Apparatus for cleaning lines on a playing surface and associated methods, other handle enhancements

• US 9,651,949 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2015
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Wright Young
• Original Assignee: David Wright Young
• Inventors: Young, David Wright
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Dalena
• Application Number:
  US14/817,907
• Publication Number:
  US 20150338851A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 701 1, 701 23, 701 25, 701 28, 318580, 31856811, 31856812, 901 1, 15 3, 15303, 15319, 15313, 15320, 15 491, 15 531, 153061, 15309, 15 48, 153403, 15 211, 15 34
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0227 using mechanical sensing means, e.g. for sensing treated area
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0259 using magnetic or electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0272 comprising means for registering the travel distance, e.g. revolutions of wheels measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, e.g. using odometers G01C22/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/028 using a RF signal

Abstract

An apparatus and method for clearing a playing surface are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a chassis or frame, a sensor connected to the chassis to sense a location of a line on a playing surface that needs to be cleaned, a drive connected to the chassis to drive the chassis in a selected direction of travel, and a handle to facilitate handling by a user. The apparatus also preferably includes a controller connected to the chassis, in communication with the drive, and responsive to the sensor to control the drive to thereby direct the chassis to move along the line that needs to be cleaned in the selected direction of travel and a cleaning device connected to the chassis to clean the line with the chassis is being driven along the line. Associated software is provided as well.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning boundary lines on a game playing surface, the method comprising:

providing a handle for positioning a cleaning device on or near a game playing surface;

a controller directing a cleaning device to move along boundary lines on a game playing surface responsive to a set of programmed directions;

cleaning the boundary lines without cleaning substantial portions of the game playing surface when the cleaning device is moving along the boundary lines; and

sensing a location of a boundary line of a tennis court.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the directing step further includes a step of determining a current position of the cleaning device by using a known initial position and an orientation of the cleaning device on the game playing surface.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the determining step further uses wheel dimensions and rotation data and a predetermined length of each boundary line.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the game playing surface comprises a surface of a tennis court, and the method further comprises adding a plurality of tracking guidelines situated around a net post of the game playing surface for guiding the cleaning device to move around the net post.

5. A method as defined in claim 4, wherein the directing step further includes a step of determining a current position of the cleaning device by using a known initial position and an orientation of the cleaning device on the game playing surface.

6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the determining step further uses wheel dimensions and rotation data and a predetermined length of each boundary line.

7. A method for cleaning boundary lines on a game playing surface, the method comprising:

providing a handle for positioning a cleaning device on or near a game playing surface;

a controller directing a cleaning device to move along boundary lines on a game playing surface responsive to a set of programmed directions;

cleaning the boundary lines without cleaning substantial portions of the game playing surface when the cleaning device is moving along the boundary lines; and

the directing step further includes a step of determining a current position of the cleaning device by using a known initial position and an orientation of the cleaning device on the game playing surface.

8. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the determining step further uses wheel dimensions and rotation data and a predetermined length of each boundary line.

9. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the game playing surface comprises a surface of a tennis court, and the method further comprises adding a plurality of tracking guidelines situated around a net post of the game playing surface for guiding the cleaning device to move around the net post.

10. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein the determining step further uses wheel dimensions and rotation data and a predetermined length of each boundary line.

11. A method for cleaning boundary lines on a game playing surface, the method comprising:

providing a handle for positioning a cleaning device on or near a game playing surface;

a controller directing a cleaning device to move along boundary lines on a game playing surface responsive to a set of programmed directions;

cleaning the boundary lines without cleaning substantial portions of the game playing surface when the cleaning device is moving along the boundary lines; and

wherein the game playing surface comprises a surface of a tennis court, and the method further comprises adding a plurality of tracking guidelines situated around a net post of the game playing surface for guiding the cleaning device to move around the net post.