Claims:
1. A ball dispensing device (100) comprising:
at least two containers (102, 104) comprising a first container (102) and a second container (104) for receiving a plurality of balls (302, 304) of variable sizes;
a first channel (106) configured to receive said plurality of balls (302, 304) from said first container (102) via a first opening (202) configured on said first container (102), said first channel (106) delivers first size balls (302) and having a hole (206) of diameter lesser than the width of said first channel (106) to separate balls having size smaller than said first size balls (302) from said first channel (106);
a second channel (108) configured to receive second size balls (304) from said second container (104) via a second opening (204) configured on said second container (104), said second opening (204) configured to allow passing of second size balls (304) therethrough and prevent passing of balls having size larger than said second size balls (304) therethrough;
a first receiver (112) arranged at an end of said first channel (106) and a second receiver arranged at an end said second channel (108), said receivers (112, 114) configured to deliver a predetermined quantity of said first size balls (302) and predetermined quantity of said second size balls (304); and
a slider (110) arranged between said receivers (112, 114) to discharge said predetermined amount of first size balls (302) and said predetermined amount of second size balls (304).

2. The ball dispensing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slider (110) is configured to discharge the predetermined number of said first size balls (302) from said first channel (106) when said slider (110) is displaced towards said second channel (106), and the predetermined number of said second size balls (304) from said second channel (106) when said slider (110) is displaced towards said first channel (106).
3. The ball dispensing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
a first receiver (112) is configured to store a predetermined number of first size balls (302); and
a second receiver (114) is configured to store a predetermined number of said second size balls (304).
4. The ball dispensing device (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first receiver (112) is defined parallel to said first channel (106) and said second receiver (114) is defined orthogonal to said second channel (108).
5. The ball dispensing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slider (110) has an ‘L’ shaped base and a handle (111) connected to said base.
6. The ball dispensing device (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein:
a first part (110a) of said slider (110) is configured to move said predetermined number of first size balls (302) accumulated in said first receiver (112) and a second part (110b) of said slider (110) is configured to allow said predetermined number of second size balls (304) to enter into said second receiver (114), when said slider (110) is displaced towards said first channel (106); and
said second part (110b) of said slider (110) is configured to move said predetermined number of second size balls (304) accumulated in said second receiver (114) and said first part (110a) is configured to allow said predetermined number first size balls (302) to enter into said first receiver (112), when said slider (110) is displaced towards said second channel (108).
7. The ball dispensing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device (100) includes a first stopper (124) configured to restrict displacement of said slider (110) in the first channel (106) direction, and a second stopper (122) configured to restrict displacement of said slider (110) in the second channel (108) direction.
8. The ball dispensing device (100) as in claim 1, wherein said first receiver (112) is configured to receive four first size balls (302) when said slider (110) is displaced towards said second channel (108), and second receiver (114) is configured to receive two second size balls (304) when said slider (110) is displaced towards said first channel (106).
9. The ball dispensing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first channel (106) and said second channel (108) has a slope reducing from a container side end of said channels (106, 108) towards a receiver side end of said channels (106, 108).
10. The ball dispensing device (100) as in claim 1, wherein said device (100) is made of wood or steel or plastic.
11. A ball dispensing device comprising:
a container configured to receive a plurality of balls of variable sizes, said container having a first opening configured to allow passing of first size balls therethrough, and a second opening configured to allow passing of second size balls therethrough and prevent passing of first size balls therethrough;
a first channel coupled to said container, and configured to receive balls from said container via said first opening, said first channel delivers first size balls and having a hole of diameter lesser than the width of said first channel to separate balls having size smaller than said first size balls from said first channel;
a second channel coupled to said container, and configured to receive second size balls via said second opening;
a receiver arranged at an end of each of said first channel and said second channel, said receivers configured to deliver a predetermined quantity of said first size balls and said second size balls; and
a slider arranged between the receivers and the ends of channels, said slider configured to selectively discharge a predetermined amount of first size balls from said first channel and a predetermined amount of second size balls from said second channel.
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SECTION 10, Rule 13)

A BALL DISPENSING DEVICE

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED,
A COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE INDIAN COMPANIES ACT, 1913, HAVING ADDRESS AT MAHINDRA RESEARCH VALLEY (MRV), MAHINDRA WORLD CITY, PLOT NO: 41/1, ANJUR P.O., CHENGALPATTU – 603004, KANCHEEPURAM DIST., TAMIL NADU, INDIA

The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to ball dispensing devices.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Brakes are one of the important parts in transmission device of a vehicle which is used to stop or slow down the motion of the vehicle. In vehicles, such as tractor, the brake is mounted on driving axle and operated by two independent pedals. Each pedal can be operated independently to assist turning of the tractor during fieldwork or locked together by means of a lock. There are various types of brakes used in the tractor such as Internal expanding shoe type brakes, External contracting shoe type brakes, Disc type brakes, and Hydraulic brakes. In a disc brake, two actuating discs have holes drilled in each disc in which steel balls are placed. When the brake pedal is depressed, the links help to move the two discs in opposite directions. This brings the steel balls to shallow part of the holes drilled in the disc.
While manufacturing, selection of the steel balls is critical task. Typically, the steel balls are collected manually from a common bin by a person working in an assembly line. Various sizes of disc brakes require different sizes of steel balls in different numbers to be placed between the actuating discs. It is complicated task for a person to pick up correct number of balls with correct size. Thus, the aforementioned conventional method relies only on the person’s capability of correctly choosing the steel balls in right size and in correct quantity in very short duration of the assembly time.
In known method, various sizes of the steel balls are kept in a bin near to the manufacturing assembly line. A person needs to select the steel balls as per the requirement based on his experience and skills. The time for picking the steel balls is very short in the manufacturing assembly process. Due to short available time, sometimes the person may pick wrong steel balls from the bin or incorrect quantity of the steel balls. This may lead to a manufacturing error of the brake actuating assembly of the vehicle. It takes a lot of time for identifying and correcting the manufacturing error.
Another problem associated with aforementioned conventional method is to carry and store big size bins which used to store the steel balls in the assembly line area. Typically, the bins are chosen such that they can store steel balls having maximum dimension. The bin is required to be placed near the person picking the steel balls, so that he can easily take the steel balls for assembling in the disk brake actuating assembly. Moving and placing the bin near the assembly line consumes lot of time and effort.
Yet another problem of the conventional method is that manual picking of the balls may lead to loss or damage to balls or grease contamination on the balls.
Therefore, there is a need for developing a ball dispensing device that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks of conventional methods.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows.
An object of the present invention is to provide a ball dispensing device which ensures delivery of balls in correct quantity and correct size.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a ball dispensing device which is dynamic.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a ball dispensing device which has a simple configuration.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ball dispensing device which is cost effective.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ball dispensing device that occupies less space.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ball dispensing device which is easy to operate.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are however not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a ball dispensing device. The ball dispensing device includes at least two containers. The two containers include a first container and a second container. The two containers are configured to receive a plurality of balls of variable sizes. A first channel is configured to receive the plurality of balls from the first container via a first opening configured on the first container. The first channel delivers first size balls. The first channel is having a hole of diameter lesser than the width of the first channel to separate balls having size smaller than the first size balls from the first channel. A second channel is configured to receive second size balls from the second container via a second opening configured on the second container. The second opening is configured to allow passing of second size balls therethrough and prevent passing of balls having size larger than the second size balls therethrough. A first receiver is arranged at an end of the first channel and a second receiver is arranged at the end of the second channel. The receivers are configured to deliver a predetermined quantity of the first size balls and predetermined quantity of the second size balls. A slider is arranged between the receivers to discharge the predetermined amount of first size balls and the predetermined amount of second size balls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments.
The present invention of a ball dispensing device will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a top view of a ball dispensing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the device of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a top view of the device of Figure 1 with plurality of balls.
REFERENCE NUMERAL
100 - Device
102 - First container
104 - Second container
106 - First channel
108 - Second channel
110 - Slider
110a - First part of the slider
110b - Second part of the slider
111 - Handle
112 - First receiver
114 - Second receiver
118 - Lower support
120 - Upper support
122 - Second stopper
124 - First stopper
202 - First opening
204 - Second opening
206 - Hole
302 - First size balls
304 - Second size balls

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention of a device for ball dispensing will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A ball dispensing device, of the present invention, is now elaborated with reference to Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3.
Figure 1 and Figure 3 show a top view of a ball dispensing device (100), hereinafter also referred to as device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The device (100) comprises a first container (102) and a second container (104) which is used to store plurality of balls (302, 304) of variable sizes preferably a first size balls (302) and a second size balls (304). In the present embodiment, the balls are made of metal alloy, preferably steel. The first container (102) and the second container (104) are preferably in funnel shape with bottom end open and both the first and second containers (102, 104) are elevated to certain level from the bottom such a way that it is forming a storage room. The plurality of balls (302, 304) of variable sizes, preferably first size balls (302) and second size balls (304), are stored in each container (102, 104) manually from a common storage bin. The device (100) is supported by an upper support (120) and a lower support (118). The upper support (120) has a height more than the lower support (118). Since the lower support (118) has less height, the balls (302, 304) are transmitted via a first channel (106) and a second channel (108) due to gravity.
The device (100) comprises a first channel (106) having a width equal to the diameter of the first size balls (302) and the second channel (108) has a width equal to the diameter of second size balls (304). In an embodiment, the diameter of the first size balls (302) is 8 mm, whereas the diameter of the second size balls (304) is 4 mm. In an embodiment, each of the first channel (106) and the second channel (108) has a slope reducing from a container side end of the channels (106, 108) towards a receiver side end of the channels (106, 108).
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the device (100) for ball dispensing in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. A first opening (202) and a second opening (204) are entry points for the steel balls (302, 304) to the first and second channels (106, 108) from the first and second containers (102, 104) respectively. The first opening (202) and the second opening (204) are designed such that the first size balls (302) and the second size balls (304) can enter in to the first and second channels (106, 108) one by one. The first channel (106) is configured to receive the plurality of balls (302, 304) from the first container (102) via the first opening (202) configured on the first container (102). The first channel (106) delivers first size balls (302) and has a hole (206) of diameter lesser than the width of the first channel (106) to separate balls having size smaller than the first size balls (302) from the first channel (106). The second channel (108) is configured to receive the second size balls (304) from the second container (104) via the second opening (204) configured on the second container (104). The second opening (204) is configured to allow passing of second size balls (304) therethrough and prevent passing of balls having size larger than the second size balls (304) therethrough. In an embodiment, the first opening (202) has the size which allows passing of balls having diameter of 8 mm, whereas the second opening (204) has the size which allows passing of balls having diameter 4 mm. As it is described here in before, the first and second containers (102, 104) are having balls (302, 304) of different sizes. But the first opening (202) and the second opening (204) are not allowing to pass therethrough the other balls which are higher in size of preferred size. That is, the first opening (202) is not allowing the balls which are higher than 8 mm size to pass therethrough and in the same way, the second opening (204) is not allowing the balls which are higher than 4 mm size to pass therethrough.
The device (100) comprises a receiver (112, 114) arranged at an end of the first channel (106) and the second channel (108). The receivers (112, 114) are configured to deliver a predetermined quantity of the first size balls (302) and predetermined quantity of the second size balls (304).
A first receiver (112) is configured to store a predetermined number of first size balls (302) and a second receiver (114) is configured to store a predetermined number of the second size balls (304). In the present embodiment, the first receiver (112) has the vertical space nearly equal to the size of predetermined number of first size balls (302) preferably four number of first size balls (302) while arranging the first size balls (302) vertically. The second receiver (114) has the space nearly equal to the size of predetermined number of second size balls (304) preferably two number of second size balls (304) if it is arranged vertically. The first receiver (112) is defined parallel to the first channel (106) and the second receiver (114) is defined orthogonal to the second channel (108).
The device (100) comprises a slider (110) arranged between the receivers (112, 114) to discharge the predetermined amount of first size balls (302) and the predetermined amount of second size balls (304). More specifically, the slider (110) is located at bottom side of the first channel (106) and the second channel (108). The slider (110) is configured to discharge the predetermined number of the first size balls (302) from the first channel (106) when the slider (110) is displaced towards the second channel (106), and the predetermined number of the second size balls (304) from the second channel (106) when the slider (110) is displaced towards the first channel (106). The slider (110) is a single piece used to stop the balls (302, 304) in both the first and second channels (106, 108). In an embodiment, the first receiver (112) is configured to receive four first size balls (302) when the slider (110) is displaced towards the second channel (108), and second receiver (114) is configured to receive two second size balls (304) when the slider (110) is displaced towards the first channel (106).
In an embodiment, the slider (110) has an ‘L’ shaped base and a handle (111) connected to the base. A first part (110a) of the slider (110) is configured to move the predetermined number of first size balls (302) accumulated in the first receiver (112) and a second part (110b) of the slider (110) is configured to allow the predetermined number of second size balls (304) to enter into the second receiver (114), when the slider (110) is displaced towards the first channel (106). A second part (110b) of the slider (110) is configured to move the predetermined number of second size balls (304) accumulated in the second receiver (114) and the first part (110a) is configured to allow the predetermined number first size balls (302) to enter into the first receiver (112), when the slider (110) is displaced towards the second channel (108). The handle (111) is attached to the bottom ‘L’ part of the slider (110) which is operated by the user to move the slider (110).
The device (100) includes a first stopper (124) configured to restrict displacement of the slider (110) in the first channel (106) direction, and a second stopper (122) configured to restrict displacement of the slider (110) in the second channel (108) direction.
More specifically, whenever the handle (111) is moved towards first direction (I), i.e., towards the second channel (108), a second stopper (122) is stopping the slider (110), by that the slider (110) opens the first channel (106) and allows the first size balls (302) come out from the first channel (106). By the same way, whenever the handle (111) is moved towards second direction (II), i.e., towards the first channel (106), a first stopper (124) is stopping the slider (110) and allows the second size balls (304) come out from the second channel (108).
The handle (111) is attached to the slider (110) and it is projected upwards from the bottom part of the slider (110). The user can easily hold the slider (110) to move. The bottom ‘L’ part of the slider (110) is passing below the first stopper (124) and it rests the first size balls (302) of the first channel (106). The slider (110) is getting stopped by the first stopper (124) by the handle (111) since it is projected upwards from the bottom ‘L’ part of the slider (110). The top ‘L’ part of the slider (110) is resting the second size balls (304) of the second channel (108). There is a tray (not shown in the figure) at the bottom of the first and second receiver (112, 114) to collect required first and second size balls (302, 304) for completing one assembly operation.
Initially, the user needs to operate the handle (111) first direction (I), second direction (II) and again first direction (I) to get the four first size balls (302) of size 8 mm and two second size balls (304) of size 4 mm for completing one assembly procedure. Whenever the handle (111) moves towards second direction (II), the bottom ‘L’ part of the slider (110) pushes the exact required quantity (for example, 4 balls) of 8mm first size balls (302) in the first receiver (112) and whenever the handle (111) moves towards first direction (I), the top ‘L’ part of the slider (110) pushes the exact required quantity (for example, 2 balls) of 4mm second size balls (304) in the second receiver (114). The user needs to use these 6 steel balls (4 numbers of 8 mm steel balls and 2 numbers of 4 mm steel balls) to complete the assembly procedure of brake actuating assembly in a single step. In another embodiment, this device (100) is made of wood or steel or plastic or other similar material.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the ball dispensing device comprises a container configured to receive the plurality of balls of variable sizes. The container has the first opening configured to allow passing of the first size balls therethrough, and the second opening configured to allow passing of the second size balls therethrough and prevent passing of the first size balls therethrough. The first channel is coupled to the container, and is configured to receive first size balls from the container via the first opening. The first channel delivers the first size balls and has a hole of diameter lesser than the width of the first channel to separate balls having size smaller than the first size balls from the first channel. The second channel is coupled to the container, and is configured to receive the second size balls via the second opening. The receiver is arranged at an end of each of the first channel and the second channel. The receivers are configured to deliver a predetermined quantity of the first size balls and the second size balls. The slider is arranged between the receivers and the ends of channels. The slider is configured to selectively discharge the predetermined amount of the first size balls from the first channel and a predetermined amount of the second size balls from the second channel. A person skilled in the art can easily understand the construction of the aforementioned embodiment. The working of this embodiment is similar to the embodiments described in foregoing paragraphs.
Advantageously, the device (100) of the present invention provides the right size balls (302, 304) in right quantity according to the requirement of assembling the brake actuating assembly, thereby avoiding part elimination, part damage, re-work in the vehicle assembly, assembly time increase.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.
It is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. The exemplary embodiments described in this specification are intended merely to provide an understanding of various manners in which this embodiment may be used and to further enable the skilled person in the relevant art to practice this invention.
Although, the embodiments presented in this disclosure have been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, the skilled person in the art would readily recognize that these embodiments can be applied with modifications possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in this specification by making innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies and assemblies, in terms of their size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.
Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to imply including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.
The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention.
The description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower”, “upper”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “above”, “below”, “up”, “down”, “top”, and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g. “horizontally”, “downwardly”, “upwardly” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion.
These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the corresponding apparatus or device be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected”, refer to a relationship, wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.