U.S. patent number 3,640,263 [Application Number 05/030,903] was granted by the patent office on 1972-02-08 for automatic ball-throwing machine.
Invention is credited to Barry V. Rhodes.
United States Patent |
3,640,263 |
Rhodes |
February 8, 1972 |
AUTOMATIC BALL-THROWING MACHINE
Abstract
A ball-throwing apparatus for throwing balls utilizing
pressurized air and a fast-action valve. The barrel and breech are
enclosed by a rotating cage containing a supply of the balls
wherein a single ball is selected from the tumbling supply of balls
by an L-shape leg member attached to the cage and leading to an
opening in the barrel. The device includes randomly varied ball
trajectory structure which is in the form of an adjustable bleeder
valve venting air, to the atmosphere at different rates to vary the
pressure which is discharging the ball and, or, movable fingers
which randomly project into the path of a discharged ball to carom
the ball into a different path. The varied trajectory structure can
be manually controlled or prearranged by timer-driven cam
discs.
Inventors: |
Rhodes; Barry V. (Canoga Park,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
21856608 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/030,903 |
Filed: |
April 22, 1970 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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723149 |
Apr 22, 1968 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
124/75; 124/48;
124/81; 124/32; 124/50; 124/83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
69/409 (20130101); A63B 2047/004 (20130101); A63B
2069/402 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
69/40 (20060101); A63B 47/00 (20060101); F41b
011/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;124/11,13,13A,30,31,45,49 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pinkham; Richard C.
Assistant Examiner: Dror; Richard
Parent Case Text
This application is a division of my application for U.S. Letters
Patent Ser. No. 723,149 filed Apr. 22, 1968 entitled Automatic
Ball-Throwing Machine and since abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. A ball-throwing apparatus having a barrel the breech end of
which is equipped with normally closed fast-action valve means
controlling the flow of pressurized air to eject a ball from said
barrel and comprising a member movable between a position closing
said charging opening and a second position clear of said opening,
said breech end having a ball-charging opening in the wall thereof,
valve means closing said opening during ejection of a ball from
said barrel, and means operatively associated with said valve means
for moving the same to open position and for simultaneously
selecting a single ball only from a group of balls and then
discharging the same through the opening as said valve means
reaches open position and for closing said valve means prior to
abruptly opening said fast-action valve means, said ball-selecting
means being rotatable about said barrel and cooperable with the
exterior thereof to select a ball and elevate the same about one
exterior side of said barrel until the selected ball can fall by
gravity through said charging opening into the barrel breech.
2. A ball-throwing apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized in
the provision of cage means rotatable about the axis of said barrel
and operating to tumble a supply of balls in the path of said ball
selecting means.
3. A ball-throwing apparatus as defined in claim 2 characterized in
the provision of common means for operating said cage means and
said ball-selecting means in unison.
4. A ball-throwing machine having a barrel equipped with means for
ejecting balls therefrom automatically in succession utilizing a
charge of pressurized air, fast-action valve means for dumping a
ball-projecting charge of air abruptly behind a ball in the barrel
breech to project the same from the barrel and including switch
means for controlling the actuation of said fast-action valve
means, means for feeding a ball into the breech of said barrel and
including means to operate said switch to actuate said fast-action
valve means after a ball has been deposited in the breech of said
barrel, and adjustable bleeder valve means for venting air to the
atmosphere at different rates to vary the pressure in the charge of
air released into the barrel breech thereby to vary the trajectory
of the ball and the distance traveled by the ball.
5. A ball-throwing machine as defined in claim 4 characterized in
the provision of power-driven compressor means normally operating
at a uniform rate to supply pressurized air, means for storing the
pressurized air between ball-throwing periods, and said adjustable
bleeder means being positioned to vent air from the stored supply
thereof between ball-throwing periods to limit the quantity and
pressure of air available for each ball-throwing operation.
Description
This invention relates to ball-throwing machines and more
particularly to an improved apparatus of this type having unique
means for selecting a single ball to be thrown and means for
directing successive balls along different trajectories selected in
random order.
There are available in the prior art numerous machines for throwing
balls but these are subject to numerous shortcomings and
disadvantages sought to be eliminated by the present invention.
Among the problems encountered in the use of these machines is the
malfunctioning of the ball-loading means. It is desirable to
provide an ample supply of reserve balls from which balls are
selected in succession for ejection from the apparatus.
Theoretically it would appear that any of the many prior proposals
made for selecting and feeding balls into the ejection apparatus
would be equally satisfactory and free from "hang-up" problems.
Actually "hang-up" is one of the very frustrating and troublesome
problems typical of this type of equipment. It may occur only once
in 10 balls or once in 25 balls, but regardless of the intervals
between hang-ups, the problem is not only irksome to those using
the machine but can create a hazard owing to the fact that the
hang-up may release unexpectedly and without warning followed by
the forcible ejection of the ball from the apparatus against an
unsuspecting player or a serviceman in its path. Accordingly, the
possibility of a hang-up only once in 100 or 500 balls can create
hazards and can render the machine unsafe and unsaleable.
It is also desirable that a ball-throwing machine have the
capability of varying the ball trajectory to add interest and to
develop the skill of persons using the machine. Prior devices have
been proposed equipped with adjustable means for altering the ball
trajectory but these have the disadvantage of requiring an operator
to change the adjustment each time it is desired to change the path
of the ball.
It is the primary purpose of the present invention to provide a
ball-throwing machine which is thoroughly reliable and trouble free
as respects each of the aforementioned and other shortcomings of
prior machines. To this end, the present apparatus features a gun
barrel having simple unfailing means for selecting a single ball
from a tumbling mass of balls and delivering it into the barrel
breech between ball-throwing cycles. This subassembly includes ball
selecting and feeding means operating in synchronism with valve
means controlling the charging port into the barrel breech. The
apparatus also includes a plurality of separately controlled
ball-directing means located opposite the barrel muzzle and
selectively operable to carom the ball as it leaves the apparatus
and, if desired, to also spin the ball as it is caromed. As herein
disclosed by way of illustration, the ball-caroming means can loft
the ball, or carom it to the right or to the left to simulate
serving a tennis ball into the right or the left service court and
these altering operations can be performed in any random order
either in accordance with a prearranged automatically operating
programming schedule, or manually under the control of an attendant
for the apparatus. Another feature comprises simple adjustable
means for varying the throwing range.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to
provide an improved, highly versatile ball-throwing machine for
throwing balls automatically in rapid succession.
Another object of the invention is the provision of an
automatically cycling ball-throwing machine having improved means
for loading a single ball at a time into a ball-ejecting barrel
without risk of hang-up or malfunctioning.
Another object of the invention is the provision of an
automatically cycling ball-throwing apparatus for tumbling a
reserve supply of balls as a single one is selected for
free-rolling discharge into the barrel breech.
Another object of the invention is the provision of an automatic
ball-throwing machine having simple means for varying the throwing
range of the machine.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a ball-throwing
apparatus having trajectory altering means having both manual and
automatic programming means optionally usable to vary the
trajectory of successive balls.
These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the
following specification and claims and upon considering in
connection therewith the attached drawing to which they relate.
Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the
invention is illustrated.
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of the essential features of the
invention ball-throwing apparatus with portions of the apparatus
shown in section;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2
on FIG. 1 as the ball is about to gravitate into the barrel
breech;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view taken along line 3--3 on FIG. 1;
and
FIG. 4 is a schematic of the electrical control for the ball
trajectory control means.
Referring initially more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown
essential components of the invention ball-throwing apparatus and
incorporating improvements on the same constructions disclosed in
my copending applications for U.S. Letters Patent, Ser. No.
497,763, filed Oct. 19, 1965, entitled Automatic Ball-Throwing
Machine for use by Sportsmen, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,400,703, and Ser.
No. 537,909, filed Mar. 28, 1966, entitled Automatic Ball-Throwing
Machine and since matured into U.S. Pat. No. 3,467,073. It will be
understood that the apparatus may be mounted on a suitable main
frame 11 only a portion of which is shown herein and preferably
supported on carriage wheels for convenience in moving the
apparatus from place to place.
Supported on frame 11 is an air compressor 12 driven through a
speed reduction connection 13 by a motor 14. This motor is also
connected by belting 15 to a large diameter drive pulley 16 closing
one end of ball magazine 17 supported for rotation about the axis
of gun barrel 18. This barrel is rigidly secured to main frame 11
at an appropriate angle to the horizontal and has a relatively
large diameter direct tubular connection 19 with reservoir 20 for
pressurized air. This reservoir is replenished with air from
compressor 12 via conduit 21 equipped near its junction with the
reservoir by a fail-safe pressure release valve 22. This valve
operates in known manner to dump the contents of the reservoir
whenever motor 14 is deenergized or upon a power failure. This
avoids any possibility of the apparatus throwing a ball
unexpectedly and after the apparatus has been deactivated.
The air reservoir is also provided with a manually adjustable
needle valve 23 which operates to vent air to the atmosphere at a
variable rate depending on the particular adjusted position
thereof. As will be apparent, the setting determines the air
pressure which can be developed in the reservoir during the time
valve control switch 26 is closed and this pressure determines the
pressure energy available to throw the ball at the instant valve 24
suddenly opens. The compressor operates at uniform speed but a
variable amount of air is allowed to bleed to the atmosphere via
bleed valve 23 before valve 24 opens for the next throwing
cycle.
The release of air from reservoir 20 into the barrel is controlled
by a fast-action pressure differential flow control valve 24 having
a construction well known to persons skilled in the valve art and
readily available in the marketplace. Valve 24 is normally closed
and is opened abruptly by a solenoid 25 when the latter is
energized by a normally open microswitch 26 as shown in FIG. 1 and
adapted to be closed briefly by a cam 27 mounted on the exterior of
pulley 16 (FIG. 2) and rotating therewith. Cam 27 is positioned to
close switch 26 when ball magazine 17 has rotated approximately
90.degree. from the position shown in FIG. 2. When open, valve 24
allows the high-pressure air from the reservoir to flow through
conduit 19 into the breech end of barrel 18. At this time a single
ball will be resting against the slightly reduced forward end of
conduit 19.
Rotating magazine 17 for the reserve supply of balls may be formed
of any light weight material with its flanged rim 29 secured to the
rim of pulley 16. The smaller end of the magazine has a radially
narrow inturned flange 30 terminating short of the ball-charging
tube 32 mounted on a plate 33 demountable secured to the main frame
of the apparatus. Barrel 18 passes through this plate and into a
tubular member 34 secured to plate 33. Suitably mounted about the
lower half of tube 34 are a plurality of brackets 35, each
pivotally supporting a separate finger 37, 38 and 39 operable to
alter the trajectory of the ball as it is propelled from the end of
barrel 18. Each of the fingers is pivotally connected to brackets
35 by pivot pin 40 and is normally urged to a retracted position by
a compression spring 41. The inner shorter end of the fingers is
pivotally connected to the armature of a solenoid 44, 45, 46. The
outer end of each finger may be provided with a pad 48 having a
roughened surface effective to impart spin to the ball as the ball
contacts this surface while being propelled from the apparatus.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a schematic of the control
circuit for fingers 37, 38 and 39. This circuit includes a timer
motor 50 on the shaft of which is mounted separate cam discs 52,
53, 54 for opening and closing an associated one of switches 55,
56, 57 to control the supply of power to solenoids 44, 45, and 46,
respectively. The rim of each of the cam discs is provided with
notches or the like camming means for closing one of the switches
for a short interval as the timer motor rotates. As shown in FIG.
4, switch 55 is closed and solenoid 44 is energized, whereas each
of switches 56 and 57 controlling solenoids 45, 46 is open. It will
be understood that the switches operate out of synchronism with one
another so that only one switch is closed during any ball-throwing
cycle.
The control schematic also includes a selector switch 60 normally
closed to the right, or to the left, depending on whether it is
desired to operate the trajectory control fingers automatically or
manually. When switch 60 is positioned as shown in FIG. 4, the
circuit operates automatically under the control of timer motor 50.
However, if switch 60 is moved to its alternate position, then the
solenoids are under the control of the associated manual switches
61, 62 and 63.
The ball selecting and loading means forming an important feature
of the invention includes a valve 65 rotating with pulley 16 and
provided with an outwardly flaring radial passage 66, the inner
smaller end of which registers with the ball charging port 67 in
barrel 18 momentarily during ball charging. Pulley 16 rotates
clockwise as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes a ball selector 68
here shown as comprising an L-shaped member having one leg secured
to pulley 16 by fasteners 69. Ball selector 68 is so positioned
relative to the adjacent edge of passage 66 that a ball 70 resting
thereon gravitates into passage 66 as the selector approaches a
12:00 o'clock position. Any other balls then present on selector 68
fall back into the main group of reserve balls since only a single
ball can be accommodated in passage 66. Shortly thereafter this one
ball gravitates through opening 67 into barrel 18 and rolls
rearwardly therealong and into contact with the adjacent end of air
tube 19. In the meantime the motor continues to rotate valve 65 to
a position closing port 67. It will therefore be recognized that
valve 65 serves the dual purpose of guiding a single ball into the
barrel and as a close-fitting closure for port 67 during the
ball-ejecting portion of the cycle. It will also be apparent that
the continuously rotating magazine 17 is constantly tumbling the
reserve supply of balls occupying its lower half. This aids very
materially in keeping the balls in a loose, free-flowing group and
assures that a new ball will be deposited on selector 68 as it is
rotated through the tumbling mass.
The operation of the described apparatus will be readily apparent
from the foregoing detailed description of its components and their
functions. To place the apparatus in use, a quantity of balls is
charged into the magazine through charging tube 32. This having
been done motor 14 is started to operate compressor 12 and charge
reservoir 20 with compressed air.
As the reservoir pressure reaches a predetermined pressure governed
by the setting of the pressure control bleed valve 23, cam 27
closes switch 26 and momentarily energizes solenoid 25 thereby
abruptly opening the fact action valve 24. A large volume of
high-pressure air then flows from the reservoir through tube 19 and
ejects a ball from the apparatus. No one of the trajector control
switches may then be closed and, in this event, the ball is
propelled directly forwardly from the apparatus.
As ball magazine 17 continues to rotate, ball selector 68 will
select another ball from the main supply of balls and elevate the
selected ball into passage 66 as this passage rotates into registry
with charging port 67. While this is occurring compressor 12
restores the air pressure in reservoir 20. By the time the air
pressure has increased sufficiently to again operate switch 26,
valve 65 will have rotated to a position closing port 67. As this
switch operates to open valve 24 for the second ball throwing
cycle, one of switches 55, 56 and 57 may be in closed position. In
this case, as the ball is thrown one of the trajectory control
fingers 36, 37 or 39 will be positioned to engage the ball as it is
propelled out of the barrel thereby caroming it from a straight
path depending upon which one of the fingers has been activated. As
shown in FIG. 4, switch 55 is closed to energize solenoid 44.
Accordingly the finger on the left side of the barrel as viewed
from FIG. 3 will have been activated thereby causing the ball to be
lobbed or to carom to the right. If pad 48 on the finger has been
roughened or is of a texture or nature effective to spin the ball,
then the ball will be spun as it is deflected. If the middle one of
the three fingers is energized and elevated then the ball will be
lofted or caromed through an upwardly arched path.
The apparatus continues to operate automatically to project balls
in substantially equally spaced time periods with the trajectory of
successive balls under the control of the caroming mechanism. Thus
it will be understood that the balls may exit in a normal unaltered
trajectory, or may be deflected or caromed to either side or
upwardly depending on which one of the fingers has been activated
by an associated solenoid. Preferably, successive balls are
projected in different paths and in a random order controlled
either by the timer-driven cam discs 52, 53, 54 or by the manual
switches 61, 62, 63.
It will therefore be recognized that the described ball-throwing
apparatus is fully automatic and operates to throw balls in any
desired randomly selected straight or caromed path. The apparatus
is particularly suitable for simulating a tennis player and can be
adjusted and arranged to throw balls to any part of the court.
While the particular automatic ball-throwing machine herein shown
and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects
and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be
understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are
intended to the details of construction or design herein shown
other than as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *