CH620366A5 - Apparatus for training in throwing for playing the game of bowls - Google Patents

Description

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1. Apparatus for shooting training in the practice of the game of boules, intended to be placed on the ground, away from the player, comprising a reception area on a part of the periphery of which are arranged protective means, characterized in what it comprises on the reception area (R) at least one target ball (I) temporarily movable when it is struck, and means (8,21) ensuring its return to the initial position.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means (20) for signaling and / or counting the hits received by the target ball.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that telescopic legs (30) are arranged at the corners of the reception area, which is generally rectangular in shape and has protective means (28) on its lateral and rear sides , these feet comprising adjustment means allowing the inclination of the area in the direction of the player and the open front side of this area having an extension (P) inclined regularly according to the inclination plane of the reception area and forming a throttling block at its end opposite the reception area, all arranged so as to allow the automatic return of the drawn balls, by a raceway (C) at least partially inclined, to the feet of the player or to a receptacle.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the target ball is of the same type as the normal balls drawn, characterized in that the target ball (I) is secured to an elastic means (21) allowing its movement when it is struck, then bringing it back to the initial position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the part forming the reception area comprises a frame (2) composed of U-shaped profiles forming a peripheral groove, and at least one transverse and central U-shaped profile (22), blocks of foam (3) arranged in the grooves of these profiles, an intermediate floor (4), of surface corresponding to the reception area and bearing on the blocks of foam, a plate of foam (5) of corresponding surface also in the reception area, a plastic mat (16) covering the assembly, an additional mat (7) being placed in the central part of the reception area, at the level of the target ball.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the target ball (I) has, on its part in contact with the receiving area, an opening (l1) allowing the free passage of a cable (8) fixed on an axis (9), which is disposed in an inner diametrical hollow part of the ball, said axis being in a plane parallel to the plane formed by the opening (11) on the ball.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a sleeve (10) integral with one of its ends with a cap (11) passes through the thickness of the reception area, in its central part, the target being placed resting on this cap.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the cable (8) attached to the axis (9) of the target ball (I) is protected by a ring (12) at the opening (l1) of the ball, and crosses longitudinally the sleeve (10), while resting on a deflection pulley (13), the support of which is integral with the lower part of the chassis, and is also connected at its end to a hook (15 ) itself connected by a cable (16) to a roller (17) moving on a guide means (18), said roller being connected elastically to an anchor point (191) fixed against the rear part of the frame.

9. Apparatus according to claims 2 and 8, characterized in that the roller (17) moves on a U-shaped profile (18) fixed at its ends to the frame (2), the roller being able to move as a result of an action pulling the target ball beyond a ringing device (20).

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the striking device comprises a bell (201) secured to a support fixed to the chassis, and a counterweight (202) having, on its side, a striking element (203) acting on the bell and, on its opposite side, a pivoting tongue (204) allowing the free passage of the roller (17) when the latter moves beyond the bell, said tongue bearing on the end of the mass -lotte when the roller returns to the initial position, thus causing a pendulum movement with the flyweight, causing the striking on the bell.

11. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that spherical head means (22), forming mushrooms, are placed on the receiving area between the target ball (I) and the raceway (C) of the balls drawn, said means internally having an axis (23) to which is attached an elastic cable (24), said cable being inserted in a sleeve (25) disposed in the thickness of the receiving area, and being fixed to a reel (26).

12. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that an elastic net holder (28) in one or more parts connected by hinges is arranged around the reception area, said net holder being detachably fixed by introducing its base in rings (29) welded to the outer faces of the chassis.

13. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the extension (P) of the reception area is integral with the latter, and has, on its lateral edges, guide barriers (31),

with protective covering, which are maintained by placing their base in welded rings (32) on the lateral faces of said extension, the latter being able to have a base adjustable in height.

14. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the raceway (C) comprises several elements (Cl, C2, C3) cooperating together at their ends, said elements being mounted in variable number, according to the desired shooting distance, the ends of the successive elements cooperating with each other, a means ensuring their temporary fixing, each of the elements possibly having an adjustable base, in order to constitute a regular inclination from the reception area.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that at least the last raceway element is devoid of legs, so that the ball arrives at the end of the race, near the player.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that each element of the raceway is formed of a rail (35) and two guide barriers (36, 37) with protective covering, the assembly being transversely braced.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a horizontal reception area (38) disposed above an inclined plane (39), of larger area, the inclination being in the direction of the player, a substantially sloping rolling area (40), of variable length, being arranged between the receiving area and the player, protective means (41) being positioned around the surface in contact with the ground, guide means ( 42) being positioned under the receiving area, in order to direct the balls drawn and fallen in this part, by its inclination and by means of drive and displacement (43), towards the player, said means being arranged on the side and other of the rolling area (40) and comprising a treadmill controlled by a motor.

18. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that it is removable, making it possible to form a compact package of dimension corresponding to the length of the reception area (R), the elements constituting the raceway (C) allowing the return of the balls being of length equal to that of the reception area.

Training in the game of boules requires special conditions as to where it can take place. Indeed, a relatively large area of land is necessary. The

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player must place a target ball at a specified distance from where the balls are thrown. Each time the target is hit or hit by one of them, it moves, sometimes from a distance modifying the shooting conditions and requiring the positioning of new targets. The player, having exhausted the batch of balls which he had previously constituted, must also reconstitute his stock of balls. In addition, during the period of launching the balls, the reception area where the target is located is particularly crowded, the balls being able to be scattered on the ground. These are some of the major drawbacks of training on an ordinary playing field. The invention aims to facilitate this training in the game of balls; it relates to the apparatus defined in claim 1.

The accompanying drawing shows, by way of example, an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the mode of use of the device.

Fig. 2 is a large-scale perspective view of a reception area for the device.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the device.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of FIG. 3, illustrating in particular the device authorizing the movement of a target ball.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the target ball.

Fig. 6 is a view of a roller displaced in a raceway when the target ball moves.

Fig. 7 is a view of a counterweight cooperating with the roller of FIG. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detailed view of a variant.

Figs. 9 and 10 are partial views, illustrating an embodiment of a rolling path from the balls to the player.

Fig. 11 is a section through the reception area along line XI-XI of FIG. 2.

Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 15 schematically illustrate a variant.

The apparatus according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 comprises a part A which is placed on the ground, being distant from the player by a variable distance d. This part comprises a reception area R, on which is positioned at least one target ball I, temporarily movable when it is struck by a drawn ball B. Protective means are placed on the lateral sides RI, R2 of the reception area and on its rear side R3 opposite the player. The device can be used to allow shooting training, only, or to reproduce the usual conditions of the game, allowing to point or shoot balls.

The reception area R is arranged in a substantially inclined plane (fig. 2). Its open side R4 has axially an extension P, inclined according to the inclination plane of the reception area. This extension forms a bottleneck at its opposite end PI, to allow the displacement and the automatic return of the balls B drawn to the player's feet, by means of a rolling lane C partially inclined, or to a horizontal receptacle T. The target ball I is positioned in the central part of the reception area. It preferably has the appearance and size of the balls drawn. The apparatus presents a particular structure allowing to play with maximum security, avoiding any projection, any unfortunate rebounding of the balls from the reception area. It is remarkable in that the nature of the materials composing it ensures perfect soundproofing. The reception area R comprises a rectangular frame 2 (fig. 3 and 4) composed of U-shaped elements, forming a peripheral groove 21, and at least one profile 22, in U, transverse and central. Polyurethane foam blocks 3 are arranged in this antler. An intermediate floor 4, of small thickness and of surface corresponding to

the receiving surface is arranged by bearing on the foam blocks 3. A homogeneous plate 5, made of foam for example, with a surface corresponding to the intermediate plate, is disposed on the latter. A plastic mat 6 ensures the uniform coating of the assembly.

This particular structure is, on the one hand, very light and, on the other hand and above all, plays the role of shock absorber of the balls drawn, when they touch the reception area.

Advantageously, one or more additional mats 7, of different colors, can be placed at the location where the target or targets are located, to facilitate better vision of the target.

These mats 7 can be replaced very easily in the event of deterioration. In variants, it is possible to design a structure of the reception area which is substantially different, using blocks of plastic material of the polyurethane type, or any other cellular structure, allowing the damping of the balls drawn.

The target ball I (fig. 4 and 5) has, on its part in contact with the reception area, an opening 11 allowing the free passage of a cable 8 fixed by its end 81 on an axis 9 arranged in the part inner diametral of the ball, and being riveted at its ends 91 and 92, or disposed inside the ball during the manufacture thereof. This axis 9 is located in a plane parallel to the plane formed by the opening made on the ball. A sleeve 10, integral at one of its ends with a circular cap 11, welded to the sleeve, crosses the thickness of the reception area in its central part, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Alternatively (fig. 8), the cap, visible from below at 46, may be rectangular, this shape allowing the addition of a roller 47, facilitating the movement of the target. In this case, provision is made for the rectangular cap 46 carrying the target ball to be arranged in a rectangular opening, of substantially larger longitudinal dimension. An axis 48 is arranged transversely and abuts against two elements 49 and 50 arranged on either side of the opening. When shooting a ball on the target ball, the cap is supported on the axis 48 and moves it back, return springs 51 ensuring the return to the original position.

The cable 8 is protected by a rubber ring 12, at the opening l1 of the ball I. This cable, of any material, nylon and the like, passes longitudinally through the sleeve 10 and is supported on a return pulley 13, whose support 14 is integral with the lower part of the chassis (fig. 4). The end 82 'of the cable 8 is connected to a hook 15, mounted at the end of another cable 16, secured to a rolling roller 17. The latter moves on a guide means 18 constituted by a U-shaped (fig. 6). This profile 18 is fixed at one of its ends 181 to a plate 19, itself secured to the rear part of the chassis, while its other end 182 is fixed under the chassis. The roller 17 is elastically connected to an anchor point 191 produced on the plate 19, fixed against the rear part of the chassis 2. The roller 17 thus moves, under the pulling action of the target I, on the profile 18, beyond a striking device 20, according to arrow F (fig. 4).

The striking device 20 comprises a bell 201, secured to a support fixed to the chassis, and a counterweight 202, having on its side a striking element 203 acting on the bell 201, and on its opposite side, a tongue 204 pivoting in height, thus authorizing the free passage of the roller 17, when the latter moves beyond the bell, in the direction indicated by the arrow F (FIGS. 4 and 7).

As illustrated in fig. 4, only the tongue 204 will be in temporary contact with the roller. When the target ball I moves, it causes the movement of the roller 17, by means of the various cables 8 and 16. In its movement, in the direction of the arrow F, the roller 17 makes the tongue 204 pivot in height , without the weight 202 being moved, the roller then being beyond the striking device. When the target is

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displaced by a maximum length, the elastic means 21 will recall the roller 17 in the direction of the arrow FI. The roller 17 will again come into contact against the tongue 204 and the latter, bearing on the counterweight 202, will cause the latter to tilt.

When the roller 19 is no longer in contact with the tongue, the counterweight 202 will move in a pendulum movement, causing the dry striking of the element 203 on the bell 201.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the cable secured to the target ball I can be connected only to an elastic means, the end of which is secured to one of the sides of the chassis, the striking device not being arranged. The roller 17 can also activate a counter or a control device actuating a counter in passing, to count the hits.

We can, in the case of using the device for a collective game, institute a rule of game and counting points, depending on the amplitude of the movement of the target ball I on the receiving area. For example, if moving the target does not cause the bell to ring, you can assign the player a specific point value. If the bell rings due to a longer movement, the number of points will be different. An even higher number of points can be awarded, if the ball drawn by the player makes a square on the target. This, returning to its original place, will strike the drawn ball, which has remained in the central part, so that it is then directed between two marks.

Mushrooms with a spherical head (22) (fig. 2 and 11) are placed on the receiving area between the target ball I and the return channel of the drawn balls. They may constitute, for example, the benchmarks mentioned above. They have, in their inner part, a riveted pin 23, to which is attached an elastic cable 24. This is introduced into a sleeve 25, arranged in the thickness of the reception area, and is fixed to a reel with spring 26, the support 27 of which is integral with the lower part of the chassis. By these provisions, if one of the fungi is hit by a drawn ball, there will be a slight displacement of it, then its return to its initial position, without the fungus being damaged.

A thread holder 28, in several parts 281, 282, 283, connected by hinges, is arranged on the lateral sides, in whole or in part, and on the rear side of the reception area. This removable net holder can be temporarily fixed to the reception area, by introducing its base into rings 29 welded directly to the external faces of the chassis. This net holder can be made of any elastic plastic material comprising in particular crisscrossed threads, thus ensuring the damping of the balls in complete safety.

The chassis is provided with telescopic legs 30, arranged at the four corners of the reception area. An appropriate height adjustment of the feet, two by two, allows the tilting of the reception area towards the player. The height of the rear part of the reception area can be around 30 to 35 cm, for example. This inclination, necessary to cause the balls to return to the player, is combined with the fact that the device has a structure of high elasticity, thus requiring a slight slope to drive them. An inclined plane, of extension P, is made integral with the reception area, by any known fixing means. This plane has, on its lateral edges, removable guide barriers 31. These are temporarily maintained, by positioning their legs in welded rings 32, on the lateral faces of said plane. They also have, on their upper part 311, protections in plastic or rubber material, to avoid any noise. The plan can also have telescopic legs to give it a regular tilt. The raceway C comprises several elements C1, C2, C3, cooperating together at their ends, said elements being in variable number, according to the desired shooting distance. If the reception area has the dimensions of 1 m wide by 1.50 m long, the drainage channel P, having a length of 1 m, the elements of the raceway C may be 1.50 m length. All these elements can be dismantled to form a compact package, with a maximum dimension corresponding to that of the reception area.

The ends of two successive elements C1 and C2, of the raceway, fit into each other, one of the elements C2 having at its end C2I legs C22 substantially offset to cooperate with the following element. One of the legs C23 has a U-shaped opening, for insertion around a threaded rod 33, mounted on the end of the next element Cl, a wing bolt 34 for example, ensuring temporary fixing . Each of the elements of the raceway may have an adjustable base, in order to constitute a regular inclination from the reception area. The last element of said path may have no legs to rest directly on the ground, so that the ball arrives at the end of the race, by self-braking, near the player. Each element of the raceway is formed by a rail 35 and two guide barriers 36 and 37, the assembly being suitably braced. According to a variant not illustrated, the raceway can be formed for a rail of molded plastic.

In a variant illustrated in FIG. 10, an element C4 has a U-shaped section, the wings being substantially inclined; at the end of the element, a tongue forming extension 44 cooperates, by clipping for example, with the following element.

In a variant shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the apparatus, making it possible to point and shoot the balls, comprises a reception area 38 of structure identical to that described above, which is itself horizontal, but arranged on an inclined plane 39, of larger surface , the tilt being in the direction of the player. A rolling area 40, substantially sloping, of variable length, is arranged between the receiving area and the player. Protective means, of the net holder type 41, are suitably positioned and maintained around the surface in contact with the ground. Rails, or guide barriers 42, are placed under the reception area, in order to guide the balls, pulled and fallen in this part, through the inclined plane and the drive and displacement means 43, towards the player. These means 43 are arranged on either side of the rolling area 40, and can be, for example, of the treadmill type controlled by an electric motor.

In the variant of FIG. 14, the reception area 45 is substantially offset from the median plane of its support 46; the balls played, not stopping on the reception area, fall on the support 46. The dimensions of the latter are judiciously calculated to allow the player to measure the points in dispute. It is noted that the support can be slightly in height, of the order of ten centimeters for example.

The device can be used with any type of ball and, in variants, obstacles can be placed on the reception area, to make shooting more difficult.

When installing the device, in the case of shooting training, it is preferable to first place the horizontal receptacle and the horizontal C3 element, then to successively arrange the other elements according to the inclination desired.

The advantages of the devices described are in particular:

- simplicity of realization and manufacture;

- ease of transport, the game being light and all elements removable;

- possibility of indoor play;

- total game security;

- the elastic structure of all the elements making up the device, thus allowing perfect soundproofing;

- general elasticity.

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3 sheets of drawings