US3601111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tennis ball-throwing training device
Assignee: PRO STROKES Inc A TX CORP
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Filing: 1970-08-27
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1990-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An electric-powered tennis ball-throwing device having a feed hopper and ball chute for supplying individual tennis balls to a spring-propelled throwing arm, oscillating components mounted on resilient feet vibrate the entire machine to facilitate the ball feed function, the throwing arm incorporate adjusting means for varying the height of the ball trajectory and the speed of propulsion.
Inventors
- 👤 James G Embry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:02
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/40; A63B69/407; A63B69/408; A63B47/00; A63B47/002; A63B2047/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A tennis ball-throwing machine comprising: a. a frame structure having a top portion and a bottom portion, b. a feed hopper mounted on the top portion of said frame structure, c. throwing arm means constructed on an elongated axis rotatably mounted on said frame structure and adapted to receive and propel a tennis ball, d. a ball feed means interconnecting said feed hopper and said throwing arm means, e. a tensioned triangle pivotally mounted on said frame and attached to said frame structure, f. a means interconnecting said tensioned triangle and said throwing arm, and said frame being constructed and arranged to retain said tensioned triangle under spring-loaded tension, g. motor means operably engaging said throwing arm means for imparting rotary motion force to said throwing arm means, h. a throwing hand constructed on an elongated axis secured to said throwing arm means, said hand adapted to receive a tennis ball, and i. a spring-adjusting arm pivotally attached at one end thereof to said frame structure, said arm having means attached thereto for varying the spring-loaded tension applied to the throwing arm for throwing a projectile, and j. a means on said frame having a multiplicity of adjusting arm stops for receiving and retaining a free end of said springadjusting arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A tennis ball-throwing machine comprising: a. a frame structure having a top portion and a bottom portion, b. a feed hopper mounted on the top portion of said frame structure, c. throwing arm means constructed on an elongated axis rotatably mounted on said frame structure and adapted to receive and propel a tennis ball, d. a ball feed means interconnecting said feed hopper and said throwing arm means, e. a tensioned triangle pivotally mounted on said frame and attached to said frame structure, f. a means interconnecting said tensioned triangle and said throwing arm, and said frame being constructed and arranged to retain said tensioned triangle under spring-loaded tension, g. motor means operably engaging said throwing arm means for imparting rotary motion force to said throwing arm means, h. a throwing hand constructed on an elongated axis secured to said throwing arm means, said hand adapted to receive a tennis ball, and i. a spring-adjusting arm pivotally attached at one end thereof to said frame structure, said arm having means attached thereto for varying the spring-loaded tension applied to the throwing arm for throwing a projectile, and j. a means on said frame having a multiplicity of adjusting arm stops for receiving and retaining a free end of said springadjusting arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention of claim 1 including: a. a throwing hand constructed on an elongated axis secured to said throwing arm means said hand adapted to receive a tennis ball, and b. means for pivotally adjusting the elongated axis of said throwing hand relative to the elongated axis of said throwing arm means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 1 including: a. resilient feet secured to the bottom portion of said frame structure constructed and arranged to support said frame structure above a substantially flat surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said resilient feet comprise plastic resilient pads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said resilient feet comprise resilient springs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said motor means comprises: a. an electric motor operably connected through a reduction gear transmission to a transmission drive shaft upon which is mounted b. a pivot lever which contacts and drives in rotation said throwing arm means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said ball feed means comprises: a. a ball feed chute having a feed end and a discharge end, b. a ball stop secured to said frames and adapted to stop and retain a tennis ball adjacent the discharge end of said ball feed chute, and c. a ball support means secured to said frame and adapted to support a tennis ball adjacent the discharge end of said ball feed chute.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said throwing arm means comprises: a. a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, b. a throwing arm secured to one end of said shaft, and c. a crank secured to the end of said shaft opposite said throwing arm and operatively connected to said motor means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |