GB2587630A

GB2587630A - Improved ball launcher

Info

Publication number: GB2587630A
Application number: GB1914177.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Larke Sam
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-10-01
Filing date: 2019-10-01
Publication date: 2021-04-07
Also published as: GB201914177D0

Abstract

A ball launcher with a motor 11 that drives a worm 10 and worm wheel 7, a gear wheel 6 and a firing arm 5. A helical spring 8 is attached at one end to the firing arm and at the other end to the housing. The motor drives rotation of the worm wheel which meshes and rotates the gear wheel. The gear wheel is attached to the firing arm, rotation of the firing arm from a rest position pulls against the tension in the spring. The worm wheel has a smooth toothless section (15, figure 6) which allows the gear wheel to rotate freely under the contraction of the spring when the portion without teeth is reached by the gear wheel. This pulls the firing arm back to the rest position where it kicks a ball. The housing has wheels and a detachable container for queuing balls to be launched. The angle of ball delivery and trajectory can be adjusted. The ball launcher can launch multiple balls consecutively without user intervention.

Description

BALL LAUNCHER.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to ball sports and provides a mechanical device for launching balls for use in games, training and related catching and kicking activities. The invention is useful for physical activities using balls as it provides a device that can offer repeated launching of a number of balls at consistent pre-set forces to develop skills training.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In many ball sports it is desirable to be able to repeatedly and consistently launch a ball related to that sport for both training drills and games. Generally this cannot be achieved by a person launching a ball to another person as people are incapable of repeatedly and consistently launching a ball in an identical manner. Furthermore, in some situations it is desirable to have a machine launch a ball to allow a single person to train or play a ball game. As a result of this opportunity prior to a session a coach or personal trainer may programme the ball launching machine and instruct the ball recipient as to the drills to be undertaken for the duration of that session, which may free up a personal trainer or coach to attend to another person during the same time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Many ball launching devices are large, sophisticated and expensive machines engineered to be used by professional sportspeople, For example, complex ball launching devices for cricket training capable of replicating specific bowling actions, including spin and pace bowling are available. Many current ball launching devices are electronically powered and capable of delivering balls long distances at high speeds. There are ball launching devices that are capable of launching many different types of balls, including, but not limited to, footballs, American footballs, Australian footballs, baseballs, softballs, cricket balls, tennis balls, rugby balls, basketballs and golf balls. Some ball launching devices are specific to one type and size of ball. Other ball launching devices are capable of launching different types and/or sizes of ball Although many ball launching devices are complex and powerful and engineered for use by professionals, there is a need for small, simple and portable ball launching devices that can be used by individuals, families and schools for training and for games. Such ball launching devices need only be capable of working with a single type or size of ball and need not be powerful. Generally, such a ball launching device need only launch a ball a relatively short distance and only a few metres in the air and should be mechanically simple in order to allow it to work without difficulty.

EP2437861 discloses a relatively simple mechanical football launcher comprising a spring mounted throwing arm that can be cocked and released by a user to launch a ball. The throwing arm comprises a ball launching portion in which a ball can be positioned. In order to launch a ball it is necessary for a user to both cock and release the throwing arm. There is no mechanism by which a ball can be automatically launched. As a result, in order to use the device of EP2437861 it is necessary to have at least one person operating the device at all times.

Further examples of mechanical ball launchers that require constant operation by a user are disclosed in US5249564, GB654816, US3951125, US3977386, US8176905 and US3926170.

US4122822 discloses a football launcher that is capable of launching a large number of footballs in succession. The footballs are contained in a ball hopper that gravity-feeds the balls to a ball launching platform. The balls are launched from the ball launching platform by an adjustable striking arm that is powered by a motor via a cam that acts to 'kick' the football off the ball launching platform. A drawback to this device is its unnecessary complexity in adjustability and replication of a person's kicking motion. Further examples of mechanical ball launchers that are somewhat over-engineered for individual use are disclosed in FR2905604, US4345577, US2006042611 and US5980399.

In light of the drawbacks of the above prior art there is a need for an improved ball launcher that is mechanically simple and that is capable of firing a number of balls in succession automatically without requiring constant operation. Preferably any such launcher should be able to be constructed in a lightweight and portable manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above shortcomings and drawbacks in the prior art by providing a ball launcher comprising: a housing; a detachable receptacle mounted on the housing for containing queuing balls waiting to be launched by the ball launcher; a motor mounted on the housing and having a worm which drives a worm wheel which features a portion of machined gear teeth on the circumferential surface; a gear wheel meshing with the worm wheel; a firing arm attached to the gear wheel for launching balls from the receptacle, the firing arm comprising a ball launching portion, or interchangeable shaped boot at the outward end, the inward end being attached to a helical spring extendable to a secure position on the housing; a firing arm positioned such that the ball launching end portion, or shaped boot, of the firing arm is normally at a resting position adjacent the ball launching position and any ball resting therein; a motor and firing arm arranged such that when the motor is activated the worm rotates, drives the attached worm wheel which meshes with the gear wheel to rotatably move the attached firing arm to pull back against tension contained in the helical spring; a worm wheel with gear teeth occupying a portion of its circumference, the gear teeth diminishing in profile at each end to become a toothless portion, allows slippage around the circumference of the toothless portion until the worm wheel's rotatable re-engagement with the gear wheel during activity of the ball launcher; a firing arm continuing to rotate as it is moved out of engagement with the firing portion, causing the firing arm to spring back to its original position whereby the ball launching outward portion of the firing arm, or shaped boot, kicks the ball.

an adjustable trajectory means; an adjustable angle of ball delivery means; a set of wheels mounted on the housing; a variety of ball launching portions, or shaped boots, designed to deliver kicks at different angles.

The ball launcher of the present invention operates in the following manner: The angle of launch is decided by the user releasing a spring loaded catch fitted on one side of the housing and rotating the housing about an axis to a desired position then engaging the catch into one of a plurality of securing apertures. The angle of to feed for the balls to be launched from the detachable receptacle is decided and secured through an engagement device.

This acts to hold the balls and feed them one at a time to rest at the ball launching position.

The firing arm of the present invention elastically returns to the resting position. After this has occurred another ball is fed from the receptacle to the ball launching position.

The process begins again automatically through the continuous activation of the motor energy store whereby engagement of associated gear wheels cause the potential energy inherent in the attached spring to increase during rotation of the gear wheel until a smooth circumferential section is reached on the worm wheel, where there are no gear teeth, whereupon the potential energy in the spring is suddenly released into kinetic energy again producing a rotating kicking motion at the outward end of the firing arm, allowing the shaped boot to kick a pre-positioned ball from the receptacle on a pre-determined trajectory, after which the continuous movement of the worm over the worm wheel finds engagement again with the teeth of the gear wheel to drive the firing arm back against the helical spring tensioner while the next ball rolls into place in the receptacle in preparation to repeat the cycle again. The ball launching shaped boot comprises interchangeable designs which offer kicking styles such as a side glance to spin the ball in varying directions, top spin and under spin.

The present invention is advantageous in that it provides a simple mechanical ball launcher that is capable of firing multiple balls in succession without requiring user operation. This repetitive process continues until either all the balls are launched or the energy store is exhausted.

When the balls are all launched and the energy store is exhausted the receptacle can be refilled and the energy store replenished in an appropriate manner, as discussed below and then the ball launcher can be reused.

At any time before, after or during a continuous ball launching process the trajectory of ball delivery and the angle of feed of the balls in the receptacle may be altered by to external means to suit the decisions of the user; in particular slowing or increasing the speed of ball feed and/or adjusting the height and angle of ball delivery for longer or shorter trajectory, by use of different mounting positions in the housing, including the use of different spring connection points on the housing to give faster or slower ball delivery.

The ball launcher of the present invention can be formed to launch substantially any ball. It is particularly suitable for launching larger spherical balls, for example inflated spherical sports balls such as volleyballs, water polo balls, footballs, and basketballs.

Generally, a specific embodiment of the present invention will be formed to operate with one size and type of ball. For example, an embodiment of the invention may be formed to operate with size 5 footballs whilst an alternative embodiment may be formed to operate with standard basketballs. In any such embodiment the various components of the ball launcher will be sized to operate with the appropriately sized balls. For example, the ball receptacle and the ball launching position will be sized and shaped appropriately.

A ball receptacle of the present invention may be formed in any manner apparent to the person skilled in the art. The receptacle may be mechanically, electrically or spring driven in order to feed balls to the ball launching position.

Alternatively, the receptacle may be set at an angle to deliver balls to the ball launching position under the action of gravity alone.

A gravity feeding receptacle may be open or have a door at an upper end to allow balls to be placed in the receptacle or may have a door or opening at any other appropriate position.

A ball receptacle of the present invention may be capable of containing any suitable number of balls. In embodiments of the invention the ball receptacle may be capable of containing six or more balls. The ball receptacle may be formed of any suitable material. The ball receptacle may be transparent and/or comprise an indicator of how many balls are contained in the receptacle.

The ball launching position of the present invention may be formed in any suitable manner. The position will be formed such that a ball can be rolled thereon and maintained in that place until the firing arm acts to launch the ball from the position.

As will be readily understood, the ball launching position should not provide any significant resistance to the ball being launched but instead should gently maintain a ball in an appropriate place relative to the firing arm to allow the ball to be launched. This can be achieved in any manner apparent to the person skilled in the art. In embodiments of the invention the ball launching position may be a tubular section that is shaped to conform to the ball and that is open at an outer end from which the ball may be launched. If the ball launching platform is a tubular section it may be angled slightly downwards from the open end in order to gently maintain the ball in the appropriate position.

In order to allow the angle of elevation at which balls are launched from the ball launcher to be varied it may be preferable that the ball launching device is rotatable about an axis to vary the elevation at which balls are launched which is desirable in order to affect their trajectory. The angle of launch is decided by the user releasing a spring loaded catch fitted on one side of the housing and rotating the housing about an axis to a desired position then engaging the catch into one of a plurality of securing apertures.

The housing of the present invention may be formed in any manner apparent to a person skilled in the art. Preferably the housing will be lightweight in order to minimise the weight of the ball launcher and maximise its portability. The housing may be mounted on one or more sets of wheels to allow the ball launcher to be moved easily.

The firing arm of the present invention comprises a rigid arm that is attached to the housing at a first end and that has a firing portion and a ball launching portion formed outwardly from the first end, the firing arm having a resting position in which the ball launching portion, or shaped boot, of the arm is positioned adjacent the ball launching platform. The arm is hinge-able in that it can be moved from the resting position and when released will return to the resting position when traversed in an arc without permanent deformation. This may be achieved in any manner apparent to the person skilled in the art. The arm itself may be an elastically deformable arm made from a suitable elastic material, for example a carbon fibre composite, and be rigidly attached to the frame at the first end. Alternatively, the arm may be substantially rigid and elastically attached to the frame, for example it may be attached to the frame by means of a hinge and associated spring member. As a further alternative the arm may be both elastically deformable and elastically attached to the housing.

The rotational energy store of the present invention may be substantially any mechanism that can store energy and when activated acts to provide a rotational mechanical output. Preferably the rotational energy store will store energy in the form of potential energy, for example the rotational energy store may comprise or consist of an electric motor. In order to provide a constant rate of rotation it may be preferred that a motor of the present invention comprises a worm which may engage with a worm wheel attached to the firing arm.

It is to be understood that in embodiments of the invention the rotational energy store may be electrically powered, for example by means of a battery or other similar means.

Further features of the present invention will be apparent from the embodiment that is shown in the Figures and are discussed below: Drawings Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the complete assembly in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 has a portion of a support housing removed showing a side view of internal workings in an embodiment of the present invention with a coil spring lengthened under drive by gear wheels; Figure 3 has a portion of a support housing removed showing a side view of internal workings of an embodiment of the present invention with a coil spring lengthened to maximum tension under drive by gear wheels in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 has a portion of a support housing removed showing a side view of the internal workings in an embodiment of the present invention with a coil spring at rest; Figure 5 has a portion of a support housing removed showing a three quarter view of the complete assembly in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a side view of a worm wheel in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In figure 1 detachable ball receptacle 1, positioned at any gravity inducing angle to allow balls 2 to roll, connects with housing 3, which is supported by frame 13. Balls are contained within and roll consecutively through the ball receptacle into the housing where they are stopped ready for kicking one after the other by ball launching portion or shaped boot 4 which is attached to firing arm 5. Worm screw 10 extending from motor 11, attached to the housing and powered by energy store 12, engages and meshes with worm wheel 7. Gear wheel 6 meshes with worm wheel 7. Helical spring 8 attaches to one end of the firing arm and at another point on the housing, providing the kinetic energy to power the kicking motion for a ball from the ball launching platform.

In figure 2 the beginning of the kicking cycle is shown whereby helical spring 8 attached at one end to firing arm 5, attached at the other end to housing 3, is seen extending and creating potential energy by the engagement of gear wheel 6 meshing with worm wheel 7, driven by worm screw 10, powered by motor 11.

In figure 3 engagement of the gear wheels rotates the firing arm about axis 14 until gear wheel 6 is about to run out of teeth to mesh with worm wheel 7 when it reaches a section of smooth circumference 15 and helical spring 8 is at maximum extension.

In figure 4 a portion of smooth circumference, or flat spot 15, of the worm wheel rotates about its axis reaching a position of disengagement with the gear wheel resulting in the potential energy of the helical spring 8 to be suddenly released, the firing arm 5 swinging down under kinetic energy rotating about axis 14 to produce a kicking movement of the ball launching portion, or shaped boot 4, following which the mechanism is primed to undertake another cycle.

In figure 5 a three quarter view of the complete assembly shows the mechanism at rest and at the point to begin another cycle.

In figure 6 a portion of smooth circumference or flat spot 15 on worm wheel 7 is shown blending with shaped gear teeth 17, for the remainder of the circumference, such machining delivering the required constant rate of rotation and cyclical performance of the ball launcher.

The foregoing description details certain preferred embodiments of the present invention and describes the best mode contemplated. It will be appreciated, however, that changes may be made in the details of construction and the configuration of components without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the description provided herein is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined by the following claims and the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A ball launcher comprising: a housing; a detachable receptacle mounted on the housing for containing queuing balls waiting to be launched by the ball launcher; a motor mounted in the housing and having a worm which drives a worm wheel which features a portion of machined gear teeth and another portion of smooth circumferential surface; a gear wheel meshing with the worm wheel; a firing arm attached to the gear wheel for launching balls from the receptacle, the firing arm comprising a ball launching portion or shaped boot at the outward end, the inward end being attached to a helical spring extendable to a secure position on the housing a firing arm positioned such that the ball launching end portion, or shaped boot, of the firing arm is normally at a resting position adjacent the ball launching position and any ball resting therein; a motor and firing arm arranged such that when the motor is activated the worm rotates, drives the attached worm wheel which meshes with the gear wheel to rotatably move the attached firing arm to pull back against tension contained in the helical spring; a worm wheel with gear teeth occupying a portion of its circumference, the gear teeth diminishing in profile at each end to become a toothless portion, allows slippage around the circumference of the toothless portion until the worm wheel's rotatable re-engagement with the gear wheel during activity of the ball launcher; a firing arm continuing to rotate as it is moved out of engagement with the firing portion, causing the firing arm to spring back to its original position whereby the ball launching outward portion of the firing arm, or shaped boot, kicks the ball; an adjustable trajectory means; an adjustable angle of ball delivery means; a set of wheels mounted on the housing; a variety of ball launching portions, or shaped boots, designed to deliver kicks at different angles.
A ball launcher according to claim 1 wherein the detachable ball receptacle is gravity fed.
3. A ball launcher according to claim 1 wherein a worm wheel with gear teeth occupying a portion of its circumference, the gear teeth diminishing in profile at each end to become a toothless portion, allows slippage around the circumference of the toothless portion until the worm wheel's rotatable re-engagement with the gear wheel during activity of the ball launcher.
4. A ball launcher according to claim 1 wherein the smooth circumferential portion of the worm wheel extends more than 180 degrees.
5. A ball launcher according to claim 2, wherein the ball receptacle is open at an upper end to allow balls to be fed therein.
6. A ball launcher according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein a lower end of the ball receptacle is positioned immediately adjacent the ball launching platform.
7. A ball launcher according to any preceding claim, wherein the ball receptacle is capable of containing six or more balls.
8. A ball launcher according to any preceding claims, wherein the ball launching platform has an outer portion over which a ball that is launched from the platform passes, an angle of said outer portion being adjustable to vary the elevation at which balls are launched from the launcher.
9. A ball launcher according to any preceding claim in which the housing is mounted on one or more sets of wheels.
10. A ball launcher according to any preceding claim wherein the rotational energy store comprises a gearing mechanism that controls the rate of rotation of the energy store. .
11. A ball launcher according to any preceding claim wherein the rotational energy store comprises a spring motor.
12. A ball launcher according to claim 12, wherein the motor is a constant torque motor.
13. A ball launcher according to any preceding claim, wherein the firing arm is substantially rigid and is elastically attached to the housing at the first end.
14. A ball launcher according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the firing arm is elastically deformable and is rigidly attached to the frame at the first end.
15. A ball launcher according to any preceding claim wherein the trajectory of ball delivery is adjustable by external means.
16. A ball launcher according to any preceding claim wherein the angle of feed of balls into the receptacle may be altered by external means.
17. A ball launcher according to any preceding claim wherein the power of the spring is adjustable through the use of different spring connection points on the housing to give faster or slower ball delivery.
18. A ball launcher according to any preceding claim wherein the ball launching portion or shaped boot comprises interchangeable designs which replicate kicking styles of side glance, top spin and under spin.