JPH0636669U - Automatic golf driving range - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Automatically collects golf balls, provides them continuously for practice golfers, and is equipped with a means for collecting and collecting balls and a ball cleaning assembly. To provide an improved automatic golf driving range that is simple in construction and therefore inexpensive. [Structure] An inclined plate 24 extends in a region closed by a net 21, and a pneumatic cylinder 12 arranged below holes 11 at equal intervals formed in a tee plate 10,
Having a piston rod 121 with a support disc 122 for supporting the balls, the pneumatic cylinder 12 is actuated to raise another ball each time the ball is hit, the two carriers 100a of the ball gathering assembly 100, Crossbar 142 connected between 100b
A plurality of gathering units 146 attached to collect the balls on the turf layer 25.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to an automatic golf driving range, and more particularly to a simple automatic golf driving range.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,697 discloses an automated golf driving range that solves problems in collecting golf balls. However, such an automated golf driving range is complicated and has many flat plates for pivoting, struts and other necessary means, and eventually becomes expensive.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 Collect golf balls automatically without hiring workers, provide golf balls continuously for practice golfers, collect golf balls on artificial turf, and collect golf balls. An improved automatic golf driving range having a cleaning assembly for cleaning and having a simpler structure and thus a lower cost than a conventional automatic driving range.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 According to the present invention, an inclined plate supported by a pedestal that is covered by an artificial grass layer for forming a plurality of fairways and is surrounded to define a target area and is disposed at a distance, A tee-off area for a golfer to stand on the tee, a plurality of evenly-spaced holes formed on the tee plate below each of which pneumatic cylinders are provided, and the air cylinder. A longitudinally retractable piston rod that can pass through the hole, a feed passage that is attached from the pneumatic cylinder at an upward slope, and an end that is attached to one end of each piston rod. , Acts as a tee when the piston rod is in the extended position and the feed passage when the piston rod is in the retracted position Between the fairway and the tee plate for biasing the golf ball from the target area from the pneumatic cylinder into the delivery path, and a supporting disc for acting to receive the golf ball therein. A vibrating plate driven by the attached motor and a plurality of leading walls provided at a downward slope from the vibrating plate for guiding the golf ball to be received on the supporting disk through the corresponding feeding path. Actuating the piston rod from the extended position to the retracted position after the golf ball has been launched, and the piston rod from the retracted position to the extended position after another golf ball is placed on the support disk. Adjacent to each of the support discs for controlling the pneumatic cylinders to Automatic golf driving range is provided constituted by the mounted Jer click trick the eye.

[0005]

【Example】

 Referring to FIG. 1, an automatic golf driving range according to the present invention has a tee-off area 3 and a target area 2. The target area 2 is provided with an inclined plate 24 defining a plurality of fairways. The target area 2 can also be converted into an artificial grass layer 25 to define the fairway 22. The target area 2 is bounded, for example, by a net 21, and a closed area is defined therein so that the golf ball does not protrude from the target area 2.

An inclined plate 24 extends over the entire target area 2, and the inclined plate 24 is supported by a base 23 arranged at a distance. Each of the bases 23 has an upper surface that has the same inclination as the inclined plate 24. On the boundary wall of the target area 2, a target 20 serving as a reference for setup is provided facing the tee off area 3. The tee-off area 3 is essentially a golfer's standing tee plate 10 which is shielded by a shelter 30 to avoid rain or sunlight, as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, the target area 2 includes a drain plate 26 provided adjacent to the tee-off area 3 for rain or other drainage. These are conventional and therefore not shown in the drawings.

2 to 4, the automatic driving range of the present invention further comprises a plurality of pneumatic cylinders 12. Each of these pneumatic cylinders 12 is arranged below a plurality of equidistant holes 11 formed in the tea plate 10. Each pneumatic cylinder 12 has a piston rod 121 having at one end a support disk 122 for supporting a golf ball therein. The support disk 122 acts as a tee when the piston rod 121 is in the extended position. A feed path 14 is provided uphill from the cylinder 12 so that the golf ball is guided there. The vibrating plate 13 is provided with a downward slope from the fairway 22. The vibrating plate 13 extends over the entire width of the fairway 22 and is driven by a motor 131 to urge the golf ball from the target area 2 into the delivery path 14. At least one leading wall 132 is provided at a downward slope from the vibrating plate 13 for placing the golf ball in the corresponding feed path 14 and subsequently positioning it on the corresponding support disk 122.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an electric eye 15 is provided adjacent to each tee. Each time a signal is received indicating that a golf ball has been launched, the pneumatic cylinder 12 operates to raise another golf ball on the tee. Referring to FIG. 2, golf ball 5 is on elevated tip plate 10, while the other golf ball is held by piston rod 121. When the golf ball 5 is hit, the piston rod 121 moves downward through the hole 11 to the lowest retracted position. The golf ball 6 is biased rearward (i.e., to the left in FIG. 2) by the support disc 122 so that movement of the piston rod 121 and the support disc 122 is not impeded. When the piston rod is completely retracted, the golf ball 6 moves into the support disc 122. The pneumatic cylinder 12 is then raised for the next tee-up and the next ball 7 is held by the piston rod 121. The pneumatic cylinder 12 is controlled by conventional control means 16 and thus need not be described further.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the automatic golf driving range of the present invention further includes a golf ball assembling assembly 100. The golf ball assembling assembly 100 includes two carriers 100a, 100b, each of which is guided by track means 120a, 120b disposed adjacent to each other on both sides of the artificial turf layer 25. It Each carrier 110a, 110b is substantially like a motor vehicle, with two front wheels 112a connected by a front axle 113 and two rear wheels 112b and a rear axle 115. The front axle 113 is driven by drive means such as a motor 130. In this specific example, the gear 116 is provided on the front axle 113, and the power from the motor 130 is transmitted to the front axle 113 via the gear 132 provided on the output shaft 132 of the motor 130 and meshing with the gear 116. Transmitted. Each track means 120a, 120b comprises two slots 122a, 122b for receiving and guiding the front wheels 112a and the rear wheels 112b of the carriers 110a, 110b.

A bar 140a extending toward the tee-off area 3 is pivotally attached to the outer side surface of the carrier 110a. A bar 140b extending toward the tee-off area 3 is pivotally attached to the outer side surface of the carrier 110b. The two bars 140a, 140b are connected by a cross bar 142 by conventional means. Guide wheels 144 are disposed adjacent to both ends of the crossbar 142 for purposes described below. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, a plurality of gathering units 146 are provided in the central portion of the crossbar 142 above the artificial grass layer 25. Since the crossbar 142 has a substantial length, a plurality of support wheels 145 (only two shown in FIG. 5) are freely rotatable on the crossbar 142 to support the crossbar 142. Attached, thereby preventing unwanted deformation of the crossbar 142 due to gravity. The support wheel 145, however, is constrained with respect to lateral movement. In addition, each support wheel 145 is covered by a plastic housing. The plastic housing is shaped so that the golf ball in the support wheel passage is guided away from the support wheel and thus does not interfere with the movement of the support wheel 145.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, a recess 150 is formed in the outer side surface of the carrier 110 a and a spring biasing means 152 is received in the recess 150. Further, two constraining blocks 154, 156 are provided on the outer side surface to support and limit the pivotal movement of the bar 140a. A similar arrangement, namely a recess, spring biasing means and two restraining blocks is also provided on the outer side surface of the carrier 110b. An actuator 158 is mounted adjacent to the upper ends of the track means 120a, 120b. At the lower ends of the track means 120a, 120b, a guide plate 159, the purpose of which will be described in detail later, is attached in a state of being inclined upward toward the tee off area 3.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 7 and 9, when a golf ball hit by a practice golfer falls on the artificial grass layer 25, the golf ball tends to stay on the artificial grass layer 25 due to friction. The carriers 110a, 110b are initially located at the upper ends of the track means 120a, 120b. When the number of golf balls on the artificial turf layer 25 reaches a certain number, the motor 130 is activated (such as by remote control) to move the carrier 110a downward, and eventually the carrier 110b is moved. The jumble unit 146 forces the golf balls downwards until they are stopped by the stop plate 160. A cleaning means 170 is provided adjacent to the stop plate 160 for cleaning the golf ball. The cleaning means 170 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and its outer circumference is covered by a brush 172. The cleaning means 170 comprises water and a detergent such as soapy water and is driven by a motor 174 to clean the golf ball. When the golf ball is washed (eg, for a fixed period), dryer 180 is activated to dry the golf ball. The top plate 160 pivots to transport the washed and dried golf ball therethrough to the vibrating plate 13 previously described. The used water is drained by the centrifugal pump 176 or the drain plate.

During operation of the carrier for collecting golf balls, the carrier 110a, 110b is moved toward the lower end of the track means 120a, 120b. The carriers 110a, 110b are then stopped and moved in the opposite direction, ie upwards. The movement of the carrier can be initiated by controlling the motor 130 by conventional means such as remote control or preset timers.

When the carriers 110a, 110b reach the lower ends of the track means 120a, 120b, the guide wheel 144 moves upward along the guide plate 159, thereby raising the bars 140a, 140b. When the bars 140a, 140b come above the recess 150 as shown in phantom in FIG. 7, the spring biasing means 152 projects outwardly to support the bars 140a, 140b. This raises the crossbar 142 so that the gathering unit 146 does not come into contact with the golf ball during the subsequent upward movement of the carriers 110a, 110b.

When the carriers 110 a, 110 b reach the upper ends of the track means 120 a, 120 b, the spring biasing means 152 is driven by the actuator 158 and is completely received in the recess 150. Bars 140a, 140b and crossbar 142 are lowered and restrained by restraint blocks 154, 156. Thus, the recess 150 is covered and the bars 140a, 140b are positioned for golf ball gathering. The bars 140a, 140b may have a rectangular cross section to ensure retention in the spring biasing means 152. The motor 130 is stopped when the carriers 110a, 110b reach the upper ends of the track means 120a, 120b. Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific examples, it should be understood that many modifications can be made within the present invention.

[0017]

[Effect of device]

 Collect golf balls automatically without hiring workers, provide golf balls continuously for practice golfers, collect golf balls on artificial turf, and collect golf balls. An improved automatic golf driving range having a cleaning assembly for cleaning and having a simpler structure and thus a lower cost than a conventional automatic driving range is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an automatic golf driving range according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an automatic golf driving range according to the present invention, showing the feeding status of golf balls.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a tee plate is removed to show a golf ball feeding state.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating a vibration plate and an electric eye provided for automatic golf ball supply.

FIG. 5 is a partially broken perspective view of the golf ball assembling assembly.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a half of a golf ball assembling assembly.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a golf ball gathering assembly.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a golf ball gathering assembly.

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a golf ball cleaning assembly.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2: Target area 3: Tee-off area 10: Tea plate 12: Pneumatic cylinder 13: Vibration plate 14: Feeding path 15: Electric eye 20: Target 21: Net 22: Fairway 23: Base 24: Inclined plate 25: Artificial grass Layer 26: Drain plate 30: Shelter 100: Golf ball collecting assembly 100a: Carrier 100b: Carrier 112a: Front wheel 112b: Rear wheel 113: Front axle 115: Rear axle 120a: Track means 120b: Track means 121: Piston rod 122: Support disk 130: Motor 131: Motor 132: Leading wall 140a: Bar 140b: Bar 142: Crossbar 144: Guide wheel 145: Support wheel

Claims (10)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An automated golf driving range, covered by an artificial grass layer for forming a plurality of fairways and surrounded by a target area to be supported by a pedestal arranged at a distance. Tilted plate, a tee-off area that is essentially a tee plate for the golfer to stand on, and a plurality of equally spaced holes formed on the tee plate and below each of which pneumatic cylinders are provided. A piston rod attached to each of the air cylinders and vertically retractable that can pass through the hole; a feed passage that is attached at an upward slope from the pneumatic cylinder; Attached to one end, it acts as a tee when the piston rod is in the extended position and the piston rod is in the retracted position In this case, the fairway for supporting the golf ball from the feeding path therein and for biasing the golf ball from the target area from the pneumatic cylinder into the feeding path. And a vibration plate driven by a motor mounted between the tee plates, and a golf ball to be received on the support disc,
A plurality of leading walls provided at a downward slope from the vibrating plate for guiding through the corresponding feeding paths, and after the golf ball has been hit, the piston rod is moved from the extended position to the retracted position, and another golf ball is moved. An electric eye mounted adjacent to each of the support discs for controlling the pneumatic cylinder to actuate the piston rod from the retracted position to the extended position after being placed on the support discs. Said automatic golf driving range. 2. The automatic golf driving range according to claim 1, wherein the target area further includes a drainage plate provided adjacent to the tee-off area for drainage. 3. The driving range as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target is mounted on the boundary wall of the target area facing the tee off area for reference for setup. 4. The automatic golf driving range according to claim 1, further comprising a shelter for shielding the tee off area from rain or sunlight. 5. The automatic golf driving range according to claim 1, further comprising a ball gathering assembly for sweeping golf balls remaining on the artificial turf. 6. The ball assembling assembly comprises two carriers, each carrier comprising track means disposed adjacent to each other on both sides of the artificial turf layer and at least one of the carriers for driving the carriers. A golf ball, which is guided by driving means mounted on the side and extends toward the tee-off area, is pivotally mounted on the outer side surface of each carrier, and the two bars are connected by a cross bar to stay on the artificial grass layer. The automatic golf driving range according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of ball gathering units for sweeping the golf course are provided on the crossbar. 7. A plurality of supporting wheels are provided for supporting the crossbar and preventing undesired deformation due to gravity.
Each of the plurality of support wheels is mounted in free-rotation on the crossbar but constrained with respect to lateral movement and is covered by a plastic housing shaped to guide the golf ball away from the support wheels. 7. The automatic golf driving range according to claim 6, wherein the movement of the support wheels is not hindered by. 8. The carrier moves upwards toward the upper end of the track means after it reaches the lower end of the track means, and the crossbar collects the balls during the upward movement of such carrier. The automated golf driving range of claim 6, wherein the assembly is lifted out of contact with the golf ball that remains on the artificial turf layer. 9. The automatic golf practice of claim 1, further comprising: a stop plate mounted on an upslope from the vibrating plate, and a cleaning means provided on the down slope from the stop plate for cleaning a golf ball. Place. 10. A dryer for drying the golf ball washed by the washing means, wherein the stop plate pivots to wash and dry the golf ball through the vibrating plate. Automatic driving range.