US3802409A - Elastic type surface supported portable indoor-outdoor ball projecting device - Google Patents

Elastic type surface supported portable indoor-outdoor ball projecting device Download PDF

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Publication number
US3802409A
US3802409A US00252008A US25200872A US3802409A US 3802409 A US3802409 A US 3802409A US 00252008 A US00252008 A US 00252008A US 25200872 A US25200872 A US 25200872A US 3802409 A US3802409 A US 3802409A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
frame member
ball
ground
base member
base
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00252008A
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English (en)
Inventor
B Mike
E Mike
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US00252008A priority Critical patent/US3802409A/en
Priority to CA168,613A priority patent/CA985589A/en
Priority to JP48050808A priority patent/JPS4962239A/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3802409A publication Critical patent/US3802409A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41B—WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F41B3/00—Sling weapons
    • F41B3/02—Catapults, e.g. slingshots
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/0073—Means for releasably holding a ball in position; Balls constrained to move around a fixed point, e.g. by tethering
    • A63B69/0079—Balls tethered to a line or cord
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/40—Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls or other bodies
    • A63B69/407—Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls or other bodies with spring-loaded propelling means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/02—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 for large-room or outdoor sporting games
    • A63B71/023—Supports, e.g. poles
    • A63B2071/024—Supports, e.g. poles with screws or pins in the earth

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT In an apparatus for projecting a ball for a significant distance, the apparatus incorporating a pair of upward extensions between which an elastic strap connects, and from the lower most end of said frame member there is hingedly connected a base member that is disposed rearwardly of the frame member for stabilizing the apparatus upon the ground, while a brace interconnects between said frame and base members to hold said frame approximately upright and aids in stabilization during usage of the apparatus.
  • a wire may be connected to the forward side of the frame member and anchored to the ground to help stabilize the apparatus.
  • a line is anchored to the ground, then threaded through a guide on the apparatus and then tethered to a ball to be projected. The line limits the distance that the tethered ball is thrown.
  • This invention relates generally to a projecting device, and more particularly, relates to a ball projecting apparatus that may propel a ball to either fixed or lengthy distances.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a ball throwing device in the nature of a slingshot that can project the ball for a significant distance or for a limited distance depending upon the type of practice desired.
  • a ball projecting apparatus that incorporates the basic principle of slingshot projection, modified to the extent that provides for controlled and facile throwing of a ball for either limited or extensive distances.
  • the apparatus basically incorporates a frame member, which is custom arily held erect, and which member incorporates a pair of upward extendings that have interconnected between their approximately upper portions an elastic strap. It is thepositioning of the ball or other object into the acute angle of said strap which when pulled into extension, and then promptly released, provides for projecting of the ball for some distance.
  • the distance and direction that the ball may be projected can be reasonably manipulated by means of positioning of the apparatus prior to a drawing of its elastic strap, and through the directing of the angle of inclination of said strap, that anyone with a minor amount of strength can reasonably propel the ball with some degree of accuracy regardless of his athletic skill, dexterity, or experience in playing baseball.
  • a mother may even pitch batting practice, or fielding practice, with the use of this ball projecting apparatus since all she need to do is simply insert the ball into the strap and draw it for immediate release to propel a ball forward.
  • a base member that is fixed in position to the frame member by means of a brace holds said frame member reasonably upright and erect, and either pegs or the weight of the operator can urge the base and frame member tightly to the ground.
  • this apparatus for, as an example, fielding practice in the nature of the catching of fly balls, as in the outfield, one need simply insert the ball into the elastic means, draw it to significant tensioning, and then aim it to provide for an upward trajectory of the ball after the elastic strap has been suddenly released.
  • this invention further incorporates means to provide for only limited projection of the ball in its discharge from the apparatus.
  • a retaining means in the nature of a cord, connects at one end to the ball, while its other end may be secured either directly to the apparatus, or to the ground, so that 'when the ball is thrown from the device, it will only travel that distance its cord has been set to allow.'
  • eyebolt to the frame member, and threading one end of the cord therethrough, it can be readily seen that the length of the cord between the ball and the apparatus may be gauged quite accurately, depending upon how near or remote the other end of the cord is attached to the ground.
  • the length of projection of the ball is predetermined by setting the cord length between the apparatus and the ball at that distance approximating the space between the location of the apparatus from the position of the batter.
  • FIG. 1 provides a back side perspective view of the ball projecting apparatus while being operated by a player
  • FIG. 2 provides a side view of the ball projecting apparatus as shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus, similar to that shown in FIG. 2, with the frame member and its brace being shown during their setup or dismantling; and
  • FIG. 4 provides a side view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 2, and further indicating its cooperating ball and cord means in flight, in addition to a modification providing for further stability of the apparatus.
  • FIG. 1 there is disclosed a perspective view of the ball projecting apparatus A of this invention, as it is being utilized by its user, the ball player as shown.
  • the apparatus incorporates a frame member 1, which, when the device is setup into operative position, is maintained substantially upright and erect, as shown, and has connected thereto, proximate its lower edge, by means of the hinge 2 a base member 3 that extends rearwardly from said frame.
  • a brace 4 which may be hingedly connected to said base member by means of a hinge 5, while its other end is removably connected to the back side of the base member by means of any form of fastening device, such as the wing nut and bolt combination 6. See also FIG. 2. While the various forms of connections between the frame and base members and the brace are described as being mostly hinge connections, any form of the standard connecting devices that are presently available upon the market may be utilized for the purpose of fixing these three components securely into their operative positions.
  • the frame member 1 is designed having a substantial surface at its downward portion, and such surface may be utilized for the purpose of supporting advertising, or the like, while in the upper portion of said frame there is provided a pair of upward extensions 7 and 8, with an intermediate cut out portion, as at 9, that provides clearance for the ball or projectile being thrown from the apparatus as during its use.
  • These upward extensions have a series of apertures, as at 10, provided therethrough, and are disposed for holding a fastening means, and in the nature of a screw, or the like, that connect with mounting blocks 11 that are useful for securing the free ends of an elastic means or strap 12 to the frame member.
  • the ends of the strap 12 may be positioned at one of these levels along the extensions 7 and 8 so that some adjustment in the height of the elastic strap 12 may be made, to compensate for the size of the player utilizing the apparatus.
  • the elastic means 12 may be constructed of the usual forms of rubber, a polymer, or other elastomeric material having elasticity so that when it is drawn rearwardly of the apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, it will give easily with the pull of the operator but yet retain its substantial elasticity so that as said strap is released, it will propel forwardly and provide a forward thrust of the ball 13.
  • the user displays how the ball may be cupped within the acute angle of the elastic strap 12, drawn rearwardly, and then when released provides for the projection of the ball forwardly, as is also shown in action in this Figure.
  • this Figure discloses two sequences of usage of this apparatus.
  • the base member 3 has a series of apertures provided therethrough, and
  • a guide wire 15 can be attached directly to the wing nut and bolt combination 6, while the other end of said wire may be pegged to the ground, as at 16, to insure that the apparatus will not rise at its forward portion off the ground while the player is drawing the elastic strap and ball rearwardly just prior to their discharge into the forward thrust.
  • a further attribute of this invention is to provide means for gauging the distance that the ball may be projected during usage of the apparatus.
  • a variety of means may be adapted for achieving this function, but essentially it entails the attachment of a cord to the ball, and at some distance along the cord providing for its retention either to the frame member of the apparatus, or to the ground, so that the distance the ball may travel from the retained end of the cord can be conveniently set and adjusted.
  • One way to achieve this result is also shown in FIGS.
  • the distance that the ball may travel after being discharged can be quickly adjusted. It is likely, by also reviewing FIG. 4, that the ball 13 as attached to its cord 18 may simply be staked to the ground, as by means of the peg 19, to provide for this fixing of the distance that the ball may be thrown. This later manner of gauging the distance to which the ball may travel provides a little more flexibility in use of the apparatus. And, if desired, the cord 18 itself may have some slight elasticity so as to reduce breakage of said cord as when the ball reaches the end of its travel.
  • FIG. 3 A further feature of this invention is shown in FIG. 3.
  • the apparatus is depicted as having portability in that it can be collapsed, as after usage, into a rather flat form to facilitate its carriage or storage.
  • the base member 3 has both the brace 4 and the frame member 1 hingedly attached thereto, so that when it is desired to dismantle the apparatus, the slotted end of the brace 4 may be disengaged by loosening the wing nut 6, and then both said brace and the frame member may be pivoted rearwardly to come to rest upon the base and in a flattened condition.
  • the elastic strap 12 may have already been disengaged from the upper extensions of the frame member, as shown removed, or it can be left intact as desired, since it is not too bulky, and can be easily flattened with the other Components of the apparatus.
  • this ball projecting apparatus provides for easy assembly, within a minimum of time, and can be used by anyone regardless of their athletic skill or strength. Numerous other variations in the construction of the apparatus of this invention, within the scope of the appended claims, may occur to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing disclosure.
  • the aforesaid description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative of the principles involved.
  • a portable apparatus for projecting a ball or the like relative distances and capable of stabilized disposition upon the ground comprising a frame member, said frame member having a pair of upward extentions as when the apparatus is set up for operative usage, an elastic means interconnecting between said upward extentions for use in propelling a ball through the upward extentions afterbeing drawn to a cocked position by a user, a base member connected at its front edge to said frame member proximate its lower edge, said base member extending rearwardly of said frame member and arranged for flush disposition upon the ground to stabilize the apparatus during usage, retaining means cooperating with said rearwardly extending base member to prevent the torque produced when the elastic means is released from pivoting the frame member forwardly about the connection of the base member and the frame member, and a brace connecting intermediate both said frame member and base to fix said frame member approximately upright during usage of the apparatus.
  • said retaining means includes at least one peg securing said base member to the ground.
  • said retaining means further comprises a means disposed upon the rearwardly extending base member for biasing the base member to the ground for snug stabilization during usage.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
US00252008A 1972-05-10 1972-05-10 Elastic type surface supported portable indoor-outdoor ball projecting device Expired - Lifetime US3802409A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00252008A US3802409A (en) 1972-05-10 1972-05-10 Elastic type surface supported portable indoor-outdoor ball projecting device
CA168,613A CA985589A (en) 1972-05-10 1973-04-12 Ball projecting apparatus
JP48050808A JPS4962239A (OSRAM) 1972-05-10 1973-05-09

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00252008A US3802409A (en) 1972-05-10 1972-05-10 Elastic type surface supported portable indoor-outdoor ball projecting device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3802409A true US3802409A (en) 1974-04-09

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ID=22954254

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00252008A Expired - Lifetime US3802409A (en) 1972-05-10 1972-05-10 Elastic type surface supported portable indoor-outdoor ball projecting device

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US3802409A (OSRAM)
JP (1) JPS4962239A (OSRAM)
CA (1) CA985589A (OSRAM)

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4279169A (en) * 1979-10-17 1981-07-21 Fonas Corporation Timer latch mechanisms
US4873964A (en) * 1988-10-14 1989-10-17 Bonoan Vincent J Apparatus for playing golf from a golf cart
US4922884A (en) * 1987-06-02 1990-05-08 Ford Jack T Handheld water balloon catapult
US4964634A (en) * 1989-04-17 1990-10-23 Incrediball, Inc. Tethered ball batting practice device
US5123643A (en) * 1991-07-25 1992-06-23 Perfect Pitch, Inc. Ball throwing apparatus
US5249564A (en) * 1992-01-08 1993-10-05 Peachey John E Soccer ball projecting apparatus
US5277169A (en) * 1987-04-06 1994-01-11 Magnuson Eric E Ball launching and catching toy and game
US5383657A (en) * 1993-12-23 1995-01-24 Rathmell; Richard K. Elastic-powered curve-ball hurling device
US5398665A (en) * 1993-08-09 1995-03-21 Carlson; Philip R. Ball launching device
US5431145A (en) * 1993-09-09 1995-07-11 Strait; Renus D. Method and apparatus for pitching an object
US5657984A (en) * 1992-03-12 1997-08-19 Leo; Robert S. Ball pitching machine
US5887577A (en) * 1997-11-04 1999-03-30 Sherrill; William T. Apparatus for propelling a projectile
US5996565A (en) * 1998-08-17 1999-12-07 Whitmer; Joseph W. Ball throwing apparatus kit
US6182648B1 (en) 2000-06-22 2001-02-06 Charles G. Lundgren Tennis ball throwing device
WO2004090460A1 (en) * 2003-04-04 2004-10-21 Donald Gee Baseball training method and device therefor
US20090301455A1 (en) * 2008-06-09 2009-12-10 Yamashiro Michael T Hand-held baseball pitching apparatus for generating controlled curving trajectories
USD769998S1 (en) * 2015-02-10 2016-10-25 George Preston Batting practice apparatus
US10712117B1 (en) * 2018-06-12 2020-07-14 Troy T. Miller Projectile launcher and trigger
US20210140735A1 (en) * 2019-11-11 2021-05-13 Goslet Enterprises LLC Slingshot Game Apparatus
USD957522S1 (en) 2019-11-11 2022-07-12 Billy B. Mullet, Jr. Slingshot game apparatus
US11519686B1 (en) * 2021-11-19 2022-12-06 Ut Brands Llc Projectile launching device and related methods

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2158731A (en) * 1938-06-25 1939-05-16 William B Schmidt Parachute braking means
US2474054A (en) * 1944-05-01 1949-06-21 Jones Clinton Electric release for toy guns
US3277878A (en) * 1964-04-27 1966-10-11 Orlando K Pankratz Baseball throwing machine
US3301556A (en) * 1964-07-17 1967-01-31 Jr Roy M Hamilton Ball-holding device

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2158731A (en) * 1938-06-25 1939-05-16 William B Schmidt Parachute braking means
US2474054A (en) * 1944-05-01 1949-06-21 Jones Clinton Electric release for toy guns
US3277878A (en) * 1964-04-27 1966-10-11 Orlando K Pankratz Baseball throwing machine
US3301556A (en) * 1964-07-17 1967-01-31 Jr Roy M Hamilton Ball-holding device

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4279169A (en) * 1979-10-17 1981-07-21 Fonas Corporation Timer latch mechanisms
US5277169A (en) * 1987-04-06 1994-01-11 Magnuson Eric E Ball launching and catching toy and game
US4922884A (en) * 1987-06-02 1990-05-08 Ford Jack T Handheld water balloon catapult
US4873964A (en) * 1988-10-14 1989-10-17 Bonoan Vincent J Apparatus for playing golf from a golf cart
US4964634A (en) * 1989-04-17 1990-10-23 Incrediball, Inc. Tethered ball batting practice device
US5123643A (en) * 1991-07-25 1992-06-23 Perfect Pitch, Inc. Ball throwing apparatus
US5249564A (en) * 1992-01-08 1993-10-05 Peachey John E Soccer ball projecting apparatus
US5657984A (en) * 1992-03-12 1997-08-19 Leo; Robert S. Ball pitching machine
US5398665A (en) * 1993-08-09 1995-03-21 Carlson; Philip R. Ball launching device
US5431145A (en) * 1993-09-09 1995-07-11 Strait; Renus D. Method and apparatus for pitching an object
US5383657A (en) * 1993-12-23 1995-01-24 Rathmell; Richard K. Elastic-powered curve-ball hurling device
US5887577A (en) * 1997-11-04 1999-03-30 Sherrill; William T. Apparatus for propelling a projectile
US5996565A (en) * 1998-08-17 1999-12-07 Whitmer; Joseph W. Ball throwing apparatus kit
US6182648B1 (en) 2000-06-22 2001-02-06 Charles G. Lundgren Tennis ball throwing device
WO2004090460A1 (en) * 2003-04-04 2004-10-21 Donald Gee Baseball training method and device therefor
US20090301455A1 (en) * 2008-06-09 2009-12-10 Yamashiro Michael T Hand-held baseball pitching apparatus for generating controlled curving trajectories
USD769998S1 (en) * 2015-02-10 2016-10-25 George Preston Batting practice apparatus
US10712117B1 (en) * 2018-06-12 2020-07-14 Troy T. Miller Projectile launcher and trigger
US20210140735A1 (en) * 2019-11-11 2021-05-13 Goslet Enterprises LLC Slingshot Game Apparatus
USD957522S1 (en) 2019-11-11 2022-07-12 Billy B. Mullet, Jr. Slingshot game apparatus
US11519686B1 (en) * 2021-11-19 2022-12-06 Ut Brands Llc Projectile launching device and related methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS4962239A (OSRAM) 1974-06-17
CA985589A (en) 1976-03-16

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