Pneumatic ball-suspending device
OwnerRobert David Kauffmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pneumatic ball-suspending device includes a base, a conduit extending from the base, a source of pressurized air disposed within the base and in fluid communication with the conduit, and a cap formed at an end of the conduit. The cap includes a face that is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the conduit and at least three channels formed through the cap, each channel having a longitudinal axis formed through a center of a respective channel, wherein the longitudinal axis of each channel defines an airflow path and wherein the longitudinal axis of at least one of the channels is angled with respect to at least one of an x-, y-, or z-axis. The source of pressurized air forces air through the conduit and through the channels, such that any escaping air follows at least one of the air flow paths.
Claims17
A pneumatic ball-suspending device comprising:
- a base;
- a hollow post extending from the base, the post forming a batting tee;
- a source of pressurized air disposed within the base and in fluid communication with the hollow post;
- a cap formed at an end of the hollow post, the end being spaced away from the source of pressurized air, wherein the cap includes:
- inner and outer faces that are generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hollow post, wherein the outer face is defined by x-, y-, and z-axes;
- at least three channels formed through the cap between the inner and outer faces, each of the at least three channels having a longitudinal axis formed through a center of a respective one of the at least three channels, each of the at least three channels having an entrance formed through the inner face, an exit formed through the outer face, and a diameter that is less than a diameter of the hollow post;
- wherein the longitudinal axis of each of the at least three channels is positioned at a non-zero and non-90 degree angle with respect to at least one of the x-, y-, or z-axes, wherein the at least three channels are not parallel to one another;
- and
- wherein the source of pressurized air forces air through the hollow post and through the at least three channels such that a ball may be supported above the air flow paths.
A pneumatic ball-suspending device comprising:
- a base;
- a hollow post extending from the base, the hollow post forming a batting tee:
- a source of pressurized air disposed within the base and in fluid communication with the hollow post:
- a cap formed at an end of the hollow post the end being spaced away from the source of pressurized air, and wherein the cap includes:
- inner and outer faces that are generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hollow post:
- a central channel formed through the cap between the inner and outer faces, wherein the central channel is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the hollow post,
- an outer channel formed through the cap between the inner and outer surfaces of the cap, wherein the outer channel is and spaced outwardly from the central channel and the outer channel is concentric with the central channel and includes inner and outer walls that are spaced from one another to form a channel configured for air flow therethrough;
- wherein the longitudinal axis of the central channel defines an airflow path out of the central channel that is generally perpendicular to a face of the cap;
- and
- wherein the source of pressurized air forces air through the central and outer channels such that air flows through each of the central and outer channels to support a ball.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.