Patent US4548744A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3604409A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3604409A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball projecting machine with direction control mechanism
Assignee: STROKEMASTER CORP
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Filing: 1969-01-30
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1989-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A baseball-pitching machine having two horizontal, oppositely rotating wheels for engaging a baseball and pitching it to a batter. The wheels are driven through variable drive pulleys, and to curve the ball, the pulleys are adjusted to rotate one wheel faster than the other. To vary the speed of the ball being pitched the motor bracket is adjustable to be shifted toward or away from the wheels. The direction of throw, both horizontal and vertical, are controlled by manually operated levers connected to pivotally mounted platforms. The machine is mounted on a portable stand which is exceptionally stable.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph W Doeg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:08
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/40; A63B69/406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A baseball-pitching machine comprising a stand, a pair of wheels rotatably driven on said stand, said wheels disposed in substantially a horizontal plane with part of their pEripheral surface adjacent each other, drive means for rotating said wheels in opposite directions, relative velocity-changing means for varying the relative rotational velocity of said wheels, means for varying the direction of throw of a projectile including a plurality of platforms mounted on said stand, said platforms being movable with respect to one another, said means connected to said wheels whereby the desired direction of the pitched ball is dependent upon varying the positions of said platforms with respect to one another, means for feeding balls between the adjacent peripheral surfaces of said wheels during rotation of said wheels, said wheel ends having an elastic compressible surface adapted to grip the ball, and the ball being pitched by said wheels with a horizontal arch or curve depending upon the velocity difference between said wheels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A baseball-pitching machine comprising a stand, a pair of wheels rotatably driven on said stand, said wheels disposed in substantially a horizontal plane with part of their pEripheral surface adjacent each other, drive means for rotating said wheels in opposite directions, relative velocity-changing means for varying the relative rotational velocity of said wheels, means for varying the direction of throw of a projectile including a plurality of platforms mounted on said stand, said platforms being movable with respect to one another, said means connected to said wheels whereby the desired direction of the pitched ball is dependent upon varying the positions of said platforms with respect to one another, means for feeding balls between the adjacent peripheral surfaces of said wheels during rotation of said wheels, said wheel ends having an elastic compressible surface adapted to grip the ball, and the ball being pitched by said wheels with a horizontal arch or curve depending upon the velocity difference between said wheels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The baseball-pitching machine of claim 1 wherein said plurality of platforms include at least an upper, lower and intermediate platform, said direction-adjusting means including a horizontal adjusting means comprising said upper and intermediate platforms being pivotally connected to one another such that the relative positions of said upper and intermediate platforms with respect to one another determine the horizontal direction of the ball being pitched.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The baseball-pitching machine as in claim 2 wherein said horizontal adjusting means further comprises horizontal driving means to pivot said upper platform relative to said intermediate platform, said horizontal driving means including a first crank means connected to said upper platform, whereby operation of said crank means pivot said upper platform relative to said intermediate platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The baseball-pitching machine of claim 1 wherein said plurality of platforms includes at least an upper, lower and intermediate platform, said means for varying the direction of throw of a projectile including a vertical adjusting means comprising said intermediate and lower platforms being hingedly connected to one another such that the relative positions of said intermediate and lower platforms determine the vertical direction of the ball being pitched.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The baseball-pitching machine of claim 4 wherein said vertical adjusting means further comprises a vertical driving means in the form of a second crank means connected to said intermediate platform, whereby operation of said second crank causes relative movement of said intermediate platform relative to said lower platform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The baseball-pitching machine of claim 1 wherein said drive means includes for each wheel a motor, a variable drive pulley operatively connected to said motor, a wheel pulley adapted to drive said wheel, and a flexible member connecting said variable drive pulley to said wheel pulley.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The baseball-pitchine machine of claim 6 wherein said relative velocity-changing means includes a motor support bracket on which said motors and variable drive pulleys are mounted, said bracket pivotally mounted on said stand such that one variable drive pulley may be positioned closer to the wheel it is connected to while said other variable drive pulley is simultaneously positioned away from the wheel it is connected to, and pivoting means to pivot said bracket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The baseball-pitching machine of claim 7 including speed-changing means comprising a shift plate for supporting said motor bracket, said shift plate movably mounted on said stand to shift toward and away from said wheels, and a shifting means for shifting said shift plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The baseball-pitching machine as in claim 8 wherein said shifting means includes a third crank means connected to said plate such that operation of said third crank means will vary the position of said shifting plate relative to said wheels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |