Ball identifying device

• US 7,337,965 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Issued: 03/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Topgolf Systems Limited (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Original Assignee: World Golf Systems Limited (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Inventors: Jolliffe, David V., Thirkettle, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, SEUNG H
• Application Number:
  US10/416,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20040048686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,297 Days
• Field of Search: 235/435, 235/436, 235/385, 209/559, 473/131, 273/317.2, 273/108.2, 273/245, D21/319
• US Class Current: 235/435
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/08 by means detecting the change of an electrostatic or magnetic field, e.g. by detecting change of capacitance between electrodes

Abstract

A device (80) for reading a coded golf ball (40) comprises a helical track (82) on the inside or outside of a cylindrical housing (81), the track serving to change the orientation of the ball relative to an antenna coil (85) to ensure that the code is read. The track may be arranged horizontally and rotated by a motor; a flap (30) may be provided to avoid balls following each other too closely onto the helical track. Alternatively the track may be arranged vertically and the balls may fall under gravity.

Claims

1. A device for recording the code of a coded spherical object as the object is moving comprising a sensing member and a path for conveying objects through or past the sensing member, wherein the means defining the path includes a helical track along which and through the center of which the objects are constrained to move, so that the axis of rotation of the object is altered so that the code of the object can be read.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the code is stored in an r.f. identification tag contained within the object and wherein the sensing member is an antenna having coils positioned in a manner selected from the group consisting of passing around the helical track and passing along the helical track.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein an inlet of the helical track is configured to admit only one object at a time.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the helical track has an axis arranged vertically.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the helical track is arranged inside of a housing member having a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical or frusto-conical.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the helical track is arranged inside of a housing member, the housing member having an entrance and an exit and wherein the sensing member surrounds the exit of the housing for reading a code on a passing object.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein the helical track is arranged inside of a housing member, the housing member having an entrance and an exit and wherein the sensing member is located at a spacing from said entrance.

8. A device according to claim 1 in which the helical track is arranged inside of a housing member and wherein the housing is inclined to the vertical.

9. A device according to claim 1 in which the helical track is arranged inside of a housing member and wherein the housing is oriented horizontally or near horizontally and further comprising means for assisting in moving the object through the device.

10. A device according to claim 1 in which the helical track is arranged inside of a housing member and wherein the track is formed integrally with the housing.

11. A device according to claim 1 in which the helical track is arranged inside of a housing member and wherein the track is attached to the housing.

12. A method of ensuring that a code of a coded spherical object can be read by a sensing member comprising moving the object along a path, wherein the means defining the path include a helical track along which and through the center of which the objects are constrained to move so that the axis of rotation of the object is altered and at the same time moving the object through or past the sensing member.

13. A device for recording the code of a coded spherical object as the object is moving comprising a sensing member and a path for conveying objects through or past the sensing member, wherein the means defining the path includes a helical track along which the objects are constrained to move, wherein the helical track is part of a driven member operated by a motor, wherein said driven member extends horizontally and wherein a spring-biased member is provided to restrict a following object from entering the track.

14. A device for recording the code of a coded spherical object as the object is moving comprising a sensing member and a path for conveying objects through or past the sensing member, wherein the means defining the path includes a helical track along which the objects are constrained to move, wherein the helical track is arranged inside of a housing member, the housing member having an internal diameter substantially the same size as the diameter of an object conveyed by the path, to alter the axis of rotation of the object so that the code of the object can be read.

15. A device for recording the code of a coded spherical object as the object is moving comprising a sensing member and a path for conveying objects through or past the sensing member, wherein the means defining the path includes a helical track having an external and an internal diameter and wherein the external diameter of the helical track is larger than the object and the internal diameter of the helical track is less than that of the object, so that the objects are constrained to move along the helical track thus the orientation of the objects can be altered so that the code of the objects can be read.