US3521617A

US3521617A - Ball pitching machine

Info

Publication number: US3521617A
Application number: US769845A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald D Heinz
Original assignee: DONALD D HEINZ
Current assignee: DONALD D HEINZ
Priority date: 1968-10-23
Filing date: 1968-10-23
Publication date: 1970-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 1987-07-28

Description

July 28, 1970 D. D. HEINZ 3 ,521,617

BALL PITCHING MACHINE k Filed Oct. 25. 1968 2 Shets-Sheet 1 flffOF/YEX July 28, 1970 D. D. HEINZ ,5

BALL PITCHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 2:5, 1968 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 3,521,617 BALL PITCHING MACLHNE Donald D. Heinz, 2403 Lincoln St. NE., Minneapolis, Minn. 55418 Filed Oct. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 769,845 Int. Cl. F4lb 7/00; F41d 9/00 US. Cl. 124-16 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A ball pitching machine particularly adapted for use as a childs toy for the pitching or propelling of light, plastic baseballs. The machine includes a ball discharge section into which balls are dropped to be propelled, dispensed or pitched therefrom through the use of a flexible paddle which imparts a pitching force to the ball. The paddle is motor driven for cyclic operation and a ball holding and dispensing structure carried by the motor and positioned above the paddle will dispense balls in a timed sequence to be propelled from the machine.

My invention relates to a ball pitching machine and more particularly to an improved ball pitching machine of the type particularly for use as a childs toy in the pitching of small plastic baseballs.

Pitching machines and projectile propelling machines of this general type are known and in use. They are all too complex for usage as 'a childs top and totally inapplicable for such usage because of the number of moving parts, the safety hazard to children in usage and the physical structure and size which eliminates in house usage. The present invention is directed to a ball pitching machine particularly adapted for the pitching of small plastic baseballs of the type well known and in use for children. Such baseballs are used in conjunction with plastic bats and may be used indoors or outdoors by small children without danger because of their relative lightweight. The ball pitching machine of the present invention is adapted to dispense small plastic baseballs in a timed sequence for batting practice and may be utilized indoors or outdoors to accurately project the baseballs for batting practice for children. It employs a ball dispensing or throwing structure which includes a base and cylindrical frame forming a discharge chamber n which is positioned a rotating paddle adapted to engage the plastic balls and impart a snap force thereto to pro pel them through an opening in the discharge chamber. The paddle is motor driven and a ball holding and dispensing tray associated with the motor and driven thereby being located above the paddle, will dispense balls in a timed sequence to accurately position balls for engagement with the flexed paddle such that they may be propelled from the machine to simulate a pitched ball. The structure is lightweight, simple in design and may be operated by children without safety hazard. As such, it is a sophisticated training toy which is reliable, simple in design and relatively maintenance free.

Therefore, it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved ball pitching machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a ball pitching machine which is simple in design and utilizes a minimum of moving parts to provide a structure safe for operation by children.

Another object of this invention is to provide a ball pitching machnie Which is easy to use so that it may be child operated, readily moved and handled, and accurately propels balls for training purposes.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a ball pitching machine which is low in cost and maintenance free to provide an improved toy for children.

United States Patent ice These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached description together with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved ball pitching machine;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the improved ball pitching machine;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the improved ball pitching machine with parts in section; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the improved ball pitching machine with parts in section.

My improved ball pitching machine in its preferred form is generally classifiable as a childs toy designed to pitch or throw small plastic baseballs for batting practice for children using lightweight plastic bats. As such, it is particularly adaptable for indoor or outdoor usage and is primarily constructed for operation by children. Within the scope of the invention, however, heavier materials and larger units incorporating the same shape and principle may be employed for the pitching or throwing of heavier balls to be contacted by heavier bats of different materials. Thus, in FIG. 1, the improved ball pitching machine is shown generally at 10. It includes a base structure which has a support portion 12 and a cylindrical discharge frame 14 secured thereto, the support portion being generally triangular in cross section and taking the appearance of a truncated pyramid with the cylindrical discharge portion 14 attached thereto and inclined at an angle to the surface of the base portion 12 which is adapted to rest on the ground or surface where the machine is mounted. Thus, for indoor use, the machine may be placed on the ground or on a table or other suitable supporting surface with similar locations being adapted for outdoor usage. The materials employed in the base structure may be plastic, metal or wood and in its preferred form would be generally a molded or machined plastic material. The base portion 12 may or may not be enclosed on its bottom surface and may include glides such as is indicated at 15, certain of which are adjustable for height adjustment or other suitable supporting structures. The cylindrical discharge frame member has a chute or opening 18 along the periphery of the same through which balls are propelled. As will be seen in the side elevation View in FIG. 4, the discharge chute 18 is located in the peripheral wall of the cylindrical frame or discharge structure intermediate the high and low points thereof because of the angle of inclination of the mounting of the cylindrical frame on the base structure and more closely adjacent the high point of the same. With respect to the base sitting on a horizontal surface, the angle of inclination is approximately five degrees so that balls being propelled from this cylindrical frame will have an upward inclination. The cylindrical frame 14, which is generally cup-shaped in form, has a bottom surface 20 upon which balls roll and an upper open top which mounts a second cup-shaped structure 25 which forms the ball holding and dispensing portion of the pitching machine. The latter fits telescopically into the ball dispensing or discharge frame 14 to close the top of the same.

Positioned within the base support or triangular base 12 of the base structure for the pitching machine is a drive motor indicated at 30. This is an electrical motor adapted to be energized through an electrical cord 32 with a suitable connector to be plugged into an outlet or power source. Motor 30 includes a mounting frame 33 which is attached on the undersurface of the bottom 20 of the cylindrical discharge frame portion 14 of the base structure and secured thereto through screws, such as is indicated at 36. Motor 30 includes an output shaft 38 which extends through an aperture 39 in the base 20 of the cylindrical frame portion 14 and projects into the confines thereof with an upper flange portion 42 which attaches to the bottom surface of the cylindrical ball holding and dispensing frame 25. The motor is mounted at the geometric center of the cylindrical frame portion 14 and is enclosed by the triangular base portion 12 such that it will rotate the ball holding and dispensing structure concentric with the axis of the frame 14. Shaft 38 is slotted along its extent and mounts a drive paddle 45 which is positioned in the notch 46 therein and held in position by screws 47 with the paddle extending generally from the shaft radially to short of the inner wall of the cylindrical frame discharge portion 14. The paddle may take varying forms but as shown herein is generally tapered toward its free extremity with a width dimension smaller than the diametrical dimension of the ball which it is to engage. Also included within the cylindrical frame part and attached thereto is a flange 50 which is generally plate-like in form and attached at one edge to the inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical frame part through means (not shown) and curved inwardly to be secured to a post 52 offset from the wall toward the geometrical center of the cylindrical frame portion. This flange is adapted to engage the end of the paddle to flex or bend the same, the paddle being made of a flexible material which may be metal or plastic. Thus, as the paddle is rotated within the confines of the cylindrical frame discharge portion of the base, it will engage the flange at the end of the same causing flexing of the paddle with the paddle being released and snapped once the area of the post 52 is cleared. It is at this point that a ball positioned in front of the paddle will be snapped or discharged from the machine through the discharge opening 18 in the cylindrical frame portion 14. In addition, the bottom 20 of this cylindrical frame portion has a ridge member 55 secured thereto adjacent the area of the flange plate 50 to define a restrictive path into which a ball will roll. The ridge 55 represents a small raised surface on the bottom 20 of the frame part which clears the paddle 45 so as not to interfere with the same and yet provide a guiding structure for a ball deposited on the bottom surface and rolling thereon under the influence of gravity because of the inclination of the frame part 14 on the base structure.

The ball holding and dispensing structure, which is generally cylindrical in form and fits into the upper end of the dispensing form structure or portion 14, is also partially open at the top to receive baseballs 61 of objects to be thrown, such as is indicated at 60. The bottom or base of this structure, as indicated at 62, forms the cover for the discharge frame portion 14 and is disposed generally parallel to the bottom 20 and concentric therewith being rotatable relative thereto on the shaft 38. This structure includes a maze or guide path portion, indicated generally at 70, located beneath the closed top portion which provides the path or guide for the plastic baseballs as they are moved from the reservoir toward and through an aperture 72 therein. This maze or guide includes a raised portion 73 which extends in a circular manner from the wall of the structure 25 and along one side of the aperture 72 and terminates in a generally three-walled recess, such as is indicated at 74, for ball direction purposes. The raised portion 73, at its three-walled recess extremity 74, is spaced from the peripheral wall of the ball holding and guide structure 25 to provide an entrance passage or a restricted opening, such as is indicated at 78, through which only a single ball may pass at any period of time. The raised portion 73 may be attached to or formed integral with the base 62 of the ball holding and dispensing structure and has several straight sides for deflecting purposes beyond the opening 78 for guiding the balls into the aperture 72. The actual shape of the maze may vary depending upon the speed of rotation of the motor 30 and the action of the balls on the dispensing structure 25. The aperture 72 in the structure 25 which is secured to the shaft 38, is located diametrically opposite a paddle 45, as shown in phantom in FIG. 2, such that a ball will be discharged onto the surface 20 of the discharge frame portion 14 to roll downward under the influence of gravity in the direction of the flange 50 such that the paddle which will be rotating in this direction will meet the ball after being flexed by an engagement of the extremity of the same with the curved flange plate 50 so as to be contacted upon release to snap or throw the ball through the discharge opening 18 in the frame portion 14 of the base structure. Since the ball holding and guiding structure is disposed parallel to the inclined discharge frame portion 14 and is rotatable relative thereto, balls held in the area outside of the maze 70 or in the reservoir portion of this structure 25, will roll under the influence of gravity with each revolution of the shaft attached thereto and be guided through the maze one at a time with each revolution. As the balls pass through the restricted opening 78, they will be guided against the straight walled or three-walled surface 74 and rebound therefrom toward the curved opposite surface directing the same toward the aperture 72. The common effect of gravity and centrifugal force will guide the balls through the maze with each ball reaching the low side or position of the support structure during its rotation under the influence of gravity and being directed through the maze by the action of centrifugal force. A single ball will be dispensed with each revolution of the ball holding and dispensing structure 25 of the shaft 38 and will move into proximity with the paddle after it has been flexed. In the dispensing of balls from the structure 25 through the aperture 72, the motor is rotated to rotate the dispensing structure 25 and the paddle 45 attached thereto in fixed relationship. Motor is operated or energized through control of a switch indicated at 80 which is mounted in a flange or rib section 82 on the undersurface of the cylindrical discharge frame part 14 to house the electrical connections from the motor 30 and the energizing connector cord 32. This is disposed with the operating portion of the switch adjacent the peripheral edge of the cylindrical frame part for easy axis.

In operation, a child may physically lift and position the pitching machine placing it on any desired surface either at a floor level or at a raised level. The balls associated therewith and indicated at 61 are positioned on the exposed surface of the holding and dispensing cylindrical frame part 25 and the machine is energized from operation of the switch after the cord 32 is connected to a suitable electric outlet. The motor will run causing its shaft to rotate at a fixed speed rotating the paddle and the dispensing portion 25 continuously. Because of the incline of the dispensing portion and the discharge frame part 14 relative to the base 12, balls will move into the maze and through the maze to the discharge or dispensing aperture 72 to be dropped on the bottom surface 20 of the discharge frame part 14 and rolled into proximity with the paddle as it is rotated. The paddle is flexed by the flange plate and upon passing beyond the post 52, will snap, engaging the ball and propelling it through the discharge chute opening 18 in the discharge frame part 14 to simulate a pitched ball. The parts forming the pitching machine may be made of a plastic or lightweight metal material so that it may be readily handled by children and the plastic balls may be utilized for play indoors and out. This improved pitching machine provides a simplified design which is readily handled and usable by children as a toy.

What is claimed is:

1. A ball pitching machine, comprising:

(a) a base structure including a support portion and a cylindrical frame portion secured thereto, said cylindrical frame portion having a ball discharge opening in a peripheral wall surface of the same;

(b) a drive motor mounted on the base structure and having an output shaft extending into the cylindrical frame portion of the base structure and located centrally therein;

(c) a flexible drive paddle attached to the output shaft of the drive motor and extending substantially to the peripheral wall surface of the frame portion of the base structure to be rotated therein;

(d) a ball holding and dispensing structure mounted on the upper extremity of the output shaft of the drive motor above the drive paddle and rotated therewith;

(e) a ball directing path structure positioned on the surface of the ball holding and dispensing structure and including an aperture at a closed end of the ball directing path structure adapted to direct balls thereon through the path and the aperture into the confines of the cylindrical frame portion of the base structure; and

(f) means within the cylindrical frame portion of the base structure for deflecting the paddle as it rotates such that it is adapted to engage a ball dropped through the aperture in the dispensing structure to propel it through the discharge opening in the wall surface of the cylindrical frame portion of the base structure. 1

2. The ball pitching machine of claim 1 in which the cylindrical frame portion of the base structure is inclined to a surface of the support portion which is adapted to position a machine for usage.

3. The ball pitching machine of claim 2 in which the means within the cylindrical frame portion is a curved flange plate connected to the inner surface of the frame portion projecting out from the side to engage the end of the paddle as it rotates to deflect and release the same.

4. The ball pitching machine of claim 2 in which the ball holding and dispensing structure is a cylindrical shaped member open at the top and with the path guiding structure and the aperture therein positioned on the bottom surface of the cylindrical structure.

5. The ball pitching machine of claim 4 in which the path guide structure is a maze having a restricted passage therein of dimension sufficient to pass only a single ball at any time and with the remainder of the ball holding and dispensing structure being a reservoir for balls which are moved through the path guiding structure with rotation of the ball holding and dispensing structure.

6. The ball pitching machine of claim 1 in which the motor is an electric motor and including switch means mounted on the support portion of the base structure to control the energization of the same.

7. The ball pitching machine of claim 1 in which the aperture in the ball holding and dispensing structure and the paddle are located at diametrically opposed positions relative to the output shaft of the drive motor to which they are connected.

8. The ball pitching machine of claim 2 in which the inclined cylindrical frame portion of the base structure includes the discharge opening therein extending from the highest point relative to the surface of the support portion thereof and in which the deflecting flange is located intermediate the lowest point in the inclined cylindrical frame portion relative to the support portion of the base structure.

9. The ball pitching machine of claim 5 in which the base portion is generally a truncated pyrimid with the cylindrical frame portion attached thereto with the drive motor mounted at the geometric center of the cylindrical base portion and with the ball holding and dispensing structure being located generally parallel to the cylindrical frame portion and telescopically fitted for rotation therein. 7

10. The ball pitching machine of claim 1 in which the ball directing structure on the ball holding and dispensing structure is inclined relative to a base upon which the support portion is adapted to be positioned such that balls positioned thereon move under the influence of gravity and centrifugal force With rotation of a ball holding and dispensing structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,190,565 7/1916 Long 124-6 1,309,129 7/1919 Gannoe 12451 XR 2,057,599 10/1936 Serrano 124-50 XR 2,660,158 11/1953 Binks.

3,034,785 5/1962 Graham.

3,059,929 10/1962 Licitis 124-16 XR 3,084,680 4/1963 Goldfarb et a1. 124-50 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 526,739 9/ 1940 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.