WO2015155532A1

WO2015155532A1 - Object collection cart

Info

Publication number: WO2015155532A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/051079
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mario LUCA
Original assignee: Sky Blue Golf Ltd
Priority date: 2014-04-09
Filing date: 2015-04-09
Publication date: 2015-10-15
Also published as: GB2542084A; GB201406381D0; GB201700183D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a ball collection device which is typically adapted to collect golf balls. The device comprises a plurality of resiliently deformable wires (102) which are aligned in the direction of travel of the device, held in place by a supporting frame (104,106,110,112) which, together with the wires (102) form a basket. In use the device is pushed along the ground and on interaction with a ball, the wires (102) are pushed apart allowing the ball to enter the basket. Once inside the basket, the wires (102) return to their original position.

Description

Object Collection Cart

Technical field of invention

The invention relates to a cart for the collection of objects, in particular to a cart comprising resiliency deformable arms allowing an object to be collected.

Background to the invention

It is known to be time consuming and laborious to manually collect objects such as golf balls, tennis balls, fruit and nuts from ground level. In light of this, collection devices have been designed to facilitate the gathering of multiple objects.

An example of a collection device commonly used for golf balls comprises a roller with of a plurality of discs, the discs being spaced such that as the device is rolled over a ball, the ball is forced between adjacent discs where it becomes trapped. As the device is moved further the discs rotate, carrying the ball to a comb-like structure, with a tooth disposed between each disc. The tooth pushes the ball out of the discs such that it falls into a basket fixed in front of the roller. Such devices allow the collection of relatively large numbers of balls per distance travelled, but are typically heavy and difficult to manoeuvre. In addition the complexity of such devices leads to them being expensive.

An alternative device is a collector tube, such as the golf ball collectors marketed under the trade mark "Clikka". These devices comprise a tube at one end of which is a sprung catch mechanism. A ball (or other object) is inserted into the end of the tube, depressing the catch as it does so. Once the ball is fully inserted, the catch returns to its original position so as to prevent the collected ball from falling out of the device. Whilst relatively inexpensive, clicker tubes suffer from a number of drawbacks including; only a single ball may be collected at a time; they are difficult to control, particularly in windy conditions; the mechanism is prone to failure; and balls often get stuck within the tube if wet or coated in mud.

Another alternative to the devices described above is one utilising a plurality of wires or similar resiliency deformable arms arranged to form a rotating cage, wherein the spacing between the arms is less than the minimum dimension of the object being collected. When pushed over an object, the arms deflect to allow it through, returning to their previous shape once the object is within the cage. Such devices may take the form of a substantially cylindrical cage attached to a handle, with the arms disposed between two wheels such that they are orientated perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the device. As the wheels are not able to move independently, it is difficult to change the direction of these devices in operation.

A different variation on the cage design includes arms bent such that the shape of the cage is substantially ovoid. In this case the arms are again substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel. The ovoid shape allows greater manoeuvrability, as only a limited portion of each arm is in contact with the collection surface. This provides a point about which the device may pivot when changing direction. However by limiting the length of each arm in contact with the ground fewer objects may be collected per distance travelled by the device.

Both the cylindrical and ovoid cage designs lack robustness making them easy to damage and restricting their maximum size, and thus can only carry a limited number of objects within the cage. Removal of collected objects is also difficult in such devices, requiring a user to manually bend one or more of the arms, or to dismantle the device, in order to create an opening large enough for the objects to pass through. This only allows a limited number of objects to be removed at a time.

Summary of invention

In order to mitigate at least some of the above problems the invention provides an object collection cart that simultaneously allows the collection of a large number of objects whilst being easy to employ by a user.

The cart of the invention comprises a plurality of resiliency deformable arms extending between a front support and a rear support in a first direction corresponding to a direction of travel of the cart during object collection. The cart also comprises a barrier that extends between the front and rear supports, and together with the supports and the arms, defines a receptacle for containing collected objects. When the cart is moved in the first direction the arms deflect on encountering an object to be collected, allowing the object to enter the receptacle.

The resiliency deformable arms extend between a front and rear support to form a receptacle, the arms substantially extending along the direction of travel of the cart, in contrast to the devices described above whose arms are aligned to be substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel. The arms are positioned such that the spacing between wires is less than the minimum dimension of the object to be collected. When the cart encounters an object to be collected, the arms deflect around the object, thus allowing the object to pass through, and subsequently return to their original position, trapping the object within the receptacle.

Having the arms generally aligned along the direction of travel of the cart advantageously allows the arms to form a receptacle with an aperture large enough for facilitating the easy removal of collected objects. No manual bending of the arms is required, and all collected objects may be emptied at once if desired. This alignment also allows any number of the arms to be in contact with or close to the ground, facilitating the collection of a large number of objects per distance travelled by the cart.

To summarise the operation of the cart: at least a portion of the arms are held at or close to the collection surface, for instance the ground. The user moves the cart in a direction substantially corresponding to the direction of the arms. When the cart is moved over an object to be collected, the object is guided between two arms. As the spacing between the arms is less than the diameter of the object, the arms deflect to allow it to pass between them. Once the object is through, the arms return to their original position. The object is unable to pass back through the arms and is thus confined within the receptacle. Once the desired number of objects have been collected, the cart may be moved to an appropriate location and easily emptied via the object removal aperture.

Preferably the arms are substantially arcuate, thereby minimising the length of the portion of each arm in contact with the ground. This advantageously minimises the friction between the cart and the ground, making it easier to move and change direction. The skilled person will appreciate that alternative shapes are also suitable to achieve the same effect. Preferably the arms are made from steel wire with a diameter between 1.0mm and 2.0mm, optionally between 1.3mm and 1.7mm. However a different metal or a resilient deformable plastic material may be used, and it will be appreciated that the thickness of the arms will depend on the physical properties of the material used.

The spacing between the arms is preferably substantially equal over at least 70% of the arms (so 70% to 100%). In this case substantially equal is taken to mean between +5% and -5%. Optionally the spacing is substantially equal over at least 80% of the arms. Optionally the spacing is substantially equal over at least 90% of the arms. The person with skill in the art will recognise that the exact number of arms with substantially equal spacing does not affect how the invention operates, merely affecting the number of balls that can be collected per distance travelled by the cart.

Preferably the spacing between adjacent arms is in the range 30% to 70% of the minimum dimension of the object to be collected. Optionally the spacing between adjacent arms is in the range 40% to 60% of the minimum dimension of the object to be collected. Optionally the spacing between adjacent arms is in the range 40% to 50% of the minimum dimension of the object to be collected. Such spacings have been found to be of use as when a large number of objects have been collected, the weight of the objects nearer the top of the receptacle will push down on objects below. Using a narrow spacing between the arms (60% of the minimum dimension of an object to be collected or less) advantageously prevents collected objects being forced back out through the arms by the weight of the collected objects above. The invention also includes a barrier extending between the supports, positioned to prevent the collected objects from escaping from the receptacle. The invention may include at least two barrier members, often positioned at either end of the arms, to prevent objects escaping from the receptacle. The supports and barrier may be constructed from rigid material, and therefore define a rigid frame. A rigid frame advantageously provides robustness to the cart, reducing the risk that the cart is damaged, and providing additional support to the arms. This in turn allows more arms to be included in the receptacle, and more objects to be collected per distance travelled by the cart and contained within the receptacle before it requires emptying. Optionally the invention may include at least three barriers, with at least one barrier disposed within the arms to increase the rigidity of the cart. Optionally the invention may include a single barrier in order to reduce the overall weight of the cart.

The barrier may be formed from a single sheet of material, for example steel, aluminium or wood. The barrier may optionally feature cut out sections to reduce the weight of the cart, shaped such that collected balls are retained within the receptacle. Alternatively other materials could be used, for example a steel mesh, additional resilient arms, or fabric material.

Preferably, one or more rotating members may be present, such as wheels or rollers. The rotational members are provided to reduce frictional forces between the cart and the ground and increase its manoeuvrability. Wheels or rollers may be attached to the barriers or to the supports. In an embodiment where more than one wheel or roller is provided, they may be permitted to rotate independently to aid manoeuvrability. In a further embodiment, a motor is provided to drive the rotational members, to reduce the effort required from a user when employing the cart.

Optionally the cart can include a handle to facilitate manual use, which may be attached to one or more of the supports, barriers or a combination thereof.

The cart typically includes at least one object removal aperture facilitating easy removal of the objects. Often there will be just one aperture to maximise aperture size. The cart may also include a lid suitable for enclosing the receptacle and preventing objects from escaping through the aperture. Such a lid may be hinged to allow object removal when open, or may be detachable from the cart. A lid is advantageous in situations where the cart is moved over uneven surfaces such that collected objects could be shaken out of the removal aperture.

Often the cart will be used to collect objects such as golf balls, tennis balls, fruit or nuts. Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the appended claim set.

Brief description of the figure

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an object collection cart according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Description of an embodiment of the invention

The following embodiments described in detail relate to a cart optimised for the collection of golf balls, however the person with in the art will recognise that the cart may equally be optimised for the collection of any substantially rounded objects, for example tennis balls, certain fruits or nuts.

Figure 1 shows a golf ball collection cart 100 in perspective view. A plurality of resiliency deformable arms 102 extend between a front support 104 and a rear support 106, such that the spacing 108 between the arms 102 is substantially equal. The spacing is in the range 40% to 50% of the diameter of a golf ball. The arms 102 are substantially arcuate and extend generally in a first direction, the first direction defining a direction of travel of the cart 100 in operation.

Two barriers 110 112 are attached between the front and rear supports 104 106, forming a rigid frame. The barriers 110 112 are positioned relative to the arms 102 at each end of the front and rear supports 104 106, so as to define a receptacle 114 with an open portion forming a ball removal aperture 116.

Two wheels 118 are attached to the barriers 110 112 such that they are able to rotate independently. A handle 120 is also provided attached to the rear support member 106, roughly half way along its length.

In operation, at least a portion of the arms 102 are held at or close to the collection surface, namely the ground. The user moves the cart 100 in a direction substantially corresponding to the direction of the arms 102 using the handle 120, the wheels 118 allowing improved manoeuvrability. When the cart 100 is moved over a ball, the ball is guided between two arms 102. As the spacing 108 between the arms 102 is less than the diameter of the golf ball, the arms 102 deflect to allow the ball to pass between them. Once the ball is through, the arms 102 return to their original position. The ball is unable to pass back through the arms 102 and is thus confined within the receptacle 114. Once the desired number of balls have been collected, the cart 100 may be moved to an appropriate location and easily emptied via the ball removal aperture 116.

Claims

1. An object collection cart comprising:

a plurality of resiliency deformable arms;

the arms extending between a front support and a rear support in a first direction corresponding to a direction of travel of the cart during object collection;

a barrier extending between the front and rear supports; and the barrier together with the supports and the arms defining a receptacle for containing collected objects;

such that when the cart is moved in the first direction the arms deflect on encountering an object to be collected, allowing the object to enter the receptacle.

2. A cart according to claim 1 wherein the spacing between adjacent arms is

substantially equal over a subset of the arms, the subset being in the range 70%- 100% of the arms.

3. A cart according to claim 1 or 2 comprising at least two barriers, wherein at least one barrier is positioned between the front and rear supports on either side of the arms.

4. A cart according to any preceding claim wherein the front and rear supports and at least one barrier define a rigid frame.

5. A cart according to any preceding claim wherein the arms are arcuate.

6. A cart according to any preceding claim wherein the receptacle includes at least one object removal aperture.

7. A cart according to any preceding claim wherein at least one barrier comprises one or more resilient arms, a mesh grating, a solid sheet, or combinations thereof.

8. A cart according to any preceding claim further comprising at least one rotating

member.

9. A cart according to claim 8 wherein at least one rotating member is selected from; a wheel, a roller, and combinations thereof.

10. A cart according to any preceding claim further comprising a handle.

11. A cart according to claim 8 or claim 9 further comprising a motor for driving the rotating member.

12. A cart according to any preceding claim further comprising a lid for enclosing the receptacle.

13. A cart according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacing between adjacent arms is substantially in the range 30% to 70% of the minimum dimension of the object to be collected.

14. A cart according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacing between adjacent arms is substantially in the range 40% to 50% of the minimum dimension of the object to be collected.

15. A cart according to claim 14 wherein the object to be collected is selected from golf balls, tennis balls, fruit, nuts.

16. An object collection cart as substantially described in the description and

accompanying drawings.