Device for returning balls in a playing arrangement of a ball sport

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for returning balls (24) in a playing arrangement (20) of a ball sport, having a goal wall (21), wherein a space (22) in front of the goal wall (21) and a space (23) behind the goal wall (21) are provided, wherein an inclined plane (3) is provided in the space (23) behind the goal wall (21), wherein the inclined plane (3) leads to a receiving position (4) of a motor-actuated lifting apparatus (5) for one ball (24) at a time, and having a dispensing mechanism, which, in a dispensing position of the lifting apparatus (5), acts on the ball (24) in such a way that the ball (24) can be dispensed into the space (22) in front of the goal wall (21). The invention further relates to a motor-actuatable lifting apparatus (5) for one ball (24) at a time for use in a device (1) for returning balls (24) and to a method for returning balls (24).

1 . A device ( 1 ) for returning balls ( 24 ) in a playing arrangement ( 20 ) of a ball sport, having a goal wall ( 21 ), wherein a space ( 22 ) in front of the goal wall ( 21 ) and a space ( 23 ) behind the goal wall ( 21 ) are provided, characterized by an inclined plane ( 3 ) in the space ( 23 ) behind the goal wall ( 21 ), wherein the inclined plane ( 3 ) leads to a receiving position ( 4 ) of a motor-actuated lifting apparatus ( 5 ) for one ball ( 24 ) at a time, and having a dispensing mechanism ( 6 ), which, in a dispensing position ( 7 ) of the lifting apparatus ( 5 ), acts on the ball ( 24 ) in such a way that the ball ( 24 ) can be dispensed into the space ( 22 ) in front of the goal wall ( 21 ). 
     
     
         2 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lifting apparatus ( 5 ) has a head ( 8 ), which can be moved between the receiving position ( 4 ) and the dispensing position ( 7 ) along a linear guide ( 10 ) by means of a motor-operated pulling element ( 12 ). 
     
     
         3 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one sensor ( 14 ), by means of which it is possible to detect whether a ball ( 24 ) is in the receiving position ( 4 ). 
     
     
         4 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claims 2  and  3 , wherein the sensor ( 14 ) is assigned to the head ( 8 ). 
     
     
         5 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lifting apparatus ( 5 ) has a head ( 8 ), which can be moved between the receiving position ( 4 ) and the dispensing position ( 7 ) along a linear guide ( 10 ) by means of a motor-operated pulling element ( 12 ), and at least one sensor ( 14 ) assigned to the head ( 8 ), by means of which it is possible to detect whether a ball ( 24 ) is in the receiving position ( 4 ). 
     
     
         6 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in one of  claims 3  to  5 , wherein the sensor ( 14 ) is a photoelectric barrier. 
     
     
         7 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 2  or  claims 4  to  6 , wherein two bars ( 13 ) are secured on the head ( 8 ), said bars being parallel and spaced apart and being arranged substantially perpendicularly to the head ( 8 ) and forming a holder for the ball ( 24 ) to be lifted. 
     
     
         8 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing mechanism ( 6 ) is a pivotable lever. 
     
     
         9 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein a movable blocking apparatus ( 15 ) is provided, which is suitable for blocking access for a ball ( 24 ) to the lifting apparatus ( 5 ). 
     
     
         10 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in one of preceding  claims 1  to  8 , wherein a movable blocking apparatus ( 15 ) is provided, which blocks access for a ball ( 24 ) to the lifting apparatus ( 5 ) when the head ( 8 ) is not in the receiving position ( 4 ) of the lifting apparatus ( 5 ). 
     
     
         11 . A motor-actuable lifting apparatus ( 5 ) for one ball ( 24 ) at a time for use in a device ( 1 ) as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  10 . 
     
     
         12 . A method for returning balls ( 24 ) in a playing arrangement ( 20 ) of a ball sport, having a goal wall ( 21 ), wherein a space ( 22 ) in front of the goal wall ( 21 ) and a space ( 23 ) behind the goal wall ( 21 ) are provided, wherein an inclined plane ( 3 ) is provided in the space ( 23 ) behind the goal wall ( 21 ), wherein a ball ( 24 ) which rolls down the inclined plane ( 3 ) is received at a receiving position ( 4 ) of a motor-actuated lifting apparatus ( 5 ) for one ball ( 24 ) at a time and guided to a dispensing position ( 7 ) of the lifting apparatus ( 5 ), where a dispensing mechanism ( 6 ) acts on the ball ( 24 ) in such a way that the ball ( 24 ) is dispensed into the space ( 22 ) in front of the goal wall ( 21 ).