US1808802A

US1808802A - Ball game apparatus

Info

Publication number: US1808802A
Application number: US352064A
Authority: US
Inventors: Weinberg Alexander
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1929-04-03
Filing date: 1929-04-03
Publication date: 1931-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 1948-06-09

Description

June 9, 1931. A. WEINBERG BALL GAME APPARATUS 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed April 3. 1929 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS June 9, 1931. wElNBERG 1,808,802

BALL GAME: \APPARATUS Filed April '3, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I 65 40 35 Z7 26 31 IDIII/EIITJTOR ATTORNEYS Patented June 9,' 1931 UNITED STATES ALExAnnEn wnrnnnne, on NEW YORK, NQY.

BALL GAME APPARATUS Application filed April 3, 1929. Serial No. 352,064.

This'invention relates to game apparatus and has particular reference to baseball game apparatus of the type comprising a playing field, a pitchingmechanism and a batting mechanism.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved pitching mechanism which is simple in construction and by which the player operating such mechanism may vary the delivery speed ofthe ball and the direction of travel of the ball asit is delivered to the batter.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means under the-control of the batterfor varying thezswing ofthe bat according to the dictates or judgment of the player at bat. e

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings in which-Figure l is. a perspective view oi: the apparatus embody:

ing this invention; Figure. 2 is a fragmental bottom view of the apparatus showing. the control means for the pitching mechanism and the control means c for the batting mechanism; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmental sectional viewtaken on "line 44 of Figure 3 ;'F1gure 5 1s a sectional View taken on line 5-5 of Figure and F igure 6 is a side view of a figure representing 1 one of a plurality of players to be stationed at appropriate points on the field.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral- 5 indicates aframe, between the side and end members of which is secured a base plate 6, of suitable material such as metal, upon which is lithographed or otherwise provided the outline of a base ball field which includes the representations of home plate 7, firstbase 8, secondbase 9, third base 10 and pitchers box 11. VVithin'the base plate 6 are formed a plurality of pockets 12 whichare so located as to occupy thenormal playing positions of" the catcher, the infield players and the outfield. players. The playing field is provided with a plurality of openings 13 located respectively adjacent the pockets 12, each of which openingsais adapted for the-reception I box 'tothebatter isaccomplished by a pitching mechanism adapted to be controlled a person representing or in sympathy with the crouched position of the figures is such i that the miniature ball, shown in dottedlines in Figure 4 and indicated by thenumeral 19," will be directed into the pockets'when itis propelled across the field and fairly strikes the front of the player, regardless of whether such player be the catcher, pitche'r,-any one of the infielders or any one of the outfielder-s. Along the first base and third base foul lines are provided

pockets

16 and 17 which are similar to the pockets 12, hereinbefore mentioned. The pockets'lfi and'17-may -receive*" chance foul balls, and it is to be noted that V in connection with these pockets no provision is made'for the association therewith of fig-= ures representing 1 players (althoughflthe boundary side members orwalls of the frame 5 may cause balls to reboundinto-these pockets) since to provide players for thesepockets would'be inconsistent with the rulesof baseball which provide that no more than" nine players to theside shallparticipate in: the game at any one time. i i 7 Upon the field areprovideda plurality 'of' barriers 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24' which-define" areas A, B and C, representing one base,1t-wo base and threebase hits inthe event the ball when batted comes to rest in these respective areas. Adjacent the area G, a suitable opening or ocket 25 1s providedwhich repre- 'sentsa ome run in the event a batted=ball successively passes the above-mentioned bar-:- r1ers20 to 24 inclusive and enters, that open 1 ing or pocket.

Delivery of the ball "from the pitcherZs V the imaginary team on the field "opposingb the imaginary team at bat Thisdeliveryiechanism is manually controlled and by 3 the ball may be varied as well as the direcpitchers bOX' proper manipulation thereof the speed of tion of travel of the ball from to the batter. I I 1 Referring particularly to Figures 2 to 4,

wherein the pitching mechanism is SllOWlln detail, the numeral 27 indicates a ballmpelling member slideably mounted within a'pair of yokes 28 suitably connecled to the underneath side of the base plate 6. This ball-iinpelling member is provided at one end with a ball-engaging finger 29whioh projects upwardly through an opening 30 formed in the base plate 6 at the rear of the pitchers box ll, the other end of the ballimpe-lling ;member being provided with an eye through which passes a flat spring 31 having its ends slidably mounted within openings 32fo-rmed in one of a plurality of transverse disposed members 33 upon which the base plate 6 s supported.

the underneath side of the base plate 6 is a plate 34 having an opening 35 formed therein in registration with the opening 30 through which the ball-engaging finger 29 projects. To this plate 34 is pivotally connected'a pair of triggers 36 and 37, the form-er of which serves to temporarily retain the ballimpelling member 27 in its retracted position and the latter of which serves to I vary the extent of travel of such member being at their outer ends provided with.

when it is released by the trigger 36'and moved forwardly by the spring 31 to deliv er the ball. These triggers 36 and 37 are controlled respectively by slideable actuating arms 39' and 40 which are pivotally connected to the respective triggers and extend through opposite sides of the frame 5, they downwardly turned ends for convenience in operation. By a bow -spr1ng 41 looped through openings 42 formed in the arms 39 opposite directions with the result that the and 40, such arms are normally urged in trigger 37 is normally held out ofthe path of travel of the ball-engaging finger 29 and the trigger 36 is normally held in the path of travel of such finger. Although the tr1ggerL36 is normally held in the path of movement of the ball-engaging finger 29, such trigger is cammed out of such positlon as the ball-impe'lhng member. is retracted,

the camming action being set up between the ball-engaging finger 29 and the inclined forward face 44 of .the trigger. As the bal engaging finger 29 passes over the inclined face 44 ofthe trigger 36, thetrigger-is moved by the spring 41 into a position in Secured to batter, the arm 39 is moved inwardly by an operator against the influence of the sprlng 41. Upon'thus releasing the ball-impelling member 27 such member together with the ball-engaging finger 29 is moved forwardly under the influence of the spring 31 until the finger 29 engages the forward end of the slot 30 formed in the base plate, 6. through which such finger projects. Should the operator desire to limit'the forward movement of the ball-engaging finger 29 to less than its normal extent of travel, the trigger 37 is moved inwardly by the arm. 40 against the influence of the spring 41, thereby placing one or the other of the shoulders 46 and 47 provided on the trigger 37 in the path of travel of such finger. In the event a movement of the ball-impelling member 27 which is slightly less than its normal extent of movement, is desired, the trigger 37 is moved inwardly a sufficient distance to place only the shoulder 46 in the pathof travel of the ball-engaging finger 29. However, should a further, limitation to the forward movement of the ballimpellingmember 27 be desired, the trigger 37 ismoved inwardly a sufiicient distance to place the shoulder 47 in the path of travel ofthe ball-engaging finger 29. By the construction shown and thus far described, it will appear that three limits of forward movement are provided for the ball-impelling member 27, one being determined by the forward end of the slot 30 formed in the base plate 6 through which the ball-engaging finger 29 projects another being determined by the notch 46 on the trigger 37, and still another being provided by the notch '47 also provided on that trigger. Therefore, ,it follows that three degrees. of delivery speed'of the ball, as it is propelled from a position infront of the ball-engagingfinger 29 to the batter, are made possible, any one of which speeds may be pro-selected by the operator in controlof' the balldelivering mechanism before 6X83 outing the delivery. The battingmechanism includes a shaft 49, journalled-in the baseplate 6 at one side of the home plate and carrying radially thereon abat 50 which is held in a retracted positionby an operator, representing or in a handle 51 protruding from the shaft 49 for enabling the bat'to be readily retracted and so held until a s'rike at; the ball is to be effected. For limiting the movementxof'the bat -50 to its retracted position a stop 52 may be provided, and for limiting the 1 normal throw or forward movement of the hat a similar stop 53 is provided, such stops being suitably secured to the base plate 6. vThe forward swing of the bat 50 is affected by a spring 54 suitably connected toone of the transverse frame members 33, upon which the base plate 6 is supported, the free end of such home plate, and means for supporting the ball in front of said impelling member andfor shifting the relative positions ofthe ball 7 and impelling member whereby the impelling member may be appliedto the-ball atditlerent points to effect its delivery along selected lines of travel from the pitchers box to the home plate.

2. In a ball game apparatus, a-ball,-a playing field havlng a pitchers box and a home plate, a ball-impelling member or delivering the ball fromthe pitchers box to the home plate along a definite line of travel, and means for supporting the ball in front of said impelling member and for shifting the ball transversely of said definite line of travel in opposite directions and withrespect to said ball-impelling member whereby the impelling member may be applied to the ball at different points to effect its deviation from said definite line at one side or the other thereof. r

3. In a ball game apparatus, a ball, a playing field having a pitohers box and a home plate, a ball-impelling member for delivering the ball from the pitchers box to the home plate, means for supporting the ball in front of said impelling member and for shifting the relative positions of the ball and impellin member whereby the impelling member may be applied to the ball at difierent points to effect its delivery a-longselected lines of travelfrom the pitchers box to the home plate, and speed control means cooperating with said ball-impelling means for varying the speed or" delivery of the ball from the pitchers box towards the home plate.

l. In a ball game apparatus, a playing field having a pitchers box and a home plate,

a spring-actuated ball-impelling device fordelivering a ball from said pitchers box towards said home plate along a definite line of travel, a ball-supporting member located in frontor" said ball-impelling device for there supporting the ball to be delivered, said ball-supporting member being movable transversely of said field and relative to said ball-impelling device for causing the ball to deviate from said definite line oitravel as it is delivered from the pitchers box towards the home plate. V

5. Ina ball'game apparatus, a playing field having a pitchers box and a home plate, a

spring-actuated ball-impelling device for de-'- livering a ball from said pitchers boxto;

wards said home plate along a definite line of travel, and a ball-supporting member having a portion exposed through the playing field at a point in front of the ball-impelling device and there adapted to supportthe ball to be delivered, said ball-supportingmemher being movable in both directions transversely of said field for correspondingly shifting said ball with respect to said balldeliveringidevice whereby the ball is caused livered is Y can to deviate in one'direction, on the'one hand and in the other direction on the other hand,

"from said definite line oftravel.

spring-actuated ball-impelling device'for de- 7 'livering a ball from saidpitchersbox to--' wards said home plate, a ball-supporting member located init'ront of said ball-impellingdevice ior there supporting the ball to be delivered, said ball-supporting member being movable transversely of said field and relative to said ball-impelllng device for causing the ball to deviate from-said definite line '01- travel as it is delivered from the pitchers box towards the home plate, and. spring means tending to maintain said ball-support: ing member with the ball thereon in a hentral position whereby such ball when desed toiollow a definite line of travel.

7, In .a ballgame apparatus, a playing field having a .pitohers box and a home plate, a b'all-impelling member for deliveringthe ball from the pitchers box .to the .homeplate along a definite line of travel, means operable at will for causing said ball to deviate from said definite line of travel, a bat adapted to I be actuated through a full swing, and means within the control of an operator for stepable at will for causing the said ball to deviate fromsaid definite lineof travel; a bat adapted to be actuated through a full swing and bat-limiting meanswithin the control of an operator for stopping the movementvof.

said bat before it reaches the end of a runswing, said bat-limiting means including 31* stop member movable with said bat, and

a manually operated rod 'adapted to be stop member. I V

9. In a ball game apparatus; a playing field having a pitehers box and a home plate; a ball-impelling member for delivering the 'moved into the path of movementof said ball from the pitchers box to the home plate:

alon a definite line of travel means 0 erable at will for causing the said ball to deviate from said definite line of travel; a bat adapted to be actuated through a full swing; and means within the control of an operator for limiting the movement of said bat to less than a full swing, said bat-limiting means including a stop member movable with said bat, a manually operated rod adapted to be moved into the path of movement of said stop member and spring means tending to normally maintain said rod out of the path of said stop member.

which is wrapped around the lower end of the shaft 49' and suitably anchored thereto.

In order that the player at bat may limit the forward swing of the bat 50 ,to a position preferably substantially at right angles to v the line of delivery of the ball, a bat-1imiting means is provided which includes a stop member 56, secured tothe lower end'of the retracted, as shown, the bat 50 is free tov shaft 49 and adapted to cooperate with a slideable rod 57 under the control of the player. representing the team at bat. This rod 57. is slid-eably mounted within a U.

.of the 'U-shaped bracket through which the innerend of the rod 57 projects. The length of the arm 56 is such that when the rod 57 is undergoa full swing. from its retracted position to a position in contact with the stop 53. However, when the rod 57 is depressed, the swing of the bat 57 from its retractedposition is limited in its movement and is brought to rest ina position directlyover the home plate 7, or, in other words, its forward movement is stopped'at such time as the bat reaches a position at substantially right angles to the line of .deliveryof the ball from the pitchers box to the batter. By making use of the limited throw of the bat, the delivered ball may be hit in a fashion simulating a bunt, which, under certain circumstances, depending upon the number of men on base and the relation of such men to each other, may be desirable as well as justifiable by the player 7 representing the team at bat.

From the nature of the apparatus and the mode of operation of'the same'thus' far described, it will be appreciated that the success of a player, representing his team at play, as

against another player, representing his team at play, will depend upon the skill with which the pitching mechanism and batting V mechanism are operated, and the greater the skill-of two contesting operators the more 'jfascinating will become the contest not only as. between the contestants themselves but also as to interested witnesses to such contest.

In order that further skill m'ay. be employed by theoperator representing the team at bat, as well as by the. operator representing the team in the field, I have provided means under the control of the operator of v o the pitchingmechanism whereby the direction of travel of the ball from the pitchers box to the batter can be deviated one way or the other from a straight line, passing centrally through the pitchers box and the home plate. This ball deviating control includes a slideable ball-supporting member 62 which extends transversely across the underneath side of the base plate 6 at a position in front of; the ball-engaging finger 29. The ball-sup-l porting member is suitably supported with 6' respect to the underneath side of the base:

plate 6 and its opposite ends project through the side members of the frame 5 and are there Normally the ball-supporting member 62 is held in a hen-- tral position by a pair oftension springs 63 which are anchored to one ofthe transverse frame members 33 and to the ball-supporting member at points in proximity to its opposite ends. An intermediate portion of, the ballsupporting member 62 is exposed through an opening 6 1 formed in the base plate 6 at a point immediately in front of the ball-engaging finger 29, such exposed portion being provided with a detent or opening 65 in which the ball 19 is placed preparatory to its being 7 delivered to the batter, the openingv 64 being sufliciently large to permit a slight transverse movement of the ball in one direction or the other at theffront of the ball-engaging finger when theball-supporting member 62 is similarly moved by the operator in control of the pitching mechanism. A slightmovement of the ball-supporting member 62 to the left as viewed from the outfieldend of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 will result in the ball being struck by the; ball-engaging finger 29 slightly to the right, and-due to this offcenter impact the ball will be delivered to the .batter on a line diverging to the left from a straight line passing centrally through the home plate and pitchers box. 6 On the other center position of-the ball at the left thereof,

thereby causing the ball as it is delivered to the batter to deviateto the right of a s raight line passing-centrally through the home plate and pitchers box; Deviation of the ball to the leftandto the right, as described, corresponds respectively to' the i'delivering of out curves and in curves, and the degree to" which such deviation maybe effected de-' pends, of course, upon the extent'to which the ball has been moved to the right or to the left by the ball-supporting member 62 before the impact is delivered thereto by the ball-engaging member 29. h

While I have shown only one form of the invention, it will be understood that various changes may be made without departl ing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims. 1 Y

Whatis-claimed is: v 1. In a ball game apparatus, a ball, a playing field having a pitchers box and a home 1 plate, a ball-,impelling member for delivering the ball from the'pitchers' box to the 10. In a ball game apparatus, a playing field having a pitchers box and a home plate, a ball-impelling memberfor delivering the ball from the pitchers box to the home plate along a definite line of travel, means operable at will for causing said ball to deviate from said definite line of travel, speed control means cooperating with said ball-impelling means for varying the speed of delivery of the ball from the pitchers box towards the home plate, a bat adapted to be actuated through a full swing, and means within the control of an operator for stop- 7 ping the movement of said bat before it 5 reaches the end of a full swing.

11. In a ball game apparatus; a playing field having a pitchers box and a home plate; a ball-impelling member for delivering the ball from the pitchers box to the home plate along a definite line of travel; means operable at will for causing said ball to deviate from said definite line of travel; speed control means cooperating with said ball-im- 'pelling means for varying the speed of delivery of the ball from the pitchers box towards the home plate, a bat adapted to be actuated through a full swing; and bat-limiting means within the control of an operator for stopping the movement of said bat before it reaches the endof a full swing, said bat-limiting means including a stop member" carried by said bat and a manually operated rod adapted to be moved into the path of movement of said stop.

12. In a ball game apparatus; a playing field having a pitchers box and a home plate a ball-impelling member for delivering the ball from the pitchers box to the home plate along a definite line of travel; and means operable at will for causing the said ballto deviate from said definite line of travel; speed control means cooperating with'said ball-ime pelling means for varying the speed of delivery of the ball from the pitchers box towards the home plate, a bat adapted to be actuated through a full swing; and means within the control of an operator for limiting the movement of said bat to less than a full swing, said bat-limiting means including a stop member carried by said bat and a man'- ually operated rod adapted to be moved into the path of movement of said stop, and spring means tending to normally maintain said rod out of the path of said stop member.

In testimony whereof, I have atfixed my signature to this specification.

ALEXANDER WEINBERG.