Short game analysis system

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to lightweight, portable robot for analyzing golf balls for short game performance attributes. The preferred robot is specifically designed to be lightweight and portable and to be able to hit a golf ball off of the ground or a mat that simulates the ground such that realistic short game performance of clubs and balls can be evaluated.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A portable golf hitting robot, comprising:
 a frame, a drive shaft coupled to the frame, a drive unit coupled to a first end of the drive shaft for supplying torque thereto and a golf club gripping member coupled to a distal end of the drive shaft, and   the robot further comprising a one-way clutch and a belt drive juxtaposed between the drive unit and the golf club gripping member, wherein the torque applied from the drive unit to the golf club gripping member is at a ratio of less than 4-1.   
     
     
         2 . The portable golf hitting robot of  claim 1 , wherein the golf gripping member is coupled to face angle adjustment rotator such that the face angle of a golf club can be adjusted. 
     
     
         3 . The portable golf hitting robot of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping member coupled to a club loft adjustment plate that is adjustably coupled to the drive shaft such that the loft angle of the golf club can be adjusted. 
     
     
         4 . The portable golf hitting robot of  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit is a pneumatic rotary actuator coupled to the drive shaft through the belt drive to provide torque at a ratio of between 0.5-1 and 4-1. 
     
     
         5 . The portable golf hitting robot of  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit is a pneumatic rotary actuator coupled to the drive shaft through the belt drive to provide torque at a ratio of between 1-1 and 2-1. 
     
     
         6 . The portable golf hitting robot of  claim 1 , wherein the robot further includes a disc brake coupled to the drive shaft, brake calipers and a cam coupled to the drive unit for actuating the brake calipers. 
     
     
         7 . The portable golf hitting robot of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a plurality of arms, each of the arms having an electric motor at a first end and a ground abutting member at a distal end. 
     
     
         8 . The portable golf hitting robot of  claim 4 , wherein the robot further comprises pneumatic controls for adjusting the amount of force applied to the golf club by the drive unit. 
     
     
         9 . The portable golf hitting robot of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is comprised of aluminum and the robot weighs less than about 250 lbs. 
     
     
         10 . A portable golf hitting robot system for swinging a golf club, comprising: a frame, a drive shaft coupled to the frame, a pneumatic rotary actuator coupled to a first end of the drive shaft for supplying power thereto and a golf club gripping member adjustably coupled to a distal end of the drive shaft for coupling the golf club to the robot, wherein the torque ratio from the pneumatic rotary actuator to the golf club gripping member is less than 4-1, and wherein the golf club is rotated in a pendulum manner about the drive shaft axis which extends within 8 to 18 inches from a center of the gripping member. 
     
     
         11 . The portable golf hitting robot of  claim 10 , wherein the golf gripping member is coupled to face angle adjustment rotator such that the face angle of a golf club can be adjusted. 
     
     
         12 . The portable golf hitting robot of  claim 10 , wherein the gripping member coupled to a club loft adjustment plate that is adjustably coupled to the drive shaft such that the loft angle of the golf club can be adjusted. 
     
     
         13 . The portable golf hitting robot of  claim 10 , wherein the pneumatic rotary actuator is coupled to the drive shaft through a belt drive to provide torque at a ratio of between 1-1 and 2-1. 
     
     
         14 . The portable golf hitting robot of  claim 10 , further comprising at least three arms coupled to the frame and powered by individual electric motors such that the length of each arm can be independently adjusted. 
     
     
         15 . The portable golf hitting robot of  claim 10 , further comprising a laser safety scanner and a multi-button firing control. 
     
     
         16 . A portable golf hitting robot system, comprising:
 a frame, a drive shaft coupled to the frame, a drive unit, a belt drive coupled to the drive unit and a first end of the drive shaft and a golf club gripping member coupled to a distal end of the drive shaft, and   the robot further comprising a one-way clutch juxtaposed between the drive unit and the golf club gripping member,   wherein the robot can swing a golf club attached thereto and impact a golf ball off of a ground element; and   wherein the ground element is a hitting mat comprised of a turf layer, a foam layer coupled to a bottom surface of the turf layer, a first structural layer coupled to a bottom surface of the foam layer, a base, and a plurality of springs juxtaposed the base and the first structural layer.