Ball measurement gauge and ball measurement method

Abstract

To provide a technique which enables efficient and accurate ball gauge measurement.SOLUTION: A ball measurement gauge provided herein comprises n frame members (n is an integer of 2 or greater) that are interconnected to form a ring, and at least one of n coupling points is a detachable point configured to allow adjacent frame members to be detached from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a ball measuring gauge and a ball measuring method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a circumference gauge in which a pair of endless measuring gauges are integrated so as to be perpendicular to each other, and air is injected into a ball inside the gauge, thereby making it possible to measure the circumference. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-372401 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, because the conventional circumference gauges described above are made of a soft band, accurate measurement can be difficult if the band shifts from the circumference when the ball is inflated.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can measure a ball efficiently and accurately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present application includes a number of means for solving at least some of the above problems, examples of which are as follows: A ball measuring gauge according to one aspect of the present invention comprises n (n is an integer of 2 or more) frame members that are connected to one another to form a ring, and at least one of the n connection points is a detachable portion that allows adjacent frame members to be attached to and detached from one another.

[0007] At least one of the frame members may have a pinhole passing through toward the center of the ring.

[0008] Of the n connecting points, points other than the detachable parts may be bendable joint parts, and the multiple frame members connected by the joint parts may be foldable by bending the joint parts.

[0009] The three or more frame members connected by the joints may be foldable by alternately bending them in opposite directions.

[0010] The joint portion may be restricted from bending in a direction opposite to a predetermined bending direction.

[0011] The detachable parts may be detachable from each other by magnetism.

[0012] The frame members that face each other and come into contact with each other in the folded state may be detachably fixed to each other by magnetism.

[0013] The plurality of frame members may have inner peripheries facing the balls formed in an arc shape.

[0014] The plurality of frame members may have the same shape and overlap each other when folded.

[0015] A method for measuring a ball according to one embodiment of the present invention involves preparing a ball measuring gauge having n (n is an integer of 2 or greater) frame members that are interconnected to form a ring, with at least one of the n connecting points being a detachable portion that allows adjacent frame members to be attached and detached to each other, and with the ball placed inside the ring, inserting the needle of an air pump into the ball and injecting air into the ball with the air pump until the ball inflates and its outer periphery approaches or touches the inner periphery of the ring. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, a technique that can measure a ball efficiently and accurately can be provided.

[0017] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a six-view diagram of a ball measuring gauge 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball measuring gauge 1. [Figure 3] (a) An explanatory diagram of the joint when unfolded, (b) An explanatory diagram of the joint when folded. [Figure 4] (a) An explanatory diagram of the state when the connection part is disconnected, (b) An explanatory diagram of the state when one joint part is folded, and (c) An explanatory diagram of the state when two joint parts are folded. [Figure 5] 1 is an explanatory diagram of how to use the ball measuring gauge 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A ball measuring gauge 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, the following embodiments will be divided into multiple sections or embodiments, but unless otherwise specified, they are not unrelated to each other and one may be a partial or complete modification, detail, supplementary explanation, etc. of the other.

[0020] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, when referring to the number of elements (including the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc.), unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle, it is not limited to that specific number and may be more or less than the specific number.

[0021] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, it goes without saying that the components are not necessarily essential unless otherwise specified or unless they are clearly considered essential in principle.

[0022] Similarly, in the following embodiments, when referring to the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of components, etc., it is intended to include those that are substantially similar or similar to those shapes, etc., unless otherwise specified or when it is considered that this is clearly not the case in principle. This also applies to the above numerical values ​​and ranges.

[0023] In addition, in all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same components are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0024] <Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a six-view diagram of a ball measuring gauge 1 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ball measuring gauge 1. The ball measuring gauge 1 has at least a plurality of frame members 11. Each of the frame members 11 has a curved arc shape of uniform size, and these are interconnected to form a ring. In other words, the ball measuring gauge 1 is formed by connecting n frame members 11 (n is an integer of 2 or greater), each of which constitutes approximately 1 / n of the ring, at n locations. The number of frame members 11 can be any number greater than or equal to 2, and the number of connection locations will increase proportionally.

[0025] In the ball measuring gauge 1 of this embodiment, three frame members, frame member 11a, frame member 11b, and frame member 11c, are connected at three locations, each constituting approximately one-third of the ring. The connections are made at the ends of frame member 11a and frame member 11b, frame member 11b and frame member 11c, and frame member 11c and frame member 11a. These connections form inner gauge 10, which is the inner periphery of the ring. Inner gauge 10 is the surface that faces the ball during use, and it is possible to measure the size of the ball by abutting it with an inflated ball. Therefore, the circumference of inner gauge 10 is configured to be approximately the same as the outer periphery of the great circle of a standard-sized ball.

[0026] An air introduction section 15 is provided in the frame member 11a. The air introduction section 15 is a structure that protrudes vertically from the plane of the ring, and has a pump hole 15a that opens toward the outer periphery. A needle hole 15b, which is a through-hole that extends toward the center of the ring, is provided in the bottom surface of the pump hole 15a, and is configured so that a needle of a pump (air pump) can be inserted into the hole. For convenience, the protruding side of the air introduction section 15 will be referred to as the front side (surface) of the frame member 11, and the opposite side will be referred to as the back side (rear surface).

[0027] The frame members are connected to one another by a detachable connection portion 14 (also referred to as a detachable portion) and by foldable (bendable) joint portions 13 at the other (n-1) locations. In the ball measuring gauge 1 according to this embodiment, the detachable connection portion 14 is formed between frame member 11a and frame member 11c, and foldable joint portions 13 are formed at two locations: between frame member 11a and frame member 11b, and between frame member 11b and frame member 11c. The connection portion 14 may use any mechanism capable of detachably adhering and fixing the free end, but for example, magnetism may be utilized. Specifically, in this embodiment, magnets 14a are embedded in the ends of frame member 11a and frame member 11c with portions exposed on the end surfaces. The magnets 14a may, for example, be a magnet on one side and a magnetic material or a magnet that attracts the magnet on the other side, generating a certain amount of attraction force. The user can connect the frame members to each other to form a ring by touching the magnets 14a exposed on the end faces together. The magnets 14a may be embedded inside so that they are not exposed from the end faces. The connecting portion 14 is not limited to a magnet, and may be realized by a detachable member such as a hook-and-loop fastener, adhesive tape, or snap button, or by a fitting structure consisting of a pair of concave and convex members.

[0028] Joint portion 13 is formed by connecting one end of frame member 11a to one end of frame member 11b at joint portion 13a, and connecting the other end of frame member 11b to one end of frame member 11c at joint portion 13b. These joint portions 13 will be described in detail below.

[0029] FIG. 3(a) is an explanatory diagram of the joint portion when unfolded (extended), and FIG. 3(b) is an explanatory diagram of the joint portion when folded. The joint portion 13 includes a bearing member 131 that connects the frame members 11 to each other and a shaft member 132 whose both ends are held by the frame member 11, and these are housed in a housing portion 111 inside the frame member 11. The shaft member 132 is, for example, a rod-shaped member with conical or cylindrical ends, and the rotation centers 132a at both ends are supported by the inner walls of the housing portion 111 of the frame member 11 so as to be sandwiched from both sides (the depth direction in the drawing) by the inner walls. The shaft member 132 is passed through a shaft hole 131a of the bearing member 131, and the shaft member 132 slides and rotates inside the shaft hole 131a when folded or unfolded. Each joint portion 13 has a folding direction, and cannot be folded in the opposite direction to the folding direction because the frame members 11 interfere with each other, restricting rotation. Incidentally, rotation may be prevented by separately providing a stopper such as a claw. Incidentally, the joint portion 13 may be configured such that the bearing member 131 and the shaft member 132 are integrally formed so as to be non-rotatable, and both ends of the shaft member 132 are rotatably held by the inner walls of the accommodation portion 111 of the frame member 11 (i.e., the inner walls of the accommodation portion 111 function as bearings).

[0030] Furthermore, adjacent joint portions 13 fold in opposite directions. For example, joint portion 13a of the ball measuring gauge 1 of this embodiment can be folded by rotating frame member 11 toward the rear side, so that the rear surfaces face each other. On the other hand, adjacent joint portion 13b can be folded by rotating frame member 11 toward the front side, so that the front surfaces face each other. By alternately folding adjacent joint portions in opposite directions in this manner, all of the frame members 11 can be folded compactly so that they overlap. Because adjacent frame members 11 are configured symmetrically about the center line of the joint portion 13 when unfolded, they overlap when folded. Note that magnets 12 are embedded in the rear surfaces of frame members 11a and 11b and the front surfaces of frame members 11b and 11c so that they face each other. Like magnet 14a, magnet 12 also has one magnet and the other a magnetic material or a magnet that attracts the magnet, generating a certain amount of attractive force. This allows the frame members to be detachably fastened to each other with a constant force when folded, preventing the frame members from unfolding. Therefore, the folded state can be maintained when carrying the device. The magnets 12 may be embedded inside the device so that they are not exposed from the front or back surfaces. Instead of magnets, they may be realized by detachable members such as hook-and-loop fasteners, adhesive tape, or snap buttons, or by a fitting structure consisting of a pair of recessed and protruding members. The pair of magnets 12 on the back surfaces of the frame members 11a and 11b are preferably positioned more than half, preferably two-thirds, of the total arc of the frame member 11 from the joint portion 13a. This improves the adhesion between the frame members 11 when folded. Similarly, the pair of magnets 12 on the front surfaces of the frame members 11b and 11c are preferably positioned more than half, preferably two-thirds, of the total arc of the frame member 11 from the joint portion 13b.

[0031] Since the air introduction section 15 is formed in the frame member 11a, the surfaces cannot be overlapped. Therefore, it is desirable that the frame member in which the air introduction section 15 is formed has a connection section 14 at one end, and that the joint section 13 provided at the other end rotates toward the rear side so that the back surfaces face each other and abut against each other. This allows the frame member in which the air introduction section 15 is formed to be positioned at the top (or bottom) level when all the frame bodies are folded.

[0032] Because the ball measuring gauge 1 of this embodiment is composed of three frame members 11 of the same shape, when assembled, there are no pairs of connecting points that face each other at a 180-degree rotation angle on a concentric circle. On the other hand, if the ball measuring gauge 1 is composed of an even number of frame members 11 of the same shape, there are pairs of connecting points that face each other at a 180-degree rotation angle. The opposing pairs of connecting points are (1) a connection and a joint, (2) joints that have the same bending direction, or (3) joints that have different bending directions. In the cases of (1) and (2), the ball measuring gauge 1 can be easily folded in half around the connecting points of the pairs. Therefore, from the viewpoint that easy folding does not hinder operation, it is preferable to have an odd number of frame members 11. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of reducing the thickness when folded, it is preferable to have a small number of frame members 11.

[0033] The material of each part of the ball measuring gauge 1 of this embodiment can be, for example, a resin such as plastic, but it can also be a metal such as aluminum, or multiple materials, and is not limited to this.

[0034] Here, the operation of transitioning the ball measuring gauge 1 from the unfolded state to the folded state will be described in detail. FIG. 4(a) is an explanatory diagram of the state in which the connection portion is detached, FIG. 4(b) is an explanatory diagram of the state in which one joint portion is folded, and FIG. 4(c) is an explanatory diagram of the state in which two joint portions are folded. To fold the gauge, first, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the connection portion 14 is detached to separate the ring. For example, a user can easily remove the magnet 14a by grasping the frame members 11a and 11c on both sides of the connection portion 14 and pulling them to both sides. Note that, for example, by providing play in the joint portion 13 in a direction intersecting the folding direction, the frame members 11a and 11c on both sides of the connection portion 14 can be separated and separated.

[0035] Next, the joint portion 13 is folded. In this example, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the joint portion 13b is folded toward the front, and the frame members 11b and 11c are stacked so that their surfaces face each other and abut against each other. Next, as shown in FIG. 4(c), the joint portion 13a is folded toward the rear side opposite the joint portion 13b, and the frame members 11a and 11b are stacked so that their back surfaces face each other and abut against each other. This allows all the frame members to be stacked, and the device can be deformed into a compact shape as shown in the figure. In addition, the magnets 12 attract each other and adhere the frame members to each other with a certain amount of force, preventing the device from unfolding when carried around. The order in which the joint portion 13 is folded is not particularly limited, and the device can be folded in any order.

[0036] Next, a method for introducing air into a ball using the ball measuring gauge 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of how to use the ball measuring gauge 1. First, the user passes the needle 21, which is attached to the tip of the tube of the pump P, from the pump hole 15a to the needle hole 15b. If the base 22 of the needle 21 has a larger diameter than the needle 21 at its base, the base 22 can be inserted into the pump hole 15a to increase the length by which the needle 21 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the ring (the inner gauge 10) toward the center of the ring (the length that can be inserted into ball B). The base 22 can also be held to stabilize the needle 21 so that its orientation does not become unstable. Next, the user places the ball B inside the ring and inserts the needle 21 into the air hole. The pump P then injects air into the ball B. This operation naturally causes the inner gauge 10 to approximately coincide with the circumference of the great circle of the ball B. Therefore, by stopping the injection of air when the ball B is inflated to a point close to or in contact with the inner gauge 10, the specified size ball B can be obtained. If the ball B becomes larger than the inner gauge 10, the magnet 14a of the connection part 14 will be released by pressure from the inside. This prevents the introduction of excess air, preventing deformation or damage to the ball B, and allowing it to be used at an appropriate size.

[0037] The present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiment, which allows for efficient and accurate measurement of a ball.

[0038] In this embodiment, a ring-shaped ball measuring gauge 1 is used as an example, but its outer and inner peripheries do not necessarily have to be ring-shaped. The outer periphery may have any shape, but it is preferable to have frame members of the same shape overlap each other when folded, as this reduces bulk when carried around. The inner periphery may also have any shape as long as the points of contact with the ball are on the same circle of a specified size. The points of contact with the ball should be at least two or more, preferably three or more, and the shape of the inner periphery can be, for example, an n-gon that contacts the ball at n points.

[0039] Furthermore, the pump hole 15a and the pinhole 15b of the air introduction portion 15 may be at least partially disposed within the thickness of the frame member 11a. By forming the pinhole 15b at one point on the inner gauge 10, the circumference of the great circle of the ball B closely matches the inner gauge 10, allowing for more accurate ball gauge measurement. Furthermore, the air introduction portion 15 does not need to be configured in a convex shape, and may be formed so as to fit within the thickness of the frame member 11 by increasing the thickness of the frame member 11. Furthermore, the air introduction portion 15 may not be configured in a convex shape, and only the pinhole 15b may be provided so as to fit within the thickness of the frame member 11. One or more air introduction portions 15 may be provided in one frame member 11, or one or more air introduction portions 15 may be provided in each of multiple frame members 11.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example in which there is one connecting portion 14 (detachable portion) has been described, but there may be a plurality of connecting portions 14. All of the joint portions 13 may be replaced with connecting portions 14. Note that the joint portions 13 may also be made of a magnetic material, for example, so that they function as joints and have a detachable structure.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to ball measuring gauges, but can be provided in various forms, such as parts of the ball measuring gauge, a measuring method using the ball measuring gauge, a manufacturing method for manufacturing a ball in a usable state using the ball measuring gauge, and a system including the ball measuring gauge and a pump. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1···Ball measuring gauge, 10···Inner gauge, 11·11a·11b··Frame member, 12···Magnet, 13·13a·13b··Joint portion, 14···Connection portion (detachable portion), 14a···Magnet, 15···Air introduction portion, 15a···Pump hole, 15b···Needle hole, 21···Needle, 22···Base, 111···Accommodation portion, 131···Bearing member, 131a···Shaft hole, 132···Shaft member, 132a···Center of rotation, B···Ball, P···Pump

Claims

1. 1. A ball measuring gauge comprising: n (n is an integer of 2 or more) frame members that are connected to each other to form a ring; At least one of the n connecting points is a detachable portion that allows adjacent frame members to be attached to and detached from each other. A ball measuring gauge characterized by:

2. 10. The ball measuring gauge of claim 1, At least one of the frame members has a pinhole penetrating toward the center of the ring. A ball measuring gauge characterized by:

3. 3. A ball measuring gauge according to claim 1 or 2, Among the n number of connecting portions, portions other than the detachable portions are bendable joint portions, The plurality of frame members connected by the joints can be folded by bending the joints. A ball measuring gauge characterized by:

4. 4. The ball measuring gauge of claim 3, The three or more frame members connected by the joints are foldable by alternately bending them in opposite directions. A ball measuring gauge characterized by:

5. 5. The ball measuring gauge of claim 4, The joint is restricted from bending in a direction opposite to a predetermined bending direction. A ball measuring gauge characterized by:

6. 3. A ball measuring gauge according to claim 1 or 2, The detachable parts are detachable from each other by magnetism. A ball measuring gauge characterized by:

7. 4. The ball measuring gauge of claim 3, The frame members that face each other and come into contact in the folded state are detachably fixed to each other by magnetism. A ball measuring gauge characterized by:

8. 3. A ball measuring gauge according to claim 1 or 2, The inner periphery of each of the plurality of frame members facing the ball is formed in an arc shape. A ball measuring gauge characterized by:

9. 4. The ball measuring gauge of claim 3, The plurality of frame members have the same shape and overlap each other when folded. A ball measuring gauge characterized by:

10. 1. A method of measuring a ball, comprising: A ball measuring gauge is provided, which comprises n frame members (n is an integer of 2 or more) that are connected to each other to form a ring, and at least one of the n connection points is a detachable portion that allows adjacent frame members to be attached to and detached from each other; With the ball positioned inside the ring, inserting an air pump needle into the ball; Inflate the ball with the pump until the ball is inflated and the outer periphery of the ball is close to or touches the inner periphery of the ring. A method for measuring a ball.

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