Patent Application
20240017131
This invention relates to a device for dispensing balls to a player for a ball based arcade game.
Ball based arcade games require balls to be supplied or returned to players such that multiple shots, bowls or puts can be undertaken as part of the game play.
Many existing games supply balls to a single location, requiring them to be manually picked up and placed by the operator/player. Where the ball is delivered to the ground level, this requires the player to bend over for each ball placement. The requirement for manual positioning of the balls impairs the speed of the game and reduces the enjoyment and the opportunity for the game to providing multiple and repetitive shots, puts or plays. Where balls are automatically placed to one location it is difficult to facilitate both a left and right handed player stance. Where the nature of the game dictates a side-on stance, such as in golf or hockey and therefore uses an angled club or stick, there is a requirement to provide balls to either the left or right hand side of the player or play area.
Accordingly, needs exist for more effective and efficient systems and methods for devices for dispensing balls to a player for a ball based arcade game, wherein players can engage balls from either a left or right handed stance from one single ball dispensing mechanism.
This present invention facilitates both left and right handed players, or those who would prefer to choose the direction of stance for play. This invention facilitates players to engage balls from either a left or right handed stance from one single ball dispensing mechanism. This could be achieved by two separate ball dispensing mechanisms serving left and right hand side independently. This invention overcomes the need for two separate dispensing systems, allowing a single dispenser to serve both left and right handed stance players. The present invention allows a single ball dispensing mechanism (5) to be employed to dispense balls to either the left or right hand side of the player. The mechanism may be mounted centrally on the machine, residing in-play between the player's feet and legs. It can rotate, either via manual or powered action such that the outlet for the ball is facing to either left or right of the centre.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.
In
Balls (16) are automatically, mechanically fed to and through the turret (10) in accordance with the game function. The dispensing mechanism ensures balls (16) are presented in the perfect location to be played. There is no requirement for the player to handle the balls (16). By being mounted centrally in the playing surface (30) the turret (10) resides between the legs and feet of the player in either stance and causes no obstacle to either the stance or the resulting natural travel of the club/stick.
The invention allows left and right handed play to be achieved, at the user's discretion from a single ball feed/return mechanism.
The turret (10) is mounted extending through the playing surface (30). The turret (10) is mounted on 2 Polymer bearings (20) which allow it to rotate relative to the playing surface (30). Bearings (22) fixed to the turret (10) retain the position of the turret (10) in the polymer bearings (20). One bearing (22) has an extended bearing fixing shaft (34) which acts against 2 of the bearing spacers (32) providing a rotational stop to control and restrict the extent of the angle of rotation of the turret (10).
Balls (16) are supplied to the mechanism via a delivery path (28). The delivery path (28) is inclined such that the balls (16) travel under gravity. A motor driven drive wheel (26) provides a drive for the balls (16) to continue along and up the turret path (18) through the turret (10). The drive wheel (26) is stopped and controlled via an optical sensor (38) which senses balls (16) exiting the outlet (14). The delivery path (28) joins the turret path (18) via a simple rotational coupling (24), which allows the turret path (18) to rotate relative to the delivery (28) path whist retaining the queue of balls (16).
