Sports training apparatus for launching sports balls

Abstract

A sports training apparatus for launching sports balls. The sports training apparatus has the ability to launch a sports ball, such as, for example, a soccer ball or a volleyball, at various power levels, at many different angles, with many different types of spin, and can be remotely controlled or programmed with a pre-determined launching pattern. The ball projecting mechanism launches a sports ball by way of a striking leg member which is powered by a compressible spring and detent rod assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to sports training apparatuses for launching a sports ball, and more specifically to improvements in traditional sports ball launching apparatuses. In particular, the invention relates to a sports training apparatus with the ability to launch a ball, such as, for example, a soccer ball or a volleyball, at a plurality of power levels, at a plurality of different angles, with a plurality of different types of spin, and can be remotely controlled or programmed with a pre-determined launching pattern. Additionally, the sports training apparatus can be powered by batteries allowing for use in remote locations.[0002]The present invention is an improvement over U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,214 issued Jun. 15, 1999 wherein a soccer ball projecting apparatus is disclosed. Further developments have been revealed that outline the need for the production of an upgraded ball projecting apparatus. For a ready understanding of the current state...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]In accordance to another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further preferably comprises a rotating linear actuator for rotating the main-frame within a horizontal plane above the base-frame. The ball projecting mechanism is thereby able to rotate left and right from center approximately 80° allowing the sports training apparatus to project balls to players in a wide horizontal area without displacing the sports training apparatus on the playing surface.

[0020]In the ball projecting mechanism of the present the invention, it is preferable that the compressible springs of the compressible spring and detent rod assembly are compressible bushings. The use of compressible bushings have an advantage in that they are stackable allowing for the ability to further modify the force levels of the striking leg member and would eliminate the need to acquire custom made springs.

[0021]Preferably, the plurality of linear actuators in the present invention each has a built-in linear resistor. The linear resistors allow a sports training apparatus controlling means, such as, for example a microcontroller, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like, to monitor and control the movement of the plurality of linear actuators to within an accuracy of approximately 1 / 1000 of an inch (25.4 μm).

[0033]a spin function to move the support cup laterally to increase or decrease the spin of a ball;

Problems solved by technology

Generally, in traditional sports ball launching devices, the apparatus is only capable of providing a single repetitive launch type unless the specific settings are manually changed between launches, which does not accurately represent true in game situations.

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