Golf Ball Pick-Up Device with Resilient Strips and Guiding Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf ball pick-up devices require users to squat down to engage golf balls and are inefficient in transferring balls to a collecting unit, as they need to be removed manually one at a time.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball pick-up device featuring an upright pick-up tube with resilient strips for easy ball entry and a ball-guiding unit for automatic transfer to a collecting unit, allowing for vertical operation and reducing manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the conventional golf ball pick-up device uses a horizontal rod configuration, then golf balls can be engaged with side openings, but the user needs to squat down which results in inconvenient use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal rod configuration to a vertical pick-up tube configuration. This dimensional change allows the device to be operated in an upright position rather than requiring the user to squat down, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining the functionality of engaging golf balls with side openings.
2Productivity
If the conventional device retains golf balls in a box, then balls can be collected, but manual removal one at a time is required which affects ball pick-up efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a ball-guiding unit with a ball-guiding surface that automatically guides golf balls from the pick-up tube to the collecting unit. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual removal of balls one at a time, thereby improving ball pick-up efficiency and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball-guiding unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the pick-up tube and the collecting unit. It provides an automatic transfer path that mediates the movement of golf balls, eliminating the need for manual handling and improving overall productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the pick-up tube has a narrow opening, then golf balls can be guided precisely, but ball entry becomes difficult without resilient strips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates resilient strips that can dynamically deform to allow golf balls to enter the pick-up tube through the ball inlet. These strips return to their original shape after deformation, maintaining the precision of the ball-guiding surface while enabling easy ball entry. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and manufacturing precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables convenient and efficient golf ball collection without the need to squat, with automatic transfer to a collecting unit, enhancing overall pick-up efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A strip unit includes plurality of resilient strips extending radially and inwardly from an open lower end of the pick-up tube so as to define a ball inlet thereamong. The strips deform so as to allow golf balls to move into the pick-up tube via the ball inlet
Implementation Method 2
A ball-guiding unit is disposed within the upper end portion of the pick-up tube, and is formed with a ball-guiding surface shaped so as to guide the golf balls into the ball-exiting opening when the golf balls move upwardly within the pick-up tube
Data Source
AI summary
A golf ball pick-up device includes an upright pick-up tube having an upper end portion formed with a ball-exiting opening. A strip unit includes plurality of resilient strips extending radially and inwardly from an open lower end of the pick-up tube so as to define a ball inlet thereamong. The strips deform so as to allow golf balls to move into the pick-up tube via the ball inlet when the strip unit is pressed against the golf balls one at a time, and is sized so as to prevent downward removal of the golf balls from the pick-up tube via the ball inlet. A ball-guiding unit is disposed within the upper end portion of the pick-up tube, and is formed with a ball-guiding surface shaped so as to guide the golf balls into the ball-exiting opening when the golf balls move upwardly within the pick-up tube.