EP0458854B1 - Robot pour tennis de table - Google Patents

Robot pour tennis de table Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0458854B1
EP0458854B1 EP90903439A EP90903439A EP0458854B1 EP 0458854 B1 EP0458854 B1 EP 0458854B1 EP 90903439 A EP90903439 A EP 90903439A EP 90903439 A EP90903439 A EP 90903439A EP 0458854 B1 EP0458854 B1 EP 0458854B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ball
assembly
unit
balls
player
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP90903439A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0458854A1 (fr
Inventor
Kristen Jarle Blindheim
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0458854A1 publication Critical patent/EP0458854A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0458854B1 publication Critical patent/EP0458854B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B47/00—Devices for handling or treating balls, e.g. for holding or carrying balls
    • A63B47/02—Devices for handling or treating balls, e.g. for holding or carrying balls for picking-up or collecting
    • A63B47/025—Installations continuously collecting balls from the playing areas, e.g. by gravity, with conveyor belts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B47/00—Devices for handling or treating balls, e.g. for holding or carrying balls
    • A63B47/002—Devices for dispensing balls, e.g. from a reservoir
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B67/00—Sporting games or accessories therefor, not provided for in groups A63B1/00 - A63B65/00
    • A63B67/04—Table games physically beneficial for the human body, modelled on outdoor sports, e.g. table tennis
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/40—Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls or other bodies
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B47/00—Devices for handling or treating balls, e.g. for holding or carrying balls
    • A63B47/02—Devices for handling or treating balls, e.g. for holding or carrying balls for picking-up or collecting
    • A63B47/025—Installations continuously collecting balls from the playing areas, e.g. by gravity, with conveyor belts
    • A63B2047/028—Installations continuously collecting balls from the playing areas, e.g. by gravity, with conveyor belts pneumatic ball transport
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
    • A63B2102/16—Table tennis

Definitions

  • the invention concerns a table tennis robot assembly that serves, collects and returns balls to a player, either automatically or as a result of an external impulse so as to simulate a realistic situation in a game.
  • US Patent 4 002 336 describes a table tennis robot comprising a ball firing unit, a ball receiving unit and a ball collection unit which includes a suction unit that transports balls from the receiving unit towards the firing unit.
  • This robot sends table tennis balls that a player is to return, so that the balls are collected by a large net, which constitutes the receiving unit, behind the table.
  • the balls that are returned to the player all come from approximately the same point, notwithstanding pivoted adjustment of the angle of firing of the balls in a vertical plane, and swinging of the firing gun in horizontal plane, so this device does not give varied enough training.
  • the robot does not follow the rules of table tennis, since a ball is returned irrespective of where the player hits the previous ball.
  • There is no known table tennis robot that provides what can be characterised as play.
  • a further problem with known robots is that they are often too noisy, and usually are stressing for the player because the tempo of play is too quick.
  • the main object of the present invention is to devise a table tennis robot assembly that gives a training situation that really provides a game.
  • Another objective of the present invention is to devise a table tennis robot that returns varied balls.
  • a further objective of the present invention is to devise a table tennis robot that returns balls from different positions as a response to shots from the player.
  • a further objective of the present invention is to devise a table tennis robot that returns balls after a serve from the player, or after a player has pressed an impulse switch.
  • a further objective of the present invention is to devise a table tennis robot that returns balls only after the player has hit the other side of the table.
  • a further objective of the present invention is to devise a table tennis robot that is almost silent.
  • a further objective of the present invention is to devise a table tennis robot that does not return more balls than the number the player returns.
  • a damping coating or a damping plate 1 covers the half of the table facing (i.e. opposite) the player.
  • a vertical damping plate 3 fitted in profile 12.
  • This plate 3 is to dampen top-spin balls, and help prevent a missed shot releasing the mechanism.
  • plates 2 that are connected to vertical pendulum frames 8.
  • the pendulum frames 8 are hung from a mount 7 around which they can swing.
  • the number of plates 2 with connected pendulum frames 8 can be varied. There are four in the example shown here.
  • Each of the pendulum frames 8 is connected to its own microswitch 5, which is located above the axis of movement around the mount point 7 where the microswitches are additionally mounted on a top cover 11 of the collection unit of the robot.
  • the microswitch 5 is activated by this movement through an adjustable screw 6.
  • the microswitch 5 is connected to an automatic launcher, with feed, generally-termed 26 (Figs. 4-5) and a per se known firing unit.
  • feed generally-termed 26 (Figs. 4-5)
  • a per se known firing unit There are openings 17 between the pendulum frames 8 where the firing unit has space to shoot balls towards the player. U-shaped profiles are fitted between each of these.
  • the firing unit is fitted on tracks 9 to provide a means of regulating the lateral direction. This firing unit provides a controlled return of the next ball.
  • firing units there should be at least two firing units so that balls can be returned from the correct side.
  • firing units may also be as many firing units as receiver units (comprising plate 2, pendulum plate 8, with adjustable screw 6 and microswitch 5). If the player does not manage to hit the ball onto the opposing half of the table, there is no return ball from the robot as the pendulum plate 8 is not touched.
  • Below the receiver plate 2 there is an open channel 4, which has a slope towards each side with its highest point in the middle. When balls fall into this, they will roll to the outside point where they are sucked into a container by a fan arrangement (Fig. 3).
  • An under plate 10 returns balls to the player when there is a shot that does not land on the table. These balls also fall into the channel 4.
  • the collection system Apart from the edge guide 15 and the plate 1, the collection system is mounted on a frame support 14 with wheels 13 so that it can be quickly fixed to the table.
  • photo-electric cells can be used to register when the balls come and where they hit. This is a particular advantage with slow balls (slice shots), as the impetus of the ball may then be too slow to make the pendulum frames move.
  • photo-electric cells can be positioned just above the surface of the table.
  • Fig. 3 shows the collection system in accordance with the present invention.
  • the open channel 4 is connected at its end to a tube 21, into which the balls are sucked.
  • the tube 21 has an internal diameter which is fairly close to the outer diameters of the balls. This ensure good suction.
  • the tube 21 is connected at its other end to a suction chamber 16, which contains a motor 27, a fan 29 and a cap 28, all of known design.
  • the motor 27 for the fan 29 can be regulated and used to control the speed of the game.
  • a coiled spring 23 is located inside the suction chamber 16 where the tube 21 ends. The coiled spring 23 guides the balls through the chamber 16 and has a diameter that is a little larger than tube 21.
  • the coiled spring ends in a tube connection 24 which guides the balls to another coiled spring 30.
  • a ball in the space between chamber 16 and the tube connection 24 will act as a valve until the next ball comes.
  • the balls go into a feed unit 26 through a tube connection 25 which is flexibly connected to chamber 16.
  • the coiled spring 3 and the tube connection 25 mean that the feed unit 26 can be placed in different positions and at different angles.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 show the feed unit 26 in detail.
  • This consists of a restraining spring 33, that keeps balls in place until an impulse on a microswitch 5 gives the message that a balls is to be fired.
  • This impulse goes to a propulsion mechanism 31 and works by a spring piston, or similar 32, striking the ball with enough force to release it from the restraining spring 33, so that the ball is fired.
  • the propulsion mechanism 31 can be an electromagnet (piston or motor), air cylinder, or be another known system that is not part of the invention. After the propulsion mechanism 31, a non-illustrated firing mechanism of known design, can fire the balls towards the player.
  • Fig. 6 shows a simple playing machine that is designed along the same damping plate principle as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the damping plate 1 is identical, and guide plates 15 are also used.
  • the receiver plate 2, which is also a damping plate, has no fixing frame, but is attached to a mount 12 which also serves as a strut between the support 14 and the wheels 13.
  • a cover 11 retains the receiver plate 2.
  • a frame 10 can be fitted to either side. After the feed mechanism, the ball goes through a tube connection 24 to a chute 34 and rolls towards the player who gets enough time to prepare a shot.
  • the chute 34 can be adjusted in height as well as sideways. This design is particularly useful to train beginners in hitting straight returns. This is done by allowing balls from the chute 34 be hit to plate 1, and damped between plates 1 and 2 and fall down into the open chute 4. Then the balls will roll along to one side and be sucked up through the riser tube 21 by the motor 27 and the fan 29.
  • the suction chamber 16 can be designed as in Fig. 3, but a simpler design is preferred.
  • the tube 21 is connected obliquely to the chamber 16 and in the chamber there are guide springs for the balls. At the bottom of the chamber 16, there is a tube connection 24 where a ball will hang suspended by the suction from fan 29.
  • connection 24 When the next ball comes, this will fall on the ball that is in connection 24, and force this to roll down chute 34, and stop in connection 24 itself.
  • the system has two to three balls in circulation, depending on the tempo that is required.
  • this design has a return tube that can be used when a player wants training in serving. In this case, the fan 29 is stopped and there is an opening from the channel 4 to a further chute 36, located below the table. This means that the player does not need to pick up balls, but gets them returned to the playing position.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
  • Holders For Apparel And Elements Relating To Apparel (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Ensemble formant robot pour tennis de table d'un type qui envoie automatiquement, ou par suite d'une impulsion extérieure, une balle vers un joueur de façon a simuler une situation réaliste dans un jeu, comprenant une unité de tir ou d'amenée de balles (26), une unité de réception de balles (2,3) et une unité de ramassage de balles (4,16,21-30) qui comprend une unité d'aspiration (16) qui transporte les balles de l'unité de réception vers l'unité de tir ou d'amenée (26), caractérisé en ce qu'une plaque ou un revêtement d'amortissement (1) est prévu qui, en cours d'utilisation, est positionné ou appliqué sur une table de tennis de table, au côté opposé de la table par rapport au joueur, et en ce que la ou chaque unité de réception comprend une plaque de réception (2), que les balles viendront heurter, disposée dans une position approximativement verticale derrière le bord de la table.
  2. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que en dessous et derrière la moitié de la table à laquelle l'unité de réception (2,3) est fixée, il est prévu un canal incliné (4) dans lequel les balles sont ramassées pour le transport par l'unité d'aspiration (16).
  3. Ensemble selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'unité d'aspiration comprend un ventilateur (29) et un moteur (27) qui créent une réduction de pression dans une chambre de réduction (16), et un tube (21) qui est connecté au canal (4) à une extrémité, et a la chambre précitée (16) a l'autre extrémité et qui a un diamètre intérieur sensiblement égal au diamètre extérieur d'une balle, caractérisé en ce que l'unité d'aspiration comprend également un ressort initial (23) s'étendant à travers la chambre (16) du tube (21) vers une première connexion de tube (24) qui est attachée de manière flexible a la chambre (16), et qui est également attachée à une unité d'amenée de balles (26) au moyen d'un deuxième ressort (3) et d'une deuxième connexion (25).
  4. Ensemble selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le ou chaque unité de réception (2,3) comprend également un cadre tournant formant pendule (8), qui est connecté à un mécanisme de déclenchement (5) de l'unité d'amenée (26).
  5. Ensemble selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le mécanisme de déclenchement comprend un micro-interrupteur (5) qui est libéré au moyen d'une vis réglable (6) par le mouvement du cadre pendulaire (8).
  6. Ensemble selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, incorporant un mécanisme de déclenchement pour l'unité d'amenée, constitué par une cellule photoélectrique qui enregistre l'arrivée des balles et l'endroit où elles arrivent.
  7. Ensemble selon l'une des revendications précédentes, qui comprend au moins deux unités de tir de façon que les balles puissent être ramenées de la région de la table où elles atterrisent.
  8. Ensemble selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel une plaque d'amortissement additionnelle (3) est positionnée devant la plaque de réception (2).
  9. Ensemble selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'unité d'amenée de balles (26) comprend un ressort hélicoïdal (33) positionné de façon à maintenir les balles en place ainsi qu'un mécanisme de propulsion (31).
  10. Ensemble selon la revendication 1 ou 2, possédant une unité d'amenée de balles, comprenant une goulotte (34) qui est connectée de manière flexible à son extrémité supérieure, à proximité de l'unité d'aspiration et qui est inclinée vers le bas vers les joueurs à la moitié de la table.
  11. Ensemble selon la revendication 10, dans lequel la goulotte (34) est pourvue d'un dispositif (35) de réglage en hauteur.
  12. Ensemble selon la revendication 1 ou 10, comprenant en outre une goulotte additionnelle (36) qui est disposée de façon à être inclinée dans la direction longitudinale de la table, l'extrémité la plus élevée de la goulotte (36) étant connectée au canal (4), et l'extrémité la plus basse se trouvant au voisinage du joueur, ladite goulotte (36) étant opérante lorsque l'unité d'aspiration n'est pas en utilisation.
EP90903439A 1989-02-20 1990-02-16 Robot pour tennis de table Expired - Lifetime EP0458854B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO890702A NO167441C (no) 1989-02-20 1989-02-20 Anordning ved bordtennisrobot
NO890702 1989-02-20
PCT/NO1990/000036 WO1990009216A1 (fr) 1989-02-20 1990-02-16 Robot pour tennis de table

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0458854A1 EP0458854A1 (fr) 1991-12-04
EP0458854B1 true EP0458854B1 (fr) 1995-02-15

Family

ID=19891771

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90903439A Expired - Lifetime EP0458854B1 (fr) 1989-02-20 1990-02-16 Robot pour tennis de table

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0458854B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE118367T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69017011D1 (fr)
NO (1) NO167441C (fr)
WO (1) WO1990009216A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109589581A (zh) * 2018-11-22 2019-04-09 郑智鹏 一种训练乒乓球发射器

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0903166A3 (fr) * 1997-09-17 1999-12-29 Konami Co., Ltd. Machine d'entraínement pour le tennis de table
CN103272376B (zh) * 2013-06-18 2015-01-21 哈尔滨工业大学 一种能与人对打乒乓球的机器人
CN107106901B (zh) * 2015-01-15 2020-01-07 赵炳九 球类运动练习装置
CN108527314B (zh) * 2018-05-25 2024-05-14 上海体育学院 机械臂及乒乓球击球机器人

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2508461A (en) * 1946-11-05 1950-05-23 Lemon George Apparatus for practicing ping-pong and the like
FR1336688A (fr) * 1962-05-05 1963-09-06 Appareil d'entraînement au tennis de table
AU499999B2 (en) * 1973-08-07 1979-05-10 T. C-Kennedy W. S. Pixian R. L Clark Tennis ball retrieving propelling device
US4002336A (en) * 1975-05-12 1977-01-11 Dennis Beaver Table tennis training device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109589581A (zh) * 2018-11-22 2019-04-09 郑智鹏 一种训练乒乓球发射器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO167441C (no) 1991-11-06
ATE118367T1 (de) 1995-03-15
NO890702L (no) 1990-08-21
EP0458854A1 (fr) 1991-12-04
WO1990009216A1 (fr) 1990-08-23
NO890702D0 (no) 1989-02-20
NO167441B (no) 1991-07-29
DE69017011D1 (de) 1995-03-23

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