Orientation/time sensing alarm device for golf club

• US 6,753,778 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2001
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas Brown Kruger
• Original Assignee: Douglas Brown Kruger
• Inventors: Kruger, Douglas Brown
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US09/874,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20020186132A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.6, 340/689, 340/686.1, 340/506, 340/511, 340/527, 340/568.1, 340/571, 340/573, 340/583
• US Class Current: 340/568.6
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2055/402 Warning devices for indicating missing golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/16 Caps; Ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

An orientation/time sensing alarm device is provided, which comprises an orientation sensor, a time sensor connecting to the orientation sensor, and an alarm connecting to the orientation sensor and the time sensor, forming a circuitry. The time sensor is activated by the orientation sensor when the orientation sensor senses the alarm device is above a predetermined orientational threshold. The alarm is activated when the time sensor senses the duration of activation of the time sensor being above a predetermined timing threshold. Also provided is a self-reminding golf club having an orientation/time sensing alarm device connected to the grip of the golf club for reminding a golfer of a misplaced golf club.

Claims

1. An orientation/time sensing alarm device adaptable to a golf club comprising:

(a) a light, sensor, wherein the light sensor activates the orientation/time sensing alarm device when the light sensor receives a light signal above a predetermined light signal threshold,

(b) an orientation sensor, connecting to the light sensor,

(c) a time sensor connecting to the orientation sensor, wherein the time sensor is activated by the orientation sensor when the orientation sensor senses the golf club being positioned in a direction with an angle from a horizontal plane less than the predetermined threshold angle, and

(d) an alarm connecting to the time sensor, and forming a circuitry with (a), (b) and (c), wherein the alarm is activated when the time sensor senses a duration of activation of the time sensor being above a predetermined timing threshold.

2. The orientation/time sensing alarm device of claim 1, wherein the orientation sensor is a tilt sensor which closes the circuitry when the golf club is in a direction with an angle from a horizontal plane less than the predetermined threshold angle.

3. The orientation/time sensing alarm device of claim 2, wherein the time sensor measures a time period from the moment when the time sensor is activated by the orientation sensor, and activates the alarm when measured time period is above the predetermined timing threshold.

4. The orientation/time sensing alarm device of claim 3, wherein the time sensor further measures a time period from the moment when the alarm is activated, and changes the alarm to a different operation mode when measured time period is above a predetermined alarming time period.

5. The orientation/time sensing alarm device of claim 3, wherein the alarm generates a signal selected from the group consisting of an audio signal, a light signal, or combination thereof, when the alarm is activated by the timing sensor.

6. The orientation/time sensing alarm device of claim 5, wherein the alarm device is built in a grip of a golf club for reminding a golfer of a mis-placed golf club.

7. The orientation/time sensing alarm device of claim 5 further comprising a cover encasing the orientation sensor, the time sensor, and the alarm.

8. The orientation/time sensing alarm device of claim 7 further comprising an attachment means for connecting the alarm device to a grip of a golf club.

9. A self-reminding golf club comprising:

a golf club, and

an orientation/time sensing alarm device connected to a grip of the golf club, wherein the orientation/time sensing alarm device comprises;

(a) a light sensor, wherein the light sensor activates the orientation/time sensing alarm device when the light sensor receives a light signal above a predetermined light signal threshold,

(b) an orientation sensor, connecting to the light sensor,

(c) a time sensor connecting to the orientation sensor, wherein the time sensor is activated by the orientation sensor when the orientation sensor senses the golf club being positioned in a direction with an angle from a horizontal plane less than the predetermined threshold angle, and

(d) an alarm connecting to the time sensor, and forming a circuitry with (a), (b) and (c), wherein the alarm is activated when the time sensor senses a duration of activation of the time sensor is above a predetermined timing threshold.

10. The golf club of claim 9, wherein the orientation sensor is a tilt sensor which closes the circuitry when the golf club is positioned in a direction with an angle from a horizontal plane less than the predetermined threshold angle.

11. The golf club of claim 9, wherein the time sensor measures a time period from the moment when the time sensor is activated by the orientation sensor, and activates the alarm when measured time period is above the predetermined timing threshold.

12. The golf club of claim 9, wherein the alarm generates a signal selected from the group consisting of an audio signal, a light signal, or combination thereof, when the alarm is activated by the timing sensor.