Electronically traceable golf club incorporating a programmable transponder

• US 20030008722A1
• Filed: 04/05/2002
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blaine L. Konow
• Original Assignee: Blaine L. Konow
• Inventors: Konow, Blaine L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,004,848 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/223
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2055/402 Warning devices for indicating missing golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/00 Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/00 Golfing accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/08 Sport
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0295 Proximity-based methods, e.g. position inferred from reception of particular signals

Abstract

A golf club is provided with a transponder that will transmit a coded signal when polled. The transmitter is small enough to fit into the golf club and does not need an external power supply. A data base associated with the coded signal is a depository of information related to the golf club.

Claims

56. An article registration system comprising:

an article to be registered, said article provided with a cavity having an interior dimension;

a programmable transponder programmed with identification indicia, said transponder transmitting a signal corresponding to said identification indicia;

an attachment element comprising a pliable housing surrounding said transponder, said pliable housing having an exterior dimension similar to the interior dimension of the article.

57. The invention in accordance with claim 56 wherein said article is a golf club having a shaft and a head portion, said head portion being provided with said cavity;

said transponder carried in said pliable housing and said pliable housing inserted in said cavity of said head portion.

58. The invention in accordance with claim 56 wherein the article is a golf club and the cavity accommodates the transponder.

59. The invention in accordance with claim 56 further comprising a sensing station, the sensing station being a transmitted signal reader whereby the multi-digit serial number transmitted by the transponder may be read and recorded.

60. The invention in accordance with claim 59 further comprising a plurality of sensing stations.

61. The invention in accordance with claim 60 where each of the sensing stations are located at locations remote from each other.

62. The invention in accordance with claim 60 wherein each of the sensing stations communicates with a computer, whereby the multi-digit serial number transmitted by the transponder is read at each sensing station and the serial number is entered into the computer.

63. The invention in accordance with claim 62 wherein the computer creates a data file including the time when a particular serial number was read by a particular sensing station transmitted signal reader.

64. The invention in accordance with claim 63 wherein a sensing station is located proximate a tee on a golf course whereby each sensing station may record the presence of a particular golf club having a specific serial number at a specific sensing station at a specific tee on the golf course.

65. The invention in accordance with claim 64 wherein the computer is physically located at the golf course and the progression of the golf club from one sensing station to a second sensing station is recorded and capable of being displayed at the golf course computer.

66. The invention in accordance with claim 59 wherein a sensing station is located proximate a bag drop station of a golf course.

67. The invention in accordance with claim 59 further comprising mounting the sensing station on a golf cart.

68. The invention in accordance with claim 59 wherein a sensing station is located proximate a golf club cleaning station of a golf course.

69. The invention in accordance with claim 56 wherein the programmable transponder is programmed at a programming station, the programming station includes a computer to program the programmable transmitter and be a repository of data base information.

70. The invention in accordance with claim 69 wherein a second programming station includes a computer to program the programmable transmitter and be a repository of data base information.

71. The invention in accordance with claim 70 wherein the second programming station is in communication with the first programming station whereby database information in the first programming station is modified with data from the second programming station.

72. The invention in accordance with claim 70 wherein the second programming station programs the programmable transponder with data different from data programmed at the first programming station.

73. A golf club housing a head portion comprising a cavity back defining a recessed area having a surface of the cavity surrounded by a perimeter, the recessed area containing an onlay of non-metallic substance, the improvement comprising a transponder located between the onlay and the surface of the cavity of the golf club head.

74. A golf club identification system including:

a golf club having a cavity for housing a portion of the identification system;

a programmable transponder programmable with a multi-digit serial number, the transmitter carried in the cavity of the golf club;

a data reader comprising a signal triggering and signal sensing station;

a programming station, the programming station capable of sending a coded signal to the programmable transponder whereby the multi-digit serial number is programmed into the programmable transmitter carried in the cavity of the golf club.

75. The invention in accordance with claim 74 wherein the transponder is triggered to send a signal after being addressed by an interrogation signal.

76. A golf club having a head portion with a sole portion, the sole portion comprising a removable section, the improvement comprising a wedge transponder underneath the removable section.

77. The invention in accordance with claim 76 wherein the wedge transponder is triggered to send a signal after being address by an interrogation signal.

79. The invention in accordance with claim 78 wherein the capsule transponder is carried in the shaft proximate the hossel.

80. The invention in accordance with claim 78 wherein the pliable material comprises a silicone rubber sleeve.

81. The invention in accordance with claim 78 wherein the capsule transponder is adhesively fixed in a location inside the golf club shaft.

78. A golf club having a head portion, a hossel portion and a shaft attached to the head portion through the hossel portion, the improvement comprising:

a capsule transponder encased in a tubular structure of pliable material, the transponder pressed into the shaft of the golf club.