Abstract:
A golf ball server having a low profile housing and miniaturized pneumatic components is positionable adjacent a driving surface and is readily connected to pre-existing gravity ball supplies or to a funnel type supply tray. The server is operated by depressing a pad on the housing with the head of a golf club. When actuated, an arm grips a ball from the housing and rotates it for positioning reliably on a tee or directly onto the driving surface. When reset, the arm rotates back into the housing pickup another ball. As the arm rotates from the teeing position to the reset position, another ball is fed into housing and positioned for pickup. A controller times the action of the gripper, arm rotation and ball feed. Alternatively, actuation can be by a photoelectric sensor which senses the absence of a ball on the tee and actuates the server.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention relates to apparatus for mechanically positioning a golf ball on a driving surface or on a tee and particularly, to a low profile, portable device for use with a golf ball driving surface.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Apparatus for teeing golf balls for use at driving ranges are well known. Typically a golf ball is moved from a ball storage area, either separately constructed or unitary with the device, by some means to rest on a tee, where a golfer can hit the ball with a golf club.  
           [0003]    One such device is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,441 to Fairchild. A bifurcated arm is forwardly and reversely driven by a motorized shaft to, first resiliently secure a golf ball from a gravity fed ball supply ramp and secondly, reverse 180 degrees, to deposit the ball on a tee. The arms are forced over the ball and the ball is released by a spreading device, which separates the arms, leaving the ball on the tee. The arm rotation is controlled by a sensor, which senses when a ball is on the tee. The device taught by Fairchild requires a hard-wired source of electrical power and thus, presents a hazard in wet weather. Further, the device requires a common supporting surface for the rotating arm, ball supply and tee, which necessitates permanent installation on a driving surface.  
           [0004]    Many other devices require excavation below the driving surface to install at least a portion of the teeing device. One such device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,033 to Doherty and second in U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,526 to Sutherlin. In both cases, a tee is situated atop either a pneumatic or spring loaded actuator, below the driving surface. Once actuated, a golf ball is released into the conduit and the tee rises from below the ball to be positioned above the driving surface. The tee can be reset to it&#39;s lower position after the ball has been driven. In both of these patents, installation is permanent and requires significant excavation.  
           [0005]    A number of devices used for automatically teeing a ball at a driving range are large and present a psychological hazard to the golfer. Typically these devices are placed directly in the line of sight of the golfer and while not directly in the path of the swing, are visible throughout much of the swing. The position of large apparatus is of particular danger to the beginner golfer who may have little control over the ball&#39;s direction. Much like the deflector plates normally placed between tee boxes at a driving range, large equipment is at risk to damage from errant balls. One such large device is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,659B1 to Peterson. The large upright ball storage area presents a visual obstruction for the golfer.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,491 to Brown teaches a driving surface which is raised to accommodate a vacuum manifold and flexible tee apparatus in combination with a ball storage compartment. The player stands on a raised platform and drives the ball from an adjacent raised section of the platform after a tee rotates downward to pick up a ball by vacuum and then positions the tee and ball in an upright orientation.  
           [0007]    Clearly, there is a need for a lightweight, low profile, portable ball teeing apparatus that can be used on any driving surface, that does not intrude or present a hazard physically or psychologically to the golfer and that is adaptable to existing ball supply systems requiring a minimum of set up time. Ideally the device should be easily actuated by the golfer or by some sensor device and should reliably tee the balls at a relatively rapid speed to maximize practice time.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The use of miniaturized components, and preferably pneumatic, results in a low profile apparatus that is portable for positioning adjacent any driving surface. A delay out valve and flow control valves permit sequencing of movement of the components for reliably positioning the ball at the driving surface and particularly on a tee, followed by a resetting sequence to permit successive actuations of the apparatus in relatively rapid sequence.  
           [0009]    Further, the low profile prevents psychological obstructions from interfering with the swing, is not easily damaged as a result of errant golf balls or poor swing, and is easily actuated and permits relatively rapid teeing of balls.  
           [0010]    Therefore, in a broad aspect of the invention, a portable golf ball teeing apparatus is provided comprising:  
           [0011]    a housing for positioning adjacent a driving surface, the housing having an inlet for receiving a ball from a supply of golf balls;  
           [0012]    a pivoting arm connected at a first end within the housing and rotatable from a pickup position within the housing to a teeing position at the driving surface;  
           [0013]    a linear actuator for advancing a ball from the inlet to the pickup position;  
           [0014]    a gripper at a second end of the pivoting means and actuable between a gripping position and a released position, so that  
           [0015]    when actuated to the gripping position, the gripper grasps the ball at the pickup position and maintains a grip on the ball throughout the rotation of the pivoting arm, and  
           [0016]    when actuated to the release position, the gripper releases the ball at the teeing position; and  
           [0017]    a controller for actuation of the pivoting arm, the linear actuator and the gripper between a teeing sequence and a resetting sequence; so as to  
           [0018]    for the teeing sequence, substantially simultaneously actuate the gripper to grasp the ball from the pickup position and rotate the pivoting arm between the pickup and teeing positions while retracting the linear actuator to permit entrance of another ball at the inlet; and  
           [0019]    for the resetting sequence, substantially simultaneously actuate the gripper to release the ball at the driving surface and then advance the linear actuator to position the ball at the pickup position while rotating the pivoting arm to return to the ball pickup position so as to permit repeating of the teeing and resetting sequences.  
           [0020]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the teeing and resetting sequence are established through use of a manifold having two headers and a delay out valve responsive to a pilot signal from a poppet valve, when actuated, for switching from a first header to reset the pivoting arm to a second header to actuate the pivoting arm. Further, the use of flow control valves permits actuation of components, in sequence, as each of the headers are actuated to flow air to the pneumatic components.  
           [0021]    More particularly, in the resetting sequence, in order to reliably position a golf ball on the driving surface, the gripper fingers are caused to release the ball before the rotary actuator begins to return the pivoting arm from the ball teeing position to the ball pickup position while the linear actuator advances the next ball to the ball pickup position. This sequence of actuation prevents the ball from being dropped onto the surface or onto a tee rather than being reliably placed thereon.  
           [0022]    Further, the arc of rotation of the arm can be easily adjusted to various tee heights by rotating a knurled knob to position a stop, which acts to limit the rotation of the pivoting arm in the ball teeing sequence. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf ball teeing apparatus of the present invention positioned adjacent a driving surface;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the apparatus according to FIG. 1, having a housing cover removed for illustrating the components within the housing, the linear actuator and arm positioned for actuation;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the apparatus of according to FIG. 2, the linear actuator and arm positioned at the completion of the ball teeing sequence;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is a cutaway side view of the ball receiving chamber;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is a front side view of the apparatus according to FIG. 1 illustrating the arc of rotation of the arm;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway front view of the rotary actuator of FIG. 1 showing the position of the stop when the arm is in the ball pickup position;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway front view of the rotary actuator of FIG. 9 showing the position of the stop when the arm is rotated to the ball teeing position;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 is a schematic illustrating the fluid connections of the components of FIG. 1 to a manifold with the second header powered and the components positioned prior to the teeing sequence;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 9 is a schematic illustrating the fluid connections of the components of FIG. 1 to a manifold with the first header powered and the components positioned at the end of the teeing sequence and just prior to the resetting sequence;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 10 is a schematic representing a sequence of actuation of the components of the apparatus of FIG. 1 for the teeing sequence and the resetting sequence;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 11 a  and  11   b  are schematic side views of the apparatus of FIG. 1, having an optional photoelectric sensor to replace the actuation means of FIG. 1. More particularly FIG. 11 a  shows the apparatus in a reset position when the sensor senses a ball positioned on the tee and FIG. 11 b  shows the apparatus when the sensor senses there is no ball on the tee and actuates the teeing sequence;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 12 is a cutaway side view of a gravity feed ball supply tube adapted for connection to the housing inlet of FIG. 1, the tube fitted with a linear actuator having a short stroke piston, shown in an extended position, protruding into the tubing to prevent ball movement in the tube;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 13 is a side view of a ball supply tray adapted for connection to the inlet of FIG. 1; and  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 14 is a plan view of the ball supply tray according to FIG. 12. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0037]    Having reference to FIG. 1, golf ball server I of the present invention is shown. The server  1  comprises a low profile housing  2  which contributes to the portability of the server for teeing golf balls  15  at virtually any existing driving surface  3 , such as at a driving range.  
         [0038]    As shown in FIGS.  2 - 3 , the components of the server  1  comprise a rotatable arm  10  pivotally connected at a first end  11  to a pivoting means  12  within the housing  2 . A second end  13  of the arm  10  is fitted with gripping means  14  actuable for alternately grasping and releasing a golf ball  15 . The arm  10  is rotatable about its first end  11 . The second end  13  of the arm  10  is swept in an arc from a ball pickup position  20  within the housing  2  to a second ball teeing position  21  outside the housing  2  to position the ball  15  and release it directly the driving surface  3  or onto a tee  22  on a driving surface  3 . A supply of golf balls  15 , 15  is connected to an inlet  30  in the housing  2 . Staging means  31  are provided for permitting balls  15  to enter the housing  2 , one at a time, and for sequentially and optimally positioning the balls  15  at the ball pickup position  20  within the housing  2 .  
         [0039]    With reference to FIGS.  2 - 5 , the housing  2  is substantially the height of a golf ball  15 , and comprises a base  4 , two side walls  5 , 6  and a removable cover  7  (FIGS. 4 and 5). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a first side wall  5  has the ball feed inlet  30  formed therein for receiving golf balls  15  from a golf ball supply (shown later in FIGS. 12 and 13) to the first ball pickup position  20 . A ball receiving chamber  32  comprises an inner wall  33 , spaced from and parallel to the first side wall  5  and extending between the inlet  30  and the ball pickup position  20 . Preferably the staging means  31  comprises a linear actuator  34  for sequentially accepting a ball  15  at the inlet  30 , advancing the ball  15  between the inner  33  and first side walls  5  for positioning the ball  15  at the ball pickup position  20 .  
         [0040]    The staging means  31 , the pivoting means  12  and the gripping means  14  operate in a sequence for positioning a ball  15  for pickup, grasping the ball  15 , pivoting the arm  10  and ball  15  to the tee  22 , retracting the staging means  31  to accept a new ball  15 , releasing the gripper  14  to release the ball  15  onto the tee  22  and pivoting the arm  10  back to obtain another golf ball  15 .  
         [0041]    The staging means  31 , pivoting means  12  and gripping means  14  are miniaturized actuating means which fit within the low profile housing  2 . Preferably the actuating means are pneumatically connected through a manifold  35  which enables control of the staging means  31 , pivoting means  12  and gripping means  14 .  
         [0042]    More particularly, the staging means  31  comprises a pneumatic linear actuator  34 , such as that available from Festo Inc., of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Part#ADVUL-12-40-PA. The linear actuator  34  is positioned rearward from the inlet  30  and comprises a dual acting linear pneumatic cylinder  36  and ram  37 , the ram  37  being moveable from a retracted position rearward of the inlet  30  (FIG. 3) to an extended position forward of the inlet  30  (FIG. 2), adjacent the ball pickup position  20 .  
         [0043]    A first end of the ram  38  is fitted with an L-shaped plate  39 . The plate  39  comprises a short leg  40  which is perpendicular to the movement of the ram  37  and which extends across the ball receiving chamber  32  from the first side wall  5  to the inner wall  33  for pushing golf balls  15  from the inlet  30  to the ball pickup position  20 . A longer leg  41  of the plate  39  trails behind the short leg  40  and lies adjacent and parallel the first side wall  5  for alternately opening and closing the inlet  30 . As the ram  37  is advanced to the extended position, the plate&#39;s shorter leg  40  acts to advance a ball  15  from the inlet  30  to the ball pickup position  20  at the front of the ball-receiving chamber  32  while the longer leg  41  acts to block the ball feed inlet  30 , preventing any others of a plurality of balls  15  in the golf ball supply from entering the inlet  30 . When the ram  37  is returned to the retracted position, the plate&#39;s longer leg  41  clears the inlet  30  and permits a new golf ball  15  to enter the ball receiving chamber  32 .  
         [0044]    Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, the ball receiving chamber  32  further comprises a ridge  42  formed at a front edge  43  of the ball pickup position  20  to prevent balls  15  from rolling out of the housing  2 . Further, the base  4  of the housing at the ball pickup position is fit with a slight depression  44  to further assist in positioning the ball  15  accurately at the ball pickup position  20 .  
         [0045]    The pivoting means  12  is a pneumatic rotary actuator  50  having a shaft  55  connected to the first end  11  of the rotatable arm  10 . The rotary actuator  50  is positioned adjacent the second and opposing side wall  6  of the housing  2  and spaced from the ball pickup position  20 . The arm  10  is rotatable substantially 180 degrees about the shaft  55 . The second end  13  of the rotatable arm  10  is fitted with gripping means  14 .  
         [0046]    The rotary actuator  50  is spaced so that when the arm  10  is rotated to the ball pickup position  20 , the gripping means  14  are positioned for grasping the ball  15 .  
         [0047]    Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, the server  1  is placed adjacent the driving surface  3  and spaced therefrom so that when the arm  10  is rotated substantially 180 degrees from the ball pickup position  20  to the ball teeing position  21 , the ball  15  is positioned optimally on the surface  3 , or on top of a tee  22 , extending from the surface  3 .  
         [0048]    Preferably, the rotary actuator  50  is a dual acting pneumatic actuator capable of rotation of at least 180 degrees such as Festo Part #DSM-10-180-P-FW. More preferably, the degrees of rotation of the actuator  50  can be adjusted to permit optimal placement of the ball  15  on the driving surface  3  or on the tee  22 , the height of which may vary from driving surface  3  to driving surface  3 . In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6,7, a stop block  51  is connected to the actuator  50  to limit the degrees of rotation. The stop block  51  is connected to rotate with the arm  10 . A knurled knob  52  is connected to a first stop or screw  53  which acts to advance and retract the screw  53 . Rotation of the knurled knob  52  to advance the screw  53  moves the screw  53  into the path of rotation of the stop block  51  (FIG. 7) so as to interfere with the rotation of the rotary actuator  50  and connected arm  10  and thus limit the degrees of rotation. As shown in FIG. 5, the knurled knob  52  is situated adjacent the second side  6  of the housing  2  and protrudes through a slit  8  in the removable cover  7  to permit rapid adjustment of rotation of the arm  10  to suit the height of individual driving surfaces  3  and tees  22 . Similarly, a second stop or screw  54  is fit within the path of rotation of the arm  10  to limit the rotation, in the resetting sequence, to slightly less than its full rotation, or 180 degrees, to prevent wear on the rotary actuator  50 . The position of the screw  54  is adjustable to permit alignment of the gripping means  14  with a center of the golf ball  15 .  
         [0049]    Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 5, preferably the gripping means  14  is a pair of pneumatically actuable gripping fingers  60 , such as Festo part #HGWM-08E0-G7. The fingers  60  are actuable between a powered gripping position wherein the fingers  60  are moved inward towards each other for gripping or grasping the golf ball  15  and a released position wherein the fingers  60  are biased open or moved away from one another for releasing the ball  15  at the driving surface  3  or tee  22 .  
         [0050]    With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the dual acting linear pneumatic cylinder  36  and ram  37 , rotary actuator  50  and gripping fingers  60  are fluidly interconnected through pneumatic circuits. The pneumatic circuits are connected to an external source of pneumatic fluid, such as an air vessel or compressor (not shown), which feeds compressed air to a manifold  35 . The manifold  35  comprises a first header  70  and a second header  71 .  
         [0051]    As shown in FIG. 8, when the second header  71  is charged with pressurized air (powered), the server  1  is actuated to return and remain waiting at the reset position prior to teeing a ball. FIG. 8 illustrates the end of the resetting sequence. Residual air in the first header  70  has already been exhausted to atmosphere.  
         [0052]    As shown in FIG. 9, when the first header  70  is charged with pressurized air (powered), the server  1  is actuated to tee the ball and await the expiry of a time delay prior to resetting. FIG. 9 illustrates the end of the teeing sequence. Residual air in the second header  71  has already been exhausted to atmosphere.  
         [0053]    More particularly, the first header  70  is fluidly connected to a first end  73  of the linear actuator  34 , to a first side  74  of the rotary actuator  50 , and to the gripping fingers  60 . When the first header  70  is powered (FIG. 9), the second header is exhausted. Air flows from the first header  70  through one way flow control valves  73   a , 74   a  such as Festo part #GRLZ-M5-B, to cause: controlled retraction of the ram  37  and controlled rotation of the arm  10  to the ball teeing position  21 . Air flows directly to the fingers  60  to grip the ball  15 .  
         [0054]    The second header  71  is fluidly connected to a second end  75  of the linear actuator  34 ; and to a second side  76  of the rotary actuator  50 . When the second header  71  is powered (FIG. 8), the first header is exhausted and air flows from the second header  71  through one way flow control valves  75   a ,  76   a  to cause controlled extension of the ram  37  and to cause controlled rotation of the arm  10  to the ball pickup position  20 .  
         [0055]    Typically, one or the other of the headers  70 ,  71  remain charged with air at any given time; preferably the second header  71  remains charged so as remain reset and poised to tee a ball on command.  
         [0056]    With reference again to FIGS. 2,3 and  8 , 9 , triggering means  90  cooperate with a ball actuator  91  (such as through a cam on the triggering means  90  for actuating the ball actuator—not detailed). The ball actuator  91 , such as Clippard part #MBA-1 is connected to a poppet valve  92 , such as Clippard part #MAV-3P which is fluidly connected within the manifold  35 . The triggering means  90  acts to signal the poppet valve  92  to switch the flow of air between first  70  and second  71  headers. A 5-port 4-way delay out valve  80 , such as Clippard part #R443 from Clippard Instrument Laboratory Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, is connected to the manifold  35  to aid in control of the actuation and de-actuation sequences, as illustrated in FIG. 10, which result in coordinated movement of the individual components of the server  1  to effect sequential teeing of balls  15 .  
         [0057]    Turning to FIGS. 10, 8 and  9 , the golfer actuates the poppet valve which actuates the first header  70  and the teeing of the ball  15 . After a time delay controlled by delay out valve  80 , the arm  10  is reset for teeing of subsequent balls  15 .  
         [0058]    Teeing Sequence  
         [0059]    With reference to FIG. 9, when the triggering means  90  is actuated the poppet valve  92  sends a pilot signal to the delay out valve  80 , which switches the flow of air from the second header  71  to the first header  70 . From a previous sequence, shown in FIG. 8, the second end  13  of the arm  10  is initially positioned at the ball pickup position  20  and the gripper fingers  60  are initially positioned about a ball  15  already located in the ball pickup position  20 .  
         [0060]    The first header  70  directs air to the gripper fingers  60  which are instantly actuated to the gripping position to grip the ball  15 . Simultaneously, the first header  70  directs air for actuation of the first side  74  of the rotary actuator  50  for rotating the arm  10  to the ball teeing position  21 . The flow control valve  74   a  connected to the first side  74  is calibrated to delay rotation of the arm  10  so as to first permit gripping of the ball  15  slightly in advance of the arm rotation. Ram  37  is simultaneously retracted to permit another ball  15  to enter the ball receiving chamber  32 .  
         [0061]    Reset Sequence  
         [0062]    The delay out valve  80  remains actuated until the preset pilot signal has decayed or expired through delay control  81 , at which time valve  80  switches to return the flow of air to the second header  71  at B (FIG. 10). Air is bled out of the first header  70  and when the air pressure is no longer sufficient to overcome internal spring biasing (not shown) in the gripper fingers  60 . The gripper fingers  60 , which are not controlled by a flow control valve, are first caused to move away from one another to the released position, leaving the golf ball  15  on the driving surface  3  or tee  22 . Simultaneously, the linear actuator  34  and plate  39  are controllably advanced to move a new golf ball  15  from the inlet  30  to the ball pickup position  20 . As a result of calibration of the flow control valve  76   a  governing air flow to the second side  76  of the rotary actuator  50 , the rotary actuator  50  is then caused to rotate the arm  10  to the ball pickup position  20 . The immediate release of the gripping fingers  60  prior to any movement of the arm  10  as it begins to rotate to the ball pickup position  20 , permits the ball  15  to be reliably positioned on the driving surface  3  and, particularly onto a tee  22  embedded into the driving surface  3 .  
         [0063]    The teeing and reset sequences are repeated upon further actuation of the triggering means  90 .  
         [0064]    As shown in FIG. 1, preferably, the triggering means  90  is an actuator button or pad  93  connected to the ball actuator  91  for actuation of the teeing sequence. The golfer depresses the pad  93  with the head of a golf club temporarily displacing the ball actuator  91  and actuating the poppet valve  92 .  
         [0065]    In an alternate, fully automated embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 11 a  and  11   b , the actuator pad  93 , ball actuator  91  and poppet valve  92  are replaced by a photoelectric sensor  95  and electrically operated solenoid valve (not shown). A battery or remote supply of 12-24V DC power is provided to power the solenoid valve. The sensor  95  is positioned on the cover  7  of the housing  2  and directed towards the driving surface  3 . As shown in FIG. 11 b , after each golf ball  15  is driven from the driving surface  3  by the golfer, the sensor  95  no longer senses a ball  15  and actuates the solenoid valve which sends a pilot signal to the delay out valve to begin the teeing sequence as previously described. As shown In FIG. 11 a , when the sensor  95  detects a ball  15  positioned on the driving surface  3  or tee  22 , the solenoid valve is closed to actuate and maintain the reset sequence.  
         [0066]    Simply, for setup, the server  1  can be actuated and adjusted so that the arm places the ball on a set tee position. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 5 and in any embodiment of the invention, a locator plate  100  may be provided to assist in initially positioning the server  1  at an optimum distance from the driving surface  3 . The locator plate  100  is a linear member or plate having a projection  101  extending upward from a first end  102 . The projection  101  is fit within a corresponding slot  103  formed in the base  4  of the housing  2  adjacent the second wall  6 . A tee  22  is attached adjacent a second end  104  of the locator plate  100  and is spaced from the first end  102  so as to be positioned at the optimum ball teeing position  21 . Typically, the driving surface  3  is a mat  105  having a hole  106  through which a removable tee (not shown) protrudes. In order to position the server  1 , the mat  105  is lifted, the existing tee (not shown) is removed and the locator plate  100  is positioned so that the attached tee  22  protrudes through the hole. This positioning of the locator plate  100  and tee  22  establishes the distance at which the housing  2  must be placed in order to fit the projection  101  in the slot  103 .  
         [0067]    Alternatively, a mat  105  can be provided with the server  1  for use at locations which do not provide driving mats  105 .  
         [0068]    Optionally, as shown in FIG. 12 for use when connected to a central ball supply system, having a gravity feed tube  111 , a back pressure eliminator  110  may be provided to restrict any pressure placed on the ball  15  positioned in the ball receiving chamber  32  or entering the housing inlet  30  by subsequent balls in the gravity feed tube  111 , before the inlet  30  is blocked. The back pressure eliminator  110  comprises a solenoid or piston  112 , actuated by a short stroke linear actuator  113  connected to the pneumatic circuit, which alternately extends partially into and out of a hole  114  in the gravity feed tube  11  upstream of the inlet  30  to the housing  2  as a result of a pneumatic signal coincident with the signal to advance the linear actuator  34  of the ball-receiving chamber  32 . The piston  112  acts to prevent passage of subsequent balls in the feed tube  111  to the inlet  30  until the next retraction of the linear actuator  34  in the ball-receiving chamber  32 . The piston  112  is then retracted from the feed tube  111  to permit passage of another ball to be positioned adjacent the inlet  30  once the inlet is blocked.  
         [0069]    While operational with many pre-existing ball feed systems, in yet another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a gravity feed ball funneling system  120  is provided for use when a pre-existing gravity feed tube system is not available. The funneling system  120  comprises a tray  121  having an end wall  122  at a first end  123  and an outlet  124  at a second end  125 , the outlet  124  being substantially the same width as the housing inlet  30  or feed tube  111 , and side walls  126 , 127  tapered inwards from the end wall  122  to the outlet  124 . Further, the tray  121  is inclined having the first end  122  higher than the outlet end  124  so as to feed balls (note shown), manually placed in the tray  121 , by gravity to the outlet  124 .