EP0094267A1 - Ball throwing device - Google Patents

Ball throwing device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0094267A1
EP0094267A1 EP83400731A EP83400731A EP0094267A1 EP 0094267 A1 EP0094267 A1 EP 0094267A1 EP 83400731 A EP83400731 A EP 83400731A EP 83400731 A EP83400731 A EP 83400731A EP 0094267 A1 EP0094267 A1 EP 0094267A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
balls
rollers
head
launching
conduits
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP83400731A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0094267B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Paul Ballerin
Alexandre Georgelin
Edmond Ballerin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Faiveley Enterprises SA
Faiveley Transport SA
Original Assignee
Faiveley Enterprises SA
Faiveley SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Faiveley Enterprises SA, Faiveley SA filed Critical Faiveley Enterprises SA
Priority to AT83400731T priority Critical patent/ATE18636T1/en
Publication of EP0094267A1 publication Critical patent/EP0094267A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0094267B1 publication Critical patent/EP0094267B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/40—Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls or other bodies
    • A63B69/406—Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls or other bodies with rotating discs, wheels or pulleys gripping and propelling the balls or bodies by friction
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B47/00—Devices for handling or treating balls, e.g. for holding or carrying balls
    • A63B47/02—Devices for handling or treating balls, e.g. for holding or carrying balls for picking-up or collecting
    • A63B47/025—Installations continuously collecting balls from the playing areas, e.g. by gravity, with conveyor belts
    • A63B2047/028—Installations continuously collecting balls from the playing areas, e.g. by gravity, with conveyor belts pneumatic ball transport
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
    • A63B2102/16—Table tennis

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for throwing balls on a playground and in particular on a ping-pong table.
  • Known ball-throwing devices for table tennis include a throwing head disposed at one end of the table, opposite the location of the player.
  • This throwing head successively sends the balls to the table, the player / receives with his racket and returns them to a screen or net for receiving the balls placed above the table, facing the throwing head.
  • This screen or net collects the balls which are then routed again to the launching head.
  • the launching head of known devices comprises one or two rotary rollers placed opposite a bale supply pipe. By turning, this or these rollers successively pick up the balls and project them towards the playing area.
  • the balls are propelled in the aforementioned conduit generally by means of an air blower or by gravity from a tank.
  • the aforementioned devices are of great interest since they allow a single player to train without the need for a partner or an instructor and without having to constantly move to pick up the balls.
  • the conditions for launching the balls can be modified by varying the speed of rotation of the rollers of the launching head and by modifying the direction of launching of the balls.
  • the launching head has two rollers arranged one above the other, it is possible by rotating these rollers at speeds different from throwing the ball with "lifted” or “cut” effects comparable to the case where the ball is thrown by a player's racket.
  • the known devices have a major drawback.
  • the inertia of the rotating rollers of the launching head it is not possible to instantly modify the conditions for launching the balls.
  • players cannot be confronted with sudden and varied difficulties and thus it is difficult for students to progress as quickly as playing with an experienced instructor or player.
  • the object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawback by creating a device which makes it possible to reproduce in a perfect manner, the actual conditions for launching tennis balls, for example by allowing the instantaneous modification of the conditions of launch. of these bullets.
  • this device is characterized in that the launching head comprises two pairs of rotary rollers arranged side by side, in that means are provided for individually adjusting the speed of rotation of each roller, in that the rollers of each pair are separated by a space adapted to the diameter of the balls to allow the balls engaged in this space to engage simultaneously with the two rollers of each pair, in that a conduit for feeding the balls opens out opposite each of the aforementioned spaces and in that means are provided for conveying bales alternately in one or the other of the aforesaid conduits.
  • the balls can be conveyed alternately in one or other of the spaces between each pair of rollers.
  • the player can be faced with various difficulties, as in the case of the game played with an experienced player or an instructor.
  • the game tennis is thus made much more attractive to the player.
  • the launching head is pivotally mounted along a substantially vertical axis and is connected to means allowing the head to continuously scan a determined angular sector.
  • This scanning can be carried out at a more or less rapid speed, this speed and the scanning angle being modifiable according to the level of the player or the difficulties which it is wished to impose on him.
  • the means for conveying the bales alternately towards one or the other of the conduits emerging opposite the spaces comprised between the rotary rollers comprise a main conduit connected at one of its ends to an air blower, and at its other end to a Y-connector / to the two aforementioned conduits, downstream of this Y-connector being arranged, opposite each conduit, a member which can engage alternately in the one or other of the conduits to prevent the passage of bullets.
  • the duration between the positions of engagement and withdrawal of this member can be modified according to the rate of launching of the balls that it is desired to obtain.
  • the device for throwing balls housed in a box 1 placed at one end of a tennis table 2, mainly comprises a throwing head 3, an air blower 4 (see FIG. 2) connected to lines 5, 6 for continuously conveying the balls 7 towards the throwing head 3, and means for recovering the balls 7 thrown by the player and then routing them again to the throwing head 3.
  • the launching head 3 comprises two pairs of rollers 8, 9; 10, 11 arranged side by side substantially along two parallel and vertical planes. Each roller is rotated by a motor 12, 13; 14, 15 whose speeds are individually adjustable, for example by means of potentiometers or the like.
  • rollers 8 to 11 and these motors 12 to 15 are carried by a yoke 16 fixed to the end of an arm 17 which is slidably mounted on a column 18.
  • the length of the arm 17 as well as the height of fixing of this arm on the column 18 are adjustable by acting on locking levers as designated by the reference 19.
  • the yoke 16 carrying the rollers 8 to 11 is articulated relative to the arm 17 along a horizontal axis, so that the inclination of the launching head 3 relative to a horizontal plane can be adjusted.
  • the locking lever 20 allows this head to be fixed in the desired angular position.
  • the column 18 is pivotally mounted along a vertical axis XX ′ and it is connected to a connecting rod 21 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) articulated to a disc 22 rotated by a motor 23. This arrangement allows the head 3 to continuously scan a determined angular sector (see Figure 4).
  • This angular sector a can be modified by adjusting the position of the articulation point 21a of the connecting rod 21 on the disc 22.
  • the scanning speed of the launching head 3 can be modified by adjusting the speed of rotation of the motor 23.
  • rollers 8 to 11 of each pair are separated by a space 24, 25 adapted to the diameter of the balls 7, to allow the ball engaged in this space 24 or 25 to be engaged simultaneously with the two rollers of each pair, as shown in Figure 6.
  • a pipe 26, 27 for supplying the bales 7 opens opposite each of the spaces 24, 25.
  • each roller 8 to 11 has two lateral flanges such as 8a, 8b made of flexible material defining on the periphery of each roller a U-shaped groove adapted to the diameter of the balls 7.
  • rollers 8 to 11 comprise a tread 28 made of rubber or any other elastic material having a relatively high coefficient of friction with the balls 7.
  • the height of the spaces such as 24 comprised between the treads 28 of two adjacent rollers 8, 9 or 10, 11 is slightly less than the diameter of the bales 7, which results in a slight crushing of the bands during the passage of the bales.
  • bearing 28 which is favorable to the adhesion between the latter and the balls and increases the efficiency of the projection of these balls.
  • the conduits 26, 27 which bring these balls 7 alternately either between the rollers 8, 9, or between the rollers 10, 11 communicate with a main pipe 29 which is connected to a flexible pipe 6 which is itself connected to a vertical pipe 5 by means of a transverse pipe 30 made of transparent material (see FIG. 2).
  • the air blower 4 is connected to the vertical pipe 5 by an elbow 31 provided with an adjustable vent 32.
  • adjustable vents 33 are provided in the elbow 34 which connects the pipe 5 and the transparent pipe 30.
  • the internal diameter d of the supply lines ment of the balls 7 towards the launching head 3 is greater than the diameter of the balls, so that the latter are propelled by blowing and not by piston effect.
  • the diameter of the conduits 26, 27 adjacent to the rollers 8 to 11 is at their free end substantially equal to the diameter of the balls 7 to increase the efficiency of their expulsion from these conduits 26, 27.
  • the means for conveying the bales 7 alternately towards one or the other of the conduits 26, 27 which open opposite the spaces 24, 25 comprised between the rollers 8, 9; 10, 11 comprise a Y connector 35 communicating with the flexible pipe 29 and with the conduits 26, 27. Downstream of this Y connector is disposed opposite each conduit 26, 27, a finger 36, 37 biased by an electro - magnet 38, 39.
  • Each finger 36, 37 is movable between a position in which its end projects slightly inside the conduit 26 as indicated on the left part of FIG. 7 and in FIG. 8 or inside the conduit 27 and a position as shown on the right side of figure 7.
  • Electromagnets 38, 39 are connected to means not shown but conventional for controlling the reciprocating movement of the fingers 36, 37 so as to allow successive passage at a frequency, for example between one and three bullets per second in the conduits 26, 27.
  • the Y-connector 35 has at its entry a point 40 which avoids that a ball 7a (shown in dotted lines) occupies at the entry of the Y-connector a stable position capable of blocking the routing of the balls, so that this ball 7a is forced to engage either in the conduit 26, or in conduit 27.
  • a ball 7a shown in dotted lines
  • the distance H between the fingers 36, 37 and the tip 40 of the Y connector is determined so that each branch of the Y connector cannot contain any ball capable of hindering the passage of a ball in the other branch of this Y-connector.
  • the means for collecting the balls 7 returned by the player comprise a net 41 stretched above the table 2 and in front of the throwing head 3.
  • This net 41 is hooked to the end of two rods 42 fixed on the upper part 1a of the box 1.
  • This net 41 includes a central window 43 (see FIG. 3) arranged opposite the launching head 3.
  • a chute 45 of cross section in an arc of a circle to collect the balls 7.
  • This chute 45 has two slopes inclined towards its middle. The lowest point of this chute 45 corresponding to its middle, includes a bale 46 for collecting bales 7 which is connected by a flexible pipe 47 to the elbow 31 which connects the air blower 4 to the vertical pipe 5.
  • FIG. 9 represents the electrical control panel 48 for controlling the device according to the invention.
  • This table 48 comprises four rotary knobs 49, 50, 51, 52 associated with potentiometers for individually adjusting the rotational speed of the motors 12 to 15 which drive the rollers 8 to 11. This speed can thus be set to a value between approximately 100 and 7,000 rpm.
  • a button 52a makes it possible to adjust the duration between the positions of engagement and withdrawal of the fingers 36, 37 solicited by the electromagnets 38, 39.
  • Another button 53 makes it possible to adjust the rate of delivery of the balls alternately to the conduits 26, 27.
  • the button 54 makes it possible to adjust the speed of rotation of the motor 23 which controls the sweeping of the launching head 3.
  • the switches 55a and 55b control the reversal of the direction of rotation of two of the four drive motors of the rollers 8 to 11, which makes it possible to obtain the projection of the balls 7 with reinforced effects.
  • Switches 56, 57 and 58 are respectively intended for starting the electrical supply of the switchboard 48, for starting the sweeping, and for starting the electrical supply for the control circuit of the electromagnets 38, 39.
  • the parallelepipedic box 1 containing the entire device according to the invention comprises (see FIG. 2) two parts 1b, the hinged together by means of hinges 59. These two parts 1b, 1c can be folded one on the other, as shown in Figure 10.
  • the box 1 thus folded has a very small overall height which facilitates storage and transport of the device. The displacement of this box 1 can be facilitated by providing its base with rollers 60.
  • the various switches of the electrical control panel 48 are placed in the operating position and a few balls 7 are introduced into the routing circuit of the latter towards the launching head. As soon as a ball 7 arrives in the elbow 31, it is propelled into the lines 5, 30 and 6 by means of the air blower 4.
  • the intensity of the blowing can be adjusted by adjusting the opening of the vents 32, 33.
  • the transparent pipe 30 located at the top of the box 1 makes it possible to check the passage of the balls 7. The balls follow one after the other, nothing n 'existing on their trajectory which could hinder their passage.
  • the balls 7 then penetrate into the branches of the Y connector 35.
  • the fingers 36, .37 whose movement is controlled alternately by the electromagnets 38, 39, the balls are successively conveyed either, to the conduit 26, either towards conduit 27.
  • the balls are thus expelled from the launch head at a rate of between one and three balls per second approximately, alternately between one or the other pair of rollers 8, 9; 10, 11.
  • the playing conditions can be modified instantly, as in the case of a real game where the player is in the presence of an opponent who naturally seeks to put him in difficulty.
  • the scanning speed of the throwing head 3 can be continuously modified, so that the balls 7 are projected in variable directions, which makes it possible to restore the conditions of a real game and this makes the game particularly attractive.
  • FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the means of propulsion and launching of the balls 7.
  • the main pipe 5 connected to the blower 4 is subdivided according to a Y-connector 65 into two horizontal pipes 5a, 5b which each open out opposite a launching head comprising the rollers 8, 9; 10, 11.
  • Each horizontal pipe 5a, 5b comprises a vent 61 whose dimensions are less than the diameter of a bale 7.
  • a roller 62 is arranged (see also FIG. 12) which is partially engaged inside the pipe 5a, 5b.
  • This roller 62 when it is stopped, blocks the balls 7 and propels them one after the other when it is rotated.
  • the roller 62 is advantageously made of elastic material, such as rubber, and defines, inside the pipe 5a, 5b, a passage section whose surface is slightly smaller than the section of a bale 7.
  • the launching heads are each mounted on a vertical support 63, 64 allowing the launching heads to be adjusted to different heights.
  • a plate 61 whose inclination b relative to the horizontal can be adjusted at will, as well as its inclination relative to the vertical.
  • This plate 61 thus cuts the trajectory of the balls 7 and deflects the latter, either upwards (lifted effect) or downwards (cut effect), either to the right or to the left.
  • This plate 61 also makes it possible to modify the conditions for projecting the balls 7, thus imposing on the player additional difficulties liable to prove his skill.
  • a lamp 62 (see FIG. 2) which lights up as soon as a ball is going to be thrown. The player is thus warned of the throwing of a ball, as in the case of a real game.
  • the operation of the device can be fully automatic, according to a predetermined program using cards or pre-programmed perforated strips.
  • a predetermined program using cards or pre-programmed perforated strips.
  • the device according to the invention can also be applied to other ball games than table tennis such as the game of tennis on court.

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Abstract

Balls such as table tennis balls or tennis balls are continuously fed to two pairs of adjacent flanged rollers of a ball-throwing head by a blower and two transfer ducts. Balls hit by the player are collected by a net and a trough, then fed back to the head. The rollers have separately variable speeds of rotation, a gap being provided between each pair of rollers and adapted to the diameter of the balls. The balls are directed alternately into each transfer duct, the opening of which is located opposite to each gap.

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif pour lancer des balles sur une aire de jeu et en particulier sur une table de ping-pong.The present invention relates to a device for throwing balls on a playground and in particular on a ping-pong table.

Les dispositifs lance-balles connus pour tennis de table comprennent une tête de lancement disposée à l'une des extrémité de la table, à l'opposé de l'emplacement du joueur.Known ball-throwing devices for table tennis include a throwing head disposed at one end of the table, opposite the location of the player.

Cette tête de lancement envoie successivement les balles sur la table, le joueur/reçoit avec sa raquette et les renvoie vers un écran ou filet de réception des balles placé au-dessus de la table, en regard de la tête de lancement.This throwing head successively sends the balls to the table, the player / receives with his racket and returns them to a screen or net for receiving the balls placed above the table, facing the throwing head.

Cet écran ou filet recueille les balles qui sont ensuite acheminées à nouveau vers la tête de lancement.This screen or net collects the balls which are then routed again to the launching head.

La tête de lancement des dispositifs connus comporte un ou deux rouleaux rotatifs placés en regard d'un conduit d'amenée des balles. En tournant, ce ou ces rouleaux prélèvent successivement les balles et les projettent vers l'aire de jeu. Les balles sont propulsées dans le conduit précité généralement au moyen d'une soufflerie d'air ou par gravité à partir d'un réservoir.The launching head of known devices comprises one or two rotary rollers placed opposite a bale supply pipe. By turning, this or these rollers successively pick up the balls and project them towards the playing area. The balls are propelled in the aforementioned conduit generally by means of an air blower or by gravity from a tank.

Les dispositifs précités présentent un grand intérêt étant donné qu'ils permettent à un joueur seul de s'entraîner sans avoir besoin d'un partenaire ou d'un moniteur et sans avoir à se déplacer continuellement pour ramasser les balles.The aforementioned devices are of great interest since they allow a single player to train without the need for a partner or an instructor and without having to constantly move to pick up the balls.

Les conditions de lancement des balles peuvent être modifiées en faisant varier la vitesse de rotation des rouleaux de la tête de lancement et en modifiant la direction de lancement des balles.The conditions for launching the balls can be modified by varying the speed of rotation of the rollers of the launching head and by modifying the direction of launching of the balls.

Dans le cas où la tête de lancement comporte deux rouleaux disposés l'un au-dessus de l'autre, il est possible en faisant tourner ces rouleaux à des vitesses différentes de projeter la balle avec des effets "liftés" ou "coupés" comparables au cas où la balle est lancée par la raquette d'un joueur.In the case where the launching head has two rollers arranged one above the other, it is possible by rotating these rollers at speeds different from throwing the ball with "lifted" or "cut" effects comparable to the case where the ball is thrown by a player's racket.

Dans les dispositifs connus les plus perfectionnés, on s'efforce ainsi d'obtenir des conditions de lancement des balles presqu'aussi variées que dans le cas où deux joueurs jouent l'un en face de l'autre.In the most sophisticated known devices, efforts are therefore made to obtain conditions for launching balls almost as varied as in the case where two players play one opposite the other.

Cependant, les dispositifs connus présentent un inconvénient majeur. En effet, compte tenu de l'inertie des rouleaux rotatifs de la tête de lancement, il n'est pas possible de modifier instantanément les conditions de lancement des balles. Ainsi, il n'est pas possible de lancer des balles à une cadence par exemple inférieure ou égale à une balle par seconde dont les vitesses de projection et les effets seraient différents pour chaque balle. Par conséquent, ces dispositifs ne permettent nullement de restituer les conditions réelles du jeu de tennis de table et en définitive, ne permettent pas à un joueur d'être surpris par une balle lancée dans des conditions très différentes de celles de la précédente balle. De ce fait, les joueurs ne peuvent pas être mis en présence de difficultés soudaines et variées et ainsi il est difficile aux élèves de progresser aussi rapidement qu'en jouant avec un moniteur ou un joueur expérimenté.However, the known devices have a major drawback. In fact, given the inertia of the rotating rollers of the launching head, it is not possible to instantly modify the conditions for launching the balls. Thus, it is not possible to throw balls at a rate for example less than or equal to one ball per second whose projection speeds and effects would be different for each ball. Consequently, these devices do not in any way make it possible to restore the real conditions of the game of table tennis and ultimately, do not allow a player to be surprised by a ball thrown under conditions very different from those of the previous ball. As a result, players cannot be confronted with sudden and varied difficulties and thus it is difficult for students to progress as quickly as playing with an experienced instructor or player.

Le but de la présente invention est de remédier à l'inconvénient précité en créant un dispositif qui permet de restituer d'une manière parfaite, les conditions réelles de lancement des balles par exemple de tennis, notamment en permettant de modifier instantanément les conditions de lancement de ces balles.The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawback by creating a device which makes it possible to reproduce in a perfect manner, the actual conditions for launching tennis balls, for example by allowing the instantaneous modification of the conditions of launch. of these bullets.

Le dispositif pour lancer des balles visées par l'invention comprend:

  • - des moyens pour acheminer en continu les balles vers une tête de lancement qui comporte au moins un rouleau entraîné en rotation capable de prélever successivement les balles pour les projeter vers l'aire de jeu et des moyens pour récupérer les balles lancées par le joueur puis les acheminer à nouveau vers la tête de lancement.
The device for throwing balls aimed by the invention comprises:
  • - means to continuously route the balls towards a throwing head which comprises at least one roller driven in rotation capable of successively taking the balls to project them towards the playing area and means for recovering the balls thrown by the player then forwarding them again towards the head of launch.

Suivant l'invention, ce dispositif est caractérisé en ce que la tête de lancement comprend deux paires de rouleaux rotatifs disposées côte à côte, en ce que des moyens sont prévus pour régler individuellement la vitesse de rotation de chaque rouleau, en ce que les rouleaux de chaque paire sont séparés par un espace adapté au diamètre des balles pour permettre aux balles engagées dans cet espace de venir en prise simultanément avec les deux rouleaux de chaque paire, en ce qu'un conduit d'amenée des balles débouche en regard de chacun des espaces précités et en ce que des moyens sont prévus pour acheminer des balles alternativement dans l'un ou l'autre des conduits précités.According to the invention, this device is characterized in that the launching head comprises two pairs of rotary rollers arranged side by side, in that means are provided for individually adjusting the speed of rotation of each roller, in that the rollers of each pair are separated by a space adapted to the diameter of the balls to allow the balls engaged in this space to engage simultaneously with the two rollers of each pair, in that a conduit for feeding the balls opens out opposite each of the aforementioned spaces and in that means are provided for conveying bales alternately in one or the other of the aforesaid conduits.

Grâce à ce dispositif, on peut acheminer les balles alternativement dans l'un ou l'autre des espaces compris entre chaque paire de rouleaux.Thanks to this device, the balls can be conveyed alternately in one or other of the spaces between each pair of rollers.

Pendant le laps de temps où une balle est acheminée vers une paire de rouleaux, il est possible de modifier la vitesse de rotation des rouleaux de l'autre paire, de sorte que la balle suivante prise par cette autre paire de rouleaux pourra être lancée dans des conditions différentes de celles de la précédente balle. Il est ainsi possible de modifier instantanément les conditions de lancement d'une balle, sans être gêné par l'inertie des rouleaux rotatifs.During the time that a ball is routed to one pair of rollers, it is possible to change the rotation speed of the rollers of the other pair, so that the next ball taken by that other pair of rollers can be thrown in conditions different from those of the previous ball. It is thus possible to instantly modify the conditions for launching a ball, without being hindered by the inertia of the rotating rollers.

De ce fait, le joueur peut être mis en présence de difficultés variées, comme dans le cas du jeu pratiqué avec un joueur expérimenté ou un moniteur. Le jeu de tennis est ainsi rendu beaucoup plus attrayant pour le joueur.Therefore, the player can be faced with various difficulties, as in the case of the game played with an experienced player or an instructor. The game tennis is thus made much more attractive to the player.

Suivant une version avantageuse de l'invention, la tête de lancement est montée pivotante suivant un axe sensiblement vertical et est reliée à des moyens permettant à la tête de balayer en continu un secteur angulaire déterminé.According to an advantageous version of the invention, the launching head is pivotally mounted along a substantially vertical axis and is connected to means allowing the head to continuously scan a determined angular sector.

Ce balayage peut être réalisé à une vitesse plus ou moins rapide, cette vitesse et l'angle de balayage étant modifiables suivant le niveau dû joueur ou des difficultés que l'on veut imposer à celui-ci.This scanning can be carried out at a more or less rapid speed, this speed and the scanning angle being modifiable according to the level of the player or the difficulties which it is wished to impose on him.

Selon une version préférée de l'invention, les moyens pour acheminer les balles alternativement vers l'un ou l'autre des conduits débouchant en regard des espaces compris entre les rouleaux rotatifs, comprennent une conduite principale raccordée à l'une de ses extrémités à une soufflerie d'air, et à son autre extré- mité à un raccord en Y/aux deux conduits précités, en aval de ce raccord en Y étant disposé, en regard de chaque conduit, un organe pouvant s'engager alternativement dans l'un ou l'autre des conduits pour empêcher le passage des balles.According to a preferred version of the invention, the means for conveying the bales alternately towards one or the other of the conduits emerging opposite the spaces comprised between the rotary rollers, comprise a main conduit connected at one of its ends to an air blower, and at its other end to a Y-connector / to the two aforementioned conduits, downstream of this Y-connector being arranged, opposite each conduit, a member which can engage alternately in the one or other of the conduits to prevent the passage of bullets.

La durée entre les positions d'engagement et de retrait de cet organe peut être modifiée suivant la cadence de lancement des balles que l'on désire obtenir.The duration between the positions of engagement and withdrawal of this member can be modified according to the rate of launching of the balls that it is desired to obtain.

D'autres particularités et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront encore dans la description ci-après.Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description below.

Aux dessins annexés, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs:

  • - la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une table de tennis équipée d'un dispositif de lancement de balles conforme à l'invention;
  • - la figure 2 est une vue en perspective de la tête de lancement et des moyens de propulsion des balles, logés dans un coffret;
  • - la figure 3 est une vue en perspective du coffret et des moyens de réception et de collecte des balles;
  • , la figure 4 est une vue en plan des moyens de commande du balayage angulaire de la tête de lancement;
  • - la figure 5 est une vue latérale du dispositif conforme à l'invention placé en regard d'une table de tennis;
  • - la figure 6 est une vue en coupe de deux rouleaux rotatifs superposés de la tête de lancement, perpendiculairement à l'axe de ces rouleaux et montrant en coupe partielle le conduit d'amenée des balles correspondant;
  • - la figure 7 est une vue en coupe longitudinale des conduits d'amenée des balles dans la tête de lancement, avec leurs organes respectifs de répartition des balles vers la tête de lancement;
  • - la figure 8 est une vue en coupe suivant le plan VIII-VIII de la figure 7;
  • - la figure 9 est une vue en plan du tableau électrique de commande du dispositif;
  • - la figure 10 est une vue du coffret renfermant le dispositif conforme à l'invention, en position de rangement.
  • - la figure 11 est une vue schématique d'une variante des moyens de propulsion et de lancement des balles et
  • - la figure 12 est une vue en coupe à échelle agrandie suivant le plan XII-XII de la figure 11.
In the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples:
  • - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tennis table equipped with a ball throwing device according to the invention;
  • - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the launch head and propulsion means balls, housed in a box;
  • - Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cabinet and means for receiving and collecting balls;
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of the means for controlling the angular scanning of the launching head;
  • - Figure 5 is a side view of the device according to the invention placed opposite a tennis table;
  • - Figure 6 is a sectional view of two superimposed rotary rollers of the launching head, perpendicular to the axis of these rollers and showing in partial section the corresponding ball supply duct;
  • - Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bales supply conduits in the launch head, with their respective bodies for distributing the balls to the launch head;
  • - Figure 8 is a sectional view along the plane VIII-VIII of Figure 7;
  • - Figure 9 is a plan view of the electrical control panel of the device;
  • - Figure 10 is a view of the box containing the device according to the invention, in the storage position.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a variant of the means for propelling and launching the balls, and
  • FIG. 12 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale along the plane XII-XII of FIG. 11.

Dans la réalisation des figures 1 à 5, le dispositif pour lancer des balles,logé dans un coffret 1 posé à l'une des extrémités d'une table de tennis 2, comprend principalement une tête de lancement 3, une soufflerie d'air 4 (voir figure 2) reliée à des conduites 5, 6 pour acheminer en continu les balles 7 vers la tête de lancement 3, et des moyens pour récupérer les balles 7 lancées par le joueur puis les acheminer à nouveau vers la tête de lancement 3.In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, the device for throwing balls, housed in a box 1 placed at one end of a tennis table 2, mainly comprises a throwing head 3, an air blower 4 (see FIG. 2) connected to lines 5, 6 for continuously conveying the balls 7 towards the throwing head 3, and means for recovering the balls 7 thrown by the player and then routing them again to the throwing head 3.

Conformément à l'invention, (voir figures 2 et 6), la tête de lancement 3 comprend deux paires de rouleaux 8, 9; 10, 11 disposées côte à côte sensiblement suivant deux plans parallèles et verticaux. Chaque rouleau est entraîné en rotation par un moteur 12, 13; 14, 15 dont les vitesses sont réglables individuellement par exemple au moyen de potentiomètres ou analogues.According to the invention (see Figures 2 and 6), the launching head 3 comprises two pairs of rollers 8, 9; 10, 11 arranged side by side substantially along two parallel and vertical planes. Each roller is rotated by a motor 12, 13; 14, 15 whose speeds are individually adjustable, for example by means of potentiometers or the like.

Ces rouleaux 8 à 11 et ces moteurs 12 à 15 sont portés par une chape 16 fixée à l'extrémité d'un bras 17 qui est monté de façon coulissante sur une colonne 18.These rollers 8 to 11 and these motors 12 to 15 are carried by a yoke 16 fixed to the end of an arm 17 which is slidably mounted on a column 18.

La longueur du bras 17 ainsi que la hauteur de fixation de ce bras sur la colonne 18 sont réglables en agissant sur des leviers de blocage tels que désignés par la référence 19. La chape 16 portant les rouleaux 8 à 11 est articulée par rapport au bras 17 suivant un axe horizontal, de sorte que l'inclinaison de la tête de lancement 3 par rapport à un plan horizontal peut être réglée. Le levier de blocage 20 permet de fixer cette tête dans la position angulaire désirée. La colonne 18 est montée pivotante suivant un axe vertical X-X'et elle est reliée à une bielle 21 (voir figures 2 et 4) articulée à un disque 22 entraîné en rotation par un moteur 23. Cette disposition permet à la tête 3 de balayer en continu un secteur angulaire a déterminé (voir figure 4).The length of the arm 17 as well as the height of fixing of this arm on the column 18 are adjustable by acting on locking levers as designated by the reference 19. The yoke 16 carrying the rollers 8 to 11 is articulated relative to the arm 17 along a horizontal axis, so that the inclination of the launching head 3 relative to a horizontal plane can be adjusted. The locking lever 20 allows this head to be fixed in the desired angular position. The column 18 is pivotally mounted along a vertical axis XX ′ and it is connected to a connecting rod 21 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) articulated to a disc 22 rotated by a motor 23. This arrangement allows the head 3 to continuously scan a determined angular sector (see Figure 4).

Ce secteur angulaire a peut être modifiée en ajustant la position du point d'articulation 21a de la bielle 21 sur le disque 22.This angular sector a can be modified by adjusting the position of the articulation point 21a of the connecting rod 21 on the disc 22.

La vitesse de balayage de la tête de lancement 3 peut être modifiée en réglant la vitesse de rotation du moteur 23.The scanning speed of the launching head 3 can be modified by adjusting the speed of rotation of the motor 23.

Dans la réalisation représentée (voir figures 2 et 6), les rouleaux 8 à 11 de chaque paire sont séparés par un espace 24, 25 adapté au diamètre des balles 7, pour permettre à la balle engagée dans cet espace 24 ou 25 d'être en prise simultanément avec les deux rouleaux de chaque paire, comme indiqué sur la figure 6.In the embodiment shown (see FIGS. 2 and 6), the rollers 8 to 11 of each pair are separated by a space 24, 25 adapted to the diameter of the balls 7, to allow the ball engaged in this space 24 or 25 to be engaged simultaneously with the two rollers of each pair, as shown in Figure 6.

Un conduit 26, 27 d'amenée des balles 7 débouche en regard de chacun des espaces 24, 25.A pipe 26, 27 for supplying the bales 7 opens opposite each of the spaces 24, 25.

Par ailleurs, chaque rouleau 8 à 11 comporte deux flasques latéraux tels que 8a, 8b en matériau souple définissant sur la périphérie de chaque rouleau une gorge de section en U adaptée au diamètre des balles 7.Furthermore, each roller 8 to 11 has two lateral flanges such as 8a, 8b made of flexible material defining on the periphery of each roller a U-shaped groove adapted to the diameter of the balls 7.

D'autre part, ces rouleaux 8 à 11 comportent une bande de roulement 28 en caoutchouc ou toute autre matière élastique présentant un coefficient de friction relativement élevé avec les balles 7.On the other hand, these rollers 8 to 11 comprise a tread 28 made of rubber or any other elastic material having a relatively high coefficient of friction with the balls 7.

De préférence, la hauteur des espaces tels que 24 compris entre les bandes de roulement 28 de deux rouleaux adjacents 8, 9 ou 10, 11 est légèrement inférieure au diamètre des balles 7, ce qui entraîne lors du passage des balles un léger écrasement des bandes de roulement 28 qui est favorable à l'adhérence entre ces dernières et les balles et augmente l'efficacité de la projection de ces balles.Preferably, the height of the spaces such as 24 comprised between the treads 28 of two adjacent rollers 8, 9 or 10, 11 is slightly less than the diameter of the bales 7, which results in a slight crushing of the bands during the passage of the bales. bearing 28 which is favorable to the adhesion between the latter and the balls and increases the efficiency of the projection of these balls.

Les conduits 26, 27 qui amènent ces balles 7 alternativement soit entre les rouleaux 8, 9, soit entre les rouleaux 10, 11 communiquent avec une conduite principale 29 qui est reliée à un tuyau souple 6 qui est lui-même relié à une conduite verticale 5 par l'intermédiaire d'un tuyau transversal 30 en matière transparente (voir figure 2).The conduits 26, 27 which bring these balls 7 alternately either between the rollers 8, 9, or between the rollers 10, 11 communicate with a main pipe 29 which is connected to a flexible pipe 6 which is itself connected to a vertical pipe 5 by means of a transverse pipe 30 made of transparent material (see FIG. 2).

La soufflerie d'air 4 est reliée à la conduite verticale 5 par un coude 31 muni d'un évent réglable 32. De même, des évents réglables 33 sont prévus dans le coude 34 qui relie la conduite 5 et le tuyau transparent 30.The air blower 4 is connected to the vertical pipe 5 by an elbow 31 provided with an adjustable vent 32. Likewise, adjustable vents 33 are provided in the elbow 34 which connects the pipe 5 and the transparent pipe 30.

Le diamètre intérieur d des conduites d'acheminement des balles 7 vers la tête de lancement 3 est supérieur au diamètre des balles, de sorte que ces dernières sont propulsées par soufflage et non pas par effet de piston. Par contre, le diamètre des conduits 26, 27 adjacents aux rouleaux 8 à 11 est à leur extrémité libre sensiblement égal au diamètre des balles 7 pour augmenter l'efficacité de leur expulsion hors de ces conduites 26, 27. Dans la réalisation représentée (voir notamment la figure 7), les moyens pour acheminer les balles 7 alternativement vers l'un ou l'autre des conduits 26, 27 qui débouchenten regard des espaces 24, 25 compris entre les rouleaux 8, 9; 10, 11 comprennent un raccord en Y 35 communiquant avec le tuyau souple 29 et avec les conduits 26, 27. En aval de ce raccord en Y est disposé en regard de chaque conduit 26, 27, un doigt 36, 37 sollicité par un électro-aimant 38, 39.The internal diameter d of the supply lines ment of the balls 7 towards the launching head 3 is greater than the diameter of the balls, so that the latter are propelled by blowing and not by piston effect. On the other hand, the diameter of the conduits 26, 27 adjacent to the rollers 8 to 11 is at their free end substantially equal to the diameter of the balls 7 to increase the efficiency of their expulsion from these conduits 26, 27. In the embodiment shown (see in particular FIG. 7), the means for conveying the bales 7 alternately towards one or the other of the conduits 26, 27 which open opposite the spaces 24, 25 comprised between the rollers 8, 9; 10, 11 comprise a Y connector 35 communicating with the flexible pipe 29 and with the conduits 26, 27. Downstream of this Y connector is disposed opposite each conduit 26, 27, a finger 36, 37 biased by an electro - magnet 38, 39.

Chaque doigt 36, 37 est mobile entre une position dans laquelle son extrémité fait légèrement saillie à l'intérieur du conduit 26 comme indiqué sur la partie gauche de la figure 7 et sur la figure 8 ou à l'intérieur du conduit 27 et une position dégagée comme représentée sur la partie droite de la figure 7.Each finger 36, 37 is movable between a position in which its end projects slightly inside the conduit 26 as indicated on the left part of FIG. 7 and in FIG. 8 or inside the conduit 27 and a position as shown on the right side of figure 7.

Dans la position représentée sur la figure 7, le passage des balles 7 est interdit dans le conduit 26, tandis que ce passage est libre dans le conduit 27. Des électro-aimants 38, 39 sont reliés à des moyens non représentés mais classiques pour commander le mouvement alternatif des doigts 36, 37 de façon à permettre le passage successif à une fréquence, par exemple comprise entre une et trois balles par seconde dans les conduits 26, 27.In the position shown in Figure 7, the passage of the balls 7 is prohibited in the conduit 26, while this passage is free in the conduit 27. Electromagnets 38, 39 are connected to means not shown but conventional for controlling the reciprocating movement of the fingers 36, 37 so as to allow successive passage at a frequency, for example between one and three bullets per second in the conduits 26, 27.

Sur la figure 7, on voit également que le raccord en Y 35, comporte à son entrée une pointe 40 qui évite qu'une balle 7a (représentée en pointillé) occupe à l'entrée du raccord en Y une position stable susceptible de bloquer l'acheminement des balles, de sorte que cette balle 7a est obligée de s'engager soit, dans le conduit 26, soit dans le conduit 27.In FIG. 7, it can also be seen that the Y-connector 35 has at its entry a point 40 which avoids that a ball 7a (shown in dotted lines) occupies at the entry of the Y-connector a stable position capable of blocking the routing of the balls, so that this ball 7a is forced to engage either in the conduit 26, or in conduit 27.

Par ailleurs, la distance H comprise entre les doigts 36, 37 et la pointe 40 du raccord en Y est déterminée de façon que chaque branche du raccord en Y ne puisse contenir aucune balle susceptible de gêner le passage d'une balle dans l'autre branche de ce raccord en Y.Furthermore, the distance H between the fingers 36, 37 and the tip 40 of the Y connector is determined so that each branch of the Y connector cannot contain any ball capable of hindering the passage of a ball in the other branch of this Y-connector.

Sur les figures 1, 3 et 5, on voit que les moyens pour recueillir les balles 7 renvoyées par le joueur comprennent un filet 41 tendu au-dessus de la table 2 et devant la tête de lancement 3. Ce filet 41 est accroché à l'extrémité de deux tiges 42 fixées sur la partie supérieure la du coffret 1. Ce filet 41 comporte une fenêtre centrale 43 (voir figure 3) disposée en regard de la tête de lancement 3.In FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, it can be seen that the means for collecting the balls 7 returned by the player comprise a net 41 stretched above the table 2 and in front of the throwing head 3. This net 41 is hooked to the end of two rods 42 fixed on the upper part 1a of the box 1. This net 41 includes a central window 43 (see FIG. 3) arranged opposite the launching head 3.

Sous le bord inférieur 44 du filet 41, s'étend une goulotte 45 de section transversale en arc de cercle pour recueillir les balles 7. Cette goulotte 45 présente deux pentes inclinées vers son milieu. Le point le plus bas de cette goulotte 45 correspondant à son milieu, comporte une bonde 46 de collecte des balles 7 qui est reliée par un tuyau flexible 47 au coude 31 qui raccorde la soufflerie d'air 4 à la conduite verticale 5.Under the lower edge 44 of the net 41, extends a chute 45 of cross section in an arc of a circle to collect the balls 7. This chute 45 has two slopes inclined towards its middle. The lowest point of this chute 45 corresponding to its middle, includes a bale 46 for collecting bales 7 which is connected by a flexible pipe 47 to the elbow 31 which connects the air blower 4 to the vertical pipe 5.

La figure 9 représente le tableau électrique 48 de commande du dispositif conforme à l'invention. Ce tableau 48 comporte quatre boutons rotatifs 49, 50, 51, 52 associés à des potentiomètres pour régler individuellement la vitesse de rotation des moteurs 12 à 15 qui entraînent les rouleaux 8 à 11. Cette vitesse peut ainsi être réglée à une valeur comprise entre 100 et 7.000 tours /minute environ.FIG. 9 represents the electrical control panel 48 for controlling the device according to the invention. This table 48 comprises four rotary knobs 49, 50, 51, 52 associated with potentiometers for individually adjusting the rotational speed of the motors 12 to 15 which drive the rollers 8 to 11. This speed can thus be set to a value between approximately 100 and 7,000 rpm.

Un bouton 52a permet de régler la durée entre les positions d'engagement et de retrait des doigts 36, 37 sollicités par les électro-aimants 38, 39. Un autre bouton 53 permet de régler la cadence d'acheminement des balles alternativement vers les conduits 26, 27.A button 52a makes it possible to adjust the duration between the positions of engagement and withdrawal of the fingers 36, 37 solicited by the electromagnets 38, 39. Another button 53 makes it possible to adjust the rate of delivery of the balls alternately to the conduits 26, 27.

Le bouton 54 permet d'ajuster la vitesse de rotation du moteur 23 qui commande le balayage de la tête de lancement 3.The button 54 makes it possible to adjust the speed of rotation of the motor 23 which controls the sweeping of the launching head 3.

Les interrupteurs 55a et 55b commandent l'inversion du sens de rotation de deux des quatre moteurs d'entraînement des rouleaux 8 à 11, ce qui permet d'obtenir la projection des balles 7 avec des effets renforcés.The switches 55a and 55b control the reversal of the direction of rotation of two of the four drive motors of the rollers 8 to 11, which makes it possible to obtain the projection of the balls 7 with reinforced effects.

D'autres interrupteurs 56, 57 et 58 sont destinés respectivement à la mise en route de l'alimentation électrique du tableau 48, à la mise en route du balayage, et à la mise en route de l'alimentation électrique du circuit de commande des électro-aimants 38, 39.Other switches 56, 57 and 58 are respectively intended for starting the electrical supply of the switchboard 48, for starting the sweeping, and for starting the electrical supply for the control circuit of the electromagnets 38, 39.

Par ailleurs, le coffret parallélépipédique 1 renfermant l'ensemble du dispositif conforme à l'invention comprend (voir figure 2) deux parties 1b, le articulées ensemble au moyen de charnières 59. Ces deux parties 1b, 1c peuvent être repliées l'une sur l'autre, comme indiqué sur la figure 10. Le coffret 1 ainsi replié présente un encombrement en hauteur très réduit qui facilite le rangement et le transport du dispositif. Le déplacement de ce coffret 1 peut être facilité en munissant sa base de roulettes 60.Furthermore, the parallelepipedic box 1 containing the entire device according to the invention comprises (see FIG. 2) two parts 1b, the hinged together by means of hinges 59. These two parts 1b, 1c can be folded one on the other, as shown in Figure 10. The box 1 thus folded has a very small overall height which facilitates storage and transport of the device. The displacement of this box 1 can be facilitated by providing its base with rollers 60.

On va maintenant exposer le fonctionnement du dispositif que l'on vient de décrire.We will now describe the operation of the device that has just been described.

Après avoir placé le dispositif devant la table 2, comme indiqué sur les figures 1 et 5, on règle la position de la tête de lancement 3 en agissant sur les leviers 19 et 20.After placing the device in front of the table 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, the position of the launching head 3 is adjusted by acting on the levers 19 and 20.

On met en position de fonctionnement les différents interrupteur du tableau électrique 48 de commande et on introduit quelques balles 7 dans le circuit d'acheminement de ces dernières vers la tête de lancement. Dès qu'une balle 7 arrive dans le coude 31, celle-ci est propulsée dans les conduites 5, 30 et 6 au moyen de la soufflerie d'air 4.The various switches of the electrical control panel 48 are placed in the operating position and a few balls 7 are introduced into the routing circuit of the latter towards the launching head. As soon as a ball 7 arrives in the elbow 31, it is propelled into the lines 5, 30 and 6 by means of the air blower 4.

L'intensité du soufflage peut être réglée en ajustant l'ouverture des évents 32, 33. Le tuyau transparent 30 situé en haut du coffret 1 permet de vérifier le passage des balles 7. Les balles se suivent les unes après les autres, rien n'existant sur leur trajectoire qui puisse gêner leur passage.The intensity of the blowing can be adjusted by adjusting the opening of the vents 32, 33. The transparent pipe 30 located at the top of the box 1 makes it possible to check the passage of the balls 7. The balls follow one after the other, nothing n 'existing on their trajectory which could hinder their passage.

Les balles 7 pénètrent ensuite dans les branches du raccord en Y 35. Suivant la position des doigts 36,.37 dont le déplacement est commandé alternativement par les électro-aimants 38, 39, les balles sont successivement acheminées soit, vers le conduit 26, soit vers le conduit 27.The balls 7 then penetrate into the branches of the Y connector 35. Depending on the position of the fingers 36, .37 whose movement is controlled alternately by the electromagnets 38, 39, the balls are successively conveyed either, to the conduit 26, either towards conduit 27.

A leur sortie de ces conduits 26, 27, les balles 7 sont immédiatement prises par les rouleaux rotatifs 8, 9 ou 10, 11, puis projetées sur la table de tennis 2.When they exit from these conduits 26, 27, the balls 7 are immediately taken up by the rotating rollers 8, 9 or 10, 11, then projected onto the tennis table 2.

Le joueur placé à l'extrémité opposée de la table renvoie cette balle vers l'autre extrémité de la table où elle rebondit-vers le filet 41 qui amortit cette dernière et l'arrête. Cette balle tombe dans la goulotte 45 puis roule vers la bonde 46. La forme cylindrique de la goulotte 45 évite le renvoi vers l'extérieur des balles et permet à celles-ci de rouler suivant des génératrices du cylindre. Cette balle 7 est alors aspirée dans le tuyau 47 puis est à nouveau acheminée vers la tête de lancement 3 au moyen de la soufflerie 4.The player placed at the opposite end of the table returns this ball to the other end of the table where it bounces-towards the net 41 which absorbs the latter and stops it. This ball falls into the chute 45 then rolls towards the drain 46. The cylindrical shape of the chute 45 prevents the balls from being returned to the outside and allows them to roll along the generatrices of the cylinder. This ball 7 is then sucked into the pipe 47 and is again conveyed to the launching head 3 by means of the blower 4.

Les balles sont ainsi expulsées de la tête de lancement à une cadence comprise entre une et trois balles par seconde environ, alternativement entre l'une ou l'autre paire de rouleaux 8, 9; 10, 11.The balls are thus expelled from the launch head at a rate of between one and three balls per second approximately, alternately between one or the other pair of rollers 8, 9; 10, 11.

Au cours du jeu, on peut à tout moment modifier La vitesse de rotation des moteurs d'entraînement des rouleaux 8, 9, 10, 11 pour augmenter ou diminuer la force de projection des balles ou pour leur donner des effets "liftés" ou "coupés" analogues aux effets que l'on peut donner à une balle au moyen d'une raquette. On peut ainsi obtenir que les balles se succèdent à une cadence très élevée avec des forces de projection et des effets qui diffèrent d'une balle à l'autre.During the game, you can modify the rotation speed of the drive motors of the rollers 8, 9, 10, 11 at any time to increase or decrease the force of projection of the balls or to give them "lifted" or " cut "analogous to the effects which can be given to a ball by means of a racket. We can thus obtain that the balls follow one another at a very high rate with projection forces and effects which differ from one ball to another.

Les conditions de jeu peuvent être modifiées instantanément, comme dans le cas d'un jeu réel où le joueur est en présence d'un adversaire qui cherche naturellement à le mettre en difficulté.The playing conditions can be modified instantly, as in the case of a real game where the player is in the presence of an opponent who naturally seeks to put him in difficulty.

Par ailleurs, lors du déroulement du jeu, la vitesse de balayage de la tête de lancement 3 peut être modifiée continuellement, de sorte que les balles 7 sont projetées dans des directions variables, ce qui permet de restituer les conditions d'un jeu réel et rend ainsi le jeu particulièrement attrayant.Furthermore, during the course of the game, the scanning speed of the throwing head 3 can be continuously modified, so that the balls 7 are projected in variable directions, which makes it possible to restore the conditions of a real game and this makes the game particularly attractive.

La figure 11 représente une variante de réalisation des moyens de propulsion et de lancement des balles 7. La conduite principale 5 reliée à la soufflerie 4 se subdivise suivant un raccord en Y 65 en deux conduites horizontales 5a, 5b qui débouchent chacune en regard d'une tête de lancement comprenant les rouleaux 8, 9; 10, 11.FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the means of propulsion and launching of the balls 7. The main pipe 5 connected to the blower 4 is subdivided according to a Y-connector 65 into two horizontal pipes 5a, 5b which each open out opposite a launching head comprising the rollers 8, 9; 10, 11.

Chaque conduite horizontale 5a, 5b comporte αn évent 61 dont les dimensions sont inférieures au diamètre d'une balle 7.Each horizontal pipe 5a, 5b comprises a vent 61 whose dimensions are less than the diameter of a bale 7.

En amont de la sortie 24, 25 des conduites 5a, 5b, est disposé un rouleau 62 (voir également la figure 12) qui est engagé en partie à l'intérieur de la conduite 5a, 5b. Ce rouleau 62, lorsqu'il est à l'arrêt, bloque les balles 7 et propulse ces dernières les unes à la suite des autres lorsqu'il est entraîné en rotation. Le rouleau 62 est avantageusement en matière élastique, tellèque du caoutchouc et définit à l'intérieur de la conduite 5a, 5b une section de passage dont la surface est légèrement inférieure à la section d'une balle 7.Upstream of the outlet 24, 25 of the conduits 5a, 5b, a roller 62 is arranged (see also FIG. 12) which is partially engaged inside the pipe 5a, 5b. This roller 62, when it is stopped, blocks the balls 7 and propels them one after the other when it is rotated. The roller 62 is advantageously made of elastic material, such as rubber, and defines, inside the pipe 5a, 5b, a passage section whose surface is slightly smaller than the section of a bale 7.

Par ailleurs, dans l'exemple représenté, les têtes de lancement sont montées chacune sur un support vertical 63, 64 permettant de régler les têtes de lancement à des hauteurs différentes.Furthermore, in the example shown, the launching heads are each mounted on a vertical support 63, 64 allowing the launching heads to be adjusted to different heights.

Le fonctionnement de ce dispositif est le suivant :

  • Au départ, les rouleaux 62 étant à l'arrêt, les balles 7 soufflées par la soufflerie 4 sont dirigées indifféremment dans les conduites 5a, 5b. Lorsque les deux conduites 5a, 5b sont remplies de balles 7 jusqu'à l'évent 61 (comme dans le cas représenté par la conduite 5b), les balles 7 ne sont plus propulsées car aucun débit d'air n'est réalisé dans les conduites 5a, 5b puisque les évents 61 sont masqués par une balle 7. Tout le débit d'air est alors évacué par la dérivation 47.
The operation of this device is as follows:
  • At the start, the rollers 62 being stopped, the balls 7 blown by the blower 4 are directed indifferently into the conduits 5a, 5b. When the two lines 5a, 5b are filled with balls 7 up to the vent 61 (as in the case represented by the line 5b), the balls 7 are no longer propelled because no air flow is produced in the lines 5a, 5b since the vents 61 are masked by a ball 7. All the air flow is then evacuated by the bypass 47.

On peut alors commander la mise en rotation simultanée ou successive des rouleaux souples 62 qui propulsent ainsi les balles 7 vers les rouleaux de lancement 8, 9 ; 10, 11. Lorsque les balles 7 sont prises par les rouleaux 62, ces balles sont entraînées en rotation à la même vitesse que celle des rouleaux 62. En agissant sur la vitesse de rotation des balles 7, on obtient que ces dernières soient envoyées avec des effets "liftés" ou "coupés".It is then possible to control the simultaneous or successive rotation of the flexible rollers 62 which thus propel the balls 7 towards the launch rollers 8, 9; 10, 11. When the balls 7 are taken up by the rollers 62, these balls are rotated at the same speed as that of the rollers 62. By acting on the speed of rotation of the balls 7, it is obtained that the latter are sent with "lifted" or "cut" effects.

Le fait que les têtes de lancement soient à des hauteurs différentes permet de restituer les conditions réelles du jeu de tennis.The fact that the launching heads are at different heights makes it possible to reproduce the real conditions of the game of tennis.

Bien entendu, l'invention n'est pas limitée à l'exemple de réalisation que l'on vient de décrire et on peut apporter à celui-ci de nombreuses modifications, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention.Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described and many modifications can be made to it, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Ainsi, on peut disposer en regard de la tête de lancement 3, comme indiqué sur la figure 6, une plaque 61 dont l'inclinaison b par rapport à l'horizontale peut être réglée à volonté, de même que son inclinaison par rapport à la verticale. Cette plaque 61 coupe ainsi la trajectoire des balles 7 et dévie ces dernières, soit vers le haut (effet lifté) soit vers le bas (effet coupé), soit vers la droite ou vers la gauche. Cette plaque 61 permet également de modifier les conditions de projection des balles 7, en imposant ainsi au joueur des difficultés supplémentaires susceptibles d'éprouver son adresse.Thus, one can have opposite the launching head 3, as shown in Figure 6, a plate 61 whose inclination b relative to the horizontal can be adjusted at will, as well as its inclination relative to the vertical. This plate 61 thus cuts the trajectory of the balls 7 and deflects the latter, either upwards (lifted effect) or downwards (cut effect), either to the right or to the left. This plate 61 also makes it possible to modify the conditions for projecting the balls 7, thus imposing on the player additional difficulties liable to prove his skill.

On peut également disposer à l'intérieur du coffret 1 en regard du joueur, une lampe 62 (voir figure 2) qui s'allume dès qu'une balle va être projetée. Le joueur est ainsi averti du lancement d'une balle, comme dans le cas d'un jeu réel. On peut aussi prévoir plusieurs lampes de couleurs ou d'intensités différentes qui avertissent le joueur qu'une balle va être projetée avec ou sans effet lifté ou coupé ou qu'elle sera longue ou courte.It is also possible to place inside the box 1 facing the player, a lamp 62 (see FIG. 2) which lights up as soon as a ball is going to be thrown. The player is thus warned of the throwing of a ball, as in the case of a real game. We can also provide several lamps of different colors or intensities that warn the player that a ball will be thrown with or without lifted or cut effect or that it will be long or short.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif peut être entièrement automatique, suivant un programme prédéterminé en utilisant des cartes ou des bandes perforées pré- programmées. Ainsi, on peut concevoir différents programmes de fonctionnement imposant aux joueurs des difficultés croissantes adaptées à leur niveau de qualification.The operation of the device can be fully automatic, according to a predetermined program using cards or pre-programmed perforated strips. Thus, we can design different operating programs imposing increasing difficulties on players adapted to their level of qualification.

Bien entendu, le dispositif conforme à l'invention peut encore être appliqué à d'autres jeux de balles que le tennis de table tels que le jeu de tennis sur court.Of course, the device according to the invention can also be applied to other ball games than table tennis such as the game of tennis on court.

Claims (17)

1. Dispositif pour lancer des balles sur une aire de jeu (2) comprenant des moyens (4, 5, 6) pour acheminer en continu des balles (7) vers une tête de lancement (3) qui comporte au moins un rouleau entraîné en rotation capable de prélever successivement les balles (7) pour les projeter vers l'aire de jeu et des moyens (41, 45) pour récupérer les balles lancées par le joueur puis les acheminer à nouveau vers la tête de lancement (3), caractérisé en ce que la tête de lancement (3) comprend deux paires de rouleaux rotatifs (8, 9; 10, 11) disposées côte à côte, en ce que des moyens (49, 50, 51, 52) sont prévus pour régler individuellement la vitesse de rotation de chaque rouleau, en ce que les rouleaux de chaque paire sont séparés par un espace (24, 25) adapté au diamètre des balles (7) pour permettre aux balles engagées dans cet espace de venir en prise simultanément avec les deux rouleaux de chaque paire, en ce qu'un conduit (26, 27) d'amenée des balles débouche en regard de chacun des espaces (24, 25) et en ce que des moyens (36, 37, 38, 39) sont prévus pour acheminer les balles alternativement dans l'un ou l'autre des conduits précités.1. Device for throwing balls on a playing area (2) comprising means (4, 5, 6) for continuously feeding balls (7) to a throwing head (3) which comprises at least one roller driven in rotation capable of successively removing the balls (7) to project them towards the playing area and means (41, 45) for recovering the balls launched by the player then routing them again towards the launching head (3), characterized in that the launching head (3) comprises two pairs of rotating rollers (8, 9; 10, 11) arranged side by side, in that means (49, 50, 51, 52) are provided for individually adjusting the rotational speed of each roller, in that the rollers of each pair are separated by a space (24, 25) adapted to the diameter of the balls (7) to allow the balls engaged in this space to engage simultaneously with the two rollers of each pair, in that a pipe (26, 27) for supplying the balls opens out opposite each of th spaces (24, 25) and in that means (36, 37, 38, 39) are provided for conveying the balls alternately in one or other of the aforementioned conduits. 2. Dispositif conforme à la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la tête de lancement (3) est montée pivotante suivant un axe sensiblement vertical et est reliée à des moyens (21, 22, 23) permettant à la tête de lancement (3) de balayer en continu un secteur angulaire (a) déterminé.2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the launching head (3) is pivotally mounted along a substantially vertical axis and is connected to means (21, 22, 23) allowing the launching head (3) continuously scan a determined angular sector (a). 3. Dispositif conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que des moyens (21a) sont prévus pour modifier le secteur angulaire (a) balayé par la tête de lancement (3).3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that means (21a) are provided for modifying the angular sector (a) swept by the launching head (3). 4. Dispositif conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que les rouleaux de chaque paire (8, 9; 10, 11) sont disposés en position de service, sensiblement dans un plan vertical et présentent deux flasques latéraux (8a, 8b) définissant avec la surface de roulement des rouleaux une gorge sensiblement en U adaptée au diamètre des balles (7).4. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rollers of each pair (8, 9; 10, 11) are arranged in the operating position, substantially in a vertical plane and have two lateral flanges (8a, 8b) defining with the surface of rolling of the rollers a substantially U-shaped groove adapted to the diameter of the balls (7). 5. Dispositif conforme à la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que les rouleaux(8,9, 10, 11) comportent une bande de roulement (28) en un matériau élastique présentant un coefficient de friction élevé avec les balles (7).5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the rollers (8,9, 10, 11) comprise a tread (28) made of an elastic material having a high coefficient of friction with the balls (7). 6. Dispositif conforme à la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que la hauteur de l'espace (24, 25) compris entre la surface de roulement des rouleaux superposés est légèrement inférieure au diamètre des balles.6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the height of the space (24, 25) between the rolling surface of the superimposed rollers is slightly less than the diameter of the balls. 7. Dispositif conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que les moyens pour acheminer les balles alternativement dans l'un ou l'autre des conduits (26, 27) comprennent une conduite principale (6) raccordée à l'une de ses extrémités à une soufflerie d'air (4) et à son autre extrémité à un raccord en Y (35) relié aux deux conduits (26, 27), en ce qu'en aval du raccord en Y est disposé en regard de chaque conduit (26, 27) un organe (36, 37) pouvant s'engager alternativement dans l'un ou l'autre des conduits (26, 27) pour empêcher le passage des balles (7).7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the means for conveying the bales alternately in one or the other of the conduits (26, 27) comprise a main conduit (6) connected to one of its ends to an air blower (4) and at its other end to a Y connector (35) connected to the two conduits (26, 27), in that downstream of the Y connector is disposed opposite each conduit (26, 27) a member (36, 37) which can engage alternately in one or the other of the conduits (26, 27) to prevent the passage of the balls (7). 8. Dispositif conforme à la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que ledit organe est un doigt (36, 37) sollicité par un électro-aimant (38, 39), l'extrémité de ce doigt pouvant faire saillie à l'intérieur des conduits (26, 27).8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said member is a finger (36, 37) biased by an electromagnet (38, 39), the end of this finger being able to project inside the conduits (26, 27). 9. Dispositif conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications 7 ou 8, caractérisé en ce que la distance H comprise entre les organes ou doigts (36, 37) et l'entrée (40) du raccord en Y (35) est déterminée de façon que chaque branche du raccord en Y (35) ne puisse contenir aucune balle (7) susceptible de gêner le passage d'une balle dans l'autre branche du raccord (35).9. Device according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the distance H between the organs or fingers (36, 37) and the inlet (40) of the Y-connector (35) is determined so that each branch of the Y-connector (35) cannot contain any ball (7) capable of hindering the passage of a ball in the other branch of the fitting (35). 10. Dispositif conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, destiné au lancement de balles (7) sur une table de tennis (2), ce dispositif étant destiné à être placé en regard de l'une des extrémités de la table à l'opposé du joueur, caractérisé en ce que les moyens pour recueillir les balles renvoyées par le joueur comprennent un filet (41) tendu au-dessus de la table (2) devant la tête de lancement (3) et en regard du joueur, ce filet comportant une fenêtre centrale (43) disposée en regard de la tête de lancement (3), en ce que sous le bord inférieur (44) du filet (41) s'étend une goulotte (45) de réception des balles qui présente deux pentes inclinées vers le milieu de celle-ci, le point le plus bas de cette goulotte (45) comportant une bonde (46) de collecte des balles qui est reliée par un tuyau (47) à la conduite principale (5) raccordée à la soufflerie (4) de propulsion des balles.10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, intended for throwing balls (7) on a tennis table (2), this device being intended to be placed opposite one of the ends of the table opposite the player, characterized in that the means for collecting the balls returned by the player comprise a net (41) stretched over the table (2) in front of the throwing head (3) and facing the player , this net comprising a central window (43) disposed opposite the launching head (3), in that under the lower edge (44) of the net (41) extends a chute (45) for receiving the balls which has two slopes inclined towards the middle of it, the lowest point of this chute (45) comprising a bale (46) for collecting bales which is connected by a pipe (47) to the main pipe (5) connected to the wind tunnel (4) for propelling the balls. 11. Dispositif conforme à la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que la section de la goulotte (45) est en arc de cercle.11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the section of the chute (45) is in an arc. 12. Dispositif conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11, caractérisé en ce que la tête de lancement (3) est reliée à un tableau électrique de commande (48) qui comporte quatre boutons (49, 50, 51, 52) pour régler la vitesse de rotation des rouleaux (8, 9, 10, 11), un bouton (52a)de réglage de la durée entre les positions d'engagement et de retrait de l'organe (36, 37)qui permet d'acheminer les balles alternativement dans l'un ou l'autre des conduits (26, 27) et un bouton (54) de réglage de la vitesse de balayage de la tête de lancement (3).12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the launching head (3) is connected to an electrical control panel (48) which comprises four buttons (49, 50, 51, 52) to adjust the speed of rotation of the rollers (8, 9, 10, 11), a button (52a) for adjusting the duration between the positions of engagement and withdrawal of the member (36, 37) which allows route the balls alternately in one or other of the conduits (26, 27) and a button (54) setting speed of the launch head (3). 13. Dispositif conforme à la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des boutons (55a, 55b) pour inverser le sens de la rotation de deux des quatre rouleaux (8, 9, 10, 11).13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises buttons (55a, 55b) for reversing the direction of rotation of two of the four rollers (8, 9, 10, 11). 14. Dispositif conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13, caractérisé en ce qu'en regard de la tête de lancement (3) est disposée une plaque (61) associée à des moyens pour régler son inclinaison (b) par rapport à un plan horizontal et/ou vertical, cette plaque coupant la trajectoire des balles (7) afin de dévier ces dernières.14. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that opposite the launching head (3) is disposed a plate (61) associated with means for adjusting its inclination (b) relative to a horizontal and / or vertical plane, this plate intersecting the trajectory of the balls (7) in order to deflect them. 15. Dispositif conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 14,caractérisé en ce que l'ensemble du dispositif est logé dans un coffret (1) parallélépipédique comprenant deux parties (1b, 1c) articulées ensemble et repliables l'une sur l'autre.15. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the entire device is housed in a box (1) parallelepiped comprising two parts (1b, 1c) articulated together and foldable one on the 'other. 16. Dispositif conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que les moyens pour acheminer les balles vers les deux têtes de lancement comprennent une conduite principale (5) raccordée à une soufflerie d'air (4) et reliée par un raccord en Y (65) à deux conduites (5a, 5b) reliées à chacune des têtes de lancement et présentant chacune un évent (61) pouvant être obturé par les balles (7) et en ce qu'en amont de chaque tête de lancement est prévu un rouleau (62) en matière élastique faisant saillie à l'intérieur de la conduite (5a, 5b) et pouvant bloquer les balles (7) lorsqu'il est à l'arrêt et les propulser vers la tête de lancement lorsqu'on commande sa mise en rotation.16. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the means for conveying the balls to the two launching heads comprise a main pipe (5) connected to an air blower (4) and connected by a Y-connector (65) with two pipes (5a, 5b) connected to each of the launching heads and each having a vent (61) which can be closed by the balls (7) and in that upstream of each head a roller (62) made of elastic material protruding inside the pipe (5a, 5b) is provided and capable of blocking the balls (7) when it is stopped and propelling them towards the launching head when controlling its rotation. 17. Dispositif conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 16, caractérisé en ce que les têtes de lancement comprenant les rouleaux (8, 9; 10, 11) sont disposés sur des supports permettant de régler la hauteur de chacune des têtes de lancement.17. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the launching heads comprising the rollers (8, 9; 10, 11) are arranged on supports making it possible to adjust the height of each of the heads launch.
EP83400731A 1982-05-12 1983-04-13 Ball throwing device Expired EP0094267B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT83400731T ATE18636T1 (en) 1982-05-12 1983-04-13 BALL THROWING DEVICE.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8208237A FR2526667A1 (en) 1982-05-12 1982-05-12 DEVICE FOR LAUNCHING BALLS
FR8208237 1982-05-12

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EP0094267A1 true EP0094267A1 (en) 1983-11-16
EP0094267B1 EP0094267B1 (en) 1986-03-19

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US (1) US4559918A (en)
EP (1) EP0094267B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS58206774A (en)
AT (1) ATE18636T1 (en)
DE (2) DE3362579D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2526667A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE94267T1 (en) 1984-03-01
FR2526667B1 (en) 1984-12-21
EP0094267B1 (en) 1986-03-19
ATE18636T1 (en) 1986-04-15
US4559918A (en) 1985-12-24
FR2526667A1 (en) 1983-11-18
JPS58206774A (en) 1983-12-02
DE3362579D1 (en) 1986-04-24

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