# US 9,782,638 B2 · Ball feeding device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,782,638 B2 - Document ID: US9782638B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/417,196 - Filed: 2017-01-26 - Published: 2017-07-27 - Granted: 2017-10-10 - Earliest claimed: 2016-01-27 - Assignees: Cloudgate Corp. - Applicants: Cloudgate Corp. - Inventors: Seongjun Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9782638B2 ## CPC - A63B 47/00: Devices for handling or treating balls {, e.g. for holding or carrying balls} - A63B 69/0002: {for baseball} - A63B 69/40: Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls {or other bodies} ({golf cups with ball ejector means A63B57/405;} traps for clay-pigeon targets F41J9/18) - A63B 69/406: {with rotating discs, wheels or pulleys gripping and propelling the balls or bodies by friction} - A63B 2069/0008: {for batting} - A63B 2208/0204: Standing on the feet - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract A ball feeding device includes: a ball transfer tube comprising a ball lifting tube and a ball feeding tube; and a ball transfer module connected to the ball lifting tube and transferring the ball. The ball transfer module includes: a first rotating portion and a second rotating portion connected to opposite end portions of the ball lifting tube, respectively; a driving motor connected to the first rotating portion; a link connecting the first rotating portion and the second rotating portion; and a main support portion supporting the ball, the main support portion coupled to the link and passing through the ball lifting tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A ball feeding device comprising: a ball transfer tube comprising a ball lifting tube and a ball feeding tube; and a ball transfer module connected to the ball lifting tube and transferring the ball; wherein the ball transfer module comprises: a first rotating portion and a second rotating portion connected to opposite end portions of the ball lifting tube, respectively; a driving motor connected to the first rotating portion; a link connecting the first rotating portion and the second rotating portion; and a main support portion supporting the ball, the main support portion coupled to the link and passing through the ball lifting tube. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first rotating portion comprises a first sprocket and a first rotation shaft, the second rotating portion comprises a second sprocket and a second rotation shaft, and the link comprises a chain. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising brackets fixed to the ball lifting tube, wherein opposite end portions of each of the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft are supported by the brackets. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the link moves while being inserted in the ball lifting tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ball lifting tube has a first opening defined in a side surface, and the link is inserted into the first opening. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ball transfer module further comprises: an auxiliary support portion pivotally connected to the driving motor and supporting a ball, at least a portion of the auxiliary support portion being inserted into the first opening of the ball transfer tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the auxiliary support portion comprises a portion having a circular plate shape having a support groove on a portion of a circumference of the circular plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the auxiliary support portion comprises a portion having a circular plate shape comprising a support protrusion on an outer circumferential surface of the circular plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 6, wherein an interval among the main support portions is substantially the same as a length of an outer circumference of the first rotating portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main support portion comprises a curved surface convex toward a moving direction of the link. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ball lifting tube has a second opening defined in an upper surface thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a ball detection sensor at the ball transfer tube, the ball detection sensor detecting that the ball passes through a predetermined position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ball transfer tube has a predetermined inclination with respect to a horizontal plane. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a ball guide portion connected to the ball lifting tube. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a pitching unit connected to the ball feeding tube and pitching a ball; and a control unit controlling operations of the ball transfer module and the pitching unit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control unit applies, to the ball feeding device, a first signal for transferring a ball to the pitching unit and applies, to the pitching unit, a second signal for pitching the ball. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The ball feeding device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the control unit applies the second signal after a predetermined time elapses after the first signal is applied.