JP2021119911A - Ball supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a ball supply device which can store a large number of balls and reliably supply the balls to a ball shooting device one by one.SOLUTION: A ball supply device according to the present invention comprises: a storage container which can store a plurality of balls; a guide path which is provided on a portion of a bottom surface of the storage container and guides the balls; a drop port which is provided in a portion of the guide path and drops the arriving balls; and a collapsing member which can protrude from the bottom surface of the storage container and can be stored to the bottom surface. The collapsing member collapses the crowded state or close-contact state of the balls that are crowded or in close-contact with each other in the storage container with the protrusion from the bottom surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a ball supply device capable of accommodating a large number of balls and reliably supplying the balls to the ball launcher.

In batting practice in baseball and stroke practice in tennis, a ball launcher that automatically launches a baseball ball or a tennis ball is used. The ball launcher used for baseball practice is called a pitching machine or batting machine. In this way, ball launchers called pitching machines and batting machines are used by practitioners in baseball batting practice and tennis stroke practice.

By using a ball launcher, baseball batting practice and catching practice can be performed easily and without a lot of human power. With tennis, you will be able to practice tennis strokes and volleys easily and continuously.

In particular, in the case of tennis, stroke practice and volley practice using a tennis court may be performed. At this time, the practitioner stands on the actual tennis court and hits back the ball fired from the opponent's court. The same applies to strokes and volleys. Here, as a more practical practice, it is preferable that a ball having the same trajectory and speed as the ball hit by the tennis player is launched from the opponent's court of the actual tennis court.

In tennis practice, it is effective to practice repeatedly stroking the ball that reaches the practitioner's hand one after another. Alternatively, the same applies to play-style ball games that include strokes such as table tennis. In order to realize such repeated practice, it is necessary that the balls are thrown one after another in the hands of the practitioner.

In such repetitive stroke exercises (as well as volleys and smashes) such as tennis and table tennis, practice partners and coaches have been working to throw the ball to the practitioner one after another. However, it is a heavy work load for the practice partners and coaches to put out the balls one after another. In addition, the coach who should serve as the practitioner's guidance next to the practitioner does the ball-out work (the ball-out work is done from the opposite side of the practitioner), in raising the level of the practitioner. Is negative.

Of course, the same is true for baseball.

In such a situation, there is a need for a ball launching device that can continuously and accurately deliver the ball required by the practitioner. In addition, this ball launcher is required to continuously launch a large number of balls. Therefore, a large number of balls are installed in the ball launching device in advance, and it is also required that the large number of balls are launched one after another one by one.

Several techniques for such a ball launcher have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent No. 5625098 Jikkenhei 1-77784 Gazette Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-39290

In Patent Document 1, a ball launching means for launching a ball is connected to a ball controlling means for determining the firing direction and rotation of the ball, a ball passing passage through which the ball passes is formed in the ball controlling means, and a throwing port at the tip of the ball passing passage is used. In a pitching machine that throws a ball, the ball launching means comprises a ball supply mechanism that supplies the ball and an air injection mechanism that pneumatically launches the ball supplied from the ball supply mechanism, and the ball control means is a ball passage passage. A rotating body is provided on the lower side, and the rotating body is rotated in the traveling direction of the ball at a speed faster than the traveling speed of the ball to come into contact with the lower side of the ball fired from the air injection mechanism. Discloses a pitching machine characterized in that a friction body is provided above the baseball and the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface of the rotating body in contact with the ball is larger than that of the surface of the friction body in contact with the ball.

However, the ball launcher of Patent Document 1 installs the balls one by one at the installation site and launches the balls. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time to install the ball at the installation site. Therefore, it is not suitable for the practice of firing balls one after another and hitting and receiving the fired balls. This is because the time interval for firing the balls becomes longer due to the longer installation time.

In addition, there is a problem that an operator is required in the operation of throwing the ball or the operation of launching the actual ball. For example, it is necessary to control the throwing, installation, and firing of the ball while the operator is close to the ball launching device. In the case of baseball, the worker may be able to operate the ball launcher during team practice. However, when one coach has to teach a large number of players as in tennis, there is a problem that the coach sticks to the ball launcher and the coaching of the players becomes impossible.

Alternatively, even if it is automatically operated by a remote controller, there is a problem that it is not suitable when the player needs to perform it and wants to practice firing balls one after another.

In addition, there is a problem that a large number of balls cannot be prepared at one time and the balls cannot be fired one after another at short time intervals. Due to this problem, there was a problem that it was not suitable for practicing by receiving a ball fire at a short time interval.

Patent Document 2 discloses a pitching machine provided with a ball rotating means for applying friction to a ball by bringing a mountain-shaped convex portion into contact with the surface of the ball moving in a cylinder under the pressure of high-pressure air. Patent Document 4 simulates that a human pitcher applies friction to a ball with two fingers by contacting two convex portions with a part of the surface of the ball moving in a cylinder. ing. By this simulated reproduction, the pitching machine disclosed in Patent Document 2 can impart rotation to the ball.

However, the technique of Patent Document 2 has the same problem as that of Patent Document 1. There is a problem that a small number of workers cannot shoot balls one after another at short time intervals, which is not suitable for practice that requires this. Further, in the technologies such as Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is a problem that the cost of the device is high, and there is also a problem that it is difficult to introduce depending on the type of ball game and the organization in which the ball game is introduced.

In Patent Document 3, the housing 10 for accommodating a plurality of balls 1 and the receiving portion 21 for holding the balls 1 are sent out from the lower side to the upper side of the housing 10 to raise the balls 1 one by one. A ball supply device including a transport means 20 for supplying the ball from the housing 10 to the ball launching means 50. A through hole 12 through which the receiving portion 21 passes is formed at the lowermost portion of the housing 10. In the vicinity of the hole 12, a rotating body 30 capable of moving the ball 1 in the housing 10 is provided. Thereby, the goal supply device capable of continuously supplying the balls in the housing one by one to the ball launching means is disclosed.

However, in the technique of Patent Document 3, the device for supplying the ball becomes large and complicated, and it becomes difficult to connect the device to the ball launching device. In addition, the entire device including the ball launcher becomes large, making it unsuitable for practicing ball games such as tennis, table tennis, and baseball.

In addition, there is a problem that the cost of the device is increased. This is possible for professional baseball teams, but it is difficult for amateur teams and tennis classes to introduce expensive equipment.

In particular, the technique of Patent Document 3 is based on the premise that balls can be taken out one by one from the housing. However, in order to continuously fire a large number of balls, it is necessary to accommodate a large number of balls in the housing. If a large number of balls are accommodated, the balls come into close contact with each other, making it difficult to take out the balls one by one from the housing.

Further, by installing the housing for accommodating the ball on the ball launching device and supplying the ball to the ball launching device by dropping the ball, the size of the ball launching device including the ball feeding device can be reduced. It leads to simplification and cost reduction. However, if a large number of balls are put into the housing, there is a problem that the balls come into close contact with each other, making it difficult for each ball to fall from the housing. A state in which the balls are in close contact with each other is sometimes defined as a bridge, but such a bridge may occur and the balls may not fall from the housing. If the ball does not fall from the housing to the ball launcher, the ball launcher will not be able to launch the next ball.

Even though the ball is housed in the housing, it is not preferable that the ball is not supplied from the housing to the ball launching device and the ball is not fired by the practitioner. When such a situation occurs, the practitioner or the coach has to perform work such as scattering the balls in the housing. This is a waste of burden and time.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ball supply device capable of accommodating a large number of balls and reliably supplying balls to the ball launcher one by one.

In view of the above problems, the ball supply device of the present invention includes a storage container capable of accommodating a plurality of balls and a storage container.
A guide path for guiding the ball, which is provided on a part of the bottom surface of the storage container,
A drop port provided in a part of the guideway to drop the reached ball,
It is equipped with a protrusion from the bottom of the storage container and a collapsing member that can be stored in the bottom.
The breaking member breaks the dense or close contact state between the balls that are densely or in close contact with each other inside the storage container by protruding from the bottom surface.

The ball supply device of the present invention can accommodate a large number of balls at one time and supply the balls to the ball launcher one by one. With this supply, many balls can be fired continuously to streamline ball game practice.

In addition, even if the balls do not fall into the drop port due to the balls sticking to each other or forming a bridge inside the storage container, the close contact or the bridge is broken to ensure that the balls are placed in the drop port one by one. Can be guided. As a result, the ball launcher can be reliably supplied with balls one by one.

All of the balls contained in the storage container will be reliably fired one by one, leading to more efficient continuous repetitive practice in ball games. In particular, the worker who puts out the ball becomes unnecessary, and the human cost and the human burden can be reduced.

It is a side view of the ball supply device combined with the ball launching device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view of the ball supply device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a side view of the guide path in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the state which is the ball supply device in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the lump of a ball is generated in the storage container 2. It is a schematic diagram of the ball supply device in the state where the breaking member in the first embodiment of the present invention is popped out. It is a side view of the ball supply device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Both the retracted state and the popped-out state of the breaking member 5 are shown. It is a front view of the ball supply device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view of the ball supply device in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a side view of the ball supply device in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the ball launching measure which incorporated the ball supply device in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

The ball supply device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a storage container capable of accommodating a plurality of balls and a storage container.
A guide path for guiding the ball, which is provided on a part of the bottom surface of the storage container,
A drop port provided in a part of the guideway to drop the reached ball,
It is equipped with a protrusion from the bottom of the storage container and a collapsing member that can be stored in the bottom.
The breaking member breaks the dense or close contact state between the balls that are densely or in close contact with each other inside the storage container by protruding from the bottom surface.

With this configuration, even if the balls form a lump and do not move to the guide path or the drop port or do not fall, the balls can be separated from each other. As a result, the ball can be continuously dropped from the drop port.

In the ball supply device according to the second invention of the present invention, in addition to the first invention, the drop port is provided at the guide destination of the guide path.
The dropped ball is supplied to the moving passage to the ball launcher.

With this configuration, the ball can be supplied by free fall.

In the ball feeding device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first or second invention, the guide path has a downward inclination toward the drop port.

With this configuration, the guide path can effectively guide the ball to the drop opening.

In the ball feeding device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to third inventions, the breaking member includes side walls provided on both side surfaces of the guide path.
The guide path can protrude from the bottom and can be stored in the bottom.
By projecting the guide path from the bottom surface, the side wall projects upward from the bottom surface,
The side wall protruding from the bottom surface breaks the dense or close contact state between the balls that are densely or in close contact with each other inside the storage container.

With this configuration, even if the balls form a lump and cannot fall from the drop port or reach the drop port, this can be eliminated.

In the ball supply device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to fourth inventions, the breaking member includes a projecting member capable of projecting upward from a part of the bottom surface.
The projecting member can project from the bottom surface and can be stored in the bottom surface.
The protruding member protruding from the bottom surface breaks the dense or close contact state between the balls that are densely or in close contact with each other inside the storage container.

With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the dense state and the close contact state more widely and surely.

In the ball supply device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to fifth inventions, the breaking member is stored on the bottom surface in a normal state.

With this configuration, normally, the guidance of the ball in the guide path and the fall from the drop opening are not hindered.

In the ball feeding device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the fifth invention, each of the guide path and the projecting member can project from the bottom surface at the same time.

With this configuration, sufficient force and disconnection pressure can be applied at one time. As a result, the lumps of balls can be reliably and widely broken.

In the ball feeding device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the fifth invention, each of the guide path and the projecting member can project from the bottom surface at different timings.

With this configuration, the lumps of balls can be effectively broken by repeated popping out.

In the ball supply device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to eighth inventions, the guide path is provided in a part of the bottom surface (hereinafter, the guide path region).
The bottom surface has a guideway region and a rest region that is the rest,
The remaining region has a slope that descends towards the guideway region.

With this configuration, the balls inside the storage container can be collected in the guide path. The same is true even if the number of balls is reduced, and the last ball can be supplied.

In the ball supply device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to ninth inventions, in the guide path region, the region other than the guide path has an inclination downward toward the drop port.

With this configuration, the balls inside the storage container can be collected at the drop port. The same is true even if the number of balls is reduced, and the last ball can be supplied.

In the ball supply device according to the eleventh invention of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to tenth inventions, the breaking member can protrude from the bottom surface by air pressure.

With this configuration, the breaking member can be ejected with a momentary and strong force.

In the ball supply device according to the twelfth invention of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to eleventh inventions, a sensor for detecting the presence of a ball at the drop port is further provided, and the sensor is provided for a certain period of time or longer. When the presence of the ball cannot be detected, the breaking member protrudes.

With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate in real time the state in which the balls are not supplied due to the dense state or the close contact state of the balls.

The ball launching device according to the thirteenth invention of the present invention includes the ball feeding device according to any one of the first to the twelfth.
A launcher that launches the ball when the ball is supplied from the drop port,
A moving passage that connects the predetermined position of the launch tube and the drop port to move the ball,
Equipped with a compressed air tank that applies air pressure to the launch tube,
The ball supplied to the launch tube is pneumatically launched.

With this configuration, after a large number of balls have been put into the storage container, it is possible to continuously and reliably fire until the last ball. Useful for practitioners and coaches.

Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)

(Overview)
FIG. 1 is a side view of a ball supply device combined with the ball launcher according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In ball games such as baseball, tennis, and table tennis, the ball supply device 1 is combined with the ball launcher 100 used for these exercises. The ball launcher 100 launches the ball 200 for the practice of the practitioner. For example, baseball is used for batter and catcher practice, and tennis is used for stroke and volley practice.

As an example, the ball launcher 100 of FIG. 1 pneumatically launches the ball 200. Therefore, the ball launcher 100 includes a moving passage 130, a launcher 110, and a compressed air tank 120. Further, the ball launcher 100 may include a housing and a support member as required.

The ball supply device 1 is combined with the upper part of the ball launcher 100. That is, the ball supply device 1 is provided on the ball launcher 100 and supplies the balls 200 to the ball launcher 100 from above. At this time, the ball supply device 1 and the launcher 110 are connected by the moving passage 130. The balls 200 falling from the ball supply device 1 are supplied to the launch tube 110 through the connected moving passage 130.

The ball launcher 200 sets the ball 200, which is supplied by falling from above, in the launch tube 110 and applies the air pressure from the compressed air tank 120. When air pressure is applied, the ball 200 is launched from the launch tube 110. FIG. 1 also shows the state of launch.

As described above, the ball supply device 1 of the present invention is used in combination with the ball launcher 100. Of course, it may be combined with other than the ball launcher 100. Further, although FIG. 1 shows a ball launching device 100 that launches a ball by air pressure, the ball feeding device 1 may be combined with a ball launching device of another method.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the ball supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The state where the ball launcher 1 is viewed from above is shown. This is a state in which the ball supply device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from above.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ball supply device 1 accommodates a large number of balls 200. The contained ball 200 is dropped and supplied to the ball launcher 100. That is, in the supply of the ball 200 itself, the ball supply device 1 does not supply the ball 200 by a mechanical or electrical mechanism, but supplies the ball 200 on the basis of free fall.

The ball supply device 1 includes a storage container 2, a guide path 3, a drop port 4, and a breaking member 5.

The storage container 2 can store a plurality of balls 200. As shown in FIG. 1, a large number of balls 200 can be accommodated inside. The storage container 2 has a basket-like shape so that a large number of balls 200 can be stored. Further, as an example, the upper part of the storage container 2 is open. By opening the ball, a practitioner or the like can throw in and accommodate a large number of balls 200.

Further, the storage container 2 may be combined so as to be provided above the ball launching device 100. As shown in FIG. With such a combination, the ball 200 that freely falls from the drop port 4 is supplied to the ball launcher 100. By repeating the supply in free fall, a mechanical mechanism or the like for supplying the ball 200 to the ball launcher 100 becomes unnecessary, and the ball supply device 1 can be simplified. As a result, the cost of the ball supply device 1 can be reduced and the combination with the ball launcher 100 can be facilitated.

The storage container 2 forms the outer shape of the ball supply device 1.

Since the storage container 2 can store the balls 200, the storage container 2 includes a bottom surface 21. A large number of balls 200 are housed on the bottom surface 21 so as to overlap each other. The guide path 3 is provided on a part of the bottom surface 21. In FIG. 2, the guide path 3 is provided on the right side of the bottom surface 21. The guide path 3 is provided with side walls 31 on both sides, and is provided with a bottom portion 32 on the bottom surface connecting the side walls 31. By being surrounded by the bottom portion 32 and the side wall 31, the ball 200 is guided by entering the inside.

It is also preferable that the bottom portion 32 has a positional relationship slightly downward with respect to the bottom surface 21. With such a positional relationship, the balls 200 inside the storage container 2 are fitted into the guide path 3 and guided along the inclination of the guide path 3. A drop port 4 is provided in a part of the guide path 3. Further, the guide path 3 has an inclination that inclines downward toward the fall port 4. A drop port 4 is provided at the tip of the slope.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the guide path according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a drawing focusing on the guide path 3 and the drop port 4. In order to explain the form of the guide path 3 and its function, it is shown schematically. As described above, the guide path 3 can form a lane-like passage surrounded by the side wall 31 and the bottom 32. The guide path 3 itself may not be entirely projected (exposed) upward from the bottom surface 21 of the storage container 2, or may be partially projected upward from the bottom surface 21. Alternatively, the upper surface of the side wall 31 may be aligned with the bottom surface 21. Alternatively, the upper surface of the side wall 31 may be slightly projected from the bottom surface 21.

At this time, the bottom portion 32 of the guide path 3 is located below the bottom surface 21.

In any state, the ball 200 inside the storage container 2 gradually reaches the guide path 3. The arrived ball 200 goes down toward the drop port 4 along the slope while entering the passage form such as the lane of the guide path 3. The drop port 4 is ahead of the guide path 3 in the drop direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the ball 200 that has reached the guide path 3 moves (guides) toward the drop port 4 according to the inclination and the lane form. After that, the ball 200 that has reached the drop port 4 falls downward from the drop port 4. The fall is a free fall.

The free-falling ball 200 moves in the moving passage 130 connected to the ball launching device 100 and is supplied to the launching cylinder 110.

As described above, the drop port 4 is provided in a part of the guide path 3. In particular, the guide path 3 has an inclination, and the drop port 4 is provided at the tip of the inclination. As shown in FIG. 3, the ball 200 that has come down due to the inclination of the guide path 3 falls from the fall port 4.

The drop port 4 is provided at the guidance destination (inclined tip) of the guidance path 3, and drops the ball 200 into the moving passage 130 of the ball launching device 100.

The breaking member 5 can protrude from the bottom surface 21 of the storage container 2 and can be stored in the bottom surface 21. Storage on the bottom surface 21 means returning to the bottom of the bottom surface 21 after projecting from the bottom surface 21.

A large number of balls 200 are put into the storage container 2. Therefore, the balls 200 may come into close contact with each other or become densely packed. In particular, the balls 200 tend to concentrate on the guide path 3. This is because it has a form of inducing. The breaking member 5 can break the state of being densely packed or in close contact with each other inside the storage container 2 by protruding from the bottom surface 21. If the balls are densely packed or in close contact with each other, the balls 200 cannot properly enter the guide path 3, and it becomes difficult for the balls to fall from the drop port 4.

When the breaking member 5 can break the dense state and the close contact state of the balls, the balls 200 fall apart, enter the guide path 3, and are properly guided (moved) to the drop port 4. Will be). In particular, as described above, the ball 200 tends to concentrate on the guide path 3. In addition, by concentrating, they come into close contact with each other. Due to the close contact between the balls 200, the balls 200 may form a lump. This mass is sometimes called a bridge.

When such a lump is generated, the ball 200 that should enter the guide path 3 cannot enter, or the ball 200 stops in the middle of the guide path 3. Alternatively, the ball 200, which is a mass, may block the guide path 3.

The breaking member 5 protrudes upward from the bottom surface 21. A member having a plate shape or other form pops out to break the mass of the ball 200. That is, the dense state and the close contact state are broken. By this collapse, the lumped balls 200 are separated one by one, and the state in which the guide path 3 is blocked is also eliminated. As a result, the ball 200 can move in the guide path 3. As described above, the guide path 3 has an inclination toward the drop port 4. According to this inclination, the ball 200 moves in the guide path 3 and arrives at the drop port 4 of the guide destination. The arriving ball 200 freely falls from the drop port 4 and is supplied to the ball launcher 100.

In this way, the ball supply device 1 can supply the balls 200 to the ball launcher 100 by utilizing free fall only by charging a large number of balls 200 into the storage container 2. In particular, since the guide path 3 provided with the drop port 4 is provided on the bottom surface 21, the ball 200 inside the storage container 2 is guided by the guide path 3 and falls from the drop port 4. It is a state that leads to a fall.

In addition, a large number of balls 200 are stored inside the storage container 2. This large number of balls 200 concentrate toward the guide path 3. Due to this concentration, it becomes dense and lumpy. On the other hand, the ball supply device 1 of the present invention includes a breaking member 5 that protrudes upward from the bottom surface 21. When the breaking member 5 protrudes upward and pops out, the lumps can be broken and the balls 200 can be made one by one. In this way, the separated balls 200 are guided along the guide path 3 and fall one by one from the drop port 4.

In such a combination, the ball supply device 1 is combined on the ball launcher 100. Since it is not necessary to drop the ball by mechanical operation, the ball supply device 1 can be miniaturized and reduced in cost. As a result, it can be easily used in combination with the ball launcher 100.

In addition, a large amount of thrown balls 200 can be supplied one by one and fired one by one. As a result, the operation of the ball launching device 100 can be automated so that the practitioner can concentrate on the practice and the coach can concentrate on the coaching. You can improve the efficiency of practice and coaching. In particular, it is possible to prevent the balls 200 from being formed in a state where the balls 200 remain in the storage container 2 and not being fired because the balls 200 are not supplied.

In this respect as well, the practitioner, the coach, and the like do not need to deal with the ball supply device 1 (such as manually breaking the lump of the ball 200), and the efficiency of practice and coaching is further improved. As a result, the reliability of the ball launcher 100 is also increased.

(Correspondence by breaking member)

As described above, the breaking member 5 causes the member to pop out upward from the bottom surface 21 to break the lumps of the plurality of balls 200. Break it down and make the balls 200 one by one. When the lump is broken, the ball 200 cannot enter the guide path 3, the ball 200 is stopped in the middle of the guide path 3, the ball 200 is stopped because it cannot fall at the fall port 4, or these. The ball 200 that is blocking the other ball 200 can be scattered as a cause of the above. As a result, the ball 200 can be dropped from the drop port 4.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the ball supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a lump of balls is generated in the storage container 2. A mass of dense balls 200 is formed around the guide path 3 of FIG. 4 and around the drop port 4. Due to this mass, the ball 200 cannot move due to the inclination of the guide path 3, and also cannot fall at the fall port 4.

The softness of the surface of a tennis ball, a soft baseball ball, or the like makes it easy for the balls 200 to come into close contact with each other and become densely packed. This adhesion causes lumps. Around the guide path 3 in FIG. 4, the bottom surface 21 has an inclination so that the balls 200 can gather. Further, due to the inclination of the guide path 3, the balls 200 are likely to collect at the drop port 4.

As a result of this easy concentration, a lump of balls 200 is generated in the guide path 3 and the drop port 4.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a ball supply device in a state in which a breaking member is projected according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The breaking member 5 protrudes upward from the bottom surface 21. That is, it is prominent. This pop-out gives an impact to the mass of the ball 200. When the breaking member 5 is a plate-shaped member, the breaking members 5 can be broken so as to separate the balls 200 that are in close contact with each other.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the lump of the ball 200 is broken. The lump has collapsed and the balls 200 have fallen apart. In this state, the ball 200 enters the guide path 3 and is further guided through the guide path 3. In addition, the drop port 4 is no longer blocked, and the ball 200 can be dropped from the drop port 4. FIG. 5 also shows such a falling state of the ball 200.

(Wall wall)
The breaking member 5 includes side walls 31 provided on both side surfaces of the guide path 3. That is, the side wall 31 may form at least a part of the breaking member 5 as it is. The side wall 31 together with the bottom portion 32 guides the ball 200 that has entered the guide path 3 to the drop port 4. The ball 200 can be efficiently guided to the drop port 4.

The side wall 31 includes a part of the breaking member 5.

The guide path 3 has a structure including a bottom portion 32 and a side wall 31 integrally. The guide path 3 is usually stored below the bottom surface 21. In the retracted state, the guide path 3 guides the ball 200 that has moved from the bottom surface 21 to the guide path 3 to the drop port 4 on the bottom surface 21 of the storage container 2.

The guide path 3 can be stored in the bottom surface 21 and protruded (protruded) from the bottom surface 21. When the guide path 3 protrudes from the bottom surface 21, the side wall 31 also protrudes upward from the bottom surface 21. The side wall 31 is a plate-shaped member due to its nature. By popping out the plate-shaped member, it is possible to break the dense mass of the balls 200. That is, it is possible to break the dense state or the close contact state of the balls 200.

Further, the side wall 31 is provided on both side surfaces of the guide path 3. As shown in FIG. As described above, the balls 200 tend to gather in the guide path 3 on the bottom surface 21. The collected balls 200 form a lump (bridge). When the side wall 31 pops out upward, the mass of the balls 200 formed in the guide path 3 can be broken.

Further, since the side wall 31 has a plate shape, it can be broken so as to separate the lumps of the balls 200. By breaking the ball 200 so as to separate it, the lump of the ball 200 can be effectively broken. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the ball 200 can be reliably dropped from the drop port 4.

Since it is at least a part of the breaking member 5, the side wall 31 is stored in the bottom surface 21 (below) in the normal state. When a lump of balls 200 is generated, it pops out upward. After popping out, it will be stored again.

(Protruding member)
FIG. 2 shows a projecting member 7 that can project upward from a part of the bottom surface 21.

The breaking member 5 may include the protruding member 7. That is, together with the side wall 31, the protruding member 7 constitutes the breaking member 5. In FIG. 2, a pair of projecting members 7 are provided on both sides of the side wall 31. Of course, the positional relationship and the number may be different from the case shown in FIG.

The projecting member 7 is stored in the bottom surface 21 in a normal state. When a lump of balls 200 is generated, it pops out upward. After popping out, it will be stored again. That is, the protruding member 7 can protrude (protrude) from the bottom surface 21 and can be stored in the bottom surface 21.

When the protruding member 7 protrudes upward from the bottom surface 21, the mass of the ball 200 can be broken in the same manner as the side wall 31. That is, the protruding member 7 protruding from the bottom surface 21 can break the dense state or the close contact state of the balls 200 inside the storage container 2. If this can be broken, as shown in FIG. 5, the ball 200 is separated and the ball is guided to the drop opening 4 so that the ball can fall.

Further, since the projecting member 7 is a plate-shaped member, it is possible to separate the lumps of balls in a dense state so as to separate them. As a result, the lumped balls 200 can be reliably separated one by one.

(Storing and popping out (protruding) of breaking member)

FIG. 6 is a side view of the ball supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Both the retracted state and the popped-out state of the breaking member 5 are shown. As described above, the breaking member 5 includes at least one of the side wall 31 and the protruding member 7. Of course, both may be included. FIG. 6 shows a case where both the side wall 31 and the projecting member 7 are included. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a case where the side wall 31 and the projecting member 7 are provided in parallel is shown. Therefore, when viewed from the side surface as shown in FIG. 6, the side wall 31 and the projecting member 7 are in an overlapping state.

Further, since the side wall 31 is a part of the guide path 3, the guide path 3 and the projecting member 7 are also parallel and overlap each other when viewed from the side surface.

The breaking member 5 can be projected from the bottom surface 21 and can be stored under the bottom surface 21. That is, normally, the breaking member 5 is stored under the bottom surface 21. If necessary, the breaking member 5 protrudes upward from the bottom surface 21. By popping out, the mass of the ball 200 is broken as described above.

Here, it is also preferable that each of the guide path 3 and the projecting member 7 projects from the bottom surface 21 at the same time. That is, at the same time, the side wall 31 of the guide path 3 and the projecting member 7 protrude upward. FIG. 6 shows this state.

The breaking member 5 (including the side wall 31 and the protruding member 7) of FIG. 6 is stored under the bottom surface 21 in a normal state. By this storage, the guide path 3 functions as a guide path 3 on the bottom surface 21.

When a lump of balls 200 is generated, the breaking member 5 pops out upward. At this time, the side wall 31 and the projecting member 7 are integrally connected and pop out at the same time. The breaking member 5A and the like shaded by the diagonal lines in FIG. 6 show the state after popping out. That is, the breaking member 5A pops out, and the side wall 31A and the protruding member 7A are in a pop-out state (of course, the guide path 3A is also in a pop-out state).

By this popping out, the mass of the ball 200 is broken.

After that, when the balls are stowed again, the guide path 3 guides the broken balls 200 one by one to the drop port 4. The ball 200 guided to the drop port 4 falls and is supplied to the ball launcher 100.

When the guide path 3 and the projecting member 7 are integrally members or are integrally connected, the side wall 31 and the projecting member 7 are in a protruding state at the same time. By popping out at the same time, a stronger impact and a direct and physical force can be applied to the lumped ball 200.

As a result, the dense state and the close contact state can be surely broken.

Alternatively, the guide path 3 and the projecting member 7 may be separate bodies or may not be integrally connected. In this case, it is also preferable that the guide path 3 (that is, the side wall 31) and the projecting member 7 can protrude from the bottom surface 21 at different timings. By popping out at different timings, the densely packed balls 200 can be broken down one by one, and the balls 200 can be surely separated one by one.

Further, when the breaking member 5 pops out, the guide path 3 itself pops out. This is because the side wall 31 pops out when the guide path 3 pops out. Therefore, the bottom 32 of the guide path 3 can also pop out.

The side wall 31 can give a force to cut the ball mass. On the other hand, the bottom portion 32 can apply a force to bounce the ball 200. Together, these can more reliably break the lump of balls 200.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the ball supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The ball supply device 1 shown in the side view of FIG. 6 is shown as viewed from the front (from the drop port 4 side). When viewed from the front, a drop port 4 is provided according to the guide path 3. Further, the guide path 3 is shown to be provided with a bottom portion 32 and a pair of side walls 31 on both side surfaces thereof.

Further, a pair of projecting members 7 are also provided on the outside of each of the side walls 31. The side wall 31 and the projecting member 7 are integrally formed or integrally connected. The taxiing member control unit 51, which will be described later, causes the side wall 31 (guide path 3) and the projecting member 7 to pop out. When these pop out, the lumps of the balls 200 that are in a dense state or a close contact state inside the storage container 2 are broken.

(Collapse member control unit)
FIG. 6 shows a breaking member control unit 51 that controls protrusion (protrusion) and storage of the breaking member 5. The breaking member control unit 51 projects (protrudes) the breaking member 5 from the bottom surface 21 as needed. As shown in FIG. 6, the breaking member 5 (side wall 31, protruding member 7) is projected upward.

In addition, after projecting, it is also controlled to be stored under the bottom surface 21. That is, in the normal state, the breaking member control unit 51 puts the breaking member 5 in a stored state below the bottom surface 21. On the other hand, when it is necessary to break the lump of the ball 200, the breaking member 5 is made to protrude upward from the bottom surface 21. Further, the breaking member control unit 51 stores the protruding breaking member 5 below the bottom surface 21 again.

By controlling the breaking member 5 in this way, the lump of the ball 200 is broken when necessary.

Further, the breaking member control unit 51 controls the protrusion and storage of the side wall 31 (guide path 3) and the projecting member 7 according to the case where the side wall 31 (guide path 3) and the projecting member 7 protrude integrally or at different timings. In addition, the pop-out speed of the breaking member 5 and the time from pop-out to storage can be controlled.

Here, it is also preferable that the drop port 4 or the moving passage 130 is provided with a sensor for detecting the ball 200. The sensor detects that the ball 200 passes through the drop port 4, or detects that the ball 200 passes through the moving passage 130.

This sensor can detect at least one of the ball 200 falling through the drop opening 4 and the ball 200 moving through the moving passage 130. The sensor may not detect both the ball 200 falling through the drop opening 4 and the ball 200 moving through the moving passage 130. This is a state in which the ball 200 does not fall into the drop port 4. That is, the balls 200 are densely packed and become a lump, and the balls 200 cannot reach the drop port 4.

The sensor outputs this detection result to the breaking member control unit 51. The breaking member control unit 51 controls the popping out of the breaking member 5 based on the detection result. From the detection result, if the ball 200 cannot reach the drop port 4 or is in a state where it cannot be dropped, the breaking member control unit 51 causes the breaking member 5 to pop out upward.

On the contrary, when the sensor determines that the ball 200 cannot reach the drop opening 4 or cannot fall, the breaking member control unit 5 does not let the breaking member 5 pop out. Alternatively, in the case of such a detection result, the breaking member 5 may be popped out in order to prevent the ball 200 from becoming a lump. This is because it is possible to prevent the balls 200 from being loosened inside the storage container 2 and forming a bridge or a lump due to crowding or the like by occasionally popping out.

In particular, it is provided with a sensor that detects whether or not the ball 200 is present at the drop opening 4. This sensor can detect, for example, that the ball 200 does not exist if the light receiving unit can receive light, and the ball 200 does not exist if the light receiving unit cannot receive light, by the light emitting unit that outputs light and the light receiving unit that receives this light. ..

If the balls 200 are not in close contact with each other or in a dense state inside the storage container 2, the balls 200 continuously reach the drop port 4. Therefore, the balls 200 pass through the drop port 4 one after another at short time intervals. Therefore, the sensor can detect passing through the ball 200 at short intervals (in other words, the time for determining that the ball 200 is absent is short).

On the other hand, when the balls 200 are in close contact with each other or in a dense state inside the storage container 2, the balls 200 do not fall into the drop port 4. The sensor is in a state where the ball 200 cannot be detected at the drop port 4 for a certain period of time or longer. If the sensor cannot detect the ball 200 within this certain period of time, this result is output to the breaking member control unit 51. The breaking member control unit 51 pops out the breaking member 5 based on the detection result. As a result, the balls 200 in the dense state or the close contact state are separated, and the balls 200 fall again from the drop port 4 and are supplied to the ball launcher.

Further, the breaking member control unit 51 may project the breaking member 5 at regular time intervals. By doing so, it becomes easy to prevent the formation of lumps of the balls 200 in advance. It is also preferable to change the fixed time interval depending on the detection result from the sensor.

As described above, the ball supply device 1 according to the first embodiment has a simple structure in which free fall is used while eliminating the lumps of the balls 200 and the stagnation of the ball supply, and the balls 200 to the ball launcher 100. Can be reliably supplied.

(Embodiment 2)

Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, various variations and the like will be described.

(Inclination of the bottom and guidance for the ball to fall)
FIG. 8 is a top view of the ball supply device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The state where the ball supply device 1 is viewed from above is shown.

The storage container 2 has a bottom surface 21. A guide path 3 is provided on a part of the bottom surface 21. Here, a part of the bottom surface 21 where the guide path 3 is provided is defined as the guide path region 22. In FIG. 8, the right side portion of the bottom surface 21 is the guide path region 22. The guide path region 22 is a region including not only the portion of the guide path 3 but also the guide path 3. Therefore, the entire right side where the guide path 3 starts on the bottom surface 21 is the guide path region 22.

Of the bottom surface 21, the remaining region of the guide path region 22 is defined as the remaining region 23. In FIG. 8, the left side portion of the bottom surface 21 is the remaining bizarre 23. In this way, the bottom surface 21 can be grasped by dividing it into a guide path region 22 and a remaining portion region 23 with reference to a certain position of the guide path 3.

Here, the remaining region 23 has a slope 25 that descends toward the guideway region 22. The triangular display of the slope 25 in FIG. 8 schematically represents the slope 25. In FIG. 9, the inclination 25 is shown so that it can be grasped from the side surface. FIG. 9 is a side view of the ball supply device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is shown in fluoroscopy so that the internal structure can be seen.

The slope 25 descends toward the guide path 3 in the remaining region 23. In other words, the bottom surface 22 is inclined so as to descend toward the guide path 3 on the remaining region 23 side. The balls 200 thrown into the storage container 2 tend to move toward the guide path 3 (easily move to the guide path region 22) according to the inclination 25.

In particular, after a large number of balls 200 have been thrown into the storage container 2, the balls 200 fall and are fired one by one. Therefore, the number of balls 200 gradually decreases. When the number of balls 200 decreases inside the storage container 2, the number of balls 200 naturally decreases from the periphery of the drop port 4. Therefore, this decrease is also transmitted to the remaining region 23 far from the drop port 4.

In the process of transmitting this decrease, the ball 200 in the remaining region 23 moves to the guide path 3 due to the inclination 25. Due to such movement, the balls inside the storage container 2 move to the guide path 3 one after another from the remaining region 23 side. As a result, the balls 200 are guided one after another from the guide path 3 to the drop port 4.

Further, in the guide path region 22, the region other than the guide path 3 has an inclination 24 toward the fall port 4. 8 and 9 show this inclination 24. The shaded triangles in the line of FIG. 8 schematically show the inclination 24 toward the drop opening 4. In addition, in FIG. 9, the slope 24 is shown.

The inclination 24 is an inclination that descends toward the drop port 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, not only the inclination in one direction but also the inclination from a plurality of directions toward the drop port 4 is provided. The entire inclination from such a plurality of directions is the inclination 24.

The inclination 24 makes it easier for the balls 200 in the guideway region 22 to gather at the drop port 4 (and the guideway 3). As a result, even in a situation where a large number of balls 200 are thrown in and then dropped and fired one after another and the balls 200 are gradually reduced, the remaining balls 200 move to the guide path 3 and the drop port 4. Will be.

Due to the inclination 25 of the remaining region 23 and the inclination 24 of the guideway region 22, the balls 200 inside the storage container 2 move to the guideway 3 and the drop port 4 one after another. Due to this movement, even if the number of balls 200 is reduced, the balls 200 are dropped one after another from the drop port 4. The dropped balls 200 are launched one after another by the ball launching device 100.

In this way, the inclination 24, the inclination 25, and the inclination of the guide path 3 are combined so that the balls 200 of the storage container 2 gather at the drop opening 4 and fall from the drop opening 4. This is because it is unlikely that the ball 200 cannot reach the drop port 4 even though the ball 200 remains in the storage container 2.

On the other hand, due to the inclination 24, the inclination 25, and the like, the balls 200 may gather in the guide path 3 and the drop opening 4, so that the balls 200 may be densely packed or adhered to each other to generate lumps. Regarding this, as described in the first embodiment, the breaking member 5 breaks this mass. As a result, the balls 200 gathered in the drop port 4 can be dropped one by one from the drop port 4.

In this way, the balls 200 are collected in the guide path 3 and the fall port 4 by the inclination 24 and the inclination 25, and the breaking member 5 breaks the lumps as needed, so that the balls 200 in the storage container 2 are the last one. Up to pieces can freely fall from the drop opening 4. As a result, all the balls 200 are supplied to the ball launcher 100.

(Collapse member)
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a ball launching measure incorporating the ball supply device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The breaking member 5 is popped out and stored by the breaking member control unit 51. Here, the ball launcher 100 may utilize air pressure. The ball launcher 100 of FIG. 10 uses air pressure to launch the supplied ball 200. Therefore, the ball launcher 100 includes a compressed air tank 120.

Here, the compressed air tank 120 is provided with a path for applying air pressure to the breaking member control unit 51. The arrow X in FIG. 10 is the path for applying the air pressure. That is, the breaking member 5 can protrude from the bottom surface 21 (can pop out) by air pressure. The ball launching device 100 includes a compressed air tank 120 for launching the ball 200, and the breaking member control unit 51 receives the compressed air from the compressed air tank 120 and causes the breaking member 5 to pop out. good.

When the ball supply device 1 is combined with the ball launching device 100 that utilizes air pressure, the breaking member 5 is popped out by using the air pressure of the compressed air tank 120 provided in the ball launching device 100. When the air pressure is applied, the breaking member 5 finishes popping out and returns to the bottom surface 21.

By utilizing the air pressure in this way, it is possible to easily and surely store the breaking member 5 as it was while causing it to pop out with a strong force momentarily. Further, since the air pressure provided in the ball launcher 100 can be used, energy efficiency and miniaturization of the structure can be facilitated.

(Ball launcher)

FIG. 10 shows a ball launcher 100, which includes a ball supply device 1. The ball supply device 1 described in the first and second embodiments is used in combination with the ball launcher 100 in this way. Although FIG. 10 shows a ball launching device 100 that launches a ball 200 using air pressure, it may be incorporated in a ball launching device that launches a ball 200 by a mechanism other than pneumatic pressure.

The ball supply device 1 is provided on the launch tube 110. The drop port 4 of the ball supply device 1 is connected to the launch tube 110 by a moving passage 130. The ball 200 that has fallen through the drop port 4 reaches a predetermined position of the launch tube 110 through the moving passage 130. At this time, the balls 200 falling through the drop port 4 are controlled by the sensor and the stopper so as to enter the launch tube 110 one by one.

The ball 200 that has reached the launch tube 110 is launched by applying air pressure from the compressed air tank 120. It is launched by being ejected from the tip of the launch tube 110. As shown in FIG.

The ball launching device 100 includes elements necessary for firing the ball 200 by air pressure, such as fixing the ball 200 at a predetermined position, detecting the fixed ball 200, and applying air pressure. It also includes a support member that serves as a pedestal for the ball launcher 100, and an angle control unit that controls the angle and direction of the launcher 110.

It also has an operation panel for controlling the ball launcher 100. It is an operation panel that determines the rate of fire and the type of ball.

The ball launching device 100 itself launches the balls 200 set in the launching cylinder 110 one by one. By combining the ball supply device 1 on the ball launcher 100, the free-falling balls 200 are set in the launcher 110 one after another. In addition, many balls are housed in the ball supply device 1. As described in the first and second embodiments, the ball supply device 1 can supply the balls 200 to the launcher 110 only by free fall without using a mechanical transportation method.

Combined with these, the ball launcher 100 can launch the balls 200 one after another without the practitioner or the coach setting the balls 200 in the launch tube each time. This allows the practitioner to practice repeatedly in various ball games such as baseball, tennis, and table tennis, and the coach is freed from the work of operating the ball launcher and putting out the ball, and is near the practitioner. You can concentrate on coaching.

As described above, the ball supply device described in the first and second embodiments is an example for explaining the gist of the present invention, and includes deformation and modification within a range not deviating from the gist of the present invention.

1 Ball supply device 2 Storage container 21 Bottom surface 22 Guide path area 23 Remaining area 24, 25 Inclined 3 Guide path 31 Side wall 32 Bottom 4 Fall port 5 Breaking member 51 Breaking member control unit 7 Protruding member 100 Ball launcher 110 Launch cylinder 120 Compression Air tank 130 Moving passage 200 balls

Claims (13)

A storage container that can hold multiple balls and
A guide path for guiding the ball, which is provided on a part of the bottom surface of the storage container,
A drop port provided in a part of the guide path and for dropping the reached ball,
It is provided with a protrusion from the bottom surface of the storage container and a breaking member capable of storing the container in the bottom surface.
The breaking member is a ball supply device that breaks a dense state or a close contact state between the balls that are densely or in close contact with each other inside the storage container by protruding from the bottom surface. The drop port is provided at the guidance destination of the guide path, and is provided.
The ball supply device according to claim 1, wherein the dropped ball is supplied to the moving passage to the ball launcher. The ball supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide path is inclined downward toward the drop port. The taxiing member includes side walls provided on both side surfaces of the guide path.
The guide path can protrude from the bottom surface and can be stored in the bottom surface.
When the guide path projects from the bottom surface, the side wall projects upward from the bottom surface.
The ball supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the side wall protruding from the bottom surface breaks the dense or close contact state between the balls that are densely or in close contact with each other inside the storage container. The breaking member includes a protruding member that can project upward from a part of the bottom surface.
The protruding member can protrude from the bottom surface and can be stored in the bottom surface.
The ball supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protruding member protruding from the bottom surface breaks the dense or close contact state between the balls that are densely or in close contact with each other inside the storage container. The ball supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the breaking member is stored in the bottom surface under a normal state. The ball supply device according to claim 5, wherein each of the guide path and the projecting member can project from the bottom surface at the same time. The ball supply device according to claim 5, wherein each of the guide path and the projecting member can project from the bottom surface at different timings. The guide path is provided in a part of the bottom surface (hereinafter referred to as a guide path region).
The bottom surface has the guideway region and the rest region which is the rest.
The ball feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the remaining region has a slope downward toward the guide path region. The ball supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein in the guide path region, a region other than the guide path has an inclination downward toward the drop port. The ball supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the breaking member can project from the bottom surface by air pressure. Further equipped with a sensor for detecting the presence of a ball at the drop port,
The ball supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the breaking member protrudes when the sensor cannot detect the presence of the ball for a certain period of time or longer. The ball supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
A launch tube to which a ball is supplied from the drop port and launches the ball,
A moving passage for moving the ball by connecting the predetermined position of the launching cylinder and the drop port,
A compressed air tank that applies air pressure to the launch tube is provided.
A ball launching device that launches the ball supplied to the launching cylinder with the air pressure.

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