Suspicious curling stone on the bed

Abstract

Provided is a novel on-floor pseudo curling stone that is simple yet functional, relatively easy to manufacture, and can be used to play a curling-like game on the floor. **Solution**: An on-floor pseudo curling stone A for playing a curling-like game on the floor, wherein a free ball bearing is embedded near the center of the bottom surface of a large-diameter disc-shaped stone-like main body 1 such that a part of a main ball 21 protrudes from the bottom surface, and at least three rounded balancers 3 having a protruding amount not exceeding the protruding amount of the main ball 21 from the bottom surface are installed in a well-balanced manner at positions away from the center of the bottom surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of stones for virtual curling on the floor. Specifically, the present invention relates to a stone for virtual curling on the floor that can originally perform curling, which is originally carried out on ice, in the same manner on the floor.

Background Art

[0002] Formal curling as a sport is a game in which a 20 kg stone is slid on ice toward a house (target) consisting of multiple circles displayed about 28 m forward, and the competition is about how to stop it close to the center of the house. To play such a game, a large ice rink is required, and it is also necessary to form a house consisting of multiple circles in the ice rink. Therefore, it is difficult for anyone to easily enjoy it.

[0003] Therefore, tools have been proposed that allow people to enjoy a curling-like game on a gymnasium floor covered with flooring or a large floor covered with plastic tiles instead of an ice rink (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). The tool (sliding body) disclosed in Patent Document 2 is provided with a handle on the upper part of the main body and mounting recesses are formed at the front and rear positions on the lower part of the main body. On the other hand, a wheel part is installed inside the cassette body to form a rolling body, and the rolling body is detachably attached to the mounting recess. Since the rolling body used for this sliding body rotates in a certain direction with a horizontal axis as the support axis, the sliding body itself physically slides only in a certain direction.

[0004] Various stones for virtual curling without the drawbacks of the tool (sliding body) of Patent Document 2 have also been proposed (for example, Patent Documents 3 to 8). Patent Document 3 discloses a curling body made of wood, with a plurality of casters provided in a well-balanced manner at the lower part of the curling body, and further a hole for inserting a weight such as lead for weight adjustment is formed at the lower part. Patent Document 4 discloses that three or more ball bearings having balls that can rotate in any direction as legs are provided at intervals in all directions on the bottom surface of the stone body. Patent Document 5 discloses that a plurality of protrusions are provided on the bottom surface of the stone with intervals therebetween and the bottom surfaces of the protrusions protruding outward from the bottom surface of the stone.

[0005] Patent Document 6 discloses that a blower for sending compressed air to the bottom plate side is provided inside, and the stone is floated by the force of the compressed air. Patent Document 7 discloses that a ring groove centered on the axis of the columnar short cylinder body is formed near the outer periphery of the bottom surface, and at least three true spherical balls made of metal or synthetic resin are rotatably held at equal intervals in the ring groove by upper and lower two synthetic resin ring plate-shaped retainers fitted in the ring groove, and a part of each true spherical ball protrudes from the bottom surface. Patent Document 8 discloses that a small-diameter disk-shaped protrusion having a gently convex arc-shaped surface on the bottom surface is formed at the center of the bottom surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Patent Document 7

Patent Document 8

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] Conventionally known stones for floor-simulated curling for playing curling-like games or competitions on the floor are often in relatively complex forms. It is considered that many of them are not easy to manufacture. The main object of the present invention is to provide a novel floor-simulated curling stone that is simple yet functional and relatively easy to manufacture, and can be used to play curling-like games on the floor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] As a result of intensive studies, the present inventor has found that by embedding a component generally commercially available under a product name such as a free ball bearing near the center of the bottom surface of a disk-shaped stone-like body of an appropriate size, the above problems can be solved, and the present invention has been completed.

[0009] Examples of the present invention include the following. [1] A floor-simulated curling stone for playing a curling-like play on the floor, wherein a free ball bearing is embedded near the center of the bottom surface of a large-diameter disk-shaped stone-like body such that at least a part of the main ball protrudes from the bottom surface, and at a position away from the center of the bottom surface, at least three rounded balancers having a protrusion amount not exceeding the protrusion amount of the main ball from the bottom surface are installed in a well-balanced manner. A floor-simulated curling stone characterized by that. [2] The floor-simulated curling stone according to [1] above, wherein the balancer is installed near the outer periphery of the bottom surface. [3] The floor-simulated curling stone according to [2] above, wherein the balancers are installed on the same concentric circumference from the center of the bottom surface. [4] The floor-simulated curling stone according to [3] above, wherein the balancers are installed at equal pitches. [5] The floor-simulated curling stone according to [1] above, having a handle on the top surface. [6] The floor-simulated curling stone according to [1] above, having six of the balancers. [7] The floor-simulated curling stone according to [1] above, wherein the difference between the protruding amount of the main ball from the bottom surface and the protruding amount of the balancer is within the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm. [8] The floor-simulated curling stone according to [1] above, wherein the material of the disc-shaped stone-like body is selected from the group consisting of wood, synthetic resin material, metal material, and clay material.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it can be manufactured relatively easily and the structure is relatively simple. However, it can slide very smoothly back and forth and left and right on the floor, so that a curling-like game or the like can be fully carried out on the floor.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

[0013] 1. Regarding the stone for floor-simulated curling according to the present invention The stone for floor-simulated curling according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the stone of the present invention") has a free ball bearing embedded near the center of the bottom surface of a large-diameter disc-shaped stone-like main body so that a part of the main ball protrudes from the bottom surface, and at a position away from the center of the bottom surface, there are at least three rounded balancers having a protrusion amount not exceeding the protrusion amount of the main ball from the bottom surface, which are installed in a well-balanced manner.

[0014] 1.1 Large-diameter disc-shaped stone-like main body The stone of the present invention includes a large-diameter disc-shaped stone-like main body (hereinafter simply referred to as "the stone-like main body").

[0015] The outer diameter of the stone-like main body in the plane is, for example, appropriately in the range of 80 mm to 200 mm, preferably in the range of 120 mm to 160 mm, although it depends on the rules of curling-like play, the age and gender of the user, etc. The thickness of the stone-like main body on the side surface is, for example, appropriately in the range of 30 mm to 80 mm, preferably in the range of 40 mm to 60 mm. The weight of the stone-like main body also depends on the rules of curling-like games, the age and gender of the user, etc., but is, for example, appropriately in the range of 300 g to 1 kg, preferably in the range of 400 g to 800 g.

[0016] The material of the stone-like body is not particularly limited as long as it can form the stone-like body. For example, it can include wood (e.g., solid wood, plywood, laminated wood, paper), synthetic resin materials (e.g., rigid polyethylene resin, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene resin, foam materials), metal materials, and clay materials. A plurality of materials may be used in combination (e.g., a structure with a veneer structure, a combination structure of a lightweight housing and a weight material for weight adjustment). Among these, wood is suitable in terms of having an appropriate weight and ease of processing.

[0017] The outer peripheral portion on the top surface and / or bottom surface of the stone-like body may be chamfered to provide an angled surface from the viewpoints of safety, appearance, reduction of air resistance, and ease of manufacturing. Specific types of chamfers can include, for example, C-chamfer, R-chamfer, and thread chamfer.

[0018] Near the center of the bottom surface of the stone-like body, there is a recess or hole in which a free ball bearing described later is embedded. The size of such a recess or hole varies depending on the type and size of the free ball bearing to be embedded. For example, it can be in the form of a cylindrical shape with a diameter in the range of 20 mm to 35 mm (preferably in the range of 24 mm to 30 mm) and a depth in the range of 30 mm to 10 mm (preferably in the range of 25 mm to 15 mm). Since the free ball bearing is usually cylindrical, the hole is usually round, but if it is not cylindrical, the hole can be made to match its shape.

[0019] When installing a handle described later on the top surface of the stone-like body, a recess or hole for inserting and fixing the vertical portion of the handle can be provided on the top surface of the stone-like body. Its size is not particularly limited as long as the vertical portion of the handle can be inserted and firmly fixed, and it can be appropriately set according to the form and size of the vertical portion of the handle. If the recess has the same shape and size as the planar cross-section of the vertical portion of the handle, it can be firmly fixed by fitting, but nevertheless, it can also be fixed with, for example, screws, magnets, adhesives, tapes, etc.

[0020] 1.2 Free ball bearing The stone of the present invention includes a free ball bearing near the center of the bottom surface of the stone-like body. In such a free ball bearing, a part of the rotatable main ball (main sphere) included therein is embedded in a state of protruding from the bottom surface near the center of the bottom surface of the stone-like body. Due to the smooth 360° rotatable movement of the main ball, the stone of the present invention can smoothly slide back and forth, left and right on the floor.

[0021] The amount of protrusion of the main ball from the bottom surface varies depending on the free ball bearing used, etc., but usually, a range of 2 mm to 6 mm is appropriate, and a range of 3 mm to 5 mm is preferable.

[0022] Here, the "free ball bearing" is also referred to as Free Bear (registered trademark), etc. Usually, a large number of receiving balls are arranged in the receiving portion of the main ball in the free ball bearing, and it is a mechanical element having a fitting structure between the main ball and the receiving portion in a form in which the main ball and the receiving balls can come into contact. Due to the rolling friction with the receiving balls, the main ball can rotate smoothly and freely. The aspects of the main ball and the receiving balls in the free ball bearing, and the fitting accuracy between the main ball and the receiving portion, etc. may vary depending on the type of free ball bearing, its manufacturer, and specific products, etc., but as long as it is of an appropriate size, it can be used in the present invention without particular limitation.

[0023] Examples of the free ball bearing that can be used in the present invention include those having an outer diameter in the range of 15 mm to 35 mm (preferably in the range of 20 mm to 30 mm) and a height in the range of 30 mm to 10 mm (preferably in the range of 25 mm to 15 mm). The diameter of the main ball included therein is usually in the range of 15 mm to 30 mm (preferably in the range of 20 mm to 25 mm).

[0024] Examples of the material of the free ball bearing body include metal materials such as aluminum alloy, steel, and stainless steel (SUS). Examples of the materials of the main balls and receiving balls included therein include metal materials such as steel, stainless steel (SUS), chromium steel, and aluminum alloy; synthetic resins such as polyacetal, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyimide (Vespel (registered trademark)), and plastic; and ceramics such as alumina (aluminum oxide), silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and zirconia.

[0025] 1.3 Balancer The stone of the present invention includes at least three balancers (protrusions) that are evenly installed at a position away from the center of the bottom surface of the stone-like body. Each of the installed balancers is rounded so as to reduce friction with the floor (therefore, the contact portion with the floor is very small), and is installed and fixed with a protrusion amount that does not exceed the protrusion amount of the main ball from the bottom surface in the free ball bearing. It is preferable that the protrusion amount from the bottom surface of each balancer is the same.

[0026] Here, "evenly installed" means that the balancers are installed so that the stone-like body does not tilt so as to contact the floor when the stone of the present invention slides on the floor.

[0027] It is sufficient that at least three balancers are evenly installed, but usually it is in the range of 3 to 8. It is preferable to evenly install six balancers.

[0028] In addition, the balancers to be installed may be installed in a well-balanced manner at a position away from the center of the bottom surface of the stone-like body. As the position away from the center of the bottom surface, the vicinity of the outer periphery of the bottom surface is appropriate. It is preferable that the balancers are installed in a well-balanced manner on a concentric circle with the center of the bottom surface or in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the bottom surface and on the same concentric circle from the center of the bottom surface. In particular, it is more preferable that the balancers are installed at equal pitches in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the bottom surface and on the same concentric circle from the center of the bottom surface. The "equal pitch" means that the intervals between adjacent balancers are equal.

[0029] Since the balancers are rounded as described above, they are usually circular in plan view, but may be elliptical. The shape is not particularly limited, such as polygons or rhombuses. The diameter or major axis of the balancers is usually in the range of 4 mm to 15 mm, preferably in the range of 6 mm to 12 mm.

[0030] The protruding amount of the balancers does not exceed the protruding amount of the main ball from the bottom surface. The difference from the protruding amount of the main ball from the bottom surface is appropriately in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm, preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm.

[0031] Examples of the material of the balancers include the same material as that of the free ball bearing body.

[0032] The installation of the balancers on the stone-like body can be performed, for example, by fastening with pins or screws attached to the balancers or with an appropriate adhesive.

[0033] 1.4 Others On the top surface of the stone-like body, for example, in order to make it easier to throw and slide the stone of the present invention by hand or to make it easier to control, it may have a handle. The rising position on the top surface of the handle may be at the center of the top surface of the stone-like body or may be off-center. It may be a position close to the outer periphery and is not particularly limited. Usually, there is one handle, similar to a formal curling stone. The handle may not be provided, but if there is no handle on the stone of the present invention, it can be played by hitting the stone of the present invention with an appropriate rod-shaped object made of wood or metal, or a stick.

[0034] The form of the handle may be the same as or different from that of a formal curling stone and is not particularly limited. Specifically, for example, a T-shape, an L-shape, an I-shape, or a Y-shape can be mentioned. Generally, the handle preferably has a portion (vertical portion) that rises vertically from the top surface of the stone-like body and a grip portion that extends horizontally from the apex and is parallel to the stone-like body.

[0035] The form of the vertical portion is not particularly limited and may be rod-shaped (cylindrical) or polygonal columnar such as a quadrangular prism or a hexagonal prism. The size of the vertical portion can be set appropriately. Specifically, for example, the width or diameter is within the range of 1 cm to 4 cm, and the length (height) from the top surface is within the range of 2 cm to 10 cm is appropriate. Also, its size may be the same as or different from that of the grip portion.

[0036] The form of the grip portion is not particularly limited either, but a rod shape (cylindrical) is preferable from the viewpoint of ease of holding. Similar to the above vertical portion, it may be polygonal columnar such as a quadrangular prism or a hexagonal prism. Also, it may have the same form as or a different form from the vertical portion.

[0037] When the grip part is rod-shaped (cylindrical), its size can be appropriately set based on factors such as the size of the user's hand and the size of the stone-like body. For example, it is appropriate when the diameter is in the range of 2 cm to 3.5 cm and the length is in the range of 8 cm to 20 cm. Even when the grip part is not rod-shaped, it can be appropriately set according to the size of the rod-shaped grip part.

[0038] Examples of the material of the handle include the same material as that of the stone-like body described above. However, the handle can be made of the same material as the stone-like body or a different material. Also, the material of the vertical part and the grip part of the handle may be the same or different.

[0039] As a method of attaching the handle to the stone-like body, for example, an appropriate recess (hole) can be provided on the top surface of the stone-like body, and it can be fixedly or removably fitted there with an adhesive or the like. Also, it can be directly attached with an adhesive or the like without providing a recess on the top surface of the stone-like body.

[0040] In addition, the stone-like body, the handle, etc. can be freely colored and designed as needed.

[0041] 2. Fabrication and Use of the Two Stone-like Bodies of the Present Invention The stone-like bodies of the present invention can be fabricated by conventional methods. Specifically, for example, they can be fabricated as follows using appropriate wood.

[0042] Prepare a stone-like body and, if necessary, wood for making a handle. Process such wood (chamfer it if necessary) to make a large-diameter disk-shaped body that serves as the base of the stone-like body, and make a handle if necessary. Next, drill a desired hole for embedding a free ball bearing near the center of the bottom surface of the disk-shaped body, and also drill a desired hole for installing a handle at a predetermined location on the top surface if necessary, thereby making the stone-like body. Separately, prepare an appropriate free ball bearing and a desired number of balancers, embed the prepared free ball bearing at a predetermined location on the bottom surface of the made stone-like body, install and fix the balancers in a well-balanced manner, and install and fix the made handle on the top surface of the stone-like body, thereby making the stone of the present invention.

[0043] The stone of the present invention can be used for curling-like play on the floor. When there is no handle on the stone of the present invention, it can be played by hitting the stone of the present invention with an appropriate rod, stick, putter, etc. Such play includes games, competitions, sports, as well as amusements and individual / group practices. Regardless of the presence or absence of an opponent, curling-like play can be carried out on the floor using the stone of the present invention.

[0044] The stone of the present invention is used on the floor, but such "floor" is not particularly limited as long as it is smooth and flat other than on ice, and is not limited to wooden flooring. For example, it may be on concrete or asphalt.

Example

[0045] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the stone of the present invention in the form described in the drawings. [Example 1] As an example of the present invention's stone, the present invention's stone A shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 can be cited. The materials of the stone-like body 1 and the handle 4 related to the present invention's stone A are wood, and the rest are metals such as stainless steel. The outer peripheries of the top surface and the bottom surface of the stone-like body 1 are both chamfered with an R.

[0046] In the present invention's stone A, a purchased free ball bearing 2 is embedded near the center of the bottom surface of the stone-like body 1, and six rounded balancers 3 are installed at equal pitches on a concentric circle with the center of the bottom surface near the outer periphery of the bottom surface. Also, a substantially T-shaped handle 4 is installed near the center of the top surface of the stone-like body 1.

[0047] The outer diameter of the stone-like body 1 in the plane is about 150 mm, and the thickness in the side surface is about 50 mm. The outer diameter of the free ball bearing 2 is about 25 mm, and the diameter of the balancer 3 is about 10 mm.

[0048] The protruding amount h of the main ball 21 in the free ball bearing 2 from the bottom surface is about 4 mm, and the protruding amount of the balancer 3 from the bottom surface is about 3 mm. The difference between the protruding amount of the main ball 21 and the protruding amount of the balancer 3 is approximately 1 mm.

[0049] [Example 2] As another example of the present invention's stone, the present invention's stone B shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 can be cited. The materials of the stone-like body 1 and the handle 4 related to the present invention's stone B are wood, and the rest are metals such as stainless steel. The outer peripheries of the top surface and the bottom surface of the stone-like body 1 are both chamfered with an R.

[0050] In the present invention's stone B, a free ball bearing 2 is embedded near the center of the bottom surface of the stone-like body 1, and three rounded balancers 3 are installed at equal pitches on a concentric circle with the center of the bottom surface near the outer periphery of the bottom surface. Also, a substantially L-shaped handle 4 is installed at a position slightly deviated from the center of the top surface of the stone-like body 1.

[0051] The outer diameter in the plane of the stone-like body 1 related to the present invention's stone B, the thickness on the side surface, the outer diameter of the free ball bearing 2, the diameter of the balancer 3, the protruding amount h of the main ball 21 in the free ball bearing 2 from the bottom surface, the protruding amount of the balancer 3 from the bottom surface, and the difference between the protruding amount of the main ball 21 and the protruding amount of the balancer 3 are the same as those of the present invention's stone A.

[0052] [Example 3] As the present invention's stone, for example, the present invention's stone C shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 can be cited. The present invention's stone C is of a type that does not have a handle 4 in the present invention's stone A. The outer diameter in the plane of the stone-like body 1 related to the present invention's stone C is about 100 mm, and the thickness on the side surface is about 30 mm, and its size is overall about one size smaller than that of the present invention's stone A.

Industrial Applicability

[0053] The present invention's stone is useful as a floor pseudo-curling stone for performing curling-like games on the floor.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0054] A, B, C The present invention's stones 1 Stone-like body 2 Free ball bearing 21 Main ball 3 Balancer 4 Handle 41 Vertical part 42 Gripping part

Claims

1. This is a stone for artificial curling on the floor for playing curling-like games on the floor, characterized in that a free ball bearing is embedded near the center of the bottom surface of a large-diameter disk-shaped stone-like body so that at least a part of a main ball protrudes from the bottom surface, and at least three rounded balancers are installed in a balanced manner at positions away from the center of the bottom surface, the balancers having a protrusion amount that does not exceed the protrusion amount of the main ball from the bottom surface.

2. 2. The artificial curling stone according to claim 1, wherein the balancer is disposed near the outer periphery of the bottom surface.

3. 3. The artificial curling stone for use on a floor according to claim 2, wherein the balancers are arranged on the same concentric circumference from the center of the bottom surface.

4. 4. The artificial curling stone for use on a floor according to claim 3, wherein the balancers are installed at equal pitches.

5. 2. The artificial curling stone for use on a floor according to claim 1, which has a handle on its top surface.

6. 2. The artificial curling stone for use on a floor according to claim 1, comprising six balancers.

7. 2. The artificial curling stone according to claim 1, wherein the difference between the amount of protrusion of the main ball from the bottom surface and the amount of protrusion of the balancer is within a range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm.

8. 2. The artificial curling stone for use on a floor according to claim 1, wherein the material of the disk-shaped stone-like body is selected from the group consisting of wood, synthetic resin, metal, and clay.

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