US 5,684,284 A · Apparatus for measuring distances in the game of golf

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring distance in the game of golf includes an electro-mechanical DriveGauge.TM. which is provided with a large, easy-to-read display and which registers the player's strides in yards. The apparatus is preferably contained in an attractive housing having a belt clip and the display is mounted "upside down" so that the player may read the display without removing the apparatus from his/her belt. A large prominently colored reset button is preferably provided adjacent to the display so that the display may be quickly and easily reset to zero after a measurement is noted by the player. According to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, an electromechanical transducer is coupled through a noise filter to a counter which is coupled through a display control and driver to a large four digit LCD display. A clock oscillator is coupled to a system clock unit which provides clock signals for the noise filter and the display control and driver. A stride register is set by a setting unit and provides output to the counter. The noise filter prevents extraneous mechanical vibration of the unit from registering as a player's stride. The LCD display preferably displays up to 999.9 yards in increments of 0.1 yards. In order to set the stride register, the player inputs the distance in feet using the setting unit using a single button which is pressed repeatedly, each press representing 0.1 feet.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An apparatus for measuring distance in yards during a game of golf, said apparatus comprising:

a) a case having means for attaching said case to a golfer's article of clothing;
b) an electromechanical transducer housed in said case and being responsive to paces walked by the golfer when said case is attached to the golfer's article of clothing;
c) a stride register for storing a value indicative of the golfer's stride;
d) a counter accumulator coupled to said electromechanical transducer and to said stride register, said counter accumulator accumulating said value and storing an accumulated value in response to said electromechanical transducer and converting said accumulated value to a distance in yards;
e) a display means coupled to said counter accumulator for displaying said distance in yards;
f) setting means for setting said stride register to store said value for a golfer;
and
g) an electronic noise filter circuit electronically coupled between said electromechanical transducer and said counter accumulator for preventing extraneous mechanical vibration of the case from registering as a pace.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for measuring distances in the game of golf

Life of this patent

Apparatus for measuring distances in the game of golf

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14