Manual Lever Ball Tossing Device for Baseball Practice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pitching devices for baseball and softball practice are often expensive, require a power source, and lack variability in pitch motion and position, making them inaccessible to many players for effective training.
Innovation Solution
A ball tossing device comprising a base and a lever with a foot portion and a tossing portion, allowing users to manually toss balls upward for practice swings, which is inexpensive, easy to use, and provides realistic pitch motion and variance without needing a power source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If automated pitching machines are used, then realistic pitch motion and position variation are improved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the batter's own foot to actuate the lever and toss the ball, making the system self-powered without external motors or power sources. The batter's foot-stomping action directly drives the pitching mechanism, eliminating complex automated systems while maintaining pitch variation through human input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex automated mechanical pitching systems with a simple manual lever mechanism. Instead of using motors, computers, or automated mechanisms, the invention uses a basic lever actuated by the batter's foot to toss the ball, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If powered pitching machines are used, then realistic pitch motion is improved, but power source requirements and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is entirely manual and self-powered, requiring no external power sources. The batter's foot provides the mechanical energy needed to actuate the lever and toss the ball, making the system accessible anywhere without electricity while maintaining realistic pitch motion through human-powered variation.
3Device complexity
If manual ball tossing is used, then device simplicity and affordability are improved, but pitch consistency and realism deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism provides a dynamic tossing action that varies with each use, allowing the batter to control pitch height and position through their foot-stomping force. This dynamic system maintains simplicity while achieving pitch consistency through controlled human input rather than rigid mechanical repetition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables affordable, power-free, and customizable pitching practice that improves foot-eye coordination and swing technique by varying the pitch height and position with each use, making it accessible to a wider range of players.
Implementation Method 1
a base and a lever, the lever comprising a foot portion and a tossing portion, and the base acting as a fulcrum for the lever
Implementation Method 2
the base acting as a fulcrum for the lever
Data Source
AI summary
A ball tossing device has a base and a lever, with the lever having a foot portion and a tossing portion, and the base acting as a fulcrum for the lever. In some examples, the foot portion and the tossing portion may be removably coupled to one another. In some examples, a method of using the ball tossing device includes a user placing a ball on the tossing portion, stomping a foot on the foot portion, thereby actuating the lever and tossing the ball upward from the tossing portion, and then hitting the ball with a bat.