Electronically traceable golf club incorporating a programmable transponder

• US 20060122002A1
• Filed: 01/10/2006
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blaine L. Konow
• Original Assignee: Blaine L. Konow
• Inventors: Konow, Blaine L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,744,483 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/223
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2055/402 Warning devices for indicating missing golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/00 Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/00 Golfing accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/08 Sport
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0295 Proximity-based methods, e.g. position inferred from reception of particular signals

Abstract

A golf club is provided with a transponder that will transmit a coded signal when polled. The transmitter is small enough to fit into the golf club and does not need an external power supply. A data base associated with the coded signal is a depository of information related to the golf club.

Claims

1. An article registration and tracking system comprising:

an article to be registered, said article provided with a cavity having an interior dimension;

a programmable transponder programmed with identification indicia, said the transponder transmitting a signal corresponding to said identification indicia;

an attachment element comprising a pliable housing surrounding said transponder, said pliable housing having an exterior dimension similar to the interior dimension of the article.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a sensing station, the sensing station being a transmitted signal reader whereby the signal corresponding to said identification indicia transmitted by the transponder of the article may be read and recorded.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a plurality of sensing stations.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 where each of the sensing stations are located at locations remote from each other.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of the sensing stations communicates with a computer, whereby the signal corresponding to the identification indicia transmitted by the transponder is read at each sensing station and the identification indicia is entered into the computer.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein the computer creates a data file including the time when a particular identification indicia was read by a particular sensing station transmitted signal reader.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the programmable transponder is programmed at a programming station, the programming station includes a computer to program the programmable transmitter and be a repository of data base information.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein a second programming station includes a computer to program the programmable transmitter and be a repository of data base information.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein the second programming station is in communication with the first programming station whereby database information in the first programming station is modified with data from the second programming station.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein the second programming station programs the programmable transponder with data different from data programmed at the first programming station.

11. A firearm identification system including:

a firearm having a recessed area for housing a portion of the identification system;

a programmable transponder programmable with a multi-digit serial number, the transmitter carried in the recessed area of the firearm;

a data reader comprising a signal triggering and signal sensing station;

a programming station, the programming station capable of sending a coded signal to the programmable transponder whereby the multi-digit serial number is programmed into the programmable transmitter carried in the recessed area of the firearm.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 11 wherein the transponder is triggered to send a signal after being addressed by an interrogation signal.

13. A cavity back golf club registration and tracking system comprising:

the golf club provided with a head portion having a recessed area defined by a perimeter;

a non-metallic onlay inside the recessed area;

a programmable transponder located between the onlay and the surface of the recessed area, the transponder programmed with identification indicia, the transponder transmitting a signal corresponding to the identification indicia;

a plurality of sensing stations, each located proximate a tee on a golf course, the sensing stations being a transmitted signal reader wherein each of the sensing stations communicates with a computer physically located at the golf course, the signal corresponding to the identification indicia transmitted by the transponder is read at each sensing station and the identification indicia is entered into the computer and the progression of the golf club from one sensing station to a second sensing station is recorded and capable of being displayed on the computer at the golf course; and

whereby each of the sensing stations may record the presence of a particular golf club having specific identification indicia at a specific sensing station at a specific tee on the golf course.

56-81. -81. (canceled)