US 6,386,607 B1 · Golf ball dispensing and retrieving system

Abstract

Disclosed is a combination golf ball retrieving and dispensing apparatus which comprises a shag bag and two tubes. The first tube is a conventional golf ball retrieving tube which may be screwed into a collar at the base of the bag. Golf balls retrieved through the tube may be stored in the bag by inverting the retrieving tube. Stored golf balls may be dispensed by removing the retrieving tube and screwing into its place a dispensing tube on an extending collar which surrounds a hole at the bottom of the bag. The dispensing tube is L-shaped with one free end secured to the collar of the shag bag. Balls are dispensed through the bag and through the first leg (which is connected to the collar) and the second of the L-shaped legs. A selective dispenser is secured to the end of the second leg and comprises a pivotally mounted spring loaded bar having two prongs. The prongs extend through a slot in the wall of the second leg. A pivotally secured lever arm may press down on the arm thereby compressing the spring and moving one prong out of the interior of the second leg and the second prong through the slot and into the interior of the second leg. The distance between the two prongs is sufficiently proportioned to admit one ball therebetween so that, when the bar is moved from the first position to the second position, the first prong is moved out of the interior of the second leg and the second prong substantially simultaneously enters the interior of the second leg, permitting the ball against the first prong to be dispensed and the second prong blocks the remaining balls from further movement. When the lever is released, the bar returns to the first position and the first prong reenters the interior of the second leg and the second prong is removed permitting another ball to come to rest against the first prong for dispensing.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A golf ball collection and dispensing system of the type having a hollow container for receiving and dispensing therefrom golf balls for use upon a support or play surface, the container having at least one hole in a wall thereof so dimensioned as to allow the collection or dispensing of golf balls there through, said system comprising:

a) first and second hollow transmission tube means being so dimensioned so as to receive therethrough golf balls, said first and second transmission tube means each having one end for being alternatively releasably connectable to the container and in communication with the container hole so that golf balls may pass between said tubes and the container;
b) said first transmission tube means having an opposed free end opposed to said end which is releasably connected to the container, comprising means for receiving at least one golf ball at a time therein such that, upon a golf ball being inserted into said free end, said receiving means retains the golf ball and being capable of accepting therethrough and retaining therewithin the next golf ball;
and
c) said second hollow transmission tube means comprising means for dispensing therefrom at least one golf ball at a time.

1 more element

Means for dispensing rotatable objects in which the rotatable objects are passed through a tubular housing or similar conduit;

said dispensing means comprising:
a) first and second blocking means which may be placed in any one of at least two positions and comprises a bar;
when in said first position, said blocking means holding the rotatable objects from being dispensed from the free end of the tubular housing and, in said second position, said blocking means selectively dispensing from the tubular housing at least one rotatable object at a time;
b) lever means pivotally connected to the tubular housing and pivots relative to said bar for moving said first and second blocking means between said first and second position;
and
c) resilient means cooperatively engaging said first and second blocking means to move said first and second blocking means from said second position to said first position.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Golf ball dispensing and retrieving system

Life of this patent

Golf ball dispensing and retrieving system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24