Device for automatically picking up objects

Abstract

A system for picking up golf balls over a golf practice green consists of an automatic mobile machine equipped with a motor and a power source, for example a rechargeable battery, and provided with an onboard computer. The machine carries a mechanical device for gripping and storing the golf balls in a container, a device for emptying such container, a device for detecting the limits of the surface for picking up. The system further comprise at least a station for discharging the balls picked up and preferably a station for recharging the rechargeable batteries. Both stations are advantageously integrated to each other.

1 . A system for picking up and collecting golf balls, dead leaves and paper sheets in a golf practice without interrupting the players comprising an automatic mobile machine provided with an on-board computer and a power source, said machine having mechanical means to pick up and store said golf balls, dead leaves and paper sheets, the machine being programmed to move in a substantially random way on said golf practice to pick up and store said golf balls, dead leaves and paper sheets in a container and to return, and automatically unload, by gravity action, the golf balls, at a station, said station being provided with recharging means for said power source.  
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said golf practice is provided with a wire extending at the periphery of said golf practice and being detectable by a detector carried by the machine.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the automatic mobile machine reaches the station by following the golf practice limiting wire, the station being situated along said wire or on an extension thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical means to pick up the golf balls, dead leaves and paper sheets is a driven rotating flexible disc system.  
   
   
       5 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a recharging means and unloading means for the golf balls, dead leaves and paper sheets are coupled.  
   
   
       6 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the machine has a plurality of spaced-apart flexible discs connected to a transverse rotation shaft such that the golf balls, dead leaves and paper sheets become wedged between adjacent flexible discs, 
 a plurality of fingers disposed transversely on the machine between the flexible discs to extract the golf balls, dead leave and paper sheets out of the discs wherein the golf balls, dead leaves and paper sheets fall into the container.    
   
   
       7 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the station has a means to transmit at least one directional beam, the machine having a receiver to receive the at least one directional beam such that the machine may be controlled to direct the machine to the station.  
   
   
       8 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the station comprises a recovery bowl for the golf balls, dead leaves and paper sheets equipped with a lifting system and connected to a duct which is adapted to convey the golf balls, dead leaves and paper sheets at least partly by gravity from the mobile machine.  
   
   
       9 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the station is raised, the station having ramps connected to an elevated platform, the mobile machine being directed onto the platform, a recovery bowl being disposed under the platform wherein the container in the mobile machine is emptied into the recovery bowl.  
   
   
       10 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container for the golf balls, dead leaves and paper sheets has a door, the door being opened by the computer to empty the container.  
   
   
       11 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the station having means to recharge the power source.  
   
   
       12 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the station has at least one fixed rail which is adapted to come in contact with one of two side brushes carried by the automatic mobile machine, and side brushes detecting the presence of the fixed rail.  
   
   
       13 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further having a detector, the detector sensing when the power source is in need of recharging and when the container is full such that the detector directs the machine to the station.