DE1960803A1 - Device for raising and lowering tennis nets - Google Patents

Description

Tennis Unlimited Incorporated, 420 Madison Avenue, New York »10017

Device for raising and lowering tennis nets

The invention relates to a device for raising and lowering tennis nets, particularly coin-operated devices; these can serve the tennis facility with the help of a hydraulic system to make available to the public against payment of a fee, whereby by actuating the pressure piston of the hydraulics part of the tennis facility is brought into the position intended for use. For example, with the help of the hydraulics, the tennis net be moved.

The invention has for its object to provide a device for raising and lowering tennis nets by a coin operated device is operated.

The invention consists in that the tennis net is raised only after a coin has been inserted, and that a timing device is seen to lower the net again after a predetermined period of time.

Advantageously, in the device according to the invention with a hydraulic apparatus, liquid is generated when a pump is actuated

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taken from a storage vessel and fed to a cylinder and a stamp in a certain direction in the cylinder moved so that the cylinder is connected via a valve to the storage vessel in such a way that the plunger only when the valve is closed can be moved in said direction. Furthermore, the valve is operated and operated by a coin operated mechanism by a time switch at a certain time its closure reopened.

Furthermore, the invention is expediently designed so that the punch extends when moving in the specified direction will.

In the device according to the invention, the time switch device a disk, which is set in rotation by a motor at a certain speed, as well as on the Disc-mounted devices that interact with a rotary arm so that in a first position of the rotary arm further rotation of the disc is prevented. When a coin is inserted, the rotary arm moves into a second position triggered, from which the rotary arm returns to the first position after rotating the disc by a certain angle. The movement of the rotary arm is coupled to the actuation of the valve in such a way that the valve remains closed when the rotary arm assumes its second position.

In the device according to the invention, the disk expediently carries at least one groove on its edge into which the rotary arm is inserted engages in a first position, while the rotary arm rests in its second position on the edge of the disc. Each groove has one magnetic body, and a magnet which is arranged so that when the rotary arm engages in the groove of the body located in the magnetic field of the magnet. As a result of the coin being inserted

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the turntable is moved out of the groove and the disc under Action of the magnet set in rotation, so that the rotary arm in the immediate vicinity of the groove on the edge of the disc to System is brought and held in its second position.

In the device according to the invention, an anchor-locked Spring or an electric motor is used as a drive means. In conjunction with the electric motor, the coin operated Device when inserting a coin a switch, whereby the timer device is supplied with electrical power, the Drive means for closing the valve supplies electrical current. The valve is closed with the aid of a coil against a resilient counterforce when power is supplied.

In the device according to the invention, an additional valve is advantageously provided which, when operated manually, against a force holding the 'valve normally closed' can pass from the pressure cylinder into the storage vessel.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the figures and described below:

Figure 1 shows a post that the device

for raising and lowering a tennis net,

Figure 2 shows a partial cross section through part of the device,

Figure 3 shows the same partial cross section

of Figure 2 in the view from the rear,

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Original. INSPECTED

FIG. 4 shows a partial cross section through part of the FIGS. 2 and 3 device shown.

The post 1 is to be set up on a tennis court, which is available to the public for a certain period of time against payment of a fee. Such places can not always be observed by a supervisor; the post described below therefore allows the fee to be collected even in the absence of a supervisor. This makes it possible that on such tennis courts while saving. Labor costs and other expenses incomes are generated.

The tennis post 1 has an upright tubular member 1 in which a hydraulic ram-cylinder unit 2 is arranged which is put into operation by a coin operated device indicated generally at 3. The Stamp is guided in a housing in the chamber 4, the stamp part 5 being extendable beyond the chamber 4. Of the Stamp part 5 carries a piston, not shown in Figure 1, which is movable in the chamber 4 of the housing in the usual way. The housing also contains a storage vessel 6 for the liquid and a pump 7 which can be operated by hand, whereby

the liquid is pumped under pressure from the storage vessel 6 into the chamber of the housing and thus moves the piston while extending the plunger part 5. The liquid is discharged from the chamber 4 through a return system consisting of a line 8, a hydraulic distributor 9, a Main valve 10 and a further conduit 11 is brought back into the reservoir 6. The valve 10 controls the flow through the return system and is normally held in the open position so that the liquid pumped into the canal 4 is freely passed through the return system into the supply.

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advice vessel 6 can flow back. When this valve is closed »can the liquid pumped into the chamber 4 does not come out of it flow out, so that the stamp part 5 is lengthened.

The housing with the chamber 4 and the punch-cylinder unit 2 is fixedly mounted on the upper part of the post, in such a way that the extendable punch teii 5 within the Post can move down. The stamp part 5 bears that Carrier rope 12 of the tennis net, which goes up over a pulley Ij5, which rests at the top of the post, and from there across the tennis court to an opposite, conventional one Post runs. This arrangement has the effect that the rope 12 when the stamp part 5 is extended together with the stamp part 5 is pulled down, and that the Hetz is brought into the correct position. The stamp part 5 can with The help of the manually operated pump 7 with the valve 10 closed manually extended if the coin operated device is operated. The valve is controlled by the timer 14 is kept closed for a period of time, usually an hour. Figures 2 and 3 show this time switch device in detail.

The coin-controlled device 3 includes a selection device known per se (see FIG. 15 in FIG. 2), which ensures that it only responds when the correct coin is used. The selection device 15 is mounted on a housing 16 of the device 3. On the housing 16 there is arranged a rotating arm 17 which is movable about the axis 18 and which cooperates via a roller 19 which is movable on the arm 17 with the grooves incorporated in the circumference of the adjusting disk 27. The edge 20 of the rotary arm is arranged so that it can with the edge 21 of a control arm 22, the iet rotatably mounted also on the housing 16 about the axis 23 cooperate. The edges 20 and 21 are in

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immediate vicinity of the coin outlet 36 of the selection device 15, so that there is a suitable be coin between the edges 20 and 2 1 of the arms 17 and 22 after leaving the selection device. The control arm 22 is held away from the edge 20 of the arm 1.7 by a spiral spring 24, while the control arm 22 can be turned inward against the restraining force of the spring with the aid of the control button 25. The rotary arm 17 is held by another spiral spring 26 in such a way that the edge 20 is pressed over to the control arm 22 and the roller 19 abuts against the circumference of the adjusting disk 27. The rotatable adjusting disk 27 is made of non-magnetic material, for example plastic, and has on its circumference 2HY grooves 28 that are equidistant from one another. Magnetic bodies 29 made of soft iron are directly adjacent to the edge of the disk and are distributed over the disk 27 at an equal distance from one another, each magnet body 29 being assigned to a hat 28. The magnetic bodies 29 are riveted onto the adjusting disk 27. A magnet 50 is arranged immediately adjacent to the edge of the disk 27 in a specific manner described below. If the roller 19 is in a groove 28, the soft iron body 29, which is assigned to the groove 28, is located within the magnetic field of the magnet 30 in such a way that - when the roller I-9 · is pulled out of the groove 28 - The disk 27 is rotated by the action of the magnetic field so that the roller 19 rests against the outer edge of the disk 27 outside the groove and cannot fall back into the same. The disk 27 is freely rotatably mounted on a shaft 31. The disc 27 is rotated at a certain speed which is set by a known spring mechanism 32 with a conventional anchor escapement. The spring mechanism 32 engages a pin 33 in an annular "* '-shaped slot 34 on the disc 27.'"? "

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BATH ORIGINAL

The selection device 15 has an inlet 35 through which coins can be inserted, which through the outlet 36 between the edges 20 and 21 of the arms 17 and 22 pass, and another outlet 37 through which unsuitable coins are returned will. A container is located below the outlet 36 38, in which the coins are collected.

As FIG. 3 shows, the rotary arm 17 is connected to another member 39 which is rotatable about the axis 18. The link 39 consists of two arms; the one arm 40 actuates a counter 41 as long as the arm 17 is rotated into its second position in which it rests against the circumference of the adjusting disk 27, while the other arm 42 rests against the control member 53 of the main valve 10. This causes a rotary movement of the arm 42 about the axis 18 to move the control member 43 into an open or closed position Position. The movement of the arm 42 also actuates a link 44 intended to prevent the coin operated device more than one coin to a given one Time contains .. The connecting link consists of a first part 45 which is attached to the housing 16 so that it is at its To and fro movement in the longitudinal direction with one end 46 of a further link 47 which is rotatable about the axis 48 on the housing is mounted, is brought into cooperation or from the cooperation. About an arm 49 'which is at a right angle Departing from the other end of the link 47, there is a connection with a part of the selection device 15. In this way What is achieved is that, as shown in FIG. 3, the movement of the arm 45 causes the rotary member 47 to rotate in the clockwise direction when the rotary arm 17 is brought into its second position in which it rests against the edge of the adjusting disk 27. By the right-angled protruding arm 49, the selection device is then set so that further thrown Coins regardless of whether they are suitable or not, auto-

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be rejected automatically.

The control arm 22 is connected to the housing via a displaceable connection 50 with an arm 51 which is rotatable about the rotatable connection 52 16 connected, the arm 51 on the control member 53 of a Adjusting valve 54, which carries the hydraulic distributor 9, is present. The adjustment valve 54 is held in the closed position.

As FIG. 4 shows in detail, there is the hydraulic distributor from an inlet part 56 which is connected to the chamber 4 of the hydraulic ram 2 via the line 8, from an outlet part 57 "leading to the main valve 10, an outlet 58 leading to the Valve 54 leads, and an outlet 59 »which is connected to the storage vessel 6. Located between inlet 56 and outlet 59 There is a pressure relief valve 60. The pressure relief valve 60 consists of a ball 61 which is held in the valve seat 62 by spring force and is arranged so that the pressure relief valve is opened, when the pressure in the chamber 4 of the hydraulic ram 2 exceeds a predetermined value.

The operation of the post is described below:

When a suitable coin is inserted into the selector 15, the coin falls through the outlet 36 and passes between the edges 20 and 21 of the arms 17 and 22. When the control button 25 is pressed in, the control arm 22 is rotated against the spring force. This movement is transmitted to the rotating arm 17 via the coin transmitted and caused there also a rotation of the arm about the axis 18 against the restoring force of the spring. This turning movement of the arm 17 causes the roller 19 to be pulled out of the groove in which it was located. This allows the focusing screen 27 rotate freely on their shaft, so that under the influence of the magnetic field of the magnet 50 on the magnetic body, the

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is assigned to the groove, the disk 27 is rotated until the magnet body is aligned with the magnet 30. After letting go of the control button 25, the control arm 22 returns to its original position under the action of the return spring, while the rotary arm 17 is set by its return spring in such a way that the roller 19 rests against the circumference of the adjusting disk 27. Since the disc 27 has continued to rotate by a small amount under the action of the magnet, the roller is now in place 19 on the outer circumference of the disc and in the immediate vicinity to the groove in which it had been lying before. The rotary arm 17 is thereby held in its second position, and the coin can thus freely fall into the collecting container 38 between the control arm 22 and the rotating arm 17.

In this position, the movement of the adjusting disk is not prevented by the engagement of the roller in the groove and can be rotated by the spring mechanism 32. Since the disk has already rotated a small amount, the drive pin 33 'through which the disk is driven with spring force is not at the end of the annular slot, so that at the beginning the disk is not rotated under the action of the spring force 32. However, this applies to any process that is set in motion by the coin-operated device and does not apply to the period of time during which the disk is set in rotation by the spring force. When the pin 33 strikes the end of the annular slot 34, the disk 27 is rotated under the action of the spring until the roller 19, on which the hand of the disk 27 is rotated, engages in the next groove and so one prevents further rotation of the disc. As long as the arm 17 is in its second position, ie resting against the circumference of the adjusting disk, the arm 42 is brought into a position in which it holds the control valve 10 in the closed position. As a result, the storage vessel 6 becomes liquid

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is pumped into the chamber 4 of the punch-cylinder unit 2 and the punch 5 is extended, as a result of which the tennis net is raised.

The hydraulic pressure generated in the chamber 4 is given to the hydraulic manifold 9 through the inlet 56, but can does not have an effect on the storage vessel because the main valve is closed and because the adjustment valve 54 is normally is also kept closed under the action of force. If by a too strong actuation of the pump 7 in the chamber a greater than the predetermined pressure is generated, the ball 61 of the pressure relief valve 60 is made by this pressure "lifted into their seat; this allows excess liquid to pass through reach the outlet 59 into the storage vessel 6 and so escape the excess pressure.

If the ram is extended so far that the net is raised too far, the arm 51 can, by pressing in the control arm 22 are rotated so far that the normally closed adjustment valve 54 is opened. When this valve is opened hydraulic fluid flows from chamber 4 in the unit through inlet 56 of hydraulic manifold 9 and out Outlet 58 through the open adjusting valve 54 and thus into the storage vessel 6. This escape of liquid the stamp 5 withdrawn by a certain amount, so that the tennis net is lowered again in this way.

At the end of the predetermined period of time, further rotation of the disc 27 is prevented by the fact that the roller 19 in the next groove engages. As a result, the rotary arm 17 is rotated back into its first position, the control arm 42 rotates from Control member 43 of the main valve 10 and away from the member 45 of the connecting member 44, so that the main valve 10 in the open Position returns and so does the link 44

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is returned to its original position. In this way, through the main valve 10, liquid can be drawn from the chamber 4 in the reservoir flow back, and the net is lowered again, since the hydraulic ram 5 retracts either under the weight of the network or under the action of spring force.

In another embodiment, the time switch device contains an electric motor. In this case, the insertion of a suitable coin actuates a microswitch, which supplies the timer with electrical power. The time switch also supplies a coil with electrical gm current, with which the main valve is operated. The main valve is normally held in the open position by a spring.

An additional switch can be used from the time switch additional electric current to the coil which controls the main valve, are given, so that the opening of this Valve the net height can be adjusted as described above.

The mode of operation of this device is described as follows:

When a suitable coin is inserted into the selection device % , the coin falls into a position in which the microswitch is actuated. As a result, the time switch device is supplied with electrical power. The electric current is applied to the coil over a predetermined period of time, usually one hour, via the time switch device. This will move the main valve to the closed position. The tennis net can then be brought into the raised position by manually operating the pump.

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to.

If the net is raised beyond the desired position, the power supply to the coil can be interrupted via the additional switch, thus opening the main valve. This will the net lowered. When the additional switch is turned, the coil is supplied with power again, and the main valve is turned on again closed, and the network remains in its new, lower position. If the net is now too low, it can open can be raised again in the usual way by operating the hand pump.

At the end of the period in which the coil is over the timer is supplied with power, the timer is switched off, the power supply to the coil is interrupted, and the main hydraulic valve is opened, so that the network is lowered will. When the timer is switched off, the microswitch is also returned to its previous position, so that the timer device remains without power supply until a new coin is inserted.

In the foregoing, the invention is in connection with a Tennis pole has been described. But it is understandable after the above that this invention also applies all other types of nets such as those found on badminton courts or used over pool tables that need to be raised and lowered .. Off from the preceding it is also understandable that the coin operated Device can be operated not only by coins, but also by all other, similar "brands".

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Claims (16)

Claims _L 1 , J Device for raising and lowering tennis nets, especially coin-controlled devices, characterized in that the tennis net is only raised after a coin has been inserted and that a timer is provided which lowers the net again after a predetermined period of time, 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that with a hydraulic apparatus upon actuation of a pump (7) Liquid is taken from a storage vessel (6) and fed to a cylinder (4) and thus a stamp in the cylinder (5) is moved in a certain direction that the cylinder (4) via a valve (10) with the storage vessel (6) is connected in such a way that the plunger (5) can only be moved in the direction mentioned when the valve (10) is closed, that the valve (10) is operated by a coin operated mechanism (3) and that the valve (10) is operated by a timer reopens at a certain time after its closure. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the The punch (5) is extended when moving in the specified direction. 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 »characterized in that the Zeitsohalteinriehtung has a disc (27) which is set in rotation by a motor with a certain rotational speed that attached to the disc (27) Facilities (28). ie interact with a rotary arm (17) so that that in its first position another rotation of the -14- 009828/0173 the logs (27) is prevented from being thrown in a Coin a movement of the rotary arm (17) · is triggered into its second position, from which the rotary arm after one rotation the disc returns to the first position by a "certain angle, and that the movement of the rotary arm (17) with the Actuation of the valve (10) is coupled such that the valve (10) remains closed when the rotary arm (17) its takes second position. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the disc (27) has at least one groove (28) on its edge, that the rotary arm (17) engages in this groove in its first position, and that the rotary arm in its second position 'rests against the edge of the pane. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that each groove (28) has a magnetic body (29) that a Magnet (50) is arranged so that when the rotary arm (17) engages in the groove (28), the body (29) is in the magnetic field of the magnet (30) is that as a result of the insertion of coins, the rotary arm (17) moves out of the groove (28) and the Disc (27) is set in rotation under the action of the magnet (30), so that the rotary arm (17) is in the immediate vicinity to the groove (28) is brought to bear on the edge of the pane and held in its second position. 7. Apparatus according to claim 4-6, characterized in that an anchor-locked spring (32) drives the disc (27). 8. Apparatus according to claim 4-6, characterized in that an electric motor drives the disc (27). -15- 009828/0173 ils- 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the coin-controlled device (3) actuates a switch when a coin is inserted, that when the switch is actuated the timer and drive means for closing the valve (10) are supplied with electrical power. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the valve (10) is closed with the aid of a coil, and that the valve is closed against a resilient counterforce when power is supplied to the coil. gt 11. The device according to claim 4-10, characterized in that the motor by means of a pin in an annular slot engages in the disc (27). 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that when manually actuated a second, normally held closed by the application of force Valve (54), liquid from the pressure cylinder (4) passes into the storage vessel (6). 13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the pressure generated by an overpressure f | valve (60) is limited. 14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that upon actuation of the coin-controlled device the valve (10) is closed and that suitable means prevent the device from being thrown in further coins can be put into action as long as the valve (10) is closed. -16- 009828/0173 15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized that raising and lowering of the üennisnetzes is coupled to the movement of the punch (5). 16. Apparatus according to claim 13 *, characterized in that said device is built into one of the posts (1) supporting the tennis net. ' 0098 28/017 3