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US 6,546,923 B2Granted
Ball launching apparatus
OwnerErven D. Ericksoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ball launching apparatus is described in which a main frame mounts a ball support sub-frame for adjustable positioning about an axis. A ball carrier is provided on the ball support sub-frame at a radial distance from the adjustment axis. A ball striker arm with a striker pad is mounted for pivotal motion about the axis and moves in a swing path intersecting the ball carrier.
Claims27
A ball launching apparatus, comprising:
- a main frame including a top end and a bottom end;
- a base support on the bottom end of the frame supporting the main frame;
- a ball support sub-frame mounted to the main frame for adjustable positioning about an adjustment axis;
- a ball carrier on the ball support sub-frame positioned thereon at a radial distance from the adjustment axis;
- a ball striker arm mounted for pivotal motion about the axis and movable in a swing path intersecting with the ball carrier;
- a ball striker pad on the ball striker arm;
- and
- wherein the ball carrier is comprised of a hoop with a releasable ball engaging surface shaped to support a ball in any angular orientation.
5 more elements
A ball launching apparatus, comprising:
- an elongated main frame including a top end and a bottom end;
- a base support on the bottom end of the frame supporting the main frame in a substantially upright orientation;
- a ball support sub-frame mounted to the main frame adjacent the top end for adjustable positioning about a substantially horizontal axis;
- a ball support sub-frame angle adjuster mounted between the main frame and ball support sub frame, with adjustable positioning stops at selected positions about the axis;
- a ball carrier on the ball support sub-frame positioned thereon at a radial distance from the axis and shaped to releasably grip a game ball;
- a ball striker arm mounted for pivotal motion coaxially with the ball support sub-frame and movable in a swing path intersecting with the ball carrier;
- a ball striker pad on the ball striker arm;
- a lanyard release mounted to the main frame and releasably engageable with the ball striker arm to permit remote release of the ball striker arm;
- and
- biasing means connected between the main frame and ball striker arm for producing selective swing force of the ball striker arm about the axis toward the ball carrier.
7 more elements
A ball launching apparatus, comprising:
- a main frame including a top end and a bottom end;
- a base support on the bottom end of the frame supporting the main frame;
- a ball support sub-frame mounted to the main frame for adjustable positioning about an adjustment axis;
- a ball carrier on the ball support sub-frame positioned thereon at a radial distance from the adjustment axis;
- a ball striker arm mounted for pivotal motion about the axis and movable in a swing path intersecting with the ball carrier;
- a ball striker pad on the ball striker arm;
- and
- a lanyard release mounted to the main frame and releasably engageable with the ball striker arm to permit remote release of the ball striker arm.
5 more elements
A ball launching apparatus, comprising:
- a main frame including a top end and a bottom end;
- a base support on the bottom end of the frame supporting the main frame;
- a ball support sub-frame mounted to the main frame for adjustable positioning about an adjustment axis;
- a ball carrier on the ball support sub-frame positioned thereon at a radial distance from the adjustment axis;
- a ball striker arm mounted for pivotal motion about the axis and movable in a swing path intersecting with the ball carrier;
- a ball striker pad on the ball striker arm;
- and
- wherein the ball carrier is comprised of a hoop and a hoop adjustment selectively operable to set an angular orientation of the hoop about a hoop adjustment that is offset from the axis.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.