JP5485340B2 - Golf ball automatic tee-up supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically supplying a golf ball. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically supplying a golf ball in a tee-up state in which a golf ball is placed on a tee.

  Some recent driving ranges not only automatically supply golf balls, but also supply golf balls placed on a tee (tee-up). For example, a golf ball that is buried one by one from a golf ball automatic supply pipe piped under the floor while burying a tee-up device that pushes the tee off the floor with the ball placed under the floor of the bat at the driving range Is received by a tee, and the tee is lifted with a golf ball placed thereon, passing through a hole in the floor surface, and squeezed out onto a striking mat (Patent Document 1).

  There is also known a device for installing a golf ball automatic supply device at a position away from a tee on the floor of a bat and transporting golf balls one by one on a fixed tee using a golf ball transporting means. . For example, an apparatus is known that tees up by horizontally turning an arm on which an automatically supplied golf ball is placed on a ball receiving portion at the tip, and moving the golf ball onto a tee (Patent Document 2). In this golf ball automatic supply device, the horizontally turning arm is provided with a flat C-type ball receiving portion having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball at the tip thereof, while turning between the tee and the automatic golf ball supply device, The mechanism lowers to a position intersecting the tee at the tee position, and rises so as to penetrate the ball transfer section at the position of the ball transfer section of the automatic golf ball supply apparatus. Using the cutout portion of the C-shaped ball receiving portion, the arm can be swung horizontally so that the ball receiving portion does not hit the tee. On the other hand, a groove that allows the C-shaped ball receiving portion to pass in the vertical direction is formed in the bowl-shaped ball transferring portion on the golf ball automatic supply device side. Therefore, the C-type ball platform is raised for each swing arm and passed through the bowl-shaped ball transfer portion on the golf ball automatic supply device side, and then the golf ball is scooped up, and the ball receiving portion is swung by the swing arm thereafter. After moving the golf ball to just above the tee, the swing arm is lowered to allow the tee to pass relatively to the center of the C-shaped ball receiving portion, and the golf ball is left on the tee to raise the tee. I am doing so. Further, a chuck that grips the golf ball by opening and closing at an arbitrary timing by the operation of a solenoid is provided at the tip, and the golf ball is moved to the tee by a golf ball conveying means that linearly reciprocates between the tee and the golf ball automatic supply device. There is a device that transports to just above, drops a ball onto a tee, and tees up (Patent Document 3).

  Further, the detection unit is operated by swinging the golf club, the adjustment unit is operated, the arm holding the ball is swung vertically and lowered directly above the tee, and the golf ball is placed on the tee. After placing, by repeating the cycle of raising the arm, grasping the next ball and waiting, it is possible to follow a continuous swing in a stable state and effectively practice golf. An automatic tee-up method and apparatus have been proposed (Patent Document 4). This automatic tee-up device is connected to a vacuum source at the tip of an arm that swings vertically, and a cup-shaped ball receiving portion that attracts a golf ball by applying a negative pressure to the tip, or a chuck that is opened and closed by adjusting the current of an electromagnet By adopting a cup-shaped ball receiving portion that grips the golf ball so as to wrap the golf ball as a ball gripping means, it is possible to grip the golf ball so that it does not fall during turning even if it is turned along a vertical plane. Yes. In addition, the tee has a double structure of a main tee and a surrounding sub tee. When receiving a golf ball, the internal pressure of the sub tee is increased to raise the sub tee so that both tees are combined. The main tee is connected to a vacuum source and the golf ball is attracted by negative pressure, while the inner pressure of the outer sub tee is released and lowered to the mat surface so that the golf ball is supported only by a small main tee. Thus, the hit feeling is not impaired.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-46831 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-87786 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-171968 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-177024

  However, in the automatic tee-up device according to the invention described in Patent Document 1 in which the ball is pushed out from under the floor while the ball is placed on the tee, the ball may fall from the tee if the operating speed is increased. Moreover, since the equipment is buried under the floor, the construction cost is higher than the equipment installed on the floor, and in the case of a multi-level training ground, the floor on the upper floor is lowered or irregularities appear. There are problems such as getting worse.

  Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, since the tee has various thicknesses, it is necessary to increase the size of the chipped portion of the C-shaped ball receiving portion, and stop during swing of the supply arm or just above the tee. When doing so, there is a problem that the ball tends to fall in the direction of the chipped portion, and a reliable supply of the ball cannot be expected. In particular, it becomes a problem that cannot be ignored when speeding up the automatic tee-up supply of a golf ball in order to follow a continuous swing. In addition, it is difficult to align the ball receiving portion at the tip of the arm that turns with respect to the fixed tee.

  Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 3, in order to cause the ball to drop at least its diameter, if the cores of the tee and the ball gripping portion do not exactly match, the tee and the elastic repulsive force of the ball often It will spill from the tee.

  As described above, the conventional automatic tee-up device is simply intended to tee up the ball and is not considered in the speed of tee-up. For this reason, it was difficult to follow a continuous swing, and it was difficult to practice golf effectively.

  Furthermore, in the automatic tee-up device described in Patent Document 4, the speed of the tee-up is taken into consideration, but a cup-shaped ball receiving portion that adsorbs a golf ball by connecting to a vacuum source and applying a negative pressure, Alternatively, a cup-shaped ball receiving portion that grips and wraps the golf ball with a chuck that is opened and closed by adjusting the current of the electromagnet is used as the ball gripping means, and further receives a golf ball with a double tee of a main tee and a sub tee. Since a complicated mechanism and control for selectively connecting to a vacuum source and a pressurization source are required at the time of hitting and hitting, there is a problem that the apparatus configuration becomes large. In addition, since it takes time to perform ON / OFF control and switching operation of a vacuum source and a pressure source, there is a problem that it is easily restricted by speeding up of tee-up for following a continuous swing.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball automatic tee-up supply device that enables high-speed automatic supply in a tee-up state in which a golf ball is placed on a tee. Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic golf ball tee-up supply device that enables high-speed automatic supply in a tee-up state that enables continuous high-speed hitting. It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic golf ball tee-up supply device that can achieve stabilization of the placement state of a golf ball during tee-up.

  In order to achieve the above object, an automatic golf ball tee-up supply device according to claim 1 stores the golf ball in the automatic golf ball tee-up supply device that automatically tees up the golf ball and supplies it to a ball hitting position. A hopper portion that sends out golf balls one by one, a ball transfer mechanism that receives a supplied golf ball that has passed through the shutter mechanism and transfers it to a tee at a ball set position, Tee conveying means for reciprocating the tee between the ball setting position and the ball hitting position, and the tee conveying means is configured to place the golf ball on the tee at the ball setting position. The golf ball is teeed up by horizontally moving to Mom has to be able to automatically supplied.

  Here, it is preferable that the edge of the pedestal portion on which the golf ball of the tee is placed be provided with a fall prevention piece that surrounds the side of the golf ball in a direction in which an inertial force acting on the golf ball acts. It is to provide four fall prevention pieces arranged in an X shape at intervals narrower than the width of the golf ball.

  Further, the ball transfer mechanism in the automatic golf ball tee-up supply device of the present invention is directed to the ball hitting position with the hole and the tee penetrating the tee waiting at the ball set position relatively in the vertical direction. And a ball receiver having a funnel-shaped seating surface on which a golf ball is placed and a lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the ball receiver between the ball receiving position and the tee. The tee is positioned so that the center axis of the seat surface coincides with the center axis of the tee waiting at the ball setting position, and when the ball receiver descends, the tee penetrates the center of the seat surface of the ball receiver relatively vertically. The pedestal of the golf ball is in contact with the golf ball placed on the seat surface of the ball receiver and lifts the golf ball relatively. It is preferable le are those causing transfer to the tee.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf ball automatic tee-up supply device comprising: a ball detection sensor for detecting a golf ball on a tee at a ball hitting position; and a ball detection for detecting the presence or absence of a golf ball at a ball set position. A sensor and a club head detection sensor for detecting a head return of the golf club that has passed the ball hitting position, and when the ball detecting sensor detects that the golf ball has disappeared from the tee at the ball hitting position, When the ball detection sensor detects that there is no tee and no golf ball at the ball set position, the ball transfer mechanism is And lift the shutter mechanism Supply the ball and place it on the ball rest until the tee returns to the ball set position. When the tee returns to the ball set position, lower the ball transfer mechanism and wait for the golf ball on the ball rest. The ball is placed on the tee and placed in a standby state, and the golf club head return sensor detects the head return of the golf club and simultaneously moves the tee on which the golf ball is placed at the ball setting position to the ball hitting position. By hitting the ball immediately in the up state, continuous hitting is possible.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic golf ball tee-up supply device comprising: a ball detection sensor for detecting a golf ball on a tee at a ball hitting position; and a ball detection for detecting the presence or absence of a golf ball at a ball set position. A sensor and a control means for instructing transfer of the tee to the ball hitting position after a certain time has elapsed since the golf ball was placed on the tee, and the golf ball disappeared from the tee by hitting at the ball hitting position. When the ball detection sensor detects the ball, the tee is returned to the ball set position to be in a standby state for receiving a ball from the ball transfer mechanism, while the ball set position detects no tee and no golf ball. When detected by the sensor, the ball transfer mechanism is raised and the shutter is moved. Drive the mechanism to supply the golf ball, place it on the ball receiver and wait until the tee returns to the ball set position, and when the tee returns to the ball set position, lower the ball transfer mechanism to The golf ball is transferred onto the waiting tee and put into a ball discharge standby state, and after a certain period of time has elapsed since the ball was put into a standby state, the golf ball is placed at the ball set position and the tee that is waiting is placed at the ball hitting position. By moving the ball in the tee-up state, the ball is supplied at intervals that cannot be continuously hit.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic golf ball tee-up supply device comprising: a ball detection sensor for detecting a golf ball on a tee at a ball hitting position; and a ball detection for detecting the presence or absence of a golf ball at a ball set position. A sensor, a club head detection sensor for detecting a head return of the golf club that has passed the ball hitting position, and a control for instructing the transfer of the tee to the ball hitting position after the golf ball has been placed on the tee and a certain time has elapsed. And a club head detection sensor or control means that can be selectively executed by a switch or program control, and the ball detection sensor detects that the golf ball has disappeared from the tee at the ball hitting position. Return the tee to the ball set position. While waiting to receive a ball from the ball transfer mechanism, the ball transfer mechanism is raised and the shutter mechanism is driven when the ball detection sensor detects that there is no tee and no golf ball at the ball set position. The golf ball is then supplied and placed on the ball receiver to wait until the tee returns to the ball set position, and when the tee returns to the ball set position, the ball transfer mechanism is lowered and the golf ball on the ball receiver Is placed on the waiting tee and put into a ball-out waiting state, and the golf club head return sensor detects the head return of the golf club, and at the same time moves the tee waiting for the golf ball placed at the ball set position to the ball hitting position. And a continuous mode in which the ball is immediately ejected in the tee-up state and a ball set. And a normal mode in which the ball out from the certain time has elapsed by the timer control after is obtained by selectable.

  Further, the golf ball automatic tee-up supply device according to the invention described in claim 8 moves back and forth inside the hopper portion, thereby rotating, pushing or pulling the contacted ball, thereby changing the contact state between the balls. It is characterized in that the hopper part is provided with a squeezing means for breaking the bridging of the ball by changing.

  In the golf ball automatic tee-up supply device according to claim 1, the golf ball waiting in the tee-up state at the ball setting position can be shot by simply being transported to the ball hitting position as it is. High-speed supply is possible with the golf ball placed on the tee.

  Further, in the golf ball automatic tee-up supply device according to claim 2, since the fall prevention piece is provided at least in the direction in which the inertial force acts on the golf ball, not only when the movement is started and when the movement is stopped, but also during the movement Even the golf ball can be supported so as not to fall down. In addition, when the golf ball is transferred from the ball transfer mechanism onto the tee, the side of the ball is surrounded by the fall prevention piece before contacting the pedestal on which the golf ball is placed. It is possible to prevent the golf ball from falling down during transfer. For this reason, it is possible to automatically supply the golf ball to the ball hitting position in a tee-up state where the golf ball is placed on the tee at a higher speed.

  In the golf ball automatic tee-up supply device according to claim 3, since the four fall prevention pieces are arranged in the X shape at an interval narrower than the width of the golf ball, not only the front-rear direction in the tee conveyance direction. The golf ball can be supported at a plurality of locations in the direction in which the inertial force acts so as to be surrounded by the fall prevention pieces in the lateral direction. Thereby, the support of the golf ball becomes more stable, and even if the conveyance speed and the ball transfer speed are increased, the golf ball can be prevented from falling from the tee. Therefore, further high-speed automatic supply of a tee-up golf ball is possible. Moreover, since the fall prevention piece is not interposed between the golf ball and the club head when the golf ball is hit, the feeling of hitting is not impaired.

  5. The golf ball automatic tee-up supply device according to claim 4, wherein when the golf ball is placed on the ball receiver, the center of the golf ball coincides with the center axis of the seat surface of the ball receiver, and thus the center of the tee. Since the axis and the vertical axis passing through the center of the golf ball are kept substantially coincident with each other, the tee is relatively positioned with the tee, the ball receiver and the center of the golf ball placed on one axis. The golf ball is transferred to the tee with the center aligned so as to penetrate, and the golf ball hardly falls off the tee. In particular, when transferring to a tee provided with a fall prevention piece, the golf ball will not fall down in combination with the support by the fall prevention piece.

  According to the golf ball automatic tee-up supply device according to claim 5, the golf club head return sensor detects the golf club head return and simultaneously moves the tee on which the golf ball is placed and waits at the ball setting position to the ball hitting position. Since the ball can be taken out immediately in the up state, it is possible to continuously hit at a high speed. Moreover, when the club head is returned after the shot, the golf ball is not supplied to the ball hitting position, and the golf ball is taken out after the club passes in front of the head detection sensor. There is no possibility that the golf ball touches the club and falls. Therefore, the supply of the golf ball in the tee-up state stably follows the continuous swing, and the continuous hitting practice can be effectively performed.

  According to the automatic golf ball tee-up supply device according to claim 6, since the ball is not immediately taken out after the completion of the shot and the ball is taken out after a preset time, a series of swings starting from an address for each ball. Practice following the movement can be done at the player's own speed. Even at this time, the ball is taken out at a high speed and stably without the golf ball falling from the tee, so the player can practice comfortably without being disturbed by the swing rhythm or causing irritation. it can.

  According to the golf ball automatic tee-up supply device according to claim 7, the golf ball head return sensor detects the golf ball head return, and at the same time, moves the tee on which the golf ball is placed and waits at the ball setting position to the ball hitting position. It is possible to select a continuous mode in which the ball is taken out immediately in the up state and a normal mode in which the ball is taken out after a certain time has elapsed by the timer control after the ball is set. The mode can be switched arbitrarily.

  According to the golf ball automatic tee-up supply device according to claim 8, since there is no interruption of the ball supply due to the bridging phenomenon of the golf ball in the hopper, the swing rhythm is not distorted or frustrated. Players can practice comfortably.

It is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a golf ball automatic tee-up supply device of the present invention. It is the perspective view seen from the left rear upper part which shows a part of structure of a hopper part and a resting means, omitting a part of housing | casing. It is the perspective view seen from the upper part upper part which shows the structure of a hopper part, a setting means, a guide part, a shutter mechanism, and a ball transfer mechanism, omitting the front panel of a housing | casing. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of the hopper portion with the front panel omitted in FIG. 3. It is the perspective view seen from the upper right back, omitting the panel of the housing. It is the perspective view which omitted the panel of the housing | casing and was seen from the upper right front. It is a top view which shows a part of structure of a hopper part and a setting means without a part of housing | casing. It is a partial enlarged front view which shows the relationship between a shutter mechanism and a ball transfer mechanism. It is a partial expansion perspective view which shows the raising / lowering mechanism of a ball transfer mechanism. It is a partial expansion perspective view which shows the relationship between a shutter mechanism and a ball transfer mechanism. It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of a tee conveyance means. It is an enlarged view of the tee and the slider at the striking position of the tee conveying means. It is an enlarged view showing the relationship between the tee, the slider, and the ball detection sensor at the striking position excluding the transport path cover of the tee transport means. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a state where a frame is further removed from FIG. 13. It is a disassembled perspective view of a tee conveyance means. It is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a tee. It is a front view of a tee. It is a perspective view which shows other embodiment of a tee and a ball receiver. It is a perspective view which shows other embodiment of a tee and a ball receiver. It is a time chart which shows the motion of the continuous mode of the golf ball automatic tee-up supply apparatus of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

  1 to 17 show an example of an embodiment of a golf ball automatic tee-up supply device of the present invention. The golf ball automatic tee-up supply device according to this embodiment includes a hopper portion 1 for stocking a certain amount of golf balls 21, and a guide portion 2 that supplies the golf balls 21 supplied from the hopper portions 1 in a line. , A shutter mechanism 3 that sends out the golf balls 21 guided by the guide unit 2 one by one, and a ball transfer that transfers the golf balls 21 that are sent out one by one from the shutter mechanism 3 onto a tee waiting at a ball set position. A loading mechanism 4; a tee transporting means 5 that feeds a tee and places the golf ball 21 on the tee from the ball setting position to the ball hitting position; and returns the shot tee to the ball setting position again. It has.

  In the present embodiment, a hopper portion 1, a guide portion 2, a shutter mechanism 3, and a ball transfer mechanism 4 are configured inside a box-shaped housing 6, and a tee transport portion is horizontally formed from the bottom of the housing 6. Is provided so as to protrude. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the hopper portion 1 is configured by a space partitioned by a panel (hereinafter referred to as a bottom plate) 17 that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane disposed at the top of the housing 6. The hopper 1 is formed so that golf balls 21 are collected by using an inclination in a supply port 18 provided at one corner of the lowermost end. The supply port 18 is an opening connected to the guide part 2. Here, the bottom plate 17 of the hopper portion 1 is provided with a side groove 19 that is recessed from the surrounding surface and inclined toward the supply port 18, and is inclined so as to collect the golf balls 21 toward the side groove 19. . The casing 6 is provided with a lid 62 that can be opened and closed, and although not shown on the inner side of the lid 62 that is the inner surface of the hopper 1, the inner peripheral wall of the casing 6, and the surface of the bottom plate 17, a sound absorbing material is not shown. Is pasted. In addition, an opening 63 is formed at the left corner of the front surface of the housing 6, for example, so that the tee conveying means 5 protrudes toward the front side, and at the ball set position 38 inside the housing 6. The golf ball 21 transferred by the ball transfer mechanism 4 on the tee 40 is allowed to pass while being placed on the tee 40 and is delivered to the ball hitting position 39 outside the housing 6. It has been.

  The hopper 1 is provided with resting means 7 for preventing the bridging of the golf ball 21. As shown in FIG. 5, the swell means 7 includes a slat plate 8 that reciprocates on the bottom plate 17 of the hopper 1 and a drive unit that reciprocates the slat plate 8 with a constant stroke. In the case of this embodiment, the settling plate 8 is housed in a side groove 19 at one corner of the bottom plate 17 and moves forward and backward toward the ball supply port 18 along the bottom surface of the side groove 19, and in particular, the supply port 18 of the hopper unit 1. The bridging of the golf ball 21 that is likely to occur in the vicinity of is broken. In addition, an auxiliary slat plate 9 having a substantially L-shaped cross section constituting a part of the bottom surface of the side groove 19 and a part of the wall surface of the hopper portion 1 is integrally fixed to the slat plate 8 with a screw. The bottom surface and the side wall surface adjacent to the bottom surface are provided so as to move back and forth toward the supply port 18. Therefore, when the slat plate 8 continuously moves back and forth inside the hopper portion 1, the contacting ball is rotated or pushed or pulled by the tip of the slat plate 8 and the bottom surface and wall surface of the auxiliary slat plate 9. Thus, the bridging of the balls is disrupted by changing the contact state between the balls. Thereby, the clogging of the ball in the vicinity of the supply port 18 of the hopper portion 1 and in the hopper portion 1 can be prevented in advance. In the case of this embodiment, the bottom surface of the side groove 19 composed of the auxiliary slat plate 9 and the slat plate 8 has a stepped shape that gradually decreases in height toward the tip in order to enhance the sag effect. In addition, the bottom of the golf ball 21 is pushed by the tip of the rest plate 8, and the vicinity of the bottom of the golf ball 21 is simultaneously pushed at each stepped portion.

  In the case of this embodiment, the setting means 7 is provided so as to reciprocate with a constant stroke by driving a motor. For example, the settling means 7 is guided by the guide rail 11 disposed on the bottom surface of the side groove 19 and by the guide rail 11 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction (the direction of moving forward and backward along the side groove 19 toward the supply port 18). A sliding plate 8 and an auxiliary sliding plate 9, a rack 10 fixed to the sliding plate 8 with screws or the like, and a pinion gear 13 of a motor 12 installed outside the hopper portion 1. It is provided so as to advance and retract by driving 12. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 2, the guide rail 11 is disposed so as to penetrate from the inside of the hopper portion 1 to the outside, and is fixed so as to protrude from the bottom surface of the side groove 19 and the frame / wall surface of the housing 6. Supported by a bracket 15. Therefore, the guide plate 8 moves forward and backward so as to penetrate the hopper while being held by the guide rail 11. For example, limit switches 14a and 14b are used to control the forward and backward movement of the rack 10, and the front and rear limit switches 14a and 14b provided at the stroke end are alternately operated by the dog 16 provided on the side surface of the rack 10. The rotation direction of the motor 12 is switched, and the slat plate 8 connected and integrated with the rack 10 is provided to move back and forth. In addition, a space for the rack 10 to enter the inside of the hopper 1 near the opening (not shown) of the side wall of the hopper 1 through which the guide plate 8, the rack 10, the auxiliary support plate 9 and the guide rail 11 pass. A cover 20 is provided for ensuring the above.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the guide portion 2 connected to the side groove 19 via the supply port 18 is formed by a groove that is slightly wider than the diameter of the golf ball 21 and is inclined, and is supplied from the hopper portion 1. The golf balls 21 are arranged in a line and supplied to the shutter mechanism 3 using an inclination. The guide portion 2 and the hopper portion 1 are configured in the housing 6 by a chassis and a panel constituting the housing 6.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the shutter mechanism 3 is provided at a terminal portion of the guide portion 2 formed of an inclined groove, and sends out aligned golf balls one by one to the downstream ball transfer mechanism 4. The shutter mechanism 3 of the present embodiment includes, for example, a rotating roller 23 that sandwiches the golf ball 21 between the inclined panel 22 of the guide portion 2, a motor 24 that rotationally drives the rotating roller 23, and front and rear of the rotating roller 23. Are provided with ball detection sensors 25 and 26 such as photoelectric switches for detecting the passage of the golf ball 21, and the leading balls of the golf balls 21 aligned in a row are connected to the inclined panel 22 of the guide portion 2 and the rotating roller 23. The following golf balls 21 are dammed by being pinched or abutted between them, and only the leading golf ball 21 is sent to the downstream ball transfer mechanism 4 one by one by the rotation of the rotating roller 23. Has been. In the case of the present embodiment, when the ball detection sensor 25 in front of the rotation roller 23 detects that the golf ball 21 has been supplied from the hopper portion 1, the motor 24 is driven to start the rotation of the rotation roller 23, The motor 24 is stopped to stop the rotation of the rotating roller 23 when it is detected by the ball detection sensor 26 behind the rotating roller 23 that one has been sent out. In some cases, the ball detection sensor 25 on the front side of the rotating roller 23 is omitted, and the upper limit switch of the ball transfer mechanism 4 indicates that the ball transfer of the ball transfer mechanism 4 has reached the upper end ball transfer position. When the rear ball detection sensor 26 detects that the golf ball 21 has been sent out by rotating the motor of the shutter mechanism 3 continuously or by a predetermined angle. The rotation may be stopped. In this case, the motor 24 is continuously rotated until the detection signal from the ball detection sensor 26 is detected, or the motor 24 is rotated again by a predetermined angle, and the golf ball 21 is sent out.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the ball transfer mechanism 4 includes a ball receiver 27 that receives the golf balls 21 that are sent one by one from the shutter mechanism 3, and a lifting mechanism that supports the ball receiver 27 and moves up and down. It is configured. As shown in FIG. 9, the elevating mechanism includes an elevating frame 28 that supports the ball receiver 27, and an elevating slider that slides the elevating frame 28 in a vertical direction along a guide rail 29 fixed to the chassis of the housing 6. 30, a rack 31 attached to the lifting frame 28 and arranged in the vertical direction, a motor 32 and a pinion gear 33 for reciprocating the rack 31, and an upper limit switch 34a and a lower limit switch for regulating the lifting stroke end of the rack 31 34b. A ball detection sensor 37 that detects the presence or absence of the golf ball 21 on the tee 40 is provided immediately above the tee 40 at the ball setting position 38. The ball detection sensor 37 gives an instruction to drive the ball transfer mechanism 4 when the tee 40 is sent to the ball hitting position and the ball 21 cannot be detected. Then, when it is detected that the ball 21 has been supplied onto the ball receiver, an instruction to shift the ball transfer mechanism 4 to the standby state is given. The stroke end is provided with a stopper (not shown) for preventing movement in preparation for an overrun of the rack 31.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the ball receiver 27 is sent out toward the ball hitting position with the hole 27v and the tee 40 penetrating the tee 40 drawn into the ball set position relatively in the vertical direction. The bearing surface has a directional opening 27h and a funnel-shaped seating surface, for example, a spherical surface or a seating surface 35 that forms a part of a downward-rotating paraboloid or a right conical surface. It is to support. The ball receiver 27 is arranged so that the central axis of the tee 40 of the tee conveying means 5 waiting at the ball setting position 38 and the central axis of the seating surface 35 substantially coincide with each other. For example, when the retracted position of the slider 43, that is, the ball set position 38 is regulated and determined by the limit switch 58a so that the center axis of the tee 40 coincides with the center axis of the seat surface 35 of the ball receiver 27, the tee is determined. 40, the ball receiver 27, and the center of the golf ball 21 are arranged on one axis. Therefore, when the golf ball 21 is placed on the ball receiver 27, the center of the ball 21 coincides with the central axis of the seating surface (part of the spherical surface) 35 of the ball receiver 27, and consequently the central axis of the tee 40. The vertical axis passing through the center of the ball 21 is kept in a substantially coincident relationship.

  Here, the tee 40 in this embodiment employs a tee having four fall prevention pieces 40b as shown in FIGS. Therefore, the ball receiver 27 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the entire tee 40 including the four drop prevention pieces 40b can pass through the space / hole 27v inside the ball receiver 27 in the width direction of the fall prevention piece 40b. It is composed of two rectangular bars that are arranged on the left and right sides with a gap w that is wider than x and narrower than the diameter of the golf ball 21, and a seating surface 35 that forms a part of a spherical surface is formed on these surfaces. Try to form. Incidentally, the ball receiver 27 composed of a pair of square bars is integrated by being opposed to both side wall portions of the lifting frame 28 having a U-shape when viewed from above and fixed with screws or the like, and is substantially C as a whole. It is provided to form.

  The ball receiver 27 is supported so that three sides (surfaces) except for the surface on which the front opening 27h where the tee 40 goes in and out in the horizontal direction is formed are surrounded by the lifting frame 28. That is, three sides of the front and rear both sides of the direction in which the golf ball 21 supplied from the shutter mechanism 3 is sent out and the back side opposite to the direction in which the tee 40 is conveyed are surrounded by the elevating frame 28. . When the ball receiver 27 is raised to the ball receiving position, the front side of the ball receiver 27 is surrounded by the chassis of the housing 6. Therefore, the ball that has passed through the shutter mechanism 3 rolls down on the ball receiver 27 from the guide inclined surface 22. Even if it sometimes bounces, it strikes one of the surfaces and tries to return toward the central seating surface 35 and is stably supported at the center of the seating surface 35. The wall surface of the elevating frame 28 near the guide slope 22 is bent when the upper end edge portion 28a is bent outward at the same angle as the guide slope 22 so that the ball receiver 27 rises to the ball receiving position. The slope between the guide slope 22 and the ball receiver 27 is reduced by a slope that is continuous with the slope 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the tee conveying means 5 for reciprocating the tee 40 between the ball setting position 38 and the ball hitting position 39 is a slider 43 that moves horizontally on the guide rail 44 by a driving means. In this embodiment, the slider 43 is provided so as to reciprocate by a timing belt 42 spanned between a pair of timing belt pulleys 41a and 41b. . The timing belt 42 is bridged between a driving side timing belt pulley 41 a arranged in the housing 6 and a driven side timing belt pulley 41 b arranged ahead of the guide rail 44. The slider 43 is linearly moved by the rotation of the side timing belt pulley 41a driven by the motor. The reciprocating motion of the slider 43 by the timing belt 42 is regulated at both stroke ends by a limit switch 58a that defines a stroke end on the ball setting position 38 side and a limit switch 58b that defines a stroke end on the ball hitting position 39 side, The limit switches 58a and 58b are alternately operated to switch the rotation direction of the motor 54, and the slider 43 is moved back and forth. In the present embodiment, in the continuous mode, the ball ejection speed is controlled to be within a range of about 0.5 seconds. However, the ball ejection may be performed at a constant speed. . The limit switches 58a and 58b are fixed to the side wall portion of the frame 59 of the tee conveying means. In addition, stoppers (not shown) are provided at both front and rear ends of the guide rail 44 in preparation for an overrun of the slider 43.

  The slider 43 and the timing belt 42 are connected by a timing belt fixing bracket 51. The timing belt fixing bracket 51 and the inner side fixing member 51a fixed to the slider side are opposed to the inner side fixing member 51a from the outside of the timing belt 42 with the timing belt 42 interposed therebetween, and the timing belt 42 is opposed to the slider side member 51a. The timing belt fixing bracket 51 is fixed to a predetermined position of the timing belt 42, and the fixing bracket 51 is fixed to the side surface of the slider 43, and is fixed along with the movement (circulation) of the timing belt. The slider 43 is provided to reciprocate through the movement of the metal fitting 51. In the case of this embodiment, the tee mounting base 46 and the tee fixing base 47 are fixed to the side edge portions of the base 48 by screws. The grooved frame 59 that houses the slider 43 and the like is covered with a transport path cover 53. The transport path cover 53 is provided with a slit 53c for a ball detection sensor and a groove 53b through which the tee 40 can pass and a space 53a through which the base portion 40c of the tee 40 can pass.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the slider 43 includes a slider main body 45 that slides along the guide rail 44, a tee mounting base 46, and a tee fixing base 47. The tee mounting base 47 has both edge portions 46a raised so that the tee fixing base 47 is lifted and supported with respect to the slider body 45, and the tee fixing base 47 is attached to the both side edge portions 46a. The main body 45 and the tee fixing base 47 are connected. The tee fixing base 47 includes a base 48 having a space 48a into which the base 40c of the tee 40 is fitted and a recess 48b for slidably receiving the tee presser fitting 49, and a base 40c of the tee 40. A cover having a tea fixture 49 having a bifurcated pressing portion 49a that presses down from above, a groove 50b through which the operation claw 49b of the tea fixture 49 can pass, and a space 50a through which the base portion 40c of the tee 40 can pass. 50. The tee fixing member 49 is slidably held by the base 48 and the cover 50. That is, the tee fixing base 47 slides the tee fixing tool 49 in a state where the base portion 40c of the tee 40 is fitted in the voids 50a and 48a opened in the cover 50 and the base 48, and the tee fixing base 47 is slid. The tee 40 is fixed by pressing the base portion 40c from above with a bifurcated pressing portion 49a. Accordingly, for example, when the tea claw 49 is pulled by pulling the fingertip on the operation claw 49a, the pressing of the base portion 40c of the tee 40 by the bifurcated pressing portion 49a is released. It can be removed more easily. Further, when the tee 40 is mounted on the slider 43, the base portion 40 c is fitted into the spaces 50 a and 48 a of the cover 50 and the base 48, and then the tee fixture 49 is pushed in, so that the base of the tee 40 is inserted. The tee 40 can be fixed by pressing the base portion 40 c with the bifurcated pressing portion 49 a of the tee fixture 49. On the other hand, if the tee change switch 55 is pressed while the tee 40 is set at the ball hitting position 39, the drive of the motor 54 of the tee conveying means 5 is stopped. The slider 43 on which the tee 40 is mounted does not return to the ball set position. Therefore, the tee can be exchanged at the ball hitting position 39 where there is no obstacle around. A space formed between the tee mounting base 46 and the tee fixing base 47 fixed on the tee mounting base 46 (a space formed between the tee mounting base 46 and the base 46 due to rising of the side edges 46a). The cover plate 52 is arranged over the movement range of the slider 43, and safety measures are taken so that the groove 53b formed in the transport path cover 53 is closed from the inside to allow the tee 40 to pass through and the internal mechanism is not exposed. It has been.

  The tee 40 rises from the periphery of the pedestal 40a, a spherical pedestal 40a on which the ball is placed, a columnar part 40d that supports the pedestal 40a, a base 40c for fixing the tee 40 to the slider 43, and the pedestal 40a. And a fall prevention piece 40b for preventing the golf ball 21 from falling. Here, when the golf ball 21 with the teeed up is moved to the ball hitting position 39 by the linear movement of the slider 43 in the state as it is, the fall prevention piece 40b is not only during the movement but also at the start of the movement and the movement. It is sufficient to support the golf ball 21 so that it does not fall down when stopped, and it is sufficient if it is arranged to support the golf ball 21 at least in the direction in which inertia acts, that is, in the front-rear direction of the transport direction. The fall prevention piece 40b has a length and a width in the front-rear direction when the golf ball is transported so as not to contact the ball receiver 27 when the ball receiver 27 on which the golf ball 21 is placed falls so as to surround the tee 40. And a gap inside the nail that does not come into contact with the golf ball. That is, when the golf ball 21 is transferred from the ball receiver 27 of the ball transfer mechanism 3 onto the pedestal portion 40a of the tee 40, the fall prevention piece 40b has the golf ball 21, the fall prevention piece 40b, and the fall prevention piece. And the ball receiver are provided at intervals that do not contact each other. That is, in the present embodiment, the distance x in the width direction between the fall prevention piece and the fall prevention piece at the uppermost position of the fall prevention piece 40b is narrower than the width of the golf ball, and on one radiation passing through the center of the ball. The distance between the opposing fall prevention pieces is wider than the diameter of the ball, and the gap is formed at a gap between the ball surface and the fall prevention piece. For example, in the case of this embodiment, four fall prevention pieces 40b are arranged in an X shape, and the sides of the golf ball 21 are held in the front-rear direction and the lateral direction in the direction of movement by the tee conveying means 5. The ball is provided not only in the front-rear direction but also in the lateral direction during transportation. In this case, the interval x in the width direction of the fall prevention piece 40b is preferably narrower than the width (diameter) of the golf ball, and more preferably the spherical seating surface 35 formed on the ball receiver 27 stabilizes the golf ball. An interval sufficient to secure a sufficient width to secure a sufficient area to support the ball and to prevent the ball from dropping in the front-rear direction during conveyance. For example, the included angle θ of the fall prevention piece 40b arranged in the X shape is less than 90 degrees, preferably about 20 to 60 degrees. In this case, since the fall prevention piece 40b is not interposed between the golf ball 21 and the club head when the golf ball 21 is hit, the feeling of hitting is not impaired. In addition, when the fall prevention piece 40b is made of a synthetic rubber such as flexible silicone, it is less likely to become a resistance when hit.

  Further, a ball detection sensor 57 made of a laser sensor is provided in front of the guide rail 44 of the tee conveying means 5 to detect the presence or absence of the golf ball 21 on the tee 40. This ball detection sensor 57 detects the golf ball 21 on the tee 40 moved to the ball hitting position 39, and at the same time indicates that the tee 40 on which the golf ball 21 is placed has moved to the ball hitting position. It is for detecting together. The ball detection sensor 57 is fixed to the frame. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the signal from the ball detection sensor 57 detects that the ball has disappeared, for example, the detection of the falling of the signal of the ball detection sensor 57 and the completion of the hitting, and the drive side timing belt pulley 41a. The drive motor 54 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the slider 43 is moved backward toward the ball set position 38.

  A club head detection sensor 56 is provided at the upper front of the housing 6. This sensor 56 is a laser sensor, and detects a golf club passing over the hitting mat by irradiating laser light through a slit 61 drilled in the front surface of the housing 6. The club head detection sensor 56 is provided on the rear side of the ball hitting position (tee position) 39, and the movement of the club head or the club shaft portion behind the ball hitting position 39, that is, the head return (from the finish to the back). The club head detects a continuous swing motion of the club head to the swing) or a club downswing (passing before the shot). When the detection signal of the club head detection sensor 56 is received after receiving the detection signal of the ball detection sensor 57, it is determined that the head return is completed, and the operation of ball discharge is started, and after the detection signal of the club head detection sensor 56 is received. When the detection signal of the ball detection sensor 57 is received, it is programmed to determine that the shot has been completed and to proceed to the next operation. A tee replacement switch 55 is provided at the upper front of the housing 6. This tee replacement switch 55 stops the drive of the motor 54 of the tee conveying means 5, and when the switch 55 is pressed, a detection signal for detecting the absence of a ball is obtained from the ball detection sensor 57. Also, the sequence control is performed so that the motor 54 is not driven.

  The golf ball automatic tee-up supply device of the present embodiment is controlled by a relay sequence control or a computer program so as to be able to supply two types of balls, a normal (one-shot) mode and a continuous mode. It has been. That is, the normal mode and the continuous mode are provided so that they can be selected by the switch. In the normal mode, the club head detection sensor 56 is turned off, and the ball is ejected after a predetermined time has elapsed after the ball is set by timer control. Specifically, after the ball has been set, the ball is thrown out after about 3 to 5 seconds so that the ball cannot be hit continuously. On the other hand, in the continuous mode, the club head detection sensor 56 detects the return of the club head after the shot and immediately takes out the ball, thereby enabling continuous hitting practice without any interval. The change of the striking mode can be executed by switch switching or program switching of a control device (not shown). Further, the tee 40 can be replaced at the ball hitting position 39 by stopping the motor 54 of the tee conveying means 5 by operating the tee exchanging switch 55.

  In this embodiment, a laser sensor is used for the club head detection sensor 56 and the ball detection sensor 37, and a reflective infrared sensor is used for the ball detection sensors 25, 26, and 57. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a laser sensor, a reflective infrared sensor, or other sensors may be used as appropriate.

  According to the golf ball automatic tee-up supply device configured as described above, the golf balls 21 supplied from the hopper portion 1 are collected at one corner of the lowermost end of the hopper portion 1 by using the inclination, and the width of the golf ball 21 Guided by the guide part 2 formed of a groove having a slightly wider width than the guide part 2, the guide part 2 is arranged in a line, and is supplied toward the shutter mechanism 3 using an inclination. Then, the golf balls 21 are sent one by one to the ball receiver 27 of the ball transfer mechanism 4 by the shutter mechanism 3. In the ball transfer mechanism 4, the golf ball 21 is received by the funnel / spherical seating surface 35 of the ball receiver 27, so that the center of the golf ball 21 coincides with the center of the seating surface 35. On the other hand, the retracted position of the slider 43 is regulated by the ball set position side limit switch 58a so that the center axis of the tee 40 coincides with the center axis of the ball receiver 27, so that the tee 40 stands by at the ball set position 38. 40, the ball receiver 27, and the center of the golf ball 21 are arranged on one axis. Therefore, when the ball receiver 27 is lowered by driving the motor 32, the golf ball 21 placed on the seat surface 35 of the ball receiver 27 is placed on the seat surface 40a of the tee 40 set so as to penetrate the center of the ball receiver 27. The ball holder 27 is brought into contact with the ball receiver 27 so as to be relatively lifted from the ball receiver 27 and moved to the tee 40 side to be placed thereon. At this time, since the tee 40, the ball receiver 27, and the center of the golf ball 21 are arranged on one axis, the positioning of the golf ball 21 and the tee 40 is automatically performed accurately. Therefore, even if the fall prevention piece 40a is not provided on the tee 40, the golf ball 21 hardly falls from the tee 40 when the golf ball 21 is transferred from the ball receiver 27 to the tee 40, and X Since the ball is surrounded by four fall prevention pieces 40a arranged in a shape, the ball is smoothly moved without falling. In addition, the golf ball 21 after being teeed up is moved to the ball hitting position 39 by the linear movement of the slider 43 as it is, but the golf ball is in the direction in which the inertial force acts when the movement is started and when the movement is stopped. Since the golf ball 21 is surrounded by the fall prevention piece 40 a that prevents the golf ball 21 from falling, the golf ball 21 hardly falls from the tee 40.

  According to the golf ball automatic tee-up device configured as described above, the golf ball 21 is supplied in a tee-up state in which the golf ball 21 is automatically placed on the tee as follows. In addition, according to the golf ball automatic tee-up device of the present embodiment, the supply of the golf ball 21 is provided so that the normal mode and the continuous mode can be selected by a switch. The operation will be described below.

  First, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 20, the operation is started by detecting the club head for the first time (step 1). That is, when the club head or shaft passes in front of the club head detection sensor 56 installed in the upper front portion of the housing 6 or when the club head is positioned in front of the club head detection sensor 56, the signal is output. The tee 40 is turned on, and the tee 40 with the golf ball 21 placed thereon is driven toward the ball striking position (shot position) 39 by driving the motor 54 of the tee transport unit 5.

  Then, the tee transport unit 5 detects that the slider 43 has reached the ball hitting position 39 by detecting the ON signal of the ball hitting position limit switch 58b, and stops the motor 54 to move the slider 43 to the ball hitting position 39. (Step 3). At the same time, when the presence or absence of the golf ball 21 on the tee 40 is confirmed by the ball detection sensor 57 (step 3), the first ball set is completed and prepared for a shot. Here, when a situation occurs in which the golf ball 21 falls from the top of the tee 40 during the tee conveyance or when stopping at the ball hitting position 39, the situation after the shot is the same. Since the presence of the ball 21 cannot be confirmed (step 8), the motor 54 of the tee conveying means 5 is immediately reversely rotated to return the slider 43 toward the ball setting position 38 (step 9). The golf ball 21 placed on the golf ball 21 is transferred onto the tee 40 and supplied to the ball hitting position 39.

  On the other hand, the forward movement of the slider 43 of the tee transport unit 5 turns off the ball set position limit switch 58a and turns off the signal of the ball detection sensor 37 at the ball set position 38. The motor 32 of the mechanism 4 is driven, and the ball receiver 27 is moved toward the upper ball transfer position (step 2).

  When it is detected by a signal from the upper limit switch 34a that the ball receiver 27 has reached the upper end ball transfer position (step 3), the driving of the motor 32 of the ball transfer mechanism 4 is stopped and the shutter mechanism 3 The motor 24 is driven to feed one golf ball 21 (step 4). Here, the rotation of the motor 24 is performed when the detection signal of the ball detection sensor 25 disposed immediately before the rotation roller 23 is received and it is detected that the next ball is being sent. Yes. As a result, useless rotation of the motor 24 is prevented. Whether or not the golf ball 21 is sent out from the shutter mechanism 3 is detected by a detection signal from a ball detection sensor 26 behind the rotating roller 23 (step 5). The next ball 21 is stopped in a state where it is sandwiched or abutted between the rotating roller 23 and the inclined surface of the guide portion 2, so that the flow of the ball is blocked.

  The golf ball 21 delivered from the shutter mechanism 3 rolls down on the ball receiver 27 in the raised position. At this time, the upper end of the elevating frame 28 that supports the ball receiver 27 smoothly rolls down onto the ball receiver 27, and the vertical axis that passes through the center of the spherical seat surface 35 and the vertical that passes through the center of the ball 21. It is placed so that its axis coincides. When the presence of the golf ball 21 on the ball receiver 27 is detected by the ball detection sensor 37 (step 6), the system waits for the next tee-up operation.

  As a result, the player can start hitting the golf ball 21. In the case of a continuous swing, the swing passes the club at the finish position after hitting as it is over the tee 40 and returns to the back swing position, then downswing → impact (impact) → follow-through → finish → head return → Backswing → Downswing → Strikes are repeated continuously. By automatically supplying a golf ball stably teeed up with respect to this continuous swing, a hitting practice can be effectively performed. According to the golf ball automatic tee-up supply device of the present embodiment, when the club is passed over the tee 40 and returned to the backswing position after hitting the golf ball (at the time of head return), the golf ball 21 is a ball. It is not supplied to the striking position 39. This is because there is a possibility that the club may swing and fall on the golf ball 21. Therefore, the ball ejecting operation is performed after the club head passes in front of the club head detection sensor 56.

  That is, when it is detected by the ball head sensor 57 that the golf ball 21 does not exist on the tee 40 after the club head detection sensor 56 confirms the passage (down swing) of the golf club before the shot (step 7) (step 7). In step 8), it is determined that the shot is completed. Of course, regardless of whether or not the club head detection sensor 56 detects, it is determined that the shot is completed only by detecting that the golf ball 21 does not exist on the tee 40 by the ball detection sensor 57 (step 8). May be. On the other hand, the presence of the golf ball 21 is detected by the ball detection sensor 57, and at the same time, the motor 54 of the tee transport unit 5 is driven in reverse to return the tee 40 and the slider 43 toward the ball setting position 38. When it is detected by a signal from the ball set side limit switch 58a that the tee 40 and the slider 43 have returned to the ball setting position 38 (step 10), the driving of the motor 54 for the tee transfer unit is stopped and the ball transfer mechanism. 4 is driven in reverse to lower the ball receiver 27 together with the lifting frame 28 fixed to the rack 31 (step 10).

  Since the tee 40 that has returned to the ball setting position 38 exists at the center of the ball receiver 27 that descends, the tee 40 penetrates relatively inside the ball receiver 27. Then, the golf ball 21 held by the ball receiver 27 is transferred onto the tee 40. On the other hand, when the ball receiver 27 of the ball transfer mechanism 4 is lowered to a predetermined position, the elevating frame 28 that supports the ball receiver 27 operates the lower end side limit switch 34b to stop the motor 32 (step 11). As a result, the descent of the ball receiver 27 stops, and the golf ball 21 shifts to a standby state until a ball delivery instruction is received in a tee-up state placed on the tee 40.

  In this state, when the club head detection sensor 56 detects a head return (step 12), the motor 54 of the tee transport unit 5 is driven to rotate forward to send the slider 43 toward the ball hitting position 39 (step 12). The golf ball 21 placed in advance on the tee 40 is quickly moved from the ball setting position 38 to the ball hitting position 39 in a tee-up state. Incidentally, in the case of the present embodiment, the movement time of the tee 40 from the ball setting position 38 to the ball hitting position 39 is provided so that the speed can be controlled within a range of 0.5 seconds or less. Incidentally, step 12 is the same state as step 1. That is, in the continuous mode, steps 1 to 11 are sequentially repeated.

  Therefore, the player can repeat the swing from the head return as it is, back swing, further down swing → hitting → follow through → finish → head return. Thereby, it can follow in a stable state on a continuous swing, and can practice golf effectively.

  In the normal mode, the club head detection sensor 56 is turned off by selecting the normal mode, and the ball is ejected after a predetermined time has elapsed after the ball is set by timer control. That is, the swing in the normal mode repeats the above steps 1 to 3 with a certain interval. Specifically, after the completion of hitting is detected by the ball detection sensor 57, the swing is returned to the ball set position 38. The ball is sent out to the ball hitting position 39 after about 3 to 5 seconds have passed since the golf ball was placed on the tee 40. That is, the supply speed of the golf ball is set so as not to be continuously hit.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the tee 40 in which the four fall prevention pieces 40c are arranged in the X shape has been mainly described. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and as illustrated in FIG. A tee 40 provided with one fall prevention piece 40b in each direction may be used, or a tee without the fall prevention piece 40b may be used in some cases.

  Further, the ball receiver 27 does not necessarily have to be composed of two members separated on the left and right as shown in FIG. 10, and has a seat surface 35 wound in a funnel shape as shown in FIG. You may comprise in the C-shaped integral block by which the tee 40 is arrange | positioned in the center and the opening 27v was vacated ahead so that the tee 40 can pass in the front-back direction. The ball receiver 27 formed of a C-shaped block has a space / hole 27v and a tee columnar portion that are small enough to allow the columnar portion 40d including at least the pedestal portion 40a to pass in the vertical direction and smaller than the diameter of the golf ball 21. It is necessary to provide an opening 27h through which 40d passes in the horizontal direction. Further, when the ball receiver 27 formed of a C-shaped integral block is used and the tee 40 of the type having the fall prevention piece 40c is adopted, the entire tee 40 including the fall prevention piece 40b is inward of the ball receiver 27. Is provided with a space / hole 27v that is relatively large in the vertical direction and narrower than the diameter of the golf ball 21, or at least a space / hole 27v that is large enough to allow the columnar portion 40d including the pedestal portion 40a to pass therethrough. The tee 40 including the fall prevention piece 40b is provided so that the fall prevention piece passes through the slit 60 by providing the slit 60 for the fall prevention piece 40b to pass in the vertical direction around the hole 27v. The ball receiver 27, the tee 40, and the fall prevention when the ball receiver 27 descends as a whole passes through the inside of the ball receiver relatively vertically. Piece 40b may be provided so as not to interfere.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the hopper portion 1, the guide portion 2, the shutter mechanism 3, the ball transfer mechanism 4 and the tee transfer means 5 are configured to be housed in one housing 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In some cases, for example, the hopper portion 1 and the guide portion 2 or even the shutter mechanism 3 are installed in a place separated from the apparatus including the ball transfer mechanism 4 and the tee conveying means 5, The golf balls supplied one by one from a remote place through a supply pipe or the like are received by the ball transfer mechanism 4, or the golf balls supplied so as to form a row are connected by the shutter mechanism 3 immediately before the ball transfer mechanism 4. One by one may be supplied to the ball transfer mechanism 4 and transferred to the tee conveying means 5 to be supplied in a tee-up state.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hopper part 2 Guide part 3 Shutter mechanism 4 Ball transfer mechanism 5 Tee conveyance means 6 Case 7 Glide means 8 Glide plate 9 Auxiliary glide plate 21 Golf ball 27 Ball receptacle 27v Ball receptacle hole 27h through which tee passes in the vertical direction Opening of ball receiver through which tee columnar portion passes horizontally 28 Elevating frame 35 Mortar-shaped seat surface 37 Ball detection sensor for detecting presence or absence of golf ball at ball set position 38 Ball set position 39 Ball hitting position 40 Tee 40a Pedestal Part 40b Fall prevention piece 40c Base part 40d Columnar part 56 Club head detection sensor for detecting the head return of the golf club that has passed the ball hitting position
57 Ball detection sensor for detecting a golf ball on a tee at a ball hitting position

Claims (8)

In a golf ball automatic tee-up supply device that automatically tees up a golf ball and supplies it to a ball hitting position, a hopper that stores the golf ball, a shutter mechanism that sends out the golf ball one by one, and the shutter mechanism A ball transfer mechanism for receiving the supplied golf ball and transferring it to a tee at a ball set position, and a tee transport means for mounting the tee and reciprocating the tee between the ball set position and the ball hitting position. The tee transport means can automatically supply the golf ball in a tee-up state by horizontally moving the golf ball to the ball hitting position while the golf ball is still on the tee at the ball setting position. Golf ball automatic tee-up supply device. The tee includes a fall prevention piece that surrounds a side of the golf ball in a direction in which an inertial force acting on the golf ball acts at least on an edge of a pedestal portion on which the golf ball is placed. The golf ball automatic supply device according to 1. The golf ball automatic tee-up supply device according to claim 2, wherein the four fall prevention pieces are arranged in an X shape at an interval narrower than the width of the golf ball. The ball transfer mechanism includes a hole for allowing the tee standing by at the ball setting position to pass through in a vertical direction, an opening configured to be movable toward the ball hitting position in a state where the tee has passed through, A ball receiver having a funnel-shaped seat surface on which a golf ball is placed; and an elevating mechanism for moving the ball receiver up and down between the ball receiving position and the tee. The central axis is arranged so as to coincide with the central axis of the tee waiting at the ball set position, and when the ball receiver descends, the center of the seat surface of the ball receiver relatively penetrates in the vertical direction. The tee pedestal abuts against the golf ball placed on the seat surface of the ball receiver and lifts the golf ball relatively. Golf balls golf balls automatic supply device according to any one of claims 1-3 is intended makes transfer to the tee. A ball detection sensor for detecting a golf ball on the tee at the ball hitting position; a ball detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a golf ball at the ball set position; and a head return of the golf club that has passed the ball hitting position. A club head detection sensor for detecting the golf ball from the top of the tee by hitting at the ball hitting position. When the ball detecting sensor detects that the tee is not present at the ball set position and the golf ball is not present, the ball transfer mechanism is raised and Golf ball driving shutter mechanism And then waits until the tee returns to the ball set position, and when the tee returns to the ball set position, the ball transfer mechanism is lowered to remove the golf ball on the ball receiver. The tee is placed on a waiting tee and put into a ball discharge waiting state, and the golf club head return sensor detects the head return of the golf club and simultaneously places the golf ball on the ball set position and waits for the tee. The golf ball automatic supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the golf ball can be continuously hit by moving to a hitting position and immediately taking out the ball in a tee-up state. A ball detection sensor for detecting a golf ball on the tee at the ball hitting position, a ball detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a golf ball at the ball set position, and the golf ball placed on the tee to be constant Control means for instructing transfer of the tee to the ball hitting position after a lapse of time, and when the ball detecting sensor detects that the golf ball has been removed from the tee by hitting at the ball hitting position The tee is returned to the ball set position to be in a standby state for receiving a ball from the ball transfer mechanism, while the ball detection sensor detects that the tee is not present and the golf ball is not present at the ball set position. When detected, the ball transfer mechanism is raised and the shutter is moved. And the golf ball is supplied to the ball rest and waits until the tee returns to the ball set position, and when the tee returns to the ball set position, the ball transfer mechanism is lowered. Then, the golf ball on the ball receiver is transferred onto the waiting tee to be in a ball discharge standby state, and after a certain period of time has elapsed from the ball discharge standby state, the golf ball is placed at the ball set position and waits. The golf according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tee is moved to the ball striking position and the ball is taken out in a tee-up state to supply the ball at intervals where continuous hitting is not possible. Automatic ball feeder. A ball detection sensor for detecting a golf ball on the tee at the ball hitting position; a ball detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a golf ball at the ball set position; and a head return of the golf club that has passed the ball hitting position. A club head detection sensor for detecting, and a control means for instructing transfer of the tee to the ball hitting position after a lapse of a certain time after the golf ball is placed on the tee, and by switch or program control The club head detection sensor or the control means is provided so as to be selectively executable, and when the ball detection sensor detects that the golf ball has disappeared from the tee by hitting at the ball hitting position, the tee is Return to the ball set position When the ball detecting sensor detects that the tee is not present at the ball set position and the golf ball is not present, the ball transfer mechanism is raised and Drive the shutter mechanism to supply the golf ball, place it on the ball receiver and wait until the tee returns to the ball set position, and lower the ball transfer mechanism when the tee returns to the ball set position. The golf ball on the ball receiver is transferred onto the waiting tee to be in a ball discharge standby state, and the golf ball is detected at the ball set position at the same time the head return of the golf ball is detected by the club head detection sensor. The tee that is placed and waiting is moved to the ball hitting position and teeed up. 5. The continuous mode in which the ball is immediately taken out while the ball is set, and the normal mode in which the ball is taken out after a predetermined time elapses by a timer control after the ball is set, can be selected. The golf ball automatic supply device described. By moving back and forth inside the hopper part, rotating or pushing or pulling the contacted ball, and changing the contact state between the balls to change the bridging of the ball to the hopper part The golf ball automatic supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball automatic supply apparatus is provided.

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