Title

Golf club selector

Background to the invention A golf player is allowed to carry up to fourteen clubs with each club being designed to hit a golf ball a particular distance. However that distance varies according to many factors, such as the ability of the golfer, how hard the golfer intends to hit the ball, atmospheric conditions such as air density, humidity, wind etc. While many players know the approximate distance a golf ball will travel when hit by a particular golf club and will maintain that information in their memory, for those players who wish to be more accurate with their golf shots, it is not uncommon to maintain written notes of the distances the player has achieved with the golf clubs. It is recognized that the mere taking of notes is cumbersome, not only because the note can be lost but also because during inclement weather the material on which the notes have been written can become damaged and the notes can become unreadable or even destroyed. Furthermore it is not always convenient and at times it can be impractical for a player to endeavour to re-write reminder notes on the use of the clubs while playing a game of golf when the playing conditions determine that the notes require amending.

Prior art

In an endeavour to provide players with assistance in the selection of golf clubs various systems have been proposed and some of these systems are disclosed in the following prior art.

US Patent specification 3,363,836 (Lee) discloses a golf club selector which has a circular base disk which includes indicia indicating the length of a golf hole, an intermediate disk of smaller diameter which includes indicia indicating the distance remaining to the hole and a front disk which is smaller in diameter that the intermediate disk and which includes indicia indicating the club recommended for the shot .

US patent specification 5,294,110 (Jenkins) discloses an instrument which includes a number of memories to enable the input of parameters such as the distance from where the golf ball is lying to the pin, atmospheric pressure, the vertical distance of the current ball position above or below the pin and other factors. These parameters are calculated to enable the proposed shot to be analysed and displayed on a screen.

US patent specification 3,671 ,724 (Sanders) discloses a computing system for calculating the flight trajectory of a golf ball.

US patent specification 4,815,020 (Cormier) discloses an apparatus which enables the distance to the green to be determined and thereby enable the player to select an appropriate club. The apparatus includes means to enable the club selection criteria to be continually updated.

US patent specification 4,220,992 (Blood et al) discloses a device which enables the player to input data describing each golf shot which is stored in a memory.

US patent specification 4,136,394 (Jones et al) discloses a distance indicator which transmits a radio pulse to a base unit which returns a signal which is interpreted by the remote unit to provide a corrected distance to the hole.

US patent specification 6,029,121 (Stashko) discloses a distance measuring device which utilises GPS to determine the distance between a base unit and each portable unit. Information is communicated between the base unit and the portable unit by a radio link.

US patent specification 5,776,015 (Bernhardt) discloses a cart mounted range finding device which is capable of determining the distance between the cart and a flag stick.

The rules of golf do not allow the use of many items that can be regarded as artificial aids and consequently, unless the player is playing a practice round, it generally is not permissible to use equipment which can calculate items such as the distance a golf ball will travel when hit by any particular club.

However it is important for a player who wishes to improve his/her play to be able to use the most appropriate club at all times and it is difficult to do this unless the appropriate club has been selected. In an attempt to provide this information it is well known for a player and/or the player's caddy to record those items on a note book or the like. This is manifestly difficult It is therefore apparent that the need exists for a simple effective form of a record system which will facilitate the selection of an appropriate club by the player.

Object of the invention It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a simple and effective means whereby a golf player can maintain a record of the calculated distance a golf ball should travel when a specific club is selected.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a display the record of the calculated distance.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with present invention there is provided a device to enable numerical distances which a player can expect a golf ball to carry when struck by a selected club to be recorded,

the device including a control panel having a plurality of display windows and club selection buttons

said club selection buttons being adapted to be individually actuated to record numeric data generated by the activation of the key and

the device including means to save and to display the recorded data in a display window associated with the selected club.

Preferably the device includes a set of club selection buttons to enable calculated distances to be entered against the iron clubs and a set of club selection buttons to enable calculated distances to be entered against the wood clubs.

Preferably each display window contains s a three element array capable of displaying a hundreds digit, a tens digit and a units digit and wherein activation of a club selection button will create numeric distance data in steps of incremental increases to the hundreds digit, the tens digits and the units digit and wherein such data is automatically saved and displayed in the display window associated with the club selection button.

Preferably the numeric distance data that can be displayed by the units digit is 0 or 5.

Preferably the numeric distance data that can be displayed by the hundreds digit and by the tens digit is in the range of zero to 9.

Preferably the device includes means to retain the recorded distance data in metres and yards and to display the data in a display window in metres or in yards

The invention may also be said to comprise a method of operating a device to enable numerical distances which a player can expect a golf ball to carry when struck by a selected club to be recorded,

the device including a control panel having a plurality of display windows and club selection buttons

said club selection buttons being adapted to be individually actuated to record numeric data generated by the activation of the key and

the device including means to save and to display the recorded data in a display window associated with the selected club,

the method comprising the steps of: pressing a club selection key for a predetermined period to display a hundreds digit in a display window, pressing the club selection key to incrementally change the value of the hundreds digit, pressing the club selection key for a predetermined period to display a tens digit in the display window, pressing the club selection key to incrementally change the value of the tens digit, pressing the club selection key for a predetermined period to display a units digit in the display window, pressing the club selection key to incrementally change the value of the units digit.

Preferably the data generated by pressing the club selection key is automatically save to a non volatile memory.

Preferably the value of the units digit can be toggled between zero and five only.

Preferably each club selection button is inscribed to indicate the club to which the button relates.

Preferably the device is electrically powered by a built in electrical storage battery.

Preferably the device includes means to warn when the battery voltage falls below a predetermined value.

Preferably the warning comprises a display in a window on the control panel.

Preferably the device includes a solar panel electrically connected to the storage battery to enable the storage battery to be trickle charged.

Preferably the device includes means to power down the device after a predetermined time of button inactivity.

Preferably the device includes means to power up the device after an internal power down upon the touch of any button.

Preferably the device includes means to enable the number of shots made by the player to be recorded and visually displayed.

Preferably the device includes means to zero the number of displayed shots.

Brief description of the drawings

A preferred form of the invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a typical assembled form of the device.

Figure 2 is a side view of the device illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a modified form of the device illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a side view of the device illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an end view of the device illustrated in Figure 1 in the direction of the arrow A.

Description of a preferred form of the invention

The device as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 has a housing 21 and a control panel 22. The housing may conveniently be of a box like formation having a formed portion 23 at one end to enable the device to be carried.

The control panel includes a number, preferably thirteen, club selector keys 24 which have the purpose of enabling the typical distance a ball will travel for each club to be entered into the system as will be further described. The distance that is entered for each club is shown on the LED displays 25 which are located alongside each club selector key. It will be understood that the LED displays can be substituted by another other suitable display manes such as, for instance, an LCD display or other form of display as known in the art.

The club selector keys 24 are each sequentially numbered. Preferably, as indicated, the lowermost key is numbered 0 and the keys above sequentially numbered 1 to 9 with the remainder of the keys above number 9 being identified with a letter such as P for wedge, S for sand wedge, L for lofted wedge and so forth although as it will be apparent, the form of identification can be varied as desired. The key numbered 0 will generally be used to enter a zero when distance values are being entered and will also be used to display the distance allocated for one of the selected 'wood' clubs as will also be hereafter described.

In this disclosure and in the claims, the term "wood club" means any of the clubs generally known as a wood club or a metal club. Apart from referring to iron clubs numbered 1 through 9, the numbered keys 1 through 9 are used to enter distances.

The control panel 22 may also include an area 26 which has ancillary LED displays 27 which identify the golf clubs generally known as 'woods' and in a highly preferred form the displays show individually the numerals 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9 to signify the usual numbering of the 'wood' clubs, but this form of identification can be varied as desired. Means can be incorporated in the circuitry to enable these displays to be altered as required.

The control panel also includes a down scroll key 30 and an up scroll key 31 and a 'set' key 32.

A distance converter key 34 is preferably provided so that all distances can be converted from metres to yards and vice versa by pressing the key. An LED display 35 is provided to display confirmation of the distance configuration.

The unit is preferably powered by an inbuilt electrical storage battery (not shown in the drawings) to maintain integrity of the data when the unit is switched off. Means are provided to automatically disconnect the battery from the circuitry but not from the memory, after a predetermined quiescent period and to automatically power up the unit at the touch of any or a selected key. Preferably the unit also includes a solar battery panel 33 which is connected to the storage battery to trickle charge the battery and so augment the battery life.

As an auxiliary feature the unit can also include a stroke key 37 and an

LED stroke display 38. The purpose of the stroke key 37 is to enable the player to press the stroke key once for each stroke made by the player and the stroke display 38 will show the total number of strokes taken during the round of golf.

Means are also provided to allow the stroke display to be returned to zero as required. One preferred means can be operated for instance by continuing to press the stroke key 37 for a specified time - such as two seconds.

The purpose of the unit is to enable the player to enter the distance values for each club which are displayed on the LED screen and to enable the values to be simply changed whenever desired. Generally once the distances have been entered into the system, the value will not be changed, but as described below, if the values are to be changed, the procedure required is very simple.

To utilize the unit, the distance that a golf ball is expected to be hit by each club is entered into the system. This is effected by firstly pressing the distance/converter key 34 to set the internal calculations into either yards or metres with the format being displayed in the display 35. The next step is to press the down scroll key 30 and the hundreds unit of the three digit LED display 25 beside the uppermost key, which in the embodiment illustrated is the L key, will commence to flash. The distance estimated the ball will travel when hit by that club, is then entered by sequentially pressing the appropriate selector keys. If the distance entered is correct, the downward scroll key 30 is pressed to activate the next LED display and the required distance is entered. This procedure is repeated until distances have been entered against all the club selector keys. To stop the entry process, the set key 32 is pressed and that will save the data. If at any stage any of the displayed values are to be changed, the down scroll key 30 or the up scroll key 31 is pressed until the desired LED display is activated. The displayed value can then be simply overridden by pressing the appropriate club selector keys to change the display and when complete, the set key 32 is pressed to save the data.

The distances for the 'wood' clubs can also be entered using the same data entry system by allowing the entry of the distances for the woods with the distance for the number 1 wood being displayed in the LED display alongside the

0 key. If the player does not utilise some of the iron clubs, such as the number 1 , 2 or 3 irons then the distances for the appropriate woods can be entered into the LED displays that would otherwise have been utilised for the 1 , 2 and 3 irons.

The advantages provided by the unit described herein is that the player having decided the distance that a ball is to be hit, can look at the column of LED displays 25 to locate the closest distance displayed and then the club selector key 24 alongside the display will indicate the most appropriate club to be used. That club can be either an iron or a wood. Once the distances have been entered into the unit, they can remain the same or they can be changed if required at any time.

As disclosed above, the unit can also be utilised by the player to record and display the number of shots taken during a round or rounds of golf. As desired, the record can be re-set to zero.

It will also be understood that the device will constructed to be weatherproof so it can be utilised even in inclement weather.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the device has a housing

50 and a face 51 on which a control panel is located. Preferably but not necessarily, the housing includes a lanyard attachment 52 which has means, such as a hole 53 to enable a tie cord or the like to be attached to facilitate transportation of the device. The location of the attachment 52 can be varied as desired.

The device may be provided with a power button such as the button 54. To power up the device, the power button is pressed for a pre-determined period and to power down the device, the power button is again pressed for a pre- determined period. Instead of the power button 54, the system can be arranged to be powered up by holding down a selected button for a predetermined time.

Means are also provided to prevent power down if any of the values are being updated.

During power up, if two selected buttons are pressed simultaneously, the system will load default values for the irons and the wood clubs.

A number of LED display windows 55 are provided on the control panel and in the form illustrated there are fourteen such display windows which can be aligned as illustrated. It is to be understood the illustrated alignment is a preferred arrangement and other patterns or alignments of the LED display windows 55 can be utilized as required. Each display window is preferably a three element display and is capable of displaying a combination of up to three numeric or alphabetical symbols or a combination of numeric and alphabetical symbols.

In a highly preferred form, one of the LED display windows 55 such as the display window illustrated at 55a is associated with means to enable a distance readout either in metres or in yards. The readout is toggled to convert the internal calculations of the device to either metres or yards by pressing the button 54. The system will display the chosen format for instance, by the abbreviation YDS or the abbreviation MT in the window 55a. All displayed values will then be in either metres or yards as appropriate. The program is also preferably arranged so the value of yards or metres will be displayed in all the display windows in increments of five so the numbers displayed are rounded to either 0 or 5.

The control panel also includes a number of club selector buttons 57 and in the form illustrated there are thirteen of the buttons each of which is preferably identified by a symbol to represent the club in question. For instance a button 57 can be identified by the letter S, another button 57 by the letter G and so forth.

The letter S will usually equate to the club known as a 'sand wedge' and the

numeral 9 will equate to what is generally known as a number 9 golf club. It is to be understood the specific letters and numbers used to identify the buttons 57 can be changed to suit the particulars circumstances, such as, for instance to reflect the name of the golf club in a different language or environment.

The control panel further includes a display 59 for the golf clubs generally known as woods or metals. In the form illustrated, the display 59 includes display windows 60 which can display the 'wood' numbers such as 1 , 3 and 5. This display can be altered so that other wood clubs such as the clubs generally known as a 2 or a 4 can be displayed. In one form the window 60 displaying the identification of the woods numbers 1 , 3 and 5 may align with the buttons 57 and their respective windows 55 which identify the irons numbered 0, 2 and 4 respectively.

To update the recorded distances against a golf club, for instance a sand wedge, the button 57 which is identified by the letter S is pressed for a predetermined time, for instance three seconds. This will initiate a routine and in the equivalent display window the hundreds digit will commence to flash. Each time the button 57 is pressed, the hundreds digit display will change from the base 0 by an increment of 1 up to a maximum of 9. When the correct distance in hundreds is obtained, the button 57 is held down for the pre-determined time and this will initiate a further subroutine and the tens digit display will commence to flash. The button 57 is then repeatedly pressed to increase the tens display incrementally from 0 to 9. When the desired number is displayed, the button 57 is pressed for a predetermined time and the units routine will be initiated and the digits display will commence to flash. The display can be toggled between 0 and 5 only. In a highly preferred form, any unit number entered which is less than 5 will be displayed as a zero and any unit number greater than 5 will be displayed as 5.

When the distance update is complete the new value is automatically saved against the particular club. The distances to be recorded against any of the other cubs can also be similarly updated. The system is devised so it will calculate in both yards or metres and can display the selected format at any time by toggling the button 54.

To update a distance for a 'wood' club, the button 60 is pressed for a predetermined period, for instance three seconds. This button will enable one or more of the the 'woods' window 61 to be progressively selected. The first pressure on the button 60 will enable the window 61 that corresponds to a wood number 5 to be displayed. Further activation of the button 60 will scroll down to the window which displays the next wood club and continued activation will return to the first window to display the wood club numbered 5. To enter a distance against the selected wood club, the button 57 identified by the number 4 is pressed for the predetermined period and this will cause the hundreds unit to commence flashing in the contiguous window 55. By consecutively pressing the button 57 the hundreds digit will increase from 0 up to 9. The button 57 can then be depressed for the pre-selected prior of time and the tens digits will commence to flash. By consecutively pressing the button 57, the tens digit will increase from 0 to 9. For the wood clubs, the units digit will not change from 0. Once updated, the new data will be automatically saved .

The device also preferably includes a stroke counter. When powered up the device will register a zero in the stroke counter window 60. Each time the button 61 is pressed, the number displayed in the window 60 will increase by a single digit to record the player's total score for the round.

Further features are also available in the device. One feature is a low battery voltage detect. When the battery voltage falls below a desired minimum level, the message "BAT" will be displayed in the window 54.

Another feature which is preferably also included is an automatic power down so that after a predetermined time of key inactivity, the device will automatically power down to save battery power. In such a powered down state the data will be retained in memory.

Having disclosed a preferred form of the invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and amendments can made to the specific features and yet still come within the general scope of the invention.

All such modifications and amendments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.