US3878828A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for launching ball with varying trajectories
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-07-15
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1994-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A device for ball launching in sports trainings is described. The device comprises a first wheel moving frame, a second frame bearing on this first frame at two or more locations, for a rocking movement relative thereto, having vertical uprights carrying a supply cage and a club pivoted to said uprights operated by one or more levers against a spring, a first motor effective on said lever or levers and on said loading cage, and a second motor for rocking said second frame relative to said first frame and rotating a cam cyclically changing the tension in said club operating spring.
Inventors
- 👤 Dornetti Francesco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:56
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/40; A63B69/407; A63B69/408
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A device for ball launching in sports training, the device comprising; a supporting structure movably mounted on wheels and having at least two spaced apart tracks mounted rearwardly thereof; a frame means bearing on said tracks and adapted to be rotated with respect to the supporting structure; a ball magazine mounted on said frame means; a pivotally mounted ball propelling club mounted on said frame means; upright members mounted on said frame means for supporting said magazine and said club; means mounted on said frame means for rotatably engaging and disengaging said ball propelling club to pivot the club to a cocked position and then release same so that the club may propel a ball; spring means for biasing the pivoted club from a cocked position to a ball propelling position; means for cyclically biasing the spring means so as to vary the tension of the spring means; and motor means for operating said cyclically biasing means and for rotating said frame means with respect to the supporting structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A device for ball launching in sports training, the device comprising; a supporting structure movably mounted on wheels and having at least two spaced apart tracks mounted rearwardly thereof; a frame means bearing on said tracks and adapted to be rotated with respect to the supporting structure; a ball magazine mounted on said frame means; a pivotally mounted ball propelling club mounted on said frame means; upright members mounted on said frame means for supporting said magazine and said club; means mounted on said frame means for rotatably engaging and disengaging said ball propelling club to pivot the club to a cocked position and then release same so that the club may propel a ball; spring means for biasing the pivoted club from a cocked position to a ball propelling position; means for cyclically biasing the spring means so as to vary the tension of the spring means; and motor means for operating said cyclically biasing means and for rotating said frame means with respect to the supporting structure.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
169 words
A device for ball launching in sports training, the device comprising; a supporting structure movably mounted on wheels and having at least two spaced apart tracks mounted rearwardly thereof; a frame means bearing on said tracks and adapted to be rotated with respect to the supporting structure; a ball magazine mounted on said frame means; a pivotally mounted ball propelling club mounted on said frame means; upright members mounted on said frame means for supporting said magazine and said club; means mounted on said frame means for rotatably engaging and disengaging said ball propelling club to pivot the club to a cocked position and then release same so that the club may propel a ball; spring means for biasing the pivoted club from a cocked position to a ball propelling position; means for cyclically biasing the spring means so as to vary the tension of the spring means; and motor means for operating said cyclically biasing means and for rotating said frame means with respect to the supporting structure.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
169 words
A device for ball launching in sports training, the device comprising; a supporting structure movably mounted on wheels and having at least two spaced apart tracks mounted rearwardly thereof; a frame means bearing on said tracks and adapted to be rotated with respect to the supporting structure; a ball magazine mounted on said frame means; a pivotally mounted ball propelling club mounted on said frame means; upright members mounted on said frame means for supporting said magazine and said club; means mounted on said frame means for rotatably engaging and disengaging said ball propelling club to pivot the club to a cocked position and then release same so that the club may propel a ball; spring means for biasing the pivoted club from a cocked position to a ball propelling position; means for cyclically biasing the spring means so as to vary the tension of the spring means; and motor means for operating said cyclically biasing means and for rotating said frame means with respect to the supporting structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A device as set foRth in claim 1, wherein said motor means rotably drives through a reduction gear a shaft carried by said frame means and connected to a lever having an adjustable length to an articulation fast with said supporting structure, two rollers being provided on said frame means and resting on said tracks of said supporting structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein at the ball hitting region said club is provided with a plurality of adjustable tension strings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the end of said club operating spring is restrained by a crown sector carried by a cam through a threaded tie-rod, the position of which can be adjusted by a handwheel-fitted sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said magazine cage substantially comprises four pulleys, arranged two by two on parallel planes, with belts interconnected by strips, internally of which ball lifting channels are provided, which are at the top overturned at a main supply channel for an inlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein provision is made for a counter plate in front of said inlet, which counter plate is carried by a fork, said inlet and plate being provided with lips made of yieldable material for retaining therebetween the ball which is to be hit by the club.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as set forth in claim 6, wherein a damper is provided for restraining said club after hitting the ball, said damper comprising a wheel carried by said upright member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as set forth in claim 7, wherein provision is made for a shifting blade of varying orientation and located in front of the launching lips for intercepting the thrown ball at least at some positions thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
A device as set forth in claim 8, wherein said blade is pivoted to a point or location of said frame means and driven against a spring by a rope restrained at one end to a lever fast with said blade and at the other end to said supporting structure of the device, so that upon the frame means being raised with respect to the supporting structure an upward rotation of said blade is automatically caused against the action of said spring.
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) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |