463results about "Sling weapons" patented technology

The present inventions provides a directing device for controlling the orientation of a ball launching device, comprising a first member, a second member pivotally attached to the first member, and a third member disposed substantially parallel to the second member, rotatably connected to the second member and operably configured to receive the ball launching device. The device further includes a first actuator connected to the first and second members and, a second actuator connected to the first and third members. When the first actuator is actuated the second member pivots relative to the first member, and when the second actuator is actuated the third member rotates relative to the second member. This invention also provides an automatic ball throwing device having the directing device of this invention and a method of converting a pitching machine into the same. This invention further provides a hopper for use with the directing device.

A ball-throwing machine includes a camera connected to a computer vision unit and a microphone connected to a speech-processing unit. The computer vision unit processes images from the camera to determine a user's position, and to detect user gestures from a predetermined repertoire of gestures. The speech-processing unit recognizes user vocal commands from a predetermined repertoire of commands. A computer receives information from a control panel, from the computer vision unit, from the speech-processing unit, and from a file describing the ballistic properties of the ball to be thrown. The computer accordingly determines a ball trajectory according to the user's position and parameters indicated by a combination of control-panel settings, user gestures, and user vocal commands. The computer then adjusts the direction, elevation, ball speed, and ball spin to conform to the determined trajectory, and initiates throwing of a ball accordingly.

The present invention includes devices, kits and methods for an automated ball feeding device for a ball throwing machine. The present invention provides an automatic ball feeding and throwing apparatus having a ball holding container with one or more sides and a bottom in communication with a propeller. The propeller is positioned to communicate with a rotatable support mast that has a ball channel and supports a ball ejection mechanism. The ball channel extends from the ball holding container to the ball ejection mechanism. The ball is fed by the propeller through the ball channel to the ball throwing apparatus regardless of the pivot angle or rotational angle of the ball ejection mechanism.

The invention consists in a throwing apparatus comprising an elongated handle and a cup mounted on the handle at or adjacent one end thereof. The cup is shaped to receive a throwable, non spherical, object and to retain such object until the handle is swung whereupon the object is released from the cup.

A rapid fire toy dart launch apparatus employing a feeding / anti-jamming mechanism including a simply yet unique continuous belt that penetrates a dart magazine releasing each dart from the magazine and simultaneously employing protrusion elements at the belt advancing each released dart into an energy generating mechanism for rapidly firing darts from the toy apparatus without mis-fed darts jamming up in the launcher.

The present invention provides a baseball practice machine for propelling balls onto a practice field thereby providing simulated hits for use in fielding practice for ball players. The practice machine includes a ball hopper, a propulsion unit for propelling a ball toward a practice field, a movable barrel through which a ball is propelled. A barrel positioner is coupled to the propulsion unit and the movable barrel for adjusting the position of the barrel thereby controlling the trajectory of a propelled ball. A programmable control system controls the operation of the practice machine. Trajectory parameters for the propelled balls are selected from predetermined parameters defining the path of the ball to a location of a practice field where the ball is intended to land. Information defining the dimensions of a practice field are stored in a memory of the control system and used in determining the trajectory parameters.

A projectile launcher includes an acceleration rail with an accelerator mounted on opposite sides of the rail. Each accelerator includes an elastomeric energy generator having an end that is held stationary, while another end is connected to a string. This string then passes over a series of pulleys and crosses over the rail into the other accelerator. Thus, both accelerators act on the same string. In operation, as the string is pulled back and engaged with the projectile on the acceleration rail, the elastomeric drives are stretched. Also, each series of pulleys effectively causes a velocity multiplication that enhances the momentum of the projectile when it is launched.

A toy projectile launcher includes a body having a magazine for storing at least one cylindrical projectile. The body has an elongate barrel in communication with the magazine. The barrel is shaped for travel of the projectile from the magazine to an exit end. The barrel has an intermediate opening between the magazine and the exit end. A drive wheel is powered by a motor to spin about an axis of rotation. The drive wheel can be coupled to the body by a drive wheel biasing member. The drive wheel intrudes into the barrel though the intermediate opening to contact and propel the projectile down the barrel. The drive wheel can include a resilient part. The axis of rotation of the drive wheel can deviate from being perpendicular to the length of the barrel by a predetermined angle selected to impart spin to the projectile.

A pitching machine contains a pitching arm that vertically rotates at a speed of about 5 to 15 rpm, picks up a ball from the ball cradle at a pick-up point in its rotation, and then releases the ball at a release point in its rotation to provide a first velocity component to the ball. The pitching machine also contains a wheel that vertically rotates at a speed of about 300 to 3000 rpm. The wheel is positioned at the release point of the pitching arm to provide a second velocity component to the ball and to pitch the ball at an initial launch angle.

The present invention includes programs, devices and methods for a pro able ball throwing machine that is able to eject balls to preset, programmed or manually-selected positions with programmable projection and travel characteristics. The present invention includes a computer implemented method for controlling the parameters of a ball flight and trajectory in three dimensions including one or more parameters to identify a flight and trajectory of a ball in three dimensions for one or more player positions and a processor to control one or more motors in response to the one or more parameters.

A game device adapted for use by a player to launch a disc or projectile. The holder has a pivot member with a rest position and a release position. The pivot member is biased to its rest position so as to at least partially retain the projectile in readiness for launching. A handle is attached to the holder for grasping by the player so as to launch the projectile.

This invention relates to a batting trainer consisting of a ball launching apparatus with a ball propulsion mechanism for propelling a ball and a training ball much lighter and smaller than a regulation baseball or softball that can train an inexperienced batter to practice hand-eye coordination on a smaller flying target for improved swing precision. The said ball launching apparatus can be in a form of a flying-ball launching toy gun, with said training ball being made of soft cellular plastic foam and having a circumference smaller than 60 mm and a weight lighter than 30 g. It will be safe for an inexperienced player to practice his / her swing with said batting trainer in a limited open space such as the backyard.

A system for delivering objects, such as soccer balls, the system including a delivery device and a methodology for training individuals that can be used with the delivery device, the delivery device including an accelerator that accepts, accelerates, and launches the object with motion characteristics, such as linear acceleration, angular acceleration, or a combination of both, and an assembly that adjusts the position of the accelerator to adjust an exit trajectory of the object that includes adjustment about a yaw axis, an elevation axis, and a spin axis of the object. Highly and accurate and consistent delivery of the object facilitates single and multi-player use for training, such as in the sport of soccer.

A pitching system is provided for throwing baseballs, softballs and the like, which machine is synchronized to work in conjunction with a video display means to permit a batter to visually view a pitcher prior to and during delivery of the pitch. The machine includes a power head having at least two and preferably three coacting wheels for propelling a ball toward a batter to simulate a pitch. Three AC motors and companion motor drives are provided for causing the wheels to rotate at predetermined speeds. The motor drives include dynamic braking circuits to permit rapid deceleration of the wheels. A pair of linear actuators is provided to permit the power head to be moved to predetermined horizontal and vertical positions. A programmable controller is included for individually controlling the rotational speed of each individual wheel, the horizontal position of the power head and the vertical position of the power head. A smart card reader may be employed for programming of the controller and the machine is adapted to be used in conjunction with a video display to simulate the actual pitching of a baseball by a pitcher. The machine is able to interchangeably deliver pitches of different types to different locations at different speeds with less than ten-second intervals between pitches. A video display device is included for displaying a moving video image upon a screen situated adjacent to the pitching system. Said screen has an aperture therein for allowing unobstructed passage of the ball therethrough. The propelling of the ball and the moving image of the pitcher are synchronized by means of a programmable control unit, which chooses the video image appropriate for a particular pitch and instructs the wheels to rotate at the appropriate speeds for said pitch, as well as instructing the machine to assume a horizontal and vertical angular position appropriate for such pitch. When the programmable control detects that the wheels have assumed the appropriate speeds and the machine has assumed the appropriate horizontal and vertical angular position, the control unit initiates the playback of the video image and, after a predetermined interval of time, signals a solenoid to impel the ball into pitching machine so that the ball appears to be thrown by the image of the pitcher.

A game device adapted for use by a player to launch a disc or projectile. The holder has a pivot member with a rest position and a release position. Means are provided for biasing the pivot member to its rest position so as to at least partially retain the projectile in readiness for launching. A handle is attached to the holder for grasping by the player so as to launch the projectile.

A flying toy may comprise an elongate body extending along a body axis from a forward end to a rearward end. The flying toy may comprise a wing assembly, comprising a wing adapted to move relative to the body between an extended position in which at least a portion of the wing extends away from the body and a retracted position in which the wing portion is closer to the body. The flying toy may comprise an actuator movable along the body between a forward position and a rearward position. One of the wing assembly and the actuator may comprise a contact element, and the other of the wing assembly and the actuator may comprise an elongate contact surface extending obliquely relative to the body axis. The contact element may move along the contact surface as the actuator moves between the rearward position and the forward position, thereby moving the wing between the retracted position and the extended position.