Ball detection apparatus

• US 20040192455A1
• Filed: 03/15/2004
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Martin Wyeth
• Original Assignee: Martin Wyeth
• Inventors: Wyeth, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,344,446 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/134
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/0006 Automatic teeing devices devices for automatically dispensing balls in general A63B47/002
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction

Abstract

The ball detection apparatus is for detecting when a golf ball is hit off a golf tee of an automatic golf ball teeing machine. The detection apparatus comprises a radar device for producing a first signal in response to detecting movement of a golf club towards the tee, a directional microphone for producing a second signal in response to detecting the sound of a golf club striking a golf ball and monitoring means for detecting a coincidence between the first and second signals. An automatic golf ball teeing machine including such ball detection apparatus is also disclosed.

Claims

1. Ball detection apparatus for detecting when a golf ball is hit off a golf tee of an automatic golf ball teeing machine, comprising a radar device for producing a first signal in response to detecting movement of a golf club towards the tee, a directional microphone for producing a second signal in response to detecting the sound of a golf club striking a golf ball and monitoring means for detecting a coincidence between the first and second signals.

2. Ball detection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microphone is responsive to sound within a frequency range of 2 to 5 KHz.

3. Ball detection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring means is arranged to produce an output signal only if it detects a second signal while the first signal is at or close to its peak level.

4. Ball detection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring means is arranged to produce an output signal only if it detects a coincidence between the first and second signals and the second signal is above a predetermined level.

5. Ball detection apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the monitoring varies said predetermined level in accordance with the amplitude of the first signal.

6. An automatic golf ball teeing machine comprising ball detection apparatus for detecting when a golf ball is hit off a golf tee of an automatic golf ball teeing machine, comprising a radar device for producing a first signal in response to detecting movement of a golf club towards the tee, a directional microphone for producing a second signal in response to detecting the sound of a golf club striking a golf ball and monitoring means for detecting a coincidence between the first and second signals and a ball feeder for feeding balls one at a time to a golf tee, the ball feeder being operable in response to the monitoring means of the detection apparatus detecting a coincidence between the first and second signals.

7. An automatic teeing machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the radar device is supported by the ball feeder.

8. An automatic teeing machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the microphone is supported by a control panel housing processing circuitry of the monitoring means.

9. An automatic teeing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control panel has a display for displaying the maximum speed of the golf club.