EP0052904B1 - Volleyball projector - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A volley ball shooter, comprising a principal chassis (1) and a propulsion mechanism incorporating a striking lever (21), and at least one propulsion spring (27), intended to work the aforementioned lever, characterised in that the device of the arming mechanism consists of a traction cable (15), preferably made of steel, fixed at one end to a striking lever (21) and the other end of which is rolled on a pulley (30), mounted sliding and free rotating on a rotating drive shaft (31), the aforementioned pulley having for its drive a side cam (32) intended to work in conjunction with a wedge (33) fixed on the peripheral edge of the said shaft, and being provided with the means of freeing the end of the winding of the cable (15), in a way that provokes, by the unwinding of the said cable, the automatic detente of the propulsion springs (27), these consisting of a lug (30') which is carried by the pulley (30) and stretches sideways in relation to this, and is supported on a bell cam (35) fixed on and turning concentric around shaft (31), a helicoidal spring (34) surrounding shaft (31) to push back the pulley (30) to its initial position of drive on the aforementioned shaft in a manner to be able to restart a cycle.

Description

The present invention relates to the volleyball game and relates to an automatic ball-throwing machine adapted to this game.

In the volleyball game, where service and smash are the attacking balls par excellence, smash can only be brought by a precise pass to the net, hence the obligation to train the smashers to have in the class or the club a precise, regular passer, knowing how to vary the length and the strength of his passes and little subject to the fatigue or, rather, to the monotony of this work.

It is quite obvious that such a passer is very difficult to find and especially to keep in shape and that is why it seemed advantageous according to the invention to create an automatic ball-throwing apparatus particularly suitable for volleyball, that is to say capable of varying the power and orientation of his shots, to be regular, precise, enduring and to work parallel to the net or the bottom of the field.

A ball thrower in volleyball must be adapted to the pass leading to the smash or the bell pass, which must be a parabola higher or lower and more or less open described by the ball. Said pass must most often be parallel to the plane of the net and about 50 cm from it. The pass must in any case exceed the height of the net, which is 2.24m for women and 2.43m for men.

The pitcher must also be adapted to the service, which is struck behind the bottom line. The ball must travel 9 m, pass over the net without touching it and fall into the opponent's field without however exceeding the limits located 9 m from the net, for a total of 18 m to 20 m from a tighter shot.

There are already known various ball or ball throwers for tennis or football, which have well-defined characteristics for the discipline in question.

Also known from patent application WO-A 80/01 835 is a machine for playing volleyball, consisting of a device for the automatic projection of balls. This device is actuated by a motor and comprises a cam rotated by the motor and acting on a striking lever provided with a return spring forcibly returning said lever to bring it into contact with a balloon and eject it.

Also known from the patents CH-A 287 898 and US-A 3470859 are ball launching devices, in which arming devices are used consisting of a cable and a winding pulley.

A volleyball ball thrower produced according to the invention is of the type comprising a propulsion mechanism associated with a striking lever. An object of the invention is to make such a machine, so that it can be actuated using a reduced force and preferably, using only human force. The high-voltage electric motor is to be excluded since the normal handling of such a machine, sometimes carried out in humidity, is done by laymen and the cables can constitute a bulk in the feet of the players. Also excluded is the internal combustion engine, which cannot be used in a closed room, where volleyball matches are often played, due to pollution.

Another object of the invention is to make such a machine capable of a laterally and forwards orientable shooting and adjustable in power.

According to the invention the volleyball ball thrower, comprising a main chassis and a propulsion mechanism comprising a striking lever, and at least one propulsion spring, intended to actuate said lever is characterized in that the device for armament of the mechanism consists of a traction cable, preferably made of steel, fixed at one end to the striking lever and the other end of which is wound on a pulley mounted to slide and idle on a drive shaft in rotation said pulley having for its drive a cam, lateral intended to cooperate with a wedge fixed projecting at the periphery of said shaft, and being provided with means for its release at the end of the winding of the cable, so as to cause by the unwinding of said cable the automatic expansion of the propulsion spring or springs, said means consisting of a finger which is carried by the pulley and extends laterally with respect to it and which is supported on a fixed bell cam in operation and concentric with said shaft, a helical return spring surrounding the shaft to push the pulley back to its initial driving position on said shaft so as to be able to start a cycle again.

Still according to the invention, the propulsion mechanism is integral with an arm carrying a circular cell intended to receive and center the ball for shooting, and the striking lever carries at its free end a shock mass centered with respect to the socket.

Also according to the invention, the balloon launcher comprises an automatic supply device, from an airlock or supply store forming part of the launcher, comprising a pneumatic or electric double-acting blocking member controlled by the lever. strikes and therefore by firing, an organ which during the upward movement of the lever, on the one hand, launches the first balloon on hold in the shooting cell and, on the other hand, admits a second balloon in said cell while by preventing a third balloon from coming down from the balloon store.

• Figure 1 une vue de profil d'un lanceur de ballon de volley-ball suivant l'invention;
• Figure 2 une vue de profil à plus grande échelle du mécanisme propulseur et du levier de frappe du lanceur de figure 1;
• Figure 3 une coupe par 3-3 de figure 2;
• Figure 4 une vue de face du mécanisme et du levier de figure 2, à la même échelle;
• Figure 5 est une coupe par 5-5 de figure 2;
• Figure 6 une coupe dans le dispositif de déclenchement du tir, et
• Figure 7 une vue du dispositif d'alimentation automatique.

To better understand the invention, it is now described on the basis of the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, showing in:

• Figure 1 a side view of a volleyball ball thrower according to the invention;
• Figure 2 a side view on a larger scale of the propellant mechanism and the hitting lever of the launcher of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 a section through 3-3 of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 a front view of the mechanism and Figure 2 lever, on the same scale;
• Figure 5 is a section through 5-5 of Figure 2;
• Figure 6 is a section through the firing trigger, and
• Figure 7 a view of the automatic feeding device.

We see in Figure 1 a view of a balloon launcher according to the faired invention. It comprises a main chassis 1 made of tube, four crutch wheels 2, all of which can be rotated 360 ° for the mobility of the machine. Each wheel has a brake 3 which makes it possible to fix the machine in the firing position, a brake which is controlled on each wheel by a pedal 4 fixed to the wheel.

The machine shown is actuated using a reduced force and preferably the human engine. The actuation mode chosen here is a mechanism moved by the feet of a player or another person in charge of operating the machine. An adjustable seat 5 is provided on the chassis and a crankset 6 drives a pinion 7.

The ejector mechanism and the striking lever are enclosed in a fairing 8 connected to an airlock 9, by which the launcher is connected to a supply store 10 for balloons. This store 10 is removable and interchangeable, it is carried by the chassis and forms therewith a compact assembly.

The ejection of a balloon is done as indicated by arrow X. The propellant mechanism and the striking lever are shown in Figures 2 to 5.

The propellant mechanism comprises a bracket 11 formed of two parallel brackets held at a distance by spacers, therefore integral with each other, and integral with a cylindrical axis 12 rotating in a cylindrical tube 13 welded to the chassis 1.

The axis 12 is pierced axially with a hole 14 allowing the passage of the cable 15 actuating the propellant mechanism. The same axis 12 is braked by the action of Belleville washers 16 pressing a flange 17 by means of a nut 16 pulling this axis against the wall of the tube 13, where there is friction. By this arrangement the brake is adjustable on demand and allows the controlled tilting of the stem and therefore of the whole propulsion system to the left or to the right.

The cable 15 actuating the propellant mechanism passes over a deflection pulley 19 held on the stem by an axis 20, around which it rotates freely. This cable 15 actuates the striking lever or arm 21 which pivots about an axis 22 forming an articulation with the bracket 11. This cable 15 is fixed to the striking arm by means of an eccentric disc 23 rotating freely on the axis 24 of the striking arm 21. The junction of the cable 15 and the eccentric disc 23 is easily done by the introduction of the counterweight 25 into a hole 26 of the eccentric disc 23, this in order to possibly allow the rapid replacement of said cable 15. An identical weight, attached to the other end of the cable, allows instant connection to the triggering device for the shot (Figure 6).

This cable 15, pulling the striking lever down, lengthens the tension springs 27 hooked, on the one hand, on the striking lever 21 by means of lug rings 28 freely rotating on the axis 24 and, on the other hand, by means of identical rings on the upper axis 29 of the bracket 11.

The propulsion cable 15 therefore acts directly on the tension springs 27 which it can either bandage or let go, thereby causing the ball to strike.

This propulsion cable 15, preferably made of steel, on the triggering device side, is wound on a pulley 30 mounted on the shaft 31 of the pinion 7 driven by the crankset 6. This pulley 30 is mounted idly and sliding on its shaft and can therefore deviate axially from its position, it has a cam 32 coming into contact with a shim 33 fixed projecting from the shaft.

It suffices to move the pulley axially apart, so that the cam slides on the wedge and the pulley, released from its drive, returns back under the effect of the action of the propulsion spring or springs 27.

A spring 34 enveloping the axis 31 pushes the pulley back to its initial place on the axis, so that it is ready to start a cycle again.

A finger 30 ', which forces the pulley to move away, bears on a bell cam 35, concentric with the shaft 31. This bell cam is capable of rotating in the opposite direction to the winding of the cable up to various positions, which can be maintained using a disc 36 provided with notches or holes from 5 ° to 5 ° or less. This disc 36, forming part of the arming device fixed to the chassis 1 under the seat 5, is associated with an index 37 secured to the bell cam 35. By its position under the seat the adjustment of the power of the shot is at the range of the person in charge of operating the machine. The entire arming device is mounted in one piece on the frame 1 by means of two screws 1 and, as a result, can be easily removed from the frame for, optionally, a standard exchange.

The inclination of the propellant mechanism with the striking linkage allows an adjustable shot. This inclination can vary laterally to the left and to the right over 180 °. It is controlled directly from the operating seat by a steering wheel 38, which communicates the movement of rotation to the left or to the right to the pivot axis of the propulsion mechanism 12 by means of a system of two pulleys 39 and 40 connected to each other. by a toothed belt 41. The large pulley 39 is secured to the pivot axis 12 itself secured to the propellant.

The steering wheel 38 communicates the movement by a rod 42, the rotation of which can be blocked by the operation of a locking lever 43 acting on a universal joint 44 secured to the chassis 1.

This blocking ensures the regularity of the shot in a given position. The correct inclination of the steering wheel relative to the user is ensured by a support rod 45 integral with both the chassis 1 and the gimbal 44.

A universal joint 46 connects the steering wheel rod 38 to the axis 47 of the small pulley 40 controlling the large pulley 39 by the action of the toothed belt 41, as said above.

The tension of this belt is adjusted by a console 48 adjustable in height and integral with a ring 49, in which the axis 47 of the small pulley 40 rotates freely.

The fire is automatic. We arm the device, that is to say that we band the spring by winding the cable on the pulley by actuating the pedal. As will be explained later, at this time, a balloon fell into its socket.

The pulley, mad on the shaft, being then released from its trainer, the cable can unwind, which causes the spring to relax, and the impact mass 50 strikes the ball in its socket 51, the ball which is projected outwards according to arrow X. At 51 ′ is provided a lever for adjusting the cell horizontally to obtain a trajectory of the ball in a vertical plane passing through the axis of the counterweight 50, whatever the tilt of the propellant mechanism. In its cell the ball is struck in its South pole, a little before the maximum amplitude of the striking lever.

To pull more or less far, it is more or less band the spring and therefore vary the trigger, and for this wind more or less cable on the pulley. As the cable length is constant, it is sufficient that the release point of the trainer is closer to the start of the winding. The winding is started while the feeler finger 30 'is already engaged on the slope of the cam 32, and this at various locations corresponding to the required firing power. For this purpose, the bell cam 35 is rotated in the opposite direction to the winding of the cable and the cam is maintained in one or the other of these positions using the disc device 36 described above.

Balloon feeding is automatic and controlled by firing. In an advantageous embodiment, the airlock 9 receiving the balloons from the magazine 10 is provided with a double-acting blocking member projecting in front of the balloons.

This blocking member consists of a piston rod 52 of a small cylinder supplied with compressed air by the piston 53 of a large cylinder, joined together by a flexible pipe 54.

The automation is complete and carried out by the shot itself.

Consider the device at rest. There is no balloon in the cell 51 or in the airlock 9. The striking arm 21 of the propellant system is stopped and supported by two silentblocs 55 secured to the stem 11. The rod of the small piston 52 is released by the pressure of the residual air and prevents the first balloon from the store from being placed in the airlock 9.

By pedaling the impact lever descends, releases the piston rod 53 which descends under the pressure of the spring 53 'inside the piston and which, at the same time, by the call of air, lowers the rod of the small piston 52 thus releasing the first balloon, which is placed in the airlock 9 in front of the rod of the small piston 52 relative to the store 10. It remains in this airlock 9 arranged in the form of a bowl.

Continuing its action, the cable 15 having pulled the striking lever to the chosen limit, releases the latter which in this case strikes in a vacuum because no balloon has yet been admitted into the cell 51.

However, at the end of the stroke, the striking arm actuates the piston 53, compresses the air inside of it, and this air drives the piston rod 52 upwards through the pipe 54. This rod strikes, a little behind its South Pole, the first balloon admitted into the airlock. This balloon falls by a flexible tube 56 into the cell 51. The piston rod 52 remains extended and prevents the arrival of a new balloon in the airlock 9. If we continue to pedal, this rod releases the second balloon, which takes place in the airlock 9. At this moment the striking arm 21 firstly touches the first balloon on hold and centered in the shooting cell 51. This first balloon leaves.

Continuing its stroke, the striking lever secondly touches the end of the rod of the large piston 53, which again actuates the piston rod 52, and the second balloon is admitted into the firing cell 51. The cycle begins again as long as 'there are balloons in the store. The store can hold fifteen to twenty-five balloons; it can be horizontal, vertical, cylindrical, helical, multicylinder, or even consist of an air bag mounted on an orientable stem and connected by a flexible pipe to the airlock 9 but these achievements must always be inclined towards said airlock about 10 °.

The loading is done from the rear, that is to say opposite the shooting cell 51 and, therefore, the loading never interferes with the development of the players, nor the shooting.

A balloon launcher produced according to the invention is easy to handle and not dangerous, even for young pupils, girls and boys. It is maneuverable by hand, actuated using a reduced force and manufactured using as many elements already on the market as possible.

Such a launcher is capable of throwing a 250 gr ball. with a diameter of 21 cm in very short shooting, pinched or enlarged parabola, or in taut shooting, maximum 18 m to 20 m, thanks to the adjustment of the shooting power. Its shot is orientable laterally and forwards thanks to the tilt adjustment. You can increase the power of the shot by increasing the power of the springs.

For short pass smash training, the shot must be taken very close to the net. In this case the device can be placed 50 cm from the plane of the net with its longitudinal axis perpendicular or slightly oblique to the net. For training in receiving services (long and taut bales) the device is placed at the bottom line of the field with its longitudinal axis more or less parallel to this line. In this way, by means of a slight displacement of its major axis (swivel wheels), the machine can pull in all the ground beyond the net. It is also used for numerous pass and situa training. tion of the game as well as testing the player recovery technique.

As in volleyball the net bars the field in two equal parts, it constitutes an obstacle for the re-entry of the balls into the pitcher. It appeared advantageous according to the invention to associate with the launcher a device for rapid recovery of the fired balloons. This device (not shown) consists of a sort of funnel, consisting of a metal frame covered with a nylon net to prevent the rebound of the balloons thrown therein, and is placed directly above the machine. The funnel is extended by a flexible gutter bringing the balloons from the rear into the launcher's stores. Everything can be rotated 360 °.

We have described above and shown in the drawings a balloon launcher according to the invention but of course we would not go outside the scope of the invention by making this launcher one or the other constructive modification falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Thus, for example, the chassis could be circular, have only three steerable wheels and be designed in such a way that it contains the propellant mechanism with its striking lever, the firing trigger device, the orientation system and the feeding system. Such a launcher could also be driven by its own motive power, such as an electric motor on a 12-volt battery. On the other hand, the double-acting blocking device of the balloon supply system could be triggered electrically by this same battery.

Claims (8)

1. A volley ball shooter, comprising a principal chassis (1) and a propulsion mechanism encor- porating a striking lever (21), and at least one propulsion spring (27), intended to work the aforementioned lever, characterised in that the device of the arming mechanism consists of a traction cable (15), preferably made of steel, fixed at one end to a striking lever (21) and the other end of which is rolled on a pulley (30), mounted sliding and free rotating on a rotating drive shaft (31), the aforementioned pulley having for its drive a side cam (32) intended to work in conjunction with a wedge (33) fixed on the peripheral edge of the said shaft, and being provided with the means of freeing the end of the winding of the cable (15), in a way that provokes, by the unwinding of the said cable, the automatic detente of the propulsion springs (27), these consisting of a lug (30') which is carried by the pulley (30) and stretches sideways in relation to this, and is supported on a bell cam (35) fixed on and turning concentric around shaft (31), a helicoidal spring (34) surrounding shaft (31) to push back the pulley (30) to its initial position of drive on the aforementioned shaft in a manner to be able to restart a cycle.

2. A volley ball shooter according to claim 1, characterised in that a bell cam (35), fixed in movement, is provided with a regulating device with fixed positions (36), (37) corresponding to various strengths of shot and directly positioned with easy access for the operator of the machine.

3. A volley ball shooter according to claim 1, characterised in that the propulsion mechanism with its striking lever (21), is mounted on a mobile chassis (11), in a fixable position in relation to the main chassis (1), and encorporated by a double swinging bracket.

4. A volley,ball shooter, according to claim 1, characterised in that the pulley (30) of the arming device is driven with its driving shaft (31), by a cog wheel (7) fixed on the aforementioned shaft, this cog wheel forming part of the pedal (6), mounted on the principal chassis (1), of the shooter, serving also as a seat.

5. A volley ball shooter according to the claim 3, characterised in that the propulsion mechanism with its striking lever (21) is mounted on the mobile chassis (1) in a way that allows it to pivot laterally to left and right on 180°, to obtain an adjustable shot, and that with a system of blockage 43,44 is provided to maintain the said mechanism in its chosen orientation.

6. A volley ball shooter according to claim 1, characterised in that the propulsion mechanism is solidary with a carrying arm of the circular alveolus (51), intended to receive in the center the ball for the shot, in that the striking lever (21) carries on its free extremity a hammer (50) central in relation to the alveolus.

7. A volley ball shooter according to one or more claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it comprises an automatic feeding mechanism from a sas or ball store (10) forming part of the body of the shooter, comprising a pneumatic or electrical double effet blocking mechanism, (52), (53) driven by the striking lever (21) and thus by the shot, device which during the movement towards the top of the lever's path, sends the first ball waiting in the shooting alveolus, and admits a second ball into the said alveolus, and stops the third ball from leaving the ball store.

8. A volley ball shooter according to one or more claims 1 to 7, characterised in that is comprises the main chassis (1), a store (10) forming with the said chassis a mobile unit, which can be linked with a device for the rapid recovery of balls already shot, which encorporates a frame covered in nylon, in the form of a funnell to one end, and a cylinder at the other, moveable through 360°, being able to receive the balls from the other side of the net following the smashes, and bringing back these balls to the rear of the device into the ball store, at the opposite end from the ejection.

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