Golf ball/fluorescent object locator

• US 5,370,387 A
• Filed: 06/14/1993
• Issued: 12/06/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gene G. Baker
• Original Assignee: Gene G. Baker
• Inventors: Baker, Gene G.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US08/075,831
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 273/32 B, 273/213, 273/DIG. 24, 273/32 F, 294/19.2
• US Class Current: 294/19.2
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0053 for locating an object, e.g. a lost ball
• 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 47/02 for picking-up or collecting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/00 Golfing accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/10 Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers by reflection from the object G01S17/00

Abstract

A new and improved golf ball/fluorescent object locator includes a UV light source assembly. A rigid support member is connected to the UV light source assembly and extends upward and rearward from the UV light source assembly. A handle member is connected to the rigid support member, for permitting the UV light source assembly to be controlled by a person holding the handle member. The UV light source assembly includes a housing connected to the rigid support member, a battery assembly housed within the housing, a UV source powered by the battery assembly and housed within the housing, and a UV transparent lens structure, attached to the housing at a bottom portion of the housing, for permitting UV light to pass from the UV source to outside the UV light source assembly to below the UV light source assembly. The battery assembly may include rechargeable batteries. A reflector assembly is positioned above and behind the UV source and reflects UV light through the UV transparent lens structure to outside the UV light source assembly. The rigid support member extends downward and forward from the handle member toward the UV light source assembly at a first predetermined angle. The rigid support member extends upward and rearward from the UV light source assembly toward the handle member at a second predetermined angle. The first predetermined angle and the second predetermined angle are equal to each other and are equal to approximately 135 degrees.

Claims

1. A new and improved fluorescent object locator, comprising:

a UV light source assembly,

a rigid support member, connected to said UV light source assembly and extending upward and rearward from said UV light source assembly, and

a handle member, connected to said rigid support member, for permitting said UV light source assembly to be controlled by a person holding said handle member,

wherein

said rigid support member extends downward and forward from said handle member toward said UV light source assembly at a first predetermined angle with respect to said handle member, said rigid support member extends upward and rearward from said UV light source assembly toward said handle member at a second predetermined angle with respect to said UV light source assembly, and

said first predetermined angle and said second predetermined angle are selected such that said UV light source assembly and said handle member are located in parallel planes.

2. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said UV light source assembly includes:

a housing connected to said rigid support member, a battery assembly housed within said housing,

a UV source powered by said battery assembly and housed within said housing, and

a UV transparent lens structure, attached to said housing at a bottom portion of said housing, for permitting UV light to pass from said UV source to outside said UV light source assembly to below said UV light source assembly.

3. The apparatus described in claim 2 wherein said battery assembly includes rechargeable batteries.

4. The apparatus described in claim 2, further including:

a reflector assembly, positioned above and behind said UV source, for reflecting UV light through said UV transparent lens structure to outside said UV light source assembly.

5. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said first predetermined angle and said second predetermined angle are equal to each other.

6. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said first predetermined angle and said second predetermined angle are approximately 135 degrees.

7. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said rigid support member includes a front portion which is located in a plane parallel to a plane in which said UV light source assembly is located.

8. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said rigid support member includes a rear portion which is located in a plane parallel to a plane in which said handle member is located.

9. The apparatus described in claim 1, further including:

a visible light source assembly, supported by said rigid support member, for providing visible light.

10. The apparatus described in claim 9 wherein said visible light source assembly is connected to said rear portion of said rigid support member.

11. The apparatus described in claim 9 wherein said visible light source assembly is supported in a plane that is parallel to a plane in which said handle member is located.

12. The apparatus described in claim 9, wherein said visible light source assembly is a battery-powered flashlight.

13. A new and improved fluorescent object locator, comprising:

a UV light source assembly,

a rigid support member, connected to said UV light source assembly and extending upward and rearward from said UV light source assembly, and

a handle member, connected to said rigid support member, for permitting said UV light source assembly to be controlled by a person holding said handle member.

further including;

a ball recovery assembly, connected to said UV light source assembly, for lifting and retaining a ball,

wherein said ball recovery assembly includes;

a housing,

a support strut connected between said housing and said UV light source assembly for supporting said ball recovery assembly on said UV light source assembly,

an expandable, resilient valve member, located at a bottom portion of said housing, said valve member capable of being in a relaxed state and in a stretched state, such that a ball can be pressed against said valve member when in a relaxed state, the ball can stretch said valve member to the stretched state, the ball can pass through said valve member in the stretched state, and said valve member can return to the relaxed state, whereby the ball is retained within said housing of said ball recovery assembly by said valve member in the relaxed state.

14. The apparatus described in claim 13 wherein said housing can retain a plurality of balls.

15. The apparatus described in claim 13 wherein pressure exerted on said expandable, resilient valve member by the ball results from weight of said UV light source assembly bearing down on the ball when the ball is positioned next to and under said expandable, resilient valve member.