Golf ball alignment and registration in a transportation system

1 . A system for transporting a golf ball, comprising:

at least one track;

a shuttle configured to be attached to the track for movement along the track in a travel direction;

a golf ball holder attached to the shuttle, the golf ball holder configured to maintain an orientation of a golf ball, wherein the golf ball holder comprises a sliding plate; and

a registration system configured to move the golf ball holder from a first position to a second position in a registration direction that is different than the travel direction,

wherein the registration system comprises a push assembly configured to apply a force to the golf ball holder by contacting and pushing to move the golf ball holder from the first position to the second position,

wherein the push assembly comprises a push arm configured to move in the registration direction between a retracted position and an extended position in contact with the golf ball holder,

wherein the push arm is configured to contact the sliding plate,

wherein the push arm comprises a distal end having an overhang configured to provide multi-planar contact with the sliding plate, and

wherein the sliding plate comprises a beveled edge having a shape configured to mate with the overhang of the push arm.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the registration direction is perpendicular to the travel direction.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sliding plate is configured to move in the registration direction relative to the shuttle.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the golf ball holder further comprises at least one mounting fastener rigidly connected to the shuttle, wherein the sliding plate is configured to move in the registration direction relative to the at least one mounting fastener.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the push assembly further comprises an actuator configured to move the push arm in the registration direction to thereby move the golf ball holder in the registration direction between the first position and the second position.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the registration system further comprises a return assembly configured to engage the golf ball holder in the second position.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the return assembly comprises an interlocking feature configured to mate with a corresponding feature of the golf ball holder when the golf ball holder is in the second position.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the interlocking feature comprises one of a pin or notch, and the golf ball holder comprises the other of the pin or notch.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the notch is configured to receive the pin when the golf ball holder is in the second position.

10 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the return assembly comprises a hold down configured to contact the golf ball holder.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the golf ball holder comprises a sliding plate and the hold down comprises a recessed surface configured to contact the sliding plate and restrain the sliding plate from rotating or lifting upward.

12 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the return assembly comprises a bumper configured to urge the golf ball holder from the second position back to the first position.

13 . A system for transporting a golf ball, comprising:

at least one track;

a shuttle configured to be attached to the track for movement along the track in a travel direction;

a golf ball holder attached to the shuttle and configured to maintain an orientation of the golf ball, the golf ball holder comprising a sliding plate configured to move the golf ball holder from a first position to a second position in a registration direction that is different than the travel direction; and

a registration system positioned adjacent to the at least one track, the registration system comprising:

a push arm on a first side of the track configured to contact a first end of the sliding plate to move the golf ball holder from the first position to the second position in the registration direction;

an interlocking feature on a second, opposite side of the track configured to mate with a corresponding feature on the golf ball holder when the golf ball holder is in the second position; and

a hold down on the second side of the track configured to contact a second end of the sliding plate and restrain the sliding plate from rotating or lifting upward when the golf ball holder is in the second position.

14 . The system of claim 13 , further comprising a printing station positioned adjacent to the at least one track, the printing station comprising at least one printing pad configured to print on a golf ball held by the golf ball holder when the golf ball holder is in the second position.

15 . A system for transporting a golf ball, comprising:

at least one track;

a shuttle configured to be attached to the track for movement along the track in a travel direction;

a golf ball holder attached to the shuttle, the golf ball holder configured to maintain an orientation of a golf ball, wherein the golf ball holder comprises a sliding plate; and

a registration system configured to move the golf ball holder from a first position to a second position in a registration direction that is different than the travel direction,

wherein the registration system comprises:

a push assembly configured to apply a force to the golf ball holder to move the golf ball holder from the first position to the second position; and

a return assembly configured to engage the golf ball holder in the second position, wherein the return assembly comprises:

a hold down configured to contact the golf ball holder, the hold down comprising a recessed surface configured to contact the sliding plate and restrain the sliding plate from rotating or lifting upward.

16 . A system for transporting a golf ball, comprising:

at least one track;

a shuttle configured to be attached to the track for movement along the track in a travel direction;

a golf ball holder attached to the shuttle, the golf ball holder configured to maintain an orientation of a golf ball; and

a registration system configured to move the golf ball holder from a first position to a second position in a registration direction that is different than the travel direction,

wherein the registration system comprises:

a push assembly configured to apply a force to the golf ball holder to move the golf ball holder from the first position to the second position; and

a return assembly configured to engage the golf ball holder in the second position, wherein the return assembly comprises a bumper configured to urge the golf ball holder from the second position back to the first position.