GB2391178A

GB2391178A - Ball trapping and shooting device

Info

Publication number: GB2391178A
Application number: GB0211699A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Halsey
Original assignee: Bath Institute of Medical Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: Bath Institute of Medical Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 2002-05-22
Filing date: 2002-05-22
Publication date: 2004-02-04
Also published as: GB0211699D0

Abstract

A ball trapping device comprises two forward pointing arms 1 with a flexible band 2 between the two. An incoming ball strikes the flexible band and pulls the arms together, trapping the ball between the arms. A spring 6 holds the arms in a closed position. A motor 8 is centrally mounted, providing the force required to open the arms and catapult the ball out of the trap. The device may be attached to a wheel chair.

Description

2391 178

Ball Trapping & Propelling mechanism This invention relates to a mechanism that automatically traps, and then propels a ball.

Devices are available for practicing putting in the game of golf. In general, these devices channel the incoming ball into a recessed platform from which it is repelled by some form of mechanism,., ' within the platform. In addition to this there are devices that are designed solely to propel balls...

such as tennis and cricket balls. ' These mechanism do not automatically trap the ball, and larger balls, such as footballs that have considerably more energy when moving at speed, would not be contained so effectively with..

such a passive device.

There are devices designed for wheelchair use that trap the ball in a passive way but these '.

devices do not have a means of propelling the ball. The mechanism, as described could be attached to the front of a wheelchair to enable the user to participate in the game of football. ' According to the present invention there is provided a ball trapping and propelling mechanism that actively traps an incoming ball and then propels it out with force. Two outwardly pointing pivoted arms with a band of flexible material between them provide the means of trapping. This trapping mechanism driven in reverse by an external force then propels the ball out.

When the mechanism is primed for receiving a ball, the two arms point outwards, with the band between them. The arms are linked by a mechanism such that when the band is deformed by an incoming ball, a force is applied within the mechanism that facilitates the arms to move together.

The mechanism does not allow the arms to move independently of each other. The closing movement of the awns brings the ball further in and holds it centrally between the arms with the band deformed to surround it.

Once the ball is trapped, the player can propel the ball by applying a force to the arm mechanism causing the arms to open. This force could come from a number of sources for example a primed spring, flywheel, magnetic actuator or the user. This opening causes the band to begin to straighten and in doing so, the ball is propelled forwards and out of the mechanism. When the arms are fully open, and the band is stretched between them again, enabling the mechanism to receive another incoming ball.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure I shows an isometric view of the device with a ball trapped.

Figure 2 shows in plan form, the mechanism and an incoming ball prior to trapping, and with the ball trapped.

Figure 3 shows the configuration of the mechanism prior to the ball being trapped with the spring primed.

Figure 4 shows the configuration of the mechanism with the ball trapped and the spring primed.

Figure 5 shows the configuration of the mechanism as the ball is being propelled out.

Figure 6 shows the configuration of the mechanism once the ball has been propelled out of the device. Referring to the drawings the ball trapping/shooting device comprises two trapping arms 1 between which a flexible band 2 is stretched. The flexible band is made of plastic and is of sufficient stiffness such that it allows bending in the direction of the incoming ball, but does not wrap itself under the ball. This is achieved by using two vertical pivots 3 to hold the band 2.. , Figure I shows an isometric view of the device with the ball 7 trapped.

A plan view of the mechanism prior to, and after trapping the ball is shown in figure 2.

An incoming ball 7 brings the arms I together as the band 2 encompasses it as shown in figure 2.

The over-toggle spring 6 provides a force to retain the ball 7 after it enters the device, as shown, in figure 4...

The arms are linked via a mechanism that comprises a centrally mounted link arm 4 and two arms 5 that extend from the link arm 4 to the end of each of the trapping arms. The trapping arms are held open under the force of a spring 6 that is mounted such that it provides an over-

toggle load on the arms 1 before a ball enters the device as shown in figure 3.

The motor 8 is mounted centrally and a disc 9 is attached directly to the motor shaft 10. Not attached to, but rotating on the shaft 10 also are the central link arm 4, and the spring arm 12.

The motor is attached to a disc 9 that has three equally spaced grooves 13 in it. A sprung trap arm 11 mounted on the spring arm 12 engages with said grooves. The spring arm 12 is thus rotated clockwise as the motor 8 turns the grooved disc 10. One end of the shooting spring 14 is attached to the spring arm and the other end is securely mounted to the device's chassis 15. The disc 9 is rotated until the spring 14 is fully extended and the trap arm I 1 on the spring ann 12 is next to the trigger ramp 16 as shown in figure 3 4.

A limit switch 17 provides the means by which the motor is stopped at the point before the trigger ramp 16. The motor 8 being sufficiently geared as to not back-drive holds the spring 14 primed. When the user wants to fire the ball out of the mechanism a hand-held switch is pressed by the user which overrides the limit switch 17 and forces the trap arm I I to pivot as it runs up the trigger ramp eventually leaving the groove.

Once the spring arm 12 is free to rotate anti-clockwise under the action of the spring 14, it meets with the central link arm 4 which in turn rotates anti-clockwise. This forces the two arms 5 pivoted at each end of the central link arm 4 to pull the trapping arms I apart thus straightening the band 2 and propelling the ball 7 out. The mechanism as it releases is shown in figure 5. The mechanism once it has propelled the ball out is shown in figure 6.

The trap anus I are now held open by the over toggle spring 6. The motor 8 continues to rotate the disc causing the sprung trap arm I I to engage with a subsequent groove. This primes the shooting spring ready to receive another incoming ball.

Claims

1. A device that actively traps and propels a ball

2. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the trapping

means are provided by two outwardly pointing pivoted arms with a device for encompassing the,, ball between them. ',,

3. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the means used for encompassing the ball is a flexible material.

4. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in Claim 2 and 3 wherein the pivoted arms are linked such that they cannot pivot independently as they close in on the ball...CLME:

5. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pivoted arms are held open by means of an over-toggle mechanism that also facilitates closing of the alms once the arms begin to close under the action of the incoming ball.

6. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means of providing an over-toggle effect on the arms is a spring.

7. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means of propelling the ball is provided by stored energy.

8. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in claims 16, wherein the force required to propel the ball comes from the user.

9. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in claims 16, wherein the propelling force is provided by a magnetic actuator that forces the trapping mechanism to open thus propelling the ball.

10. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in claims 1-6, wherein the propelling force is provided by primed springs that force the trapping mechanism to open thus propelling the ball.

11. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in claims 1-6, wherein the propelling force in provided by means of a motor driven flywheel.

12. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in claims 1-6 & 10, wherein the spring is primed by a motor.

13. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in claims 1-6 tic I O. wherein the spring is primed by the user.

14. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in claims 1-6 & 10, wherein the springs are primed by means of a trap that engages on a disc that is directly attached to the motor.

15. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in claims 1-6,10 & 14 wherein the means of releasing the trap is provided by using the motor to drive the trap out of the groove until it is no longer engaged with the disc.

16. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in claims 1-6,10,14 & 1 S wherein the arm attached to the spring engages directly with the central link arm to force the: ', trapping arm apart. ',

17. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as claimed in claims 1-6,10, 14 & 15, wherein the trap only engages with the central link arm when it is not in the groove, thus ' ' enabling the central link arm, and therefore the trapping mechanism to trap balls while the spring' are being primed. ' '

18. A device that actively traps and propels a ball as described herein with references to..

Figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawing.