Golf ball warming and dispensing system for thermal location
AssigneeHotBallz, LLC
InventorsJoshua Carroll Hintz, Jeffery Daune Hintz, Jacob Jeffery Hintz, Benn Douglas Horrisberger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for enhancing golf ball location is described, comprising a portable warming sleeve configured to hold and provide heat to one or more golf balls via one or more integrated heating elements. The system includes a controller connected to the heating elements, the controller being configured to operate the heating elements to heat the golf balls to a defined target temperature. This heating process elevates the temperature of the golf balls above a threshold, enabling a separate thermal imaging device to detect and locate the golf balls based on the resulting thermal signature.
Claims20
A system for enhancing golf ball location, comprising:
- a warming sleeve including one or more heating elements, the warming sleeve configured to hold one or more golf balls while providing heat;
- a controller connected to the one or more heating elements, controller configured to operate the heating elements to heat the golf balls to a target temperature;
- and
- a thermal imaging device configured to detect the golf balls based on the temperature of the golf balls being above a threshold temperature.
A golf ball warming sleeve, comprising:
- a cylindrical body with an insertion opening and a dispensing opening, the cylindrical body shaped to hold one or more golf balls;
- a heating element disposed within walls of the cylindrical body;
- a temperature sensor within the sleeve body for sensing the temperature of the golf balls;
- a control unit configured to heat the golf balls to a target temperature, based on feedback from the temperature sensor, to ensure the golf balls achieve a temperature detectable by a thermal imaging device.
A method for maintaining a continuous supply of thermally-locatable golf balls throughout a round of golf, the method comprising:
- Inserting one or more golf balls into a portable warming vessel;
- Activating a heating element within the portable warming vessel to warm the golf balls to a target temperature that provides enhanced thermal contrast relative to ambient conditions;
- Dispensing a first warmed golf ball from the portable warming vessel to be used for a current hole;
- Locating the first warmed golf ball on the course using a thermal imaging device configured to display objects above a threshold temperature;
- After completing the current hole, reinserting the used golf ball into the portable warming vessel for reheating;
- and
- Dispensing a second warmed golf ball from the portable warming vessel to be used for a subsequent hole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.