Golf ball picker

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for collecting golf balls from practice areas while the device is making tight turns. The device includes a vehicle such as a golf cart, tractor, or lawn mower. A collecting gang is attached to the vehicle in such a manner that the collecting gang can pivot 180 degrees around an axis. The vehicle is configured for tight turns and the collecting gang is configured to self-orient such that golf balls are collected when the gang travels in any direction. Thus the present invention provides a device for collecting golf balls that can pick up golf balls while making a zero radius turn, moving forward, and moving in reverse.

Having described the invention, the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A device for collecting golf balls from practice areas while the device is making tight turns, wherein the device comprises:
 a vehicle;   a collecting gang attached to the vehicle; and   wherein the vehicle is configured for tight turns and the collecting gang is configured to self-orient such that golf balls are collected when the gang travels in any direction.   
     
     
         2 . The device for collecting golf balls according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rear collecting gang positioned at the rear of the vehicle such that the rear collecting gang is configured to trail the vehicle when the vehicle moves in a first direction;   a forward collecting gang positioned forward of the vehicle such that the forward collecting gang precedes the vehicle when the vehicle moves in a first direction; and   wherein the vehicle defines a path and the rear collecting gang defines one portion of the path and the forward collecting gang defines another portion of the path and the rear collecting gang and the forward collecting gang are configured to collect objects from the ground whenever they move in contact with the ground.   
     
     
         3 . The device for collecting golf balls according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second rear collecting gang positioned at the rear of the vehicle such that the second rear collecting gang is configured to trail the vehicle when the vehicle moves in a first direction.   
     
     
         4 . The device for collecting golf balls according to  claim 2 , wherein the vehicle is configured to move in a second direction that is substantially the opposite of the first direction and the forward collecting gang and the rear collecting gangs are configured to collect objects from the ground when the device is moving in the second direction. 
     
     
         5 . The device for collecting golf balls according to  claim 4 , wherein the vehicle includes a chassis and the forward collecting gang includes a forward basket and a forward pivoting wheel and the forward basket is configured to be positioned generally between the forward pivoting wheel and the chassis when the vehicle is configured to move in the first direction and the forward basket is positioned such that the forward pivoting wheel is between it and chassis when the vehicle is moving in the second direction. 
     
     
         6 . A method for collecting objects from the ground, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a vehicle that includes a chassis and a first collecting gang attached to the chassis and a second collecting gang attached to the chassis;   moving the vehicle in a first direction such that the first collecting gang precedes the chassis and the second collecting gang trails the chassis;   collecting objects with the forward collecting gang and with the rear collecting gang while the vehicle is moving in the first direction;   moving the vehicle in a second direction such that the first collecting gang trails the chassis and the second collecting gang precedes the chassis; and   collecting objects with the forward collecting gang and the rear collecting gang while the vehicle is moving in the second direction.   
     
     
         7 . A method for collecting objects from the ground, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a vehicle that includes a chassis and a forward collecting gang attached to the chassis and a rear collecting gang attached to the chassis;   moving the vehicle in a first direction such that a path P is defined by the area over which the forward and the rear collecting gangs pass along a first row;   turning the vehicle such that path P continues to be defined adjacent to the first row;   moving the vehicle in a second direction along path P adjacent to the first row; and   collecting objects from the ground while the vehicle is moving and while the vehicle is turning.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , the method further comprising the steps of:
 collecting objects from the ground such that path P is defined in two adjacent rows and each row touches the other at all points such that no void areas are defined within path P.   
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the objects are golf balls.