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
  • A63B47/002—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
  • A63B57/00—Golfing accessories
  • A63B57/0006—Automatic teeing devices

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a distributor of golf balls. It finds a particularly interesting application on a golf training course called
• the main role of a golf ball dispenser is to place a golf ball on the tee for each action, so that the golf player does not bend down to pick up and place the golf ball by hand.
• Portable devices are also known for which the golf player possibly manipulates a dispenser lever to slide a ball on the tee.
• Document EP 0 272 001 relates to a hollow arm in a vertical position.
• the balls are stored in this arm.
• the lower end is provided with a pivot-mounted retainer system comprising two projections, a first projection partially positioned in the arm for retaining the first lower ball, and a second projection capable of being positioned partially inside the arm when the first projection pivots outwards.
• the second projection When the second projection is positioned in the arm, it prevents the second lower ball to descend while the first ball is released by the first projection.
• Document DE 196 27 187 describes a distribution arm with horizontal pivoting around a vertical axis.
• the lower end of the arm includes an elbow for positioning the ball. This bent part is cut so as not to touch the ball when placed on the tee.
• An elastic return system allows the arm to be brought back to a rest position for which a golf ball is conditioned for distribution.
• the present invention aims at a new distributor of golf balls which is robust and simple at the same time. Another object of the present invention is to make maximum use of gravity so as to limit the manipulations of the golf player.
• a golf ball dispenser comprising an upper reservoir for containing the golf balls; a flange for receiving the bales from the tank and supplying bales, one by one, a dispensing arm.
• the dispensing arm is disposed substantially vertically in the rest position and comprises means, arranged in the upper part close to the flange, for pivoting about a horizontal axis during the dispensing of a bale golf.
• the pivoting is a rocking movement.
• the dispensing arm returns to its rest position by gravity. It is sufficient for the golf player to let go of the dispensing arm so that the latter returns to its rest position.
• the return is generally forced by means of a spring.
• the spring is an element that can rust, fail, and requires maintenance and a metering of the restoring force. We therefore use the gravitational force to lower the golf balls one by one on the tee or on the mat. practice, or directly on the ground. The player can pull, by means of a golf club, the lower part of the dispensing arm to bring it into the dispensing position above the chosen location.
• the flange may include a tubular receptacle through which the golf balls pass from the reservoir and in the direction of the dispensing arm.
• the receptacle may comprise an upper part having a diameter adapted to guide the golf balls coming from the tank one by one, and a lower part having a diameter greater than that of the upper part.
• the dispensing arm can be partially inserted in a lower part of the receptacle, the pivot axis of the dispensing arm being integral with this lower part of the receptacle.
• the upper end of the distribution arm may comprise a chamfer made on the side capable of coming into contact with the receptacle. The chamfer is produced at a predetermined angle corresponding to the maximum pivoting of the dispensing arm for example.
• the upper end of the dispensing arm comprises means for preventing a second ball from entering the dispensing arm when this dispensing arm pivots to release a first bullet already present in the dispensing arm. distribution.
• the prevention means consist of a flange of the end of the dispensing arm.
• the receptacle may include a chamfer at its lower end to serve as a stop for the pivoting of the dispensing arm. This stop can be tilted and help to set precisely the pivot angle of the arm for which the golf ball can descend. Furthermore, the internal diameter of the dispensing arm can be substantially equal to the internal diameter of the upper part of the receptacle.
• the dispenser comprises a protruding cleat, disposed on the internal face of the lower part of the receptacle and cooperating with an opening made in the dispensing arm, this cleat serving to block the bale introduced into the dispensing arm, the next ball resting on the first ball.
• This cleat is shaped so as to release the golf ball present in the dispensing arm when the arm pivots.
• the distribution of the golf balls is carried out by a simple mechanical binary divider, namely that when one supplies the golf ball reservoir located above the flange, the arm of distribution being in vertical position, the golf balls descend in the flange, then pass through the receptacle and one of them enters the distribution arm, until the stop where it is stopped. Then the player pulling on the distribution arm, until positioning it above the chosen place (for example after a pivoting of 20 degrees relative to the vertical axis), the cleat will be erased to leave the ball golf course down to the planned laying point (tee, carpet or floor).
• the highest point of the upper edge of the dispensing arm will stop the next bale, so that only one bale can be present in the dispensing arm.
• the point higher will be erased in turn, which will allow the descent of a new golf ball to the cleat, and so on.
• the dispenser includes magnets to block the dispensing arm either in the rest position or in the dispensing position. These magnets can be placed in the receptacle.
• the dispensing arm may include a retarder making it possible to deposit the golf ball with precision.
• This retarder can consist of an "S" shaped bend made near the lower end of the dispensing arm.
• the flange can include a tripod to hold the dispenser in the high position.
• the feet are telescopic.
• the tripod may include two front feet arranged on a vertical plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of the dispensing arm, these two feet being facing a user; and a third rear leg disposed on the opposite side of the two front legs relative to the collar.
• the two front feet can be such that the first foot is substantially vertical, and the second foot is inclined to ensure the balance of the tripod.
• the third rear foot comprises a hook capable of receiving a weight so as to a. strengthen the tripod balance.
• the "putter” can act as this counterweight, the "putter” being the only club never used at the driving range, but always being present in a golf bag. Instead of the club or together with it you can use a bottle of water to counterbalance.
• the three feet can be removable and have a diameter such that they can be accommodated in the dispensing arm for transport.
• the receptacle can be adjustable in height relative to the flange.
• the adjustment height can be 40mm, which generally corresponds to the height of the tee.
• the upper reservoir consists of a vertical barrel disposed above the flange.
• the axis of rotation of this barrel is offset from the axis of the upper opening of the receptacle so that the bullets stored in the peripheral cavities of the barrel can fall vertically into the receptacle.
• the barrel can be capped with a disc comprising peripheral openings facing the cavities of said barrel so as to guide the bullets in these cavities.
• the disc also includes a central projection for guiding the balls to these peripheral openings.
• the dispenser further includes a removable funnel, flared upward, engaging the edge of the disc. The balls are poured into the funnel which guides them into the cavities of the barrel.
• the interior of the dispensing arm may include several non-concentric rings to slow the fall of the golf ball. These rings are arranged so that the distance between two consecutive rings decreases when approaching the lower end of the dispensing arm.
• - Figure 1 is an overall view of the golf ball dispenser according to the invention
• - Figure 2 is a side view of the golf ball dispenser according to the invention in the rest position
• - Figure 3 is a side view of the golf ball dispenser according to the invention in the dispensing position;
• - Figure 4 is a detailed view of the central part of the distributor in the rest position;
• Figure 5 is a detailed side view of the dispenser in the dispensing position
• Figure 6 is a front view of a particular embodiment of the golf ball dispenser 1 according to the invention.
• - Figure 7 is an application mode of the dispenser according to the invention in the case of a standard "practice” training ground;
• - Figure 8 is another mode of application of the dispenser according to the invention in the case of a "practice” training ground having a significant drop;
• FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a device according to the invention with a barrel as a reservoir;
• Figure 10 is a view of the dispenser with barrel in the dispensing position
• FIG. 11 is a view of the dispenser of Figures 9 and 10 in its transport position
• - Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the interior of a dispensing arm, in its bent position, provided with retarder in the form of non-concentric rings
• FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the interior of a dispensing arm, in its upright transport position, provided with retarder in the form of non-concentric rings;
• - Figure 14 is a schematic view from above of the dispensing arm of Figure 13;
• FIG 15 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a reversible shim in the flange.
• a distributor 1 of golf balls according to the invention.
• This dispenser comprises a reservoir 2 into which the golf balls are introduced, the reservoir 2 being placed on a flange 3 to which is fixed a tripod composed of the front feet 6, 7 and a rear foot 5.
• the flange 3 is associated to a receptacle 4 arranged through the collar 3 so that the reservoir 2 is in direct engagement with the upper opening of the receptacle 4.
• the lower part of the receptacle 4, under the collar 3, is pivotally engaged with an arm distribution 8.
• This arm allows to bring a golf ball 10 from the tank 2 via the receptacle 4, on a tee 11 disposed on the ground.
• the golf ball reservoir placed above the flange, has a capacity at least equal to the quantity of a bucket of golf balls.
• This reservoir is made of sufficiently flexible plastic canvas, so that it can be wrapped around the upper part of the receptacle beyond the flange, and this to obtain a minimum bulk, in order to keep the assembly easy to transport. .
• the three feet (telescopic to adapt to all dimensional situations) support of the bale dispenser can be housed in the distribution arm, for example three feet of diameter 19 mm being registered in a diameter 44 mm.
• the dispensing arm 8 In the rest position, the dispensing arm 8 is vertically placed under the receptacle 4.
• the receptacle comprises means for placing a single golf ball in the upper part of the dispensing arm 8 inserted in the receptacle 4.
• the dispensing arm 8 In the dispensing position, the dispensing arm 8 has pivoted by a predetermined angle so as to place its lower end above the tee 11, so the golf ball 10 can be placed on this tee.
• the installation is done with precision because the distribution arm 8 comprises a retarder 9 in the form of an elbow sufficiently accentuated to brake the golf ball falling from the upper end by gravity. On the retarder 9 is cut an opening 12 extending to the lower end of the distribution arm 8 so that this distribution arm 8 does not drive the golf ball 10 when it returns to the rest position.
• the user that is to say the golf player, can use a golf club by grabbing for example the retarder 9.
• This allows the golf player to not not bend down to take a ball, either in a bucket of practice balls, or to properly position it on a specific place on the ground or on a tee. The player can thus keep his previous "stance” (positioning of the feet relative to the tee) without modifying his last position.
• Figure 2 we see a schematic side view of the golf ball dispenser according to the invention. Most of the elements in Figure 1 are repeated here with the same references. We find in particular the front foot 6 and the rear foot 5.
• the distribution arm 8 is in the rest position.
• the reservoir 2 contains a set of golf balls, including a first ball 13 and a second ball 14.
• the receptacle 4 is in tubular shape so that the golf balls can penetrate one by one.
• the distribution arm 8 comprises facing this cleat 15 an opening allowing the cleat 15 to be partially inside this distribution arm 8.
• the first golf ball 13 therefore comes to rest on an inclined plane of the cleat 15 as well as on an opposite inner edge of the arm distribution 8.
• the second golf ball 14, guided in the receptacle 4 comes to rest on the first golf ball 13.
• the second golf ball 14 rests on the first golf ball 13 but outside the distribution arm 8 and 1 inside the receptacle 4.
• the chamfer 18 in the receptacle 4 will serve as a stop to specify the degree tilting of the dispensing arm 8 in its dispensing position in accordance with FIG. 5.
• the magnet 19 placed at the lower end of the receptacle 4 makes it possible to maintain the distribution arm 8 in the rest position as well as to avoid any rebound effect when this distribution arm 8 returns from a position of distribution.
• This magnet 19 can be extended on either side of the lateral side of the cleat 15 so as to have an influence on the dispensing arm 8.
• the arm can comprise metallic elements capable of cooperating magnetically with the magnet 19.
• the magnet 20 disposed on the opposite side of the magnet 19 makes it possible to maintain the dispensing arm 8 in the dispensing position and to avoid a premature return of this arm.
• the cleat 15 is erased so as to allow the ball 13 to slide inside the dispensing arm 8.
• the edge 16 holds the second golf ball 14 outside the arm distribution 8. This second golf ball 14 can only penetrate the interior of the distribution arm 8 when the latter has returned to its rest position.
• FIG 6 there is shown an embodiment of the golf ball dispenser according to the invention.
• the two front feet are such that the first foot 21 is arranged almost vertically, that is to say perpendicular to the flange 3, and the second foot 22 is considerably inclined outward relative to the first foot 21.
• the third rear foot always remaining inclined backwards.
• the golf ball 10 is placed on the tee 11 between the golf player and the golf ball dispenser.
• This mode is ideal when the golf player is training to send the ball in a lateral movement from foot 22 to foot 21. The player thus has a wide opening angle since foot 21 is not in the field of play. shoot.
• This embodiment also makes it possible to limit the risk that during a "socket", that is to say a badly struck golf ball, the golf ball will touch the foot of the dispenser.
• This embodiment can also be carried out so that the foot 22 is vertical and the foot 21 is widely inclined, depending on whether the player is right-handed or left-handed.
• the collar 3 (or 33 as will be seen below) comprises a reversible shim for positioning the two front feet in a first position where it is the left foot which is inclined and in a second position where it is the right foot which is tilted.
• the section of the wedge 46 is a quadrilateral whose left side 47 has an angle adapted to wedge the inclined foot 36, and the right side 48 is vertical to keep the foot 35 straight.
• the shim 46 is rotated 180 ° so as to have the side 47 along the foot 35.
• a rod 49 integral with the shim 46 can be 'Insert into openings made on the upper face of the collar, these openings serving as positioning marks.
• FIGS. 7 and 8 we see a golf player 23 preparing to strike the golf ball 10 by means of a golf club 25. This player is placed on a practice mat 27, the latter being placed on a floor 24. The ball distributor is placed in front of the golf player 23.
• This distributor is positioned so that the distribution position of the distribution arm 8 allows the golf ball to be placed above the tee 11.
• the mat 27 is placed on a flat floor 24.
• the dispenser 1 can be placed on the carpet or on the floor 24.
• the distributor 1 according to the invention on the other hand can easily be used since it comprises telescopic feet. These telescopic feet can be used both in extreme cases of significant drop or in standard conditions of use. For example, each leg can be extended by about 200 mm to adapt to different soils. The receptacle can then be fixed.
• the two front feet 5 and 6 can be inclined towards the golf player or else remain vertical. When these feet are arranged vertically, the player has more space.
• the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.
• the barrel 29 is capped with an integral disc 32.
• a funnel 41 is fixed on the disc 32 so that when the funnel 41 is filled with balls, the latter are guided in the cavities 30 thanks to the openings 42 and the projection 43 of the disc 32.
• the lower end of the barrel can pivot around a second disc 31 which engages eccentrically with the flange 33 by means of a pin 34.
• a cavity of the latter is concentric with an opening made in the second disc 31 and with the opening made in the flange 33.
• the bullets then slide directly vertically from the barrel to the dispensing arm 40 via the receptacle 39.
• the receptacle 39 is produced here very schematically and may advantageously correspond to the implementation of FIGS. 4 and 5.
• the funnel 41 and barrel 29 assembly is dismantled. These two elements can be integral with one another or removable with respect to each other. We then nests the support 33,40,35,36,37 in the assembly 41,29 by the top of the latter.
• the barrel 29 comprises a central tunnel in which the distribution arm 40 engages.
• the feet 35 and 36 are wedged in two cavities 30 of the barrel.
• the third leg 37 is pressed against the barrel.
• Figure 11 shows the dispenser of Figures 9 and 10 in its transport position.
• the tee 38 includes a return protrusion 45 to obstruct the escape of the golf ball during a substantially vertical fall of the ball from the dispenser arm.
• This protrusion extends upward from one side of the tee.
• the protuberance 45 and the ball are spaced from each other, for example by 2mm. Thus the protuberance and the ball are not in contact, the club of the player can then strike the ball without the protuberance interfering and therefore does not modify the trajectory of the ball.
• Figures 12 and 13 we can see the inside of the dispensing arm 40 made up of a plurality of non-concentric rings.
• Figure 12 shows an angled dispensing arm. This elbow can pivot by means of a rotation joint so as to be straight, that is to say aligned with the whole of the dispensing arm as in FIG. 13.
• the bent position has an angle such that the elbow is vertical and the ball can thus fall vertically when the arm is in its dispensing position. This angle can be 160 ° when the arm is 20 ° from the vertical in its dispensing position.
• Figure 14 is a top view illustrating the arrangement of the different rings in the arm. The closer you get to the lower end, the closer the rings are to each other. This arrangement makes it possible to slow down the fall of the golf ball.
• the lower end can be bent or no.
• the internal diameter of the rings is slightly greater than the diameter of golf balls.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Toys (AREA)
• Golf Clubs (AREA)
• Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
• Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
• Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
• Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
• Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
• Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
• Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

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• 2002
  • 2002-09-06 FR FR0211090A patent/FR2844207B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2003
  • 2003-09-05 AT AT03769579T patent/ATE385432T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-09-05 DE DE60319008T patent/DE60319008T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-09-05 US US10/525,900 patent/US8162173B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-09-05 AU AU2003278271A patent/AU2003278271B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2003-09-05 JP JP2004533578A patent/JP4662770B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-09-05 ES ES03769579T patent/ES2300618T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-09-05 WO PCT/FR2003/002655 patent/WO2004022174A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2003-09-05 EP EP03769579A patent/EP1545720B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

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