Golf equipment inventory device

• US 5,844,483 A
• Filed: 07/17/1997
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tag Golf LLC
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey V. Boley
• Inventors: Boley, Jeffrey V.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US08/895,705
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568, 340/540, 340/572, 340/539, 340/691, 206/315.3, 206/315.6
• US Class Current: 340/568.6
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2055/402 Warning devices for indicating missing golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 55/00 Bags for golf clubs; Stands for golf clubs for use on the course; Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2454 Checking of authorisation of a person accessing tagged items in an EAS system

Abstract

A device to monitor golf club location includes a marker mechanism, positionable on a golf club that imparts a unique identification to the club. The device also includes sensing mechanisms for sensing removal and return of the golf club into or out of a bag by sensing a change with respect to the marker. The device also includes a readout mechanism that receives a signal from the sensing mechanisms and transmits the status to the golfer.

Claims

1. A device positionable on a golf bag for monitoring golf club presence in the bag, comprising:

a marker mechanism positionable in a grip shaft of the golf club, the marker mechanism including an identification medium unique to a particular golf club wherein the marker includes one or more teeth for positioning the marker within a golf club shaft and wherein the marker teeth are made of a reversibly deformable material;

a sensing mechanism for sensing position of the golf club with respect to the golf bag thereby indicating club presence in the bag by sensing a change with respect to the marker; and

a readout mechanism capable of receiving a signal from the sensing mechanism and capable of notifying a golfer as the status of clubs presence.

2. The device of claim 1 and further including a microprocessor for determining when a golf club has been removed from the golf bag and for determining when a golf club has been returned to the golf bag.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the readout emits a signal to the golfer when one or more clubs are removed from the bag.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the marker mechanism includes magnetic media having a unique identification.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein each of the return mechanism and removal mechanism include a sensor for sensing a change in position in the magnetic media of each golf club marker.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the readout receives signals from the sensor mechanism telemetrically.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the readout provides a vibratory signal to a golfer.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the removal sensing mechanism and the return sensing mechanism are a single mechanism.

9. A marker device positionable in a grip shaft of a golf club for identifying the golf club to a sensor, the device comprising:

a retaining component for retaining the marker device in the grip shaft;

a shaft component attached to the retaining component;

wherein the retaining component and the shaft component are made of a reversibly deformable material; and

media containing information that identifies the golf club to a sensor.

10. The marker of claim 9 wherein the media is magnetic media.

11. A golf club comprising a head, a shaft and a grip wherein a marker mechanism is positioned in the grip of the golf cub, the marker mechanism including an identification medium unique to the golf club.

12. A device positionable on a golf bag for monitoring golf club presence in the bag, comprising:

a marker mechanism positioned in a grip component of the golf club, the marker mechanism including an identification medium unique to the particular golf club;

a sensing mechanism for sensing position of the golf club with respect to the bag thereby indicating club presence in the bag by sensing a change with respect to the marker; and

a readout mechanism capable of receiving a signal from the sensing mechanism and capable of notifying a golfer as to the status of a club presence.