US3593699A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for throwing lightweight balls and the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-01-16
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1989-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A machine for automatically feeding and continuously pitching lightweight balls at regular intervals in the same general direction. The machine utilizes the principle of a continuously revolving member that is temporarily restrained in its movement so that energy is built up and retained by said member, which energy is subsequently released to project the ball.
Inventors
- 👤 Clayton W Chalupsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:13
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/40; A63B69/407; A63B69/408; F; F41; F41J; F41J9/00; F41J9/16; F41J9/18; F41J9/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus for throwing lightweight balls through the air, said apparatus comprising a housing, balls, a drive shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, means for continuously rotating said shaft, propelling means revolvably driven through a substantially regular path by said drive shaft as said shaft rotates, means operatively connecting said propelling means and said drive shaft in such a way to provide for limited relative movement for storing of energy therebetween, means for feeding said balls into ball-propelling position in said path, and abutment means extending into the portion of said path near which an outer portion of said propelling means passes, said abutment means being positioned so as to be engageable by said outer portion of said propelling means as it revolves to temporarily restrain movement of said propelling means while said shaft continues to rotate, said propelling means comprising a rod in engagement with a ball in said ball-propelling position at the same Time that another portion of said rod engages said abutment means, thereby causing energy to be built up in the rod that engages a ball and subsequently released to propel a ball when said another portion of said rod moves past said abutment means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus for throwing lightweight balls through the air, said apparatus comprising a housing, balls, a drive shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, means for continuously rotating said shaft, propelling means revolvably driven through a substantially regular path by said drive shaft as said shaft rotates, means operatively connecting said propelling means and said drive shaft in such a way to provide for limited relative movement for storing of energy therebetween, means for feeding said balls into ball-propelling position in said path, and abutment means extending into the portion of said path near which an outer portion of said propelling means passes, said abutment means being positioned so as to be engageable by said outer portion of said propelling means as it revolves to temporarily restrain movement of said propelling means while said shaft continues to rotate, said propelling means comprising a rod in engagement with a ball in said ball-propelling position at the same Time that another portion of said rod engages said abutment means, thereby causing energy to be built up in the rod that engages a ball and subsequently released to propel a ball when said another portion of said rod moves past said abutment means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for feeding said balls includes storage means for a plurality of said balls, and said balls are fed into said path by force of gravity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said means for feeding said balls includes a stop adjacent to said ball-propelling position for preventing movement of said balls into the propelling position solely by force of gravity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which said stop holds a ball in a waiting position that is in the path of said propelling means, and said propelling means revolves about a substantially horizontal axis and engages a ball abutting said stop in said waiting position and moves said ball into said ball-propelling position as said propelling means revolves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said rod includes a somewhat flexible propelling member operatively connected to said drive shaft, the outer end of said member being engageable with said abutment means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 5 in which said means operatively connecting said rod and said drive shaft includes a hub affixed to said drive shaft, said hub having a portion that is deformable to a significant degree with respect to the remaining portion of said hub, and said rod is mounted in said portion so that said rod can move relative to said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means operatively connecting said rod and said drive shaft includes a hub affixed to said drive shaft, said hub having a portion that is deformable to a significant degree with respect to the remaining portion of said hub, and said rod is mounted in said deformable portion so that said propelling means can move relative to said drive shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said hub includes a main portion affixed to said drive shaft, and an end portion axially spaced from said main portion and affixed thereto, said deformable portion being positioned and held between said main portion and said end portion and having a radial opening therein, said rod being positioned in the said opening in said deformable portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said rod includes a rigid member operatively connected to said drive shaft and engageable with one of said balls when in ball-propelling position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means operatively connecting said propelling means and said drive shaft include a mounting member affixed to and rotatable with said drive shaft, said rod being pivotally affixed to said mounting member at a point radially outwardly from the axis of said drive shaft, and resilient means interconnecting said mounting member and said rod.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which said rod includes a rigid The member engageable with one of said balls when in said ball-propelling position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which there is included a resilient stop member with which said rod is engageable after said ball has been propelled thereby to assist in absorbing the reverse torque upon release of said stored energy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which said resilient means is placed in tension when said rod engages said abutment means and said drive shaft continues to rotate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which said resilient means is placed in compression when said propelling means engages said abutment means and said drive shaft continues to rotate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which said abutment means is located on the side of the axis of said drive shaft opposite to the propelling position of said ball.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which said abutment means is located on the same side of the axis of said drive shaft as the propelling position of said ball.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2660158A
Cited
US2660157A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |