U.S. patent application number 09/816183 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-26 for ball feeding device.
Invention is credited to Delso, Donald L..
Application Number | 20020134367 09/816183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25219896 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020134367 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Delso, Donald L. |
September 26, 2002 |
Ball feeding device
Abstract
A ball feeding device is disclosed that includes a trigger and
feeder disposed at least partially inside a housing. The trigger
may be actuated by simulating the athletic motion required to
propel an athletic projectile such as a baseball, tennis ball or
hockey puck by striking a wand or disrupting a beam. The feeder is
actuated by the trigger to introduce an athletic projectile into a
propelling device. A control member assists in reducing premature
or multiple projection of projectiles for each trigger
activation.
Inventors: |
Delso, Donald L.; (Broken
Arrow, OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Christopher R. Benson
Howrey Simon Arnold & White, LLP
750 Bering Drive
Houston
TX
77057
US
|
Family ID: |
25219896 |
Appl. No.: |
09/816183 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
124/82 ;
124/78 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 4/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/82 ;
124/78 |
International
Class: |
F41B 004/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for feeding an athletic projectile into a propelling
device comprising: a) a tube; b) a trigger disposed near the tube
adapted to be actuated by simulating the motion used to propel the
projectile; c) a feeder disposed adjacent the propelling device and
actuated by the trigger; d) a control actuated by the feeder to
limit the number of projectiles that are introduced into the
propelling device.
2. A method for feeding athletic projectiles into a propelling
device comprising the steps of: a) loading a projectile into
feeder; b) simulating a motion for propelling an athletic
projectile; c) tripping a trigger by the simulated motion; d)
activating a control member to allow a projectile into the
propelling device and to prevent any other projectile from entering
the propelling device; and e) projecting the projectile.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a device for feeding baseballs,
footballs, tennis balls or other "athletic projectiles" into a
propelling device. The invention also relates to a device that may
be triggered by simulating the normal motion for propelling
(throwing, hitting, striking,) an athletic projectile without
actually throwing, hitting or striking the projectile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are several devices that exist for projecting
baseballs, softballs, tennis balls, footballs or other "athletic
projectiles". The athletic projectiles are propelled by various
means including but not limited to mechanical arms, rotating wheels
and air pressure. Examples of these devices include machines from
Juggs and Atec.
[0003] There are also several means of feeding the "athletic
projectiles" into the propelling devices. For instance, the
athletic projectile may be fed by hand, magazine, or tube. The
feeding device may be triggered manually, electronically, or by
other well known triggering means.
[0004] Problems exist with various feeding devices. For instance,
premature or unintended release of the projectile into the
propelling device not only wastes time, but can be dangerous. Many
feeding devices do not easily allow for the simulation of the
throwing or hitting motion to coincide with the release and
projection of the ball. Thus, a need exists to provide realistic
training where one person can trigger the projection of the ball
using a simulated throwing or hitting motion without premature or
multiple releases of the projectile.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] For an extended period, Applicant has been experimenting
with various designs that allow for simulated throwing actuation
without premature or multiple release. Applicant's earlier designs
had occasional premature and multiple releases of the projectile.
Although premature and multiple releases may not be eliminated, the
present inventive system significantly reduces the potential for
premature and multiple releases
[0006] The invention provides a device for feeding athletic
projectiles into a propelling device that may be triggered by
simulating the natural throwing, hitting or striking motion of an
athlete that reduces the fatigue and increases accuracy. For
instance, the invention may be triggered by the hand of a pitcher
as he reaches the release point in his pitching motion without ever
throwing the ball. Instead, the pitcher hits the wand or breaks an
electronic beam.
[0007] The preferred inventive feeding device includes a housing, a
trigger preferably disposed, at least partially, inside the
housing, and a feeder that is also preferably disposed at least
partially inside the housing.
[0008] The trigger actuates the feeder. The trigger is adapted to
be activated by the natural motion of a pitcher, tennis player,
hockey player or other athlete in propelling an athletic
projectile. The trigger may use manual, electrical, electronic,
pneumatic, hydraulic or other actuation apparatus to trigger the
feeding device.
[0009] The feeder is preferably disposed below and partially inside
the housing. It is used to place and control the placement of the
athletic projectile into the propelling device. The feeder also
limits the number of projectiles that can be projected by the
propelling device per triggering cycle of the device. This
limitation helps prevent unexpected and potentially dangerous
projection of more than one projectile per simulated movement or
activation.
[0010] The invention is helpful in reducing physical stress on
baseball coaches, tennis teaching professionals and other athletic
instructors who are called upon to repetitively throw or hit balls.
As a result, the invention is also helpful in preparing an athlete
for games or matches because the propelling device is triggered by
simulating the actual athletic motion and can consistently deliver
the projectile under game-like conditions. The accuracy and
consistency of the speed and positioning of the projectile is
improved because the projectile is propelled from a machine and not
a tiring coach or other athletic professional.
[0011] This section is intended to discuss some of the problems
associated with presently available athletic projectile feeding
devices and how the present invention solves those problems. It is
not meant to be exhaustive of the problems or solutions. Instead it
is intended to show that there is a need for improvement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an environmental side view of the preferred
feeding device in the post release position.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the preferred
feeding device in the pre release position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] A preferred feeding device 2 is shown in FIG. 1. The device
2 includes a housing 10, a feeder 20 that is actuated by the
trigger 30 both of which are at least partially disposed in the
housing 10.
[0015] The preferred housing 10 includes a tube 11 that flows from
a substantially vertical section 12 into a substantially horizontal
section 13. The preferred housing also includes a support wedge 14,
a guide 16, a control block 18 and a slot 19. The tube 11 holds the
projectiles to be propelled.
[0016] The preferred feeder 20 includes a rod 22, a spring housing
24 disposed on the rod 22, a spring 26 disposed between the housing
24 and the guide 16 and an end washer 28.
[0017] The preferred trigger 30 includes a post 32, a cross pin 34,
a wand 36 disposed at the top of the post 32, a ramp 38 disposed on
top of the housing10 and a retainer system 39 disposed on the post
32 below the wedge14. The post 32 is disposed through the wedge 14
and is adapted to engage spring housing 24. The pin 34 is connected
to the post 32 below the wand 36 and is adapted to ride up the ramp
38 when the post 32 is turned. The end of the post 32 and the
retainer system 39 are adapted to engage the spring housing 24 to
hold the feeder 10 in the pre-release position.
[0018] The preferred control 50 is disposed in the housing slot 19
under the tube 11. The control 50 is pivotally connected to the
housing block 18, is connected to the feeder rod 22 by an extension
40 and is bias connected to the horizontal end 13 of the tube 11 by
the retainer 42.
[0019] The control 50 preferably includes two wheels 52, a ball
stop 54 and a safety 56. The wheels 52 reduce the potential for
misfiring and multiple misfiring when the control 50 is in the
released position shown in FIG. 1. The wheels 52 prevent the other
balls from reaching the pre-firing position 5.
[0020] The ball stop 54 reduces the potential for misfiring and
multiple misfiring when the control 50 is in the prerelease--"ready
to fire"--position shown in FIG. 2. The use of stop 54 (whether
part of or added to the control 50) limits one ball to the
pre-filing position 5. The preferred stop may be adjusted depending
on the projectile size.
[0021] The length and shape of the control 50 may also assist in
limiting one ball to be in the prerelease position 5. For Instance,
the length and shape can be limited to an area equal to between the
diameter of 1 ball to less than the diameter of 2 balls. That
arrangement would help prevent multiple firings.
[0022] The safety 56 assists in preventing both misfiring and
multiple misfiring should the stop 54 fail.
[0023] The preferred propelling device 60 is a motor driven device
that uses two wheels 62 and 64 to propel baseballs, tennis balls
and other like athletic projectiles. A Juggs.TM. machine is an
example of the preferred propelling device 60. Other propelling
devices 60 such as a pneumatic tennis ball machines and the like
may also be used.
[0024] The preferred device 2 is mechanical. However the feeder 20,
trigger 30 and control 50 may include different mechanical or
additional electrical, electronic or hydraulic components or a
combination of such components to accomplish the intended function
of the device 2 without deviating from the invention
[0025] The preferred inventive feeding device 10 operates as
follows. Balls are loaded into the tube 11. The device 2 is then
placed into the pre release position where the control 50 is
horizontal.
[0026] The trigger 30 is then actuated. Preferably the trigger 30
is actuated by a pitcher simulating a throw where his hand hits the
wand 36 at the typical pitching release point. The wand 36 rotates
the rod 32 so that the pin 34 rides up the ramp 38 which releases
the spring 26. Releasing the spring 26 causes the control 50 to
pivot. As the control 50 pivots the first ball is pushed into or
allowed to roll into the propelling machine 60 and the second ball
is held on the wheels 52 which prevents the second ball from
releasing.
[0027] Next, the device is placed back into the firing position.
Preferably, the rod 22 is pushed in using the washer 28 so that the
trigger post 32 re-engages the spring housing 24. The second ball
then rolls into the pre-release position and is prevented from
rolling into the propelling device 60 by the stop 54 and possibly
the safety 56 if the stop 54 fails.
[0028] The description of the preferred embodiment is intended to
show the inventor's preferred method of making and practicing his
invention. It is not intended to show every potential variation of
the invention.
* * * * *