Automatic golf ball tee setter
OwnerJuan F. Bunyiinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to a golf ball teeing apparatus. The apparatus is adapted to rotate about a frame and deliver golf balls to be automatically teed. The golf ball elevating apparatus is a levered system which positively loads and elevates golf balls above the platform. The golf ball delivery apparatus includes a golf ball magazine adapted to deliver golf balls to a delivery chute while preventing jamming of the golf balls.
Claims12
A golf station, comprising:
- (a) a circular frame member;
- (b) a generally horizontal platform rotatably recessed within the frame member, the platform defining a golf ball passage;
- (c) a ball elevating apparatus housed below the platform;
- and
- (d) a delivery chute fixedly attached to the platform to rotate in concert with the platform, the delivery chute having a top portion adapted for mounting a detachable golf ball magazine.
The golf station of claim 3 wherein the teeing apparatus further comprises an actuator, a first lever, a second lever, a loading lever, a pin lever, a piston, and a loading chamber wherein the actuator on depression contacts the first lever, the first lever contacts the second lever, the second lever contacts the piston which is partially disposed within the loading chamber, the piston contacts the loading lever, the loading lever contacts the pin lever, and the pin lever elevates a golf ball into the loading chamber and onto the piston.
A golf ball magazine for storing and delivering golf balls, comprising:
- (a) a substantially cylindrical ball receptacle having an outer casing and an inner cylinder core;
- (b) spiral flights disposed between the outer casing and the inner cylinder core;
- (c) a receiving nozzle attached to the beginning of the spiral flights;
- and
- (d) a gate trap disposed within the receiving nozzle.
A golf ball teeing apparatus, comprising:
- (a) an actuator mounted to a platform;
- (b) a first lever pivotally mounted having first and second ends, wherein the first end contacts the actuator;
- (c) a second lever pivotally mounted having first and second ends, wherein the second end of the first lever contacts the first end of the second lever and wherein the first end of the second lever is counterweighted so as to be normally displaced downward;
- (d) a piston slidably mounted in a loading chamber wherein the second end of the second lever pivotally contacts the piston;
- (e) a loading lever pivotally mounted having first and second ends, wherein the piston upon vertical movement contacts the first end of the loading lever;
- (f) a pin lever having first and second ends, wherein the second end of the loading lever contacts the first end of the pin lever and wherein the second end of the pin lever pushes a golf ball into the loading chamber;
- and
- (g) a delivery chute for golf balls is attached to the loading chamber and contacts the pin lever.
A method of setting a golf ball in a practice teeing position comprising the steps of:
- (a) pressing on an actuator mounted in a platform;
- (b) the actuator lowering a first end of a first lever pivotally mounted, raising a second end of the first lever;
- (c) the second end of the first lever raising a first end of a second lever pivotally mounted, wherein the second lever is counterweighted on the first end, further wherein a second end of the second lever is lowered correspondingly;
- (d) the second end of the second lever lowering a piston slidably housed in a loading chamber, wherein the piston slides vertically in conjunction with the vertical movement of the second end of the second lever and wherein the piston lowers a first end of a loading lever, pivotally mounted, raising a second end of the loading lever;
- (e) the loading lever contacting a pin lever pivotally mounted, wherein the pin ever positively pushes a golf ball over a lip and into the loading chamber;
- and
- (f) releasing the actuator which reverses the direction of movement of the first lever, the second lever, the piston, the loading lever, and pin lever, elevating the golf ball to a position above the platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.