Patent Publication Number: US-2016220873-A1

Title: EZ Ball Golf Ball Receptacle and Dispenser

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/038,793 filed Aug. 18, 2014, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “EZ Ball Golf Ball Receptacle and Dispenser,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to the field of sports equipment, and more specifically to the field of golf ball holders. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The prior art has put forth several designs for golf ball holders. Among these are: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,391 to Robert J. Karr describes a golf ball storage and dispensing apparatus that includes a dispenser unit and a storage unit connected to the dispenser unit and adapted to store a plurality of golf balls. An actuator mechanism is mounted in the dispenser unit with the golf balls being fed from the storage unit to the actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism comprises a motor including a power source, an arm mechanism pivotable about a support shaft between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position, and a gear train assembly having a series of interacting toothed gear wheels, the gear train assembly being intermediate the motor and the arm mechanism. The actuator mechanism also comprises a reciprocating rod between the gear train assembly and the arm mechanism, the rod being axially moved by the gear train assembly and having its other end connected to the support shaft of the arm mechanism. A switch is also provided for activating the actuator mechanism. When actuated, the arm mechanism is moved from its vertical to its horizontal position, the golf ball rolls down the arm mechanism to be deposited adjacent the dispenser unit, and the arm mechanism is returned to its vertical position. A rotor is mounted to the last shaft of the gear wheel in the gear train assembly. The rotor has a body portion mounted on the rotor shaft, a rotor arm and a pin extending from the body portion substantially parallel to the rotor shaft. The rod has a series of four open ended slots therein with the rotor shaft being located in the first and third slot and the pin being located in the second and fourth slot, as the rotor turns through approximately three hundred sixty degrees and back again. At the completion of each aforementioned turn, the rotor arm strikes a switch to reverse the current in the motor and switch off the motor respectively. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,558 to James K. Hoffman describes a plurality of golf balls stored in a canister from which they are received by a vertical supply tube that supports the canister. From the tube, the balls move into a delivery arm that carries a release mechanism on its outer end. Actuation of the release mechanism when the arm is in its delivery position causes a ball to be dispensed onto a tee. The arm, which is supported by a sleeve surrounding the supply tube, is then rotated about a vertical axis until it extends rearwardly and out of the way in a rest position. The supply tube is provided with openings with which the arm is alignable on either side so the apparatus is operated in a right handed or left handed mode. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,983 Raymond L. Melton to describes a semiautomatic golf ball dispensing apparatus which includes a means for storing a plurality of golf balls, a means for selecting a particular golf ball from the plurality and a means for delivering the selected golf ball to the awaiting tee. In one form of the invention, a fulcrum base is provided for pivotally mounting a ramp which includes counterweights so as to normally bias the ramp in an upright position out of the way of the players club swing. The ramp includes a guide means for rollably directing a selected ball to be delivered to the golf tee and such guide means includes a resilient helical member carried on the end of the ramp for stabilizing and balancing the ball on the tee. The opposite end of the ramp is positioned adjacent the opening of a tubular member connected to a hopper containing the plurality of golf balls. The tubular member is angularly disposed with respect to the ramp so that a series of balls from the hopper are delivered one at a time to the ramp. The ramp is manually pivotable so that its incline slopes with respect to the end of the tubular member whereby a selected ball is gravity fed to the ramp for delivery to the tee. Selector means in the form of a tooth cooperating with an opening in the tube effectively permits the leading ball of the plurality in the tube to be introduced to the ramp while preventing the balls behind the leading ball from leaving the tube. By this means, only a single selected ball is introduced to the ramp for delivery to the tee. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,171,299 to Clay C. Beckett describes a teeing machine with a movable ball delivering chute which is normally positioned at a point substantially remote from the tee and well out of the way of a person addressing a ball on the tee. This golf ball teeing machine has an operating lever positioned at a point substantially remote from the tee but operable from the tee position by a golf club in the hand of a user of the tee. It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved golf ball delivery chute and chute operating mechanism which co-operates with a tee. 
     None of these prior art references describe the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf ball dispensing system that enables users to place a ball on a teeing mat from an upright body position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a prototypical functional diagonal view showing a golf ball being ejected through an opened side panel located on the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a prototypical functional diagonal close up view showing how a golfer uses a golf putter to push in the aforementioned side panel located on the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a prototypical functional diagonal close up view showing how the aforementioned side panel begins to spring open as the aforementioned golfer quickly draws the aforementioned golf putter back from the side panel. 
         FIG. 4  is a prototypical functional diagonal close up view showing how the aforementioned side panel fully springs open upon removal of aforementioned golf putter and dispenses one golf ball on the ground. 
         FIG. 5  is a cutaway side view showing the internal components of the golf ball dispenser of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a close up cutaway side view of the golf ball dispenser of the present invention showing the L-shaped door. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Golf is one of the most popular recreational and competitive sports in the world and possesses a rich history. Roman emperors apparently played a relaxing game called paganica, using a bent stick to drive a soft, feather stuffed ball. Over the next five centuries, the game developed on several continents and eventually evolved into a popular Scottish game known as golfe. Various European countries had games resembling paganica such as cambuca in England, jeu de mail in France, and het kolven in the Netherlands. These paganica derived games were played in the American colonies as early as the year sixteen hundred fifty seven. The Scottish game, however, is the direct ancestor of the modern game. More than approximately twenty three million people in the states play golf including over approximately eleven thousand professional players. A relaxing game of strategy and skill, this outdoor sport is a favored pastime of men, women, and even children. 
     Golf clubs and a small ubiquitous ball are necessary components of play on a golf course. It becomes taxing for any golfer to constantly bend down to put a golf ball in place, especially for golfers who are elderly, obese, arthritic, or have simple back and joint pain. Due to excessive bending down, these golfers experience soreness and discomfort after beginning play, which adversely affects their game. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , the present invention, hereinafter referred to as EZ Ball Golf Ball Receptacle and Dispenser  10 , or simply EZ Ball, is a golf ball dispensing system that allows users to place a ball on a teeing mat from an upright position. EZ Ball  10  provides golfers with a more user friendly means of teeing without having to bend over to place their ball on the teeing mat. Fabricated of a heavy duty plastic material common to existent golf buckets and squarely or rectangularly shaped, the EZ Ball bucket  12  measures approximately nine to twelve inches in height, eight to eleven inches in width, and seven to twelve inches in depth. The interior of the EZ Ball bucket holds a multitude of golf balls, comprising an internal incline  14  that slopes downward to a rectangular dispenser hole  16  which is centrally positioned near the bottom of the bucket adjacent to the ground. The rectangular dispenser hole  16  is covered by an L-shaped door  20 . L-shaped door  20  has a corner edge where the two line segments join to make a ninety degree angle. The area defined by the two line-segments of the L is defined herein as being inside the L. L-shaped door  20  is hingedly mounted to the rectangular dispenser hole  16  along the top edge of the rectangular dispenser hole  16 . Hinge  22  runs along the corner edge of the L-shaped door  20  and connects the door  20  to bucket  12  at the top edge of rectangular dispenser hole  16 . 
     When door  16  is lightly tapped with the edge of a putter, door  20  is pushed into the bucket  12 , allowing one golf ball to enter the inside of the L of L-shaped door  20 . When the putter is released, gravity allows L-shaped door  20  to pivot at hinge  22 , releasing the ball from the inside of L to the outside of the bucket  12 . Constructed in such a manner, EZ Ball is activated with a slight tap of a golf club against the door  20 . This sequence is shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . When this activation occurs, a ball rolls from the EZ Ball bucket on to a teeing mat, instantly ready to play. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a spring  30  connects the L-shaped door  20  to the inside of bucket  14  to provide additional tension to door  20 . 
     A practical yet highly efficient and assistive device, the present invention eliminates frustrations often associated with constantly bending downward to place a ball on a tee, mat or turf. Using EZ Ball permits golfers to avoid muscle strain that results from such a taxing burden on the body. In this manner, patrons of golf driving ranges or golf courses are able to concentrate fully on their game, which results in improved scores when playing at a golf course. Driving range establishments that implement EZ Ball will increase their revenues as well as receive positive word of mouth advertising from appreciative golfers. Compact and lightweight, the EZ Ball also is stored easily in a golf bag, readily accessible whenever heading to the range. Constructed of durable, high quality materials and components, the present invention will withstand years of continued use and play. 
     Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.