Multi-axis holding device for golf ball orienting and printing
AssigneeAcushnet Company
InventorRichard Westgate
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A holding device includes a support mechanism configured to contact and hold the golf ball, a first motion device configured to move the golf ball and at least a portion of the support mechanism in a translational direction along an axis, a second motion device configured to move the golf ball and at least a portion of the support mechanism in a rotational direction around the axis, and a securing mechanism configured to produce a retaining force configured to hold the golf ball to the support mechanism.
Claims10
A holding device for handling a golf ball, the holding device comprising:
- a support mechanism configured to contact and hold the golf ball, the support mechanism comprising a support member, a control bar, and a support mount rigidly connected between the support member and the control bar;
- a first motion device configured to move the golf ball and at least a portion of the support mechanism in a translational direction along an axis, wherein the first motion device comprises a sleeve and a first servo motor configured to move the control bar through the sleeve to cause translational movement of the support member via the support mount along the axis;
- a second motion device configured to move the golf ball and at least a portion of the support mechanism in a rotational direction around the axis;
- and
- a securing mechanism configured to produce a retaining force configured to hold the golf ball to the support mechanism.
A multi-axis holder for handling a golf ball, comprising:
- a first holding device, comprising:
- a first support mechanism configured to contact and hold the golf ball;
- a first device configured to move the golf ball and at least a portion of the first support mechanism in at least one of a translational direction along a first axis or a rotational direction around the first axis, wherein the first device comprises a first motion device configured to move the golf ball and at least a portion of the first support mechanism in the translational direction along the first axis, and a second motion device configured to move the golf ball and at least a portion of the first support mechanism in the rotational direction around the first axis;
- a first securing mechanism configured to produce a retaining force configured to hold the golf ball to the first support mechanism;
- a second holding device, comprising:
- a second support mechanism configured to contact and hold the golf ball;
- and
- a second device configured to move the golf ball and at least a portion of the second support mechanism in at least one of a translational direction along a second axis or a rotational direction around the second axis, wherein the second device comprises a third motion device configured to move the golf ball and at least a portion of the second support mechanism in the translational direction along the second axis, and a fourth motion device configured to move the golf ball and at least a portion of the second support mechanism in the rotational direction around the second axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.