JPH0363078A - Ball feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To feed a plurality of balls scattered on an irregular surface onto predetermined spots by juxtaposing a plurality of small width rollers supported vertically movably with a proper stroke and forming no ball passing space on a surface having scattering balls within the small width ball juxtaposing range. CONSTITUTION:A plurality of small width rollers 1 supported vertically movably with a proper stroke 2 are juxtaposed. The respective small width rollers always make contact with the ground on the surface having scattered balls by the independent vertical movement of the respective small width rollers 1, 1... so that no ball passing space is formed on the said surface having scattered balls at least within the small width roller juxtaposing range. Thus, the small width rollers 1, 1... in the process of movably rolling on the surface having scattered balls repeat the independent vertical movement according to the irregularity of said surface, so that no ball passing space is formed on said surface having scattered balls where this device is located and the scattered balls are surely pushed in the direction of moving the small width rollers to realize the feeding of balls in a predetermined direction with a simple operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Object of the Invention> The present invention provides a method for treating a large number of scattered balls, especially golf balls that are hit and scattered on a golf driving range.
A ball feeding device with a new structure that allows a large number of balls scattered on an undulating surface to be fed to a predetermined location when the staff collects them for the next practice. This is what we are trying to provide.

(Prior Art) Golf has been a popular sport for a long time, and many people are now enjoying it as a sport. As the number of people playing golf increased, simple golf driving ranges were built around urban areas, and in the evenings after work, people can be seen mindlessly practicing golf under night lights all over the country. It has become common to see it now.

This golf practice range has high nets all around it,
In front of the batting area, artificial turf is laid out with slopes and undulations reminiscent of the topography of a golf course, and many are designed to allow a large number of people to hit the ball at the same time. Naturally, the golf balls that are released will remain in the air, but those balls are usually not stopped and collected one by one, but are collected in the afternoon before practice starts in the evening. Perform at most two collections, once after practice and once after evening practice, or leave it as is - once a day, during the day, and through the evening. In many cases, after the practice range closes, staff will collect the equipment for the next day's practice.

Therefore, the number of golf balls that are hit is variable, and the more visitors there are at a golf practice range, the more difficult it becomes to recover the balls. In order to make this somewhat easier, at most driving ranges, the slope and undulations of the artificial turf are well undulated so that the golf balls that are hit naturally gather somewhere. The ball is forced to travel along the traveling groove and reach 1.
Designed to gather in one place. As a result, it is not the case that a large number of golf balls are scattered as they are, but it is possible to appeal to the comfort of the players even a little, as is the case with recent golf driving ranges. In an attempt to differentiate the golf course from the competition, the slope and undulations of the artificial turf surface have become more similar to those of a natural golf course, which naturally limits the design of how to collect balls. Many more golf balls tend to remain scattered on the artificial turf surface, and a major problem is how efficiently staff can collect these scattered golf balls. .

Currently, there are machines that suck up the balls with a mechanical device like a large vacuum cleaner or sweep them with a brush, and machines that do not collect the balls directly into the machine, but roll them on the artificial turf surface and collect them in the running groove. Work machines designed to push the ball into the ground have already been put into practical use, and some have been introduced at driving ranges that have been in business for a certain number of years. However, first of all, these existing working machines are very expensive, and even if it is a practice field with a relatively flat artificial turf surface as in the past, the turf surface is It has disadvantages such as not being able to keep up with the ups and downs of recent practice grounds, which have a strong tendency to have undulations, and despite being expensive, there is a high rate of failure to collect and leaving behind, making it impossible to carry out efficient collection work. Therefore, the reality is that newly constructed golf driving ranges, etc., are reluctant to introduce such existing equipment, and are looking forward to the realization of work machines that will guarantee more efficient collection work and are as inexpensive as possible. It seems so.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention has succeeded in developing and realizing a ball feeding device having the following novel configuration, which is most suitable for modern golf driving ranges.

(Structure of the Invention) As clearly understood from the representative embodiments shown in the drawings, the ball feeding device of the present invention basically has the following structure. A large number of freely supported narrow width rollers 1 are provided, and each narrow width roller 1, 1. ...
Due to the independent vertical movements of the narrow rollers 1, 1, . . . , each of the narrow rollers 1.1, .・・・・・・
・This is a ball feeding device that does not form a ball escape space on the ball scattering surface within the area where the balls are disposed.

The narrow roller 1 is formed to have an optimal size depending on the size of the target balls and the degree of undulation of the ball scattering surface G.

For example, when considering a golf ball, its diameter is 5
It is formed to a diameter of around 1.5 cm, but in any case, it is too large than the target ball to prevent these narrow rollers 1, 1°, etc. from riding on the ball during the ball feeding operation. The optimal size must be determined.

The width of the narrow roller 1 is normally 10 to 20 cx if the undulation is the same as that used in golf driving ranges.
If the optimal value is adopted from the front and rear width dimensions, it can be used for most practice ranges. However, it is a practice field with particularly fine undulations, or a ball-strewn surface that is almost flat, with an overall slope that slopes upwards only from between the at-bats toward the back. In the case of the former, for example, in the case of the former, the width is even smaller, and on the other hand, in the case of the latter, the width is more than twice that size. should be adopted.

The structure of the narrow width roller 1 can be of any known type that can rotate around a horizontal axis.
Where appropriate, the bearing is supported by the structure, and the bearing m
The most practical method is to allow a part of the structure to move up and down with a fairly large stroke, as shown in the embodiment described later, so that the movement is essentially the same as the up and down movement of the narrow roller l. This can be said to be an implementation means, but of course, if the width roller 1 can be moved up and down by other suitable structures, they can also be included in the present invention.

Note that the vertical movement of the narrow roller 1 is not only realized with its rotating shaft always held horizontally, but also because the rotating shaft itself can be moved easily to follow the changes in the ups and downs of the ball-scattering surface G. There is no problem in realizing it as having a structure that can be tilted up and down to some extent on the left and right sides.

The narrow roller l formed with the above structure has different operating means, such as whether it is operated manually or self-propelled by a motor, and a different range of action, such as a small turning radius. Depending on the difference between making the infeed width small so that it can be handled by both women and women, or accommodating a considerably wider infeed width to increase efficiency, the number of combinations is determined to be the optimal number. Usually, there is an appropriate interval in a horizontal line, that is, an interval that does not allow the ball to be fed from between the narrow rollers 1 and 1 to pass through, for example, about 2 if it is a golf ball.
They are arranged and formed at intervals of about csI, and each narrow roller 1, 1. The juxtaposition and formation of ...... are not arranged horizontally, for example, with the rotational axes of each roller parallel to each other,
It goes without saying that any combination that is convenient for the ball feeding action, such as a combination in which only the planar arrangement is in a flat V-shape, etc., can be adopted as appropriate.

Some specific embodiments shown in the drawings will be described below.

(Embodiment 1) The perspective view of FIG. 1 shows the most typical embodiment of the present invention.

That is, a large number of guide parts 4, 4. . . . are installed vertically, and the guide portions 4, 4. 1.1.
. . . Stroke portions 2, 2. ······of,
The rotation in the horizontal plane is regulated, and the width roller 1,
1. . . . are loosely fitted in such a way that they are parallel to the support rod 3.

As shown in the enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the main part in FIG. 2, the guide part 4 is vertically fixed to the horizontally arranged support rod 3,
The stroke part 2 that pivotally supports the narrow roller 1 is loosely fitted from below so that it can move up and down. A retaining pin 21 is shown to prevent the roller from being damaged, and by fitting and removing the retaining pin 21, the width roller 1 can be replaced.

The stroke part 2 must be able to move up and down without causing □ rotation in the horizontal plane, otherwise the narrow roller 1 will no longer be parallel to the support rod 3 and the ball feeding function will be hindered. Therefore, the combination structure with the guide part 4 must be realized in a regulated structure that does not cause rotation. However, there are other suitable structures that do not cause rotation, such as forming a vertical groove in the hollow part of the cylindrical guide part 4 with a circular cross section, and fitting the protrusion of the stroke part into the vertical groove. It goes without saying that it is possible to adopt the structure of

(Example 2) The most typical structure for regulating the rotation of the stroke part 2 is the hollow part of the guide part 4, as understood from the perspective views of FIG. 1 and FIG. The outer cross-section of the stroke portion 2 is restricted to a similar cross-section of a polygon (the one shown is a quadrangle).

(Example 3) The next example of regulating rotation within a horizontal plane is as shown in the enlarged perspective view of the main part including the partially exploded perspective view of FIG.
A flat plate 5 or a protrusion replacing it is protruded from the front surface of the support rod 3, and is fitted into a slide groove 22 formed in the stroke portion 2, thereby realizing a vertical movement structure that prevents rotation in a horizontal plane. It is something.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 23 denotes a temporarily attached part that restricts the separation of the stroke part 2 from the flat plate 5, and is formed from a clamping plate, bolts, and nuts. Exchange becomes possible.

Note that the flat plate 5 in this example can be replaced with a pair of upper and lower projections.

The ball feeding device of the present invention, in which a large number of stroke portions 2 and guide portions 4 are combined and arranged in parallel according to the combination shown in the above embodiments, is extremely horizontal as shown in FIG. It can be formed into an appropriate size, such as a long one with a so-called width, or a small one with a relatively small width as in the embodiment of FIG.

The following embodiment is one example of a specific structure when a relatively large one with a width is formed.

(Example 4) That is, a large number of narrow width rollers 1.1. This is a ball feeding device in which an auxiliary wheel 6 is combined with the rear of a support rod 3 that supports . . . and an operating handle 7 is provided upright.

One or two auxiliary wheels 6 are formed to project rearward from the support rod 3, or two auxiliary wheels 6 are formed as in the illustrated example, and are attached to the support rod 3 and them using the auxiliary wheel 6 as a support. It floats the narrow rollers 1°1, .

The operating handle 7 is a handle for collecting balls while pushing the device of the present invention, and is also a handle necessary for the operation when changing the direction as described above,
As in the illustrated embodiment, the rear frame 8 for protruding the auxiliary wheels 6 can also be used, and the auxiliary wheels 6 can be realized most simply by protruding from the open frame 8.

(Example 5) This example is adopted in the embodiments shown in the perspective views in Figures 1.4.5, and the work of feeding the ball is carried out using this device. This is a specific example of an attachment for preventing the bowls that move while rolling on the ball scattering surface G from scattering to the left and right and interfering with the feeding effect.

That is, a large number of narrow rollers l, 1. This is a ball feeding device in which guide arms 9, 9 protruding forward or in the front-rear direction are formed on the outermost side of the ball feeder.

The guide arm 9 may be attached to and formed in a protruding manner on each of the left and right pair of narrow width rollers located on both sides of a large number of narrow width rollers, as shown in the drawing, or may be formed in a protruding manner, as shown in the drawing. However, it is also possible to make it protrude from both openings of the support rod 3, and to contact each of the outermost narrow width rollers 1.1 so as to protrude further.

Each of the guide arms 9, 9 is formed so as to protrude only forward as shown in FIG. 1, and in addition, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. It can also be taken as a thing.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has a "rake"-like structure as a whole, and has relatively narrow rollers 1, 1 .・
This is an example of a structure that is convenient for small devices with a small number of parallel devices, and unlike the one shown in FIG. It is a simple type of device that can be used while being dragged along or vice versa. Therefore, the guide arms 9,9
is formed to protrude in the front-rear direction so as to be convenient for both uses.

(Operation and Effect) The ball feeding device of the present invention configured as described above includes narrow rollers 1.1. In the process of rolling and moving on the ball-strewn surface, each moves up and down independently according to the ups and downs of the ball-strewn surface, as shown in the enlarged front view of the main part in Figure 3. As a result of repeating this process, no space is formed on the ball-scattered surface where this device is located, and the scattered balls are moved by the narrow rollers 1.1. It is definitely pushed in the direction of movement of...
Feeding the ball in a predetermined direction can be efficiently achieved with a simple operation.

Among them, a guide part 4 is attached to and formed on the support rod 3 as shown in Examples 1 to 3, and a stroke part 2 is assembled to the guide part 4 so as to be vertically movable. In the case of a molded one, the structure is simple and can be provided at low cost, and there are fewer failures, such as temporary failure and narrow rollers 1, 1. . . . even when they wear out, it is possible to create a device in which these parts can be replaced extremely easily, and the device has an advantageous structure as a popular device.

In particular, when the guide section 4 and the stroke section 2 are formed to have polygonal similar cross-sectional shapes as shown in the second embodiment, the narrow roller 1 can move up and down smoothly and be highly durable. The narrow roller 1 shown in Embodiment 3 is formed by a combination of the flat plate 5 or a projection corresponding to the flat plate 5 and the slide groove 22 of the stroke part 2.
,1. . . . can be attached and detached from the front.

The structure shown in Example 4 in which the auxiliary wheel 6 is formed has a narrow roller 1. When a large device is constructed in which a large number of devices 1, .

In addition, in a structure in which guide arms 9, 9 are attached to both sides of the device, as in the case of implementation rIA5, the scattered balls are transferred to the narrow rollers 1, 1. It is possible to prevent the ball from spreading to the left and right from the front in the direction of movement of the ball, and the effect of increasing the sending effect of the ball can be achieved.

As mentioned above, the ball feeding device of the present invention has a simpler overall structure than previous devices, so it is easier to manufacture and can be provided at a lower cost, and it is also much more advantageous in terms of operability. It is expected that this system will be very effective in collecting scattered balls at practice ranges for various ball games, especially at practice ranges with uneven ball scattering surfaces.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings consist of representative embodiments of this invention, and FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the most typical example, and FIG.
3 is an enlarged front view of the main part showing the operating state, FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of another embodiment, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the main part. FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the embodiment. 1... Width roller, 2... Stroke part, 3...
・Support rod, 4...Guiding part, 5...Flat plate, 6...Auxiliary wheel, 7...Operation handle, 8...Rear frame, 9...
・Guide arm. Diagram Diagram

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A large number of narrow rollers supported so as to be able to move up and down with appropriate strokes are provided, and each narrow roller is always in contact with the ground on the ball-strewn surface by vertical movement of each narrow roller independently. A ball feeding device which is realized and prevents the formation of a ball escape space on a surface where balls are scattered at least within a range where a narrow roller is provided. 2. A large number of guide parts are vertically arranged at predetermined intervals with respect to a horizontally arranged support rod, and the stroke part of a narrow width roller is connected to the guide parts so that rotation in the horizontal plane is restricted and 2. The ball feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the width roller is loosely fitted so as to be parallel to the support rod. 3. The ball feeding device according to claim 2, wherein each cross section of the hollow portion of the guide portion and the stroke portion is formed into a polygonal cross section that can be fitted similarly and loosely. 4. A patent in which a number of guide parts made of flat plates or protrusions are vertically disposed at predetermined intervals on a horizontally arranged support rod, and the guide parts are loosely fitted into slits formed in the stroke part of a narrow roller. A ball feeding device according to claim 2. 5. The ball feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an auxiliary wheel is assembled to the rear of a support rod that supports a large number of narrow width rollers, and an operating handle is provided upright. 6. The ball feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a guide arm is formed on the outermost side of a large number of narrow width rollers and projects forward or in the front-rear direction.