Infra-red laser device and method for searching for lost item

• US 20020082120A1
• Filed: 11/02/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William E. Mclaughlin
• Original Assignee: William E. Mclaughlin
• Inventors: McLaughlin, William E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,803,575 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/353
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0053 for locating an object, e.g. a lost ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities

Abstract

An ordinary golf ball is cleaned and then heated with an emulsion depositing in the dimples a hologram having the capacity to reflect a pre-selected wavelength of laser-beam. If a player temporarily losses such ball, a hand-held unit directs an infra-red laser beam of said pre-selected wavelength, desirably one not absorbed by atmospheric moisture, such as 1310 nm. Said hand-held unit contains an analyzer evaluating the light reflected back to such analyzer and attributable to such laser bean of said pre-selected wave-length. By evaluating the intensity of such reflected light, the golfer can target the location of the temporarily lost ball. Upon approaching the lost ball the angle at which the unit would be held would be modified for focusing on the lost ball. Earphones, meters, or other diagnostic equipment can monitor the intensity of the light reflected back from such laser beam. Such hand held analyzer of reflected light involves an investment which is small enough that a golf club can include the rental of such a unit as a part of the rental for a golf cart. Preliminary estimates indicated that any country club failing to utilize the present invention will encounter greater losses from lost balls than those practicing the present invention, because the cost of periodically regenerating the hologram for a ball represents such a small fraction of the cost of a replacement ball.

Claims

1. [3 as filed on Jan. 21, 1999] A monitoring device useful for seeking to locate a temporarily lost item having a coating of an explicit material, said monitoring device comprising:

a source for electrical power;

means actuated by such electrical power for generating a laser beam having a wavelength corresponding to the refelecting characteristics of said explicit coating material;

receptor cells responsive to the light reflected from such laser beam;

amplifier means amplifying the electrical signal indicative of such reflected light; and

indicating means alerting an observer to the varying intensity of such reflected light when the laser beam scans a search zone possibly containing such temporarily lost item.

2. [4 as filed on Jan. 21, 1999] The monitoring device of claim 1 [3] in which the indicating means features an audio signal.

3. [5 as filed on Jan. 21, 1999] The monitoring means of claim 1 [3] in which the laser beam has a wavelength of 1310 nm.