EP3257558A1 - Device for returning balls in a game device of a ball game - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for the return transport of balls (24) in a game arrangement (20) of a ball sport with a goal wall (21), wherein a space (22) in front of the goal wall (21) and a space (23) behind the goal wall (21) Goal wall (21) is provided, wherein an inclined plane (3) in the space (23) behind the goal wall (21) is provided, wherein the inclined plane (3) at a receiving position (4) of a motor-operated lifting device (5) for each a ball (24) opens and a dispensing mechanism which acts in a dispensing position of the lifting device (5) on the ball (24), so that the ball (24) in the space (22) in front of the goal wall (21) can be issued. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor-operated lifting device (5) for each a ball (24) for use in a device (1) for the return transport of balls (24) and a method for the return transport of balls (24).

Description

The invention relates to a device for the return transport of balls in a game arrangement of a ball sport. In particular, a goal wall is provided in the game arrangement of the ball sport. Thus, a space in front of the goal wall and a space behind the goal wall are defined by the goal wall.

The German patent application DE 10 2008 016 112 A1 discloses a ball-lifting device for a toy ball track, by which a raised at a high drainage point and then on the ball track provided with a gradient down to a low-lying catchment area raised ball for a new run is raised to the expiry point. The device has an upper and rotatable disc and has through openings which bring the ball to the through hole of the fixed disc. The ball is thereby lifted to a higher level.

The German patent application DE 1 478 227 A describes a device which is arranged in the trench of an automatic bowling alley, for example a bowling lane, and makes it possible on the one hand to separate the cones from the fallen or hurled balls in the trench and on the other hand to bring the cones in front of an elevator in a certain position , The device has an inclined plane, which is arranged low-lying at the end of the bowling alley and partially covers the trench. The inclined plane extends from the back of the bowling alley to near the wall of the trench, the back mat intercepting the balls and cones and dampens the shocks. The inclined plane is steered about an axis and is moved by means of ropes and a motor, not shown, continuously or discontinuously in the direction of the arrows. The cones fall directly onto a surface between the axis and the wall or are guided by inclined planes on them. Moving the bars over the surface of the base and transport the cones to an elevator.

The British patent application GB 2476893 A discloses a ball dispenser with a conveyor for conveying balls along a path. The ball dispenser comprises a Direction change device for balls from the conveyor line and a dispenser for dispensing the balls, wherein the direction changing device comprises a rotatable element. The dispenser may be a chute. The device can be part of a football training or entertainment device.

The US patent US 5,441,145 A describes a substantially vertical elevator for the transport of round and / or spherical objects, such as golf balls, between different levels. The elevator comprises a conveyor belt which is arranged between an upper roller in a higher plane and a lower roller in a lower plane. A number of spaced support surfaces extend in the transverse direction of the conveyor belt on which the objects to be transported are located during transport.

The US patent application US 2011/0224026 discloses a net device of a goal wall. The goal wall may have openings and an elastomer provided in an opening. If the football meets an opening with an elastomer, the football is returned to the user.

The invention has for its object to provide devices and a method by which balls or spherical objects are promoted in a user area of the game arrangement in a game arrangement in a safe and trouble-free manner.

This object is achieved according to a first aspect by a device for the return transport of balls in a game arrangement of a ball sport, wherein the game arrangement comprises a goal wall. The game arrangement is divided into a space in front of the goal wall and in a space behind the goal wall. An inclined plane is provided in the room behind the goal wall. The inclined plane opens at a receiving position of a motor-driven lifting device for each one ball. According to a possible embodiment for the delivery of the ball in the space in front of the goal wall, a dispensing mechanism is provided. In the dispensing position of the lifting device of the dispensing mechanism acts on the ball so that the ball in the space in front of the goal wall can be issued. According to one embodiment, in the dispensing position of the lifting device, the dispensing mechanism acts on the ball such that the ball is impacted by the impulse of the ball Dispensing mechanism of the lifting device is conveyed into the space in front of the goal wall.

The lifting device preferably has a head that can be moved along a linear guide by means of a motor-driven tension element between the receiving position and the dispensing position.

The movement of the head along the linear guide may be limited by limit switches, wherein the limit switches are, for example, light barriers, proximity switches, threshold or touch-sensitive switching elements. In particular, the limit switches can be designed as an operating lever switch, z. B. as a roller lever switch. There may be provided a limit switch in the receiving position and another limit switch in the dispensing position. When the head has reached the respective pickup position or dispensing position, the electric drive is switched off.

The head is preferably associated with at least one sensor, via which it can be determined whether a ball is in the receiving position of the lifting device. If it is determined by the sensor or sensors that the ball is in the receiving position of the lifting device, the head of the lifting device is set in motion with the ball and the ball is transported to the dispensing position. The sensor is preferably a light barrier.

The sensor, via which it can be determined whether a ball is in the receiving position of the lifting device, for example, is rigidly connected to the head. This has the advantage, inter alia, that the sensor can also be used to determine whether a ball is still in the dispensing position of the lifting device or whether the ball has already been dispensed by the dispensing mechanism into the space in front of the goal wall.

In an alternative embodiment, the sensor, via which it can be determined whether a ball is in the receiving position of the lifting device, is permanently installed with a housing of the lifting device, ie rigidly connected thereto. In this case, another, z. B. also firmly connected to the housing of the lifting device, sensor may be provided, on which is determined whether a ball has been delivered.

The sensor, via which it can be determined whether a ball is in the receiving position of the lifting device, may for example be a light barrier. Alternatively, the sensor may include limit switches, wherein the limit switches are, for example, light barriers, proximity switches, threshold switches or touch-sensitive switching elements. In particular, the limit switches can be designed as an operating lever switch, z. B. as a roller lever switch.

The same applies to the sensor, via which it can be determined whether a ball has been delivered.

It can be provided that a signal from the sensor that a ball is in the receiving position of the lifting device directly leads to the head moving with the lifting device and that the ball is conveyed to the dispensing position. Alternatively, a reaction time can be provided, for example from 0.01 to 5 s, in particular from 1 to 2 s.

The lifting device has, for example, an inelastic element which at least partially absorbs the impulse of a ball arriving in the receiving position. The inelastic element may comprise, for example, foam layers or leaf springs.

The dispensing mechanism executes the delivery of the ball into the space in front of the goal wall by imparting an impulse to the ball. The dispensing mechanism may be configured in various ways. He can e.g. be designed as a pivotable lever, wherein the pivoting movement exerts the impulse on the ball. The ball contacting end of the pivotable lever may be provided with an elastic element which dampens the momentum acting on the ball.

The dispensing mechanism may include a limit switch, wherein the limit switch is, for example, a photoelectric switch, a proximity switch, threshold switch or a touch-sensitive switching elements. In particular, the limit switch can be designed as an operating lever switch, z. B. as a roller lever switch. The limit switch may be mechanically or electronically connected to the pivoting lever.

The dispensing mechanism may be rigidly connected to the head of the lifting device. During the movement of the head, the limit switch cooperates with the housing of the lifting device such that the dispensing position is defined as a specific position of the head of the lifting device.

The dispensing mechanism may alternatively be rigidly connected to the housing of the lifting device. During the movement of the head, the limit switch cooperates with the head of the lifting device such that the dispensing position is defined as a specific position of the head of the lifting device.

In order to convey the ball from the receiving position to the dispensing position, two parallel and spaced-apart rods are attached to the head. The rods are arranged substantially perpendicular to the head and parallel to each other. The rods represent a support and a support for the ball to be lifted. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the support and support can also be formed in a different form than in the form of the rods, for. B. in the form of a plate or tub. In this case, in particular, the transition from the inclined plane to the receiving position is preferably made smooth in such a way that, ideally, the ball can come to rest only in a precisely defined receiving position and quietly. It can be provided, for example, that the guide of the inclined plane is provided with grooves to receive the rods in the receiving position of the lifting device.

The lifting device is preferably provided with a movable locking device. Access to the lifting device for another ball is blocked by the movable locking device when a ball is in the lifting device and transports the ball to the dispensing position. In other words, the access for a ball to the lifting device is blocked by the locking device when the head of the lifting device is not in the receiving position. The locking device has the advantage that the operation of the lifting device is ensured. With the lifting device, only a single ball is ever transported and in the situation in which the lifting device is in the dispensing position, no further ball should reach the receiving position of the lifting device. If this were the case, the lifting device would not be able to drive into the receiving position and it would lead to a disturbance of the game arrangement.

It can be provided that the locking device and the lifting device are coupled together. In particular, it can be provided that the locking device and the lifting device are operated by one and the same motor-driven tension element. Alternatively, separate motor-driven tension elements may be provided. The locking device may be movably arranged along a further or the same linear guide between a blocking position and an exemption. The movements of the locking device and the lifting device can be mechanically or electrically coupled to each other, for example via the use of a common toothed belt.

The locking device may, for example, a baffle plate and / or an impact roll to block the access of another ball to the lifting device. The locking device may also by means of one or more biasing elements, for. B. a spring to be biased in the blocking position.

The device has, for example, an electrical fuse against overvoltage or overcurrent. Furthermore, the device, for example, a protection device against the careless access in the effective range of the lifting device. The protective device may for example comprise a wood veneer in the region of the receiving position of the lifting device or the like.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a motorized lifting device for each ball for use in any of the above-described devices. The motor-operated lifting device can be configured as described above and coupled with the other elements of the device, for. B. with the locking device.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of returning balls in a game of a ball game with a goal wall, wherein a space in front of the goal wall, a space behind the goal wall and an inclined plane in the space behind the goal wall are provided, wherein Ball, which rolls down the inclined plane, is received at a receiving position of a motor-driven lifting device for each ball and is guided to a dispensing position of the lifting device, where a dispensing mechanism acts on the ball so that the ball discharged into the space in front of the goal wall becomes.

Preferably, the described devices are designed for carrying out the method. Accordingly, the features described in the context of the devices should be considered as correspondingly disclosed for the method.

According to the invention, it is possible that balls in play are carried into the space in front of the goal wall. In addition, the promotion of the balls runs automatically and does not interfere or interfere with the game operation of the game arrangement. Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the following figures, as well as their parts description.

• Fig. 1 eine Draufsicht auf eine Spielanordnung, bei der die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung eingesetzt ist;
• Fig. 2 eine Seitenansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,
• Fig. 3 eine Seitenansicht der Hebeeinrichtung, wobei sich ein Ball in der Aufnahmeposition befindet;
• Fig. 4 eine Seitenansicht der Hebeeinrichtung, wobei sich ein Ball in der Abgabeposition befindet; und
• Fig. 5 eine schematische Darstellung der Wirkung einer Ausführungsform des Abgabemechanismus auf den Ball.

They show in detail:

• Fig. 1 a plan view of a game arrangement in which the device according to the invention is used;
• Fig. 2 a side view of the device according to the invention,
• Fig. 3 a side view of the lifting device, wherein a ball is in the receiving position;
• Fig. 4 a side view of the lifting device, wherein a ball is in the dispensing position; and
• Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the effect of an embodiment of the dispensing mechanism on the ball.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. The illustrated embodiment is merely one of several embodiments of how the device of the invention may be configured. The illustrated embodiment is not to be construed as limiting the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a game arrangement 20, in which the device 1 according to the invention is used. The game assembly 20 consists of a goal wall 21, the game arrangement 20 in a space 22 in front of the Goal wall 21 and a space 23 behind the goal wall 21 divided. The device 1 according to the invention is provided in the space 23 behind the goal wall 21 and serves to convey balls 24 from the space 23 behind the goal wall 21 into the space 22 in front of the goal wall 21. The inventive device 1 consists of an inclined plane 3, which ends at a receiving position 4 of a lifting device 5 for the balls 24. The inclined plane 3 has a guide 9, so that each ball 24 rolls in the direction of the arrow P to the receiving position 4 of the lifting device 5. The guide 9 may, for example, in the form of two parallel rails, trough-like, etc. be configured.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the device according to the invention 1. The ball 24 rolls over the inclined plane 3 to the receiving position 4 of the lifting device 5. The lifting device 5 has a head 8, which along a linear guide 10 by means of a motor-driven tension element 12 (see Fig. 3 ) between the receiving position 4 and a dispensing position 7 is movable in Fig. 2 is indicated as a dashed-dotted rectangle. The actuation of the motor-driven tension element 12 is effected by a signal from at least one sensor 14 assigned to the head 8 (see FIG Fig. 3 ). The sensor 14 determines that the ball 24 is in the receiving position 4 in the lifting device 5, so that the movement of the head 8 of the lifting device 5 to the dispensing position 7 can be started.

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the lifting device 5, wherein a ball 24 is in the receiving position 4 and Fig. 4 shows a side view of the lifting device 5, wherein a ball 24 is in the dispensing position 7. From the at least one sensor 14 (eg light barrier) in the head 8, a motor 16 receives a signal for actuating the tension element 12. The ball is supported by rods 13 (also in FIG FIG. 2 shown) during the movement of the head 8 from the receiving position 4 in the dispensing position 7 is supported. In order to prevent that another ball (not shown) passes during the movement of the head 8 from the receiving position 4 in the discharge position 7 in the lifting device 5, a movable locking device 15 is provided. The locking device 15 moves into the receiving position 4 when a ball 24 held on the head 8 leaves the receiving position 4 of the lifting device 5. The locking device 15 prevents the uncontrolled access of balls 24 in the lifting device 5 comes to a disruption or interruption of the ball transport. Likewise, the at least one sensor 14 detects when the ball 24 is moved by a dispensing mechanism 6 (see FIG Fig. 5 ) transported from the dispensing position 7 has been. Again, the motor 16 receives a signal to actuate the tension member 12 and the head 8 is moved back to the receiving position 4.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of the effect of an embodiment of the dispensing mechanism 6 on the ball 24. The dispensing mechanism 6 is formed in the embodiment shown here as a pivotable lever. When the head 8 with the retained ball 24 has reached the dispensing position 7, the dispensing mechanism 6 is released and the ball 24 is conveyed through dispensing position 7 into the space 22 in front of the goal wall 21.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

3

inclined plane

4

pickup position

5

lifter

6

delivery mechanism

7

delivery position

8th

head

9

guide

10

linear guide

12

tension element

13

Rod

14

sensor

15

locking device

16

engine

20

game arrangement

21

Torwand

22

Room in front of the goal wall

23

Room behind the goal wall

24

ball

P

arrow

Claims (12)

Device (1) for the return transport of balls (24) in a game arrangement (20) of a ball sport with a goal wall (21), wherein a space (22) in front of the goal wall (21) and a space (23) behind the goal wall (21) is provided, characterized by an inclined plane (3) in the space (23) behind the goal wall (21), wherein the inclined plane (3) at a receiving position (4) of a motorized lifting device (5) for one ball (24) and a dispensing mechanism (6) acting in a dispensing position (7) of the lifting device (5) on the ball (24), so that the ball (24) in the space (22) in front of the goal wall (21) can be issued , Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lifting device (5) has a head (8) which is movable along a linear guide (10) by means of a motor-driven pulling element (12) between the receiving position (4) and the dispensing position (7). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one sensor (14) via which it can be determined whether a ball (24) is in the receiving position (4). Device (1) according to claim 2 and 3, wherein the sensor (14) is associated with the head (8). Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lifting device (5) has a head (8) which is movable along a linear guide (10) by means of a motor-driven pulling element (12) between the receiving position (4) and the dispensing position (7) and at least one sensor (14) associated with the head (8), via which it can be determined whether a ball (24) is in the receiving position (4). Device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the sensor (14) is a light barrier. Device (1) according to claim 2 or 4 to 6, wherein the head (8) has two parallel and spaced-apart bars (13), which are arranged substantially perpendicular to the head (8), which is a holder for the one to be lifted Represent ball (24). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing mechanism (6) is a pivotable lever. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a movable locking device (15) is provided, which is suitable for blocking access for a ball (24) to the lifting device (5). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, wherein a movable locking device (15) is provided which blocks access for a ball (24) to the lifting device (5) when the head (8) is not in the receiving position (4) is the lifting device (5). A motor-actuated lifting device (5) for a respective ball (24) for use in a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10. A method for the return transport of balls (24) in a game arrangement (20) of a ball sport with a goal wall (21), wherein a space (22) in front of the goal wall (21) and a space (23) behind the goal wall (21) is provided an inclined plane (3) being provided in the space (23) behind the goal wall (21), a ball (24) rolling down the inclined plane (3) at a receiving position (4) of a motorized lifting device (5) for each one ball (24) is received and to a dispensing position (7) of the lifting device (5) is guided, where a dispensing mechanism (6) so on the ball (24) acts, so that the ball (24) in the room ( 22) in front of the goal wall (21) is discharged.

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