Vertical ball cannon with sliding deflector mounted on maneuverable robotic platform

Robotic vehicle apparatus comprising:

• a platform including a plurality of wheels;
• an anchor comprising:
• a horizontal bar mounted on a rotatable axle;
• and
• at least one prong extending outwardly from the horizontal bar;
• a first helical screw and a second helical screw, each helical screw being rotatable about a central longitudinal axis of the helical screw, wherein a first helical screw and the second helical screw are rotationally coupled via a one or more gears such that when the first helical screw rotates in a clockwise direction the second helical screw rotates in a counter-clockwise direction;
• a motor rotationally coupled to the first and second helical screws via the one or more gears;
• a vertically-oriented cannon comprising:
• a vertically-oriented tube having an opening at an upper end;
• a movable plate enclosing the tube at a lower end;
• at least one fixed tab;
• an elastomeric band coupling the movable plate to the at least one fixed tab to exert an upwardly biasing force on the movable plate;
• a linear gear;
• a non-elastomeric cable coupling the movable plate to the linear gear such that a force exerted on the linear gear in at least one direction is transferable through the cable to exert a corresponding force on the movable plate;
• a partially-toothed gear having at least one toothed portion and at least one untoothed portion about its circumference, the at least one toothed portion being arranged to engage the linear gear and the at least one untoothed portion being arranged not to engage the linear gear;
• and
• a motor coupled to the partially-toothed gear via a geared transmission;
• and
• a deflector mounted on vertically-oriented linear slide.