EP0665762A1

EP0665762A1 - Portable golf ball distributor.

Info

Publication number: EP0665762A1
Application number: EP93924643A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean Louis Janier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-10-26
Filing date: 1993-10-26
Publication date: 1995-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2013-10-26
Also published as: DE69309089D1; ATE150329T1; WO1994009867A1; EP0665762B1; CA2147832A1; AU5423694A; FR2697166A1; ES2102076T3; FR2697166B1; JPH08504620A; US5582325A

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR93/01047 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 8, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 8, 1995 PCT Filed Oct. 26, 1993 PCT Pub. No. WO94/09867 PCT Pub. Date May 11, 1994Distributor of the type comprising ball storing means and an articulated arm supplying a ball to the striking area. According to the invention, the ball storage means consists of a prismatic housing including, adjacent to each of its ends, supporting devices causing the bottom thereof to slope downwards in the direction of its open downstream end, which delimits an outlet for the passage of only one ball, its arm being articulated about a pivot pin in the housing. The distributor comprises a longitudinal chute, the upstream end being longitudinally closed, but having an opening for the distribution of a ball, while the upstream end is configured in the shape of a scoop for seizing a ball. Spring return means are placed between the housing and the arm to bring said arm into a substantially vertical position, once a ball is released.

Description

PORTABLE GOLF BALL DISPENSER

One of the most frequently repeated movements in golf is that of positioning or picking up the ball. At the practice, that is to say in the learning or perfecting area of the game movements, and where each player exercises by throwing successively several tens of balls, positioning on a mat or a tee, each of the balls unnecessarily increases the player's fatigue, and above all, distracts him and, very often, makes him lose his positioning marks. To remedy this, bullet dispensers have been proposed comprising a bullet storage tank, means for selecting a single bullet and means for bringing the selected bullet into the shooting zone.

Current distributors, of the type described in those in French patent No. 1 501 563 and in French patent application No. 2 616 673 are, in general, bulky, heavy and designed to be installed permanently near the driving range. This drawback, associated with their high cost and the complexity of their mechanism, limits their use to organized land with significant financial resources. In practice, they are poorly developed, since the majority of the practices being outside, the mechanism of such distributors risks being deteriorated by inclement weather.

US-A-3 599 983 and US-A-1 940 321 disclose bale distributors comprising a storage box with an opening, means allowing only one ball to pass through this opening, and an articulated arm nearby of the opening and forming a distribution gutter. The downstream end of this gutter has at its bottom an opening for the distribution of the bale, while its upstream end is associated with spring-loaded means and is provided with a spoon for gripping a bale.

The first device can be used at a fixed station and has the drawbacks already indicated. The second device can be moved but has a lack of stability, a low storage capacity and allows its owner to hold with him a certain number of practice balls. This is a major drawback because the use of the practice being collective and taking place with balls belonging to the installation, any borrowing of balls with any device, results in a reduction of the available stock, and leads, by replacing borrowed bullets, increasing operating costs.

Finally, most current devices, whatever their type, have the disadvantage of placing the ball always in the same place, whereas, in known manner, depending on the length of the shot, this ball must be placed in front or behind d 'an average reference position. It follows that for long or short shots, the player must manually adjust, or with his club, the position of the ball, which forces him to take his marks and deconcentrates.

The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by providing a portable dispenser, light, compact, inexpensive, easy to implement, simple to operate, and ensuring the precise positioning of the bale, while being easily adjustable in function of the length of the shot to provide an automatic distribution that does not distract the player and allows him to maintain his position.

In this dispenser, the storage means consist of a prismatic box which, near its ends, respectively upstream and downstream, means of support on the ground and on a support, giving its bottom a longitudinal inclination in direction of its downstream end, forms a box, open upwards and at its downstream end, and has longitudinal walls having a height less than that of a ball and extending downstream beyond its bottom to serve at the articulation of the arm, while this arm, forming a cover and capable of being folded against the housing, is composed on the one hand, of the gutter, arranged in the extension of the outlet opening, delimited in the housing by a transverse internal wall, and, on the other hand, and next to this gutter, a wall whose free downstream edge constitutes a control pallet by a club of the tilting of the arm towards its ball distribution position the, and club positioning guide.

When this distributor is placed in position, close to the firing zone, and is adjusted so that, when its gutter is in the distribution position, the distribution opening formed at the free end of this gutter coincides with the position what should the ball occupy, The distributor is put into service by depositing at least ten bales in its casing. Prior to each shot, the player then only has to tilt the gutter forming the arm to bring it from its substantially vertical position to the dispensing position. This movement is carried out by means of the club, which avoids the player having to stoop. During this pivoting, the spoon-shaped part of the gutter picks up a ball in the storage box, and allows this ball to descend by gravity to the dispensing opening. During this movement, the wall of the bucket forms a valve which prevents the engagement of another ball in the gutter. As soon as the ball placed in the gutter reaches the dispensing opening and, from there, comes to rest with the ground or a tee, the return means of the gutter straighten it, thereby clearing the playing area and continuing to provide the shutter function of the outlet corridor of the housing. It should be noted that all these movements are carried out very easily with the help of the club and without the player having to modify his marks, that is to say to modify his position relative to the ball, which allows faster progress in improving the movement studied.

In addition, this is a very appreciable result, the sliding of the club on the wall forming a control pallet and against the edge of the gutter, orients this club so that, when it escapes from the dispenser, it is in the ideal position for shooting, which accelerates learning.

To modify the position of distribution of the bullet relative to the average position of the shot, while benefiting from automatic distribution, it suffices to move the entire distributor transversely, which is all the easier as it is light and easy adjustment.

Finally, the dimensions of the housing allow it to accommodate a certain number of balls, generally between 17 and 18, but do not allow it to be closed by means of the cover formed by the arm as long as it contains a ball, which prevents it from being used to take balls out of the driving range.

In one embodiment of the invention, its downstream support means on the ground cooperate with wedging wells protruding vertically from one end of a positioning plate relative to the Practice mat, this plate comprising, at its other end fitting under the mat, pins projecting upwards.

This simple arrangement improves the positioning accuracy of the box in relation to the practice mat. In another embodiment, its downstream means of bearing on the ground cooperate with wedging wells projecting from the core of a rigid fork, the feet of which plug into the ground after passing through the perforations of a plate, this plate forming one of the ends of a transverse arm, of elastically deformable material, comprising at its other end an open ring for positioning a ball.

This flexible and deformable structure replaces the tee for players training directly on the lawn.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing, representing by way of nonlimiting example, an embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the dispenser when it is in the use and dispensing position,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser showing it when it is in the transport position,

FIGS. 3 and 4 are partial views in longitudinal section of the dispenser showing it when it is respectively in the dispensing position and in the waiting position,

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along V-V of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the distributor when it cooperates with a positioning plate, Figure 7 is a perspective view of a positioning structure of the ball on the grass cooperating with the distributor.

In general, this distributor is composed of a prismatic housing designated by the reference 2, of an arm 3 articulated around a transverse axis materialized by pivots 4, on the housing 2 and of support means, comprising a base downstream 5 and a hook 6 upstream. The housing 2 which, in the embodiment shown, is composed of two telescopic elements, has the general shape of a parallelepipedic housing, open upwards and, longitudinally, at its anterior end. At this end, and as shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, its bottom 7 has a cutout 8 to allow free rotation of the corresponding end of the arm 3. Near this cutout 8, the housing 2 comprises, as shown in Figure 1, an inner wall 9, inclined transversely and directing the balls 12 to an outlet opening 10. The longitudinal walls 1 1 of the housing have a height less than that of a ball 12 and are separated by a distance greater than that of a ball, to form a receptacle that can accommodate two rows of balls, and, for example, around 18 balls.

The arm 3, which is articulated around the pivots 4 on the side walls of the housing 2, forms a cover which can be folded down on the housing. It comprises, in the extension of the outlet opening 10, a gutter 13 for guiding the balls 12. At its free end and downstream relative to the housing, this gutter 13 is closed longitudinally by a half ring 14 delimiting an opening 15 coinciding with an opening in the bottom. Of course, the opening 15 has a diameter slightly larger than that of a bullet 12, so as to allow this bullet to pass through it freely.

At its other end, the gutter 13 is shaped into a spoon 16 by means of the transverse wall 17 of the arm 3, a wall which is in an arc of a circle, of center coinciding with the pivot 4 of the arm on the housing 2. When the arm 3 is in the closed position shown in Figure 4, the free edge of the spoon 16 is an extension of the bottom 7 of the housing 2 and extends under the ball 12 pending.

The articulation of the arm 3 relative to the housing 2 is associated with return means capable of bringing the arm back from its dispensing position shown in strong lines in FIG. 1, to its waiting and closing position of the passage. outlet, shown in phantom in the same figure.

In one embodiment and as shown in FIG. 5, the return means consist of a torsion spring 20, disposed around one of the pivots 4 and one of the ends of which is hooked to the housing 2, while the other end is hooked to arm 3. This articulation is also associated with wedging means in position of the arm 3 in the waiting position, means which, in this embodiment, consist of an eclipsable finger 22, arranged in the path of the arm 3 and the body 23 is fixed to the housing 2, near the pivot 4.

The support means of the housing 2 are constituted by a downstream base 5 articulated around the base pivot 24 on the housing 2 and by a hook 6 projecting from the upstream part of the housing 2, that is to say from the part which is opposite to the arm 3. This hook is intended to cooperate with the upper edge or with the meshes of a bucket 26, generally used to supply the balls to the players.

It is obvious that the hook 6 can be replaced by a base of the same type as that 5, but higher, so that, in the position of use and as shown in Figure 1, the entire housing is inclined at least longitudinally, going down from the upstream part of the housing to its downstream part.

Advantageously, and to facilitate the accumulation of balls 12 on the side of the outlet opening 10, the downstream base 5 is lower on the side of this opening 10 than on the other side, in order to give the housing a transverse inclination.

It is understood that it is very easy to position this distributor, so that the half-ring 14, formed at the end of the gutter 13, comes, when the arm 3 is in the distribution position, to surround a tee 25 or the area on which the ball is to be placed. Before practicing and taking up his shooting position, the player must first take from the container 26 at least ten balls 12 which he pours into the box 2. From there, for each shot, the player only has to cause the pivoting of the arm 3 while in the waiting and closing position shown in phantom in Figure 1, with the help of his club. To facilitate this operation, the arm 3 is provided, next to the gutter, with a wall 21, the free bottom of which has a notch 21 a to constitute a means for hooking the club.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pivoting of the arm 3 in the direction of the arrow 27 allows the spoon 16 to pick up the first waiting ball 12, by inserting itself between this ball and the next ball. As soon as the ball rolls on the gutter 13, the arm 3 is held in the dispensing position by the weight of this ball 12, a position which it retains until the ball, reaching its downstream end, escapes by the opening 15 and comes to bear on the tee 25. From this moment, the arm 3, released from the weight of the ball, is returned by the torsion spring 20 to its waiting position, delimited by the eclipsable finger 22. This pivoting allows the spoon 16 to be inserted under the next ball, thus preparing its next grip.

It should be noted that the bottom of the gutter has, in its central part, and on the part close to its pivot 4, a rib 28 allowing the ball to roll directly on it and quickly acquire at high speed. This outgrowth is interrupted before the ball reaches the opening 15, so that the ball comes into contact with the edges of the gutter 13 and that, then rolling on a circle of small diameter, it slows down its speed by improving the positioning accuracy.

This distributor also ensures, by contact of the club against the wall 21, but also against the upstream edge of the gutter, the positioning of this club during the lowering operation of the arm. As a result, at the end of the distribution of a ball, not only has the player been able to keep his positioning marks but also, his club is himself positioned for the next shot, just behind the ball.

The dispenser can easily be moved transversely to suit the needs of the player and, for example, to allow long or short shots requiring ball positioning in front or behind the usual average position.

After use, and as shown in Figure 2, the housing 2 is shortened, by telescoping its two elements, and the arm 3 is folded against the housing and locked in this position. The entire distributor then constitutes a space-saving assembly that can be easily placed in a pocket.

As the folding movement is only possible if the storage magazine no longer contains any balls, the box cannot be used to take balls from the practice range. In an alternative embodiment, the articulated arm 3 is also telescopic, so as to further clear the area when it is in the substantially vertical position of waiting and closing the outlet opening.

Figure 6 shows that to facilitate the positioning of the dispenser relative to a rubber mat 30 disposed on a driving range, its base 5 cooperates with wedging wells 32 formed at one end of a plate 33 made of rigid material and for example in synthetic material. The other end of the plate is provided with pins 34 projecting upwards and being inserted under the carpet 30 after the end in question of the plate 33 has been placed below. With this plate 33, the position given to the distributor is stable, but can nevertheless be modified according to the needs of the game.

Figure 7 shows an accessory allowing the ball dispenser to be used on a grass driving range, therefore not having a reference surface like concrete driving ranges. This accessory is composed of a positioning fork 35, and of a transverse arm 36. The fork 35 is made of rigid material and comprises, projecting from either side of its core, namely downwards, feet 37 pluggable into the ground and, upwards, two wedging wells 38 of the base 5 of the distributor. The arm 36 is made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or elastomer. It comprises, on the side of the fork, a plate 39 provided with perforations 41 which can be crossed by the feet 37 and, on the other side, an open ring 40 for positioning a ball, this ring having an external diameter less than that of a bullet. In use, the arm 36 is placed on the lawn and is fixed by the fork 35 inserted in the ground, while the base 5 of the distributor is wedged in the wells 38.

Under these conditions, the pivoting of the distributor arm 3 brings the ball 12 into the ring 40 which replaces the tee 25. When shooting, the club strikes the ball above the split part of the ring 40. S 'It touches the ring 40, the elasticity of the arm 36 ensures the return of this arm to its starting position.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Portable dispenser of golf balls of the type comprising storage means (2), with an outlet opening (10) allowing only one ball (12) to pass, and an arm (3) articulated around a pivot (4) near the opening and forming a distribution gutter (13), gutter whose downstream end is closed longitudinally, but is provided with a bottom opening (15) for the distribution of a bale ( 12), and the upstream end of which is associated with a spring means (20), for straightening vertically, and is provided with a spoon (16) for gripping a ball, characterized in that its means for storage consist of a prismatic box (2) which, comprising near its ends, respectively upstream and downstream, support means (5, 6) on the ground and on a support, giving its bottom (7) a longitudinal inclination towards its downstream end, forms a box, open upwards and at its end downstream mite, and has longitudinal walls having a height less than that of a ball (12), and extending downstream beyond its bottom to serve for the articulation of the arm (3), while this arm, forming a cover and able to be folded against the housing, is composed on the one hand, of the gutter (13), arranged in the extension of the outlet opening (10), delimited in the housing by a transverse internal wall (9), and, on the other hand, and next to this gutter, a wall (21) whose free downstream edge constitutes a control pallet by a club for tilting the arm towards its ball distribution position , and club positioning guide.

2. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot (4) of the arm (3) on the housing (2) is associated with an eclipsable means (22-23) for setting the arm (3) in a position of substantially vertical return, position in which it closes the outlet opening (10).

3. Dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the support means (5, 6) of the housing are constituted, upstream, by a hook (6) projecting vertically and outside its transverse wall and able to cooperate with a container (26) containing balls (12), and, downstream, by a base (5).

4. Distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means (5) for supporting the housing, arranged downstream, are lower on the side with the outlet opening (10), so as to tilt the housing (2) transversely on this side.

5. Distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a gripping spoon (16) of the arm (3) is constituted by a transverse wall (17) which, closing the gutter (13) upstream , is curved in an arc, from center coaxial to the pivot (4) of the arm (3) on the housing (2), the edge of this wall (17) coming, when the arm (3) is in the closed position of the exit corridor, in the extension of the bottom (7) of the housing (2) and below the waiting bale (12).

6. Dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, at least one of the housing elements (2) and arms (3) is composed of two telescopic elements increasing its length in the position of use.

7. Distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the bottom of the gutter (13) comprises, from upstream to downstream in the direction of circulation of a ball, an acceleration zone delimited by a rib (28) projecting from its bottom, and a slowing zone without rib (28) in which its edges come into contact with the ball (12).

8. Distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that its downstream means (5) for bearing on the ground cooperate with wedging wells (32) projecting vertically from one of the ends of a plate (33) for positioning relative to a carpet (30) of the practice, this plate comprising, at its other end fitting under the carpet, pins (34) projecting upwards.

9. Distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that its downstream means (5) for bearing on the ground cooperate with wedging wells (38) projecting from the core of a rigid fork ( 35) whose feet (37) are inserted into the ground after having passed through the perforations of a plate (39), this plate forming one of the ends of a transverse arm (36), made of elastically deformable material, comprising at its other end an open ring (40) for positioning a ball.