JP2766796B2 - Throwing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pitching machine used for practice of hitting baseball and softball, and practice of ball games such as tennis, soccer, volleyball, table tennis, hockey, and the like. The present invention relates to an improvement of a pitching machine that pitches in accordance with a pitch form image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional pitching machine for projecting a pitcher's pitch form onto a screen and throwing the pitch is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the arm type ball launching means 55 (rotating disk type) is synchronized with the opening 53 formed at the place where the hand of the pitcher projected on the screen 52 passes from the projection means 51 on the front side in the direction of the turn at bat B. There is also a type in which a ball is thrown from a ball launching means (a ball firing means can also be used), and a type in which a pitcher's pitch form is projected on an electric display panel using a large number of light emitting diodes.

[0003]

In the above-described conventional pitching machine, since the ball launching means 55 is provided behind the screen 52, the reflection type screen 5 is provided.
Projection means 51 installed on the front side in the direction of bat B using
Was projected. Therefore, particularly in fine weather, the image becomes thin and it is difficult to obtain a realistic image (it is necessary to enclose the screen 52 in a shade). In addition, safety measures against rebound due to the impact of the hitting ball on the projection means 51 and reinforcement of the object are required. It is also necessary to take measures against rain and dust. The latter has a problem that it is difficult to obtain a realistic image close to a real image, despite the large size of the apparatus and high initial investment and maintenance costs.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above, and has a ball emitting position at an end of a screen where the ball emitting means does not interfere with projection from behind to the screen. Type screen, the projected image on the screen is clearer and more realistic, the projection means does not obstruct the batter, it is easy to maintain, easy to install, and low cost. The aim is to provide an easy pitching machine.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a pitching machine according to claim 1 of the present invention is provided with a rear transmission projection screen and at least one outside behind the screen. And a ball launching means having a ball launching position adjacent to the end of the screen; and a baseball or softball pitcher or opponent's pitching form arranged behind the screen and behind the screen in synchronization with the ball launching means. And projection means for projecting from the side. Therefore, the pitcher and the opponent's pitch form can be projected from the rear side by the projection means using the rear transmission screen, so that the image is clearer and more realistic, and the ball firing means does not disturb the batter. It is easy to maintain, easy to install, low in cost overall and very easy to use.

[0006] In the pitching machine according to claim 2 of the present invention,
Ball launching means are arranged on both sides behind the rear transmission type projection screen, so that the right throw pitcher or the left throw pitcher can be easily selected and switched by a switch or the like without moving one pitching machine.

[0007] In the pitching machine according to claim 3 of the present invention,
Projection means is arranged rearward so as to project the rear transmission type projection screen from the rear side through a reflector, and the distance from the projection means to the screen is shortened in order to project using the reflector ( (At most about 1/2) and a compact configuration can be achieved.

[0008] In the pitching machine according to claim 4 of the present invention,
The screen and the projection means are covered at least on the upper side by an enclosure, and the sunlight is blocked by the upper enclosure, so that the image of the pitcher's pitch form projected from the rear side of the rear transmission screen is clearer and more clear. Realism comes out.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of a pitching machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by applying to a baseball pitching machine. FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a pitching machine according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 1 (a) is a plan view, FIG. 1 (b) is a front view, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same pitching machine viewed obliquely from behind, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the ball launching device, showing a side view of an example of the launching device of an over throw arm type.

In FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, an over-throw type pitching machine 1 is provided on one side behind a rear transmission type projection screen 10 arranged frontward toward a bat side, for example, on the right outside as viewed from behind the screen 10. The left-throwing ball launching means 20 is arranged so that the ball launching position is adjacent to the end of the screen 10, and the pitching form of the pitcher is synchronized with the ball launching means 20 to the screen 10 from behind via the reflecting mirror 35. The projection means 30 for projection is arranged behind the screen 10. Screen 1
0 and the projection means 30 are housed in an enclosure 40 that covers the top, both sides, and the back with the front open and protects from rain, wind, dust, etc. The image of the pitcher's pitch form projected from above is clearer and more realistic.

The ball firing means 20 is configured to rotationally drive a pitching arm 21 stretched by a strong spring 22 via a release pin 23 and a torque motor 24 of an orbital driving device via a chain wheel 25. The ball is supplied to the ball receiver 21A at the tip of the throwing arm by the ball supply unit 2.
After receiving from step 6, the spring 22 is strongly tightened with the further rotation of the pitching arm 21, and the arm 21 separates from the release pin 23 and the chain wheel 25 at the pitching position,
The ball is thrown with the accumulated strong spring force. The ball launching means 20 has a pitching arm 21 on the left as viewed from behind, and when installed adjacent to the outside of the right end of the screen 10 as viewed from behind, the main body goes out and the projection means 30 Does not interfere with installation. When projecting the pitching form of the left throw pitcher, the ball launching means 20 having the pitching arm on the right as viewed from behind is installed adjacent to the outside of the left end of the screen 10. Ball launching means 2
In front of 0, there is provided a protective net N having a pitch opening n from which the ball comes out.

The rear transmission type projection screen 10 is excellent in image definition in a bright place as compared with the reflection type projection screen, and has a rectangular frame 10 supported on an installation stand or a moving stand.
It is installed in A so that it can be replaced. The front of the batting side is
A protector such as a protective net is provided as appropriate as long as the image is not blurred.

The projection means 30 is arranged rearward so as to project the rear transmission type projection screen 10 from the rear side via a reflecting mirror 35, and the projection means 30 is projected from the projection means 30 using the reflecting mirror 35. The distance to the screen 10 can be reduced and a compact configuration can be achieved. Specifically, the three primary color projectors 31 of the projecting means 30 are mounted on the angle adjustment abutment 32 rearward, and are set to move on a pair of left and right rails 33A. The image of the pitcher throwing the ball is stored in a film or other storage means by repeating the same form or a different form at a substantially constant cycle.
The projection is intermittently performed at every 0 operation. The reflecting mirror 35 that receives an image from the projector 31 and reflects the image on the screen 10 is a rectangular frame 3 held between columns 37 erected at the rear of the rail 33A so as to be adjustable in angle.
The mirror 36 is supported in 5A. The projection unit 30 is configured as a unit that can be set to move together with the reflecting mirror 35 along with the rail 33A.

In order to project the pitcher's pitch form on the screen 10 in synchronization with the ball launching means 20, the pitching arm 21 pushes the projector 31 after the ball has passed the ball transfer position of the launching means 20 and received the ball. The switch W is installed so as to be adjustable at a position where the timing at which the pitcher of the image throws the ball coincides with the timing at which the pitching arm 21 throws the ball. In addition to the configuration in which the timing signal is transmitted from the ball firing means 20 to the projector 31 in this manner, the pitching arm 21 of the ball firing means 20 is designated by a symbol corresponding to a predetermined image position such as a film, CD, or ROM from the projector 31 side.
The signal which takes the timing by rotating the ball launching means 2
A configuration of sending to 0 is also employed.

The above-mentioned ball launching means 20 is also arranged on both outsides behind the rear transmissive projection screen 10 and immediately switches a right throw pitcher or a left throw pitcher with a switch or the like without moving one pitching machine. The configuration is such that the selection can be switched easily, and the projection means 30 can also be configured to project the image of the right throw pitcher or the left throw pitcher. Further, the projection means 30 can project the image directly onto the screen 10 from behind with one color projector. In addition, the ball launching means 20 may use a rotary disc instead of the throwing arm. Of course, the ball launching means sends a timing signal to the ball launching means to supply the ball at the moment of throwing the video ball from the projector side. It is configured to send. This pitching machine is not only baseball but also softball, tennis, soccer,
It is also applied to the practice of ball games such as volleyball, table tennis, and hockey.

[0016]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the pitching machine of the first aspect of the present invention, the transmission type projection screen and the ball are disposed at least outside one of the screens behind the screen. Ball launching means whose position is adjacent to the screen end, and a baseball or softball pitcher or opponent's pitching form which is arranged behind the screen and projects the ball form of the opponent from the rear side in synchronization with the ball launching means. Therefore, it is possible to project the pitcher or the opponent's pitch form from behind using the rear transmission type screen by the projection means, and the image is clearer and more realistic, The ball launching means does not disturb the batter, is easy to maintain, easy to install, has low cost overall and is very easy to use It is made.

According to the pitching machine of the second aspect of the present invention, the ball launching means is disposed on both sides behind the rear transmission type projection screen, so that the ball launching means is immediately moved to the right without moving one pitching machine. A pitcher or a left pitcher can be easily selected and switched with a switch.

According to the pitching machine of the third aspect of the present invention, the projection means is disposed rearward so as to project the rear transmission type projection screen from behind via a reflector, and uses a reflector. Therefore, the distance from the projection means to the screen can be reduced (up to almost １ ／) and a compact configuration can be achieved.

According to the pitching machine of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the screen and the projection means are at least covered by the enclosure, and the sunlight is blocked by the upper enclosure, so that the screen and the projection means are behind the rear transmission screen. The image of the pitcher's pitch form projected from the side is clearer and more realistic.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a pitching machine according to the present invention, wherein (a) is a plan view and (b) is a front view.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pitching machine as viewed obliquely from behind.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an example of a ball firing means of an over throw arm type.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the ball launching means.

FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing a configuration of a conventional pitching machine.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of the conventional pitching machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 rear transmission type projection screen 20 ball launching means 30 projection means 35 reflector 40 enclosure

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A rear transmission type projection screen, a ball launching means disposed at least outside one of the screens behind the screen and having a ball launching position adjacent to an end of the screen, and a ball launching means disposed behind the screen. A pitching machine comprising: a baseball or softball pitcher; and projecting means for projecting a pitching form of an opponent to the screen from behind in synchronization with the ball launching means. 2. The pitching machine according to claim 1, wherein said ball launching means is disposed on both outer sides behind said rear transmission type projection screen. 3. The pitching machine according to claim 1, wherein the projection means is disposed rearward so as to project the rear transmission type projection screen from behind via a reflector. 4. The pitching machine according to claim 1, wherein at least the upper side of the screen and the projection means is covered by an enclosure.