GB2234916A - Ball projector - Google Patents

Abstract

A ball projector, e.g. for a miniature golf game, comprises a plunger 1 which, when depressed, acts through a selected friction material 4, figure 2, on a ball 22 to eject the later with backspin from chamber 5. A flap 9 can be set to produce a desired trajectory. Plunger 1 carries teeth 13 for operating a putter 11. <IMAGE>

Description

BA@@@@@@@@@@@ The present invention relates to games and pastimes, requiring balls to be accurntley propelled with controlable amounts of length height and backspin.

The user aill be able to preselect all the elements of the type of shot he wishes to produce, Tangth, Trajectory, and amount of backspin to be to be placed upon the object ball. The latter featurebeing of paramount importance. This feature of the invention, allovJs the user to propell (hit) the ball over the desired distance and for the ball, on landing on a suitable target area (green) will stop dead or spin back. This feature allows the invention to be used in suc a may, that in this particular application, (mini golf game) so that it '.till accuratley reproduce the most exciting aspects of real golf.This particular application of the invention would be used in conjunction with niniaturised elements found in real golf, Green, Trees, Bunkers, Tee areas etc.

According to the present invention there is provided a ball propellor, comprising of a moveable vertical shaft arrangement, a ball chamber, a model golfer, and a base which has an intergrated hinged flap arrangement.

The vertical shaft (i) is enclosed by a rigid sheath (Z). The sheath encloses the shaft except at the top,(this portion is struck by the user),and at the bottom The the sheath conects to the top (head) of the model golfer. The vertical shaft is round in section and of a uniform diameter. At the bottom end of the shaft (I) there is securley fixed asprung steel strip (X). The steel strip which extends outwards equally in both directions. The steel strip (s) has a width less than the diameter of the vertical shaft(l). On the under side of the steel strip,,,'t each end are securley fixed suitably tactile materials+).

The materials used are of slightly differing resiliance, so that when the object ball is placed in contact with the under side of the steel strip (3) and squeezed out , The amount of backspin generated on the ball will differ from that if the ball had been placed at the opposite end.

The bottom end of the vertical shaft(1) has a suitably dimentioned edge shape confiuuration firmly fixed to it which is positioned perpendicularly at 90 degrees from the longest axis of the sprung steel strip (3). The Wedge(20) is thinness at the bottom of the vertical shaft.

The steel strip end of the vertical shaft is pushed into the BALL CHAIE iS). The ball chamber is the suitably shaped chamber from there the ball is projected. The ball chamber is open at the top and at its front elevation, it is also long enough to accomodate the length of the steel strip, and its internal width is marginally greater than the diameter of the vertical shaft. there the shaft (i) enters the Chamber (5) there is a vertical groving arrangement (6). This groving guides the inserted shaft perpendic -ulaly down into the chamber, while minimising undue lateral movement of the shaft. At the base of the chamber is fixed asuitably sized stop block (7).The stop block is positioned in such a "'.ay so that the inserted ball rests against it in the correct position beneath the steel strip(3) Fig ?.

It is important that the ball is held in the correct position within the 3all Chamber imeadiatly prior to its release. To achieve this, one or both side 7alls of the Ba]l Chamber is suitably hinged, so that one or both Ball Chamber walls can move inwards or outwards slightly from the perpendicular.

sitabl sized sprung steel strip (16) is fixed to the Base (8) and raZl or walls (5) in such a way so that the mall or walls (5) are pushed inwars slightly towards the centre of the Ball Chamber(5). The insertion of the Ball (n) into the Ball Chamber untill it rests against the stop block(7) forces the Ball Chamber Wall perpendicular again. The inward pressure on the Ball Chamber nlls exerted by the sprung strip(16), traps the Ball betteen the Ball Chamber Walls.As the Vertical Shaft (1) enters the Ball Chamber the Weadged portion of the Vertical Shaft (() progressively pushes the Ball Chamber Walls outwards, releasing the pressure on the Ball. The Wedged portion of the Vertical Shaft (2Z) is positioned in such a way so that it releases the pressure on the Ball only a fraction of a second before the Sprung Steel Strip (3) squeezes the Ball out of the Ball Chamber.

The portion of the Ball Chamber WALL (15) which makes up the Ball Chamber entrance is not hinged and remains perpendicular to the Base (8) at all times. This portion of the Ball Chamber channels the released Ball along an accurate target line 90 degrees in the horizontal axis , away from the Ball Chamber.

The clearance betteen the top of the Ball chamber and the hands of the model golfer siz; be sufficient to allow the steel strip to extracted from the ball chnmbr, rotated through 180 degrees and then reinserted. This allows the user toselect which end of the steel strip is to be in contact with the ball rhen used. This choice give the user control over the amount of spin imparted onto the ball(22).

The Ball charnber(5) and the model golfer are both fixed to BASE (8) Fig1. The portion of the base in front of the Ball Chamber is fixed asmooth plastic flap (9). The Flap can be raised or lowered by the user . The ball strikes the raised flap on leaving the Ball Chamber, the effect on the ball being that it will be lifted into the air. The higher the angle of the flap above horizontal, then the higher the Balls Trajectory will be after striving the flap, Fig L. This feature of the invention gives the user cotrol over the type and height of Ball trajectory.

The Flap (9) should be connected to the Base(8) in such a way so that it can be raised or lowered vertically. It should a tight en ough connection to the Base (g), so that it can withstand being hit by the Ball exiting the Ball Chamber without being unduly moved from its angle of elevation.

The rotter (II) held by the model golfer (10), is activated by means of the user raising or lowering the Vertical Shaft (I) when the Cog and Tooth Mechenism (\+) are engaged.

The Cog (l+) is fixed through its centre by the horiontal bar which is an angled extention of the putter shaft (II). The bar passes through a suitably sized sleeve which is incorporated into the model golfers hands.

The Teeth (li which engage the Cog (It) are securley fixed to the lower portion of the Vertical Shaft (I). The action of raising or of lowering The Vertical Shaft when the Cog and Tooth Mechanism are engaged, results in a circular movement of the Cog, which in turn results in an arcing back or forward of the Putter.

In order to use the Ball propellor, it must first be placed upright, Fig (1). The open end of the Ball chamber should be pointed along the intended line of shot, along the path of arrow A in Figl.

A suitably sized and weighted ball should be inserted into the Ball Chamber (see cut away Ball Chamber in Fig 1) so that it rests against the Ball Stop (7). The user selects which of the two ends of the Steel Strip (3) is to be placed in contact with the ball. The user then inserts the vertical shaft (1) back into.the Ball Chamber untill the underside of the Steel Strip rests upon the. ball The user selects the apropriate elevation of Flap (s).

yen the user is satisfied that the Base (8) is correctly aligned along the target line, The user then strikes the top of the shaft (I) with wshat he considers to be the required force to shoot the Ball out of the Ball chamber to the required distance.

Claims (1)

1 A Ball Propeller comprising an enclosed Vertical Shaft connected perpendicularly above a Ball Chamber . The Ball Chamber being attached to a Base xnhich incorporates an adjustable Fla; and a Model Golfer which has a Putting device. The Ball Propeller allows the user to project Balls controllably in distance hieght and line. It also allows the user to preselect the type and amount of spin to be imparted upon the Ball. Also incorporated into the Ball Propeller is a putting Mechanism which allows the user to contro35ably propell a Ball in both distance and line across the ground.

2 A Ball Propeller as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one side of the Ball Chamber is suitably hinged so that at least one wall is able to move either way from the perpendicular.

3 A Ball. Propeller as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a suitable method of exerting an inward lateral pressure on at least one of the Ball Chamber Walls so that the alls grip the inserted Ball within the Chamber.

A A Ball Propeller as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein a raisable Flap is positioned in front of the Ball Chamber opening to give the Ball which strikes it when propelled from the Ball Chamber a controllable trajectory e.g High or lox. The Flap i. uitably resistant to possible movement caused by the impact of the Ball upon it.

5 A Ball Propeller as claimed in any preceedind claim wherein several differing tactile materials which are located beneath a sprung steel strip can be selected by rotating the Vertical Shaft, and then placed in contact with. the Ball , so producing either more or less backspin on the Ball as it is propelled away.

6 A Ball Propeller as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein a putting device allows the user easly and controllably operate the putting action of the model golfer.

7 A Ball Propeller as claimed in any preceeding clanm;herein aSprung Steel Strip provides a squeezing action upon the Ball , v:hich imparts a backspin upon a forward moving Ball, which gives the user much more control over desired destination of the Ball.

CLAIM 8 A Ball Propeller as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein a guide is provide Vertically down the inside of the Ball Chamber which prevents undue lateral movement of the Vertical Shaft as it is pushed don into the Ball Chamber.

9 A Ball Propeller as claimed in any preeceeding claim wherein e suitably positioned stop block is fixed inside the Ball Chamber up against which the Ball is correctly positioned.

40 A Ball Propeller as claimed in any preeceeding claim wherein the Wall or Balls at the entrance of the Ball Chamber remain perpendicular and act as a guide which channels the Ball along the correct target line