FR2493160A1 - Automatic omnidirectional tennis ball thrower for training - has electronic processor controlling gimbal support pivotable for remote adjustment of trajectory - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatic tennis ball thrower allows various trajectories to be used by virte of a preset programme without user intervention using pulse transmission to a receiver controlling the changes. The thrower has a fixed base (1) supporting a platform (2) on which a fixed colmn (3) coaxially supports a rotatable column (7) driven through a wheel (5) by a motor (4). The rotatable column carries at its upper end two vertical limbs of a fork which in turn rotatably supports a horizontal arm (11) on which the ball tubes (8) are rigidly secured. The horizontal arm is angularly adjustable by a further electric motor on the rotatable column. The effect is a gimbal type support for the tubes allowing their adjustment about horizontal and vertical axes.

Description

 The object of the invention relates to an omnidirectional automatic ball-throwing device for tennis training.

 I1 is intended to allow the obtaining of a succession of trajectories of pre-established balls without the intervention of an operator by prior adjustment by means of an electronic programming transmitted to the launcher device characterizing the invention.

 Until now, mechanical ball launchers consisted of manually adjustable devices with stabilized trajectory, which could only be changed by directional or even power modification, the receiver thus repeated the same gesture an indefinite number of times in the same position.

 The device according to the invention eliminates these drawbacks and allows by a launcher distributor, the practical application of an electronic programming previously established for the execution of a part with all the variants of tra lectories and opposite effects approaching of the reality of a part to the degree adapted to the capacity of the user, but with an automatic execution without the intervention of the monitor.

 It consists of a launcher adjustable in elevation, in azimuth, and with variable power and trajectory, including the projection tubes with or without heliordord generating effects.

In the accompanying drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example, of one of the embodiments of the subject of the invention:
Figure 1 shows the apparatus as a whole seen in elevation.

 Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a launcher tube provided with a helicoid.

 FIG. 3 represents the grouping of smooth launching tubes and with grooves generating effects in opposite directions.

 The launcher device is mounted on a fixed, transportable and stabilized base 1, which is placed in a determined location on the surface of the tennis court on the opposite side of the net from the space occupied by the one carrying out the training. .

 On this base is fixed a platform 2 supporting a fixed column 3, and on a bracket the motor 4.

 At the upper part of the fixed column 3 is mounted a freely rotating vertical bearing integral with the disc 5 driven by means of a pulley or chain by the gear 6.

 The disc 5 is integral with the column 7 on which is mounted or are mounted the launching tubes 8, 9, 10 juxtaposed or superimposed.

 The axial tube 8 is supported by a fork / axle system 11, the axle of which is connected to the gear 12 driven in a rotational movement for vertical adjustment by the motor 13, itself mounted on the swiveling column 7 which ensures horizontal adjustment. The independent revolution motor 13 is connected to the carrier axis 11 by transmission gears with predetermined multiplier ratios.

 At the upper part of the tubes are placed the bale supply magazines 14 which operate according to the devices known in the art.

 The projection of the balls is preferably pneumatic with admission of compressed air 17.

 The casing 15 protecting the launcher is spherical and supported by the base 1.

 An opening 18, which can be closed by an eclipsable closure 16, is placed at the front part. This aerodynamic spherical casing avoids an adjustment of the positioning of the device in case of wind. It also protects it from the weather.

 The launching power is preset as well as the directions combined in the three dimensions, height, depth and width, so that the tubes sweep the whole ground by pre-established trajectories.

 The axial tube 8 provides direct launch. The tubes 9, 10 with rifled barrels 9 ', 10' giving the balls left or right effects exactly as a player obtains them with his racket by hitting the ball.

 The purpose of this launcher is to reproduce shots of tennis training balls at all stages that may be suitable for beginners and professionals alike.

 We can thus reproduce the games of all the champions to whom the one who carries out the training will be opposed so as to get used to his shots before the match.

 This automatic and omnidirectional bullet launcher has the possibility of mechanically retransmitting the memories containing the trajectory characteristics and of reproducing under the control of a computer a series of varied shots fired beforehand by the user without the intermediary of an operator .

 The electronic system can for this purpose preferably be constituted by input keyboards of the computer and random generators, generating and introducing the characteristics of the trajectories of shots in a program calculator connected to the cassette player-recorder providing secondary information, corrected or not by the computer, to the automation system actuating the four transmitting receivers 6, 13, 14, 17.

 Various known systems can be adapted to this omnidirectional launcher receiver which transmits with precision the pulses previously programmed and indefinitely reusable, just like a disco collection.

 However, the shapes, dimensions and arrangements of the various elements may vary within the limit of the equivalents, as moreover the materials used for their manufacture without changing the general conception of the invention which has just been described.

Claims (5)

 10 Automatic ball launching device for tennis training allowing the obtaining of a succession of ball trajectories with or without effects, with execution of a preset program without operator intervention with electronic transmission of pulses to the receiver executing omnidirectional changes of directions and variations in projection power, characterized by the combination of a fixed base (1) supporting on a platform (2), a column (3) with motor (4) connected to a column (7) swiveling on its vertical base supporting by one axis / fork (11), the launching tubes (8, 9, 10).  20 Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the support for the launching tubes (8, 9, 10) is mounted on an axis / fork oscillating in the vertical plane and connected by a gear driven by a motor (13) with appropriate gear reduction and independent revolution.  30 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the launching tubes preferably consist of a smooth tube (8) and tubes (9, 10) provided with helical grooves (9 ', 10') each being connected to a launcher adjustable (12) with compressed air trigger.  40 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the motors (4, 13) and the launching of the launcher by the pressure distributor (17) and the bale supply (14) are connected to a programmed electronic system, with random generator keyboards, program calculator and others  elements adapted to the new application.  50 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each tube (8, 9, 10) is supplied by a conventional bale distributor and that the whole apparatus is protected by a spherical casing open at its front part ( 18) and which can be closed using a door (16).