Artificial curling stones for floor use

Abstract

To provide a new stone for pseudo curling on the floor, which smoothly slides on the floor and reduces the risk of falling or the like even if a player steps on or steps on the stone. [Solution] For example, a stone A for floor-mounted pseudo curling, for playing curling-like games on the floor, has a hole 11 near the center of the bottom surface of a large-diameter, disk-shaped stone-like body 1, and in the hole 11 there is a main ball 21 that rotates freely and a coil spring 3 (elastic member) that expands and contracts to allow the main ball 21 to move in and out of the disk-shaped stone-like body, and at least a portion of the main ball 21 protrudes from the bottom surface, and at a position away from the center of the bottom surface, a rounded balancer 4 is installed in a balanced manner, with a protrusion amount that does not exceed the amount that the main ball 21 protrudes from the bottom surface when the main ball is left resting in contact with the floor.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of artificial curling stones for floor use. More specifically, this invention relates to artificial curling stones for floor use that allow curling, which is originally performed on ice, to be performed on the floor in the same way. [Background technology]

[0002] Official curling is a sport in which a 20kg stone is slid onto ice toward a house (target) consisting of multiple circles displayed approximately 28m ahead, and the competitors compete to see who can get the stone as close to the center of the house as possible. To play this kind of game, a large ice rink is required, and the house consisting of multiple circles must be constructed within the ice rink, making it difficult for anyone to enjoy.

[0003] Therefore, pseudo-curling stones have been proposed that allow people to enjoy a curling-like game not on an ice rink, but in a gymnasium covered with flooring or a large floor covered with plastic tiles (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses an on-floor pseudo curling stone that has a relatively simple basic structure in which a free ball bearing is embedded near the center of the bottom surface of the stone-like body, with at least a portion of the main ball held by it protruding from the bottom surface, making it relatively easy to manufacture, yet it glides very smoothly back and forth and side to side on the floor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3251604 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The artificial curling stones described in Patent Document 1 are designed to glide smoothly across the floor, and if they are used in a manner that is different from normal use or left on the floor, unexpected events may occur, and safety may not be ensured. For example, if children play on the stones, or even if a person other than a child accidentally steps on one, the stones may move and cause a fall. The main purpose of this invention is to provide a new artificial curling stone for floor use that glides smoothly on the floor when used for its intended purpose, such as the artificial curling stone described in Patent Document 1, while also reducing the risk of falling, etc., even if an unexpected situation such as the one described above occurs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The inventors conceived the idea that the above-mentioned problem could be solved if the stone did not move easily even in the event of an unexpected situation like the one described above, and after extensive research, they discovered that, for example, in the floor-mounted pseudo curling stone described in Patent Document 1, when an external force (pressure) is applied from above to the top surface of the stone, if the smoothly moving main ball or the free ball bearing containing it retracts into the disk-shaped stone body, the balancer located around the bottom of the disk-shaped stone body will contact the floor and be semi-fixed by the pressure from above, preventing the stone from moving easily, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem, and thus completed the present invention. Specifically, the above problem was solved by providing an elastic member such as a spring inside a recess, blind hole, or through-hole near the center of the bottom surface of the disk-shaped stone body, i.e., inside the disk-shaped stone body, so that the main ball retracts.

[0007] Examples of the present invention include the following: [1] A floor-mounted pseudo curling stone for playing curling-like games on the floor, characterized in that it has a depression, blind hole, or through-hole (hereinafter, depression, blind hole, and through-hole will be collectively referred to as "hole") near the center of the bottom surface of a large-diameter, disc-shaped, stone-like body, and in that hole there is a rotatable main ball and an elastic member that expands and contracts to allow the main ball to move in and out of the disc-shaped, stone-like body, at least a portion of the main ball protrudes from the bottom surface of the disc-shaped, stone-like body, and at least three rounded balancers are installed in a balanced manner at a position away from the center of the bottom surface, with the amount of protrusion of the main ball not exceeding the amount of protrusion of the main ball from the bottom surface when the main ball is left resting in contact with the floor. [2] The artificial curling stone for floor use described in [1] above, wherein the balancer is installed near the outer periphery of the bottom surface. [3] The artificial curling stone for floor use described in [2] above, wherein the balancers are installed on the same concentric circumference from the center of the bottom surface. [4] The artificial curling stone for floor use described in [3] above, wherein the balancers are installed at equal intervals. [5] The above-mentioned pseudo curling stone described in [1] above, which has a handle on the top surface. [6] The artificial curling stone for floor use according to [1] above, having six balancers. [7] The artificial curling stone for floor-mounted balls according to the above item [1], wherein the difference between the amount of protrusion of the main ball and the amount of protrusion of the balancer from the bottom surface is within the range of 0.2 mm to 5 mm. [8] The artificial curling stone for floor use according to [1] above, wherein the elastic member is a spring. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this invention, the stones maintain their smooth movement in all directions during play, but when external force (pressure) is applied to the top surface, the elastic members in the holes on the bottom of the stone-like body contract, causing the entire balancer attached to the bottom of the stone-like body to contact the floor, semi-fixing the stone by the pressure from above, making the stone immovable. Therefore, even if someone steps on the stone or accidentally steps on it, there is little risk of the stone moving and tipping over, making it possible to play curling-like games on the floor safely using the stones. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of one embodiment A of the artificial curling stone for floor use according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a right side view of the embodiment A. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the above-mentioned embodiment A. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the above-mentioned embodiment A. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in Figure 3. Note that the coil spring 3 and main ball 21 in the figure are not cross-sectional views. The area surrounded by the dashed line near the center represents an enlarged portion in Figure 6. The multiple small black circles around the main ball 21 are schematic representations of the receiving balls built into the free ball bearing 2. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the area surrounded by the dashed line near the center. [Figure 7] 1 is a front view of one embodiment B of the artificial curling stone for floor use according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 shows a right side view of the embodiment B. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the above-mentioned embodiment B. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the above-mentioned embodiment B. [Figure 11]1 is a front view of one embodiment C of the artificial curling stone for use on the floor according to the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the embodiment C. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the embodiment C. [Figure 14] 1 is a front view of one embodiment D of the artificial curling stone for floor use according to the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 shows a right side view of the embodiment D. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 shows a left side view of the embodiment D. [Figure 17] 1 shows a bottom view of the embodiment D. [Figure 18] 10 shows a plan view of the embodiment D. [Figure 19] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the positional relationship of balancers represented by black circles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention will be described in detail below.

[0011] 1. Regarding the artificial curling stone for floor use according to this invention The artificial curling stone for floor use according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the "stone of the present invention") has a hole near the center of the bottom surface of a large-diameter, disc-shaped, stone-like body, and the hole contains a rotatable main ball and an elastic member that expands and contracts to allow the main ball to move in and out of the disc-shaped, stone-like body. At least a portion of the main ball protrudes from the bottom surface of the disc-shaped, stone-like body, and at least three rounded balancers are installed in a balanced manner at a position away from the center of the bottom surface, with the amount of protrusion of the main ball not exceeding the amount of protrusion of the main ball from the bottom surface when the main ball is placed still in contact with the floor.

[0012] 1.1 Large diameter disc-shaped stone-like body The stone of the present invention includes a large-diameter, disc-shaped stone-like body (hereinafter simply referred to as "stone-like body").

[0013] The outer diameter of the stone-like body in its planar view depends on the rules of the curling-like game and the age and gender of the user, but is suitably within the range of 60 mm to 200 mm, and preferably within the range of 80 mm to 160 mm. The thickness of the stone-like body on its side surface depends on the rules of the curling-like game and the age and gender of the user, but is suitably within the range of 30 mm to 80 mm, and preferably within the range of 35 mm to 60 mm. The weight of the stone-like body also depends on the rules of the curling-like game and the age and gender of the user, but is suitably within the range of 300 g to 1 kg, and preferably within the range of 400 g to 800 g.

[0014] The material for the stone-like body is not particularly limited as long as it can be shaped into a stone-like body, but examples include wood (e.g., solid wood such as pine or cedar, plywood, laminated wood, paper), synthetic resin (e.g., rigid polyethylene resin, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene resin, foam), metal, and clay. Multiple materials may also be used in combination (e.g., a stencil structure, a structure combining a lightweight body with a heavy material for weight adjustment). Among these, wood is suitable for its appropriate weight and ease of processing. When using natural solid wood as the material for the stone-like body, slits or similar cuts may be made in advance in the stone-like body to prevent cracking due to drying (Stone D of the present invention: see Figures 14 to 18).

[0015] The outer periphery of the top and / or bottom surfaces of the stone-like body may be chamfered to provide an angled surface from the viewpoints of safety, appearance, reduction of air resistance, ease of manufacturing, etc. Specific types of chamfering include, for example, C-chamfering, R-chamfering, and smooth chamfering.

[0016] The stone-like body has a hole near the center of its bottom surface, in which the main ball and elastic member (described later) reside. The size of this hole varies depending on the component that holds the main ball (hereinafter referred to as the "main ball holding component"), such as the type and size of the free ball bearing or elastic member, but can have, for example, a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter of 20 mm to 35 mm (preferably 24 mm to 30 mm) and a depth of 10 mm to 80 mm (preferably 20 mm to 40 mm). When the main ball holding component is a free ball bearing, it is usually cylindrical, so the hole is usually round. However, if the main ball holding component is not cylindrical, the hole can be made to match its shape.

[0017] The holes may not penetrate the stone-like body, as in the case of the inventive stone C shown in Figs. 11-13, or may penetrate the stone-like body, as in the inventive stone D shown in Figs.

[0018] When a handle (described later) is to be attached to the top surface of the stone-like main body, a hole can be provided on the top surface of the stone-like main body for inserting and securing the vertical portion of the handle. There are no particular restrictions on the size of the hole, as long as the vertical portion of the handle can be inserted and secured firmly, and it can be set appropriately according to the shape and size of the vertical portion of the handle. If the hole has the same shape and size as the cross section of the vertical portion of the handle, it can be secured firmly by fitting, but regardless of this, it can also be secured using, for example, screws, magnets, adhesives, tape, etc.

[0019] 1.2 Main ball The stone of the present invention includes a main ball (main sphere) located in a hole near the center of the bottom surface of a stone-like body. This main ball is typically held in the main ball holder with approximately one-quarter of its hemisphere protruding from the main body of the main ball holder, allowing it to come into contact with the outside and rotate freely. Specifically, the main ball is held in the receiving portion (ball receiver) of the main ball holder together with a receiving ball (a small ball that supports the main ball's rotation), with approximately one-quarter of its hemisphere protruding from the main body of the main ball holder, allowing it to come into contact with the outside and rotate freely 360°. In the stone of the present invention, at least a portion of the main ball protrudes from the bottom surface near the center of the stone-like body. The smooth, 360° rotation of the main ball allows the stone of the present invention to glide smoothly back and forth and side to side on the floor.

[0020] The amount by which the main ball protrudes from the bottom surface of the stone-like body varies depending on the amount of protrusion of the balancer (protrusion) described below, the type and strength of the elastic member, the type (weight) of the stone-like body, the type of main ball holding component, etc., but when the main ball is left stationary in contact with the floor (hereinafter referred to as "normal conditions"), a range of 2 mm to 8 mm is usually appropriate, with a range of 3 mm to 6 mm being preferable. Although it also depends on the amount of protrusion of the balancer, if the main ball protrudes longer than 8 mm, the periphery of the stone-like body may come into contact with the floor, which may impede gliding. Even in normal conditions, the weight of the stone-like body and the handle, etc., is inevitably applied to the elastic member, which will be described later. Therefore, since the weight of the stone-like body, etc., is applied to the elastic member to some extent, it is thought that the amount of protrusion of the main ball in normal conditions is usually somewhat shorter than when the weight of the stone-like body, etc., is not applied to the elastic member.

[0021] The main ball holder is not particularly limited in terms of its mechanism or form as long as it allows the main ball to rotate freely through 360°, but specific examples include free ball bearings, ball bearings, ball plungers, ball rollers, and ball casters. Of these, a free ball bearing is preferred as the main ball holder.

[0022] Here, "free ball bearing" is also known as Freebear (registered trademark). A free ball bearing is a mechanical element that typically has a main ball with a large number of receiving balls arranged in the receiving portion, with the main ball and receiving portion fitted together so that they can come into contact with each other. The rolling friction between the receiving balls and the main ball allows the main ball to rotate smoothly and freely. The configuration of the main ball and receiving balls in a free ball bearing, as well as the precision of the fit between the main ball and receiving portion, may vary depending on the type of free ball bearing, its manufacturer, and the specific product, but any free ball bearing of an appropriate size can be used in this invention without particular restrictions.

[0023] The outer diameter of the main ball retaining component usable in the present invention varies depending on the type of main ball retaining component, but is usually within the range of 15 mm to 35 mm, preferably 20 mm to 30 mm. The height of the main ball retaining component is usually within the range of 10 mm to 35 mm, preferably 15 mm to 30 mm. The diameter of the main ball retained therein is usually within the range of 15 mm to 30 mm, preferably 20 mm to 25 mm.

[0024] Examples of materials for the main ball holder include metals such as aluminum alloy, steel, stainless steel (SUS), etc. Examples of materials for the main ball and receiving ball held therein include metals such as steel, stainless steel (SUS), chrome 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 Elastic Members The stone of the present invention includes an elastic member located in a hole near the center of its bottom surface. Specifically, this elastic member is located between the bottom of the hole and the main ball holder. The elastic member contracts when subjected to an external force and returns to its original state when the external force is removed. The elastic member allows at least a portion of the main ball, located in the hole near the center of the bottom surface of the stone-like body, to protrude beyond the balancer (protrusion) described below. However, when an external force (pressure) is applied from above, the elastic member contracts, causing the main ball holder and the main ball held therein to retract into the disc-shaped stone-like body, eliminating the protrusion of the main ball relative to the balancer (protrusion). The entire balancer then contacts the floor, preventing the stone from easily moving due to pressure from above. When the external force is removed, the elastic member expands, allowing the stone to return to its original state, i.e., a state in which a portion of the main ball protrudes beyond the balancer (protrusion). Therefore, there are no particular problems with enjoying a curling-like game using the stones of this invention.

[0026] The elastic member is not particularly limited as long as it can expand and contract to allow the main ball holder or the main ball to move in and out of the stone-like body. Specific examples include springs and elastomers (rubber-like elastic bodies). Examples of springs include coil springs, leaf springs, disc springs, spring springs, and spiral springs. Examples of materials for the spring include steels, including carbon steels (e.g., piano wire, hard steel wire) and alloy steels (e.g., stainless steel (SUS)); non-ferrous metals, including copper alloys (e.g., brass, phosphor bronze, nickel silver, beryllium copper); and rubber. Examples of elastomers include thermosetting elastomers, such as natural rubber and synthetic rubber, and thermoplastic elastomers, such as styrene-based, olefin-based, vinyl chloride-based, acrylic-based, polyamide-based, polyester-based, and polyurethane-based elastomers. Among these, coil springs are preferred, and compression springs (compression coil springs), which are suitable for compressive loads, are even more preferred.

[0027] The size (dimension) of the elastic member is not particularly limited as long as other factors, such as the difference in the protrusion amount between the main ball and the balancer (described later), are satisfied. For example, if the elastic member is a compression spring, its outer diameter is suitably in the range of 5 mm to 35 mm, preferably 8 mm to 25 mm. The length (natural length) of the compression spring is suitably in the range of 5 mm to 50 mm, preferably 8 mm to 40 mm. The depth of the holes in the stone-like body can be adjusted depending on the size (length) of the elastic member. The holes may be through-holes. The elastic force or strength of the elastic member should be such that it hardly bends due to the weight inevitably placed on the stone-like body or handle alone, but bends easily when the top surface of the stone-like body is lightly pressed, allowing the balancer to contact the floor. Specifically, if the elastic member is a compression spring, the elastic force (strength) will vary depending on factors such as the weight of the stone-like body, but the spring constant is, for example, appropriately in the range of 0.15 N / mm to 3.5 N / mm, preferably in the range of 0.2 N / mm to 2 N / mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.25 N / mm to 1.5 N / mm.

[0028] In addition, when the elastic member is a compression spring, one end of the spring can be supported on the bottom of a hole near the center of the bottom surface of the stone-like body or on a fixed plate separate from the stone-like body, and fixed to the bottom of the hole or the fixed plate by an appropriate means. The fixed plate supporting the compression spring can be fixed at an appropriate position within the hole.

[0029] If the hole does not extend through the stone-like body, the amount of protrusion of the main ball from the bottom surface of the stone-like body is largely determined by the depth of the hole, the compression spring used, and the main ball holder that holds the main ball, making it difficult to fine-tune the amount of protrusion. On the other hand, if the hole extends through the stone-like body, a fixing plate such as the one described above must be used to retain the compression spring within the hole. Before being fixed in the hole, the fixing plate is moved up and down within the hole to determine its position. This positioning is linked to the amount of protrusion of the main ball from the bottom surface of the stone-like body, allowing for fine adjustment of the amount of protrusion of the main ball. After the fixing plate is positioned, and thus after fine-tuning the amount of protrusion, the fixing plate can be fixed in the hole with an appropriate adhesive to prevent it from moving within the hole.

[0030] The other end of the compression spring may be directly supported on the rear side of the main ball holding component (the side from which the main ball does not protrude) and fixed by appropriate means, or, as described above, may be supported on a fixed plate separate from the stone-like body and fixed to the fixed plate by appropriate means. In the latter case where the other end of the compression spring is also supported on a fixed plate, the compression spring and the main ball holding component do not come into direct contact, but the fixed plate and the rear side of the main ball holding component come into direct contact, but they may or may not be bonded together.

[0031] The material of the fixing plate can be, for example, the same as the material of the stone-like body, among which wood is preferable in view of ease of processing.

[0032] 1.4 Balancer The stone of the present invention includes at least three balancers (protrusions) that are evenly balanced and positioned away from the center of the bottom surface of the stone-like body. Each of the balancers is rounded to minimize friction with the floor (so that the contact area with the floor is very small), and is installed and fixed so that it protrudes no more than the main ball does from the bottom surface. It is preferable that all balancers protrude the same distance from the bottom surface. It is also preferable that all balancers are identical or equivalent in shape, weight, material, etc.

[0033] Here, "well-balanced installation" means that the balancers are installed so that the stone body does not tilt so much that it comes into contact with the floor when the stone is slid across the floor. For example, if all the balancers installed have the same shape and weight, and the balancers are installed symmetrically with respect to the central cross section of the stone body, this can be said to be one aspect of "well-balanced installation."

[0034] At least three balancers should be installed in a balanced manner, but the number is usually in the range of 3 to 8. It is preferable to install six balancers in a balanced manner.

[0035] The balancers may be placed in a balanced manner away from the center of the bottom surface of the stone-like body, but a suitable position away from the center of the bottom surface is near the periphery of the bottom surface, and it is preferable that they are placed in a balanced manner on a circle concentric with the center of the bottom surface or on the same concentric circle from the center of the bottom surface near the periphery of the bottom surface. In particular, it is more preferable that they are placed near the periphery of the bottom surface at equal pitches on the same concentric circle from the center of the bottom surface. "Equal pitches" means that the intervals between adjacent balancers are equal.

[0036] As described above, the balancer is rounded, so it is usually circular in plan view, but it may also be elliptical. There are no particular restrictions on its shape, and it may be polygonal or rhombic. The diameter or major axis of the balancer is usually within the range of 4 mm to 15 mm, and preferably within the range of 6 mm to 12 mm.

[0037] The amount of protrusion of the balancer does not exceed the amount of protrusion of the main ball from the bottom surface under normal conditions, but the difference between the amount of protrusion of the balancer and the amount of protrusion of the main ball from the bottom surface is appropriately within the range of 0.2 mm to 5 mm, preferably within the range of 0.5 mm to 3 mm, and more preferably within the range of 0.8 mm to 2 mm.

[0038] The balancer may be made of the same material as the main ball holding component body or the main balls, for example.

[0039] The balancer can be attached to the stone-like body by, for example, fastening it with a needle or screw attached to the balancer, or by using a suitable adhesive.

[0040] 1.5 Other The top surface of the stone-like body may have a handle, for example, to make it easier to throw the stone by hand and slide it, or to make it easier to control. The position of the handle on the top surface may be at the center of the top surface of the stone-like body, off-center, or even closer to the periphery, and is not particularly limited. The handle is usually one, just like a proper curling stone. The handle is not required, but if the invented stone does not have a handle, it can be played by hitting the invented stone with a suitable wooden or metal rod or stick.

[0041] The shape of the handle may be the same as or different from that of a formal curling stone and is not particularly limited, but specific examples include T-shapes, L-shapes, I-shapes, and Y-shapes. In general, it is preferable for the handle to have a part that rises vertically from the top surface of the stone-like body (vertical part) and a gripping part that extends horizontally from the apex and is parallel to the stone-like body.

[0042] The shape of the vertical part is not particularly limited, and may be a rod (cylindrical) or a polygonal prism such as a square prism or a hexagonal prism. The size of the vertical part can be set appropriately. Specifically, for example, the width or diameter is appropriately in the range of 1 cm to 4 cm, and the length (height) from the top surface is appropriately in the range of 2 cm to 10 cm. Furthermore, the size of the vertical part may be the same as or different from the grip part.

[0043] The shape of the grip is not particularly limited, but a rod shape (cylindrical shape) is preferable from the viewpoint of ease of holding. As with the vertical part, it may be a polygonal prism such as a square prism or a hexagonal prism. Furthermore, it may have the same shape as the vertical part, or a different shape.

[0044] When the grip is rod-shaped (cylindrical), its size can be set appropriately based on the size of the user's hand and the size of the stone-like body, but for example, a diameter of 2 cm to 3.5 cm and a length of 8 cm to 20 cm are appropriate. Even when the grip is not rod-shaped, its size can be set appropriately based on the size of a rod-shaped grip.

[0045] The handle may be made of the same material as the stone-like body. However, the handle may be made of the same material as the stone-like body or a different material. Furthermore, the vertical portion and the grip portion of the handle may be made of the same or different materials.

[0046] The handle can be attached to the stone-like body by, for example, drilling a suitable hole in the top surface of the stone-like body and attaching it there either fixedly or removably with adhesive, etc. Alternatively, the handle can be attached directly with adhesive, etc., without drilling a hole in the top surface of the stone-like body.

[0047] The stone-like body and handle can be freely colored and designed as needed.

[0048] 2. Production and Use of the Invented Stone The stone of the present invention can be produced by conventional methods, for example, using suitable wood as follows.

[0049] A piece of wood for making the stone-like body and, if necessary, the handle is prepared, and the wood is processed (chamfered as necessary) to create a large-diameter disk-shaped body that will serve as the base of the stone-like body, and, if desired, a handle. Next, the desired holes (or through holes) for inserting the main ball holder component containing the elastic member and the main ball are drilled near the center of the bottom surface of the disk-shaped body, and, if necessary, desired holes for installing the handle are drilled in predetermined locations on the top surface, thereby completing the stone-like body. Separately, appropriate main ball holder components, elastic members, and a desired number of balancers are prepared, and the prepared main ball holder components containing the elastic member and the main ball are inserted into predetermined locations (holes) on the bottom surface of the prepared stone-like body. The balancers are then installed and fixed in a balanced manner, for example, at equal intervals, and a handle, if desired, is installed and fixed to the top surface of the stone-like body, thereby completing the stone of the present invention.

[0050] Furthermore, when a compression spring is used as the elastic member and one or two fixing plates (when supporting one end of the compression spring) separate from the stone-like body are used to support one or both ends of the compression spring (in this case, the hole near the center of the bottom surface of the stone-like body is usually a through hole), one or both ends of the compression spring are fixed to the fixing plate by appropriate means, and the compression spring and the fixing plate to which the compression spring is fixed are inserted into a hole provided in the stone-like body, and then a main ball holder including a main ball is inserted into the hole. The amount of protrusion of the main ball from the bottom surface is adjusted by raising or lowering the fixing plate supporting the compression spring, and when the main ball has reached the appropriate protrusion amount, the fixing plate (when two fixing plates are used, the fixing plate not in direct contact with the main ball holder) is fixed into the hole. If two fixing plates are used, the other fixing plate can be attached to the back side of the main ball holder by appropriate means if desired (this fixing plate is not fixed into the hole). The balancer is then placed and fixed in a balanced position, and the handle, if desired, is placed and fixed on the top surface of the stone body, completing the production of the stone of this invention.

[0051] The invented stones can be used to play a curling-like game on the floor. If the invented stones do not have handles, they can be played by hitting them with a suitable rod-shaped object, stick, or putter. Such play includes games, competitions, sports, recreational activities, and individual and group practice. Curling-like play can be played on the floor using the invented stones, regardless of whether or not there is an opponent.

[0052] The stones of this invention are used on the floor, but "on the floor" is not limited to any smooth, flat surface other than ice, and can be used on surfaces other than wooden flooring, such as concrete or asphalt. [Example]

[0053] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings. In reality, the present invention stone will tilt in one direction even when placed on the floor and at least one balancer will be in contact with the floor, but the drawings show a hypothetical present invention stone in which none of the balancers are in contact with the floor.

[0054] [Example 1] An example of the invented stone is the invented stone A shown in Figures 1 to 6. The stone-like body 1 and handle 5 of the invented stone A are made of laminated wood, and the rest are made of metal such as stainless steel (SUS). The outer periphery of the top and bottom surfaces of the stone-like body 1 are both chamfered.

[0055] The stone A of this invention has a hole 11 near the center of the bottom of the stone-like body 1, which houses a free ball bearing 2, which corresponds to the purchased main ball holding part, and a coil spring 3, which corresponds to an elastic member, between the bottom of the hole 11 and the free ball bearing 2. Six rounded balancers 4 are installed at equal intervals near the outer periphery of the bottom on a circle concentric with the center of the bottom. In addition, a roughly T-shaped handle 5 is installed near the center of the top of the stone-like body 1.

[0056] The outer diameter of the stone-like body 1 at its flat surface is approximately 150 mm, and its thickness at its side is approximately 40 mm. The outer diameter of the free ball bearing 2 is approximately 25 mm, and the outer diameter of the coil spring 3 is approximately 11 mm, with a natural length of 25 mm and a wire diameter of 1 mm, made of stainless steel wire. The diameter of the balancer 4 is approximately 10 mm.

[0057] The amount of protrusion h of the main balls 21 held by the free ball bearing 2 from the bottom surface under normal conditions is about 4.5 mm, and the amount of protrusion of the balancer 4 from the bottom surface is about 3 mm. Therefore, the difference between the amount of protrusion of the main balls 21 and the amount of protrusion of the balancer 4 under normal conditions is about 1.5 mm.

[0058] [Example 2] Another example of the inventive stone is the inventive stone B shown in Figures 7 to 10. The stone-like body 1 and handle 5 of the inventive stone B are made of laminated wood, and the rest are made of metal such as stainless steel (SUS). The outer periphery of the top and bottom surfaces of the stone-like body 1 are both rounded and chamfered.

[0059] Stone B has a hole 11 near the center of the bottom of its stone-like body 1, which houses a free ball bearing 2 similar to that of Stone A. A coil spring 3 similar to that of Stone A is provided between the bottom of the hole 11 and the free ball bearing 2. Three rounded balancers 4 are installed at equal intervals near the outer periphery of the bottom, concentrically with the center of the bottom. Additionally, a roughly L-shaped handle 5 is installed slightly off-center on the top of the stone-like body 1.

[0060] The outer diameter of the stone-like body 1 in the plane, the thickness on the side, the outer diameter of the free ball bearing 2, the diameter, natural length, wire diameter, and spring constant of the coil spring 3, the diameter of the balancer 4, the protrusion amount h of the main ball 21 from the bottom surface of the free ball bearing 2, the protrusion amount of the balancer 4 from the bottom surface, and the difference between the protrusion amount of the main ball 21 and the protrusion amount of the balancer 4 are the same as those of the stone A in the present invention.

[0061] [Example 3] Another example of the invented stone is the invented stone C shown in Figures 11 to 13. The invented stone C is a type of invented stone A that does not have a handle 5, and the stone-like body 1 of the invented stone C has an outer diameter of about 100 mm in plan view and a thickness of about 30 mm on the side, making it slightly smaller in size overall than the invented stone A.

[0062] [Example 4] Another example of the inventive stone is the inventive stone D shown in Figures 14 to 18. Unlike the inventive stone C, the inventive stone D does not have a handle 5. The stone-like body 1 is made of solid pine wood, and slit-like cuts are made from near the center of the top surface of the stone-like body 1 to the sides and near the center of the bottom surface. A hole 11 runs through the stone-like body 1 from near the center of the top surface to near the center of the bottom surface. A free ball bearing 2 and a coil spring 3 supported by two wooden upper and lower fixing plates 31 are inserted into the hole 11, and the upper fixing plate is fixed with adhesive inside the hole 11 of the stone-like body 1 after adjusting the amount of protrusion of the main ball 21.

[0063] The outer diameter of the stone-like body 1 at its flat surface is approximately 100 mm, and its thickness at its side is approximately 40 mm. The outer diameter of the free ball bearing 2 is approximately 25 mm, and the coil spring 3 is a compression spring UR12-20 manufactured by Misumi Group Co., Ltd., made of stainless steel wire with an outer diameter of approximately 12 mm, a natural length of 20 mm, a wire diameter of 0.7 mm, and a spring constant of 0.29 N / mm. Three rounded stainless steel balancers 4 are installed at equal intervals on a circle concentric with the center of the bottom surface near the outer periphery of the stone-like body 1. The diameter of these balancers 4 is approximately 10 mm.

[0064] The amount of protrusion h of the main balls 21 held by the free ball bearing 2 from the bottom surface under normal conditions is adjusted to about 4.5 mm, and the amount of protrusion of the balancer 4 from the bottom surface is about 3 mm. Therefore, the difference between the amount of protrusion of the main balls 21 and the amount of protrusion of the balancer 4 under normal conditions is about 1.5 mm. [Industrial Applicability]

[0065] The stones of the present invention are useful as pseudo-curling stones for playing curling-like games on the floor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] A, B, C, D Designed Stones 1 Stone-sama body 11 holes 2 Free ball bearing (main ball retaining part) 21 Main Ball 3 Coil spring (elastic member) 31 Fixed plate 4. Balancer 5 Handle 51 Vertical section 52 Grip

Claims

1. A floor-mounted pseudo curling stone for playing curling-like games on the floor, characterized in that it has a large-diameter, disk-shaped stone-like body with a recess, blind hole, or through-hole (hereinafter, the recess, blind hole, and through-hole will be collectively referred to as "hole") near the center of the bottom surface, and in the hole there is a rotatable main ball and an elastic member that expands and contracts to allow the main ball to move in and out of the disk-shaped stone-like body, at least a portion of the main ball protrudes from the bottom surface of the disk-shaped stone-like body, and at least three rounded balancers are installed in a balanced manner at positions away from the center of the bottom surface, with the amount of protrusion of the main ball not exceeding the amount of protrusion of the main ball from the bottom surface when the main ball is left stationary in contact with the floor.

2. 2. The artificial curling stone for use on a floor according to claim 1, wherein the balancer is installed 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 intervals.

5. 2. The artificial curling stone for use on a floor according to claim 1, which has a handle on the 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 and the amount of protrusion of the balancer from the bottom surface is within a range of 0.2 mm to 5 mm.

8. 2. The artificial curling stone for use on a floor according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a spring.

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