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Patent 2396140 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2396140
(54) English Title: GOLF BALL TEEING DEVICE
(54) French Title: TE EQUIPE POUR BALLE DE GOLF
Status: Dead
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A63B 57/10 (2015.01)
  • A63B 47/00 (2006.01)
  • A63B 69/36 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • HONG, THOMAS K. (Canada)
(73) Owners :
  • HONG, THOMAS K. (Canada)
(71) Applicants :
  • HONG, THOMAS K. (Canada)
(74) Agent: NA
(74) Associate agent: NA
(45) Issued:
(22) Filed Date: 2002-07-30
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2004-01-30
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract



A golf ball teeing device comprises a base member, a
hopper, and a golf ball delivery track mounted on the base member
for pivotal movement between a vertical rest position and a
horizontal ball teeing position. A support receives the golf balls
from the hopper and presents each golf ball for delivery to the
track. A vertical motion transfer member moves with the proximal
end of the golf ball delivery track. An actuation mechanism
comprising a paddle mounted for pivotal movement in a rotational
direction opposite to the golf ball delivery track. The actuation
mechanism moves the vertical motion transfer member, to thereby
move the golf ball delivery track from the vertical rest position
to the horizontal ball teeing position and back again, and permits
selective delivery of the golf balls onto the golf ball delivery
track for subsequent placement on the tee.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



I CLAIM:
1. A golf ball teeing device for placing serially dispensed
golf balls onto a tee one at a time, said golf ball teeing device
comprising:
a base member;
a hopper mounted on said base member for receiving and
retaining a plurality of golf balls;
a golf ball delivery track having a proximal end and a
distal end, and operatively mounted adjacent said proximal end on
said base member for pivotal movement in a first rotational
direction about a substantially horizontal track pivot axis between
a substantially vertical rest position and a substantially
horizontal golf ball teeing position, and having a golf ball
placement aperture disposed adjacent said distal end, wherein a
golf ball disposed on said golf ball delivery track rolls to said
golf ball placement aperture when said golf ball delivery track is
in said substantially horizontal golf ball teeing position;
-25-


support means for receiving said golf balls in seriatim
from said hopper and presenting each received golf ball for
subsequent delivery to said track; and,
manually operable actuation means for moving said golf
ball delivery track from said substantially vertical rest position
to said substantially horizontal golf ball teeing position and
subsequently back to said substantially vertical rest position, and
for selectively delivering said golf balls presented by said
support means sequentially onto said golf ball delivery track for
subsequent placement on said tee, said actuation means comprising
at least one paddle operatively mounted on said base member for
pivotal movement in a second rotational direction about a
substantially horizontal actuation pivot axis that is substantially
parallel to said track pivot axis, which pivotal movement in a
second rotational direction about said substantially horizontal
actuation pivot axis causes said actuation means to move said golf
ball delivery track from said substantially vertical rest position
to said substantially horizontal golf ball teeing position, wherein
said first rotational direction is opposite to said second
rotational direction.
2. The golf ball teeing device of claim 1, wherein said
actuation means further comprises a substantially horizontally
disposed axle pivotally mounted on said base member, and said at
-26-


least one paddle projects transversely from said substantially
horizontally disposed axle and is disposed exteriorly to said
housing, and at least one transfer member actuating arm projects
transversely from said substantially horizontally disposed axle.
3. The golf ball teeing device of claim 1, wherein said
support means comprises an elevated golf ball supporting platform
having a golf ball receiving aperture therein, for receiving golf
balls in seriatim from said hopper, said golf ball receiving
aperture having a effective diameter smaller than the diameter of
said golf balls.
4. The golf ball teeing device of claim 3, wherein said
elevated golf ball supporting platform has a track-facing opening
therein in communication with said golf ball receiving aperture,
for assisting in directing golf balls onto said golf ball delivery
track.
5. The golf ball teeing device of claim 1, wherein said golf
ball delivery track is spring biased toward said substantially
vertical rest position.
6. The golf ball teeing device of claim 1, wherein said
hopper has a helically-shaped storage and delivery channel for
receiving golf balls thereon.
-27-


7. The golf ball teeing device of claim 6, wherein said
hopper comprises a plurality of modules stacked vertically one on
top of another, each module has a helically-shaped storage and
delivery channel for receiving golf balls thereon.
8. A golf ball teeing device for placing serially dispensed
golf balls onto a tee one at a time, said golf ball teeing device
comprising:
a base member;
a hopper mounted on said base member for receiving and
retaining a plurality of golf balls;
a golf ball delivery track having a proximal end and a
distal end, and operatively mounted adjacent said proximal end on
said base member for pivotal movement in a first rotational
direction about a substantially horizontal track pivot axis between
a substantially vertical rest position and a substantially
horizontal golf ball teeing position, and having a golf ball
placement aperture disposed adjacent said distal end, wherein a
golf ball disposed on said golf ball delivery track rolls to said
golf ball placement aperture when said golf ball delivery track is
in said substantially horizontal golf ball teeing position;
-28-


support means for receiving said golf balls in seriatim
from said hopper and presenting each received golf ball for
subsequent delivery to said track;
a vertical motion transfer member mounted in sliding
relation on at least one support post and so as to engage said
proximal end of said golf ball delivery track, and for travel with
said proximal end of said golf ball delivery track between a
lowered position corresponding to said substantially vertical rest
position of said golf ball delivery track and a raised position
corresponding to said substantially horizontal golf ball teeing
position of said golf ball delivery track; and,
manually operable actuation means for moving said
vertical motion transfer member from said lowered position to said
raised position and subsequently back to said lowered position,
thereby moving said golf ball delivery track from said
substantially vertical rest position to said substantially
horizontal golf ball teeing position and subsequently back to said
substantially vertical rest position, and for selectively
delivering said golf balls presented by said support means
sequentially onto said golf ball delivery track for subsequent
placement on said tee.
-29-


9. The golf ball teeing device of claim 8, wherein said
actuation means further comprises a substantially horizontally
disposed axle pivotally mounted on said base member, and said at
least one paddle projects transversely from said substantially
horizontally disposed axle and is disposed exteriorly to said
housing, and at least one transfer member actuating arm projects
transversely from said substantially horizontally disposed axle so
as to engage said vertical motion transfer member.
10. The golf ball teeing device of claim 9, wherein said golf
ball delivery track is operatively mounted on said base member for
pivotal movement in a first rotational direction about a
substantially horizontal track pivot axis between a substantially
vertical rest position and a substantially horizontal golf ball
teeing position.
11. The golf ball teeing device of claim 10, wherein said at
least one paddle is operatively mounted on said base member for
pivotal movement in a second rotational direction about a
substantially horizontal actuation pivot axis that is substantially
parallel to said track pivot axis when said actuation means moves
said golf ball delivery track from said substantially vertical rest
position to said substantially horizontal golf ball teeing
position, wherein said first rotational direction is opposite to
said second rotational direction.
-30-


12. The golf ball teeing device of claim 8, wherein said
support means comprises an elevated golf ball supporting platform
having a golf ball receiving aperture therein, for receiving golf
balls in seriatim from said hopper, said golf ball receiving
aperture having a effective diameter smaller than the diameter of
said golf balls.
13. The golf ball teeing device of claim 12, wherein said
elevated golf ball supporting platform has a track-facing opening
therein in communication with said golf ball receiving aperture,
for assisting in directing golf balls onto said golf ball delivery
track.
14. The golf ball teeing device of claim 8, wherein said
vertical motion transfer member includes a golf ball engaging
portion extending outwardly towards said support means, wherein
said golf ball engaging portion is vertically aligned with said
golf ball receiving aperture, so as to permit said proximal end of
said golf ball delivery track to lift a golf ball out of said golf
ball receiving aperture in said elevated golf ball supporting
platform, when said golf ball delivery track travels to its
substantially horizontal golf ball teeing position, such that said
golf ball falls onto said golf ball delivery track.
-31-


15. The golf ball teeing device of claim 14, wherein said
golf ball engaging portion includes a upwardly protruding portion
disposed thereon so as to contact a golf ball, to thereby lift said
golf ball out of said golf ball receiving aperture, as aforesaid.
16. The golf ball teeing device of claim 15, wherein said
upwardly protruding portion includes a forwardly facing sloped top
face for contacting a golf ball disposed in said golf ball
receiving aperture in said elevated golf ball supporting platform,
and urging said golf ball forwardly past said track-facing opening.
17. The golf ball teeing device of claim 8, wherein said golf
ball delivery track is spring biased toward said substantially
vertical rest position.
18. The golf ball teeing device of claim 8, wherein said
vertical motion transfer member is spring biased toward said lower
position.
19. The golf ball teeing device of claim 8, wherein said
hopper has a helically-shaped storage and delivery channel for
receiving golf balls thereon.
20. The golf ball teeing device of claim 19, wherein said
hopper comprises a plurality of modules stacked vertically one on
-32-


top of another, each module has a helically-shaped storage and
delivery channel for receiving golf balls thereon.
-33-

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02396140 2002-07-30
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to golf ball teeing
devices, and more particularly to golf ball teeing devices that
accurately place golf balls on a tee, and that are useable both at
home and at a golf practice facility.
OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The game of golf has been played for several centuries
and is one of the most popular sports in the world. Presently,
golf is played by tens of millions of people in many countries of
the world.
[0003] The game of golf requires a high degree of concentration
and skill, and accordingly a significant amount of practice is
required on an ongoing basis in order to play the game of golf
competently. In order to accommodate the need for practice for
millions of golfers, golf practice facilities provide a golf ball
driving range where a golfer can hit golf balls using a selected
club from a designated turf area or from a constructed practice
platforms comprising an artificial grass mat overlying a base and
golf tee extending upwardly through the mat.
- 1 -

CA 02396140 2002-07-30
[0004] A golfer pays a fee for the temporary use of several
dozen golf balls, with each of the golf balls being hit from the
tee, one golf ball after another. In order to maximize training
effectiveness, a golfer typically attempts to make the same swing
each time, for any given club, and accordingly needs as few
distractions as possible, in order to get into a rhythm and also in
order to maintain concentration.
[0005] Typically, the worst distractian encountered while
practising tee shots at a driving range is that of picking up a
next golf ball and placing it on the tee. This activity breaks the
golfers concentration after each shot, which is highly undesirable.
Further, if a golfer has found a stance that seems to be both
correct and comfortable, it is undesirable for that stance to be
interrupted after each shot as it is difficult to re-gain a correct
and comfortable stance for the next shot. Further, re-adjusting
one's stance between shots is time consuming.
[0006] Also, it is quite common for the golf ball to fall off
the tee once it has been placed on the tee, which is an extreme
nuisance and distraction.
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w CA 02396140 2002-07-30
[0007] Additionally, having a golfer manually place a golf ball
on the tee for each shot is time-consuming and slows down the
overall pace of practising.
[0008] Finally, some golfers, especially older golfers, find it
somewhat difficult to place a golf ball on the practice tee,
especially when this must be performed for several dozen iterations
during a short period of time.
[0009] There are dozens of prior art devices for automatically
teeing up golf balls for practice purposes. However, there are
very few golf practice facilities where golf ball teeing devices
are available for use. It is believed that one of the reasons for
this lack of available ball teeing devices in the driving range of
golf practice facilities is the lack of accuracy exhibited by most
prior art golf teeing devices in placing golf balls on a tee.
[00010] One such prior art patent is United States Patent
5,549,518 issued August 27, 1996 to Wang discloses a Golf Ball
Dispensing Device With Lightly-pivotal Track. This patent is
typical of many prior art patents in that a track is pivotally
mounted on a housing for movement between an inactive state wherein
the arm is disposed substantially vertically and an active state
wherein the arm is disposed somewhat horizontally. In use, when a
- 3 -

CA 02396140 2002-07-30
ball is to be dispensed onto a tee, a lever is pushed, which causes
the track to pivot downwardly such that the distal end of the track
is at the tee. A golf ball rolls along the track to the tee. This
type of golf ball teeing device can have an inherent problem in
that the actuator arm is pushed downwardly and somewhat towards the
golfer. Instead, it should be rotated so as to be pushed
downwardly and somewhat away from the golfer in line with the
orientation of the golf putter, so as to permit a simple and easy
pushing motion by the golfer using the putter.
[00011] United States Patent 5, 458, 339 issued October 17, 1995 to
Wildes discloses a Golf Ball Setting Apparatus. This apparatus has
a tee mounted on a base, and a housing that surrounds the various
mechanisms of the apparatus and also holds a number of golf balls.
An actuating arm is pivotally mounted on the housing such that in
order to dispense a golf ball, the actuating arm is pushed
downwardly away from the golfer, preferably through use of a golf
club; however, the track that dispenses the golf balls onto the
tee, does not pivot downwardly but is moved longitudinally, which
makes the overall mechanism undesirably complicated and large.
[00012 It is an object of the present invention to provide a
golf ball teeing device.
- 4 -

CA 02396140 2002-07-30
[00013] It is another object of the present invention to provide
a golf ball teeing device wherein the golf ball delivery track
rotates downwardly to delivering a golf ball to the tee, and
wherein the actuator is rotated so as to be pushed downwardly and
away from the golfer using the golf ball teeing device.
[00014] It is another object of the present invention to provide
a golf ball teeing device wherein the golf ball delivery track
rotates downwardly in a first rotational direction to delivering a
golf ball to the tee, and wherein the actuator is rotated in a
second rotational direction so as to be pushed downwardly and away
from the golfer using the golf ball teeing device.
S~IRY OF TEE INVENTION
[00015] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention
there is disclosed a novel golf ball teeing device for placing
serially dispensed golf balls onto a tee one at a time. The golf
ball teeing device comprises a base member and a hopper mounted on
the base member for receiving and retaining a plurality of golf
balls. A golf ball delivery track has a proximal end and a distal
end, and is operatively mounted adjacent the proximal end on the
base member for pivotal movement in a first rotational direction
- 5 -

CA 02396140 2002-07-30
about a substantially horizontal track pivot axis between a
substantially vertical rest position and a substantially horizontal
ball teeing position. A golf ball placement aperture is disposed
adjacent the distal end. A golf ball disposed on the golf ball
delivery track rolls to the substantially horizontal golf ball
placement aperture when the golf ball delivery track is in the golf
ball teeing position. A support means is provided for receiving
the golf balls in seriatim from the hopper and presenting each
received golf ball for subsequent delivery to the track. A
manually operable actuation means is provided for moving the golf
ball delivery track from the substantially vertical rest position
to the substantially horizontal ball teeing position and
subsequently back to the substantially vertical rest position, and
for selectively delivering the golf balls presented by the support
means sequentially onto the golf ball delivery track for subsequent
placement on the tee. The actuation means comprises at least one
paddle operatively mounted on the base member for pivotal movement
in a second rotational direction about a substantially horizontal
actuation pivot axis that is substantially parallel to the track
pivot axis, which pivotal movement in a second rotational direction
about said substantially horizontal actuation pivot axis causes
said actuation means to move the golf ball delivery track from the
substantially vertical rest position to the substantially
horizontal golf ball teeing position. The first rotational
direction is opposite to the second rotational direction.
- 6 -

CA 02396140 2002-07-30
[00016] In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention there is disclosed a novel golf ball teeing device for
placing serially dispensed golf balls onto a tee one at a time.
The golf ball teeing device comprises a base member and a hopper
mounted on the base member for receiving and retaining a plurality
of golf balls. A golf ball delivery track has a proximal end and
a distal end, and is operatively mounted adjacent the proximal end
on the base member for pivotal movement in a first rotational
direction about a substantially horizontal track pivot axis
between a substantially vertical rest position and a substantially
horizontal ball teeing position. A golf ball placement aperture is
disposed adjacent the distal end. A golf ball disposed on the golf
ball delivery track rolls to the golf ball placement aperture when
the golf ball delivery track is in the substantially horizontal
golf ball teeing position. A support means is provided for
receiving the golf balls in seriatim from the hopper and presenting
each received golf ball for subsequent delivery to the track. A
vertical motion transfer member is mounted in sliding relation on
at least one support post and so as to engage the proximal end of
the golf ball delivery track, and for travel with the proximal end
of the golf ball delivery track between a lowered position
corresponding to the substantially vertical rest position of the
golf ball delivery track and a raised position corresponding to the

~ CA 02396140 2002-07-30
substantially horizontal golf ball teeing position of the golf ball
delivery track. A manually operable actuation means is provided
for moving the golf ball delivery track from the substantially
vertical rest position to the substantially horizontal ball teeing
position and subsequently back to the substantially vertical rest
position, and for selectively delivering the golf balls presented
by the support means sequentially onto the golf ball delivery track
for subsequent placement on the tee.
[00017] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the
golf ball teeing device according to the present invention, will
become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description and the appended claims with reference to the
accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described
herein below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T8E DR7i11PINGS
[00018] The novel features which are believed to be
characteristic of the golf ball teeing device according to the
present invention, as to its structure, organization, and use,
together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be
better understood from the following drawings in which a presently
_ g _

. CA 02396140 2002-07-30
preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by
way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the
drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only,
and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the
invention. In the accompanying drawings:
[00019] Figure 1A is a perspective view from the front of a
preferred embodiment of the golf ball teeing device according to
the present invention, showing the golf ball delivery track in a
substantially vertical rest position;
100020] Figure 1B is a perspective view from the front of a
preferred embodiment of the golf ball teeing device according to
the present invention, showing the golf ball delivery track in a
substantially horizontal ball teeing position;
[00021] Figure 2A is a perspective view from the rear of the
preferred embodiment of the golf ball teeing device of Figure 1,
showing the golf ball delivery track in a substantially vertical
rest position;
[00022] Figure 2B is a perspective view from the rear of the
preferred embodiment of the golf ball teeing device of Figure 1,
_ g _

. CA 02396140 2002-07-30
showing the golf ball delivery track in a substantially horizontal
ball teeing position;
[00023) Figure 3A is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment
of the golf ball teeing device of Figure 1, showing the golf ball
delivery track in a substantially vertical rest position;
[00024] Figure 3B is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment
of the golf ball teeing device of Figure 1, showing the golf ball
delivery track in a substantially horizontal ball teeing position;
[00025) Figure 3C is a top plan view similar to Figure 3A, with
a portion of the housing cut away;
[00026] Figure 4A is a bottom plan view of the preferred
embodiment of the golf ball teeing device of Figure l, showing the
golf ball delivery track in a substantially vertical rest position;
[00027] Figure 48 is a bottom plan view of the preferred
embodiment of the golf ball teeing device of Figure 1, showing the
golf ball delivery track in a substantially horizontal ball teeing
position;
- 10 -

CA 02396140 2002-07-30
[00028] Figure 5A is a front end elevational view of the
preferred embodiment of the golf ball teeing device of Figure 1,
showing the golf ball delivery track in a substantially vertical
rest position;
[00029] Figure 5B is a front end elevational view of the
preferred embodiment of the golf ball teeing device of Figure l,
showing the golf ball delivery track in a substantially horizontal
ball teeing position;
[00030] Figure 6A is a back end elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the golf ball teeing device of Figure 1, showing the
golf ball delivery track in a substantially vertical rest position;
[00031] Figure 6B is a back end elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the golf ball teeing device of Figure 1, showing the
golf ball delivery track in a substantially horizontal ball teeing
position;
[00032] Figure 7A is a side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the golf ball teeing device of Figure 1, with the
ball delivering track in a substantially vertical rest position;
- 11 -

, CA 02396140 2002-07-30
[00033] ~'ignre 7B is a side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the golf ball teeing device of Figure 1, with the
ball delivering track in a substantially horizontal ball teeing
position;
[00034] Figure 8 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 7A,
with a portion of the housing cut away, and showing a first golf
ball on the elevated golf ball supporting platform ready to be
dispensed, and a second golf ball leaving the hopper and about to
roll onto the elevated golf ball supporting platform;
[00035] B'igure 9 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 8,
with a portion of the housing cut away, and showing a first golf
ball having been lifted from the elevated golf ball supporting
platform, and a second golf ball leaving the hopper and about to
roll onto the elevated golf ball supporting platform;
[00036] ffigure 10 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 9,
showing the first golf ball in dashed lining rolling along the golf
ball delivery track toward the tee, and showing the first golf ball
having reached the end of the golf ball delivery track and having
been received by the tee, and the second golf ball having rolled
into the golf ball receiving aperture in the elevated golf ball
supporting platform; and,
- 12 -

. CA 02396140 2002-07-30
[00037] Fa.gure 11 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 8,
additionally showing a golf ball on the tee.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED E~ODI~NT
[00038] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 11, which
show a preferred embodiment of a golf ball teeing device 20 for
placing serially dispensed golf balls 22 onto a tee 24 one golf
ball at a time, according to the present invention. In brief, the
golf ball teeing device 20 comprises a base member 30, a housing
40, golf ball hopper 50, a golf ball delivery track 60, a support
means 70 for receiving golf balls 22 the hopper 50, and actuation
means 80, as will be described in detail subsequently.
[00039] As can be seen in the drawings, the golf ball teeing
device 20 comprises a base member 30 in the form of a metal plate.
A means for levelling the base member 30 comprises a pair of
threaded feet 32 threadibly engaged in the base member 30. A
levelling indicator 34 mounted on the top of the base member 30 is
used to help adjust the base member 30 to a level orientation. A
tee 24 is part of a conventional golf mat, a conventional golf ball
driving platform, or the like.
- 13 -

CA 02396140 2002-07-30
[00040] The golf ball teeing device 20 further comprises a
housing 40 secured to the base member 30 by means of threaded
fasteners 41 (see Figures 4A and 4B). The housing 40 substantially
covers the support means 70 and the actuation means 80. A handle
means comprising a handle 42 is pivotally mounted on top of the
housing 40 and is used to carry the golf ball teeing device 20.
[00041] A golf ball hopper 50 is mounted on the base member 30 by
four threaded fasteners 52 and is for receiving and retaining a
plurality of golf balls 22 therein. The hopper 50 has a
helically-shaped storage and delivery channel 54 for receiving golf
balls 22 thereon. The preferred embodiment hopper 50, as
illustrated, comprises a plurality of modules 50a, 50a, 50c stacked
vertically one on top of another. Each of the modules 50a, 50b,
50c has a helically-shaped storage and delivery channel 54 for
receiving golf balls 22 thereon. The golf balls 22 are retained in
single file in this helically-shaped storage and delivery channel
54, thus precluding jamming of the golf balls 22 when they exit the
hopper 50, as will be discussed in greater detail subsequently.
[00042] A golf ball delivery track 60 has a proximal end 62 and
a distal end 64, and is preferably substantially straight between
the proximal end 62 and the distal end 64. The golf ball delivery
14 _

CA 02396140 2002-07-30
track 60 is operatively mounted adjacent its proximal end 62 on a
pair of brackets 65 that are secured to the housing 40, which is in
turn secured to the base member 30. The golf ball delivery track
60 is thus mounted for pivotal movement in a first rotational
direction about a substantially horizontal track pivot axis "T",
between a substantially vertical rest position, as is shown in
Figures 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8, and a substantially
horizontal golf teeing position, as is shown in Figures 1B, 2B, 3B,
4B, 5B, 6B, 7B, 9, and 10. Arrow "A" in Figure 9, shows the golf
ball delivery track pivoting in a first rotational direction about
the substantially horizontal track pivot axis "T" from its
substantially vertical rest position (not shown) to its
substantially horizontal golf teeing position. Arrow "B" in Figure
11 shows the golf ball delivery track 60 pivoting in a second
rotational direction about the substantially horizontal track pivot
axis from its substantially horizontal golf teeing position (not
shown) to its substantially vertical rest position. The golf ball
delivery track 60 can also be mounted in other similar manners, if
desired.
[00043] Preferably, the golf ball delivery track 60 is spring
biased toward its substantially vertical rest position by means of
a spring 67 having a first end 67a captured within a hollow
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CA 02396140 2002-07-30
mounting post 31 and a second end 67b captured by the golf ball
delivery track 60.
[00044] The golf ball placement aperture 68 in the golf ball
delivery track 60 is disposed adjacent its distal end 64. The golf
ball delivery track 60 is substantially horizontal but may be
angled slightly downwardly toward the golf ball placement aperture
68 when the base member 30 is level and when the when the golf ball
delivery track 60 is in the golf ball teeing position.
Accordingly, a golf ball 22 disposed on the golf ball delivery
track 60 rolls to the golf ball placement aperture 68 when the golf
ball delivery track 60 is in the golf ball teeing position.
[00045] A support means 70 is provided for receiving the golf
balls 22 in seriatim from the hopper 50 and presenting each
received golf ball for subsequent delivery to the track. In the
preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the support means 70
comprises an elevated golf ball supporting platform 72 that is
suspended from the top of the housing 40 by two vertically disposed
plates 74. The elevated golf ball supporting platform 72 has a
golf ball receiving aperture 76 therein, as is best seen in Figure
3C, for receiving golf balls 22 in seriatim from the hopper 50.
The golf ball receiving aperture 76 has a effective diameter
smaller than the diameter of the golf balls 22, so that the golf
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~ CA 02396140 2002-07-30
balls 22 will not merely drop through the golf ball receiving
aperture 76. Alternatively, a recess in the elevated golf ball
supporting platform 72 could be used in place of the golf ball
receiving aperture 76.
[00046] As can be best seen in Figure 3C, the elevated golf ball
supporting platform 72 has a track-facing opening 78 therein in
communication with the golf ball receiving aperture 76, for
assisting in directing golf balls 22 onto the golf ball delivery
track 60. The elevated golf ball supporting platform 72 also has
an outwardly opening front portion 73 to aid in golf ball travel.
[00047] A vertical motion transfer member 90 mounted in sliding
relation on at least one support post 96 and preferably on a pair
of co-operating vertically disposed posts 96. It is also possible
to mount the vertical motion transfer member 90 on only one
vertically disposed post or more than two vertically disposed
posts, as desired. The vertical motion transfer member 90 can also
be mounted in other similar manners, if desired.
[00048] The vertical motion transfer member 90 is mounted as
discussed above so as to engage the proximal end 62 of the golf
ball delivery track 60, and for travel with the proximal end 62 of
the golf ball delivery track 60, between a lowered position, as is
- 17 -

~ CA 02396140 2002-07-30
best seen in Figures 8 and 11, and a raised position, as is best
seen in Figures 9 and 10. The lowered position of the vertical
motion transfer member 90 corresponds to the substantially vertical
rest position of the golf ball delivery track 60 and the raised
position of the vertical motion transfer member 90 corresponds to
the substantially horizontal golf ball teeing position of the golf
ball delivery track 60.
[00049] Preferably, the vertical motion transfer member 90 is
spring biased toward its lower position by means of coil springs 97
mounted one around each of the two vertically disposed support
posts 96. The coil springs 97 each extending between the top of
the housing 40 and a co-operating nylon bushing 98 slidably engaged
on the respective vertically disposed support post 96 and secured
to the golf ball delivery track 60. The nylon bushings 98 are an
integral part of the vertical motion transfer member 90.
[00050] The vertical motion transfer member 90 has a golf ball
engaging portion 92 extending outwardly towards the support means
70. The golf ball engaging portion 92 of the vertical motion
transfer member 90 is vertically aligned with the golf ball
receiving aperture 76, so as to permit the golf ball engaging
portion 92 to lift a golf ball out of the golf ball receiving
aperture 76 in the elevated golf ball supporting platform 72, when
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~ CA 02396140 2002-07-30
the vertical motion transfer member 90 moves from its lowered
position to its raised position, as indicated by arrow "C" in
Figure 9. This vertical motion corresponds to golf ball delivery
track 60 moving from its substantially vertical rest position to
its substantially horizontal ball teeing position, such that the
golf ball on the elevated golf ball supporting platform falls onto
the golf ball delivery track 60.
[00051] Preferably, the golf ball engaging portion 92 includes an
upwardly protruding portion 99 disposed thereon so as to contact a
golf ball, to thereby lift the golf ball out of the golf ball
receiving aperture 76, as aforesaid. The upwardly protruding
portion 99 includes a forwardly facing sloped top face 99a for
contacting a golf ball disposed in the golf ball receiving aperture
76 in the elevated golf ball supporting platform 72, and urging the
golf ball forwardly past the track-facing opening 78 and onto the
golf ball delivery track 60.
[00052] There is also an manually operable actuation means 80 for
moving the golf ball delivery track 60 from the substantially
vertical rest position to the substantially horizontal ball teeing
position and subsequently back to the substantially vertical rest
position. The actuation means 80 is also for selectively
delivering the golf balls 22 presented by the support means 70
- 19 -

~ CA 02396140 2002-07-30
sequentially onto the golf ball delivery track 60 for subsequent
placement on the tee.
[00053] In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the
actuation means 80 comprises a substantially horizontally disposed
axle 82 extending through the housing 40 and pivotally mounted
within two vertically disposed support plates 83 secured to the
base member 30 on opposed sides of the housing 40. The actuation
means 80 further comprises at least one paddle 84 operatively
mounted on the base member 30 for pivotal movement in a second
rotational direction about a substantially horizontal actuation
pivot axis "P", as indicated by arrow "D" in Figure 9. The
actuation pivot axis "P" is substantially parallel to the track
pivot axis "T" . The pivotal movement shown by arrow "D" in the
second rotational direction about the actuation pivot axis "P",
causes the actuation means to move the golf ball delivery track 60
from its substantially vertical rest position to its substantially
horizontal golf ball teeing position. As can be seen in Figure 9,
the first rotational direction is opposite to the second rotational
direction.
- 20 -

CA 02396140 2002-07-30
[00054] The at least one paddle 84 projects transversely from the
substantially horizontally disposed axle 82, and in the preferred
embodiment illustrated, equivalent left and right paddles 84
project transversely from the substantially horizontally disposed
axle 82 and are disposed exteriorly to the housing 40. The left
and right paddles 84 are readily accessible to a golf club 21 held
by a golfer using the golf ball teeing device 20 of the present
invention so that golf balls 22 may be easily dispensed onto the
tee, as desired.
[00055] At least one transfer member actuating arm 86 also
projects transversely from the substantially horizontally disposed
axle 82 so as to engage the vertical motion transfer member 90. In
the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, two transfer member
actuating arms 86 (only one shown - see Figures 8 through 11)
project transversely from the substantially horizontally disposed
axle 82 so as to each engage a nylon bushing 88 slidably engaged on
the respective vertically disposed post 96.
[00056] Reference will now be made to Figures 8 through 11 to
discuss the golf ball teeing device 20 of the present invention in
use. As can be seen in Figure 8, a first golf ball 22a to be
dispensed is disposed on the elevated golf ball supporting platform
72 ready to be dispensed onto the golf ball delivery track 60, and
- 21 -

CA 02396140 2002-07-30
a second golf ball leaving the hopper 50 and about to roll onto the
elevated golf ball supporting platform 72. In order to dispense a
golf ball and have it placed on a tee, one of the two paddles 84 is
pushed, preferably by the head 21a of a golf club 21, downwardly
and away from a golfer, in a second rotational direction about the
substantially horizontal track pivot axis "T" from its
substantially vertical rest position (not shown) to its
substantially horizontal golf teeing position, as indicated by
arrow "D" in Figure 9. Correspondingly, the substantially
horizontally disposed axle 82 also rotates, as indicated by arrow
"A". The two transfer member actuating arms are correspondingly
caused to move pivotally upwardly so as to engage the vertical
motion transfer member 90. The vertical motion transfer member 90
itself engages the proximal end 62 of the golf ball delivery track
60, and thus lifts the golf ball delivery track 60 upwardly along
the two vertically disposed posts 66, from its substantially
vertical rest position as can be best seen in Figure 8, to its
substantially horizontal ball teeing position as can be best seen
in Figures 9 and 10. As the golf ball delivery track 60 approaches
its substantially horizontal ball teeing position, the forwardly
facing sloped top face 99a of the upwardly protruding portion 99 of
the vertical motion transfer member 90 contacts the golf ball
disposed in the golf ball receiving aperture 76 of the elevated
golf ball supporting platform 72, to thereby lift the first golf
ball 22a out of the golf ball receiving aperture 76, as can be seen
- 22

CA 02396140 2002-07-30
in Figure 9. Figure 9 also shows that a second golf ball 22b
leaves the hopper 50 and is about to roll onto the elevated golf
ball supporting platform 72.
[00057] The golf ball moves past the track-facing opening 78 in
the elevated golf ball supporting platform 72 and is received on
the golf ball delivery track 60. The golf ball rolls slowly along
the slightly downwardly slanted golf ball delivery track 60, as is
shown in dashed lining seen in Figure 10, to the golf ball
placement aperture 68 disposed at the distal end 64 of the golf
ball delivery track 60, as shown in solid lining in Figure 10.
When the golf ball reaches the golf ball placement aperture 68, the
golf ball 22a drops through the golf ball placement aperture 68 on
the tee 24. The paddle 84 of the actuator means 80 can then be
released to permit the golf ball delivery track 60 to move back to
its substantially vertical rest position, as shown in Figure 11, by
means of the spring 67 where it is safely out of the way of a
swinging golf club 21. The second golf ball 22b concurrently rolls
into the golf ball receiving aperture 76 in the elevated golf ball
supporting platform 72.
[00058 As can be understood from the above description and from
the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a golf
ball teeing device, wherein the golf ball delivery track rotates
- 23 -

CA 02396140 2002-07-30
downwardly to delivering a golf ball to the tee, and wherein the
actuator is rotated in an opposite direction so as to be pushed
downwardly and away from the golfer using the golf ball teeing
device, which is unknown in the prior art.
[00059] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent
to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and
such variations are considered to be within the scope of the
present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations
may be used in the golf ball teeing device of the present invention
without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying
claims.
- 24 -

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(22) Filed 2002-07-30
(41) Open to Public Inspection 2004-01-30
Dead Application 2007-07-30

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2004-07-30 FAILURE TO PAY APPLICATION MAINTENANCE FEE 2005-08-01
2006-07-31 FAILURE TO PAY APPLICATION MAINTENANCE FEE

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $150.00 2002-07-30
Reinstatement: Failure to Pay Application Maintenance Fees $200.00 2005-08-01
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2004-07-30 $50.00 2005-08-01
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2005-08-01 $50.00 2005-08-01
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
HONG, THOMAS K.
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Description 2002-07-30 24 799
Abstract 2002-07-30 1 25
Claims 2002-07-30 9 265
Representative Drawing 2002-10-01 1 18
Cover Page 2004-01-05 1 47
Correspondence 2002-09-12 1 10
Assignment 2002-07-30 2 71
Fees 2005-08-01 1 29
Drawings 2002-07-30 19 501