US 8,893,698 B2 · System and method to pitch soccer balls

Abstract

A system and method for pitching balls, particularly round balls such as soccer balls. The system and method are flexibly designed to simulate different types of pitches including but not limited to kicks, throws, and headers. A main frame has a frame with a front panel, a rear panel and a top panel. A tubular chute is rotatably mounted in the interior portion of the main frame with a set of bearings. A pair of opposing ball throwing wheels are fitted to the rotatable tubular chute for launching the ball from the chute. Each wheel is driven by a variable speed motor that is controlled by a variable switch mounted to the main frame. A pair of caddy wheels is attached to the main frame for portability of the apparatus, along with a rear support having an adjustable extension to vary the height and angle of the rotatable tubular chute to adjust the trajectory of the ball. A ball feed chute is mounted to the main frame onto which balls are loaded to be pitched.

Claims31

Dependent claims

An apparatus for pitching balls to a player, comprising:

a tubular chute having a first wheel aperture and a second wheel aperture;
a frame comprising:
an interior portion in which the tubular chute is positioned;
a first end with a first aperture;
and
a second end with a second aperture;
and
a stabilizing bottom portion affixed to the first end and the second end and comprising at least one section generally parallel to the ground extending laterally outside a diameter of the tubular chute;
a first throwing wheel powered by a first motor, at least a portion of the first throwing wheel extending through the first wheel aperture in the rotatable tubular chute;
a second throwing wheel powered by a second motor, at least a portion of the second throwing wheel extending through the second wheel aperture in the rotatable tubular chute substantially opposite the first throwing wheel;
and
a support attached to an end of the frame.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method to pitch soccer balls

Life of this patent

System and method to pitch soccer balls

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31