GB2286046A

GB2286046A - Distance measuring device for a golf trolley

Info

Publication number: GB2286046A
Application number: GB9401445A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith John Evans; David Phillip Sprott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-01-26
Filing date: 1994-01-26
Publication date: 1995-08-02
Also published as: GB9401445D0

Abstract

A distance measuring device for a golf trolley (10) has a magnetic portion secured to the inner face of a trolley wheel (12) and a sensor secured to a frame member (22) of the trolley. As the trolley wheel (12) is rotated the sensor produces an electrical signal every rotation which is fed via a wire to a control panel and display unit (34) located in a handle area (20) of the trolley, and which displays the distance travelled by the trolley. The handle (20) of the trolley is also provided with a trigger (38) for interrupting measurement and/or recordal of the distance travelled by the trolley and there may also be means for adjusting the distance displayed on the control panel (34). <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE The present invention relates to distance measuring devices, and in particular, but not exclusively, to such devices for use in connection with golf trolleys.

A golf trolley is a wheeled device which in use carries a golf bag holding several clubs and other golfing accessories.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a measuring device adapted to measure and display a distance travelled by a golf trolley.

Such a device is very useful in that it permits a more accurate estimate of the distance which a golf ball has been struck or of the distance which remains to a hole. A more accurate estimate of such distances assists in the selection of golf club and/or in the type of shot to be played.

In one embodiment, the device comprises means for measuring the rotation of a wheel of the trolley and display means for displaying the rotation of the wheel as a linear distance travelled by the trolley.

The means for detecting rotation of the wheel may, for example, comprise a magnetic material secured to a trolley wheel and a sensor located on a frame of the trolley which is adapted to produce an electrical output signal when the magnetic material moves past the sensor. Alternatively, the means for detecting rotation may comprise an optoelectronic sensor, for example, a light source mounted on a frame of the trolley, one or more reflective/non-reflective portions on the trolley wheel and a sensor located adjacent to the light source.

In another arrangement the rotation sensor is mechanical and comprises a pin secured to a trolley wheel which actuates a mechanical odometer located on the trolley frame. Alternatively, the trolley wheel may be adapted to drive one end of a flexible drive, the opposite end being adapted to drive an odometer.

The advantage of this latter arrangement is that the meter can be located at a more convenient position for viewing by the golfer.

There may also be means for specifying and displaying a distance (e.g. the yardage of a hole) and for arranging for the distance measured by the measuring device to be subtracted from the said distance, thereby giving an indication of the distance remaining. This requires input means for inputting information, which may, for example, be in the form of a keypad, in which case the display can conveniently be non-mechanical such as an LED or LCD display.

Also, there may be means for temporarily interrupting the measurement of distance, such as a trigger located on a trolley handle, such that when, for example, the trigger is depressed, the rotation sensing means do not have any effect on the distance displayed. This can be useful since on many golf courses it is not permitted to walk directly along the whole length of the hole but instead sometimes paths are provided for at least part of the length of the hole. Also, there may be means for adjusting the measured distance upwardly and downwardly from that displayed, for example to take into account the error in measurement resulting from a shot made to one side of the intended line.

Preferably, the device is releasably securable to a golf trolley, since the device would not be permitted in competitions under the present rules.

The present invention also includes a golf trolley in combination with a measuring device in accordance with the invention.

By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of golf trolley fitted with a measuring device in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a detailed perspective view of a wheel rotation sensing device of the device of Fig. 1.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, a golf trolley comprises a frame 10 which is supported cn two wheels 12. The frame 10 comprises a central spine 14 having lower and upper bag supports 16, 18 and a handle portion 20 secured to the upper end of the spine. Two inclined legs 22 are also secured to the spine and the lower ends of the legs 22 are bent to lie horizontally. The wheels 12 are rotatably mounted on the horizontal portions. Metal tensioning struts 24 also extend between the handle and each of the legs 22. In use, a golf bag is supported on the lower and upper bag supports on the spine, and the trolley may be wheeled around by means of the handle portion.

Referring to Fig. 2, the lower portion of one of the legs 22 is provided with a magnetic sensor 26 which is releasably mounted on the lower portion of the leg by means of a bracket 28. The sensor 26 is located in close proximity to, but not in contact with, an inner face of the wheel 12, and it will be noted from Fig. 2 that a magnet 30 is secured to the inner face of the wheel. The sensor is of the type which detects the proximity of the magnet 30 and produces an electrical pulse when the magnet passes close to the sensor.

The electrical pulse is conveyed via a wire 32 to a combined control panel 34 and LCD display unit 36.

The control panel 34 counts the number of rotations of the wheel as determined by the detection of the magnet 30 in the proximity of the sensor 26 and converts the number of pulses to a value of the distance travelled by the trolley, which is displayed on the LCD display 36.

It will also be noted that the handle is provided with a trigger 38 which, when depressed, interrupts counting of pulses by the control panel such that the trolley can be moved without all of the distance travelled being measured. This can be useful if, for example, a particular hole is provided with a path which does not follow the direct line of the hole itself.

The control panel 34 and display unit 36 may additionally be provided with a keypad to insert and display the numerical value of a distance to be travelled, e.g. the length of a hole, and the control panel may be arranged to count down from that value as the trolley is moved. Alternatively, or in addition, the keypad may be arranged to increase or decrease the display value to take into account such factors as the ball being hit into the rough, which is likely to increase the distance remaining to the hole.

Although the wheel rotation device has been described as an electromagnetic sensing arrangement, other form of wheel rotation sensing devices can be used. For example, the sensor 26 may be replaced with a combined light emitter and detector which is adapted to shine light towards the inner surface of the wheel 22, and wherein the magnet 30 of the illustrated embodiment is replaced with a light-reflective element, such that the combined emitter and detector produces a pulse every rotation of the wheel when the reflective element is opposite the emitter/detector.

Alternatively, a mechanical wheel rotation device may be used. For example, the inner surface of the wheel 12 may be provided with a projecting peg which is adapted to engage and rotate a mechanical meter which is mounted on the lower end of one of the legs, to replace the sensor of the first embodiment.

Alternatively, the wheel 12 may be arranged to rotate a flexible drive whose other end is connected to a conventional mechanical meter mounted on the upper end of the handle, for more convenient reading of the distance travelled.

Claims

1. A measuring device for a golf trolley comprising means for measuring the distance travelled by the golf trolley and means for displaying the measured distance.

2. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for measuring the rotation of a wheel of a trolley and wherein the display means displays the rotation of the wheel as a linear distance travelled by the trolley.

3. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the display means is adapted to be secured to a handle of a golf trolley.

4. A measuring device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measuring means comprises a magnetic material adapted to be secured to a trolley wheel and a sensor adapted to be secured to a frame of a trolley, whereby an electrical output signal is produced when the magnetic material moves past the sensor.

5. A measuring device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measuring means comprises an optoelectronic sensor.

6. A measuring device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the measuring means comprises a light source adapted to be mounted on a frame of a trolley, one or more reflective/non-reflective portions adapted to be located on a trolley wheel, and a sensor adapted to be located adjacent to the light source.

7. A measuring device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measuring means is mechanical.

8. A measuring device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the measuring means comprises a pin adapted to be secured to a wheel which, in use, actuates a mechanical odometer, which is adapted to be secured to a trolley frame.

9. A measuring device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the measuring means comprises a flexible drive, one end of which is adapted to be driven by the rotation of a trolley wheel and the opposite end being connected to means for counting the rotation of the flexible drive.

10. A measuring device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising means for specifying and displaying a distance on the display means.

11. A measuring device as claimed in claim 10, comprising input means for inputting information.

12. A display device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the input means comprises a keypad.

13. A measuring device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the display means is nonmechanical.

14. A measuring device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising means for interrupting the measurement or recordal of distance.

15. A measuring device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the means for interrupting the measurement or recordal of distance comprises a switch.

16. A measuring device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the switch is adapted to be located in a handle area of a trolley.

17. A measuring device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising means for adjusting the displayed distance upwardly and/or downwardly.

18. A measuring device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is releasably securable to a golf trolley.

19. A golf trolley comprising a measuring device as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

20. A golf trolley comprising measuring means for measuring the distance travelled by the trolley and display means for displaying the measured distance.

21. A golf trolley as claimed in claim 20, comprising a handle portion and wherein the display means is located in the vicinity of the handle portion.

22. A golf trolley comprising a frame, a plurality of wheels, a handle, means for measuring the rotation of a wheel and means for displaying the distance travelled by the trolley as a function of the rotation of the wheel.

23. A measuring device for a golf trolley, substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

24. A golf trolley substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.