Identification device

• US 20040176174A1
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Topgolf Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: World Golf Systems Limited (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Inventors: Thirkettle, John S, Jolliffe, David B
• Granted Patent: US 7,160,196 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/134
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 47/002 Devices for dispensing balls, e.g. from a reservoir automatic teeing devices A63B57/0006; devices for projecting balls A63B69/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3694 for driving only

Abstract

A tray (10) for supplying coded golf balls (50) to the tee (41) of a golf driving range comprises a first zone (11) for receiving golf balls, one of which is selected to be played by moving it by means of a club over a barrier (14) to a second (12) where it passes under gravity through an outlet (30) past a code reader (41) to the tee (41). An indicator light (46) is provided to confirm that the code has been read. The barrier (14) may have a grooved side (15) to assist transfer of the golf ball from the first zone (11) to the second zone (12).

Claims

1. A device (10) for identifying coded rolling articles (50) comprising a first zone (11) for holding a plurality of articles separated by a barrier (14) from a second zone (12), the barrier being such that the articles can be rolled over the barrier individually, the second zone being configured such that an article therein is constrained to move to an outlet (30) of the device past means (41) for reading the code of the article, characterised in that the device is configured as a tray (10), the barrier (14) dividing the tray into said first and second zones, which are both lower than the barrier, and in that a user can move a selected one of the articles from said first zone over the barrier to said second zone.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein an article (50) in the second zone (12) is constrained to move under the influence of gravity.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein articles (50) in the first zone (11) are constrained to move towards the barrier (14).

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein indicating means (46) are provided for indicating that the reading means (41) has read the code of an article (50).

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the indicating means (46) are provided adjacent to said outlet (30).

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein each article (50) is coded by means of an r.f. tag, and the reading means (41) includes an antenna located adjacent to said outlet.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the antenna (41) is connected to a decoder unit (42) housed inside the device.

8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein said barrier (14) bas a side (15) adjacent said first zone (11) having grooves.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said articles are golf balls (50) and wherein golf balls pass from said outlet (30) to a tee (40) of a golf driving range.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more obstacles are provided adjacent the entrance (31) of said outlet (30).

11. A method of placing golf balls on a tee (40) of a golf driving range, comprising the steps of:

(i) placing a plurality of coded golf balls (50) in a first zone (11) of a ball tray (10);

(ii) moving a selected one of said golf balls by means of a golf club from said first zone (11) over a barrier (14) to a second zone of the ball tray;

(iii) constraining the selected golf ball to move towards and through an outlet (30) of the tray,

(iv) reading the code of the selected golf ball as it moved through the outlet; and

(v) passing the selected golf ball from said outlet (30) to the tee (40).