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Golf aidRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, GolfGolf aid description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070191126, Golf aid. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to golfing, and more particularly, relates to a device that allows one to prevent loss of golf clubs. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] One of the best parts of playing golf is seeing sleeping greens and traversing various tracts of land. In a sense, a golfer can become lost from the world as the golfer moves along a golf course from hole to hole. Unfortunately, while playing golf, golfers often are so focused on the game, or are so focused on their visual captivating surroundings, that they simply forget their golf clubs. For example, a golfer might make a shot and lands outside of the putting green. To save time and energy, the golfer will carry with him multiple clubs (putter, chipper, sand wedge, 9 iron etc.) onto the field of play as he determines the appropriate distance and shot to the green. In these instances and after the golfer has chosen his club, the remaining club(s) carried onto the field of play are placed on the ground either during the green approach shot, which normally is a rougher terrain and the club can be obscured in the taller grass, therefore making it difficult to detect, or on the green itself while putting. [0003] With the challenge, excitement and level of focus of the game on the golfer's mind, all too often the player will leave a club(s) behind as they proceed to the next hole of play. In most instances the club(s) left behind by the golfer are not realized as missing, until sometime later or when the club in question is to be chosen for use again. That's when panic sets in--when, where, how was it lost? [0004] Thus, there is a need for a device that prevents a golfer from leaving a golf club somewhere on the golf course, for the size of golf courses makes finding a lost club either virtually impossible, or if possible, an arduous task. [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,606, issued to Piri et al on Apr. 8, 2003, shows a device and method for alerting to the need to recover something, identifying it and determining its location for purposes of recovery. Piri et al's device is intended for life-saving missions, such that Piri et al's device would be incorporated with a life jacket. Piri et al's device does not provide a solution that could be easily incorporated with a golf club. Thus, unlike the present invention, Piri et al's device does not offer a simple, unobtrusive solution to locating a lost golf club. [0006] Moreover, Piri et al's device, unlike the present invention, is not designed so as to not interfere with the weight and balancing that a golf club already has. If a golf club is made heavier than desired by adding some kind of loss prevention system, the golf club might not be lost, but a golfer would not want to use such a golf club because it would become cumbersome and overly heavy. Further, unlike the present invention, Piri et al's device is not inconspicuous if it would be attached to a golf club. It is important that the general shape of a golf club is not altered if a tracking device is to be attached. Also, it is important for any user of the present invention that the user's golf clubs do not look any different than a traditional golf club, for the user does not want to call attention to the fact that some kind of tracking device is being used on golf clubs. Piri et al's does not remedy these concerns. [0007] Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,462,658, issued to Bender on Oct. 8, 2002, describes an object locator and protection system. Bender's device describes a transmitter unit that sends one of a plurality of RF signals upon actuating a first push button, and a receiver unit attached to or incorporated into an object for detecting the RF signals, and illuminating a light element, and/or activating a sound speaker in response to the detected RF signal. Bender's device is concerned with providing an improved locator device for identifying and locating an object, which is inexpensive to produce and operates in a manner that allows the user to find the tagged object easily. In particular, Bender's device tries to avoid costly timer shutoff, costly battery power-saver circuitry, loud, annoying sounds, triangulation locator circuitry and cumbersome encoding elements. [0008] However, unlike the present invention, Bender's device does not address the problem of incorporating a radio frequency transmitter into or onto a golf club. As aforementioned, the weight of the golf club cannot be adversely affected, or a golfer will not want to use a modified golf club that has an RF transmitter. Further, if an RF transmitter is to be positioned on a golf club, the RF transmitter must be inconspicuous, for no golfer wants to be the talk of the golf course, as other golfers stare at RF modified clubs. [0009] In short, a problem exists for identifying golf clubs. RF technology exists and various devices and methods exist in the field of the aforementioned patents that are capable of being stuck onto a golf club. However, none of the relevant art provides a device that can be integrated into a golf club without changing the contour of the golf club, without changing significantly the weight of the golf club, and thus, the relevant art cannot solve the problem that has been presented. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] Within the game of golf, it is a common practice for a golfer to carry multiple clubs onto the field of play as they determine the appropriate distance and shot to the green. As a matter of fact, it is golf etiquette when walking from your cart to your ball to take a couple clubs with you. Taking only one club, then having to return to the cart to retrieve a different club, is a huge time-waster. [0011] There aren't too many things more annoying in the game of golf than discovering that a club or two were left behind two or three holes back. It is common occurrence a golfer will grab several clubs from his bag while his partner takes the cart to the other side of the fairway. The golfer lays his clubs that he doesn't need on the ground while taking his shot. Next thing he knows . . . . He forgot the club(s) behind. [0012] The present invention is a device that assists a golfer in locating a lost golf club(s). The device has two parts. A first part is actually incorporated onto the handle of a golf club or within the handle of a golf club, and that device acts as a transmitter. The second part of the present invention is a receiver. Each golf club in a golfer's golf bag preferably has a transmitter of the present invention. When the golfer is about to play golf, the golfer activates each of the golf clubs' transmitters, and then turns on the receiver of the present invention that remains with the golfer or is attached to the golf bag. If only certain golf clubs are to be used, then only certain golf clubs will be activated to transmit by the golfer. [0013] If, during a preset time, there is a predetermined loss of transmissions from a particular golf club, then the receiver will alert the golfer that a golf club has been left behind. In turn, the receiver becomes a directional finder, and the stronger the signal from the transmitter, the closer the golfer is to the said club. Preferably, the present invention also incorporates GPS technology, such that the present invention does not just alert a golfer that a golf club has been left behind, but will actually guide the golfer to the abandoned golf club. [0014] The present invention is an electronic monitoring device using advanced state-of-the-art Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The present invention emits a subtle alarm warning the golfer that a club(s) has been left behind. [0015] The device consists of a miniature, lightweight transmitter inserted into the golf club shaft under the club grip. A pager-sized monitor unit, acting as a receiver, can be attached to the golfer's bag, belt or the golf cart, using a conventional plastic spring clip. When the distance between the receiver and the transmitter exceeds the specified limit (200 feet), the subtle alarm is triggered, in addition to a flashing light and vibration. [0016] The receiver unit--preferably 1.1 inches in depth, 2.9 inches high and 2.7 inches wide--is powered by a replaceable 9v battery and features a flashing red LED and audio location device when activated. The monitor circuit features a "signal strength indicator," alerting the golfer with an escalating beeping pattern, aiding the golfer in finding the lost club by audio direction to the area. The monitor can differentiate between different club codes within the 200 ft. area. Each transmitter is randomly assigned an RFID code. With more than 20 trillion code numbers available, there is virtually no chance any two monitors could be programmed to receive the same transmitter code from a club located in the same course area. [0017] The embedded transmitter is a miniature capsule--preferably one half-inch in diameter, three inches long and weighing 1.5 oz.--built to withstand any vibration and punishment of repeated swings of the golf club. Easy to install, the transmitter is inserted into the golf club shaft cavity located under the club grip, making it invisible. It is so light that it does not affect the golf swing. Installed by the golfer or at a golf shop during re-gripping, the transmitter can be incorporated into any commercially available, standard 0.6-inch diameter golf club shaft making it accessible to golfers internationally. [0018] To activate the transmitter the golfer depresses the tiny LED button by inserting a golf tee, pen, key, etc., into the hole located at the end of the club grip. Once activated, the receiver is automatically programmed to identify each club the golfer will be using that round. If a club is left behind, at a distance of 200 feet the receiver will sound the alarm, notifying the golfer that the club is missing. Once the club is retrieved, the golfer simply resets the alarm. After five hours the transmitter automatically goes into sleep mode, until it is activated again. [0019] Small lithium batteries (similar in size to photo batteries) power the transmitter. Under normal use the life cycle of the batteries will last two seasons and may be replaced when the club is re-gripped. Transmitters are typically placed into most often left clubs on the green, such as putters, chippers and wedges. Though weather proof, the club grip should not be submerged in water. [0020] The game of golf is a game of the mind. Golfers must maintain their concentration throughout the round to achieve a successful score and distractions are the biggest problem for most golfers. The present invention removes the club loss distraction, giving golfers peace of mind and allowing them to focus. With golfers free from having to search or back track, the overall game should speed up to everyone's benefit. As an added bonus, the golf bag itself is now alarmed by virtue of the monitored clubs. The golfer can securely place his clubs outside the clubhouse or restaurant without fear or worry of it being stolen. [0021] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. Continue reading about Golf aid... Full patent description for Golf aid Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Golf aid patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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