US1862044A

US1862044A - Ball practicing device

Info

Publication number: US1862044A
Application number: US344485A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas M White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1929-03-05
Filing date: 1929-03-05
Publication date: 1932-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 1949-06-07

Description

June 7, 1932. T. M. WHITE 1,862,044

BALL PRACTICING DEVICE Filed March 5, 1929 .Zpgo zo INVENTOR. 7PM/vas M l/l/H/ rE 1% )00 A TTORNE YS.

Patented .lune 7, 1932 momes M. WHITE, or wenn, CALIFORNIA* V BALI. PRAGTICING DEVICE Application led March 5, 19729. Serial No. 344,485.

An object of my invention is to provide` a device for practicing the art of striking a ball, whereby one may be taught to swing a bat, a golf club or the like, in the proper manner.

A further object of my invention is to provide novel means for swinging a ball to a position where it may be successively struck several times, and I lfurther provide means for returning the ball to its original position.

Moreover, I propose to make the ball-supporting means adjustable, so as to permit the device to be conveniently used by personsof different heights, or for different types of games.

A further object is to provide a device of the type described which is simple in construction, durable and efficient for the purpose intended.

Other objects and their advantages will appear as the specification proceeds, and the novel features of my invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accom* panying drawing forming a part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of my device;

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l; l

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical section of the upper portion of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a modification of my invention.

In carrying my invention into practice, I.

provide a base 1 with a threaded recess 2 for receiving a standard 3. The upper end of the standard has an arm 4 extending therefrom substantially at a right angle to the aXis of the standard. The end of the arm has a ball 5 suspended therefrom by a means of a flexible cord 6. Referring now to Figures 1 and 3, it will be noted that the standard 3 has a bore 7 extending the entire length thereof. The arm 4 terminates in a leg 8, which is slidably and adjustably received in the standard.

The end of the standard remote from the base is threaded as at 9 for removably `receiving a housing 10, the latter being vcovered by a cap 10(l The interior of the housing is formed with arecess 11, inwhich is dis.-

posed a set-collar 12 that embraces-the legv 8. rIlhe screw 13 ofthe collar may be adjusted by inserting a screw driver through an opening 14.

It is thus apparent from the vparts just dea scribed that thejball 5 may be raised or lowered with respect to the ground 15 by first turning the vscrew 13, and then sliding the leg 8 within the standard 3 until the desired level is obtained. Furtherl adjustment may beV accomplished the cord 6.

I have also provided means for permitting the end 16 of the arm to describen-'circular path aroundthe housing 10; This is accom plished by providing a bearing 17 that is supported within the housing 10 by a ledge 18, the race 19 ofthe bearing being frictionally secured lto the leg 8.

' Figure 3 disc-loses the leg 8l as having a slot 20 extending longitudinally thereof for a considerable distance. Vithinf the housing 10, Ihave arranged a spiral-shaped spring 21, one end of the spring being secured to the housing as at 22, while the opposite end is bent inwardly and is received in the slot 20. This construction ypermits the leg to be adj usted axially without disturbing the spring.

If'we now assume that the ball 5 is struck by a tennis racket or a bat, the movementV of the ball first tends to swing the cord 6 in a circular path about the end 16V of the arm. Further swinging of the ball will then tend to swing the arm 4 and to swing the cord 6 into a position where it will coincide with the longitudinal 'axis of the arm 4. When the ball'is in this position, the arm will be rotated through several revolutions before comes to. a stop. It should be appreciated that the person practicing with mydevice is given the opportunity of striking the ball each timeit passes around the standard.

As the ball is rotated around the standard, the spring 21 is tensioned, and assoon as the operator stops striking the ball, the spring will immediately be free to rotate the by changing the length of vbase 1 When motion is imparted to it by a armA in the opposite direction until the ball returns to its original position.

I have provided a snap-hook 22 at the end of the cord 6 in order that the-ball 5 may be replaced by some one type of a ball if the operator so desires.

The modificationr as shown in Figure 4 shows the standard 3 as being removed from the threaded recess 2 and as being replaced by'a head 2 3. rl`he head 23 has a ring 24 encircling it, the ring having the end 25 of a iiexible cord 26`secured thereto. A golf ball 27 is attached to the opposite end of the cord f 26 in any desired Way. n The ball 27 is caused to rotate around the golf club.

arranged to swing in a'horizontal plane, a ball, means for suspending the ball from the free end of the member With freedom of swinging motion in a vertical plane, and yielding means for returning the member to its original position after the ball is struck.

'II-IOBIAS M. WHITE.

Themodified form of invention is particularly Well adapted for assisting one in learning golf.

Referring again to Figure l, it Will be noticed that I have arranged an eyelet 28 on a rotatable ring 29 to which may be secured the cord 26. The cord 26 may be removed from the device as shown in Figure 1, or it may be permanently attached thereto. n

While I have shown only the preferred formsof my invention, I Wish it to be understood that various changes or modifications may be made Within the scope of the claims Without departing from the spirit of the invention. v Y

I claim:

l. A'ball-practicing device comprising a standard, a rotatable member secured thereto, a ball, means connecting said ball to said rotatable member, said ball being svvingable around said standard When caused to move, and means for returning said ball to its original position.

2. A ball-practicing device comprising a standard, an arm extending from said standard, said arm being adjustable axially of said standardY and rotatably disposed therein, a ball suspended from the end of said arm, and means for returning said arm to its original position after said ball is caused to move.

.3. A ball-practicing device comprising a standard, an arm rotatably disposed in said standard and extending therefrom, a ball suspended from the end of said arm, and yielding meansy for returning said arm to its original position after said ball is caused to move.

4. A ball-practicing device comprising a standard, a rotatable arm disposed in said standard and extending therefrom, means for adjusting said arm longitudinally of said standard, and a spring for returning said arm to its original position after the arm is caused to move. I

5. A ball practice device comprising a vertically arranged Standard, an L-shaped member having one of its legs telescopically 1 mounted with the standard and the other leg IHS