GB2390427A

GB2390427A - Range finder device

Info

Publication number: GB2390427A
Application number: GB0215545A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Weeks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-04
Filing date: 2002-07-04
Publication date: 2004-01-07
Also published as: GB0215545D0

Abstract

The device comprises a distance measuring unit 20, 24, e.g. mounted on a golf trolley 10, for measuring a distance between the range finder device and a datum position e.g. a tee, a calculation unit e.g. a microprocessor arranged to use the measured distance to calculate a remaining distance between the range finder device and a target position, and a display unit 28 e.g. an LCD display on the trolley handle for displaying information relating to the calculated remaining distance, e.g to a hole. The measuring unit can be a magnet 20 on a trolley wheel 12 and a Hall effect sensor 24 to measure revolutions of the wheel.

Description

Range Finder This invention relates to a range finder device for use

whilst playing golf.

When playing golf it is useful to be able to determine the distance between a players golf ball and the hole to which the ball is to be hit. This information can 5 then be used to determine which club to use and how hard to play the ball.

Experienced players are usually good at being able to judge these distances unaided. However, inexperienced players often have difficulty in accurately estimating these distances. Even experienced players may wish to use a device to determine the distance remaining to be played, for example during practice.

10 A number of range finder devices and systems are known. For example, hand-held optical or infrared devices are known which a player points towards a target, typically a flag, and which produces a reading of the distance of the player from the target. These devices tend to be complex, and hence expensive, and can also be difficult to use, particularly if the target is obscured in some way. More 15 complex systems are also known, for example golf buggy mounted systems which make use of global positioning systems to determine the approximate position of a player. It is an object of the invention to provide a range finder device which is of relatively simple and convenient form.

According to the invention there is provided a range finder device comprising a distance measuring unit for measuring a distance between the range finder device and a datum position, a calculation unit arranged to use the measured distance to calculate a remaining distance between the range finder device and a target position, 5 and a display unit for displaying information relating to the calculated remaining distance. The range finder device is preferably mounted upon a wheeled golf trolley or the like, in which case the distance measuring unit may be operable to determine the number of rotations of an axle or wheel of the trolley which have occurred since 10 the trolley left the datum position. The distance measuring unit could be a mechanical unit, but in one preferred embodiment comprises a magnet mounted upon the axle or wheel and a sensor operable to sense the movement of the magnet past a pre-determined position. One type of sensor which could be used is a Hall sensor. 15 if the golf trolley is motorised, then the range finder device maybe powered from the battery of the golf trolley. However, the range finder device may have its own internal battery or power source, if desired.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing (Figure 1) which is a diagrammatic illustration of part

of a golf trolley to which a range finder device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention has been fitted.

The accompanying drawing illustrates part of a golf trolley 10 which comprises a pair of wheels 12 interconnected by an axle 14. The axle 14 supports 5 a framework 16, the mounting of the axle 14 to the framework 16 being such as to allow substantially free rotation of the axle 14 about its axis. The framework 16 includes a handle 18 whereby the golftrolley 10 can be pulled or pushed along the ground. The framework 16 further supports a bag (not shown) within which a player may store his golf clubs and other equipment.

10 One of the wheels 12 carries a magnet 20. The framework 16 is provided with an arm 22 carrying a sensor 24 arranged to monitor the passage of the magnet 20 past the sensor 24, thereby counting the number of revolutions of the wheel 12 which take place. Any sensor which is sensitive to changes in magnetic field

strength, for example a Hall sensor, may be used.

15 Ahousing26is mounted upon the framework 16adjacentthehandle 18. The housing 26 includes a display unit 28, for example in the form of a liquid crystal display, a calculation unit in the form of a micro- processor contained within the housing 26 and operable to control the operation of the display unit 28, and a plurality of buttons 30 used to program and control the operation of the micro

processor. In use, the micro-processor is programmed with information relating to the dimensions of die wheel 12 such that a calculation can be made of the distance travelled by the golf trolley 10 for each revolution of the wheel 12. Typically, the 5 micro-processor is programmed with the circumference of the wheel 12. However, it will be appreciated that rather than program the micro-processor win the circumference of She wheel 12, the micro-processor may calculate the circumference of the wheel from a radius or diameter measurement. Once programmed in tills manner, one of the buttons 30 is depressed to assign a datum position to the micro 10 processor. The datum position could be set, for example, with the trolley at the tee of a hole of a golf course. However, this need not be the case, and the datum position could be set as the golf trolley 10 is moved past a marker provided on the golfcourse indicative ofthe distance remaining to the centre of the green or edge of the apron of the hole of the course. Conveniently, different ones of the buttons 30 15 are used depending upon which datwn position is used. Once the datum position has been set, by monitoring the output of the sensor 24 to count the number of times the magnet 20 moves past He sensor 24 and therefore count the number of revolutions of the wheel 12, the distance moved by the trolley 10 away from the datum position can be measured. By selection of Me appropriate one ofthe buttons

to identify the distance of the datum position from the centre of the green or edge of the apron, and by deducting the distance travelled by the trolley 10 from this preset distance, a distance remaining to the centre of the green or the apron can be calculated by the micro-processor and the calculated remaining distance displayed 5 on the display device 28.

The information displayed on the display device 28 may simply comprise the distance remaining displayed either in metres or yards as selected by the user.

However, if desired, the distance remaining information could be displayed in the form of an indication as to which club should be used by the player to play his next 10 shot. This information may be derived by appropriate programming of the micro processor with the distances typically played by a player with each golf club.

Obviously, if desired, all of this information may be displayed.

Although the embodiment described hereinbefore makes use of a magnetic sensor 24 and a wheel-mounted magnet to determine the distance moved by the golf 15 trolley, it will be appreciated that this need not be the case. Other forms of measurement unit could be used, the measuring unit working either by monitoring the number of revolutions of the wheel or axle of the golf trolley or in another manner altogether. The golf trolley briefly described hereinbefore is of the manual type. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is also applicable to

motorised golf trolleys. The range finder device may be internally powered by its own power sources for example an internal battery. However, where the range finder is mounted upon a motorised golf trolley, the range finder may be powered from the battery of the golf trolley.

5 Although the system may be fitted to new golftrolleys, it will be appreciated that die system is also suitable for retro-fithng to existing golf trolleys.

Claims

I. A range finder device comprising a distance measuring unit for measuring a distance between the range finder device and a datum position, a calculation unit arranged to use the measured distance to calculate a remaining distance between the 5 range finder device and a target position, and a display unit for displaying information relating to the calculated rernang distance.
2. A range finder device according to Claim 1, wherein the distance measuring

unit is operable to monitor movement of a wheel or axle.
3. A range fmder device according to Claim 2, wherein the wheel or axle forms 10 part of a golftrolley.
4. A range finder device according to Claim 3, wherein the golf trolley is motorised.
5. A range finder device according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the distance measuring device comprises a magnet moveable with the wheel or axle, and a sensor 15 arranged to monitor changes in magnetic field strength.
6. A range finder device according to any one of the preceding claims, Hurdler comprising at least one actuator operable to set the datum position.
7. A range finder device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an internal power source.
8. A range finder device substantially as hereinbefore described wide reference to the accompanying drawing.