FR2631840A1 - Golf-ball dispenser for training centres - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention makes it possible to automatically dispense golf balls directly and on demand at roofed or unroofed golf-practise positions 9 with the aid of individual dispensing cases 4 supplied by one or more ball reservoirs 11 via a pipe 1.

Description

 The subject of the present invention is, as a new industrial product, an automatic golf ball dispenser which individually delivers golf balls on demand to the place occupied by the player on the training ground called "praetice".

 Known distractors of this kind are centralized and distant from the players which requires that the latter leave their place to go restock with balls via buckets containing between 30 and 60 balls approximately delivered after introduction of a coin or a token in the dispenser.- This type of dispenser, in addition to the fact that it forces the player to leave his place to restock with balls, and to transport the buckets encourages the theft of balls, some players do not hesitate to fill their golf bag with a large quantity of balls, thereby causing significant financial damage to the practice operator.

 The present invention makes it possible to reduce these drawbacks by distributing the balls only one by one via an individual box placed in front of the player, at a rate decided by the latter but limited by the operator to avoid it is too fast to deter fraud. In addition, it is possible to add a device making it possible to detect whether the ball has actually been played within a reasonable period of time, adjustable by the operator, following its availability to the player1 otherwise it will be considered stolen, resulting in itself the stop of the distribution. It also allows in the event of a breakdown of one of the boxes not to compromise the entire distribution of balls on the driving range. In order to improve the distribution of balls, it is possible to install a system allowing them to be delivered directly on the tees of any "practice", thus avoiding people with back problems from having to stoop too often.

In order to improve the payment system it is also possible to add a payment card reader connected to each of the individual boxes on the driving range, the player thus having the additional possibility of playing as many balls as he wishes without be obliged to empty the bucket completely if he does not have the time or the inclination.

An embodiment of the invention is described below by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawing in which:
FIG. 1 represents the "practice" seen from the front,
Figure 2 the individual distribution box.

Referring to said figures, the dispenser, object of the invention comprises a main pipe (1) inclined with a diameter suitable for the circulation of bales and on which connections (2) at the right of each of the places of the connected practice vertical pipes (3) of suitable diameter can be used to supply distribution boxes located in front of each player. Each individual distributor (4) is equipped with a slot (5) for receiving a coin or a token, a button (6) allowing the player to call the balls one by one, a counter ( 7) indicating the number of balls remaining to the player or the amount spent if he uses payment by credit card and a hatch (8) allowing to recover the coins or tokens. The balls are delivered directly, on the tee ( 9) by means of an articulated chute (10) in a vertical plane, automatically retractable, provided at its end with a hole allowing the ball to be deposited directly by gravity on the tee. The chute (10) is adjustable to position the ball exactly on the tee.

The bales are stored in a tank (11) located near or at a distance in height and feeding the main pipe (1). This tank can be recharged from the ground by any conceivable mechanism such as a freight elevator, conveyor, compressed air or directly if it is located on a high point accessible to vehicles.

 It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown which is only an example to which many modifications can be made without departing from the present invention.

 This dispenser can be used on all indoor or outdoor golf "practices".

Claims (8)

 1. Distributor of golf balls characterized in that it distributes the balls directly, on the places of the "practices" of golf thanks to individual boxes (4) located in front of the players.  2. Distributor of golf balls as claimed in 1, characterized in that the distribution of balls is carried out on demand thanks to a trigger button (6) located on the boxes (4) after having introduced a piece of change or a token through a slot (5).  3. Distributor of golf balls as claimed in 1, characterized in that each box (4) is automatically supplied with balls through a pipe of suitable diameter connected to one or more tanks (11).  4. Distributor of golf balls as claimed in 1,2 and 3 characterized by the fact that-each box (4) is equipped with a timer which prevents that the rate of distribution decided by the player does not exceed a certain determined threshold in advance and expressed as the number of bales per minute.  5. Distributor of golf balls as claimed in 4 characterized in that the timer is adjustable.  6. Distributor of golf balls as claimed in 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that the boxes (4) directly deposit the balls on any type of tee thanks to an articulated chute (10) in a vertical plane, retractable automatically , provided at its end with a hole allowing to deliver directly, by gravity the ball on the tee.  7. Distributor of golf balls as claimed in 6, characterized in that the articulated chute (10) is adjustable in order to place the ball exactly on any type of tee.  8. Distributor of golf balls as claimed in 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that the boxes (4) are connected to a payment card reader.