US 5,665,004 A · Automatic golf ball dispenser

Abstract

An automatic golf ball dispenser includes a loading assembly, a base, and a delivery assembly. The loading assembly includes a bowl and a supply tube. The volume of the bowl is structured to hold a large quantity of golf balls. The bowl is sized to snugly fit into the supply tube. The base includes a platform, a tee, and a projection. The loading assembly is rigidly connected to the base, but may be quickly removed. A tee is fastened to the platform at the opposite end thereof. The delivery assembly comprises a delivery tube, a loading interface, a stop, and a plug. The loading interface is fastened to the first end of the delivery tube. The first end of the delivery assembly is pivotally connected to the loading assembly at substantially the second end thereof. A stop is fastened to the bottom of the delivery tube at the first end thereof. When the delivery tube is swung downward, a ball falls through a first cutout of the delivery tube and rolls to a second cutout of the delivery tube. The ball falls through the second cutout and rests on the tee. The delivery assembly then retracts to an upright position. The delivery tube may be actuated in a semi-automatic or fully automatic mode.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An automatic golf ball dispenser comprising:

a platform having a first end and a second end;
a tee being fastened to said second end of said platform;
a delivery unit having a delivery tube and a supply tube;
said delivery tube having a first end and a second end, a first cutout at said first end of said delivery tube, and a second cutout at said second end of said delivery tube;
said supply tube having a first end, a second end, and a cutout located at substantially said second end of said supply tube, said second end of said supply tube being fastened to said first end of said platform, said first end of said delivery tube being pivotally connected to said supply tube at substantially said second end thereof;
and
a projection being fastened to said first end of said platform, said projection slidably fitting into said second end of said supply tube, a bolt and a wing nut rigidly retaining said delivery unit relative to said platform, wherein said delivery unit being easily detachable from said platform by unthreading said wing nut, and removing said bolt.

4 more elements

An automatic golf ball dispenser comprising:

a platform having a first end and a second end;
a tee being fastened to said second end of said platform;
a delivery unit having a delivery tube and a supply tube;
said delivery tube having a first end and a second end, a first cutout at said first end of said delivery tube, and a second cutout at said second end of said delivery tube;
said supply tube having a first end, a second end, and a cutout located at substantially said second end of said supply tube, said second end of said supply tube being fastened to said first end of said platform, said first end of said delivery tube being pivotally connected to said supply tube at substantially said second end thereof;
a projection being fastened to said first end of said platform, said projection slidably fitting into said second end of said supply tube, a bolt and a wing nut rigidly retaining said delivery unit relative to said platform, wherein said delivery unit being easily detachable from said platform by unthreading said wing nut and removing said bolt;
and
an adjusting rod being inserted through a slot in said delivery tube at said second end thereof, said adjusting rod being tapped into a plug, said slot allowing said plug to be adjusted along the center axis of said delivery tube, the location of said plug being maintained by tightening said adjusting rod.

5 more elements

An automatic golf ball dispenser comprising:

a platform having a first end and a second end;
a tee being fastened to said second end of said platform;
a delivery unit having a delivery tube and a supply tube;
said delivery tube having a first end and a second end, a first cutout at said first end of said delivery tube, and a second cutout at said second end of said delivery tube;
said supply tube having a first end, a second end, and a cutout located at substantially said second end of said supply tube, said second end of said supply tube being fastened to said first end of said platform, said first end of said delivery tube being pivotally connected to said supply tube at substantially said second end thereof;
and
an adjusting rod being inserted through a slot in said delivery tube at said second end thereof, said adjusting rod being tapped into a plug, said slot allowing said plug to be adjusted along the center axis of said delivery tube, the location of said plug being maintained by tightening said adjusting rod.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic golf ball dispenser

Life of this patent

Automatic golf ball dispenser

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20