Pitching machine

#The present invention relates generally to devices used to propel balls, and more particularly, to a pitching machine that can make dynamic pitch changes in real-time and that significantly reduces deterioration typically suffered by the balls used in such machines.

#Pitching machines are well known in the prior art. Pitching machines have long been used for propelling, or throwing spherical balls, such as baseballs, softballs, and tennis balls for example, or oval balls such as a football. Primarily pitching machines are used for throwing baseballs and softballs during activities such as batting practice, where the pitching machine is used to simulate a human pitcher. Modern pitching machines can effectively throw most pitch types thrown by today's pitchers including fastballs, curveballs, sliders, knuckle-balls, and change-ups.

#However, known pitching machines require setup for each type of pitch thrown, and must be reset for each different pitch type desired to be thrown to the batter. For instance, if it is desired to throw fastballs to a batter, the pitching machine is setup to throw fastballs. When it is desired to throw another type of pitch to the batter, such as curveballs, the machine is stopped and then re-sets for throwing balls of the new pitch type.

#The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1A is a right-rear perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of an improved device for propelling, or throwing balls in a desired direction and at a selected velocity, partially shown in cross-section;

#FIG. 1B is a left-rear perspective view showing the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

#The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes presently contemplated by the inventor of carrying out the invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein.

#Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B of the drawings, there is shown generally at 10, a first preferred embodiment of an improved device for propelling, or throwing balls in a desired direction and at a selected velocity, commonly known as a pitching machine. The pitching machine 10 of the present invention is capable of consecutively propelling, or throwing, balls 12 each with a different predetermined trajectory, velocity, and rotational velocity, that characterize the pitch type of the ball 12 being thrown, without significantly interrupting a pitch sequence to reset the machine 10.

#During an at-bat in a game, a batter does not know what type of pitch is being thrown and cannot pre-adjust their swing and stance for an anticipated speed, trajectory, and location of the pitch. The invented pitching machine 10 may be capable of simulating a pitch sequence, a number of balls thrown with each ball 12 potentially having a different pitch type (different trajectory, rotational velocity, and velocity), as if thrown by a human pitcher during an at-bat in a game situation. Therefore, the invented machine 10 may be capable of effectively training batters.