GOLF BALL CONVEYING APPARATUS FOR USE ON DRIVING RANGES

Abstract

A golf ball carrying apparatus 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, 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, provided around the chain and having a shape with reduced width from top to bottom. 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. The carrying apparatus further includes a connection guide, provided in each of tee-up devices, with a second detecting sensor provided at a predetermined position, and a pushing device, provided at a position corresponding to each of the connection guides.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS 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.

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.

FIG. 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.

FIG. 5 a is a front cross-sectional view showing a process of carrying a golf ball using a chain of the golf ball carrying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 b is a front cross-sectional view showing a process of removing the golf ball from the chain of the golf ball carrying apparatus according to the present invention.

Claims

1. A golf ball carrying apparatus for use on driving ranges, the apparatus comprising: a chain connected between a drive unit having a motor and a driven unit spaced apart from said drive unit by a predetermined distance, said chain being reversibly rotated;a guide rail being provided around said chain and having a shape reduced in width from a top thereof to a bottom thereof, said guide rail having a plurality of ball supply ports and holes formed in in a longitudinal direction along said guide rail, said guide rail having a first detecting sensor provided on an end of said guide rail;a connection guide coupled to an end of each ball supply port of said plurality of ball supply ports, said connection guide being provided in each of a plurality of tee-up devices, with a second detecting sensor provided at a predetermined position in said connection guide; anda pushing means being provided at a position corresponding to each connection guides and comprising a movable part to be retractably inserted into a corresponding hole of said guide rail, wherein said chain moves golf balls,supplied into said drive unit, towards said driven unit, said golf balls then being supplied to said connection guides through said ball supply ports provided in said guide rails, then said golf balls being respectively moved from said connection guides to said tee-up devices through carrying pipes.

2. The golf ball carrying apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pushing means is assembled with said guide rail through a coupling plate, said movable part of said pushing means comprising a pushing rod to be moved forwards and backwards depending on detection of said second detecting sensor of a corresponding connection guide.