Variable trajectory kit for a ball pitching mechanism

Abstract

The present invention is a method and apparatus for use with a ball throwing machine (e.g., baseball / softball pitching machines, tennis ball serving machines and the like) that may be employed for practice at hitting and / or catching balls thrown. In many conventional systems, such machines have a fixed position and are unable to vary the direction (horizontal) or angle (vertical) at which a ball is thrown. The present invention provides a simple, cost-effective device by which conventional machines may be adapted to provide randomly variable movement of the machine so as to enable a ball to move about a target location in order to simulate a competitive environment.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 520,024, filed on Nov. 14, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 558,837, filed on Apr. 2, 2004, which are hereby incorporated by reference. [0002] This invention relates generally to a throwing or pitching machine used in athletics for the practice of various ball dependant sports, such as baseball, football, tennis and the like, and more particularly to an improvement in the nature of a kit containing a mechanism to modify the trajectories of balls pitched or thrown by such machines.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] Pitching machines are powerful and versatile training tools for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Developing players benefit from the safety and predictability of a ball being repeatedly delivered within the center of the strike zone and thereby allowing the inexperienced athlete to work on swing mechanics under co...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003] Pitching machines are powerful and versatile training tools for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Developing players benefit from the safety and predictability of a ball being repeatedly delivered within the center of the strike zone and thereby allowing the inexperienced athlete to work on swing mechanics under consistent conditions and thereby alleviate the fear of errant balls often thrown by the pitcher, coach, etc.

[0011] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self-contained ball throwing machine comprising a means to throw a ball in a generally predetermined direction on a trajectory that is a function of the ball speed and angle of release; and an eccentric drive means associated with a motor and a control leg receiver operatively associated with at least one support of the ball throwing machine, wherein said control leg receiver is moved in at least one direction to effect a change in the direction or angle at which the ball is released so as to vary the location at which the ball is received in the vicinity of a target region, generally within a pre-defined strike zone, as a result of the variable displacement of the control leg receiver as the ball is released.

[0012] It is further intended that the present invention may be employed as an “after market” kit to enhance the functionality of existing pitching machines whereby the invention is readily installed and removed without the requirement for tools or modifications to the currently available pitching products. Furthermore, the drive means for varying the pitch trajectory is a single motor device having a minimum of moving parts, therefore being an economical and reliable improvement to a majority of the pitching machines currently in use. Moreover, the present invention accomplishes dual-direction variability of a pitching or throwing machine with only a single drive, thereby making the invention or “kit” easily transportable and attachable to multiple machines (e.g., may be used by the baseball coach one day and the tennis coach the next).

Problems solved by technology

While these basic pitching machines are well suited for practicing the principle elements of a sport, they are all too often lacking in the ability to simulate actual game situations, such as high / low pitches and those that are to the inside or outside of the strike zone.

On one hand it is advantageous to consistently place the ball within a designated zone to perfect a technique, however this is an obvious contradiction to actual play where the trajectory and azimuth of the ball is relatively inconsistent and unpredictable.

Admittedly, traditional pitching and throwing machines have a harmful effect in not providing the athlete the experience in reacting to balls that are randomly delivered within the peripheral border of the strike zone or the like, or even outside the strike zone all together.

However, due to the complexity of the x and y movement mechanisms in such devices, there is no known retrofit kit providing for an “after market” integration of a variable trajectory feature into a conventional pitching machine mechanism.

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