Tennis ball feeding device and tennis ball machine having same

Abstract

The present application provides a tennis ball feeding device and a tennis ball machine having same. The device comprises a ball feeding mechanism and at least one group of foldable panels connected to the ball feeding mechanism by means of a first coupling member; each group of foldable panels is foldably arranged above the ball feeding mechanism, so that when unfolded, the panels surround an upper part of the ball feeding mechanism to form a three-dimensional storage region that can receive and accommodate a plurality of tennis balls, or when folded, the panels are placed on the ball feeding mechanism in an overlapping arrangement. By providing the foldable panels, the tennis ball feeding device provided by the present application can provide a large accommodating space for tennis balls; and the foldable panels can be arranged in a flattened and overlapping manner so as to reduce the space occupied by the device, making the device lighter and more compact. The overall design is simple, flexible, and easy to operate, and the utilization rate of storage space is effectively improved, thereby facilitating portability and storage, and meeting various requirements.

Description

A tennis ball-scoring device and a tennis machine having the same. Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of tennis training equipment, specifically relating to a tennis ball-scoring device and a tennis machine having the same. Background Technology

[0002] With the popularization of tennis, tennis machines are being used more and more widely. Tennis machines can provide users with a continuous training and entertainment experience through automatic ball serving, and have become one of the important tools for training and entertainment.

[0003] In the actual use of tennis machines, how to effectively store and manage tennis balls, especially how to store a sufficient number of tennis balls in a limited space, has always been a problem that needs to be solved. Existing tennis machines generally adopt a fixed structure design, and usually hold tennis balls by setting up a large-capacity storage compartment on the tennis machine. These storage compartments are generally open or have a simple partition design.

[0004] In addition, while some more complex tennis machines have improved capacity, users face more complicated operating procedures and potential malfunctions. Moreover, these tennis machines are often bulky and require a lot of space. However, tennis machines often need to be moved between different courts, which inevitably brings additional inconvenience to users when moving or storing them. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, this application proposes a tennis ball-scoring device, including a ball-scoring mechanism and at least one set of folding baffles connected to the ball-scoring mechanism via a first connecting member;

[0006] Each set of folding baffles is foldably disposed above the ball-scoring mechanism so that when unfolded, it surrounds the top of the ball-scoring mechanism to form a three-dimensional storage area that can hold and accommodate multiple tennis balls;

[0007] Alternatively, after folding, they can be placed on the ball-scoring mechanism in an overlapping arrangement.

[0008] Optionally, the outline of the connection portion between the goal-scoring mechanism and each group of folding baffles is polygonal or polygon-like, and each side of the polygonal shape is independently connected to a group of folding baffles.

[0009] Furthermore, any set of the folding baffles includes a first baffle and a second baffle, a first side of the first baffle is rotatably connected to the ball-scoring mechanism via the first connecting member, and a second side of the first baffle is rotatably connected to the second baffle via the second connecting member;

[0010] The first side and the second side of the first baffle are opposite to each other, and the rotation direction of the first connecting member connected to the same group of folding baffles is the same as the rotation direction of the second connecting member.

[0011] Preferably, at least one set of the folding baffles is provided with an LED light array.

[0012] Furthermore, a camera is also installed on the goal-scoring mechanism, and the LED light array is disposed on the folding baffle on the same side as the camera.

[0013] Preferably, the scoring mechanism has a scoring opening, and the scoring mechanism includes a turntable, which is rotatably disposed between the folding baffle and the scoring opening;

[0014] The turntable has a fixed opening for positioning a tennis ball, and the fixed opening can communicate with the ball-in-the-go-hole so that when the turntable rotates to the position where the fixed opening communicates with the ball-in-the-go-hole, the tennis ball located on the fixed opening passes through the ball-in-the-go-hole;

[0015] The width of the ball inlet and the fixing opening at their widest points in any direction is not less than the diameter of the tennis ball.

[0016] Furthermore, the turntable is provided with a number of raised dividing segments for dividing the turntable into multiple intervals, and each interval is provided with at least one fixed opening.

[0017] Preferably, the turntable has a positioning part protruding from its center, and the driving component that drives the turntable to rotate is driven to connect with the positioning part.

[0018] Preferably, the folding baffle has an observation window.

[0019] This application also proposes a tennis machine, which includes a tennis ball serving device as described above.

[0020] This application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0021] The tennis ball-scoring device proposed in this application allows users to easily adjust the structure of the device through a folding baffle. It has a simpler mechanical structure, reduces manufacturing costs and usage complexity, and is convenient for use when scoring, as well as for daily storage and organization. It is suitable for use in various scenarios and greatly improves the ease of use in environments such as tennis training courts or competition venues where frequent moving and installation are required.

[0022] Furthermore, the tennis ball-scoring device proposed in this application uses a polygonal or near-polygonal shape outline design to make the various folding baffles more tightly and stably connected when unfolded and stored. Using two baffles with the same rotation direction simplifies the folding and unfolding operation, so that users do not need to make additional judgments or adjustments to the complex connection structure, making it easier to use. The storage space can be adjusted by the number of unfolded baffles. The observation window opened on the baffle allows users to directly observe the status of the stored tennis balls from a distance.

[0023] LED light arrays can improve the visibility of the goal-scoring device in low-light environments, helping users to accurately operate and observe the device in dimly lit venues. They also provide a variety of display prompts to increase the device's intelligence and interactivity. The combination of LED light arrays and cameras allows the LED lights to work with the camera to capture images of users.

[0024] The turntable design allows the tennis balls to be precisely positioned and delivered to the goal, reducing the problem of missed goals due to incorrect positioning or inaccurate control, and improving the accuracy and reliability of the goal-scoring device. Furthermore, by dividing the turntable into multiple areas and setting fixed ports in each area, and controlling the rotation of the turntable through a drive component, the positioning of multiple tennis balls can be handled simultaneously, reducing the need for manual adjustments, improving the automation level of the device, and ensuring that the tennis balls can pass through the goal in an orderly manner.

[0025] Therefore, this application provides a tennis ball-scoring device and a tennis machine having the same. The tennis ball-scoring device proposed in this application provides a larger space for the tennis ball by setting a folding baffle. At the same time, the folding baffle can be flatly overlapped to reduce the space occupied by the device, making the device lighter and more compact. The overall design is simple, flexible and easy to operate, effectively improving the utilization rate of storage space, making it easy to carry and store, and meeting a variety of different needs. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the tennis ball-scoring device provided in Embodiment 1 after unfolding each of the folding baffles;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the tennis ball-scoring device after the folding baffles are folded;

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the ball-scoring mechanism;

[0030] Figure 4 is a top view of the goal-scoring mechanism;

[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the ball-scoring mechanism;

[0032] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the goal-scoring mechanism.

[0033] The attached diagram shows the following reference numerals: 1-Going mechanism; 2-First baffle; 3-Second baffle; 11-Going port; 12-Turntable; 13-Fixing port; 14-Positioning part; 15-Protruding partition; 16-Camera; 21-First connector; 22-Second connector; 23-LED light array; 31-Through-viewing hole. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0035] Various embodiments of this application will be described more fully below. This application may have various embodiments, and adjustments and changes may be made therein. However, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the various embodiments of this application to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but rather this application should be understood to cover all adjustments, equivalents, and / or alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of this application.

[0036] In the following, the terms “comprising” or “may include” as used in the various embodiments of this application indicate the presence of the disclosed functions, operations, or elements, and do not limit the addition of one or more functions, operations, or elements. Furthermore, as used in the various embodiments of this application, the terms “comprising,” “having,” and their cognates are intended only to indicate a particular feature, number, step, operation, element, component, or combination of the foregoing, and should not be construed as primarily excluding the presence of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations of the foregoing, or the possibility of adding one or more combinations of features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations of the foregoing.

[0037] In various embodiments of this application, the expression "or" or "at least one of A and / or B" includes any combination or all combinations of the words listed simultaneously. For example, the expression "A or B" or "at least one of A and / or B" may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

[0038] The terms used in the various embodiments of this application (such as "first," "second," etc.) may modify various constituent elements in the various embodiments, but do not limit the corresponding constituent elements. For example, the above terms do not limit the order and / or importance of the elements. The above terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one element from other elements. For example, a first user device and a second user device refer to different user devices, although both are user devices. For example, without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of this application, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

[0039] It should be noted that, in this application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and defined, terms such as "installation," "connection," and "fixation" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0040] In this application, those skilled in the art should understand that the terms indicating orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the purpose of describing this application and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0041] The terminology used in the various embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the various embodiments of this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the various embodiments of this application pertain. The terms (such as those defined in a generally used dictionary) are to be interpreted as having the same meaning as in the context of the relevant technical field and are not to be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning, unless clearly defined in the various embodiments of this application.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] Please refer to Figures 1-6. This embodiment proposes a tennis ball-scoring device, including a ball-scoring mechanism 1 and at least one set of folding baffles connected to the ball-scoring mechanism 1 above it via a first connecting member 21. Each set of folding baffles is used to surround the ball-scoring mechanism 1 after unfolding to form a three-dimensional storage area that can hold and accommodate multiple tennis balls, and is also used to be placed on the ball-scoring mechanism 1 in an overlapping arrangement after folding.

[0044] Therefore, the tennis ball-scoring device proposed in this embodiment is simple and flexible in its use. It can form a three-dimensional storage area by unfolding the folding baffle, which can place the tennis ball in the storage area and prevent the tennis ball from scattering, rolling, or being lost. When the user does not need to use the tennis ball-scoring device or needs to move the tennis ball-scoring device, the folding baffle can be overlapped and placed flat on the scoring mechanism 1, thereby reducing the space occupied by the tennis ball-scoring device and improving the portability and storage of the device.

[0045] In this embodiment, the outline of the part connecting the ball-scoring mechanism 1 and the folding baffle is polygonal or polygon-like, and each side of the polygonal shape is independently connected to a set of folding baffles. It should be noted that polygonal and polygon-like shapes can organize and arrange multiple folding baffles more tightly than circles or other shapes, optimize space utilization, reduce unnecessary gaps, help to efficiently store and unfold the folding baffles, and ensure that the tennis ball will not fall out of the storage space when unfolded.

[0046] With the above setup, when all the folding baffles connected to each side are unfolded, each set of folding baffles will form a three-dimensional storage area with a storage opening above the ball-scoring mechanism 1, so that the tennis balls can be safely and neatly stored in the three-dimensional storage area, and the tennis balls can be prevented from scattering or piling up unevenly during storage.

[0047] Furthermore, the outline of the connection between the ball-scoring mechanism 1 and the folding baffle, as well as the angle and shape of each set of folding baffles, can be adjusted according to actual needs to ensure that the formed three-dimensional storage area can adapt to tennis ball-scoring devices of different sizes.

[0048] For example, in this embodiment, the overall outline of the connection between the ball-scoring mechanism 1 and the folding baffle is rectangular. Each of the four sides of the ball-scoring mechanism 1 is independently connected to a set of folding baffles. When all the folding baffles connected to the four sides are unfolded, the four sets of folding baffles will surround the ball-scoring mechanism 1 to form a three-dimensional storage area with a cuboid shape and a storage opening on the top.

[0049] Specifically, any set of folding baffles includes a first baffle 2 and a second baffle 3. The first side of the first baffle 2 is rotatably connected to the ball-in mechanism 1 through a first connecting member 21, and the second side of the first baffle 2 is rotatably connected to the second baffle 3 through a second connecting member 22. The first side and the second side of the first baffle 2 are opposite to each other, and the rotation direction of the first connecting member 21 connected to the same set of folding baffles is the same as the rotation direction of the second connecting member 22. In this embodiment, both the first connecting member 21 and the second connecting member 22 may include hinges.

[0050] Furthermore, when a set of folding baffles includes multiple baffles, the user can change the size of the storage area by adjusting the number of baffles used. For example, when the user needs a larger storage area, the first baffle 2 and the second baffle 3 can be unfolded simultaneously. In this case, the size of the storage area is equal to the product of the height of the first baffle 2 and the second baffle 3 relative to the ball-in-the-hole mechanism 1 and the outline area of ​​the ball-in-the-hole mechanism 1 and the folding baffle. When the user does not need a larger storage area, only the first baffle 2 can be unfolded without unfolding the second baffle 3. In this case, the size of the storage area is equal to the product of the height of the first baffle 2 relative to the ball-in-the-hole mechanism 1 and the outline area of ​​the ball-in-the-hole mechanism 1 and the folding baffle.

[0051] For example, in another embodiment, at least one side of the polygonal shape can be connected to a set of folding baffles, wherein any set of folding baffles includes a main baffle and a secondary baffle. The first side of the main baffle is rotatably connected to the ball-in-the-hole mechanism 1 via a first connector 21, and the second side of the main baffle is rotatably connected to the second baffle 3 via a second connector 22. The first side and the second side of the main baffle are perpendicular to each other, and the secondary baffle can also be connected to other secondary baffles in sequence on the side away from the previous baffle it is connected to via the second connector 22. All the second connectors 22 connected to the same set of folding baffles have the same rotation direction, and the rotation direction of the first connector 21 is perpendicular to the rotation direction of the second connector 22. Thus, when all the folding baffles connected to the ball-in-the-hole mechanism 1 are unfolded, each set of folding baffles can also form a three-dimensional storage area with a storage opening on the top around the ball-in-the-hole mechanism 1.

[0052] Preferably, at least one set of folding baffles is provided with an LED light array 23. The LED light array 23 can provide adjustable lighting effects, increase the visibility of the tennis ball-scoring device proposed in this embodiment when used in environments such as night, and can also indicate the position of the ball-serving machine for the user, and provide functions such as ball-scoring indication, score display, and training progress, so as to increase the intelligence and interactivity of the device.

[0053] Furthermore, a camera 16 is also installed on the goal-scoring mechanism 1. The camera 16 can capture photos and / or videos of the user's movements. An LED light array 23 is set on the folding baffle on the same side as the camera 16. In this embodiment, the first baffle 2 of the folding baffle on the same side as the camera 16 is provided with an LED light array 23. The LED light array 23 helps to enhance the lighting conditions within the shooting range of the camera 16. When used in low-light environments or indoors, it can improve the recognition accuracy and effect of the camera 16.

[0054] Preferably, an observation window is provided on the folding baffle so that when the folding baffle is unfolded and forms a three-dimensional storage area, the user can easily observe from the outside of the tennis ball-scoring device the number of tennis balls stored in the three-dimensional storage area formed by the folding baffle, the height of the tennis balls stack, and other conditions.

[0055] Furthermore, the observation window may include a plurality of viewing holes 31 arranged in a strip, with each viewing hole 31 evenly distributed along the surface of the folding baffle to ensure that the user can clearly observe the condition of the tennis ball in the three-dimensional storage area formed by the folding baffle from different angles; in this embodiment, each viewing hole 31 is evenly distributed along the surface of the folding baffle in an oblique arrangement.

[0056] Specifically, the ball-scoring mechanism 1 includes a turntable 12, which is rotatably disposed between the folding baffle and the ball-scoring opening 11. The turntable 12 has a fixing opening 13 for positioning the tennis ball. The fixing opening 13 can communicate with the ball-scoring opening 11. The turntable 12 can adjust the position of the fixing opening 13 by rotation so that when the turntable 12 rotates to the position where the fixing opening 13 communicates with the ball-scoring opening 11, the tennis ball located on the fixing opening 13 can pass through the ball-scoring opening 11. This ensures that the tennis balls stored in the storage area can enter the designated position from the ball-scoring opening 11 in sequence and accurately. The turntable 12 has a positioning part 14 protruding from its center. The driving component that drives the turntable 12 to rotate is drivenly connected to the positioning part 14. The width of the ball-scoring opening 11 and the fixing opening 13 at their widest points in any direction is not less than the diameter of the tennis ball, so as to ensure that the tennis ball can pass smoothly through the fixing opening 13 and the ball-scoring opening 11 without being stuck in the ball-scoring opening 11 or the fixing opening 13 due to the small diameter.

[0057] Preferably, the turntable 12 is provided with a plurality of raised dividing segments 15 for dividing the turntable 12 into multiple intervals, and each interval is provided with at least one fixed opening 13; Figures 3 and 4 show the case where the turntable 12 is provided with three raised dividing segments 15 in conjunction with the positioning part 14 to equally divide the turntable 12 into three fan-shaped intervals, and each fan-shaped interval is provided with a fixed opening 13, but this should not be construed as a limitation on the number of raised dividing segments 15, the shape of the intervals, and the number of fixed openings 13 in the region of the turntable 12;

[0058] In practical applications, the number of raised dividing segments 15, the shape of the intervals divided by the raised dividing segments 15, and the number of fixed openings 13 in each interval can be adjusted according to the specifications and requirements of the tennis ball-scoring mechanism 1. For example, more than three or less than three raised dividing segments 15 can be set in the turntable 12 to divide other shapes such as trapezoids, and two or more fixed openings 13 can be opened in the interval.

[0059] Example 2

[0060] This embodiment proposes a tennis machine, which includes the tennis ball-scoring device proposed in Embodiment 1; specifically, the tennis ball-scoring device is disposed above the overall structure of the tennis machine.

[0061] In summary, this application provides a tennis ball-scoring device and a tennis machine having the same. The tennis ball-scoring device proposed in this application provides a larger space for the tennis ball by setting a folding baffle. At the same time, the folding baffle can be flatly overlapped to reduce the space occupied by the device, making the device lighter and more compact. The overall design is simple, flexible and easy to operate, effectively improving the utilization rate of storage space, making it easy to carry and store, and meeting a variety of different needs.

[0062] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A tennis ball-scoring device, characterized in that, Includes a goal-scoring mechanism and at least one set of folding baffles connected to the goal-scoring mechanism via a first connecting member; Each set of folding baffles is foldably disposed above the ball-scoring mechanism so that when unfolded, it surrounds the top of the ball-scoring mechanism to form a three-dimensional storage area that can hold and accommodate multiple tennis balls; Alternatively, after folding, they can be placed on the ball-scoring mechanism in an overlapping arrangement.

2. The tennis ball-scoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outline of the connection between the goal-scoring mechanism and each set of folding baffles is polygonal or polygon-like, and each side of the polygonal shape is independently connected to a set of folding baffles.

3. The tennis ball-scoring device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Any set of folding baffles includes a first baffle and a second baffle, a first side of the first baffle is rotatably connected to the ball-scoring mechanism via the first connecting member, and a second side of the first baffle is rotatably connected to the second baffle via the second connecting member; The first side and the second side of the first baffle are opposite to each other, and the rotation direction of the first connecting member connected to the same group of folding baffles is the same as the rotation direction of the second connecting member.

4. The tennis ball-scoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one set of the folding baffles is provided with an LED light array.

5. The tennis ball-scoring device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The goal-scoring mechanism is also equipped with a camera, and the LED light array is located on the folding baffle on the same side as the camera.

6. The tennis ball-scoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The scoring mechanism has a scoring opening, and the scoring mechanism includes a turntable, which is rotatably disposed between the folding baffle and the scoring opening; The turntable has a fixed opening for positioning a tennis ball, and the fixed opening can communicate with the ball-in-the-go-hole so that when the turntable rotates to the position where the fixed opening communicates with the ball-in-the-go-hole, the tennis ball located on the fixed opening passes through the ball-in-the-go-hole; The width of the ball inlet and the fixing opening at their widest points in any direction is not less than the diameter of the tennis ball.

7. The tennis ball-scoring device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The turntable is provided with a number of raised dividing sections for dividing the turntable into multiple intervals, and each interval is provided with at least one fixed opening.

8. The tennis ball-scoring device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The turntable has a positioning part protruding from its center, and the driving component that drives the turntable to rotate is driven to connect with the positioning part.

9. The tennis ball-scoring device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, An observation window is provided on the folding baffle.

10. A tennis ball machine, characterized in that, Includes the tennis ball-scoring device as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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