US3785358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tennis ball propelling machine
Assignee: Union Bank and Trust of Dallas
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Filing: 1972-01-17
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1992-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A device employing motor driven variable speed drive means rotating two spaced propelling wheels rotating in opposite direction. Balls are fed into the ball propelling wheel assembly through a hopper incorporating an agitating carrousel with an auxiliary ball agitator. A speed drive with a split drive pulley varies the rate of rotation of the carrousel and the rate of delivery of the tennis balls through a tube to a ball feed guide, first positioning the balls in contact with the upper ball propelling wheel then into the ball propelling space. The angle of projection is regulated by adjustably varying the angle of the ball wheel arm. The device is normally electric powered incorporating remote control cables, a wheel mounted cabinet is desirable for mobility.
Inventors
- 👤 Angelo T D
- 👤 W Strohmeyer
- 👤 J Ulbrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:17
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/40; A63B69/406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
308 words
A ball propelling machine comprising: a. a mounting frame structurally capable of receiving and securely retaining multiple components, b. a ball propelling wheel assembly, tiltably mounted on said mounting frame, c. said ball propelling wheel assembly comprising: 1. a lower ball propelling wheel rotatibly mounted on said frame structure, 2. an upper ball propelling wheel rotatibly mounted above said lower ball propelling wheel and spaced therefrom, said spaced relationship defining a ball propelling space, d. a ball feed guide mounted and retained tangentially adjacent and arcuately spaced concentric with the circumference of said upper ball propelling wheel at a distance sufficiently close to insure substantial continuous contact with the said upper ball propelling wheel of a ball to be propelled, said ball feed guide being positioned so as to bring a ball being propelled by the machine into contact with the said upper ball propelling wheel at a point above the said ball propelling space, e. means for delivering a ball to said ball guide, f. drive means for rotating selected components of said ball propelling machine, g. a ball hopper including a floor mounted above said ball feed guide, h. a ball feed tube interconnecting said ball hopper and said ball feed guide, i. a ball carrousel having substantially a cylindrical configuration, the axis of said cylinder extending upward from the floor of said ball hopper, said ball carrousel rotatibly mounted in said ball hopper, j. a recessed cylindrical indentation constructed in the circumferential surface of said ball carrousel, said indentation extending the length of said cylindrical carrousel, said indentation defining a ball pocket, k. an opening in the floor of said ball hopper constructed and arranged to permit a ball to pass from said ball pocket into said ball feed tube, and l. a raised agitation cam secured to the upper surface of said ball carrousel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
308 words
A ball propelling machine comprising: a. a mounting frame structurally capable of receiving and securely retaining multiple components, b. a ball propelling wheel assembly, tiltably mounted on said mounting frame, c. said ball propelling wheel assembly comprising: 1. a lower ball propelling wheel rotatibly mounted on said frame structure, 2. an upper ball propelling wheel rotatibly mounted above said lower ball propelling wheel and spaced therefrom, said spaced relationship defining a ball propelling space, d. a ball feed guide mounted and retained tangentially adjacent and arcuately spaced concentric with the circumference of said upper ball propelling wheel at a distance sufficiently close to insure substantial continuous contact with the said upper ball propelling wheel of a ball to be propelled, said ball feed guide being positioned so as to bring a ball being propelled by the machine into contact with the said upper ball propelling wheel at a point above the said ball propelling space, e. means for delivering a ball to said ball guide, f. drive means for rotating selected components of said ball propelling machine, g. a ball hopper including a floor mounted above said ball feed guide, h. a ball feed tube interconnecting said ball hopper and said ball feed guide, i. a ball carrousel having substantially a cylindrical configuration, the axis of said cylinder extending upward from the floor of said ball hopper, said ball carrousel rotatibly mounted in said ball hopper, j. a recessed cylindrical indentation constructed in the circumferential surface of said ball carrousel, said indentation extending the length of said cylindrical carrousel, said indentation defining a ball pocket, k. an opening in the floor of said ball hopper constructed and arranged to permit a ball to pass from said ball pocket into said ball feed tube, and l. a raised agitation cam secured to the upper surface of said ball carrousel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
257 words
an upper ball propelling wheel rotatibly mounted above said lower ball propelling wheel and spaced therefrom, said spaced relationship defining a ball propelling space, d. a ball feed guide mounted and retained tangentially adjacent and arcuately spaced concentric with the circumference of said upper ball propelling wheel at a distance sufficiently close to insure substantial continuous contact with the said upper ball propelling wheel of a ball to be propelled, said ball feed guide being positioned so as to bring a ball being propelled by the machine into contact with the said upper ball propelling wheel at a point above the said ball propelling space, e. means for delivering a ball to said ball guide, f. drive means for rotating selected components of said ball propelling machine, g. a ball hopper including a floor mounted above said ball feed guide, h. a ball feed tube interconnecting said ball hopper and said ball feed guide, i. a ball carrousel having substantially a cylindrical configuration, the axis of said cylinder extending upward from the floor of said ball hopper, said ball carrousel rotatibly mounted in said ball hopper, j. a recessed cylindrical indentation constructed in the circumferential surface of said ball carrousel, said indentation extending the length of said cylindrical carrousel, said indentation defining a ball pocket, k. an opening in the floor of said ball hopper constructed and arranged to permit a ball to pass from said ball pocket into said ball feed tube, and l. an auxiliary agitator rotatibly secured to and projecting into said ball hopper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
257 words
an upper ball propelling wheel rotatibly mounted above said lower ball propelling wheel and spaced therefrom, said spaced relationship defining a ball propelling space, d. a ball feed guide mounted and retained tangentially adjacent and arcuately spaced concentric with the circumference of said upper ball propelling wheel at a distance sufficiently close to insure substantial continuous contact with the said upper ball propelling wheel of a ball to be propelled, said ball feed guide being positioned so as to bring a ball being propelled by the machine into contact with the said upper ball propelling wheel at a point above the said ball propelling space, e. means for delivering a ball to said ball guide, f. drive means for rotating selected components of said ball propelling machine, g. a ball hopper including a floor mounted above said ball feed guide, h. a ball feed tube interconnecting said ball hopper and said ball feed guide, i. a ball carrousel having substantially a cylindrical configuration, the axis of said cylinder extending upward from the floor of said ball hopper, said ball carrousel rotatibly mounted in said ball hopper, j. a recessed cylindrical indentation constructed in the circumferential surface of said ball carrousel, said indentation extending the length of said cylindrical carrousel, said indentation defining a ball pocket, k. an opening in the floor of said ball hopper constructed and arranged to permit a ball to pass from said ball pocket into said ball feed tube, and l. an auxiliary agitator rotatibly secured to and projecting into said ball hopper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
258 words
an upper ball propelling wheel rotatibly mounted above said lower ball propelling wheel and spaced therefrom, said spaced relationship defining a ball propelling space, d. a ball feed guide mounted and retained tangentially adjacent and arcuately spaced concentric with the circumference of said upper ball propelling wheel at a distance sufficiently close to insure substantial continuous contact with the said upper ball propelling wheel of a ball to be propelled, said ball feed guide being positioned so as to bring a ball being propelled by the machine into contact with the said upper ball propelling wheel at a point above the said ball propelling space, e. means for delivering a ball to said ball guide, f. drive means for rotating selected components of said ball propelling machine, g. a ball hopper including a floor mounted above said ball feed guide, h. a ball feed tube interconnecting said ball hopper and said ball feed guide, i. a ball carrousel having substantially a cylindrical configuration, the axis of said cylinder extending upward from the floor of said ball hopper, said ball carrousel rotatibly mounted in said ball hopper, j. a recessed cylindrical indentation constructed in the circumferential surface of said ball carrousel, said indentation extending the length of said cylindrical carrousel, said indentation defining a ball pocket, k. an opening in the floor of said ball hopper constructed and arranged to permit a ball to pass from said ball pocket into said ball feed tube, and l. a raised agitation cam secured to the upper surface of said ball carrousel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
258 words
an upper ball propelling wheel rotatibly mounted above said lower ball propelling wheel and spaced therefrom, said spaced relationship defining a ball propelling space, d. a ball feed guide mounted and retained tangentially adjacent and arcuately spaced concentric with the circumference of said upper ball propelling wheel at a distance sufficiently close to insure substantial continuous contact with the said upper ball propelling wheel of a ball to be propelled, said ball feed guide being positioned so as to bring a ball being propelled by the machine into contact with the said upper ball propelling wheel at a point above the said ball propelling space, e. means for delivering a ball to said ball guide, f. drive means for rotating selected components of said ball propelling machine, g. a ball hopper including a floor mounted above said ball feed guide, h. a ball feed tube interconnecting said ball hopper and said ball feed guide, i. a ball carrousel having substantially a cylindrical configuration, the axis of said cylinder extending upward from the floor of said ball hopper, said ball carrousel rotatibly mounted in said ball hopper, j. a recessed cylindrical indentation constructed in the circumferential surface of said ball carrousel, said indentation extending the length of said cylindrical carrousel, said indentation defining a ball pocket, k. an opening in the floor of said ball hopper constructed and arranged to permit a ball to pass from said ball pocket into said ball feed tube, and l. a raised agitation cam secured to the upper surface of said ball carrousel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising a carrousel pyramid secured to the upper surface of said ball carrousel and projecting into said ball hopper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising a ball stop secured to the interior surface of said ball hopper so positioned as to project over a said ball pocket at the position of communication with said ball feed tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising variable drive means for rotating said ball carrousel at selected rates of rotation thereby varying the rate of delivery of balls to said ball propelling wheel assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
122 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said variable drive means comprises: a. carrousel spring loaded variable velocity split drive pulley, b. means for rotating said carrousel spring loaded variable velocity split drive pulley, c. a carrousel drive pulley operably secured to said carrousel, d. a carrousel ''''V'''' belt interconnecting said carrousel spring loaded variable velocity split drive pulley and said carrousel drive pulley, and e. a carrousel idler pulley adjustably positioned between said carrousel spring loaded variable velocity split drive pulley and said carrousel drive pulley, said carrousel idler pulley thereby contacting and selectively applying pressure to said ''''V'''' belt and varying tension on same thereby varying rate of drive through action of said carrousel spring loaded variable velocity split drive pulley.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said variable drive means comprises a remote control means attached to said variable drive means to selectively activate and de-activate said drive means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said drive means operably associated with said ball propelling wheel assembly further comprises: a. aN upper ball propelling wheel drive pulley of lesser effective drive diameter than, b. the effective drive diameter of said lower ball propelling wheel drive pulley, c. and the difference of effective diameters of said pulleys causes a greater rate of rotation for said upper ball propelling wheel relative to said lower ball propelling wheel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A ball propelling machine comprising: a. a mounting frame structurally capable of receiving and securely retaining multiple components, b. a ball propelling wheel assembly tiltably mounted on said mounting frame, c. said ball propelling wheel assembly comprising:
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A ball propelling machine comprising: a. a mounting frame structurally capable of receiving and securely retaining multiple components, b. a ball propelling wheel assembly tiltably mounted on said mounting frame, c. said ball propelling wheel assembly comprising:
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |