WO2005025687A1

WO2005025687A1 - Ball launcher

Info

Publication number: WO2005025687A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/003922
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Thompson
Original assignee: Foss-Tech York Ltd
Priority date: 2003-09-13
Filing date: 2004-09-13
Publication date: 2005-03-24
Also published as: GB0321553D0

Abstract

A ball launching apparatus including launching means (10) wherein the launching means (10) comprise a plurality of wheels (135) to impart movement onto and launching a ball (134) passing therethrough. The angle and rotational speed of the wheels (135) can be adjusted to control the trajectory of the ball (134). The apparatus can include a housing (8), rotationally mounted on movement means (126), allowing lateral and rotational movement of at least part of the apparatus to further control the trajectory of the ball (134).

Description

Ball Launcher

The invention to which this application relates is to a launching apparatus for balls, typically one ball at a time. The invention particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, is of use in conjunction with the launching of an inflatable ball such as for example rugby balls, footballs, American footballs and the like. It should however be noted that the invention is not limited to any particular ball and the apparatus can be adapted to suit particular requirements.

The use of balls when participating in sports is well known and, in many sports, the ball is the key part of the participation in the sport. When sport is being played between two teams, the ball is passed between members of the teams and transferred between the teams as part of the normal game. To prepare for the games, teams often are required to practise and train and, in addition to physical fitness, the training typically requires the use of balls. Conventionally, this is achieved by splitting the members of a team into two groups to play against each other and hence mimic a normal game. The problem with this is that the players are immediately aware of the same as a training game and the normal number of players in a team is not achieved.

In an attempt to overcome this, it is known that ball launching apparatus can be used. However, the conventional ball launching apparatus tends to be used for relatively small balls such as tennis balls, cricket balls or the like. However, even if used for larger balls, the problem persists in that because of the nature of the mechanism, which can typically be a spring arm on which the ball is mounted, the trajectories of the ball and speed of the ball from the conventional launching apparatus is limited and can thus quickly become predictable. This predictability prevents the recreation of a normal game situation where the movement of the ball and speed of the ball can vary from kick to kick, pass to pass or the like.

As a result of these problems, conventional ball launching apparatus is not widely used and therefore the conventional problems of training and recreating normal game environments persist.

The aim of the present invention is to provide ball launching apparatus which is adaptable, ensures reproducible launching of the balls in a controlled manner and yet which allows the trajectory and/or speed of the balls from the launching apparatus to be adjusted through a relatively large range of options.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a ball launching apparatus, said launching apparatus including an inlet through which at least one ball can be introduced into the launching apparatus, an outlet through which the ball which has been launched leaves the apparatus at a trajectory and speed defined by the launch apparatus and, intermediate the inlet and outlet, launching means and wherein the launching means comprise a plurality of moving contact surfaces having a substantially curved path at least at and/ or adjacent the location of contact with the balls, said paths spaced angularly apart such that the contact surfaces define a launch path and/ or aperture along and/or through which the ball to be launched passes, said surfaces imparting movement onto said ball to launch the same.

In one embodiment, the speed of movement of each of the contact surfaces is independently controllable so as to allow differential speeds of rotation between respective surfaces. As the surfaces impart movement to the ball, by providing differential speeds of rotation the ball may be imparted with rotational movement or 'spin' when launched which affects the ball's trajectory.

In a preferred embodiment the contact surface in each case is the surface of a wheel or roller and reference is hereonin made to the same in a non limiting manner.

Preferably the launch path and/or aperture is adjustable in size so that a range of balls of different sizes can be used with the device. Preferably the launch path and/or aperture is slightly smaller in size than that of the ball passing therealong and/ or therethrough. This ensures that the ball is gripped by the contact surfaces as it passes along and/or through the launch path or aperture.

In another embodiment, the angle of each rotational axis can be adjusted independently of the others. This allows further adjustments to be made to the rotational movement that may be imparted to the ball, and the angle at which the ball is launched.

In one embodiment, the launching apparatus includes control means via which a user may select one of a range of launching options and, in response to the option selected, the apparatus alters and adjusts the speed of rotation of each of the wheels, and/ or the angles of the rotational axis of the wheels to ensure that the balls which are subsequently launched have a trajectory and speed which match the selected option.

Typically the range of options available relate to different speeds of launch and/or different trajectories of launch.

In one embodiment, the housing for the launching means, inlet and outlet are mounted in a fixed position. Alternatively, the housing can be mounted on a rail system or other movement means to allow movement along a surface. In this embodiment, further control is possible and user selection is available to allow the speed of movement of the said housing along the rail to be determined along with the extent of movement along the rail system. The rail system can be provided with position sensors so that the position of the housing on the rail can be determined.

In an alternative to a rail system, a pulley arrangement can be provided or any other suitable guide and drive means. Preferably the movement along the said guide means is powered but, if not, the same can be pushed along the guide means.

In a further embodiment, the movement means allows the housing to be raised and lowered.

In an alternative embodiment, the housing is rotatably mounted on the movement means. Thus to adjust the trajectory of the ball, the launching means can be angularly adjusted, the housing can rotate and be moved vertically on the movement means, and the movement means can provide horizontal movement to the housing.

Preferably, movements can be programmed and/ or controlled remotely by a user. Thus, the housing may be moved in three dimensions to adjust the launching position and trajectory of the ball.

Preferably, the apparatus further includes a ball holder at the inlet which allows the storage of a plurality of balls therein and allows the supply, one at a time, of a ball into the inlet which is to be launched. In one embodiment, the holder is a chute which allows a number of balls to be held in a line and then gravity is used to supply one of the balls at a time to the inlet.

In an alternative embodiment, the ball holding means is a cartridge which is rotatable in a stepwise manner so as to bring a ball held in the same to a position adjacent the inlet at any given time.

In a further embodiment, the launching means can be rotatable with respect to the apparatus and/ or angularly adjustable with respect to the apparatus by providing further options in terms of the trajectory of the ball as it leaves the apparatus.

Although reference is made herein to the provision of wheels as part of the launching means, it should be appreciated that the wheels can be replaced by rollers, belts moving in a circular path or any assembly which allows each of the launching means to have a relatively small contact area with the ball which has been launched. The launching means therefore acts to draw the ball into the launching means from the inlet and move the ball along a certain distance which is the launch path, whereupon continued movement of the ball is accelerated as the ball leaves contact with the wheels, rollers or belts.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:-

Figure 1 illustrates the first few of an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 illustrates a further view of the apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, and

Figures 4a- b illustrates one arrangement of launching means incorporated into the apparatus.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated apparatus 2 for launching the ball from the apparatus along the determinable trajectory and speed. The apparatus comprises a power unit 4, in this case, mounted on a trolley 6 for movement of the apparatus to the position for use. A housing 8 is provided in which is located launching means 10 which are described in more detail in Figure 4; an outlet 12 and an inlet 14. The ball to be launched, enters the housing 8 via the inlet 14, passes to the launching means 10 and then departs the launching means, through the outlet 12 at the given trajectory and speed. Also provided, leading to the inlet 14 is a ball holder 16, which in this embodiment, is a chute with a helical path onto which balls can be inserted and which, due to gravity, allows one ball to be placed through the inlet 14 at any given time.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative arrangement, particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, designed for use with rugby balls or American footballs. It will be appreciated that rugby balls are of an oval shape and therefore in many ways more difficult to present in an accurate manner and also launch in a manner which can be easily used by the players receiving the ball. In this case, there is again provided a housing 108, in which is located launching means 110, an outlet 112, an inlet, not shown and a ball holder 116. In this case, the ball holder is in the form of a cartridge assembly which is rotatable as indicated by arrow 120. The cartridge has a series of ball holding apertures 122 and some of which are shown in the drawing as having a ball 124 placed therein. Thus, in order to allow a ball to be launched, the cartridge is moved in a stepwise manner such that one of the holding means 122 is provided at the inlet to the launching means 110. The launching means contact and draw the ball 124 out of the aperture of 122 and the ball passes through, point first, the launching means 110 from where the ball is launched through the outlet 112. In addition, in this embodiment, and which could also be the case with the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus 102 includes a track rail 126 on which the housing 108 is mounted for movement as indicated by arrows 128 and 130. Thus, in this embodiment, in addition to the ball leaving the inlet in a direction towards the viewer of Figure 3, the housing 108 can also be moving along the track 126. This is believed to be particularly useful for games in which the ball is being passed by hand such as, for example, rugby, and furthermore, the use of the cartridge arrangement 116 is of particular advantage in presenting the balls 124 in a manner which allows the same to be properly presented to the players from the launching means 110.

In each case, the launching means comprise a series of, wheels 132, rollers or belts which have a contact surface which move in a circular path and in each case, a plurality of the same are provided at spaced locations. In the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2, three wheels are provided 120° apart and for the apparatus of Figure 3, four wheels can be provided at 90° apart. An example of the launching means of Figures 1 and 2 is shown in Figures 4a- b wherein the ball 134 is indicated by a broken line as it passes through the launching means towards the viewer of the Figure in Figure 4a and as indicated by the arrow 19 in Figure 4b to exit the outlet 12. In this case, the ball is round and hence a three wheel system is used. Each wheel has a contact surface 135 and is mounted so as to have a rotational axis 136 at a particular angle as shown. In each case, the axis of rotation of each wheel lies substantially perpendicular to the direction of the ball which is being launched. Furthermore, each of the wheels rotates in a direction such that the portions in contact with the ball in the launching means, move towards the outlet 12. The wheels are typically spaced apart such that the portions which will contact the ball and therefore define the launching aperture 138, define a size which is slightly less than that of the ball to pass therethrough. This therefore ensures that due to the gripping action movement of the ball is achieved as the ball passes through the launching aperture 138.

In use, the wheels 132 act firstly, to grip the ball and draw the same inwardly from the inlet 16 into the launching aperture, pass the ball along the launching aperture, which is a relatively short distance, and, as the ball reaches a position from the middle of the aperture towards the outlet of the launching aperture, exerts an accelerating action on the ball so as to accelerate the speed of the ball significantly as it reaches the outlet and then departs from the launching apparatus.

This launch procedure is a significant improvement on the prior art systems as it ensures a uniform and reliable ball launching. However, in accordance with the invention, the control means are provided to allow alterations to be made to the launching means. In particular, each axis of rotation 136 of the wheels can be adjusted by movement of the wheel drive assembly, each wheel being independently movable with respect to the others. By altering the angle of rotation, so differing spins and hence curved trajectories of the ball when launched from the apparatus can be achieved. Furthermore, and in conjunction, or separately, the speed of rotation of each of the wheels 132 can be altered independently of the others thereby again providing differing spins and hence different trajectories of the ball. Typically, a range of options are predetermined in terms of particular ball trajectories and speeds which may be selected by the user of the apparatus via control means. Upon selection of a particular option, the suitable adjustment of the wheel speeds and/ or axis of rotation of the wheels can be made to bring about the required trajectory or ball. Furthermore, the launching means can be angularly adjusted with respect to the apparatus and, for this reason, the outlet 12 in the housing 8 of Figures 1 and 2, is of a slotted arrangement so as to ensure that the ball can always leave the apparatus housing regardless of particular angular position of the launching means within the same. Thus, for example, the launching means can be angularly adjustable as indicated by arrow 35 in Figure 1 and arrow 137 in Figure 3.

Furthermore, the housing 8 in Figure 1 can be rotatably movable about the axis 37 with respect to the trolley 6 on which the same is mounted.

Preferably all the implements of the wheels, launching means and housing are powered and controlled in response to user selections.

Claims

1. A ball launching apparatus, said launching apparatus including an inlet (14) through which at least one ball (134) can be introduced into the launching apparatus, an outlet (12) through which the ball (134) which has been launched leaves the apparatus at a trajectory and speed defined by the launch apparatus and, intermediate the inlet (14) and outlet (12), launching means (10) and wherein the launching means (10) comprise a plurality of moving contact surfaces (135) having a substantially curved path at least at and/ or adjacent the location of contact with the balls (134), said paths spaced angularly apart such that the contact surfaces (135) define a launch path and/or aperture (138) along and/or through which the ball (134) to be launched passes, said surfaces (135) imparting movement onto said ball (134) to launch the same.

2. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the size of the launch path and/or aperture (138) may be adjusted.

3. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the size of the launch path and/or aperture is smaller than the size of the ball (134) passing therealong and/ or therethrough.

4. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the speed of movement of each of the contact surfaces (135) is independently controllable.

5. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the contact surfaces (135) are the surfaces of any or any combination of wheels (132), rollers and/ or belts.

6. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that contact surfaces are provided on one or more articles, each of which rotates about an axis (136), and the contact surface path is curved.

7. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the angle of each axis (136) can be adjusted independently.

8. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the launching means (10) can be rotated and/ or angularly adjusted.

9. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the launching apparatus includes control means via which a user may select one of a range of launching options to control any or any combination of movement of each of the contact surfaces (135), angles of each of the axes (136), rotation of the launching means (10), and/or angle of the launching means (10) .

10. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that the launching options are adjusted with respect to the required trajectory of the ball (134) .

11. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the launching means (10) includes a housing (8) through which the inlet (14) and/ or outlet (12) are accessible.

12. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 11, characterised in that the housing (8) is mounted on movement means (126).

13. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 12, characterised in that control means are provided to allow the rotation, direction and/ or speed of movement of said movement means and/or said housing (8) on the movement means (126) to be controlled.

14. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 12, characterised in that said movement means (126) are provided with position sensors so that the position of the housing (8) on the movement means (126) can be determined.

15. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 12, characterised in that said movement means (126) includes any or any combination of a rail system, a pulley arrangement, guide means and/ or drive means.

16. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 12, characterised in that movement of said housing (8) and/or said movement means (126) is programmable and/or controlled remotely by a user.

17. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that a ball holding means (16) is provided at or near the inlet (14) for allowing the storage of a plurality of balls (134).

18. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 17, characterised in that the ball holding means (16) supplies balls (134) one at a time to the inlet (14) .

19. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 17, characterised in that the ball holding means (16) is in the form of a chute which allows a plurality of balls (134) to be held in line.

20. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 17, characterised in that gravity is used to supply the balls (134) to the inlet (14) .

21. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 17, characterised in that the ball holding means (16) is in the form of a rotatably mounted cartridge (116).

22. A ball launching apparatus according to claim 17, characterised in that the ball holding means (16) is rotatable in a stepwise manner so as to bring a ball (134) held in the same to a position adjacent the inlet (14).