Title of Invention

GOLF BALL CARRYING APPARATUS USED AT DRIVING RANGE

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a golf ball carrying apparatus which is used to carry golf balls to swing compartments at a single- floor or multi-floor driving range. The golf ball carrying apparatus of the present invention includes a chain, which is connected between a drive unit provided with a motor and a driven unit spaced apart from the drive unit, so that the chain is reversibly rotated, and a guide rail, which is provided around the chain and has a shape such chat it is reduced in width from a top thereof to a bottom thereof, so that golf sails sire placed in and guided by the guide rail. A plurality of ball supply ports and holes is formed in the guide rail in a longitudinal direction. A first detecting sensor is provided on an end of the guide rail, to a carrying pipe. The connection guide is provided in each of tee-up devices, with a second detecting sensor provided at a predetermined position in the connection guide. The carrying apparatus further includes a pushing means which is provided at a position corresponding to each of the connection guides and comprises a movable part which is retractably inserted into the associated hole of the guide rail.

Full Text

FORM 2 THE PATENT ACT 1970 (39 of 1970) & The Patents Rules, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See Section 10, and rule 13) 1. TITLE OF INVENTION GOLF BALL CARRYING APPARATUS USED AT DRIVING RANGE 2. APPLICANT(S) a) Name : KIM SI-MYUNG b) Nationality : KOREAN National C) Address : A-301, HYUNDAI HITZ VILLA, NO. 106-34, JUNGGOK-DONG, KWANGJIN-GU, SEOUL KOREA 3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed : - Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to golf ball carrying apparatuses used at driving ranges and, more particularly, to a golf ball carrying apparatus which is used to carry golf balls/ which have been moved to each floor by a ball carrying elevator, to swing compartments in a single-floor or multi-floor driving range in which the golf balls that have been stuck by golfers are collected in a machine room. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a driving range, golf balls, which have been collected in a machine room, are distributed to floors by a conveyor. As shown in FIG. 1, the distributed golf balls are moved to swing compartments by a carrying means, which is provided in a ceiling or floor of the driving range. Thereafter, each golf all is set to a desired position by a tee-up device provided in each swing compartment. A representative example of such a carrying means was proposed in Korean Patent Registration No. 473656, which was filed by the inventor of the present invention, and is entitled 'APPARATUS FOR CARRYING GOLF BALL USED IN DRIVING RANGE'. In the carrying apparatus of No. 473653, a bail supply channel is divided into first, second and third channels, and possibly more. Inclined guide plates are provided in the respective channels, and belts, each of which is reciprocally moved, by a motor, are provided above the respective guide plates, to carry golf balls through supply passages provided in the walls of the respective channels. However, the conventional carrying apparatus has a problem in that there are spatial restrictions limiting the installation thereof with respect to driving ranges having various shapes. -2- For example, in the case where a driving range is constructed using glass or another transparent material for parts other than the floor of the driving range, the carrying apparatus must be embedded in the floor, because there is a problem in that the driving range has a poor appearance if the carrying apparatus is provided on the ceiling. In this case, it is not easy to maintain and repair the carrying apparatus. As well, to facilitate the work of maintaining or repairing the carrying apparatus/ part of a mat (an artificial grass mat or the like) which corresponds to the carrying apparatus must be cut and removably installed. Therefore, there are problems in that this pact of the mat may undesirably move, which worsens the external appearance of the driving range. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a golf nail carrying apparatus which is used in a driving range to supply golf balls, which have been carried to floors using an elevator, to swing compartment and has a simple structure such that the space required to carry the golf balls is rrunimized and maintenance end repair work thereon can be easily conducted, so that it is not required to remove or removably install parts of a mat between the swing compartments when maintenance or repair work is desired, thus ensuring that the driving range has a clean and superior external appearance, and reducing the repair and installation costs, and in which extra golf balls can always be provided to every swing Compartment. In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides o golf ball carrying apparatus used at a driving range, comprising: a chain connected between a drive unit having a motor and a driven unit spaced apart from the drive unit by a predetermined distance, so that the chain is reversibly rotated; a guide rail provided -3- around the chain and having a shape reduced in width from a top thereof to a bottom thereof, so that golf balls are placed in and guided by the guide rail, with a plurality of ball supply ports and holes formed in the guide rail in s longitudinal direction, and a first detecting sensor provided on an end of the guide rail; a connection guide coupled to an end of each of the ball supply ports to guide a golf ball, unloaded from the guide rail/ to a carrying pipe/ the connection guide being provided in each of a plurality of tee-up devices, with a second defecting sensor provided at a predetermined position in the connection guide; and a pushing means provided at a position corresponding to each of the connection guides and comprising a movable part to be retractably inserted into the associated hole of the guide rail. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which : FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a conventional golf ball carrying apparatus installed in an indoor driving range; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a golf ball carrying apparatus used at a driving range, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FI3. 3 is a perspective view showing a drive unit and a tee-up device for the golf ball carrying apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is a plan view of the tee-up device of the golf ball carrying apparatus according to the present invention; -4- FIG. 5a is a front sectional view showing a process of carrying a golf bail using a chain of the golf ball carrying apparatus according to the present invention; and FIG. 5b is a front sectional view showing a process of removing the golf ball from the chain of the golf ball carrying apparatus according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a golf ball carrying apparatus used at a driving range according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the golf ball carrying apparatus 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a drive unit 10 and a tee-up device 20 of the golf ball carrying apparatus 100 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the tee-up device 20 of the golf ball carrying apparatus 100 of the present invention. As shown in the drawings, in the coif ball carrying apparatus 100 used at the driving range (hereinafter, referred to simply as a carrying apparatus) according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, golf balls, which have been carried by an elevator (not shown) to floors in the driving range, are supplied into drive units 10. Thereafter, the golf balls, which have been supplied into each drive unit 10, are supplied onto a guide rail 12, in which the chain 11 is installed, and are subsequently carried to the tee-up device 20, which is provided in each swing compartment. Here, the chain 11 is installed in the corresponding floor end is reversibly rotated by i-he drive un-t 10 and a driven unit 13, which are provided on opposite ends of the chain 11. -5- Furthermore, the chain 11 is provided in the guide rail 12, which has a shape such that it is reduced, in width from the top thereof to the bottom thereof. Ball supply ports 12a are formed in the guide rail 12 at predetermined positions spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction. Furthermore, a hole 12b, through which a part of a golf ball pushing means 30 is exposed, is formed in the guide rail 12 at a position corresponding to each ball supply port 12a. A detecting sensor 13a is provided on an end of the guide rail 12. In addition, one end of a connection guide 14 is coupled to the outer end of each ball supply port 12a to guide golf balls entering the ball supply port 12a into the associated tee-up device 20. The connection guide 14 is bent in a U shape and serves to supply golf bails/ which are supplied thereto, to a carrying pipe 40 without allowing golf balls to escape from the connection guide 14. The golf ball pushing means 30 is attached to a coupling plate 31, which is coupled to the guide rail 12, and is operated by a sensor 14a, which is provided in the connection guide 14, The golf ball pushing means 30 includes a pushing rod 32, pare of which is inserted into the guide rail 12 when the golf ball pushing means 30 is operated. Meanwhile, the golf balls, which have been supplied into the connection guides 14, are supplied into the carrying pipes 40, which are connected to the respective tee-up devices 20, and are thereafter stored in the carrying pipes 40 and carried to the tee-up devices 20. Furthermore, opposite ends of each carrying pipe 40 are coupled to respective support members 41 and 41'. The support members 41 and 41' are installed in the associated tee-up devices 20. -6- The end of the carrying pipe 40 which is supported by the support number 41 is coupled to and rotated by a motor 42, which is provided at a predetermined position on the support member 41, through a chain. In addition, a spiral protrusion 43 is provided on the inner surface of the carrying pipe 40. Thus, the carrying pipe 40 moves the golf balls, which have been supplied from the connection guide 14, to the associated tee-up device 20. The tee-up device 20 serves to move a supplied golf ball upwards to a desired position at which a golfer strikes the golf ball. This is a well known technique, therefore further explanation is deemed unnecessary. In the drawings, the reference numeral 50 denotes a cover for the guide rail 12. The operation of the carrying apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above -mentioned construction will be explained in derail with reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b. FIG. 5a is a front sectional view showing a process of carrying a golf ball using the chain 11 of the carrying apparatus 100. FIG. 5b is a front sectional view showing a 20 process of removing the golf ball from the chain 11 of the carrying apparatus 100. Golf balls are carried from an underground machine room to the floors by the elevator. Thereafter, the golf balls are supplied into the drive unit 10 of the carrying apparatus and seated on the chain 11, which is provided in the carrying apparatus, in a line. The golf balls, which have been seated on the chain 11, are moved under the guidance of the guide rail 12 in a line, When the leading golf ball reaches the -connection guide 14, the sensor 14a detects whether a golf ball is present in the connection guide 14. If no golf ball is present in the connection guide 14, power is -7- automatically applied to the golf ball pushing means 30 to protrude the pushing rod 32, so that the direction in which the golf ball is moved is changed. Thus, the golf ball is removed from the guide rail 12 and supplied into the connection guide l'S through the ball supply port 12a. Thereafter, the golf ball is supplied from the connection guide 14 into the carrying pipe 40. At this time, the motor 42, which is provided in the support member 41, is operated to rotate the carrying pipe 40, thus moving the supplied golf ball to the associated tee-up device 20. The above process is conducted in the tee-up device 20 proved in every swing compartment. Here, extra golf balls 20 are preferably prepared in the carrying pipe 40 as well as in the tee-up device 20. Remaining golf balls are continuously moved along the guide rail 12. When the leading golf ball of the remaining golf balls is sensed by the detecting sensor 13a of the driven unit 13, a drive motor M of the drive unit 10 is reversely rotated, so that the remaining golf balls, which are in the guide rail 12, are moved to the drive unit 10 and are discharged into the machine room. As such, after the remaining golf bails have been carried into the machine room, golf balls are again carried to the floors through the elevator and are supplied to each swing compartment according to the number of golf bails used. Thereafter, remaining golf balls are moved to the machine room. This process is repeatedly conducted such that golf balls can always be ready in the swing compartments. As described above, in the present invention, a golf ball carrying apparatus is installed in the floor of a driving range rather than being provided on the ceiling or some other place, so that it does not restrict the design of the driving range. Furthermore, unlike the conventional art, in which a portion of 4 mat is cut and removably installed to make it possible to repair the carrying apparatus between the swing Compartments and to remove stuck golf balls, in the present invention, because processes of removing stuck golf ball and of repairing the carrying -8- apparatus can be conducted without requiring removal of the mat, the mat can be integrally provided on the floor as a single body. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the clear and superior appearance of the driving range is ensured. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. -9- WECLAIM: 1. A golf ball carrying apparatus used at £ driving range, comprising: a chain connected between a drive unit leaving a motor and a driven unit spaced apart from the drive unit by a predetermined distance, so that the chain is reversibly rotated; a guide rail provided around the chain and having a shape reduced in width from a top thereof to s bottom thereof, so that golf balls are placed in and guided by the guide rail, with a plurality of sail supply ports and holes formed in the guide rail in a longitudinal direction, and a first detecting sensor provided on an end of the guide rail; a connection guide coupled to an end of each of the ball supply port to guide a golf ball, unloaded from the guide rail to a carrying pipe, the connection guide being provide in each of a plurality of tee-up devices, with a second detecting sensor provided at a predetermined position in the connection guide; and Pushing means provided at a position corresponding to each of the connection guides and comprising a movable part to be retractably inserted into the associated hole of the guide rail, wherein, while the golf balls; which are supplied into the drive unit, are moved by the chain towards the driven unit, the golf balls are supplied to the connection guides through the ball supply ports provided in the guide rails, and the supplied golf balls are respectively moved from the connection guides to the tee-up devices through the carrying pipes. -10- 2. The golf ball carrying apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pushing means is assembled with the guide rail through a coupling plate, and the movable part of the pushing means comprises a pushing rod to be moved forwards and backwards depending on detection of the detecting sensor of the associated connection guide to push and move the golf balls into the connection guide. -11- Dated this 29th day of January, 2007. ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is a golf ball carrying apparatus which is used to carry golf balls to swing compartments at a single- floor or multi-floor driving range. The golf ball carrying apparatus of the present invention includes a chain, which is connected between a drive unit provided with a motor and a driven unit spaced apart from the drive unit, so that the chain is reversibly rotated, and a guide rail, which is provided around the chain and has a shape such chat it is reduced in width from a top thereof to a bottom thereof, so that golf sails sire placed in and guided by the guide rail. A plurality of ball supply ports and holes is formed in the guide rail in a longitudinal direction. A first detecting sensor is provided on an end of the guide rail, to a carrying pipe. The connection guide is provided in each of tee-up devices, with a second detecting sensor provided at a predetermined position in the connection guide. The carrying apparatus further includes a pushing means which is provided at a position corresponding to each of the connection guides and comprises a movable part which is retractably inserted into the associated hole of the guide rail. To, The Controller of Patents, The Patent Office, Mumbai -12-

Documents:

164-mum-2007-abstract.doc

164-mum-2007-abstract.pdf

164-MUM-2007-CANCELLED PAGES(16-6-2010).pdf

164-MUM-2007-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(16-6-2010).pdf

164-mum-2007-claims(granted)-(9-9-2010).pdf

164-mum-2007-claims.doc

164-mum-2007-claims.pdf

164-mum-2007-correpondence(18-2-2008).pdf

164-mum-2007-correpondence(ipo)-(16-6-2009).pdf

164-mum-2007-correspondence(ipo)-(9-9-2010).pdf

164-mum-2007-correspondence-received.pdf

164-mum-2007-description (complete).pdf

164-mum-2007-description(granted)-(9-9-2010).pdf

164-MUM-2007-DRAWING(16-6-2010).pdf

164-mum-2007-drawing(granted)-(9-9-2010).pdf

164-mum-2007-drawings.pdf

164-mum-2007-form 2(granted)-(9-9-2010).pdf

164-mum-2007-form 2(title page)-(29-01-2007).pdf

164-mum-2007-form 2(title page)-(granted)-(9-9-2010).pdf

164-MUM-2007-FORM 3(16-6-2010).pdf

164-MUM-2007-FORM 5(16-6-2010).pdf

164-mum-2007-form-1.pdf

164-mum-2007-form-18.pdf

164-mum-2007-form-2.doc

164-mum-2007-form-2.pdf

164-mum-2007-form-26.pdf

164-mum-2007-form-3.pdf

164-mum-2007-form-5.pdf

164-MUM-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT(16-6-2010).pdf