US3734075A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball projecting device
Assignee: HENRY JOHN LAIRD
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Filing: 1971-07-30
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-07-30
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a ball projecting arrangement wherein the balls may be projected from between the adjacent portions of the peripheries of a pair of wheels located in the same plane and driven to rotate in opposite directions. The adjacent portions of the peripheries of the wheels are spaced apart less than the diameter of a ball to be projected and the arrangement includes a variable speed ball feed supply mechanism and a variably positioned and movable deflector plate located between and in front of the wheels relative to the direction in which the wheels are adapted to rotate. The positioning of the deflector plate is controlled by a set of rotating cams.
Inventors
- 👤 P Staples
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:27
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/40; A63B69/406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A ball projecting arrangement comprising a framework, a pair of wheels rotatably supported in the same plane on said framework and spaced apart such that the smallest distance between their peripheries is less than the diameter of a ball to be projected, means connected with the wheels to drive the wheels in opposite directions, means for feeding balls between the wheels from behind the wheels relative to the exit point of the balls from the wheels, a pivotally mounted ball deflector plate having a portion thereof located between and in front of the wheels in the path of balls projected by the wheels, a rotatable shaft supported on the framework adjacent the wheels and to one side of the plane of the wheels, said shaft extending substantially at right angles to a line extending between the axes of rotation of the two wheels, and means carried on said shaft operatively associated with the pivotally mounted deflector plate for causing said deflector plate to have simultaneous vertical and horizontal movements upon rotation of said shaft, and said means carried on said shaft comprising a set of cams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A ball projecting arrangement comprising a framework, a pair of wheels rotatably supported in the same plane on said framework and spaced apart such that the smallest distance between their peripheries is less than the diameter of a ball to be projected, means connected with the wheels to drive the wheels in opposite directions, means for feeding balls between the wheels from behind the wheels relative to the exit point of the balls from the wheels, a pivotally mounted ball deflector plate having a portion thereof located between and in front of the wheels in the path of balls projected by the wheels, a rotatable shaft supported on the framework adjacent the wheels and to one side of the plane of the wheels, said shaft extending substantially at right angles to a line extending between the axes of rotation of the two wheels, and means carried on said shaft operatively associated with the pivotally mounted deflector plate for causing said deflector plate to have simultaneous vertical and horizontal movements upon rotation of said shaft, and said means carried on said shaft comprising a set of cams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A ball projecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which the periphery of each wheel is provided with a pneumatic tyre.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
A ball projecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for feeding balls comprises a container for balls, an inclined base to the container, a member at the lower end of the container, said member being rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the base of the container, pockets distributed on the periphery of the member, each pocket adapted to accommodate a single ball, and a drive for the member, and a discharge chute extending from the upper edge of said member to a position between and behind the wheels relating to the direction of rotation to which the wheels are adapted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A ball projecting arrangement as claimed in claim 3 in which the drive for the ball feed mechanism is a variable speed drive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
A ball projecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for feeding the balls comprises a container for balls, an inclined base to the container, a member rotatably mounted in the container and at the lower end thereof, said member having pockets distributed on the periphery threof, each pocket being adapted to accommodate a single ball, and a discharge chute extending from the upper region of the container to a position between and behind the wheels relative to the direction of rotation of the wheels, for receiving one ball at a time from the member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A ball projecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which the cams on the shaft are rotatably adjustable relative to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A ball projecting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which the means to drive the wheels include a disc rotatable on the surface of one of said wheels and a motor connected to the disc, the disc being adjustable along a radius of the wheel to afford a variable wheel speed drive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |