US20050072417A1 - Ball throwing apparatus - Google Patents
Ball throwing apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050072417A1 US20050072417A1 US10/610,211 US61021103A US2005072417A1 US 20050072417 A1 US20050072417 A1 US 20050072417A1 US 61021103 A US61021103 A US 61021103A US 2005072417 A1 US2005072417 A1 US 2005072417A1
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- Prior art keywords
- main frame
- frame
- pivoting
- ball
- barrel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/40—Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls or other bodies
- A63B69/406—Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls or other bodies with rotating discs, wheels or pulleys gripping and propelling the balls or bodies by friction
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/40—Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls or other bodies
- A63B2069/402—Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls or other bodies giving spin
Definitions
- This invention relates to the sports of softball and baseball and more particularly to a portable ball throwing apparatus that simulates both batted and pitched balls in these games.
- the ball throwing apparatus may also be adapted to sports such as tennis, as desired.
- the ball throwing apparatus of this invention is characterized by a main frame rotatably mounted on a tripod or a base and having a rotational frame fitted with a pair of rotating tires or wheels and a barrel for ejecting a baseball or softball through the barrel to the rotating tires.
- the tires are independently motor-propelled and the motors may be controlled as to speed, for purposes which will be hereinafter further described.
- the ball throwing apparatus is capable of automatically or manually simulating a batted ball in the vertical pitch, horizontal angle and rotational axis.
- the simulation of a “grounder” or fly ball is effected by pivotal operation of the rotational frame with respect to the main frame to control the vertical pitch angle of the ball, wherein the wheels and rotating drive motors are rotated with the rotational frame to facilitate the desired pitch.
- the positioning of the rotating wheels and thus, the simulated batting of a ball at a selected horizontal angle wherein the ball may be “batted” at any angle from the first base line to the third base line, is effected in the rotation of the main frame about the tripod or base.
- simulation of a pitched knuckle ball, curved ball or the like, as well as a batted ball having a selected “spin”, is effected by rotational movement of the barrel which feeds the ball to the rotating tires, as well as the speed of rotation of the tires.
- Control of the respective attitudes and angles in pitching and batting simulations is typically effected by means of a joystick positioned rearwardly of a ball feed area, which joystick controls the feeding of a baseball or softball through a support collar which houses the rotatable barrel, to the rotating tires.
- a control panel may also be provided, typically forward of the joystick and behind the ball feed area, for automatic operation of the ball throwing apparatus such that the apparatus may be programmed electronically to propel the baseball or softball in a desired sequence of simulated batted or pitched balls, as desired.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a ball throwing apparatus which may be positioned at or near home plate and operated to automatically or manually throw a baseball or softball in a horizontal angle range from the first base line to the third base line and at any selected distance in the outfield at a vertical pitch angle from a fly ball to a grounder and in rotational mode, to simulate balls that are struck with a bat to create a spin, for both infield and outfield practice.
- a still further object of this invention is to provide a ball throwing apparatus which is capable of throwing a baseball or softball, either in pitching or batting mode, any desired distance in a ball park at a desired speed and at a selected vertical pitch angle, horizontal angle and rotational mode.
- Another object of this invention is to provide a ball throwing apparatus which is capable of automatically or manually throwing a baseball a desired distance, either on the ground or in the air at a selected vertical or horizontal angle anywhere in the ball park between the first base line and the third base line and which apparatus may simulate a knuckle ball, curve, slider or the like, when in pitching mode.
- the ball throwing apparatus includes a main frame rotatably attached to a base or tripod, a rotational frame pivotally attached to the main frame and a rotatable barrel for feeding a baseball to a pair of rotating wheels or tires for propulsion of the baseball from the machine.
- a new and improved, portable ball throwing apparatus which is characterized by a main frame rotatably attached to a tripod or base, a pair of rotating ball-throwing tires and corresponding speed-controlled drive motors attached to a rotational frame rotatably attached to the main frame and a barrel rotatably mounted on the rotational frame and fitted on a ball feeding support collar having a joystick for controlling operation of the apparatus, wherein the baseball may be fed through the barrel to the rotating wheels and propelled from the apparatus at any angle from the first base line to the third base line by pivotal or rotational operation of the main frame with respect to the tripod or base.
- the baseball may also be propelled at any pitch or height from a fly ball to a ground ball by operation of the rotational frame with respect to the main frame and the ball may be propelled from the apparatus in a simulated knuckle ball, curve or slider by rotational operation of the barrel and the wheel with respect to the rotational frame.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the ball throwing apparatus of this invention
- FIG. 2 is a rear view of the ball throwing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a top view of the ball throwing apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the rotational frame and arm bracket elements of the apparatus.
- FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the barrel support collar barrel and main frame elements of the ball throwing apparatus of this invention.
- the ball throwing apparatus of this invention is generally illustrated by reference numeral 1 and includes a main frame 2 , fitted with main frame arms 3 that are spanned by a rotational frame 15 .
- Inwardly-extending arm supports 3 a connect the respective main frame arms 3 to a main frame pivot plate 10 , pivotally attached to a tripod 12 by means of a pivot mount plate 11 , as illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- Support legs 13 typically extend from the tripod 12 , as desired, to adjust the height of the ball throwing apparatus 1 .
- a horizontal pivot pin or bolt 4 secured by a nut 5 , extends through each of the main frame arms 3 and anchors in each end of the rotational frame 15 to facilitate pivoting of the rotational frame 15 in a vertical pitch adjustment with respect to the main frame 2 .
- This adjustable vertical pitch arrangement is facilitated by operation of a rotational frame motor or motors 16 , attached to one or each of the main frame arms 3 and fitted with a rotational frame motor gear 17 , which engages a corresponding horizontal pivot gear 4 a connected to the rotational frame 15 .
- operation of the rotational frame motor 16 effects rotation of the rotational frame motor gear 17 and corresponding rotation of the horizontal pivoting gear 4 a , to facilitate vertical pitch adjustment of the rotational frame 15 and parallel arm brackets 6 , illustrated in FIG. 3 .
- a pair of tire motors 31 are mounted on a motor mount plate 32 , attached to a connecting bracket 18 , which is fixed to a barrel 8 for feeding a baseball 34 (illustrated in FIG. 3 ) between the spaced-apart tires 30 , as further illustrated in FIG. 3 .
- the barrel 8 is rotatably seated in a rotational support collar 7 by means of a barrel groove 8 a and a collar set screw 7 a , as illustrated in FIG. 5 .
- a rotational gear 27 is provided on the barrel 8 and is designed to mesh with a corresponding rotational motor gear 29 , driven by a rotational gear motor 28 , as further illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings.
- the rotational gear motor 28 is fixed to a rotational support bracket 14 , which is bolted or otherwise fixed to the main frame 2 , as further illustrated in FIG. 5 . Accordingly, it will be appreciated from a consideration of FIGS. 1 and 5 of the drawings that operation of the rotational gear motor 28 to turn the rotational motor gear 29 and thus, the rotational gear 27 , rotates the barrel 8 within the barrel support collar 7 , as well as the tires 30 and the accompanying tire motors 31 mounted on the motor mount plate 32 .
- the main frame 2 including the rotational frame 15 , tires 30 and tire motors 31 , are pivotable about the mount plate 11 by operation of a main frame motor 10 a , attached to an arm support 3 a , and fitted with a main frame motor gear 10 b which engages a pivot plate gear 11 a attached to the pivot mount plate 11 by means of a gear mount bolt 11 b .
- operation of the main frame motor 10 a in a selected direction effects horizontal rotation of the pivot mount plate 11 by corresponding meshing operation of the main frame motor gear 10 b and the pivot plate gear 11 a to horizontally pivot the entire main frame 2 and rotational frame 15 with the tires 30 , the tire motors 31 into a desired horizontal rotational position, which typically ranges from the first base line to the third base line in a baseball field.
- the joystick 19 having at least one joystick control button 19 b is attached to a joystick mount 19 a , mounted on a joystick support bracket 20 and the control panel 22 is located immediately forward of the joystick 19 and is also typically attached to the joystick support bracket 20 .
- a ball retainer 23 is positioned on the joystick support bracket 20 forward of the control panel 22 and at the base of the barrel support collar 7 , to contact a baseball 34 which is positioned in a ball guide 25 .
- the baseball 34 as so positioned in the ball guide 25 , is prevented from rolling into the barrel support collar 7 and thus, into the connected barrel 8 , by the ball retainer 23 .
- a solenoid loader 24 may also be attached to the control panel 22 immediately rearwardly of the ball guide 25 and having a solenoid arm 24 a projecting from the solenoid loader 24 into the ball guide 25 to engage the baseball 34 , as further illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- the ball throwing apparatus 1 of this invention may be operated in manual or automatic mode, as desired.
- manual mode and referring again to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, a baseball 34 is first loaded in the ball guide 25 , as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 .
- the joystick 19 is then gripped by a user and the appropriate joystick control button 19 b is pressed, to control either the vertical pitch, horizontal rotation or rotational operation of the ball throwing apparatus 1 , as desired.
- the main frame 2 is typically pivotally adjusted on the tripod 12 by operation of the main frame motor 10 a , as heretofore described to facilitate facing of the barrel 8 toward center field or elsewhere between the first base line and the third base line.
- the rotational frame 15 and the tires 30 , as well as the tire motors 31 can then be pivoted or rotated with respect to the main frame 2 by operation of the rotational frame motor 16 , to typically aim the barrel 8 at a desired vertical pitch for throwing the baseball 34 in a high arc, typically to center field.
- the appropriate joystick control button 19 b is then pressed to effect operation of the solenoid loader 24 , extend the solenoid arm 24 a sharply against the baseball 34 and force the ball retainer 23 downwardly and the baseball 34 into the barrel support collar 7 and the barrel 8 , where it is engaged by the rotating tires 30 and propelled in a high arc to center field.
- the vertical pitch of the barrel 8 can be adjusted downwardly by again operating the joystick 19 to activate the rotational frame motor 16 in the opposite direction and pivot the rotational frame 15 , as well as the tires 30 and the tire motors 31 , downwardly to a desired position, wherein a second baseball 34 which has been positioned in the ball guide 25 into the barrel 8 can be propelled at a lower vertical pitch, such that the ball strikes the ground at a selected point from the ball throwing apparatus 1 .
- the joystick 19 is used to operate the rotational gear motor 28 and rotate the barrel 8 , as well as the tires 30 and tire motors 31 , such that the tires 30 are oriented at a selected angle with respect to the horizontal.
- the speed of rotation of the tires 30 can then be independently adjusted by adjusting the appropriate tire motor 31 using the respective joystick control button 19 b on the joystick 19 , such that the baseball 34 is ejected as described above, with a spin imparted in the selected direction by the adjusted dissimilar rotational speeds of the tires 30 .
- the baseball 34 can be made to simulate a knuckle ball, “slider”, curve ball or a like pitch, with practice.
- the ball throwing apparatus 1 of this invention is versatile and is highly useful as both a batting and pitching simulator due to the versatility of the operational modes. These modes can be automated electronically according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art, such that one might grasp the joystick 19 and press the joystick control button 19 b that automates the apparatus, wherein a baseball 34 may be propelled at a selected vertical pitch, horizontal angle and rotational orientation of the ball throwing apparatus 1 , which attitude or attitudes have been preset in the control panel 22 or elsewhere in the ball throwing apparatus 1 .
- a vertical hopper (not illustrated) can be mounted on the ball guide 25 to facilitate loading multiple baseballs 34 for automatic or manual propulsion from the barrel 8 by operation of the rotating tires 30 , as desired.
- a ball collection net can be provided on the ball throwing apparatus 1 to catch the ball and route it back to the tires.
- the ball throwing apparatus 1 of this invention can be operated in both manual and automatic mode, as both a pitching and batting simulator.
- the ball throwing apparatus 1 is light in weight, portable, easy to use and may incorporate visual and audible alarm or warning devices, as desired.
- pressure exerted by the baseball 34 on the ball retainer 23 may activate a light and/or a visual alarm (not illustrated), to notify the recipients of the baseball 34 that propulsion of the baseball 34 from the ball throwing apparatus 1 is imminent.
- a timing device (not illustrated) may also be incorporated in the ball throwing apparatus 1 to facilitate propulsion of the baseball 34 from the barrel 8 only after one or more audible sounds and/or visual blinking or constant lights are activated.
- joystick 19 can be replaced by the net or other mechanisms, as desired.
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Abstract
A portable ball throwing apparatus which is capable of throwing a ball at a selected vertical pitch, horizontal angle and rotational angle by operation of a pair of rotating wheels or tires powered by corresponding reversible motors. The ball throwing apparatus is characterized by a main frame pivotally attached to a tripod or a base to facilitate horizontal angle control and simulated batting of a baseball or a softball. A rotational frame is attached to the main frame to facilitate vertical pitch control and simulation of the batting of fly balls or grounders. The barrel that receives the baseball or a softball and feeds the ball to the rotating tires or wheels is also rotatable inside a support collar attached to the rotational frame to facilitate both pitching of knuckle balls, curve balls and the like and batting of balls having various spin characteristics.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention relates to the sports of softball and baseball and more particularly to a portable ball throwing apparatus that simulates both batted and pitched balls in these games. The ball throwing apparatus may also be adapted to sports such as tennis, as desired. In a preferred embodiment the ball throwing apparatus of this invention is characterized by a main frame rotatably mounted on a tripod or a base and having a rotational frame fitted with a pair of rotating tires or wheels and a barrel for ejecting a baseball or softball through the barrel to the rotating tires. The tires are independently motor-propelled and the motors may be controlled as to speed, for purposes which will be hereinafter further described. The ball throwing apparatus is capable of automatically or manually simulating a batted ball in the vertical pitch, horizontal angle and rotational axis. The simulation of a “grounder” or fly ball is effected by pivotal operation of the rotational frame with respect to the main frame to control the vertical pitch angle of the ball, wherein the wheels and rotating drive motors are rotated with the rotational frame to facilitate the desired pitch. The positioning of the rotating wheels and thus, the simulated batting of a ball at a selected horizontal angle wherein the ball may be “batted” at any angle from the first base line to the third base line, is effected in the rotation of the main frame about the tripod or base. Furthermore, simulation of a pitched knuckle ball, curved ball or the like, as well as a batted ball having a selected “spin”, is effected by rotational movement of the barrel which feeds the ball to the rotating tires, as well as the speed of rotation of the tires.
- Control of the respective attitudes and angles in pitching and batting simulations is typically effected by means of a joystick positioned rearwardly of a ball feed area, which joystick controls the feeding of a baseball or softball through a support collar which houses the rotatable barrel, to the rotating tires. A control panel may also be provided, typically forward of the joystick and behind the ball feed area, for automatic operation of the ball throwing apparatus such that the apparatus may be programmed electronically to propel the baseball or softball in a desired sequence of simulated batted or pitched balls, as desired.
- One of the problems inherent in the game of baseball and softball is that of accurately batting baseballs and softballs to infielders and outfielders during practice sessions. These sessions are typically undertaken by a coach or coaches who toss the baseball or softball into the air and bat it to a desired position, either in the air or on the ground, as the exercise may require. In these sessions, the baseball or softball may not be placed exactly as the batter intended and might therefore not produce the desired challenge to the outfielder or infielder for a satisfying practice round. Furthermore, during pitching and batting practice, only a limited number of pitches can be thrown by any given pitcher to multiple batters. This limitation necessitates the use of a second pitcher and a third and so on, depending upon the length of time required for the pitching and batting practice exercise.
- Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a ball throwing apparatus which will automatically throw a baseball or softball a desired distance in a desired direction at a desired angle to facilitate outfield and infield baseball and softball practice.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a ball throwing apparatus which may be positioned at or near home plate and operated to automatically or manually throw a baseball or softball in a horizontal angle range from the first base line to the third base line and at any selected distance in the outfield at a vertical pitch angle from a fly ball to a grounder and in rotational mode, to simulate balls that are struck with a bat to create a spin, for both infield and outfield practice.
- A still further object of this invention is to provide a ball throwing apparatus which is capable of throwing a baseball or softball, either in pitching or batting mode, any desired distance in a ball park at a desired speed and at a selected vertical pitch angle, horizontal angle and rotational mode.
- Another object of this invention is to provide a ball throwing apparatus which is capable of automatically or manually throwing a baseball a desired distance, either on the ground or in the air at a selected vertical or horizontal angle anywhere in the ball park between the first base line and the third base line and which apparatus may simulate a knuckle ball, curve, slider or the like, when in pitching mode. The ball throwing apparatus includes a main frame rotatably attached to a base or tripod, a rotational frame pivotally attached to the main frame and a rotatable barrel for feeding a baseball to a pair of rotating wheels or tires for propulsion of the baseball from the machine.
- These and other objects of the invention are provided in a new and improved, portable ball throwing apparatus which is characterized by a main frame rotatably attached to a tripod or base, a pair of rotating ball-throwing tires and corresponding speed-controlled drive motors attached to a rotational frame rotatably attached to the main frame and a barrel rotatably mounted on the rotational frame and fitted on a ball feeding support collar having a joystick for controlling operation of the apparatus, wherein the baseball may be fed through the barrel to the rotating wheels and propelled from the apparatus at any angle from the first base line to the third base line by pivotal or rotational operation of the main frame with respect to the tripod or base. The baseball may also be propelled at any pitch or height from a fly ball to a ground ball by operation of the rotational frame with respect to the main frame and the ball may be propelled from the apparatus in a simulated knuckle ball, curve or slider by rotational operation of the barrel and the wheel with respect to the rotational frame.
- The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the ball throwing apparatus of this invention; -
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the ball throwing apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a top view of the ball throwing apparatus illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the rotational frame and arm bracket elements of the apparatus; and -
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the barrel support collar barrel and main frame elements of the ball throwing apparatus of this invention. - Referring to the drawings and initially to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , the ball throwing apparatus of this invention is generally illustrated by reference numeral 1 and includes amain frame 2, fitted withmain frame arms 3 that are spanned by arotational frame 15. Inwardly-extending arm supports 3 a connect the respectivemain frame arms 3 to a mainframe pivot plate 10, pivotally attached to atripod 12 by means of a pivot mount plate 11, as illustrated inFIG. 2 .Support legs 13 typically extend from thetripod 12, as desired, to adjust the height of the ball throwing apparatus 1. A horizontal pivot pin orbolt 4, secured by anut 5, extends through each of themain frame arms 3 and anchors in each end of therotational frame 15 to facilitate pivoting of therotational frame 15 in a vertical pitch adjustment with respect to themain frame 2. This adjustable vertical pitch arrangement is facilitated by operation of a rotational frame motor ormotors 16, attached to one or each of themain frame arms 3 and fitted with a rotationalframe motor gear 17, which engages a correspondinghorizontal pivot gear 4 a connected to therotational frame 15. Accordingly, as hereinafter further described, operation of therotational frame motor 16 effects rotation of the rotationalframe motor gear 17 and corresponding rotation of thehorizontal pivoting gear 4 a, to facilitate vertical pitch adjustment of therotational frame 15 andparallel arm brackets 6, illustrated inFIG. 3 . - As further illustrated in
FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, a pair oftire motors 31 are mounted on amotor mount plate 32, attached to a connectingbracket 18, which is fixed to abarrel 8 for feeding a baseball 34 (illustrated inFIG. 3 ) between the spaced-apart tires 30, as further illustrated inFIG. 3 . Referring again toFIGS. 3-5 of the drawings, thebarrel 8 is rotatably seated in arotational support collar 7 by means of abarrel groove 8 a and acollar set screw 7 a, as illustrated inFIG. 5 . Furthermore, arotational gear 27 is provided on thebarrel 8 and is designed to mesh with a correspondingrotational motor gear 29, driven by arotational gear motor 28, as further illustrated inFIG. 5 of the drawings. Therotational gear motor 28 is fixed to arotational support bracket 14, which is bolted or otherwise fixed to themain frame 2, as further illustrated inFIG. 5 . Accordingly, it will be appreciated from a consideration ofFIGS. 1 and 5 of the drawings that operation of therotational gear motor 28 to turn therotational motor gear 29 and thus, therotational gear 27, rotates thebarrel 8 within thebarrel support collar 7, as well as thetires 30 and the accompanyingtire motors 31 mounted on themotor mount plate 32. - As further illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, themain frame 2, including therotational frame 15,tires 30 andtire motors 31, are pivotable about the mount plate 11 by operation of amain frame motor 10 a, attached to anarm support 3 a, and fitted with a mainframe motor gear 10 b which engages a pivot plate gear 11 a attached to the pivot mount plate 11 by means of a gear mount bolt 11 b. Accordingly, operation of themain frame motor 10 a in a selected direction effects horizontal rotation of the pivot mount plate 11 by corresponding meshing operation of the mainframe motor gear 10 b and the pivot plate gear 11 a to horizontally pivot the entiremain frame 2 androtational frame 15 with thetires 30, thetire motors 31 into a desired horizontal rotational position, which typically ranges from the first base line to the third base line in a baseball field. - Referring again to
FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, in a preferred embodiment of the invention thejoystick 19, having at least one joystick control button 19 b is attached to ajoystick mount 19 a, mounted on ajoystick support bracket 20 and thecontrol panel 22 is located immediately forward of thejoystick 19 and is also typically attached to thejoystick support bracket 20. Aball retainer 23 is positioned on thejoystick support bracket 20 forward of thecontrol panel 22 and at the base of thebarrel support collar 7, to contact abaseball 34 which is positioned in aball guide 25. Thebaseball 34, as so positioned in theball guide 25, is prevented from rolling into thebarrel support collar 7 and thus, into the connectedbarrel 8, by theball retainer 23. Asolenoid loader 24 may also be attached to thecontrol panel 22 immediately rearwardly of theball guide 25 and having a solenoid arm 24 a projecting from thesolenoid loader 24 into theball guide 25 to engage thebaseball 34, as further illustrated inFIG. 1 . - In operation, the ball throwing apparatus 1 of this invention may be operated in manual or automatic mode, as desired. When in manual mode, and referring again to
FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, abaseball 34 is first loaded in theball guide 25, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3 . Thejoystick 19 is then gripped by a user and the appropriate joystick control button 19 b is pressed, to control either the vertical pitch, horizontal rotation or rotational operation of the ball throwing apparatus 1, as desired. For example, if the ball throwing apparatus 1 is located at or near home plate to simulate a batter for fielding practice, themain frame 2 is typically pivotally adjusted on thetripod 12 by operation of themain frame motor 10 a, as heretofore described to facilitate facing of thebarrel 8 toward center field or elsewhere between the first base line and the third base line. Therotational frame 15 and thetires 30, as well as thetire motors 31, can then be pivoted or rotated with respect to themain frame 2 by operation of therotational frame motor 16, to typically aim thebarrel 8 at a desired vertical pitch for throwing thebaseball 34 in a high arc, typically to center field. The appropriate joystick control button 19 b is then pressed to effect operation of thesolenoid loader 24, extend the solenoid arm 24 a sharply against thebaseball 34 and force theball retainer 23 downwardly and thebaseball 34 into thebarrel support collar 7 and thebarrel 8, where it is engaged by the rotatingtires 30 and propelled in a high arc to center field. - If ground ball practice is desired, the vertical pitch of the
barrel 8 can be adjusted downwardly by again operating thejoystick 19 to activate therotational frame motor 16 in the opposite direction and pivot therotational frame 15, as well as thetires 30 and thetire motors 31, downwardly to a desired position, wherein asecond baseball 34 which has been positioned in theball guide 25 into thebarrel 8 can be propelled at a lower vertical pitch, such that the ball strikes the ground at a selected point from the ball throwing apparatus 1. - Under circumstances where it is desired to set the ball throwing apparatus 1 up as a pitching device or as a batting device wherein the
baseball 34 is ejected or propelled from thebarrel 8 with a spin of selected proportions, thejoystick 19 is used to operate therotational gear motor 28 and rotate thebarrel 8, as well as thetires 30 andtire motors 31, such that thetires 30 are oriented at a selected angle with respect to the horizontal. The speed of rotation of thetires 30 can then be independently adjusted by adjusting theappropriate tire motor 31 using the respective joystick control button 19 b on thejoystick 19, such that thebaseball 34 is ejected as described above, with a spin imparted in the selected direction by the adjusted dissimilar rotational speeds of thetires 30. Accordingly, using this adjustment of the ball throwing apparatus 1, thebaseball 34 can be made to simulate a knuckle ball, “slider”, curve ball or a like pitch, with practice. - It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the ball throwing apparatus 1 of this invention is versatile and is highly useful as both a batting and pitching simulator due to the versatility of the operational modes. These modes can be automated electronically according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art, such that one might grasp the
joystick 19 and press the joystick control button 19 b that automates the apparatus, wherein abaseball 34 may be propelled at a selected vertical pitch, horizontal angle and rotational orientation of the ball throwing apparatus 1, which attitude or attitudes have been preset in thecontrol panel 22 or elsewhere in the ball throwing apparatus 1. Furthermore, it will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a vertical hopper (not illustrated) can be mounted on theball guide 25 to facilitate loadingmultiple baseballs 34 for automatic or manual propulsion from thebarrel 8 by operation of the rotatingtires 30, as desired. Alternatively, a ball collection net can be provided on the ball throwing apparatus 1 to catch the ball and route it back to the tires. - It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that the ball throwing apparatus 1 of this invention can be operated in both manual and automatic mode, as both a pitching and batting simulator. The ball throwing apparatus 1 is light in weight, portable, easy to use and may incorporate visual and audible alarm or warning devices, as desired. For example, when the
baseball 34 is loaded into theball guide 25, pressure exerted by thebaseball 34 on theball retainer 23 may activate a light and/or a visual alarm (not illustrated), to notify the recipients of thebaseball 34 that propulsion of thebaseball 34 from the ball throwing apparatus 1 is imminent. A timing device (not illustrated) may also be incorporated in the ball throwing apparatus 1 to facilitate propulsion of thebaseball 34 from thebarrel 8 only after one or more audible sounds and/or visual blinking or constant lights are activated. - It is also understood that the
joystick 19 can be replaced by the net or other mechanisms, as desired. - While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (13)
1. A ball throwing apparatus comprising a main frame; a pivoting frame pivotally connected to said main frame and a frame pivoting motor engaging said main frame and said pivoting frame for pivoting said pivoting frame with respect to said main frame: a barrel carried by said pivoting frame; and a pair of tires journalled for rotation on said pivoting frame for propelling a ball from said barrel to a selected target responsive to rotation of said tires.
2. The ball throwing apparatus of claim 1 comprising at least one tire motor engaging said tires for rotating said tires.
3. The ball throwing apparatus of claim 1 comprising a barrel rotation motor engaging said barrel for rotating said barrel with respect to said main frame.
4. (canceled)
5. The ball throwing apparatus of claim 1 comprising:
(a) at least one tire motor engaging said tires for rotating said tires; and
(b) a barrel rotation motor engaging said barrel for rotating said barrel with respect to said main frame [; and
(c) a pivoting frame rotatably connected to said main frame and a frame pivoting motor engaging said main frame and said pivoting frame for pivoting said pivoting frame with respect to said main frame].
6. The ball throwing apparatus of claim 1 comprising a tripod pivotally carrying said main frame.
7. The ball throwing apparatus of claim 6 comprising a main frame pivot motor carried by said main frame and engaging said tripod for pivoting said main frame with respect to said tripod.
8. The ball throwing apparatus of claim 7 comprising:
(a) at least one tire motor engaging said tires for rotating said tires; and
(b) a barrel rotation motor engaging said barrel for rotating said barrel with respect to said main frame; [and
(c) a pivoting frame rotatably connected to said main frame and a frame pivoting motor engaging said main frame and said pivoting frame for pivoting said pivoting frame with respect to said main frame.]
9. The ball throwing apparatus of claim 8 comprising a main frame pivot motor carried by said main frame and engaging said tripod for pivoting said main frame with respect to said tripod.
10. A ball throwing apparatus comprising a main frame; a pivoting frame rotatable connected to said main frame and a frame pivoting motor engaging said main frame and said pivoting frame for pivoting said pivoting frame with respect to said main frame; a barrel rotatably and pivotally carried by said pivoting frame; a tripod pivotally carrying said main frame; a pair of tire motors carried by said pivoting frame; and a pair of tires journalled for rotation on said tire motors, respectively, for propelling a ball from said barrel to a selected target responsive to rotation of said tires.
11. The ball throwing apparatus of claim 10 comprising a main frame pivot motor carried by said main frame and engaging said tripod for pivoting said main frame with respect to said tripod.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/610,211 US20050072417A1 (en) | 2003-06-30 | 2003-06-30 | Ball throwing apparatus |
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US10/610,211 US20050072417A1 (en) | 2003-06-30 | 2003-06-30 | Ball throwing apparatus |
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US20050072417A1 true US20050072417A1 (en) | 2005-04-07 |
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US10/610,211 Abandoned US20050072417A1 (en) | 2003-06-30 | 2003-06-30 | Ball throwing apparatus |
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US (1) | US20050072417A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130109510A1 (en) * | 2011-11-01 | 2013-05-02 | Douglas L. Boehner | System and Method to Pitch Fooballs |
US20140261363A1 (en) * | 2013-03-18 | 2014-09-18 | Sheng-Hsiao Lu | Ball pitching machine |
US20180065020A1 (en) * | 2016-09-07 | 2018-03-08 | Realyagu Zone Co. Ltd. | Screen baseball system including screen shutter |
US20190232145A1 (en) * | 2016-05-24 | 2019-08-01 | Monarc Inc. | Delivery system for targeted launching of sports projectile |
CN112237729A (en) * | 2019-07-17 | 2021-01-19 | 盐城工学院 | Tennis transmitter |
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US3194556A (en) * | 1962-08-16 | 1965-07-13 | George R Vinson | Baseball pitcher's aid |
US3713658A (en) * | 1970-11-20 | 1973-01-30 | J Cook | Ball throwing and receiving system |
US3918711A (en) * | 1974-01-14 | 1975-11-11 | Thomas J Zak | Tennis training ball target and projector |
US4002336A (en) * | 1975-05-12 | 1977-01-11 | Dennis Beaver | Table tennis training device |
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US4241717A (en) * | 1978-05-30 | 1980-12-30 | Maurice Mariani | Oscillating flight control device for a ball projecting machine |
US4250862A (en) * | 1978-07-31 | 1981-02-17 | Richard Speer | Ball projecting device capable of providing spin |
US4291665A (en) * | 1979-10-26 | 1981-09-29 | Prince Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Propulsion device for spherical objects having an oscillating support frame providing a programmed discharge of said objects |
US4323048A (en) * | 1980-07-17 | 1982-04-06 | Kabushiki Kaisha Tokiwa Seisakusho | Ball shooting machine for volleyball practice |
US4372283A (en) * | 1981-05-14 | 1983-02-08 | Balka Jr William J | Ball serving apparatus having independently operating horizontal and vertical firing barrel oscillating means |
US4517953A (en) * | 1982-05-06 | 1985-05-21 | Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. | Ball throwing machine |
US4570607A (en) * | 1983-08-18 | 1986-02-18 | Stokes Gilbert A | Tennis ball throwing machine with continuously rotatable barrel having friction strip on one side only of inner wall |
US4632088A (en) * | 1983-02-28 | 1986-12-30 | Bruce Norman R | Ball throwing apparatus |
US4883272A (en) * | 1988-05-02 | 1989-11-28 | Lay William C | Ball catching frame with ball expelling machine connected thereto |
US5064194A (en) * | 1991-01-18 | 1991-11-12 | Bixler Dickie R | Apparatus for use in practicing pitching of baseballs |
US5133548A (en) * | 1990-12-11 | 1992-07-28 | Bedord Ii Joseph P | Pitching trainer with automatic ball return |
US5464208A (en) * | 1994-10-03 | 1995-11-07 | Wnan, Inc. | Programmable baseball pitching apparatus |
-
2003
- 2003-06-30 US US10/610,211 patent/US20050072417A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US3194556A (en) * | 1962-08-16 | 1965-07-13 | George R Vinson | Baseball pitcher's aid |
US3713658A (en) * | 1970-11-20 | 1973-01-30 | J Cook | Ball throwing and receiving system |
US3918711A (en) * | 1974-01-14 | 1975-11-11 | Thomas J Zak | Tennis training ball target and projector |
US4021037A (en) * | 1975-04-03 | 1977-05-03 | Torbet Philip A | Tennis practice machine |
US4002336A (en) * | 1975-05-12 | 1977-01-11 | Dennis Beaver | Table tennis training device |
US4241717A (en) * | 1978-05-30 | 1980-12-30 | Maurice Mariani | Oscillating flight control device for a ball projecting machine |
US4250862A (en) * | 1978-07-31 | 1981-02-17 | Richard Speer | Ball projecting device capable of providing spin |
US4233953A (en) * | 1978-10-30 | 1980-11-18 | Prince Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Propulsion device for tennis balls and like spherical objects having an improved programmed discharge of the oscillatory type |
US4291665A (en) * | 1979-10-26 | 1981-09-29 | Prince Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Propulsion device for spherical objects having an oscillating support frame providing a programmed discharge of said objects |
US4323048A (en) * | 1980-07-17 | 1982-04-06 | Kabushiki Kaisha Tokiwa Seisakusho | Ball shooting machine for volleyball practice |
US4372283A (en) * | 1981-05-14 | 1983-02-08 | Balka Jr William J | Ball serving apparatus having independently operating horizontal and vertical firing barrel oscillating means |
US4517953A (en) * | 1982-05-06 | 1985-05-21 | Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. | Ball throwing machine |
US4632088A (en) * | 1983-02-28 | 1986-12-30 | Bruce Norman R | Ball throwing apparatus |
US4570607A (en) * | 1983-08-18 | 1986-02-18 | Stokes Gilbert A | Tennis ball throwing machine with continuously rotatable barrel having friction strip on one side only of inner wall |
US4883272A (en) * | 1988-05-02 | 1989-11-28 | Lay William C | Ball catching frame with ball expelling machine connected thereto |
US5133548A (en) * | 1990-12-11 | 1992-07-28 | Bedord Ii Joseph P | Pitching trainer with automatic ball return |
US5064194A (en) * | 1991-01-18 | 1991-11-12 | Bixler Dickie R | Apparatus for use in practicing pitching of baseballs |
US5464208A (en) * | 1994-10-03 | 1995-11-07 | Wnan, Inc. | Programmable baseball pitching apparatus |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130109510A1 (en) * | 2011-11-01 | 2013-05-02 | Douglas L. Boehner | System and Method to Pitch Fooballs |
US8932156B2 (en) * | 2011-11-01 | 2015-01-13 | Sports Attack, Inc. | System and method to pitch fooballs |
US20140261363A1 (en) * | 2013-03-18 | 2014-09-18 | Sheng-Hsiao Lu | Ball pitching machine |
US9050520B2 (en) * | 2013-03-18 | 2015-06-09 | Sheng-Hsiao Lu | Ball pitching machine |
US20190232145A1 (en) * | 2016-05-24 | 2019-08-01 | Monarc Inc. | Delivery system for targeted launching of sports projectile |
US10709953B2 (en) * | 2016-05-24 | 2020-07-14 | Monarc Inc. | Delivery system for targeted launching of sports projectile |
US11110335B2 (en) | 2016-05-24 | 2021-09-07 | Monarc Inc. | Delivery system for targeted launching of sports projectile |
US20180065020A1 (en) * | 2016-09-07 | 2018-03-08 | Realyagu Zone Co. Ltd. | Screen baseball system including screen shutter |
CN107789816A (en) * | 2016-09-07 | 2018-03-13 | 里尔野球带有限公司 | Screen baseball system including screen shield |
US10350476B2 (en) * | 2016-09-07 | 2019-07-16 | Realyagu Zone Co., Ltd. | Screen baseball system including screen shutter |
CN112237729A (en) * | 2019-07-17 | 2021-01-19 | 盐城工学院 | Tennis transmitter |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE |