Lake Golf Ball Driving Range

Abstract

A lake is used to receive golf balls driven from tee platforms and has a transversely inclined bottom portion extending longitudinally. A longitudinally extending power operated ball pickup conveyor is disposed at the bottom of the inclined portion for receiving the balls and conveying them toward the tee platforms. This conveyor is formed of a material having a density only slightly greater than water. A distributing conveyor receives the balls from the pickup conveyor and feeds the balls to the tee platforms. A plurality of upright tubes are employed in the distributing conveyor which hold the ball in single line in abutting engagement for positive flow. A fence is provided around the lake which is movable up and down and which has an overload device adapted to release lift mechanism for the fence when the fence is subjected to an abnormal weight.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and novel golf ball driving range.

Golf driving ranges have heretofore been provided wherein the golf balls are driven within a fenced area. The fenced area is a ground surface, and the golf balls are picked up by personnel operated mechanical means and then distributed manually to golf tees. Such ball pickup means requires considerable manual labor both in picking up the balls as well as putting them in individual containers for furnishing them to the golfers. It has heretofore been proposed to use a lake or pond as the ball receiving area, but the method of returning the balls from such area has not been adequate for efficient commercial operation. Apparatuses heretofore employed are also deficient in that they do not include means for automatically distributing the balls to teeing areas after they have been picked up, thus necessitating costly manual handling of the golf balls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention and forming an important objective thereof, there is provided a golf driving range having a novel ball receiving area and novel pickup and handling means wherein pickup from the ball receiving area and distribution of the balls to tee means are completely automatic, thus requiring no manual pickup or distribution.

Another object is to provide a golf driving range employing a lake or pond as the ball receiving area and also employing novel pickup and conveyor mechanism for picking up golf balls from the bottom of the lake and conveying them to distributing means for a teeing area.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a power operated storage and distribution system for a golf driving range of the type described which is operable by coin actuated supply means and arranged to maintain a supply of golf balls for multiple tee apparatuses.

It is another object to provide a ball pickup mechanism for retrieving golf balls from a lake and including a novel pickup conveyor chain and drive means therefor, and also means associated with the chain for clearing the chain of foreign articles which may catch thereon to prevent such foreign articles from entering and damaging ball pickup and distribution system.

Another object is to provide a novel lake bottom structure for a water receiving area of a golf ball driving range.

Another object is to provide a novel fence construction for a driving range which is of lightweight construction and which is capable of being raised and lowered for the purpose of assembly and maintenance and which is associated with release means capable of automatically allowing the fence to lower when the fence is subjected to an unusual weight such as ice or an abnormal wind.

The invention will be better understood and additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred forms of the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lake golf ball driving range embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, somewhat diagrammatic, of ball pickup and handling means embodying features of the present invention, an enclosing building for a portion of the ball pickup and handling means being broken away for clarity;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing details of a fence construction for the driving range, this view being taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of fence holding means;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view also showing a portion of the fence holding means;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a pair of link portions of a pickup chain conveyor;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the conveyor portion shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 9--9 of FIG. 3 and showing a base structure of a ball receiving area and end structure of ball conveyor means in the lake;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 10--10 of FIG. 3 and also showing base structure for the lake and an intermediate portion of the ball conveyor means;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 11--11 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 12--12 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on the line 13--13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 14--14 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary elevational view taken on the line 15--15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of a ball derailing unit associated with ball handling means;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of ball storage and feed conveyor means, taken on the line 17--17 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary elevational view taken on the line 18--18 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view taken on the line 19--19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly broken away of a portion of coin operated ball dispensing means, taken on the line 20--20 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged elevational view, partly broken away, of another portion of the ball dispensing means, taken on the line 21--21 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21 but showing a modified form of ball dispensing means;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary cross sectional view similar to FIG. 10 but showing a modified form of lake base;

FIGS. 24 and 25 are fragmentary cross sectional views showing additional details of the embodiment of FIG. 23, these figures also showing modified forms of hold-down means for the bottom of a fence which extends around the driving range;

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a peak portion of the lake base of FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary cross sectional view similar to FIG. 10 and showing still another form of the lake base;

FIGS. 28 and 29 are fragmentary sectional views showing additional details of the embodiment of FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary elevational view taken on the line 30--30 of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 31--31 of FIG. 29; and

FIG. 32 is a fragmentary elevational view taken on the line 32--32 of FIG. 27.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring in particular to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated in perspective a driving range which includes features of the present invention. This range includes a building 10 having a roof 12, end walls 14, and a rear wall 16. The front of the building facing the range is open and the building has a deck or floor 18 at the bottom, and also if desired the building may have one or more upper decks or floors 20. The building 10 is also shown in FIG. 3, and the decks 18 and 20 support tee mechanisms 22 in suitable spaced relation.

The present driving range utilizes a lake or pond 24 formed by a defining wall 26. The bottom or base of the lake may be constructed of suitable means for holding water, as will be described hereinafter, and basically it has one or more pairs of opposed inclined portions 28 leading downwardly to troughs 30 therebetween. Any number of inclined surfaces 28 and associated troughs 30 may be provided, depending upon the width of the range. Balls driven into the water sink to the bottom and roll down the inclined surfaces 28 to the troughs 30 for movement to the teeing area by mechanism to be described.

With reference to FIG. 2, the building has a front apron member 32 which extends a short distance into the lake 24. This apron member is disposed under the water surface and angles downwardly a slight amount. It serves as a safety feature in the event a person may accidentally step off the deck surface 18.

The sides and rear of the lake area are bounded by a high fence 36. Such fence comprises a plurality of support posts 38 steadied by guy wires 40 secured to the ground by anchors 42. Messenger cables 44 are connected between the posts around the driving range and guy lines 46 are connected transversely between pairs of the posts.

The fence sections between the posts are adapted to be raised and lowered independently of other sections. FIG. 4 illustrates a juncture or post portion between two sections. Each of said sections includes a header bar 50 which extends substantially between two of the posts 38 but which is not connected to such posts. As will be apparent hereinafter, the header bars are movable up and down, and as viewed in FIG. 4, they are in a partially lowered position. Secured to the header bars in spaced parallel relation are several upright support cables 52. These cables in turn are connected to horizontal reinforcing cables 54. Cables 52 and 54 are secured to a flexible wire grid 56 of a suitable mesh which prevents golf balls from passing therethrough. The ends of header bars 50 and reinforcing cables 54 terminate in pulleys 58 which receive vertical guide cables 60 secured at their upper and lower ends to outrigger brackets 61 at the top and bottom of posts 38. One end of header bars 50 at the juncture of two of the fence sections is angled inwardly at 62 to close up the gap between the sections of the fence and the posts in the direction in which the balls travel down the range. Second guide cables 64 are provided for those pulleys 58 on the ends of the angled portions 62, such cables being secured at their top to a guy wire 46 and at their bottom to an arm 65 on bottom brackets 61.

The fence grid and header bars 50 hang from the upright cables 52. The bottom ends of cables 52 are attached to weight or hold-down means 66 for holding them taut. Such weight means may comprise simply a plurality of rods 68 extending the full length of a fence section and strapped together by straps 70. The bottom ends of the cables 52 are secured to one of the rods. The cables 52 which are at the very ends of the fence sections extend over pulleys 72 secured to top outrigger bracket 61, and a cable connected to the ends of angled portion 62 at the one end of the header bar extends over a pulley 72 secured on guy line 46. Cables 52 then engage multiple wheel pulley assemblies 74 secured to messenger cables 44. One of such pulley assemblies 74 is shown in detail in FIG. 6 and comprises a support arm 76 pivotally suspended from a bracket 78 mounted pivotally on the messenger cable 44 and held longitudinally in place by a pair of swedged collars 80. Support arm 76 has a pair of shafts 82 for supporting pairs of wheels 84 between which respective cables 52 are confined. The pairs of wheels 84 are separated by plates 86 secured to the shafts to provide isolated operation of each of the cables 52. One of the pulley assemblies 74 is provided for each cable 52 except for the very end ones and is located on the messenger cable directly above the position of such cable in the fence section, whereby such cables extend upwardly and over their own pulley in an assembly 74. For this purpose, pulley assemblies 74 of lesser wheel capacity are necessary for those progressively farther from a pole, with the last pulley assembly 74 away from the pole having enough pulley wheels to guide one cable 52 straight down and two others over the pulleys 72 which are at the angled header bar portion of the fence section.

The free ends of support cables 52 pass over wheels 88 of a pulley assembly 90, best shown in FIG. 5, secured to an upper portion of the post 38 by a clamp bracket 92. The shaft 94 for the pulley wheels 88 is disposed in a horizontal position and transversely of the driving range and the cables 52 after passing over the pulley assembly extend downwardly and are connected to a pulling head 96, each of the pulley wheels 88 being separated by plates 98 for isolated operation of the cables with their respective pulleys. A pair of guide cables 100 are connected at their upper ends to the pulley assembly 90 and at their lower ends to a bracket 102. Pulling head 96 has guided movement on the cables 100 as do spacer plates 104 disposed intermediate the pulling line 96 and pulley assembly 90, such head and spacer plates having apertures 105 for slidable engagement on such cables. Spacer plates 104 have additional holes 105 which hold the cables 52 in spaced relation, and such plates, together with pulling head 96, are secured to a pair of cables 106 connected at the top to pulley assembly 90 and at the bottom to the head. As the head 96 and spacer plates 104 move upwardly, cables 106 slacken as illustrated by phantom lines 106a.

A winch drum 110, FIG. 4, is secured to the bottom of the post by means of a winch holding bracket 111 on the post, and such drum is driven by suitable power means 112 such as an electric motor. The drive mechanism for the winch drum may be covered by a housing 114 shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4. A line 116 connects the pulling head 96 to the winch drum and it is thus apparent that as the head 96 is pulled down by the winch, cables 52 will operate over pulley assembly 90 as well as their respective pulleys 72 and pulley assemblies 74 to lift the header bar 50 for raising the fence. By means of such structure, the fence can be assembled on the ground with the pulleys 58 receiving the guide cables 60 and 64 and the cables 52 engaged over their respective pulleys 90, 74 and 72. With the lines tied to the head 96, the fence sections are lifted when the winch is driven. Such structure prevents the time consuming and expensive job of climbing the poles and also has the advantage that if the fence needs maintenance, it can be dropped by the winch for easy access. When the winch is released or backed off, the fence will fall by gravity.

It is desired that the fence parts, including the grid wire 56, be of lightweight material so as to be inexpensive and easy to maintain. Such lightweight material makes the fence vulnerable to wind and ice damage. To prevent such damage, winch drum 110 is provided with a release type clutch 118 which has a well known structure such that when a certain load is imparted thereto it will release, allowing the fence to drop by gravity. That is, if the fence should be subjected to a high wind or an ice load, the clutch will release when such wind or ice load reaches a certain point, and rather than be damaged, the fence will drop by gravity to the ground. The release load of the winch drum is empirically set as determined by the strength of fence parts. Since the weights 66 are suspended from the bottom of the fence, the fence has some flexibility due to the raising and lowering of the weights, thus providing sufficient flexibility from small wind gusts and the like to prevent damage.

As stated hereinbefore, the base of the lake has tapered portions 28 which lead to an associated trough 30, FIG. 1. In this regard, reference is also made to FIGS. 9 and 10 wherein the base of the lake may comprise a concrete portion 120 around the trough and asphalt portions 122 on opposite sides of the concrete portion. Also, as stated, any number of trough portions may be provided across the range, depending upon the width of the range, it being understood that the inclined portions have a sufficient inclination such that a golf ball will roll down it by gravity when under water.

Trough 30 is defined at its sides and bottom by a U-shaped track 124 therein which is aligned longitudinally of the range with a groove 126, FIG. 3, in the floor of the building 10 as well as in the extension 32, the groove 126 terminating rearwardly in an enlarged and deepened well portion 128. Track 124 has longitudinal shoulder portions 130 for slidably supporting a conveyor chain 132 made up of a plurality of pivotally connected links 134, FIGS. 7 and 8, of box-like construction and having end hooks 136 pivotally connecting one link to an adjacent link. The sides of the links ride on the shoulders 130 and maintain the ball carrying portion of the conveyor off the bottom of the track 124, FIG. 9, so that a golf ball seated in a link will ride along the conveyor.

The conveyor chain 132 is endless and operates over a drive sprocket 140, FIG. 3, operated by power means 142 such as an electric motor mounted on a base 144 having adjustment means 146 to vary the tension of the conveyor chain 132. Chain 132 also operates over guide sprockets 148 suitably supported on a wall of well portion 128. The far end of conveyor chain 132 operates over a sprocket wheel 150, also seen in FIGS. 9 and 11. Such sprocket wheel is secured on a shaft 152 mounted in a bearing 154 on a plate 156 secured to one or more upright posts 158. These posts are supported on cross rails 160 embedded in the concrete and secured on stakes 162 driven in the ground and also embedded partially in the concrete. Similar rails 160 and stakes 162 are provided at intervals through the length of the trough portion. The posts 158 of these intermediate supports and the end support for the sprocket 150 each has a top arm 166 which supports a guide track 168 similar in shape to the track 124 for the return or upper flight of the conveyor chain 132.

The end mechanism of the conveyor chain, including the sprocket 152 and its support means is covered by a hood 170 having inclined top surfaces which cause any balls falling thereon to roll off and be deposited on the chain. The chain travels in the direction of arrows 172 in FIG. 3, and since the upper flight travels rearwardly it is desired that a ball derailing finger 174 be supported on the track 168 just forward of the hood 170. Any golf balls which thus might land on the top flight of the conveyor chain will be knocked off and sink to the bottom for deposit on the lower conveyor, rather than get into the rear portion of the conveyor working parts. To prevent golf balls from collecting against intermediate posts 158, such posts are provided with pointed projections 176, FIG. 10, which act as deflectors.

The chain 132 is constructed of a self-lubricating material such as a suitable plastic and has a density only slightly greater than water. Since this chain operates under water, its weight therefore is practically nothing, thus allowing inexpensive conveyor chain structure and operating means therefor. The golf balls, also being immersed when engaging the conveyor, add negligible weight thereto.

With particular reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, lower and upper guide track portions 124 and 168, respectively, for the front portion of the conveyor chain 132 are supported on a channel-shaped bracket 180 attached to a vertical wall of well portion 128 in the floor of the building, the legs of the bracket 180 projecting horizontally for providing the desired support of the two guide tracks. It is desired at this point that the golf balls be removed from the conveyor chain, and for this purpose a derailing finger or blade 182 is supported transversely across the lower track 124 and angled so that as the ball moves thereagainst it is deflected off the conveyor. Derailing finger 182 is secured to an upright shaft 184 journaled in the arms of the bracket 180. This shaft has a lever extension 186 to which is connected a line 188 in turn connected to a tension spring 190 anchored at its far end to the building. The tension line 188 is arranged such that should a rock or other foreign object become stuck in the chain, the finger 182 can turn out of the way, such as to the phantom line position shown in FIG. 13, rather than be damaged.

Disposed at one side of the conveyor 132 and parallel therewith is a trough 192 inclined downwardly so that golf balls B deposited therein will roll by gravity in the direction of arrow 194, FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 shows an end portion of trough 192, this portion as shown comprising an extension of FIG. 13 at the upper end of the latter view. The end portion is curved at 196 and has side baffle extensions 198. A downwardly angled tongue 200 is secured to the bottom of the trough at the end, the tongue being of less width than the trough so that spaces exist on each side thereof.

A vertically operating elevator 204, FIGS. 3 and 12, is associated with the discharge end 196 of trough 192 and is arranged to carry balls from the trough to an upwardly located transverse feed conveyor 206, FIG. 3. The elevator 204 operates over vertically spaced end sprockets 208, and this elevator is driven by power means 210, such as an electric motor, in the direction of arrows 212 in FIGS. 3 and 12.

Elevator 204 comprises a sprocket chain 214 provided with a plurality of outwardly projecting pairs of fingers 216 which are arranged to pass between the side extensions 198 on opposite sides of the tongue 200. These fingers are arranged so that when moving in their upper flight they angle upwardly a slight amount. In the operation of the elevator 204, the fingers pick up golf balls which are supported on the tongue 200 between extensions 198 and carry such balls to the upper position.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 15, an auxiliary derailing finger 220 is utilized in cooperation with means for dislodging foreign articles 222 from the conveyor, such as rocks, glass, or other articles. This auxiliary finger is located downwardly from the finger 182 with relation to the travel of the conveyor and is suitably mounted, such as on a wall of well portion 128 to extend over the conveyor 132. The means for dislodging foreign articles which may be stuck in the chain comprises a sprocket wheel 224 freely rotatable on a shaft 226 supported on a wall of well portion 128. This sprocket wheel is located directly under the finger 220, and as best seen in FIG. 15, a rock 222 or the like which is moving with the conveyor in the direction of arrow 228 will be pushed out of the chain to the position shown in phantom lines. The derailing finger 220 can then push the rock off the conveyor. A chute 230, FIG. 13, is disposed adjacent to the conveyor for catching the foreign articles when derailed by finger 220, and this chute is arranged to convey the foreign articles by gravity into a container 232. The container 232 is merely seated in well portion 128 and has integral connection with the chute 230 for supporting the latter in place next to the conveyor.

As stated hereinbefore, elevator 204 lifts the balls to a feed conveyor 206, FIG. 3. The transfer of the balls from the top of elevator 204 to the conveyor 206 is accomplished by an inclined trough 236 adapted at one end to receive the balls from the fingers 216 and at its other end to deposit the balls on the top flight of conveyor 206. As apparent in FIG. 12, the fingers 216 on the down side of the elevator 204 incline downwardly and thus the balls merely roll by gravity off the fingers at the top of the elevator 204.

Feed conveyor 206 operates over end sprockets 238 driven at one end by power means 240 such as an electric motor. This conveyor operates in the direction of arrows 242, FIG. 3, and as best seen in FIG. 16, such conveyor is substantially identical to the conveyor 132 in that it has chain-like links in which the golf balls seat by gravity. The conveyor 206 is supported in a U-shaped housing 244, FIG. 16, the bottom flight of the conveyor being supported on the bottom of the housing and the upper flight of the conveyor being supported on an upper one of longitudinally extending stringers 246 secured longitudinally to and supporting the housing. The housing may be suspended from the ceiling of the building by straps 248. Conveyor 206 operates on tracks 250 having a structure substantially identical with tracks 124 and 168 in connection with the ball pickup conveyor 132.

Disposed vertically below the conveyor 206 at one end thereof are a plurality of storage tubes 256. These tubes are disposed in an upright position and have one or more angular bends therein to increase their holding capacity. The balls are deposited in the tubes 256 from the feed conveyor 206 by means of derailing units 258 seen diagrammatically in FIG. 3 and shown in detail in FIG. 16. A derailing unit 258 is provided for each tube 256 and includes a box-like structure secured to one side of the housing 244. The upper end of its respective tube 256 projects into the derailing unit and is adapted to receive balls deflected from the conveyor 206 through a side opening 260 in the housing 244. The housing is enlarged relative to the tube 256 and has a side extension 262 with an inclined bottom wall 264 leading to an opening 266 in a lower side wall portion of the housing 244. Opening 266 opens adjacent to the bottom flight of conveyor 206 whereby a ball which may fall through the extension 262 is deposited on the lower flight of the conveyor 206. The derailing unit thus is arranged such that when the tube 256 is full to the top a ball deflected from the top flight of the conveyor 206 will deflect off the uppermost projecting ball in the tube 256 and roll down onto the bottom flight of the conveyor. A switch 268 is mounted in the derailing unit 258 and has an actuating arm 269 disposed in the path of an overflow ball, whereby as will be more apparent hereinafter, when the tube 256 is full and a ball overflows into the other side of the housing 262 from tube 256 for movement by gravity to the bottom flight of the conveyor, the switch 268 is actuated to control the operation of a derailing finger 270.

Derailing finger 270 extends angularly across the top flight of the conveyor 206 adjacent to the opening 260 to deflect a ball off the conveyor. This derailing finger is supported on a horizontally disposed shaft 272 journaled in a side wall of housing 244 and arranged to rotate the finger 270 to a down deflecting position as shown in full lines in FIG. 16 or an up position, as shown in phantom lines in that same figure. In the up position of the derailing finger, the balls merely bypass the one derailing unit and go on to the next. The shaft 272 is operated between its two positions by a solenoid 276 secured to the housing 244. As will be more apparent hereinafter, solenoid 276 moves the derailing finger 270 to its lowered position when there is a call for balls in the tube 256. The switch 268 causes the solenoid 276 to raise the derailing finger when the tube 256 is full.

The system is arranged such that when one tube 256 is full, the balls bypass such tube and go onto the next tube for filling each tube successively. The bottom ends of storage tubes 256 lead to electrically operated gate means 280 shown in detail in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, one of such gate means being provided for each tube. Each gate means comprises an upright supporting wall 282 and a bottom wall 284. The latter wall is secured to the building by suitable means not shown. The gate means 280 is associated with a horizontal second feed conveyor 286 operating over end sprocket wheels 288, FIG. 3, one of which is driven by power means 290 such as an electric motor suitably mounted on the building. The conveyor 286 operates in the direction of arrows 292, FIG. 3, with the bottom flight thereof supported on the bottom wall 284 of gate means 280 and the top flight being supported on an intermediate wall 294 secured to wall 282. A partial wall 296 on the side opposite from wall 282 extends from the bottom of the gate means to a point slightly above wall 294. Conveyor 286 is substantially identical to the conveyor 132 in its link structure but rides on side strips 298 supported on the walls 284 and 294.

Tube 256 extends almost down to the top flight of conveyor 286 and is spaced therefrom only sufficiently to allow a ball to move on such conveyor.

The flow of balls from the tube 256 is controlled by a pin 300 which projects through an opening 302 in the wall of the tube and is arranged to support the balls in the tube. This pin is connected to an arm 304 secured to a U-shaped bracket portion 306 pivotally secured to side bracket portions 308. Bracket portion 306 has a hook 310 engaged by a link 312 connected to one end of the plunger 313 of a solenoid 314. The solenoid is secured to the wall 282 and is arranged such that when energized, its plunger 313 will be retracted therein for pivotaing the arm 304 to the phantom line position of FIG. 17 wherein the pin is removed from the tube and the balls are allowed to fall on the top flight of the conveyor 286. The solenoids 314 for their respective gate means 280 are signaled for operation by demand for balls in the teeing area.

A derailing finger 315 is suspended over the top flight of the conveyor 286 and is angled to deflect a ball which may be riding down the conveyor. For this purpose, the wall portion 296 has an opening 316 by means of which the ball may be discharged from the conveyor. The ball will fall directly on the floor or in some container, not shown, which can be placed adjacent to the conveyor. Derailing finger 315 is mounted on an arm 320 which has pivot support 323 in a bifurcated portion 322 of a bracket 324 secured to wall 282. A corner portion 326 of the arm 320 in the bifurcated portion 322 is rounded and allows the derailing finger 315 to swing forwardly a slight amount to allow a ball to move the finger to the phantom line position in FIG. 18. The other corner of the end of arm 320 is square so that the arm cannot retract beyond its vertical position whereby balls coming down the tube 256 cannot deflect the finger 315 rearwardly but must be carried by the conveyor 286. Thus, balls advancing on the top flight of conveyor 286 lift the finger 315 and pass by it, but such finger prevents balls in its own tube 256 from falling backward or jamming on the conveyor.

Conveyor 286 is arranged to deposit balls into a trough 328, FIG. 3, in turn arranged to deposit balls on a vertically disposed elevator 330 operating over end sprocket wheels 332 suitably supported on the building 10. One of the sprocket wheels 332 is driven by power means 334 such as an electric motor, the elevator 330 being operated in the direction of arrows 336. Elevator 330 is identical to elevator 204, having bifurcated fingers 216 which are adapted to pick up balls from the end of trough 328 in a manner in which the fingers 216 of elevator 204 pick the balls from the trough 192, FIG. 14. The upper end of conveyor 330 deposits the balls in a trough 340, FIG. 3, which in turn deposits the balls on one end of a distribution conveyor 342 operating over end sprocket wheels 344 one of which is driven by power means 346 such as an electric motor. This conveyor is driven in the direction of arrows 348. Conveyor 342 extends along the width of the building and is associated with a plurality of derailing units 350 which are identical to the derailing units 258 associated with the conveyor 206 in that such derailing units are adapted to either feed balls down tubes 352 or let them by-pass for being derailed by the next or succeeding derailing units, the conveyor 342 being of substantially the same structure as conveyor 206.

Tubes 352 lead to coin operated dispensing units 354 shown in FIG. 20 and described in greater detail hereinafter. It will be noted from FIG. 3 that two of the derailing units are located side by side. In this regard one derailing unit feeds balls to a dispensing unit on the bottom floor and the other derailing unit feeds balls to the dispensing unit on the top floor. At the right-hand end of the conveyor there are four derailing units together, such derailing units being associated with dispensing units for right-hand and left-hand tees 22.

Each tube 352 has a switch 358, FIG. 21, mounted thereon having an operating arm 360 projecting through a suitable aperture 362 in the tube. Switch 358 is supported in place by a hose-type clamp 364. Arm 360 of the switch projects into the path of balls in the tube 352 but is movable by such balls as they fall or are stacked in the tube. The switch 358 is a delay type switch wherein it does not open when a ball falls down the tube. When the balls build up in the tube and hold the arm down, however, the switch after its brief delay operates a circuit to operating means for a derailing finger 270 in a derailing unit 350 associated with that tube.

Disposed below the switch 358 is ball stop means comprising a housing 366 supported on the tube 352 by hose-type clamps 368. Ball stop means 366 includes a solenoid 370 having a plunger 372 connected to a finger 374 which projects through an aperture 376 in the tube 352 and arranged to stop the balls thereabove in the tube. The finger 374 is held inwardly by spring 378. When solenoid 370 is energized, finger 374 is retracted to a ball releasing position. Spring 378 is connected at one of its ends to a stationary portion of housing 366 and at its other end to an arm 380, connected to the movable finger 374. As will be more apparent hereinafter and as seen in FIGS. 3 and 21, the ball stop means 366 being above the dispensing unit 354, determines the number of balls to be fed to the dispensing unit for one charge. For varying the number of balls in a charge, the tube 352 may have a plurality of the holes 376 to change the position of the stop means 366. Switch 358 can also be adjusted on the tube and serves the purpose of insuring that a complete charge is available when the stop means 366 is called upon to release a charge of balls.

FIG. 22 shows an alternative form of structure wherein instead of utilizing a delay switch 358 to control the height of balls in the tube 352, electric eye means 382 is utilized. The electric eye 382 also is a delay mechanism so that it will not open a circuit as a result on one ball falling past it but when the balls build up to the plane of the beam, the circuit will be operated. The ball stop means of this embodiment comprises a finger 384 integrated with an arm 386 supportd on a U-shaped bracket 388 pivotally connected to a base member 390 secured to the tube by clamps 392. Bracket 388 has a hook 394 for engagement by a link 396 connected to one end of a plunger 398 of a solenoid 400. This arrangement is such that when the solenoid is energized, the bracket 388 and its arm 386 are pivoted outwardly to the phantom line position shown in FIG. 22, In such position, the stop pin 384 is withdrawn from the tube 352 to allow balls to drop in the tube.

With reference to FIG. 20, the bottom end of tube 352 extends downwardly into the dispensing unit 354 and curves out one side adjacent to the bottom for leading to a tee 22. This dispensing unit includes coin-operated means to release a charge of balls to the tee, and such means comprises a stop finger 402 which projects through an aperture in the tube so as to be disposed in the path of the balls. This finger is mounted on an arm 404 in turn connected to a U-shaped bracket 406 pivotally connected to a base member 408 secured to the tube by clamps 410. Bracket 406 has a hook 412 engaged by a link 414 connected to the plunger 416 of a solenoid 418. The solenoid is arranged such that when energized it will pivot the arm 404 and its bracket 406 outwardly to the phantom line position of FIG. 20 to release the balls above the finger 402.

Operation of the solenoid 418 is controlled by a delay switch mechanism 422 mounted in the dispensing unit 354. The switch 422 has an arm 424, and this arm is adapted to be engaged by the plunger 426 of a coin-operated slide 428. The arrangement is such that when the slide 428 is moved inwardly after receiving a suitable coin or coins, it engages the arm 424 of the switch 422 to close the circuit to the solenoid 418. The operation of the solenoid 418 thus allows a charge of balls to drop in the tube 352, the delay of the switch 422 being long enough to allow the charge of balls to drop. A coin-receiving box 430 is disposed below the inner end of the coin chute 428 to catch the coins.

Conveyor 206 has a derailing finger 434, FIG. 3, for clearing any balls which reach the lower flight of the conveyor to prevent them from fouling the end sprocket. Such balls may reach the lower flight of the conveyor as a result of overflowing in derailing units 258, as when a tube 256 of such derailing unit is full. Such overflow balls are deflected by the finger 434 into a funnel member 436 disposed in a position to catch the ball. This funnel is integrated with a vertical tube 438 which directs the balls into the trough 192 for recycling up the elevator 204. Finger 434 is suitably supported on housing 244 and reflects balls through suitable aperture means in a side wall of such housing.

Conveyor 342 is also provided with a derailing finger 440 on the right-hand end, FIG. 3, for removing balls which may move through the derailing units 258. Such balls are deflected into a funnel member 442 on a tube 444 leading into trough 328. Finger 440 is suitably supported on the support housing of conveyor 342. The other end of conveyor 342 has means for directing any balls on its top flight which may have bypassed all the derailing units 258 back onto the conveyor 206. Such means comprises a funnel member 446 adapted to catch balls from the upper flight and direct them into a tube 448 which leads onto the conveyor 206. Also, with reference to FIG. 3, an extra derailing unit 258 is provided adjacent to the end of conveyor 206. This derailing unit catches overflow balls from the last unit 258 which is associated with a storage tube 256 and sends them back for recycling.

OPERATION

As apparent, the present driving range is arranged such that the pickup of the balls from the ball receiving area and the distribution to the tees is completely automatic. No personnel is thus required for handling the balls. In the operation of the driving range, the conveyors and elevators operate continuously with excess balls being recycled by the end derailing unit 258 and derailing finger 434.

In loading the tubes 256, the balls are transferred from the pickup conveyor 132 to the elevator 204 and deposited on the conveyor 206. The balls then go to the first tube 256 and fill it, the stop finger 300 in the gate means 280 for that tube being closed so that the tube will fill. When that tube is filled, an overflow ball in the derailing unit 258 will trip the switch 268 and this switch is arranged to release the solenoid 276 in that derailing unit and allow the derailing finger 270 to raise, thus allowing the balls to pass to the derailing unit for the next tube 256. When the last tube is full, the last derailing unit 258 which is not associated with a tube returns the balls to the lower flight of the conveyor and these balls are returned to the lower trough 192 for recycling.

When there is a demand for balls in the teeing area, solenoid 314 in a first of the gate means 280 releases its stop pin 300 and balls then pass from the conveyor 286 to the trough 328, up the elevator 330 and onto the conveyor 342. The balls will fill any of the tubes 352 that require filling since the derailing finger 270 of the derailing units 350 will be in a down position for the tubes 352 that require filling. The derailing fingers 270 of the tubes 352 that are full will be in an up position and the balls will merely bypass these full tubes. If all the tubes are full, excess balls will be directed back onto conveyor 206 by funnel 446 and its tube 448.

Thus, when a golfer desires to hit some balls, he places the necessary coin or coins in the slide 428. The slide 428 is pushed inwardly and such inward movement thereof engages switch arm 424 to cause switch 422 to operate solenoid 418 and pull the finger 402 from the bottom of tube 352 whereby a charge of balls as determined by the upward location of ball stop means 366 is released to the tee. As stated, the switch 422 is a delay switch and such switch will remain closed a sufficient time to hold the solenoid for a time which will allow all the balls to drop the tee. Such delay may be a few seconds. The switch 422 at the end of its delay will close. As the switch closes, it causes solenoid 370 to be energized in the ball stop means 366. Energization of this solenoid pulls the finger 374 rearwardly and allows balls to drop through the tube onto the stop finger 402 in the coin-operated dispensing unit. Solenoid 370 has also a delay mechanism therein and the finger 374 will be held retracted a sufficinet time to allow the new charge of balls to drop. After the delay has terminated, spring 378 returns the finger 374 into the stop position. As stated hereinbefore, the tube 352 may have a plurality of apertures 376 and the stop means 366 may be selectively located to vary the charge of balls dispensed at a time.

When the top of the stack of balls in a tube 352 falls below the switch 358, the switch arm 360 springs out to close the switch 358 and signal the derailing unit thereabove for some balls. This lowers the derailing finger 270 for that particular tube and the tube will again be filled. Switch 358 of necessity must be disposed at least one charge of balls above the stop means 366 so that a charge is always available to the stop means 366.

FIGS. 23-26 show a modified form of base for the lake comprising in general a sheet metal ground cover. In this embodiment, the excavation associated with the inclined portions 28 includes a trench, and a plurality of cross rails 160' supported on posts 162' are spaced throughout the length of the driving range. Rails 160' support a full length of sheet metal conveyor holding member 452 which is substantially of inverted U-shape, having vertical side wall portions 454 connected by a transverse wall portion 456 in which is formed a trough portion 458. A U-shaped guide track 460 is supported in the trough 458 and provides supported engagement for the lower flight of conveyor 132. Secured to the transverse wall portion 456 on one side of the trough 458 at each rail portion 160' is an upright bracket 462. These brackets support a guide track 464 for the upper flight of conveyor 132. Bracket 462 has a pointed projection adjacent to its lower end arranged to deflect folf balls around the arms 462.

Upright tabs 468 are secured to the rails 160' at the sides of the conveyor holding member 452 and have outturned top portions 470 which support inverted sheet metal cover members 472. Cover members 472 have downtruned portions 474 which seat on the angled portions 470. The outwardly directed portions of the cover members 472 have upturned flange portions 476, FIG. 24, secured to the defining wall 26 of the range, as by studs 478. With reference to FIG. 26, the inwardly directed portions of the cover members 472 between two of the conveyor holding members 452 are connected by an overlapping joint 480.

In a preferred arrangement, the excavated earth portion for the lake is covered by a waterproof barrier layer 482 such as bentonite, and if desired the hollow spaces under the cover portions 472 may be filled with a filler layer 484 such as sand or the like. The use of the waterproof barrier 482 eliminates the necessity of providing water-proof connections between the sheet metal members and the joints.

FIG. 24 also shows a modified form of hold-down means for the fence cables 52 at the bottom. Such embodiment includes a triangular shape bracket 486 secured to the wall 26 and having strap-type clamps 488 secured thereto which support a full length rod 490. The bottom ends of wires 52 are secured to the rod 490.

FIG. 25 shows still another form of hold-down means for cables 52 at the bottom. Such embodiment uses the weight means of the type as was shown in FIG. 4 but here the straps 70 for the rods 68 are pivotally attached to an arm 490 in turn pivotally attached to a connctor 494 secured to the wall 26 as by means of studs 496. The arm 490 allows the weight 68 to move up and down a slight amount to give the fence some flexibility for preventing damage thereto from wind forces.

The embodiment of FIGS. 23-26 may include a suitable coating on the sheet metal to provide reflection through the water. With such reflection, a minimum of lighting is required. Such a coating or light colored covering may be provided for all embodiments of lake base included herein.

FIGS. 27 through 32 show another form of base for the lake. In this form, a sheet metal conveyor holding member 452 is employed as in FIG. 23 in the trough portions of the driving range. These conveyor holding members are supported on rails 160' in turn supported on posts 162' driven in the earth. A waterproof barrier 482 is also applied to the top of the earth as in FIG. 23.

The embodiment of FIG. 27-32 is primarily to provide a glass fiber screen cloth lake bottom, and for this purpose glass fiber screen cloth 500 is connected between the conveyor holding members 452 and the sides of the range, FIGS. 28 and 29, respectively. A right angle bracket 502 is secured to each wall 454 of the member 452 in upright relation. Such brackets have inturned end portions 504 extending over the top of wall 456. The space between the inturned end portions 504 and the walls 456 removably receives pairs of full length gripping members 506 which have mating toothed surfaces 508. To install the glass fiber screen cloth, an edge portion of the cloth is placed between the toothed surfaces of members 506 while the latter are disengaged from under brackets 502. With the screen cloth so positioned, the gripping members are slid in place under end portions 504 of the brackets. The ends of the glass fiber screen cloth are then held positively in place. Conveyor holding member 452 and the gripping members, although being full length of the lake, are provided in suitable length sections, FIG. 32 for ease of installation. The fiber glass cloth portions may also be provided in sections as seen in FIG. 30 with adjacent sections overlapping.

With reference to FIGS. 29 and 30, the glass fiber cloth portions 500 which extend toward the ridge or peak portions of the range pass over roller means 510 mounted on angled support arms 512 embedded in a wall portion of a concrete pit 514 running longitudinally of the range. The cloth 500 is held tight by weights 516 attached at various places throughout the length of the cloth.

The structure of roller means 510 and the arms 512 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 31. As seen in this figure, the roller means is made up of a plurality of roller segments 510a, and in the adjoining connection between segments, the rollers have a projecting shaft 518 which is engaged in bushings 520 receiving the spindle. Shaft 518 is journaled in the arm 512 whereby the roller means is adapted to have free rotation and the individual parts of the roller facilitate convenient installation. A cap member 521 extends the full length of the peaked portion and serves to prevent golf balls from falling into the pit 514. Cap member 521 is peaked and has depending tabs 522 which hold it against lateral displacement.

The glass fiber screen cloth 500 at the outside portions of the range, FIG. 28, pass over full length roller means 510 of identical construction to the roller means 510 at the peaks. The roller means are similarly mounted on arms 512 which are embedded in a concrete defining wall of a longitudinally extending pit 524 and the end of the sheet 500 is connected to weights 516.

According to the present invention a golf driving range is provided which is completely automated. No manual handling of the golf balls is required. The balls being driven into water need not be cleaned. The fence sections when subjected to a heavier than normal load, such as ice or wind, will be dropped by the winches so that they will not be damaged. Since the fence need not be of extremely heavy wire or the like to withstand the load of ice and other abnormal conditions, it may be constructed of lightweight inexpensive material. The fence is easily maintained or repaired by lowering it with the winch means.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herein shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Claims

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A golf driving range comprising:

a. a driving area,

b. a ball receiving area consisting of a lake,

c. at least two tee platforms in said driving area from which golfers drive balls to said ball receiving area,

d. the lake having a transversely inclined bottom portion extending longitudinally thereof,

e. the angle of said inclined portion being such that balls driven into the lake roll down the incline to the bottom thereof,

f. and a power-operated ball pickup conveyor extending longitudinally of said lake into said driving area,

g. said conveyor being disposed at the bottom of said inclined portion for receiving the balls therefrom and conveying them to said driving area,

h. said conveyor being formed of a material having a density only slightly greater than water.

2. The golf driving range of claim 1 including

a. a distributing conveyor in said driving area arranged to receive balls from said pickup conveyor and convey them to said tee platforms,

b. and ball storage means in said distributing conveyor comprising at least one upright tube holding a plurality of balls in a single line in abutting engagement.

3. The golf driving range of claim 2 wherein said ball storage means includes a plurality of said upright tubes and said tubes have bend means therein to increase their ball holding capacity.

4. The golf driving range of claim 1 wherein said pickup conveyor is comprised of open links connected together by transverse pivotal joints and arranged to support balls on the open links for movement therewith.

5. The golf driving range of claim 1 wherein said pickup conveyor is continuous, having upper and lower flights and being comprised of open links connected together by transverse pivotal joints and arranged a support balls on the open links for movement therewith.

6. The golf driving range of claim 1 including means associated with said conveyor for dislodging foreign articles stuck in said conveyor.

7. The golf driving range of claim 1 including

a. a fence around said ball receiving area having a plurality of supporting posts and a grid supported on said posts,

b. and lift means arranged to move said grid up and down.

8. The golf driving range of claim 1 including

a. a fence around said ball receiving area having a plurality of supporting posts and a grid supported on said posts,

b. a grid section of said fence between each of said posts with one grid section being associated with respective ones of said poles,

c. lift means at said posts arranged to move the grid associated therewith up and down,

d. and overload means on said lift means arranged to release the latter when said grid is subjected to an abnormal weight for allowing said grid to fall by gravity.