GB2383960A

GB2383960A - A shuttlecock projecting machine

Info

Publication number: GB2383960A
Application number: GB0200798A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antoine Cuschieri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-10
Filing date: 2002-01-10
Publication date: 2003-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-10
Also published as: GB2383960B; GB0200798D0

Abstract

A shuttlecock projecting machine comprises a stand 1, a loading assembly (fig 13) and a striking mechanism (fig 7) to project the shuttlecock. The striking mechanism is powered and controlled by electro-mechanical means. The shuttlecocks are separated and delivered to the striker (25, fig 3), which strikes the inside of the cone. The stand may include wheels 7 for easy positioning.

Description

SHUTTLECOCK PROJECTING MACHINE.

This invention is in the field of sports equipment. It is intended to project a shuttlecock against a player on a badminton court at different directions, strengths and intervals for training purposes.

BACKGROUND ART At least, one shuttlecock projecting machine is known. A characteristic of this machine is that, apart from electrical power it operates with compressed air. The machine sits on an aluminum framework, which includes steps so that the machine could be reached.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION A shuttlecock projecting machine comprising a stand, a shuttlecock loading assembly and a shuttlecock striking assembly, the latter will project a plurality of shuttlecocks, individually at the desired strength, direction and interval.

The stand comprises a device, which is free standing and can be aligned to direct the shuttlecock in different directions.

The loading assembly comprises a tubular container having access to take a plurality of shuttlecocks. It has a system for feeding and separating the shuttlecocks individually before they are struck.

The striking assembly comprises a means of projecting the shuttlecock.

The invention is that the said means is an electro-mechanical device which activates a striker at variable speeds projecting shuttles individually in various directions, variable strengths at variable intervals.

The invention is developed so that the said striking assembly comprises a striking device, which strikes the inside of the cone of the shuttlecock making contact with the inside of the cap. Thus hitting the shuttlecock in the strongest part of its body with a striker having the correct size, shape and material. Another development is that the shuttlecocks are projected one at a time, hence the machine has a system of separating the shuttlecocks before being struck.

ADVANTAGES OF THE MACHINE The advantages of the invention are that a player by using the machine can practice badminton alone by plugging in the machine to the electrical power supply, loading a plurality of shuttlecocks inside the machine and switching on the machine. There is no need for extra framework to hold the machine, no need for steps or ladders for reloading the machine with shuttlecocks or adjustments of the projecting angle, since it can be easily reached. The machine is very simple and easy to use and with low maintenance. No extra supplies are needed to operate the machine except electrical power supply.

DESCRIPTION In order that the invention can be readily understood and carried into effect reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the stand.

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the stand looking from arrow A of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the stand with the striking assembly mounted in place.

Figures 4,5 and 6 shows the arrangement of the motors on the stand.

Figure 7 shows a side elevation of the striking assembly.

Figure 8 shows a front elevation of the striking assembly carrying the loading assembly.

Figure 9 shows a plan view of the striking assembly carrying the loading assembly.

Figure 10 shows a front elevation of the shuttlecock carrier carrying a shuttlecock.

Figure 11 shows a side elevation of the shuttlecock carrier carrying a shuttlecock looking from arrow A of figure 10.

Figure 12 shows a side elevation of the shuttlecock carrier carrying a shuttlecock looking from arrow B of figure 10.

Figure 13 shows a side elevation of the loading assembly.

Figure 14 shows a side elevation slightly enlarged of the front part of the loading assembly.

Figure 15 shows a front elevation of the loading assembly.

Figure 16 shows a side cross-section emphasizing part of the loading assembly where the collection of the shuttlecock takes place from the others in the row, before being struck.

Figure 17 shows a side elevation of the shuttlecock feeder.

Figure 18 shows a cross-section A-A of figure 17.

Figure 19 shows a plan view of the striker arm and the striker hitting a shuttlecock.

Figure 20 shows a shuttlecock loading stick.

Figure 21 shows the way of feeding the shuttlecocks inside the shuttlecock loading assembly.

For convenience, the above drawings are not to scale.

The machine consists of three main assemblies: a) The stand b) The shuttlecock striking assembly c) The shuttlecock loading assembly Referring now to figures 1,2 and 3 the stand comprises a free standing structure I mounted on three castor wheels 7 with brakes. The upper part 3 of the stand pivots on shaft 10 (axis Y-Y) and can be locked in the desired angle with the aid of the locking device 4 of the angle plate 5. At the end of the shaft 10 a coil spring 6 is fitted to compensate for the weight of the striking assembly. The angle plate has graduations to show the inclination in degrees of the upper part 3. The upper part 3 holds the striking assembly 9. This is done by fitting the back shaft 8 of the striking assembly in the sleeve 2 provided in the upper part 3. The striking assembly 9 can now be tilted to the desired angle by pivoting the upper part 3. The striking assembly 9 itself can also be pivoted around axis X-X since its back shaft 8 can rotate inside the sleeve 2 and can be locked in any position by the locking device 11. Another movement is done by the U shaped section 13 which can partially rotate on a shaft with the aid of two thrust bearings around axis Z-Z. With these movements, the stand can be left in one position on the court and the striking assembly can be aligned in any position so that it will project the shuttlecock in the desired direction on to the opposing court. The movements mentioned above are done manually but if desired can be motorized and controlled from the main panel. Referring to figures 4,5 and 6. Three reduction motors with a brake are used to carry out the movements automatically and electronically controlled from the control panel. Reduction motor 16 may be fitted on shaft 10 instead of the coil spring 6 and angle plate 5. This controls the movements of the upper part 3 of the stand, pivoting it around axis Y-Y. Reduction motor 17 may be fitted on the end of the shaft 8 of the striking assembly instead of the hand wheel,

controlling the movement of the striking assembly around axis X-X. Reduction motor 18 fitted on the end of the shaft 14 will rotate the U shaped section 13 around axis Z-Z.

The reduction motors used for these movements have brakes to replace the locking devices 4,11 and 12 respectively.

Referring to figures 7,8, 9 and 15 the striking assembly comprises a motorized gearbox 19 which drives a shaft 20 mounted on two pillow block bearings 21, via a magnetic clutch 22 against a coil spring 23. The top end of the shaft 20 holds an arm 24 perpendicular to it. The arm 24 at its end holds a striker 25 (Both the arm 24 and the striker should be made from light and strong material e. g. carbon graphite). From its bottom end, the shaft 20 is driven by a magnetic clutch 22, which is connected by two V-belts 26 to the motorized gearbox 19.

The operation of the striking assembly is: with the magnetic clutch 22 energized, the gearbox 19 will partially rotate shaft 20 against the coil spring 23 to the desired/set position depending on the strength needed to project the shuttlecock. When the magnetic clutch 22 is released, the coil spring 23 unwinds itself swinging the arm 24 and hitting the shuttlecock with the striker 25 at high velocity, projecting the shuttlecock in the required direction. This whole operation is electronically controlled and synchronized with the loading assembly, which will be explained later. The loading assembly is to be mounted on the brackets 27, which are extended from the striking assembly as shown in fig. 9. The position of the loading assembly when mounted on the striking assembly is set in such a way that when the striker arm 24 swings the striker 25, it passes through the center of the loading assembly tube 29 as shown in fig 15.

Referring also to figures 13,14 and 16 the loading assembly comprises a main tube 29 long enough to hold in it a plurality (for example 20) of shuttlecocks. The front part of the tube 29 has two slots 30 and 31 on the sides, opposite to each other. Slot 30 is to allow clearance for the striker arm 24 to pass through the tube 29 center. Slot 31 is to allow clearance for the movement of the shuttlecock carrier 34. Another slot 32 along the tube is to act as a guide rail for the shuttlecock feeder 42. The back of the tube has

a side entry access 33 for the shuttlecocks to be manually pushed in. The main purpose of the loading assembly is to prepare the shuttlecocks inside it for projection, by collecting the shuttlecock to be projected from the row of shuttlecocks inside the tube and moving it to the striking position 48 one after the other. This is done by the shuttlecock carrier 34 and the shuttlecock feeder 42, which both travel inside the main tube 29.

The shuttlecock carrier 34 moves the shuttlecock to be projected, from the collecting position 47 to the striking position 48. Referring also to figures 10,11 and 12 the shuttlecock carrier 34 consists of a small piece of a tube with its external dimension to fit the inside of the loading assembly main tube 29. A slot 28 on it's side is to allow clearance for the striker arm to pass through and on the other side it has clamp attachments 37 from were it can be driven. On the back of the shuttlecock carrier 34 there is a step 38 on it's circumference to act as a stopper so that the shuttlecock will be centralized and does not come out of the carrier. The shuttlecock carrier 34 is driven by the flat belt 36 via motor 35.

The shuttlecock feeder 42 feeds the row of shuttlecocks forward along the tube 29 until one shuttlecock enters the shuttlecock carrier 34, where the latter will be waiting at the collecting position 47. The shuttlecock feeder 42, which runs inside the slot 32 of the loading assembly tube 29 is driven by the lead screw 46 via motor 45 having a screw and nut effect. One end of the lead screw is fitted in motor 45 and the other end is held by the journal bearing 50. Referring to figure 17 and 18 the shuttlecock feeder 42 pushes forward the row of shuttlecocks with the conical shaped solid tip 43 making contact with the inside of the shuttlecock cap 49 of the last shuttlecock from the row.

The soft part of the tip 44 will hold the shuttlecock in the center of the tube. The lead screw 46 when rotating drives the shuttlecock feeder 42, forward or backwards depending on the direction needed. This is shown on fig. 17. The slot 32 on the loading assembly tube 29 is long enough to allow the shuttlecock feeder 42 to keep

feeding the row of shuttlecocks till the last one is collected by the shuttlecock carrier 34. The movements of the shuttlecock feeder 42 and shuttlecock carrier 34 driven by motors 45 and 35 respectively, are synchronized and electronically controlled by photo electric cells, micro and proximity switches.

The whole sequence of the machine will now be described.

The reduction gearbox 19 drives the energized magnetic clutch 22 charging the swinging arm 24 to the desired strength. With the shuttlecock carrier 34 in the collecting position 47, a row of shuttlecocks loaded inside the loading assembly tube 29 are pushed by the shuttlecock feeder 42 through a tapered rubber collar 39 until one shuttlecock comes out completely of the collar 39 and into the shuttlecock carrier 34, having the vane ends of the feathers resting against the 2mm thick step 38 of the shuttlecock carrier 34. Figure 16 shows the importance of having the vane ends of the shuttlecock feathers resting against the 2mm thick step 38 at the end of the shuttle carrier 34. Since when the shuttlecock carrier 34 moves from the collecting position 47 to the striking position 48, the shuttlecock 41 inside it remains centralized and won't slip out, by sticking to the following shuttlecock 40. On the other hand the following shuttlecock 40 is restricted by the rubber collar 39 to make sure that only one shuttlecock is allowed on the shuttlecock carrier 34 at a time. At this stage the shuttlecock carrier 34 carrying the shuttlecock moves to the striking position 48. Figures 13 and 14 shows the shuttlecock carrier 34 in the collecting position 47 and in the striking position 48 respectively. When the striking position 48 is reached, the magnetic clutch 22 will release the arm 24, which swings with high velocity and hits the shuttlecock inside the shuttlecock carrier 34 with the striker 25, thus projecting the shuttlecock to the opposing court. Fig. 19 shows the striker 25 hitting the shuttlecock in the inside of the shuttlecock cap 49. The cycle is than repeated until all the shuttlecocks inside the shuttlecock loading assembly tube 29 are projected. When all the shuttlecocks are projected the shuttlecock feeder 42 will move to the rest position

51 so that another row of shuttlecocks will be loaded in the loading assembly tube 29 from the access tube 33.

All movements of the machine are controlled and synchronized by electronic devices from a control panel, which will be fixed to the side of the stand 1. The control panel on its fa ade having push buttons, switches and pots to operate and set the machine in the desired movements.

HOW TO LOAD ANOTHER ROW OF SHUTTLECOCKS INSIDE THE MACHINE.

Referring now to fig 20 and 21, when the shuttlecock feeder 42 is at the rest position 51 another row of shuttlecocks can be loaded inside the machine. This is done by placing the lip of the shuttlecock carton tube container 53 (container of the shuttlecocks provided by the shuttlecocks'manufacturer) against the lip 54 of the access tube 33 of the loading assembly tube 29, with the shuttlecocks facing the access hole. With the aid of the loading stick 52 the shuttlecocks can be pushed in the loading assembly tube 29 and repeat until the loading assembly tube 29 is full.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A shuttlecock projecting machine comprising: a stand, a shuttlecock loading assembly and a shuttlecock striking assembly which will project a plurality of shuttlecocks, individually at the desired strength, direction and interval.

The stand comprising a device, which is free standing and can be moved around on castor wheels, holds the actual apparatus of the machine and can be aligned to direct the shuttlecock in different directions.

The loading assembly comprising: a tubular container having access to take a plurality of shuttlecocks. It has a system of feeding and separating the shuttlecocks individually before being struck.

The striking assembly comprising a means of projecting the shuttlecock.

The invention is characterized in, that the said means is an electro/mechanical device which activates a striker at variable speeds, projecting shuttlecocks individually in various directions, variable strengths at variable intervals.
2. A shuttlecock projecting machine as in claim 1 and characterized in that the striking assembly, which includes a striker attached to an arm which strikes the inside of the cone of the shuttlecock and making contact with the inside of the cap. Thus hitting the shuttlecock in the strongest part of its body with a striker having the correct size, shape and material.
3. A shuttlecock projecting machine as in claim 1 and 2 and characterized in that the shuttlecocks are projected one at a time. The arrangement being that the shuttlecocks are separated before being struck.

<Desc/Clms Page number 10>

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A shuttlecock projecting machine comprising: a stand, a shuttlecock loading assembly and a shuttlecock striker arm describing an arc to project a plurality of shuttlecocks, individually at the desired strength, direction and interval; the said stand comprising a free standing movable device holding the apparatus of the machine and being alignable to direct the shuttlecock in different directions; the said loading assembly comprising a straight tubular container taking a plurality of shuttlecocks; the said projecting machine being characterized in that the said tubular container is straight and slotted; the said slot being adapted to receive the said striker arm substantially at the end of its stroke, in the gap left between the shuttlecock which is being struck and the shuttlecocks remaining in the tubular container. The arrangement being such that the said shuttle cock is struck in the inside of the cap when the shuttlecock is unimpeded by any part of the machine and it is projected in the line of its flight thus eliminating the possibility of the shuttlecock to oscillate during its flight..