GB2591242A - Ball dispensing mechanism for arcade games - Google Patents
Ball dispensing mechanism for arcade games Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2591242A GB2591242A GB2000869.4A GB202000869A GB2591242A GB 2591242 A GB2591242 A GB 2591242A GB 202000869 A GB202000869 A GB 202000869A GB 2591242 A GB2591242 A GB 2591242A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- dispensing mechanism
- ball
- balls
- ball dispensing
- turret
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B47/00—Devices for handling or treating balls, e.g. for holding or carrying balls
- A63B47/002—Devices for dispensing balls, e.g. from a reservoir
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
- A63F7/06—Games simulating outdoor ball games, e.g. hockey or football
- A63F7/0604—Type of ball game
- A63F7/0628—Golf
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B67/00—Sporting games or accessories therefor, not provided for in groups A63B1/00 - A63B65/00
- A63B67/02—Special golf games, e.g. miniature golf or golf putting games played on putting tracks; putting practice apparatus having an elongated platform as a putting track
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
- A63F7/06—Games simulating outdoor ball games, e.g. hockey or football
- A63F7/0604—Type of ball game
- A63F7/0632—Hockey
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B67/00—Sporting games or accessories therefor, not provided for in groups A63B1/00 - A63B65/00
- A63B67/02—Special golf games, e.g. miniature golf or golf putting games played on putting tracks; putting practice apparatus having an elongated platform as a putting track
- A63B2067/025—Special golf games, e.g. miniature golf or golf putting games played on putting tracks; putting practice apparatus having an elongated platform as a putting track with incorporated means acting on the track surface for varying its topography, e.g. slope
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
- A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
- A63B2220/801—Contact switches
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
- A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
- A63B2220/803—Motion sensors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
- A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
- A63B2220/805—Optical or opto-electronic sensors
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
Abstract
A ball dispensing mechanism (5, Figure 5) for an arcade game is provided. The dispensing mechanism automatically dispenses balls 16 from a rotating turret 10 positioned centrally, between a player's legs. The rotation allows balls 16 to be dispensed for both left-handed and right-handed player.
Description
Ball Dispensing Mechanism for Arcade Games
DESCRIPTION
This invention relates to a device for dispensing balls to a player for a ball based arcade game.
Ball based arcade games require balls to be supplied or returned to players such that multiple shots, bowls or puts can be undertaken as part of the game play.
Many existing games supply balls to a single location, requiring them to be manually picked up and placed by the operator/player. Where the ball is delivered to the ground level, this requires the player to bend over for each ball placement. The requirement for manual positioning of the balls impairs the speed of the game and reduces the enjoyment and the opportunity for the game to providing multiple and repetitive shots, puts or plays. Where balls are automatically placed to one location it is difficult to facilitate both a left and right handed player stance. Where the nature of the game dictates a side-on stance, such as in golf or hockey and therefore uses an angled club or stick, there is a requirement to provide balls to either the left or right hand side of the player or play area. This present invention facilitates both left and right handed players, or those who would prefer to choose the direction of stance for play. This invention facilitates players to engage balls from either a left or right handed stance from one single ball dispensing mechanism.
This could be achieved by two separate ball dispensing mechanisms serving left and right hand side independently. This invention overcomes the need for two separate dispensing systems, allowing a single dispenser to serve both left and right handed stance players.
The present invention allows a single ball dispensing mechanism (5) to be employed to dispense balls to either the left or right hand side of the player. The mechanism may be mounted centrally on the machine, residing in-play between the player's feet and legs. It can rotate, either via manual or powered action such that the outlet for the ball is facing to either left or right of the centre.
The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the dispensing mechanism mounted on a golf putting based arcade machine.
Figure 2 shows the mechanism rotated such that balls (16) are dispensed to the right hand side (B) of the play area allowing the player to stand astride the dispenser and play the balls with a right handed stance.
Figure 3 shows a plan view of the mechanism mounted on a golf putting based arcade machine. It shows the centralised position of the ball dispensing mechanism (5) facilitating the rotation of the turret (10) to allow balls (16) to be dispensed to either the left (A) or right (B) side of the play area.
Figure 4 shows the mechanism rotated such that balls (16) are dispensed to the left hand side (A) of the play area allowing the player to stand astride the dispenser and play the balls with a left handed stance.
In figure 1 the turret (10) containing the dispensing mechanism extends through the playing surface (30) of the machine. The turret (10) is central in the player standing area. The ball (16) is dispensed above and onto the playing surface (30), the machines effective floor level, via an outlet (14). In this example, figure 1 shows a manually operated handle (12) on the top of the turret (10) enacting its rotation from left to right. In alternative embodiments the rotational movement of the turret (10) could be powered. The turret (10) contains a ball dispensing path (18) and outlet (14) which rotate with the handle (12) and turret (10). In this example, rotational stops (34) restrict the travel of the turret (10) such that it will not rotate beyond the ideal feed direction for both left or right handed feeds.
Balls (16) are automatically, mechanically fed to and through the turret (10) in accordance with the game function. The dispensing mechanism ensures balls (16) are presented in the perfect location to be played. There is no requirement for the player to handle the balls (16). By being mounted centrally in the playing surface (30) the turret (10) resides between the legs and feet of the player in either stance and causes no obstacle to either the stance or the resulting natural travel of the club! stick.
The invention allows left and right handed play to be achieved, at the user's discretion from a single ball feed/return mechanism.
Figures 5 & 6 show a cross sectional view of the apparatus, which for convenience, shows the turret (10) and thus outlet (14) rotated to a central position rather than to its normal operating positions of either to the left (A) or right (B).
The turret (10) is mounted extending through the playing surface (30). The turret (10) is mounted on 2 bearings (20) which allow it to rotate relative to the playing surface (30). A bearing retaining shaft collar (22) retains the position of the turret. The shaft collar (22) includes a recessed channel (36) over part of its circumference. A lug (34) on the bearing housing structure runs within the channel and acts as a rotational stop to control and restrict the extent of the angle of rotation of the turret (10).
Balls (16) are supplied to the mechanism via a delivery path (28). The delivery path (28) is inclined such that the balls (16) travel under gravity. A motor driven star drive (26) provides a drive for the balls (16) to continue along and up the turret path (18) through the turret (10).
The delivery path (28) joins the turret path (18) via a simple rotational coupling (24), which allows the turret path (18) to rotate relative to the delivery (28) path whist retaining the queue of balls (16).
References Numbers for Drawings S. Ball Dispensing Mechanism 10. Turret 12. Handle 14. Outlet / Hole 16. Ball(s) 18. Turret Path 20. Bearing 22. Shaft collar 24. Rotational coupling 26. Star Drive 28. Delivery path 30. Playing Surface 32. Bearing Mounting 34. Lug (Rotational Stop) 36. Recessed Channel (in the shaft collar)
Claims (13)
- CLAIMS1. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) for an arcade game having: a. a receiving portion for receiving a ball to be dispensed; b. an outlet (14) for allowing a ball received to be dispensed from the mechanism (5), wherein c. said dispensing mechanism (5) is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis X and rotatable between a first position in which it dispenses a ball to a first side (A) and a second position in which it dispenses a ball to a second side (B) opposite to said first side.
- 2. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 for an arcade game which automatically dispenses balls (16) from a rotating outlet (14) positioned centrally, between the player's legs allowing balls (16) to be dispensed for both left and right handed players.
- 3. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 in which balls (16) are automatically dispensed
- 4. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 in which the ball outlet (14) can rotate in order to deliver balls to either the left (A) or right (B) hand side of the mechanism.
- S. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 whereby the centrality of mounting allows it reside between a players feet and legs in a natural stance and cause no obstacle to the natural travel of the club / stick in either a left or right handed stance.
- 6. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to any of the proceeding claims which facilitates players to engage the dispensed balls (16) from either a left or right handed stance.
- 7. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to any of the proceeding claims in which an integrated handle (12) facilitates the manual rotation of the turret (10) and thus the direction of delivery of the balls (16) to the player.
- 8. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to any of the proceeding claims in which the rotation of the turret (10) and thus the direction of delivery of the balls (16) is actuated either manually or powered.
- 9. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to any of the proceeding claims in which balls (16) are supplied to a motor driven star drive along an inclined delivery path via gravity.
- 10. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to any of the proceeding claims in which balls (16) are driven via star drive (26), to follow an upward path, via a simple rotational coupling (24) to a outlet (14) which is above the playing surface (30) and which can be rotated to alter the direction and thus position of delivery of the balls (16) to the player.
- 11. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to any of the proceeding claims in which the ball delivery turret (10) is mounted through the playing surface on 2 bearings (20) acting to both support the turret (10) and to facilitate its rotation.
- 12. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to any of the proceeding claims in which the ball delivery turret (10) is retained by a shaft collar (22) positioned between the 2 bearings.
- 13. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to any of the proceeding claims in which the retaining shaft collar (22) includes a recessed channel (36) over part of its circumference. A lug on the bearing housing structure runs within the channel and acts as a rotational stop to control and restrict the extent of the angle of rotation of the turret (10).
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB2000869.4A GB2591242B (en) | 2020-01-21 | 2020-01-21 | Ball dispensing mechanism for arcade games |
PCT/GB2021/050129 WO2021148789A1 (en) | 2020-01-21 | 2021-01-21 | A ball dispensing mechanism |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB2000869.4A GB2591242B (en) | 2020-01-21 | 2020-01-21 | Ball dispensing mechanism for arcade games |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB202000869D0 GB202000869D0 (en) | 2020-03-04 |
GB2591242A true GB2591242A (en) | 2021-07-28 |
GB2591242B GB2591242B (en) | 2022-05-25 |
Family
ID=69636973
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB2000869.4A Active GB2591242B (en) | 2020-01-21 | 2020-01-21 | Ball dispensing mechanism for arcade games |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2591242B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2021148789A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4141558A (en) * | 1978-01-30 | 1979-02-27 | Hoffman James K | Golf ball storing, dispensing and teeing apparatus |
US5415409A (en) * | 1994-01-07 | 1995-05-16 | Hellmann; Bill W. | Device for automatically teeing up golf balls |
WO2000061242A1 (en) * | 1999-04-08 | 2000-10-19 | Peterson Arthur H | Golf ball dispensing and teeing device |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5040675A (en) * | 1990-05-21 | 1991-08-20 | Cleveland Randy E | Golf ball accessory |
US6497624B2 (en) * | 2001-01-09 | 2002-12-24 | Harmsway, Llc | Golf practice device |
HU223209B1 (en) * | 2001-09-18 | 2004-03-29 | Antal Kuthy | Method and apparatus for golf ball teeing |
US9669274B1 (en) * | 2016-01-19 | 2017-06-06 | Alexander W. Renkis | Air suspension golf ball practice tee systems and methods |
-
2020
- 2020-01-21 GB GB2000869.4A patent/GB2591242B/en active Active
-
2021
- 2021-01-21 WO PCT/GB2021/050129 patent/WO2021148789A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4141558A (en) * | 1978-01-30 | 1979-02-27 | Hoffman James K | Golf ball storing, dispensing and teeing apparatus |
US5415409A (en) * | 1994-01-07 | 1995-05-16 | Hellmann; Bill W. | Device for automatically teeing up golf balls |
WO2000061242A1 (en) * | 1999-04-08 | 2000-10-19 | Peterson Arthur H | Golf ball dispensing and teeing device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB202000869D0 (en) | 2020-03-04 |
WO2021148789A1 (en) | 2021-07-29 |
GB2591242B (en) | 2022-05-25 |
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