ball counter  33  is provided on the base  12  which is operated by the pivotal movement of the dispensing tube  20 . Therefore, as the tube  20  dispenses a ball onto the tee  27 , a count will be taken. 
     Referring now in detail to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the cylinder  16  serves as a stop for the sequence of balls numbered  2 - 7  which are in the feed tube  11 . However, when the cylinder  16  is rotated so that the opening  17  is beneath the feed tube  11  at opening  15 , the lowermost ball which in this case is numbered  2 , will drop into the cylinder preparatory for introduction to the dispensing tube  20 . However, it is to be understood that the previous placement of a ball on the tee  27  caused the ball numbered  1  to drop into the bottom of the dispensing tube  20  where it rests on a platform or pin  34 . Therefore, any one of the series of balls which rests on the pin or platform  34  is the next ball to be dispensed when the actuating plate  25  has been depressed. In the position shown in FIG. 2 which is preparatory for dispensing ball  1  onto the tee, the counter weight has previously caused the cylinder  16  to revolve to where the outside surface of the cylinder serves as a stop for the supply of balls in the feed tube  11 . 
     When the actuating plate  25  has been depressed, as shown in FIG. 3 by arrow  35 , the dispensing tube  20  pivots so that its dispensing end  36  conducts the ball  1  to the top of the tee  27 . At this point, actuation of plate  25  ceases and the counter weight  26  will cause the cylinder  27  to revert back to its originating position. However, ball number  2  from the feed tube  11  will now be on the inside of the cylinder  16 . 
     In FIG. 4, a transition illustration shows that the tube  20  is now returning to its start position wherein ball number  2  has now left the interior of the cylinder  16  via the opening  17  and the ball number  2  enters opening  18  so as to enter the passageway of dispensing tube  20 . As further illustrated in FIG. 4, ball number  3  is now the lower ball in the series of stored balls within the feed tube  11  and is bearing against the outside surface of cylinder  16  preparatory for another actuation of the plate  25 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the dispensing tube  20  has returned to its original position for starting the next ball dispensing procedure. The FIG. 5 position is identical to that shown in FIG. 1 with the exception that ball number  2 , as shown in FIG. 4, is now in its preparatory position for the next sequence as it rests against the stop or platform  34  and as shown in FIG. 5, the ball has been renumbered to that of number  1 . Depression of plate  25  causes the next sequence to occur, as previously described, and the ball number  1  will be placed onto the tee  27 . Of course, a count will be made at every ball placement for commercial purposes. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, views are shown of the inventive device in its stationary and ready position for dispensing of golf balls. It is to be understood that the opening  14  to the feed tube  11  may be attached to any convenient reservoir or supply of golf balls such as those which may be kept at a control station, club house or pro shop. It is also to be understood that the mechanism including linkages, bell cranks and even the counter  33  are of mechanical operation and that no electricity is required. The construction of the device is robust and will withstand damage or fatigue when placed in outdoor locations. Again, it is to be understood that all that is necessary to operate the dispensing tube  20  so that a ball is placed on the top of tee  27 , is that the golfer need only place or push the end of his golf club against the actuating plate  25 . As force is placed downward on the plate, pivoting occurs so that the dispensing tube will assume the position shown in FIG.  3  and the ball previously stored against the platform or pin  34  will roll by gravity feed through the tube for placement on the tee  27 . The force necessary to cause pivoting and downward movement of plate  25  is sufficient to overcome the force of the counter weight  26 . However, when that force is removed from the plate, the counter weight  26  will cause the cylinder  16  to rotate to its start position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the general direction of arrow  40  which includes an elongated housing  41 , arranged in a vertical orientation and which is resting on a simulated golf green pad  42 . The pad includes an opening  43  through which a conventional golf tee  44  is disposed. The housing  41  includes a pivoting, dispensing member  45  which rotates on the housing  41  by means of pivot connection  46 . It is to be noted that the opposite end of the dispensing member  45  includes an opening  47  through which the first golf ball is dispensed on to the tee  44 . The housing  41  is located from the hole  43  in such a manner that the hole  47  is indexed with the tee  44  or when the dispensing member  45  is pivoted as illustrated with respect to the first embodiment, a pedal or actuation member  48  is attached to the dispensing member  45  and may be actuated either by the foot of the user or the end of a golf club as previously described. 
     A storage tube  50  is included in the housing  41  and outwardly projects from the top thereof with an opening for receiving a quantity of golf balls such as golf ball  51 . 
     Referring now in detail to FIG. 9, it can be seen that the golf balls in storage tube  50  are fed into a cup  52  when in a rotatable receiver  53 . The lower most ball in the stack of golf balls in the storage tube  50  is automatically disposed in the cup  52  when the dispensing member  45  is in its fully pivoted or rotated position in order to place ball  54  onto the top of tee  44 . 
     The receiver  53  is rotated about axle  55  when the receiver further includes a counter-weight identified by numeral  56 . Therefore, when the device is in a position preparatory for use, a lower most ball in the sack will be disposed in the cup  52  and when the dispensing member  45  is actuated by depression of the lever or pedal  48 , the dispensing member will move into the position shown in FIG.  9  and the ball which was previously in the member will be dispensed through the opening  47 . Simultaneously, the next ball in the series in the storage tube So will be transferred to the cup  52 . It can be seen that a link or lever arm  57  has its opposite ends connected to the rotatable receiver  53  and to the dispensing member  45 . Once the ball has been dispensed, the counter-weight  56  will cause opposite rotation of the receiver  53  to the position shown in FIG.  10 . Also, the dispensing member  45  will have pivoted in a clock-wise direction to it&#39;s storage position in the housing  41 . 
     In both FIGS. 9 and 10, it can be seen that a stop-pin  58  prevents the ball in the dispensing member from falling further into the tube once it has been received into the member to an opening  60 . Thus, both embodiments of the invention include storage of multiple golf balls with the bottom-most ball being received into cup in the receiver for eventual transfer to the opening in the dispensing member for placement onto a tee via an end opening on the member. 
     In FIG. 12, the green pad  42  is illustrated as having an opening  61  which insertably receives a pin or plug  62 , so that the pad is properly centered and the tee properly placed on the plug  62  in alignment with opening  47  when the dispensing member  45  is fully deployed into position as shown in FIG.  9 . The tee  44  may be held in position on the plug by any suitable means. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.