JPH0432121Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to improvements in pitching machines.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, a typical pitching machine used in batting centers etc. has a rotating arm for pitching attached to the underframe, and uses energy stored in a spring to rapidly rotate the rotating arm for pitching. An example of such a rotating arm pitching machine is a rotating arm type pitching machine that is configured to pitch a ball supplied to a ball holder at the tip of a rotating arm for pitching using rotational centrifugal force.

The rotary arm pitching machine described above has advantages such as a simple structure and low cost, but on the other hand, it has various problems as described below.

That is, a rotating arm type pitching machine is configured so that a spring mechanism for forcibly rotating the rotating arm can be adjusted to allow pitching to be performed at any speed or speed, but the adjustment of the spring mechanism is manually performed. Therefore, at batting centers where there are few staff compared to the number of pitching machines, it is not possible to make the speed of each pitch different by adjusting the speed each time a pitch is pitched. It was impossible.

Furthermore, the quality of the ball changes depending on the coefficient of friction when the ball leaves the tip of the rotating arm, but this coefficient of friction tends to change depending on the climate, etc., so it is difficult to control the speed and quality of the ball. It was hot.

In addition, the above-mentioned pitching machine does not allow conscious pitching between inside and outside corners, or between high and low pitches, so the course of the ball is always concentrated in the middle, with little variation. Ta.

Therefore, ball speed and ball quality are well controlled.
It would be extremely advantageous if a new pitching machine capable of pitching various pitches at will was proposed.

In order to solve the above problems, a pitching system is developed in which a rotating arm for pitching is attached to an underframe, and the ball distributed to the ball support section at the tip of the rotating arm is pitched by the rotational centrifugal force of the rotating arm. In the machine, the underframe is mounted on a mounting base so as to be freely tiltable in the front-back direction and freely swingable within a horizontal plane, and the tilt angle in the front-back direction and the horizontal rotation angle of the underframe are automatically changed at the same time. Equipped with an angle changing device, an automatic transmission device that automatically changes the rotational speed of the rotating arm when pitching, and a device that interlocks each of the above devices and can freely control the height, inner angle, outer angle, speed and speed of the ball, etc. A pitching machine was developed. (Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-8855) Since the pitching machine described above can automatically hit a ball with a wide range of variations beyond the player's expectations, it has better performance than conventional pitching machines. It was a great improvement and satisfied many players.

However, the pitching machine described above is plain and bland, and merely pitches the ball from the tip of a rotating pitching arm toward the player at regular intervals. Even if they were able to do so, the players did not feel as if they were playing against a machine, and it was impossible for them to experience the same sense of realism as in actual baseball.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

This invention was developed from the above perspective, and the purpose of this invention is to provide a ball that is easy to operate, looks like it is actually being pitched by a single pitcher, and has a variety of variations. To provide a pitching machine that can perform pitching automatically beyond the player's expectations, allowing the player to enjoy a sense of realism that is no different from that of actual baseball.

[Means for solving problems]

Therefore, the above purpose is to provide a first base, a second base mounted on the first base so as to be able to swing up and down, and to tilt the second base; a device for adjusting pitching altitude; a doll support frame mounted on the second base so as to be swingable back and forth; a pitching device installed on the doll support frame and equipped with a rotating arm for pitching; a doll that is attached to a doll support frame, is formed to resemble a pitcher so as to cover at least a front portion of the frame, and has the pitching rotating arm housed inside one arm; a device for adjusting the rotational speed; a device for appropriately supplying the ball to the pitching rotating arm; and a device supporting the doll in conjunction with the pitching rotating arm when the pitching rotating arm rotates to pitch. A pitching motion in which the frame is tilted forward, the doll's head is turned upward at a slight angle, the one arm is rotated together with the pitching rotating arm, and at the same time the leg on the opposite side of the one arm is raised. This is achieved by a pitching machine consisting of a device and a device that collectively controls each of the above devices.

[Effect]

By configuring as described above, it is easy to operate, it looks like it is actually being pitched by one pitcher, and it is possible to automatically make a variety of batted balls beyond the player's expectations, so the player can actually You can enjoy a sense of realism that is no different from that of baseball.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a pitching machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof, FIG. 3 is a front view showing the configuration of its drive mechanism, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the mechanisms of the pitching height adjustment device that tilts the second base up and down and the device that tilts the doll support frame in the front and rear directions. FIG. 6 is a side view of the doll. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway front view showing the configuration of the main parts of the drive mechanism that moves the left arm and left leg, and FIG. 8 is a side view of the main part of the drive mechanism that moves the doll's neck. A partially broken front view and FIG. 9 are side views thereof.

In FIGS. 1 to 9, 1 is a pitching machine, 2 is a first base, 3 is a second base mounted on the first base 2, and _3a is the pitching machine. 2, a rod support part formed on the base 3; 4, a doll formed to imitate the shape of a pitcher; _4a , the head of the doll 4; _4b , a right arm; _4c , a left arm; _4d; is the right leg,
4 _e is the left leg, 5 is the doll support frame, 6 is the first motor that tilts the second base 3 up and down, 7 is the rod, 8 is the crank, 9 is the second motor, 10
1 is a belt; 11 is a speed reducer; 12, 13, and 14 are springs; 15 is a third motor that adjusts the elastic force of the springs to adjust the pitching speed;
6 is a spring support member; 17 is a gear sprocket attached to the spring support member 16;
18 is a gear sprocket attached to the shaft of the third motor 15; 19 is a chain; 20
21 is a ball feeding device, 21 is a leg shaft, 22
23 and 24 are link arms, 25 is an attachment bracket, 26 is an arm shaft, 27 is a link shaft, 28 is a link shaft holder, 29 is a bracket, 30 is a rod, and 31 to 36 are gear sprockets. , 37
39 is a chain, 40 is a rotating arm for pitching,
_40a is the ball holding portion of the pitching rotating arm 40, 41 is the main shaft, 42 is the crank, 4
3 is a cam block, 44 is a pitching rotating arm support shaft, 45 is a crank arm roller, 46
47 is a head sprocket, 48 is a bracket, and _48a is a groove formed in the bracket 48.

Therefore, the pitching machine 1 has a first base 2.
A second base 3 is mounted on the top so that it can be tilted up and down,
By controlling the rotation of the first motor 6, the vertical positioning of the second base 3 can be adjusted.

On the second base 3, there is a doll support frame 5.
is mounted so that its inclination angle can be changed by about 20 degrees in the front-rear direction, and the doll support frame 5 is made of synthetic resin or the like in the shape of a pitcher so as to cover at least its front part, and has a uniform. A dressed doll 4 is attached.

The doll support frame 5 also includes a pitching rotating arm 40 that performs a pitching action, a device that adjusts the rotational speed of the pitching rotating arm 40 when pitching, and a device that adjusts the rotational speed of the pitching rotating arm 40 when the pitching rotating arm 40 rotates to pitch. The doll support frame 5 is tilted forward in conjunction with the pitching rotating arm 40, and the head _4a of the doll 4 is directed upward relative to the body so that it always faces forward. A second motor 9 and the like are attached to make the doll 4 make a pitching motion by rotating the right arm _4b and simultaneously raising the left leg _4e .

The right arm _4b of the doll 4 is rotated together with the pitching rotating arm 40 by a known spring-type nap action mechanism shown _in FIG. Throw a ball forward that is delivered at regular intervals.

On the other hand, a glove is formed integrally with the left arm 4 _c at the tip of the left arm 4 _c , and both legs 4 _d and 4 _e
The spikes are integrally formed with the legs.

Therefore, to adjust the pitch height in the pitching machine 1, the first motor 6 is rotated to tilt the second base 3 up and down, and the inclination angle of the doll support frame 5 is adjusted. Do by doing.

Further, to adjust the pitching speed, the elastic force of the springs 12 to 14, one end of which is fixed to the crank arm roller 45 and the other end of which is attached to the doll support frame 5 via the spring support member 16, is applied to the third motor 15. This can be done by rotating and adjusting. That is, a screw having a certain length and having a key groove is fixed to the spring support member 16, and the screw connects the doll support frame 5 through a screw hole formed in a part of the doll support frame 5. Protruding above doll support frame 5
Attach the gear sprocket 1 to the tip of the screw that protrudes.
7 is installed. In addition, the third motor 15
A gear sprocket 18 is attached to the shaft, and a chain 19 is spanned between both gear sprockets 17 and 18. Therefore, as the third motor 15 rotates, the spring support member 16 moves back and forth, and this causes the three springs 12 to move back and forth when the snap action mechanism operates.
Since the elastic forces of 1 to 14 change, the pitching speed can be set to a desired value.

The second motor 9 changes the inclination angle of the doll support frame 5 in the front-rear direction, rotates the pitching rotary arm 40 to perform the pitch, and further moves the doll 4 when the pitching rotary arm 40 pitches. head 4
_A is tilted forward, and at the same time, the left arm 4 _c is raised, and the left leg 4 _e is raised to make the doll 4 perform a pitching motion. Then, upon completion of the pitching motion, the doll 4 returns to the state before pitching.

The rotation of the second motor 9 is transmitted to the reduction gear 11 via the belt 10, and the reduction gear 11 drives and controls the respective parts.

The swinging of the doll support frame 5 in the longitudinal direction is controlled by transmitting the rotation of the reducer 11 to the crank 8. One end of the rod 7 is rotatably and eccentrically attached to the surface of the crank 8, and the other end of the crank 8 is attached to a rod support portion _3a formed on the second base 3. It is rotatably mounted on the

As the crank 8 rotates, the doll support frame 5 swings back and forth, so the doll 4 attached to the doll support frame 5 tilts its body forward as the pitcher makes the pitching motion. After that, it appears that the body is returning to its original state.

Further, the movements of the left arm _4c and left leg _4e of the doll 4 during pitching are controlled as follows.

Gear sprocket 3 attached to reducer 11
A chain 38 is attached to the main shaft 41 and the gear sprocket 34, and the main shaft 41 rotates as the reducer 11 rotates. Furthermore, the main shaft 41
The rotational motion transmitted to the cam block 43 is transmitted from the crank 42 attached to the main shaft 41 to the cam block 43.
It is transmitted to the leg shaft 21 via.

A leg lifting rod 22 and a link 25 are attached to the leg shaft 21.
Each time the leg shaft 21 rotates by a predetermined angle, the knee of the left leg _4e of the doll 4 is lifted upward. The rotation of the leg shaft 21 is transmitted to a link arm 24 via a link 25, and the arm 26 moves the left arm _4c of the doll 4 upward each time the leg shaft 21 rotates by a predetermined angle.

Further, a chain 39 is attached to a gear sprocket 35 attached to the main shaft 41 and a gear sprocket 36 attached to a pitching rotary arm support shaft 44, and as the main shaft 41 rotates, the pitching arm is rotated. Rotating arm support shaft 44 rotates.

The pitching rotating arm support shaft 44 is a double shaft, and the driving shaft rotates the driven shaft in a fixed direction via a push pin mechanism. At one end of the shaft on the driven side is a rotating arm 4 for pitching.
0 is attached to the other end, and a crank arm roller 45 is attached to the other end, and one end of the springs 12 to 14 is fixed.
The crank arm roller 45 rotates the driven shaft against the restoring elastic force of the springs 12 to 14, and accordingly, the pitching rotating arm 40 similarly rotates. On the way, the ball is supplied from the ball supply device 20 to the ball holding part _40a of the pitching rotating arm 40, and
When the spring 12 rotates to a predetermined angle, the spring 12
The restoring elastic force of 1 to 14 forces the driven shaft to rotate at high speed together with the pitching rotating arm 40, and the rotational centrifugal force at this time causes the ball holding part _40a of the pitching rotating arm 40 to rotate. The ball is thrown.

Further, a chain 37 is stretched between the gear sprocket 31 and the head sprocket 47 attached to the main shaft 41, and as the main shaft 41 rotates, the head sprocket 47
rotates. One end of the rod 30 is rotatably attached to the head sprocket 47 for eccentric movement, and the other end is rotatably attached to the groove _48a of the bracket 48.

As the head sprocket 47 rotates, the rod 3 starts to move as the doll starts pitching.
0 tilts the net shaft 27 forward at a certain angle and then returns it to its original position, so that the head 4a of the doll ₄ supported by the net shaft 27 can always look straight ahead even if the body tilts forward. It looks like there is.

When a pitcher is pitched from the pitching machine 1, the pitching motion by the pitching rotary arm 40 and the pitching form of the doll 4 at the time of pitching are operated in conjunction with each other by the second motor 9. Since the device that controls the speed and pitching course of the ball is controlled by the player's operation or by a control device (not shown) based on a predetermined program, the height and speed of the ball can be controlled with each ball. It is automatically changed depending on the player's request or computer control, and the player can judge the timing of the pitch from the pitcher's pitching home and make a batting, so it is a realistic game that is no different from real baseball. You can feel the feeling.

Also, although the explanation was omitted above, the pitting machine of the present invention is usually used for a fee, and when a coin is inserted into a designated fee collection device or a card is inserted, The device is configured to start operating only when the device is activated.

In addition, the bat used by the batter should be equipped with an impact detection device, a microphone for picking up the bat should be installed near the batter, or a device should be installed to detect the passing line, speed, etc. of the batted ball to determine the quality of the bat. However, it is also recommended that the system be configured to display points, etc.

[Effect of idea]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, the present invention is easy to operate, looks like it is actually being pitched by a single pitcher, and automatically delivers a variety of batted balls beyond the player's expectations. This allows players to experience a sense of realism that is no different from actual baseball.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. That is, for example, in this embodiment, the doll was formed to resemble a pitcher, but the shape of the doll can be changed as appropriate depending on the content of the game. In addition, although each shaft is configured to be rotated by a gear sprocket via a chain, the same operation can be achieved by using, for example, a pulley and a belt, and the configuration of other parts of the present invention is similar to this. The design can be changed freely within the scope of the purpose, and the present invention encompasses all of them.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a pitching machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof, FIG. 3 is a front view showing the configuration of its drive mechanism, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the mechanisms of the pitching height adjustment device that tilts the second base up and down and the device that tilts the doll support frame in the front and rear directions. FIG. 6 is a side view of the doll. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway front view showing the configuration of the main parts of the drive mechanism that moves the left arm and left leg, and FIG. 8 is a side view of the main part of the drive mechanism that moves the doll's neck. A partially broken front view and FIG. 9 are side views thereof. 1...Pitching machine, 2...First base,
3... Second base, 4... Doll, 5... Doll support frame, 6... First motor, 7... Rod,
8, 42...Crank, 9...Second motor, 1
0...Belt. 11...Reducer, 12, 13, 1
4...Spring, 15...Third motor, 16
... Spring support member, 17, 18 ... Gear sprocket, 19 ... Chain, 20 ... Ball supply device, 21 ... Leg shaft, 22 ... Leg lifting rod, 23, 24 ... Link arm,
25... Link, 26... Armshaft, 27
...Network shaft, 28...Network shaft holder, 29,48...Bracket, 37,38,
39...Chain, 40...Rotating arm for pitching,
41... Main shaft, 41 _a ... Ball holding part, 43... Cam block, 44... Rotating arm support shaft, 45... Crank arm roller, 46... One-way clutch, 47... Head sprocket, 48... groove.

Claims (1)

[Claims of Utility Model Registration] 1. A pitching machine comprising the components described in the following items a to j. a First base. b. A second base mounted on the first base so as to be able to swing up and down. c. A device that tilts the second base and adjusts the pitching altitude. d. A doll support frame mounted on the second base so as to be swingable back and forth. e. A pitching device installed on the doll support frame and equipped with a rotating arm for pitching. f. A doll that is attached to the doll support frame, is formed to resemble a pitcher so as to cover at least a front portion of the frame, and has the pitching rotary arm housed inside one arm. g. A device for adjusting the rotational speed of the above-mentioned pitching rotary arm during pitching. h. A device that appropriately supplies the ball to the pitching rotating arm. i When the pitching rotary arm rotates to pitch, the doll support frame is tilted forward in conjunction with the pitching rotary arm, the doll's head is turned upward at a slight angle, and A pitching motion device that rotates the arm of the player along with the pitching rotating arm and simultaneously raises the leg and arm on the opposite side of the one arm. j A device that collectively controls each of the above devices. 2. The pitching machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball holding portion of the pitching rotary arm is housed in the right arm portion of the doll.