DE29712441U1 - Device for picking up and collecting balls - Google Patents

Description

Klaus Waizenegger

Schönenbergstr. 5
D-78600 Kolbingen

Device for picking up and collecting bales

The present invention relates to a device for picking up and collecting balls, in particular tennis balls, from a floor surface with a collecting container for picking up and/or storing tennis balls, wherein the collecting container is assigned a chassis with a conveyor device for balls.

Such devices are known in the state of the art in a wide variety of designs. For example, there are robots that recognize a tennis ball on the tennis court, search for it and collect it. The disadvantage here is that it is extremely expensive to buy and difficult to control.

Devices are also known from the state of the art with which, for example, balls are collected using electric vehicles, but these are very complex, cumbersome and difficult to operate.

According to DE 26 51 835, a device for collecting tennis balls is known. This shows a device in which tennis balls are guided into a collecting container by means of a conveyor belt. The disadvantage here is that picking up the individual tennis balls and in particular catching tennis balls is difficult. Here, for example, tennis balls can remain at the inlet between the guide plate and the conveyor belt.
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In addition, the conveyor belt is directly coupled to the drive, with a container for catching tennis balls also installed downstream of the receiving device.

Another disadvantage of the above-mentioned devices is that the drive element or the drive wheels slip on poor surfaces. Transporting the tennis balls is difficult.

Another disadvantage is that the conventional devices available on the market for picking up tennis balls are extremely large, heavy and unwieldy. Therefore, they are rarely used on the market.

The aim of the present invention is to create a device of the above-mentioned type which eliminates the disadvantages listed there and with which a large number of balls can be picked up quickly and easily. In addition, this device should be very cost-effective to manufacture and universally applicable.

Furthermore, such a device should be very easy to operate, easy to transport and very user-friendly for everyone.

To solve this problem, the conveyor system for picking up and passing on the balls is assigned a receiving device and/or a transport device.

The present invention provides a device for picking up and collecting balls, whereby a large number of balls can be picked up at the same time via a picking device. These are then transferred to the transport device. In the transport device, the balls are preferably transported high up in a shaft using a conveyor belt and then deposited into a collecting container.

It is also important here that the receiving device has a shaft which is provided with a plurality of catching elements arranged in the axial direction. These are arranged axially over the entire length of the shaft. These can pick up the balls and transport them into a shaft of the transport device with the help of a curved guide element. In the shaft, the tennis ball is then pressed against a wall by means of the conveyor belt or similar element and moved upwards.

The catching elements of the receiving device can be designed to be elastic. They are preferably individual brushes arranged one after the other in the axial direction. However, rubber-like elements can also be provided, which are designed either as pins and/or strips.

These are guided to the receiving device by guide elements, which are preferably connected to the receiving device with an opening on the side. Additional tongues arranged on the guide elements prevent the balls from being thrown out or rolled out of the area of the two guide elements when moving back or turning. The guide elements are also part of the chassis, which

preferably rotatable support wheels are assigned at the ends in order to steer the device.

It is also envisaged here that corresponding claws can be connected to the guide elements or can be formed from them themselves in order to easily collect balls from corner areas. Furthermore, the present inventive concept also includes the fact that the conveyor belt or the receiving device can be driven electrically or manually, e.g. by means of a crank.

With appropriate gear ratios, the conveyor belt in the shaft can be moved very quickly in order to quickly place the balls in the basket via the ejection opening. This means that they do not remain in the shaft for long, for example when the collection of bales is finished. A short movement of the device is sufficient to place all the balls from the shaft into the collection container.

Another advantage here is that the collecting container is positioned very high up. It can be replaced if necessary. This means that the game can begin immediately after collecting the balls.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shaft is very narrow and inclined towards the rear. This shifts the center of gravity of the entire device to the individual wheels. The entire weight of the device rests on these. The container arranged at the top of the shaft is also connected to the shaft in such a way that the center of gravity of the shaft and the container essentially falls on the wheels. A support wheel protrudes from the rear, which holds the shaft and in particular the device upright. This support wheel is hardly loaded.

This significantly increases the coefficient of static friction between the individual wheels and the surface of a tennis court, so that even on dry sand courts the conveyor belt and the balls in the shaft can be transported in the container without any problem. Here too, it should be remembered that the conveyor belt can be accelerated considerably in relation to the rotational speed of the drive wheel or wheel using gear elements or the like (not shown in detail here).

In this respect, it is also of crucial importance in the present invention that the individual wheels do not slip or spin on different surfaces.

Preferably, the support wheel is arranged in the middle of the shaft, projecting backwards. An additional strut can be provided here, which supports the shaft upwards.

In the front area, a so-called collecting hood is connected to the shaft or to the wheels of the device. This is connected to the shaft with a hinge. It can be folded up or away if required.

The hood is also designed to be extended outwards in order to collect balls with its catching elements. It is open at the front. Inside, this hood can be designed with corresponding tongues in accordance with the previously described embodiments. This device can also be provided with a corresponding receiving device and transport device of the type described above.

Another advantage of the present embodiment is that this device is very easy to transport. To do this, the container is removed from the shaft and

the upper cover is folded upwards. It is preferably held in place by magnets.

The container can then be placed on the back of the shaft after swiveling the shaft forwards or can be releasably secured there. The device rests on the opened cover and is held in an inclined position. In this way, the device can be picked up using the handle at the end of the shaft and can be transported very easily. Even steps and uneven surfaces can be overcome when pulling it behind, as the guide plate is no longer in the way and ground clearance is increased in this way.

Furthermore, a front plate as part of a wall of the shaft, in particular near the ball ejection opening, is pre-tensioned, bent and designed to face inwards. This presses the balls against the conveyor belt and allows them to then fall over the edge into the container. A hinge joint or other element can also be provided, for example to press a flap against the conveyor belt. In this way, the balls are also guided to the ejection opening and moved over the edge when it is moved inwards. This can be done using a spring or something similar.

In a further embodiment, a tensioning element is provided within the conveyor belt between the support strip at the level of the ejection opening, which pushes the conveyor belt in the direction of the outlet opening. In this way, a tennis ball is held in the gap and conveyed towards the ejection opening. In order to reduce the friction between the tensioning element and the conveyor belt, if necessary.

Rollers or Teflon-coated tensioning devices must be provided to hold the conveyor belt against the discharge opening

At the same time, the band can be pre-tensioned in this way.

The present inventive concept is also intended to include the fact that several such clamping devices are arranged next to one another in the shaft near the ejection opening in order to enable individual bales next to one another to overcome the edge of the ejection opening.

Overall, the present invention creates a device for picking up and collecting balls, with which tennis balls can be transported into the collecting container in a very simple and quick manner without the balls becoming tense in the device. In addition, the drive is also optimized by the center of gravity, so that easy propulsion is still guaranteed even on sandy surfaces.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawing, which shows in
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Figure 1 is a plan view of a device for picking up and collecting balls;

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the device according to Figure 1;
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Figure 3 shows a partial longitudinal section: through the device and in particular through its conveyor device according to Figure 2 along line III-III;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the device according to Figures 1 and 2 with further guide elements;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another device according to the invention for picking up and collecting balls;

Figure 6 is a side view of the device according to Figure 5 in a further position of use;

Figures 7a and 7b show a perspective view of possible ejection openings;

Figure 8 is a schematic side view of another ejection opening.

According to Figure 1, a device R for picking up and collecting balls, in particular tennis balls 1, has a chassis 2, to which a conveyor device 3 is assigned. The conveyor device 3 essentially consists of a receiving device 4 for picking up tennis balls 1 and an adjoining or

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associated transport device 5, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

In the preferred embodiment, the chassis 2 is connected to the receiving device 4. Wheels 7.1, 7.2 protrude from a shaft 6 of the receiving device 4, which are also part of the chassis 2. Furthermore, lateral guide elements 8.1, 8.2 protrude from the receiving device 4, which form part of the chassis 2.

Tongues 9.1, 9.2 are assigned to the guide elements 8.1, 8.2 facing inwards. These point in the direction of the receiving device 4. They are designed like springs and prevent balls from rolling back between the two guide elements 8.1, 8.2. The tongues 9.1, 9.2 narrow an opening 10 to the receiving device 4.

In order to ensure that the individual guide elements 8.1, 8.2 are arranged in a stable manner relative to one another, a rod 11 is preferably arranged in the outer area between them. It is also intended here to design the individual guide elements 8.1, 8.2 with joints 12.1, 12.2 indicated in Figure 2 so that they can pivot relative to one another. This is advantageous, for example, for accommodating and stowing the device R. The individual guide elements 8.1, 8.2 can be folded against one another so that a very narrow device R is created.

At the end, the corresponding guide elements 8.1, 8.2 can be slightly curved outwards in order to catch corresponding balls, as is indicated in Figure 4. Furthermore, such guide elements 8.1, 8.2 are provided with corresponding claws 13.1, 13.2, which make it possible to roll a ball out of a corner, for example.

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It may also be considered here to arrange the corresponding support wheels 14.1, 14.2, which are preferably arranged on the guide elements 8.1, 8.2 either externally or internally, on the strut 11 itself.
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The shaft β is preferably driven, as shown in Figure 2, by the wheels 7.1, 7.2 by moving or pushing the device R. Here, the shaft 6 is part of the receiving device 4, as can be seen from Figure 3.

In the present embodiment, the shaft 6 is assigned catch elements 15.1 to 15.4. These are preferably perpendicular to the surface of the shaft 6 and are releasably secured to it. The catch elements 15.1 to 15.4 are arranged axially on the shaft 6. These can be made of brushes, individual rods spaced apart from one another, or elastic elements. In the preferred embodiment, the shaft 6 is driven by the wheels 7.1, 7.2. It is spaced at a distance A from a floor surface 16. This distance A corresponds approximately to a height H of the individual catch elements 15.1 to 15.4.

The special feature of this receiving device 4 is that by rotating the shaft 6 and in particular its catching elements 15.1 to 15.4, a plurality of tennis balls 1 can be grasped by the catching elements 15.1, 15.2 when the shaft 6 rotates. By rotating the receiving device 4, the tennis balls 1 are conveyed into the transport device 5. This is connected to the receiving device 4 at a distance B. The tennis balls 1 are conveyed into the transport device 5 via a guide element 17, which is arranged between the receiving device 4 and the transport device 5. The guide element 17 is preferably shaped like an arc of a circle and protrudes downwards from the transport device 5 towards the base surface 16.

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The tennis balls 1 are rolled by the catching elements 15.1 to 15.4 into the guide element 17 or up onto it. From there, the ball 1 is pushed into a gap 18 of a shaft 19 by further rotating the shaft 6. The shaft 19 of the transport device 5 is preferably perpendicular to the frame 2 or to the floor surface 16.

An upper shaft 20 is inserted at one end of the shaft 19 and a lower shaft 21 is inserted at the other end. A conveyor belt 22 is arranged in the shaft 19 so that it can move over these two shafts 20, 21. A support strip 23 is also provided between the upper shaft 20 and the lower shaft 21, which preferably forms a guide for the conveyor belt 20 as a sheet or strip arranged between them.

Furthermore, a gap 18 with an ejection opening 24 is formed in the transport device 5, in particular the shaft 19. This gap 18 is provided between a wall 28 of the shaft 19 and the conveyor belt 22. Above the shaft 19, an outward-facing guide plate 25 is arranged at the ejection opening 24.

The guide plate 25 leads to a collecting container 26, which is preferably detachably connected to the shaft 19.

The collecting container 26 is designed like a basket and is arranged on the shaft 19, raised above the chassis 2. This can, like the shaft 19, be provided with handles 27.1, 27.2 in order to move the device 2. Preferably, the handle 27.2 is arranged somewhat lower on the shaft 19, so that children can also move the device R easily.

The operation of the present invention is as follows:

The device R according to the invention is pushed over a tennis court or floor area 16 to collect tennis balls 1, whereby the wheels 7.1, 7.2 rotate. These can

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can be driven jointly or individually via a shaft 6. If necessary, one of the two wheels 7.1 or 7.2 or both wheels 7.1, 7.2 are provided with a freewheel so that it can compensate for the different speeds when cornering like a differential.

The shaft 6 with the axially arranged catch elements 15.1 to 15.4 is driven either directly via these wheels 7.1, 7.2 or via a corresponding V-belt, gear or similar. This rotary movement is transmitted via corresponding elements to the transport device 5 or the lower shaft 21.

The device is then moved towards the tennis balls, which are caught by the guide elements 8.1, 8.2. These can guide the balls in the direction of the receiving device 4 and in particular its opening 10 with their support wheels 14.1, 14.2. When the balls reach the receiving device 4, they are caught by its catching elements 15.1 to 15.4 and conveyed into the guide element 17 by turning, as indicated in Figure 3. In the guide element 17, the balls are transported upwards into the gap 18 of the shaft 19 by means of the conveyor belt 22. The tennis ball 1 is transported upwards in the gap 18 between the wall 28 of the shaft 19 and the conveyor belt 22 by the conveyor belt 22 moving upwards in the gap 18. The conveyor belt 22 is pre-tensioned in such a way that it presses the tennis ball 1 against the inside of the wall 28. The ball rolls on the wall 28. This may be rubberized on the inside to increase static friction.

In order to improve the transition between the receiving device 4 and the transport device 5, the shaft 19 can be slightly widened in the lower area of the wall 28 at the level of the shaft 21.

The lower shaft 21 is driven either via the wheels 7.1, 7.2 or directly via the shaft 6. Here too, freewheels can be used if necessary, which prevent the conveyor belt 22 from moving downwards when reversing or moving backwards.

The balls are transported upwards in the shaft 19 by moving the device R forwards and fall from the ejection opening 24 into the collecting container 26. The collecting container 26 is also used to store tennis balls.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention according to Figure 5, a further device R]_ is shown in which a shaft 19.1 is connected to two wheels 7.1, 7.2. Behind the shaft 19.1, a support element 29 with a support wheel 30 is provided, which supports the shaft 19.1, which is preferably inclined backwards. As a result, the center of gravity of the entire device Ri is shifted to the wheels 7.1, 7.2. The support element 29 and the support wheel 30 prevent the device R]_ from tipping backwards.

In addition, the shaft 19.1, which is strongly inclined backwards, puts additional pressure on the wheels 7.1, 7.2 when pushing or operating the device. This also increases the static friction with respect to the floor surface 16, particularly with respect to sandy floors or sand areas. This is of essential importance for the transmission of the rotation of the wheels 7.1, 7.2 to the corresponding drive elements 3, 4, 5 or also to the conveyor belt 22.

The guide element 8.3 is designed as a hood. This hood can be folded upwards using magnets 31, when the collecting container 26 is removed. The guide element 8.3 can be pivoted upwards about a joint 32. This is particularly advantageous, for example,

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when the device R]_ according to the invention is to be moved to a tennis court. By folding up the guide element 8.3, the device R]_ can rest on the floor surface 16 by means of a lower edge 33 of the guide element 8.3, as shown in Figure 6. The trough-shaped collecting container 26 can be placed on the back of the shaft 19.1.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the support element 29 is connected to the shaft 19.1 via a cross member 34, which not only serves to support the support element 29, but also to accommodate the collecting container 26. This can, as shown in Figure 6, be placed on the back of the shaft 19.1. The collecting container 26 is provided with a preferably centrally arranged trough 35, which overlaps the cross member 34 and thus fixes the collecting container 26 centrally on the back of the shaft 19.1.

The device Ri can be transported in this way using the handle 27.1. In this case, the guide element 8.3, designed as a hood, is folded upwards onto the shaft 19.1. The magnets 31 connect with one another so that the hood is held on the shaft 19.1. For support, the lower edge 33 of the guide element 8.3 rests on a base surface 16 so that the device R^ is supported as a whole. This can then be picked up by a human hand using the handle part 27.1 and pulled along.

The advantage is that the device R]_ can be pulled much more easily and can overcome curbs or elevations, stairs or the like when moving from one tennis court to another, since the distance between the shaft 19.1 and the floor surface 16 is increased in this position. Also, the guide plate 25 described and mentioned above is not close to the floor 16, so that the

Device R^ can be transported on uneven surfaces without damaging the guide plate 25 or making it difficult to push the device R]_.

After reaching a tennis court, the shaft 19.1 is pivoted around the wheels 7.1, 7.2 and placed in an upright or backwards inclined position. The device R ₁ stands on the two wheels 7.1, 7.2 and on the rear support wheel 30. The guide element 8.3, which is open at the front, is folded down and the container with the balls can be hung on the shaft 19.1 or otherwise attached, as shown in dashed lines in Figure 6. The device Ri contains the devices 3, 4, 5 described above for picking up balls.

Figures 7a, 7b and Figure 8 show further possibilities for how, for example, the balls can be ejected from the ejection opening 24. In this way, the entire arrangement, in particular the shaft 19.1, is very narrow.

The wall 28 is preferably arranged in the upper area, close to the ejection opening 24, so that it can pivot. Joints 36 are provided here, which press at least part of the wall 28 and the guide plate 25 against the conveyor belt 22. Pre-tensioning can be done using conventional spring elements or the like. This presses a tennis ball against the conveyor belt 22, so that when the guide plate 25 is reached, it is pressed against the conveyor belt 22 and the ball is conveyed directly into the collecting container 26 via the guide plate 25. Instead of the joints 36, the wall 28 in the upper area close to the ejection opening 24 is at least partially pre-tensioned by bending.

According to Figure 8, near the ejection opening 24, preferably between the conveyor belt 22 and the support strip 23, a

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A tensioning device is arranged which presses the conveyor belt 22 against the inside of the wall 28 by means of a spring element. A tennis ball 1 can thus be conveyed over the edge of the guide plate 25 from the ejection opening 24 until it falls into the collecting container 26. In order to keep the friction very low, rollers or, in particular, Teflon-coated sliders can apply pressure to the conveyor belt 22 from the inside. Here, it is also planned to provide several such tensioning devices across the width of the shaft 19.1. These serve simultaneously to tension the entire conveyor belt 22.

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DR. PETER WEISS

Patent Attorney European Patent Attorney

Reference number: 5016.8

Date: May 13, 1997

Position number list

1 Tennis ball 29 Support element R,
^R1 contraption 2 chassis 30 Support wheel A Distance 3 Sponsors
direction 31 Magnets B Distance 4 Recording
furnishings 32 joint H Height 5 transport
furnishings 33 Bottom edge 6 Wave 34 traverse 7 wheel 35 trough 8th Learning leadership t 36 joint 9 Tongue 37 Clamping device
tung 10 opening 11 pole 12 joint 13 To steal 14 Support wheels 15 Catch element 16 Floor area 17 Guide element 18 gap 19 Shaft 20 upper shaft 21 lower shaft 22 Conveyor belt 23 Support strips 24 Ejection opening 25 Baffle 26 Collection container 27 Handle 28 Wall

Claims (33)

Protection claims 1. Device for picking up and collecting balls, in particular tennis balls (1) from a floor surface {16) with a collecting container (26) for picking up and/or storing tennis balls {1), wherein the collecting container (26) is associated with a chassis (2) with a conveyor device (3) for balls, characterized, that the conveyor device (3) for picking up and passing on the balls (1) is assigned a receiving device (4) and/or a transport device (5). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving device (4) is assigned a shaft (6) with at least one guide element (15). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one guide element (15) of the shaft (6) is elastic. 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the shaft (6) is assigned further guide elements (15) spaced apart from one another at an angle of approximately 90°. 5. Device according to at least one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the guide element (15) is designed as a brush. 6. Device according to at least one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the at least one guide element (15) is arranged axially along the shaft (6). 7. Device according to at least one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the shaft (6) is at a distance (A) is arranged approximately corresponding to a height (H) of the guide element (15) to the base surface (16) on the receiving device (4). 8. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the receiving device (4) is directly or indirectly connected to the transport device (5). 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the transport device (5) is arranged approximately at a distance (B) corresponding to the height (H) of the guide element (15) is spaced from the receiving device (4). 10. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that between the receiving device (4) and the transport device (5) a guide element (17) for receiving and directing the tennis balls (1) into the transport device (5) near the bottom surface (16) is assigned. 11. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the transport device (5) a conveyor belt (22) is assigned in a shaft (19). 12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the shaft (19) is arranged approximately perpendicular to the chassis (2). 13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the conveyor belt (22) is endless in the shaft (19) is arranged to be movable by an upper and lower shaft (20, 21). -19- 14. Device according to at least one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that a gap (18) is formed in the shaft (19) between a wall (28) and the conveyor belt (22), which gap corresponds approximately to the diameter of a tennis ball (1). 15. Device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a support strip (23) is arranged between the upper shaft (20) and the lower shaft (21) within the conveyor belt (22). 16. Device according to at least one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the shaft (19) is provided above with an ejection opening (24) directed towards the collecting container (26) with, if necessary, a guide plate (25). 17. Device according to at least one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that at least one handle (27.1, 27.2) is assigned to the shaft (19) and/or the collecting container (26). 18 . Device according to at least one of claims 2 to 17, characterized in that at least one wheel (7.1, 7.2) of the chassis (2) drives the shaft (6) of the receiving device (4) and/or the lower shaft (21) of the transport device (5) directly or indirectly. 19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the shaft (6) of the receiving device (4) drives the lower shaft (21) or the upper shaft (20) of the transport device (5). 20. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the chassis (2) is assigned lateral guide elements (8.1, 8.2) for catching tennis balls (1). -20- 21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the guide elements (8.1, 8.2) extend laterally from the receiving device (4) in an outwardly expanding manner, wherein they are slightly spaced downwards from the base surface (16). 22. Device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the guide elements (8.1, 8.2) are held at a distance from one another via a rod (11) and that at least one support wheel (14.1, 14.2) is assigned to at least one guide element (8.1, 8.2). 23. Device according to at least one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the guide elements (8.1, 8.2) are assigned tongues (9.1, 9.2) directed inwards towards the receiving device (4). 24. Device according to at least one of claims 11 to 23, characterized in that the collecting container (26) is assigned to the shaft (19) and/or the chassis (2). 25. Device according to at least one of claims 16 to 24, characterized in that the ejection opening (24) or its guide plate (25) protrudes into the collecting container (26), which is assigned to the shaft (19) at a determinable height. 26. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the chassis (2) is assigned a rearward-projecting support element (29) with a support wheel (30). 27. Device according to at least one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that a center of gravity of the chassis (2), and/or collecting container (26) and/or Guide elements (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) between the support wheel (30) and wheels (7.1, 7.2). 28. Device according to claim 27, characterized in that the centre of gravity is located near the wheels (7.1, 7.2). 29. Device according to at least one of claims 22 to 28, characterized in that the guide element (8.3) is foldable. 30. Device according to at least one of claims 22 to 29, characterized in that the collecting container (26) can be placed on the back of the shaft (19). 31. Device according to at least one of claims 14 to 31. characterized in that the shaft (19.1) is inclined backwards. 32. Device according to at least one of claims 11 to 31, characterized in that the shaft (19.1) with the chassis (2) can be pivoted forwards about the wheels (7.1, 7.2). 33. Device according to one of claims 11 to 32, characterized in that at least a part of a wall (28) of the shaft (19.1) is movable relative to the conveyor belt (22) and/or the conveyor belt (22) is movable relative to the wall (28) of the shaft (19.1).