Back to results
US 12,643,020 B1Granted
Golf ball alignment and registration in a transportation system
AssigneeAcushnet Company
InventorsMichael McNamara, Jedediah H. James, Edmund T. Maher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for transporting a golf ball on at least one track has a shuttle and a golf ball holder attached to the shuttle. The shuttle is configured to be attached to the track for movement along the track in a travel direction. The golf ball holder is configured to maintain an orientation of the golf ball. The system additionally has a registration system configured to move the golf ball holder from a first position to a second position in a registration direction that is different than the travel direction.
Claims16
A system for transporting a golf ball, comprising:
- at least one track;
- a shuttle configured to be attached to the track for movement along the track in a travel direction;
- a golf ball holder attached to the shuttle, the golf ball holder configured to maintain an orientation of a golf ball, wherein the golf ball holder comprises a sliding plate;
- and
- a registration system configured to move the golf ball holder from a first position to a second position in a registration direction that is different than the travel direction,
- wherein the registration system comprises a push assembly configured to apply a force to the golf ball holder by contacting and pushing to move the golf ball holder from the first position to the second position,
- wherein the push assembly comprises a push arm configured to move in the registration direction between a retracted position and an extended position in contact with the golf ball holder,
- wherein the push arm is configured to contact the sliding plate,
- wherein the push arm comprises a distal end having an overhang configured to provide multi-planar contact with the sliding plate, and
- wherein the sliding plate comprises a beveled edge having a shape configured to mate with the overhang of the push arm.
7 more elements
A system for transporting a golf ball, comprising:
- at least one track;
- a shuttle configured to be attached to the track for movement along the track in a travel direction;
- a golf ball holder attached to the shuttle and configured to maintain an orientation of the golf ball, the golf ball holder comprising a sliding plate configured to move the golf ball holder from a first position to a second position in a registration direction that is different than the travel direction;
- and
- a registration system positioned adjacent to the at least one track, the registration system comprising:
- a push arm on a first side of the track configured to contact a first end of the sliding plate to move the golf ball holder from the first position to the second position in the registration direction;
- an interlocking feature on a second, opposite side of the track configured to mate with a corresponding feature on the golf ball holder when the golf ball holder is in the second position;
- and
- a hold down on the second side of the track configured to contact a second end of the sliding plate and restrain the sliding plate from rotating or lifting upward when the golf ball holder is in the second position.
6 more elements
A system for transporting a golf ball, comprising:
- at least one track;
- a shuttle configured to be attached to the track for movement along the track in a travel direction;
- a golf ball holder attached to the shuttle, the golf ball holder configured to maintain an orientation of a golf ball, wherein the golf ball holder comprises a sliding plate;
- and
- a registration system configured to move the golf ball holder from a first position to a second position in a registration direction that is different than the travel direction,
- wherein the registration system comprises:
- a push assembly configured to apply a force to the golf ball holder to move the golf ball holder from the first position to the second position;
- and
- a return assembly configured to engage the golf ball holder in the second position, wherein the return assembly comprises:
- a hold down configured to contact the golf ball holder, the hold down comprising a recessed surface configured to contact the sliding plate and restrain the sliding plate from rotating or lifting upward.
7 more elements
A system for transporting a golf ball, comprising:
- at least one track;
- a shuttle configured to be attached to the track for movement along the track in a travel direction;
- a golf ball holder attached to the shuttle, the golf ball holder configured to maintain an orientation of a golf ball;
- and
- a registration system configured to move the golf ball holder from a first position to a second position in a registration direction that is different than the travel direction,
- wherein the registration system comprises:
- a push assembly configured to apply a force to the golf ball holder to move the golf ball holder from the first position to the second position;
- and
- a return assembly configured to engage the golf ball holder in the second position, wherein the return assembly comprises a bumper configured to urge the golf ball holder from the second position back to the first position.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.