Automatic ball discharge device

Abstract

To provide an automatic ball discharge device equipped with a mechanism that automatically pops out a ball from a hole. [Solution] When a ball enters the hole, the ball activates a mechanism, the ball control device starts rotating, and when it reaches a predetermined position, the ball launching device activates, pushing the ball out from underneath.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatic ball ejection device that can be used on the green. [Background technology]

[0002] When amateurs practice putting on the green, they place a putting gate or putting target on the green without a hole (cup). However, professional players often practice putting on a green with a real hole before a match. However, when a ball goes into the hole and multiple balls pile up, you can often see the caddy or the player themselves taking out the balls. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-167493 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5785347 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As mentioned above, professional players practice putting on a green with a real hole before a match, and when multiple balls accumulate on the hole, you can often see the caddy or the player themselves removing the balls.

[0005] Therefore, an object of this embodiment is to provide an automatic ball discharge device that has a mechanism that automatically pops the ball out of the hole. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] a bottomed cylinder inserted into the hole; A pole is provided at the center of the bottom of the bottomed cylindrical body and stands upright in the axial direction, When the bottom direction is defined as the lower direction, the direction perpendicular to the lower direction is defined as the horizontal direction, and the direction opposite to the lower direction is defined as the upper direction, A ball control device that can rotate around the pole within the bottomed cylinder and controls a ball, the ball control device comprising: a cylindrical bearing that supports the pole and has a first opening that opens downward and is horizontal, and a second opening that opens upward and is inclined; a horizontal plate extending horizontally from an outer periphery of the bearing at a substantially intermediate position in the axial direction, the horizontal plate having a launch opening with a long side in the rotation direction formed in a portion thereof; the ball control device comprising an inclined plate that has a slope that follows the slope of the second opening that opens upward of the bearing and expands from the periphery of the second opening, the portion that extends downward being integrated with the horizontal plate near the launch opening, and the portion that extends upward being spaced from the horizontal plate and connected to the outer periphery of the horizontal plate, a fixed floor plate disposed on the lower surface of the horizontal plate at a distance therefrom, the floor plate comprising: the floor plate has a central hole through which the bearing is rotatably inserted, and an outer peripheral edge thereof extends downward and is fixed to the bottomed cylinder; A ball launching device having a head portion that passes through the launch opening in an up-down direction, the ball launching device further comprises a spring member having the head at a tip end thereof and a base end thereof attached to a side of the floor plate, the spring member being configured so that the head will pop out upward from the launch opening when the launch opening rotates; A mechanism for controlling the enabling and stopping of rotation of the ball control device Structure and the mechanism comprises: An automatic ball discharge device is provided, which is a mechanism including a recess formed on the outer periphery of the horizontal plate near the launch opening of the ball control device, and a lever that passes through the recess in the vertical direction, has a rotation axis near the recess, has an upper part that is pressed by the ball, and a lower part that can be in an engaged state or a disengaged state with respect to the locking portion of the bottomed cylinder. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the hole and flagstick on the green. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the switch device of FIG. 2A. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is another cross-sectional view of the embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the cap of the ball-launching device in a state where it has been ejected from the firing opening. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an electrical system of a driving device that drives the ball control device. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a diagram showing another example of a driving device that drives the ball control device. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a driving source of the ball control device of FIG. 5A. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A shows another example of a ball hitting device, which uses a leaf spring, and is a diagram illustrating the head of the leaf spring. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a plan view of a ball launching device that uses the leaf spring of FIG. 6A. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the leaf spring of the ball launching device using the leaf spring of FIG. 6A when the leaf spring is pressed. [Figure 6D] FIG. 6D is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the leaf spring of the ball launching device using the leaf spring of FIG. 6A, showing the state in which the head of the leaf spring has projected from the launch opening 815. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a hole (cup) 200 provided on a green 100, and a flagpole (hereinafter referred to as a pole at the end and a few others) 210 is usually erected on the central axis of this hole 200.

[0009] An automatic ball discharge device 400 is provided in the hole 200. When the ball 300 rolls into the hole 200, the automatic ball discharge device 400 can automatically eject the ball 300 out of the hole 200.

[0010] 2 shows the cross-sectional structure of the automatic ball discharge device 400. 500 is a cylindrical body with a bottom. A cylindrical support part 502 stands upright at the center of the bottom part 501 of the cylindrical body 500. The end of the pole 210 is inserted into this support part 502 and stands upright.

[0011] The pole 210 passes through a cylindrical hole 813 of a cylindrical bearing 814 of the ball control device 800. This cylindrical bearing 814 is cylindrical in shape, with a first opening that opens downward and is horizontal, and a second opening that opens upward and is inclined. In the figure, the relationship between the bearing 814 and the pole 210 is such that an engagement portion (not shown) is formed, preventing axial movement but allowing rotation.

[0012] The inner periphery of horizontal plate 811 is connected to the outer periphery of bearing 814 at approximately the middle position in the axial direction, and the outer periphery of this horizontal plate 811 extends and widens in the horizontal direction. A roughly rectangular launch opening 815 with its long sides in the rotational direction is formed in part of this horizontal plate 811.

[0013] Furthermore, an inclined plate 812 is provided above bearing 814 so as to extend around the outer periphery of bearing 814. In other words, this inclined plate 812 has a slope that matches the slope of the second opening that opens upward in bearing 814, and is formed by extending and expanding from the periphery of the second opening. The flat portion of this inclined plate 812 that extends downward extends close to the launch opening 815 and is integrated with the horizontal plate 811. Furthermore, the uppermost portion of inclined plate 812 that extends upward is deformed and extends downward, connecting to the outer periphery of horizontal plate 811. This creates a gap m between the uppermost portion and horizontal plate 811.

[0014] The ball control device 800, which is composed of the horizontal plate 811, the inclined plate 812, the bearing 814, etc., can rotate around the axis of the pole 210 inside the bottomed cylinder 500.

[0015] In this device, the inclined plate 812 is present. Therefore, when the ball 300 enters the hole 200, the ball 300 is naturally guided by the inclined plate 812 and rolls onto the previous launch opening 815. Then, the ball 300 drives the switch mechanism 900, which will be described below.

[0016] 2B shows switch mechanism 900. Switch mechanism 900 is attached to a portion of horizontal plate 811 on the outer periphery of firing opening 815. Switch mechanism 900 has lever 911 that crosses in the vertical direction within recess 830, which is formed by cutting out the outer periphery of horizontal plate 811. Horizontal plate 811 also has bearings 913 and 914 that are respectively arranged on the upper surfaces of the opposing edges that form recess 830.

[0017] Lever 911 has a horizontally extending shaft 912 midway along its length, and both ends of this shaft 912 are supported by bearings 913 and 914. As a result, it can rotate in the directions C1 and C2 of the arrow C shown in the figure, centering on the supported shaft 912. Normally, it is biased in the direction of the arrow C1 by a spring (a weak torsion spring).

[0018] When the ball 300 rolls from the inclined plate 812 onto the launch opening 815, the weight of the ball 300 causes the lever 911 to rotate in the direction of the arrow C2 in the illustration. This rotation causes the lower end of the lever 911 to rotate. This allows the lower end of the lever 911 to disengage from the stopper 511 formed protruding from the inner circumferential wall of the bottomed cylindrical body 500. As a result, the ball control device 800 can rotate in the direction of the arrow B1 in the illustration around the pole 210. In this switch mechanism 900, the lever 912 is designed so that its length in the upward direction relative to the shaft 912 is longer than its length in the downward direction. In addition, the radial width of the launch opening 815 (the radial direction of the horizontal plate) is designed to be sufficiently narrower than the diameter of the ball 300.

[0019] Returning to FIG. 2A, the explanation will be made. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the engagement between the lower end 920 of the lever 911 and the stopper 511 has been released by the ball 300.

[0020] In this released state, the motor 1000 attached to the floorboard 600 is turned on. The rotation of the motor 1000 is transmitted to a gear attached to the bearing 814 via a gear mechanism 1100. This causes the ball control device 800 to rotate in the direction B1 of the arrow B in the figure. When the lever 911 passes the position of the stopper 511, the position of the lever 911 rotates in the direction C1 of the arrow C. When the ball position control device 800 rotates once again, the lower end 920 of the lever 911 can be engaged with the stopper 511. The lever 911 is driven by the weight of the ball and also serves to engage with the stopper 511 to stop the ball position control device 800. For this reason, it is necessary for the lever 911 to be lightweight and strong. Therefore, it is desirable to design the lever 911 thin but wide enough to fit the inner circumference of the cylindrical body 500.

[0021] Meanwhile, a floor plate 600 is disposed at a distance from the lower surface of the horizontal plate 811. This floor plate 600 has a central hole 612 through which a bearing 814 is rotatably inserted. An outer peripheral edge 611 of the floor plate 600 extends downward and is fixed to the inside of the bottomed cylinder 500 with screws b1 and b2.

[0022] Furthermore, when the ball control device 800 rotates around the pole 210, a waiting opening 613 is formed in the floor board 600 at a portion (location) opposite the launch opening 815, along the trajectory along which the launch opening 815 rotates.

[0023] A ball-launching device 700 is provided near the waiting opening 613. The ball-launching device 700 is attached to the floor board 600 and has a head portion 721 that passes through the waiting opening 613 in the vertical direction.

[0024] Ball launching device 700 has, for example, a placement unit 711 attached so as to surround the periphery of the lower side of waiting opening 613. A spring member (e.g., a coil spring) 722 that applies an elastic repulsive force is provided between placement unit 711 (or floor plate 600) and head 721. Head 721 is pressed against the lower surface of horizontal plate 811 (the state in FIG. 2A ). When launch opening 815 rotates, head 721 can forcefully shoot upward from launch opening 815 (the state in FIG. 3A ). This action can push a ball present above launch opening 815 out of the hole.

[0025] 3A shows the state in which the ball launching device 700 launches the ball 300 from the launch opening 815 of the ball control device 800. At this time, the lever 911 remains biased by a weak torsion spring in the direction of the arrow C1 (see FIG. 2B). Therefore, as explained above, when the ball control device 800 returns to the state shown in FIG. 2A, the lower end 920 of the lever 911 engages with the stopper engaging portion (which may also be referred to as a stopper) 511, causing the ball control device 800 to stop rotating and enter a standby state in which it waits for the next ball to arrive. The direction in which ball 300 is launched by ball launching device 700 can be determined by the user when inserting the device into a hole on the green, as shown in FIG. 1. In other words, the surface of the green is sloped, and the user may choose the direction in which to hit the ball toward the hole (the direction of the practice putt (how to stroke the putter)). In this case, it is desirable that the position from which the ball is launched from the hole be in a position that does not interfere with practice. Therefore, it is desirable that the user arbitrarily select the rotational position of ball launching device 700 and insert it into a hole on the green.

[0026] FIG. 3B shows, from an obliquely upward perspective, the head 721 of the ball launching device 700 protruding from the launch opening 815. The head 721 has a storage portion 7211 for the spring member 722 and a guide plate 7212 that acts to return the head 721 to its original storage position. That is, in FIG. 3B, when the horizontal plate 811 of the ball control device 800 rotates in the direction B1 of the arrow B, the rear edge 8152 of the launch opening 815 acts to push down the guide plate 7211. As a result, the head 721 is pushed down against the lower surface of the horizontal plate 811 against the force of the spring member 722, and settles into the position shown in FIG. 2A (right side). Then, when the launch opening 815 of the horizontal plate 811 of the ball control device 800 rotates again, the head 721 jumps up as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B when the front edge 8151 of the launch opening 815 passes the front edge of the head. The forward direction here refers to the direction B1 of arrow B.

[0027] 4 shows an example of the electrical system of a drive device that drives the ball control device 800. In the figure, the lower end 920 of the switch mechanism 900 can be locked to the locking portion 511 of the bottomed cylindrical body 500. (a) of FIG. 4 shows the state of the electrical system when the end 920 is locked to the locking portion 511, and (b) of FIG. 4 shows the state of the electrical system when the end 920 is released from the locking portion 511.

[0028] When the end 920 is engaged with the engaging portion 511, the TT is in the OFF state (motor OFF). When the end 920 is disengaged from the engaging portion 511, the TT is set to the ON state (motor ON). This TT has a movable piece and is attached to the engaging portion 511. When the movable piece is pressed by the end 920, it is turned OFF, and when the end 920 is disengaged from the engaging portion 511, the movable piece returns to its original position and is turned ON. A battery or storage battery 1201 is connected to the power supply circuit 1202. Although the battery or storage battery 1201 is not visible in FIGS. 2A and 3A, it is located on the back side of the motor 1000 and is hidden by the motor 1000. If a storage battery is used, it can be charged from the solar power generator 220 shown in FIG. 3A. The storage battery is charged as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, a solar power generator 220 is attached to a part of a pole 210, and charging is performed using the power from this power generator 220.

[0029] The power supply circuit 1202 generates a power supply for driving the motor 1000 and a voltage for controlling the motor on and off. When the TT is off, the motor 1000 is controlled to be off. Therefore, the ball control device 800 is not driven to rotate (the state of FIG. 4(a)). When the TT is on, the motor 1000 is controlled to be on. Therefore, the ball control device 800 is driven to rotate. During this rotation, the ball 300 is discharged as described in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0030] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the motor 1000 may be configured such that a stepping motor is used and when the switch TT is turned on, a predetermined number of pulses are supplied to the stepping motor, causing the ball control device 800 to return to its original position (the standby position in FIG. 2A). As for the battery for driving the motor, the pole 210 may be configured as a cylinder, and multiple batteries may be connected in series inside this cylinder, or the cylinder (pole 210) may be modified so that a spare battery can be inserted.

[0031] Furthermore, the on / off of the switch TT may be controlled using, for example, an optical sensor. For example, when ball 300 is in the state shown in FIG. 2A, the ball 300 blocks the light from the optical sensor (provided on bottomed cylinder 500 at the leading position above lever 911), turning on stepping motor 1000. Then, even if ball 300 is no longer present, the stepping motor may remain on and return to the position shown in FIG. 2A.

[0032] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing another embodiment of a drive device for rotationally driving ball control device 800. Engagement portions 221 and 222 protrude in the diameter direction from the head of pole 210. Drive cap 2000 is used to cover the head of pole 210. Drive cap 2000 has recesses that engage with engagement portions 221 and 222 when attached to pole 210. Therefore, when drive cap 2000 is attached to the head of pole 210 and rotated in the direction opposite to arrow B in the figure, spiral spring 2200 can be driven in the tightening direction.

[0033] The spiral spring 2200 has an inner end 2202 fixed to the rod 221 and an outer end 2203 fixed to a fixed rod 2211. The fixed rod 2211 stands upright on the bottom 501 of the bottomed cylinder 500.

[0034] With the above configuration, if spiral spring 2200 is tightened and energy is stored, the following operation becomes possible. That is, when ball 300 drives the upper end of lever 911 as shown in Fig. 2A and the engagement between the end of lever 911 and engagement portion 511 is released, the force of spiral spring 2200 causes ball control device 800 to rotate and enter the state shown in Fig. 3A. Then, head 721 of ball launching device 700 launches upward (in the direction of arrow D1 of arrow D), ejecting ball 300 out of the hole.

[0035] The ball control device 800 continues to rotate, and when it reaches the position shown in Figure 2A, the lower end 920 of the lever 911 engages with the engaging portion 511, stopping the rotation of the ball control device 800. The ball control device 800 then enters a standby state, waiting for the next ball to enter the cup.

[0036] 6A, 6B, and 6C are explanatory diagrams showing another example of a ball hitting device 700. FIG. 6A shows the component structure of head 731 of spring member (leaf spring) 730 used in ball launching device 700. Head 731 of leaf spring 730 is formed with left and right bearing arms 7311, 7311, and shaft holes 7321, 7322 are formed in bearing arms 7311, 7312. Bearing arms 7311, 7312 are molded to face each other, and roller 7400 is positioned between them. Head 731 is formed with a shaft passing through shaft hole 7321, the shaft hole of roller 7400, and shaft hole 7322.

[0037] 6B, the base end side of spring member (leaf spring) 730 is fixed to floor plate 600 by screws e1, e2, e3, and e4. Here, head 731 is set to protrude upward from firing opening 815 when firing opening 815 rotates. In other words, ball launching device 700 is set at a position opposite the rotational trajectory of firing opening 815.

[0038] 6C shows a state in which the horizontal plate 811 of the ball control device 800 presses against the head 731 of the leaf spring 730. When the horizontal plate 811 rotates, the roller 7400 also rotates, and the leaf spring 731 reduces the rotational load on the ball control device 800. When the ball control device 800 rotates further, the launch port 815 formed in the horizontal plate 811 rotates. Then, when the front edge 8151 of the launch port 815 passes the front edge of the head 731, the head 731 shoots out with force in the direction of arrow D1 (upward). In other words, if a ball is present above the launch port 815 at this time, the ball will be ejected with force out of the hole.

[0039] Even in the above configuration, when the horizontal plate 811 of the ball control device 800 rotates in the direction B1 of the arrow B, the rear edge 8152 of the launch opening 815 acts to push down the spring member (leaf spring) 730, allowing the spring member (leaf spring) 730 to smoothly transition to the state shown in Figure 6C.

[0040] Aspects of the above-described embodiment will be described below. (Perspective A1) The automatic ball discharge device has a bottomed cylinder 500 that is inserted into a hole, and a pole 210 that stands in the axial direction at the center of the bottom of the bottomed cylinder 500. When the direction of the bottom is defined as the downward direction, the direction perpendicular to the downward direction is defined as the horizontal direction, and the direction opposite to the downward direction is defined as the upward direction, the device has the following configuration: A ball control device 800 is provided which can rotate around the pole 210 within the bottomed cylinder 500 and controls the ball, and this ball control device 800 includes: a cylindrical bearing 814 that supports the pole 210 and has a first opening that opens downward and is horizontal, and a second opening that opens upward and is inclined; a horizontal plate 811 extending horizontally from the outer periphery of the bearing 814 at a substantially intermediate position in the axial direction, and forming a launch opening 815 having a long side in the rotational direction in a portion thereof; an inclined plate 812 that has a slope that follows the slope of the second opening that opens toward the upper part of the bearing and expands from the periphery of the second opening, the portion that extends toward the lower part being integrated with the horizontal plate 811 near the launch opening, and the portion that extends toward the upper part being spaced from the horizontal plate 811 and connected to the outer periphery of the horizontal plate, A fixed floor plate 600 is provided on the lower surface of the horizontal plate 811 at an interval. The floor plate 600 is The bearing 814 has a central hole 612 through which it is rotatably inserted, and an outer circumferential edge 611 extends downward and is fixed to the bottomed cylinder. A ball launching device 700 having heads 721, 731 that pass through the launch opening 815 in the vertical direction is provided. This ball launching device 700 includes: The heads 721, 731 are provided at their tip ends, and spring members 722, 730 are provided at their base ends attached to the floor board 600 side, and the spring members 722, 730 are configured so that the heads 721 jump out upward from the launch opening 815 when the launch opening 815 rotates. A switch for controlling the enabling and stopping of rotation of the ball control device 800. stomach Touch machine Structure 900 will be established, The switch mechanism 900 is The device is equipped with a recess 830 formed on the outer periphery of the horizontal plate 811 near the launch opening 815 of the ball control device 800, and a lever 911 that passes through the recess 830 in the vertical direction, has a rotation axis near the recess, an upper side that is pressed by the ball, and a lower side that can be in an engaged state or a disengaged state with respect to the locking portion of the bottomed cylinder. Also equipped with a driving means that is turned on and off by the switch mechanism 900 and drives the ball control device 800 to rotate.

[0041] (Point 2) The spring member of the ball launching device 700 is a coil spring or a leaf spring. (Point 3) When the lever 911 of the switch mechanism 900 is in the disengaged state, the drive device that rotates the ball control device 800 is either a device that uses a motor or a device that uses a coil spring.

[0042] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention also includes cases in which each component of the claims is expressed separately, as a combination of multiple components, or as a combination of these components. Furthermore, multiple embodiments may be combined, and examples composed of such combinations are also within the scope of the invention.

[0043] In addition, in order to clarify the explanation, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part more schematically than the actual embodiment. Furthermore, the names and terms used are not limited, and other expressions are also included in the present invention as long as they have substantially the same content and meaning. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 100···Green, 200···Hole, 210···Pole, 300···Ball, 400···Automatic ball discharge device, 500···Bottomed cylinder, 501···Bottom, 502···Support part, 511···Latching part, 600···Floor board, 612···Central hole, 613···Waiting opening, 700···Ball launching device, 721, 731···Head, 722, 730···Spring member, 800···Ball control device.

Claims

1. a bottomed cylinder inserted into the hole; A pole is provided at the center of the bottom of the bottomed cylindrical body and stands upright in the axial direction, When the bottom direction is defined as the lower direction, the direction perpendicular to the lower direction is defined as the horizontal direction, and the direction opposite to the lower direction is defined as the upper direction, A ball control device that can rotate around the pole within the bottomed cylinder and controls a ball, the ball control device comprising: a cylindrical bearing that supports the pole and has a first opening that opens downward and is horizontal, and a second opening that opens upward and is inclined; a horizontal plate extending horizontally from an outer periphery of the bearing at a substantially intermediate position in the axial direction, the horizontal plate having a launch opening with a long side in the rotation direction formed in a portion thereof; the ball control device comprising: an inclined plate that has a slope that follows the slope of the second opening that opens upward of the bearing and expands from the periphery of the second opening, the portion that extends downward being integrated with the horizontal plate near the launch opening, and the portion that extends upward being spaced from the horizontal plate and connected to the outer periphery of the horizontal plate, a fixed floor plate disposed on the lower surface of the horizontal plate at a distance therefrom, the floor plate comprising: the floor plate has a central hole through which the bearing is rotatably inserted, and an outer peripheral edge thereof extends downward and is fixed to the bottomed cylinder; A ball launching device having a head portion that passes through the launch opening in an up-down direction, the ball launching device further comprises a spring member having the head at a tip end thereof and a base end thereof attached to a side of the floor plate, the spring member being configured so that the head will pop out upward from the launch opening when the launch opening rotates; a mechanism for controlling the enabling and stopping of rotation of the ball control device, the mechanism comprising: The mechanism includes a recess formed on the outer periphery of the horizontal plate near the launch opening of the ball control device, and a lever that passes through the recess in the vertical direction and has a rotation axis near the recess, the upper side being a part that is pressed by the ball, and the lower side being capable of being in an engaged state or a disengaged state with respect to the locking part of the bottomed cylinder. Automatic ball ejection device.

2. 2. The automatic ball discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the spring member of the ball launching device is a coil spring or a leaf spring.

3. 2. The automatic ball discharge device according to claim 1, wherein a drive device that rotates the ball control device when the lever of the mechanism is in the disengaged state is either a device that uses a motor or a device that uses a coil spring.

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