Identification device
First Claim
1. A system for identifying coded rolling articles comprising a tee, a tray, a barrier, and means for reading the code of the articles, the tray having a first zone for holding a plurality of articles, and a second zone having an outlet, whereby the barrier separates the first zone of the tray from the second zone of the tray which are both lower than the barrier, the barrier being arranged such that the user can roll a selected individual article from the first zone up and over the barrier into said second zone of the tray which is configured such that an article is constrained to move to and through the outlet of the tray past the means for reading the code of the article so that the code of the article is read before the article exits the device, wherein said articles are golf balls and wherein golf balls pass from said outlet to the tee.
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Accused Products
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).
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A system for identifying coded rolling articles comprising a tee, a tray, a barrier, and means for reading the code of the articles, the tray having a first zone for holding a plurality of articles, and a second zone having an outlet, whereby the barrier separates the first zone of the tray from the second zone of the tray which are both lower than the barrier, the barrier being arranged such that the user can roll a selected individual article from the first zone up and over the barrier into said second zone of the tray which is configured such that an article is constrained to move to and through the outlet of the tray past the means for reading the code of the article so that the code of the article is read before the article exits the device, wherein said articles are golf balls and wherein golf balls pass from said outlet to the tee.
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10. A method of placing golf balls on a tee of a golf driving range, comprising the steps of:
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(i) placing a plurality of coded golf balls in a first zone of a ball tray; (ii) moving a selected one of said golf balls by means of a golf club from said first zone over a barrier to a second zone of the ball tray; (iii) constraining the selected golf ball to move towards and through an outlet of the tray; (iv) reading the code of the selected golf ball as it moves through the outlet; and (v) passing the selected golf ball from said outlet to the tee.
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Specification