Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – Brushing
Patent
1989-03-28
1992-01-07
Roberts, Edward L.
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
Brushing
15 311, 15 317, 134 83, 134133, A63B 4704
Patent
active
050778544
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The Apparatus is provided with a supply chute connected to a cleaning apparatus and a gravity operated sorting apparatus incorporating a dispensing apparatus which dispenses a predetermined number of golf balls to an outlet.
Apparatus of this type is known from DE-A-3425653. In the arrangement described therein, balls are transported to a washbasin one-by-one through a perforated tube, washed, and then lifted to a row of ducts arranged vertically side-by-side and from which they can be removed at the bottom in a predetermined number as required by an ejecting mechanism. The first objection to this apparatus is that the operating speed is limited because the tube can only transport one ball at a time. Secondly, the separate washbasin occupies a relatively large space. Thirdly, the upwardly and downwardly moving tube requires a driving system which can reject a damaged ball or alien objects such as stones, twigs, pine-cones and the like which come mainly with machine collected balls from which they cannot be sorted and which may clog the tube. Fourthly, washing in a perforated tube is not particularly efficient so that the balls fall insufficiently cleaned into the ducts which can gradually become fouled up so that these too become clogged. Fifthly, the ejecting mechanism does not operate faultlessly in combination with the integers causing the other objections so that the same number of balls are not dispensed each time.
It is the object of the invention to remove these objections and to provide a compact, reliably operating apparatus which constantly dispenses the same predetermined number of well-cleaned golf balls and sorts out damaged balls or alien objects.
According to the invention the sorting apparatus comprises a downwardly-sloping ball-grating having spaced apart grating bars onto which the golf balls fall from a supply chute and over which they roll in rows to a dispensing apparatus.
It is to be noted that the golf ball dispensing apparatus of EPA-A-0.167 and CA-A-1.0379.916 does dispense a predetermined number of golfballs but the cleaning apparatus is lacking however.
This presents a great objection when balls are to be handled by the machine in an uncleaned condition, especially when they are fouled with clay or another easily adhering soil specie or when they have to be cleaned by a separate cleaning apparatus. In the apparatus according to EP-A-0.167 nand that of CA-A-1.0379.916. the balls move through completely or partially closed ducts and are supported in the centres on their undersides by a completely closed baseplate. As opposed to this arrangement, in the present invention the balls are supported on both sides off-centre on the bars of the grating. Through this arrangement, the adhering dirt is removed from the balls and can fall easily through the bars whilst the ball-lift can operate upward between the bars to lift the balls therefrom.
The invention is now to be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings of one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows a part-sectioned side elevation of the apparatus according to the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a front elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
The drawings show an apparatus provided with a frame of tubular sections which is further provided with a housing formed by sheet material. This housing has a front wall 1, a rear wall 2 and sidewalls such as 3 (one of which is not visible), and a lid 4 which is hinged on a horizontally arranged hinge 5. The balls B to be cleaned and the thereafter to be dispensed number thereof can be discharged into the housing 1 to 5 in the direction indicated by the arrow 10 through the space vacated by the lid 3 when the latter is swung open in the direction indicated by the arrow 6. The balls B fall onto the ball-plate 7 which slopes downward to the right a shown in FIG. 1 and which, together with the rest of the upper parts of the housing 1 to 3, forms a supply chute 8 with the bottom outlet 9. The balls rolling down the ball-plate 7 fall through the outlet 9 whereafter they again fall onto t
REFERENCES:
patent: 527590 (1894-10-01), Carlson
patent: 1055121 (1913-03-01), Becker
patent: 3733633 (1973-05-01), Gustafson
patent: 3820183 (1974-06-01), Gustafson et al.
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