FR2664171A1 - Installation attached to a tennis court making it possible globally to recover the balls at the end of each rally - Google Patents

Abstract

This installation comprises, on the one hand, means (Ra1-Ra2-etc... Rc1-Rc2-etc...) centralising the said balls at one or more points and, on the other hand, means (Ft) braking the dynamic rebound force of the balls, out of play, and directing them towards the centralising means. The centralising means (Ra1-Ra2-etc... Rc1-Rc2-etc...) include gutters, trenches, chutes or other similar devices arranged outside the playing area along the four sides of the enclosure, at the foot of the latter, and possibly along the net, these centralising means leading to wells, vertical cloths (nets, for example) placed in front of the enclosures absorbing any impact of balls reaching these enclosures. The centralising means may be simply inclined or include mechanically driven transporters. The wells may include baskets (such as PN) permitting the simultaneous elevation of all the recovered balls, or an elevator/distributor, such as TG, GD, CF1 or CF2.

Description

 The present invention relates to an installation adjoining a tennis court, making it possible to recover the balls at the end of each exchange.

Currently, each player must recover the balls fallen on the side of his camp, which lengthens the duration of sets, without sporting interest. Only, during certain major tournaments, this recovery is performed by young boys and girls, so as to reduce downtime.

 The invention relates to an installation allowing the balls to gather at one or more precise points, from which they can be recovered overall.

 Such an installation makes it possible to use one or more distributors of the balls thus recovered and to return them one by one to the interested player.

 An installation according to the invention necessarily comprises means making it possible to centralize the balls at one or more points and means slowing down the dynamic force of the balls out of play and directing them towards the centralizing means.

 According to embodiments of the invention, the means making it possible to centralize the balls comprise channels, gutters, chutes or other similar devices, aerial or buried.

 These means can be tilted from a high point to a low point, the balls rolling from the first to the second.

 These means can, on the contrary, be flat but include a movable bottom, such as a conveyor moving in the direction of the recovery zone or that of a change of direction.

 These means are arranged outside the playing area and, preferably, in the vicinity of the fence (often wire mesh), along the four sides of the field.

 These means conduct the recovered bales in the direction of a well placed at the meeting point of the troughs on two adjacent sides, this well being provided with a bale lifting device.

 This ascent device is a basket in the simplest case.

 On the contrary, these centralization means are provided at their meeting point with direction change means which lead the bales to a single centralization zone.

 This single centralization zone can be provided with an elevator which brings the balls to a basket or other tank from which they can be directed on demand towards one or the other camp.

Other particularities will appear on reading the description and the claims which follow, made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1A to 1C are YuS diagrams in plan of three embodiments of the invention. In these diagrams, the elements are represented in a purely conventional manner, to facilitate understanding of their usefulness and of their operation.

Thus, a dashed line represents the mesh fence, a wavy line symbolizes the absorption sheet.

The chutes are schematized by two parallel lines, separated by a hatched area.

The arrows show the direction of movement of the balls in the troughs.

 Figures 2A to 2C show, in section, three types of inclined chutes.

 FIG. 3 shows, by way of nonlimiting example, two troughs perpendicular to one another and a recovery well or simply for changing direction, each of the troughs serving as a passage for a conveyor belt.

 FIG. 4 illustrates a suspension of the damping ply in front of a fence mesh.

 FIGS. 5A to 5D relate to a device for distributing the recovered bales, FIG. 5A being the diagram of an elevator used.

this effect.

 As can be seen on examining FIGS. 1A to 1C, there are multiple solutions depending on whether one wishes to use only one or more collection stations and, above all, if the bales are conveyed by simple gravity in inclined troughs or, on the contrary, mechanically by means of conveyors as will be described later.

 As stated above, in the preamble, the invention combines two kinds of means: - centralizing means formed by a network of gutters, channels, chutes or similar devices, arranged parallel to the fence of the land, either internally at this (between the playing area and this fence), either outside the fence, provided that it leaves a passage between the fence and the ground, in order to allow the balls to reach these centralization means.

 Depending on whether the ball is sent with more or less live force, whether cut or damped, this one, after having struck the ground, will rebound then roll in the direction of the centralization means. It may be, however; that the ball is likely to strike the fence, either directly or after a rebound, with a still strong live force: in this case, the wire mesh will return the ball so energetically that it will pass over the neighboring chute and will fall towards the net.

It is therefore important to place in front of the fence, means likely to reduce the residual live force after impact.

 If the enclosure of the ground is made up of walls (case of the rooms) one can think of lining these with an absorbent material (sheet of polyurethane foam or rubber, carpet on rubber foam substrate).

 In the case of a wire mesh fence (CG), the damping means may consist of a sheet of fabric or the like, suspended at its upper part, without significant tension, in the direction of its width, so that, under the force of the impact, the tablecloth partially recedes and forms a temporary pocket. If the live force of the ball has been fully absorbed by the web, the ball falls substantially vertically.

If, on the contrary1 there is still a residual force, it will tend to fall away from the mesh, but then, the walls of the pocket which move as the descent, will form a kind of vertical chute, producing additional depreciation.

 Advantageously, the ply is ballasted towards its lower part to increase the resistance to deformation therefore to decrease the residual dynamic force.

 It has been observed that mesh fabrics are suitable, including nets and fishnets.

 As can be seen in FIG. 1A, the invention can be put into practice by providing two wells (P1 and P2) for recovering bales per camp and placed at the ends of the trenches of nets (RF1-RF2) separated by a back d 'central donkey. The bottom channels (RA1-RA2) are also separated by a central hump, they are connected to the wells (P1 and P2) by the RC1 or RC2 channels.

 In the case of single slope channels, these can be formed by gutters going towards the recovery wells.

 As can be seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, these gutters are on two floors, the lower floor (CAl) serving as a collector for the dripping of the ground which it leads to an evacuation (EV) directed towards a lost well or a sewer. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the upper part constitutes the raceway for the balls, it is separated from the lower part by a grid (GR) or a perforated sheet in TP. In the case of the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the upper part CA2 is constituted by a channel (DA) made of zinc or PVC of the conventional type in the building. Of course, it is pierced at its base so that the rainwater reaches the channel (CA1).

 As can also be seen in these figures, in front of the fence mesh (CG) is arranged the damping ply (FT), possibly leaded towards its lower part (Pb).

 If the ground is built in elevation compared to the general ground, the semi-cylindrical trough (G0) in adequate material (PVC for example), open on one of its generators (GG) can be placed (figure 2C) outside the fence (CG). It drips freely by TP on the neighboring land.

 In this case, of course, the fence is stopped at a certain distance from the ground of the playing field, so that the balls can pass from the inside to the outside. outwards.

 It is desirable, in all these cases, that the inclined plane (PC) possibly covered with a material absorbing (MA) the rebounds, connects the surface of the ground behind the bottom line (or side lines) to 11 channel entry.

 FIG. 1B shows an alternative recovery circuit according to which there is more than one recovery well (P3-P4) per camp. The circuits are iF3-RC4 and RCRA3 for well P3 while RF4-RC5 and RC6-RA4 supply well P4.

In the case of FIG. 1C, the dual circuit RA3-RC7 / RC6-RF5 or
RA5-RC9 / RC8-RF6 ends at the general well (PG).

 In this species, the channels of the net RF5 and RF6 can be combined into one. The PG well can be fitted with one or two elevator-distributors as will be described below.

 Given that in the circuits of FIGS. 1B and 1C, these are much longer than that of FIG. 1A, it is advisable to replace the inclined channels by gutters without unevenness or with little unevenness (only for evacuation rainwater) but fitted with mechanical means for transporting bales powered by an electric motor with permanent or intermittent operation.

 FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment using a belt conveyor (TB) with heel (TN) supported from place to place by rollers (RO) one of which is motor. Belts of this type with molded heels are usually used in bag stackers or in so-called "grasshopper" conveyors used for loading bulk products.

 The section of Figure 3 was made on a well.

 Behind the idler roller of the TB strip, a PN basket has been designed allowing the bales to be traced centralized by the conveyors. I1 is easy to imagine that this figure could correspond to a simple change of orientation, the transporter on the right spilling its balls on the transporter on the left.

 As can be seen in FIG. 4, the damping sheet (FT) is supported from place to place by brackets (PK), themselves supported by the posts (PV) of the fence mesh (CG).

 Advantageously, the upper edge of the sheet should not be subjected to a transverse tension so as to be able to poach under the impact of a ball. You can, for example, use a gathered braid (GF) of the type used for window curtains.

 It is not necessary to double the entire height of the fence with a tablecloth (FT) because there is practically no ball reaching the fence without having bounced on the ground. Even a strongly supported drive ball, having curled the net and having fallen "out" two meters from the end line of a field of 38m long, strikes only at a height less than lm, the fence fence .

The greatest number of "faulty" balls n1 reach the limits of the rolling ground.

 It is possible to draw inspiration from a similar arrangement for the tablecloths added to the conventional net.

 I1 is tempting to use the centralizing means which have just been described to redistribute the balls recovered to the player at the time of service.

 For this purpose, it is necessary to have an elevator means feeding a hopper or other receptacle of the balls as and when they are collected and which, by gravity, in downspouts, directs them in the direction of the serving player.

 FIG. 5A shows, in diagram, such a lifting means.

 I1 is -constituted by a vertical bucket conveyor (TG) driven by a motor (not shown) comprising a number of buckets similar to those of the norias, circulating in a sheath (GA) and each capable of con t nir unhalln ss - in the lower trough (AG) of the well (PG) supplied by the channels RC7 and RC9 (see Figure 1C). The sheath (GA) is open in GO on one of its sides substantially below the upper center of the bucket overturning (FIG. 5B). A tilting bridge (PB) leads the bale to a fixed chute (GD). The bridge (PB) retracts down, pushed by the bucket initiating its downward movement to let it pass.

A mass (MS) brings it back to its initial position, the bucket having passed.

The chute (GD) leads the bales to a hopper (TR) or other tank (5C) which can contain a fairly large number of bales (a serpentine tube for example) but whose lower mouth is provided with an electric selector ( SE) comprising a movable cover preventing a second ball from being able to enter the distributor (DB)
FIG. 5D shows on a larger scale, but schematically nevertheless, how such a distributor (DB) can be produced.

It includes an upper body communicating with the hopper, downstream of the selector (SE) and two vertical or inclined channels (CEl and CFZ). A hatch (TB) tilting around a horizontal axis in its middle position, prevents any bullet from joining one or the other of these channels.

This tilting hatch constitutes, with an electromagnet (EM), an electro-valve. This can be controlled, either conventionally by an electrical circuit with manual switches, or by a radio control of the kind allowing remote control of garage doors.

The solenoid valve is then associated with a radio receiver (AT antenna), each player being provided with a transmitter. The solenoid valve also controls the selector, it is of the type with three positions: a middle position (non-distribution) and two lateral positions, each allowing a ball to access the chosen distributor channel.

The two channels may be substantially vertical but provided with an ejection bend oriented towards the nearest service line.

As a variant, the channels (CF1 and CF.2) can form a large angle between them to allow their lower part to approach the "serving" player.

 Without the need to make a new description, it is obvious that one could use two elevator-distributors (but with only one descent) each placed in a well located at the end of the net (for example by making communicate the two well P1 -and P2- of FIG. 1A, the descent of each distributor being oriented towards the nearest service line).

 It goes without saying that, without departing from the scope of the present invention, any modifications of detail can be made to the embodiments described above.

Claims (18)

 1) Installation attached to a tennis court to recover the balls at the end of each exchange, characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, means (Ral-Ra2-etc ...- Rcl-Rc2- etc ...) centralizing the said balls at one or more points and, on the other hand, means (Ft) braking the dynamic rebounding force thereof, out of play, and directing them towards the centralizing means.  2) Installation according to claim 1 characterized in that the centralizing means (Ral-Ra2-etc ...- Rcl-Rc2-etc ...) comprise channels, channels, chutes or other similar devices.  3) Installation according to claim 2 characterized in that these channels, channels, chutes or other similar devices are arranged outside the playing area, along the four sides of the fence (CG).  4) Installation according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it further comprises a channel, channel, chute or other similar device (Rfl-Rf2), placed below the net and extending from from side to side of the play area.  5) Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centralizing means lead to bale recovery wells (Pl-P2-etc...-PG).  6) Installation according to claim 5 characterized in that a ball recovery member is housed in some of these wells (PN baskets, for example).  7) Installation according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the centralizing means comprise mobile conveyor means (TB, for example).  8) Installation according to claim 7 characterized in that these movable conveyor means have their adjacent ends arranged or provided with means allowing the balls to pass from one conveyor to the other.  9) Installation according to claim 6 characterized in that the bale recovery body is a vertical conveyor (TG), raising the bales received in a well, to a centralizing receptacle (TR) placed in height, provided with '' at least one vertical gutter (DB) depending on a valve (EM).  10) Installation according to claim 9 characterized in that this valve is a solenoid valve.  11) Installation according to claim 10 characterized in that this solenoid valve can be controlled remotely by a radio assembly comprising a receiver and at least one transmitter capable of providing the signal determining the opening of the solenoid valve (EM) .  12) Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anti-rebound means consist of damping plies (Ft) placed in the path of the balls out of play.  13) Installation according to claim 12 characterized in that these plies (Ft) are of textile or similar material.  14) Installation according to claim 13 characterized in that these plies (Ft) are formed in the form of nets.  15) Installation according to claim 12 characterized in that these plies (Ft) are suspended and preferably slightly gathered at their upper part to allow a slight decline thereof under the effect of the impact of the ball.  16) Installation according to claim 15 characterized in that these layers (Ft) are supported at some distance from the grids (CG) of the enclosure of the ground.  17) Installation according to claim 15 characterized in that these plies (Ft) have their leaded or weighted lower part so that their movement, under the effect of impact, increases the absorption of the live force of the ball.  18) Installation according to claim 15 characterized in that the central thread supports, on each face, a damping sheet (Ft).