Abstract: A method and apparatus has two stages of acceleration establishing levels of kinetic energy in paired bodies contributing to a total system mass that is to be accelerated in a given time profile. A first stage of acceleration places the paired bodies in helical trajectories about a toroidal space. The second stage of acceleration has mutual cross coupling between the paired masses for the reflection of reaction forces resulting from the independently, but simultaneously, applied forces for enhancement of the acceleration and for mutual suppression of recoil within the apparatus.

Abstract: A Gattling-gun-like amusement game provides for manual control of the rate of firing and dispensing of dislodged targets as prizes to the player. The gun fires balls at round targets supported on rotating carousels. Dislodged targets roll to the front of an enclosure for dispensing to the player. The balls are separated and fed by an Archimedes' spiral to a feed tube connected to the gun. A sensor is used with controls to limit the number of balls provided to a player. The balls are fed through two successive nip regions formed by pinch rollers. The first is manually controlled by a crank to vary the rate of firing. Balls delivered from the first nip region are fired at high speed by a fast rotating, fixed speed second pinch roller.

Abstract: A target projector for projecting a disc-like target adapted for operation by electric power, the projector includes a base with a drive shaft rotatably mounted thereon, an electric motor is operatively connected to the drive shaft to rotate same, a throwing arm has an inner end and an outer end portion and is connected to the drive shaft for rotation therewith, a target magazine is positioned adjacent and above the inner end portion of the throwing arm, said magazine being adapted to hold a stack of disc-like targets.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for propelling balls such as softballs and baseballs with accurate and predetermined spins, speeds and placements, which includes a spinning wheel opposed by a guide having an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the ball to be thrown. The guide positions the ball properly against the wheel and continues such until the ball is released from the wheel. The speed of the wheel is controlled by a constant speed motor which drives the wheel through use of a belt, a fixed pulley connected to the wheel and variable diameter pulley connected to the motor. The motor is controllably pivoted for movement toward and away from the wheel which changes the tension in the belt and causes the variable diameter pulley to change diameters and drive the wheel at the different controlled speeds.

Abstract: In a training device for sports equipment, especially for serving tennis balls, the balls are supplied from a storage container through a laterally pivotable charging opening to a ball supply device. The ball supply device includes an endless belt circulating vertically over two rollers and the balls are rolled upwards beneath a lower roller and between the endless belt and a side wall of a housing of the ball supply device and roll over an upper roller into a waiting position. From the waiting position the balls arrive in a serving position on curved guide tracks of a supporting and guiding device provided with a ball striker. Between the guide tracks, a rotatable serving device is arranged on a base plate and is connected to a central shaft and a driving device for rotation therewith. The serving device has a serving plate pivotable into the ball serving track. The serving frequency and the flight path of the balls are adjustable through a control device.

Abstract: A ball throwing apparatus has two opposed drive wheels, one on each side of an open-ended barrel. The peripheries of both drive wheels extend into the barrel in opposing fashion, the wheels being slightly offset so that the second periphery frictionally engages the ball before the first periphery does. This directs the ball initially on a path divergent from the barrel axis. The drive wheels are rotated at dissimilar speeds and/or the diameters of the wheels are not the same so that the peripheral speeds of the two drive wheels are different. This imparts a spin to the ball and gives it a curved flight path. The barrel is rotatably mounted to allow the barrel to be rotated about its longitudinal axis to any angular position.The barrel mounting is attached to a tripod, and the mounting can be adjusted to alter the attitude of the barrel to change the trajectory of the ball.

Abstract: A rotor for a centrifugal launching device supported for rotation about an axis and including a cylindrical barrel. The axis of rotation and longitudinal axis of the barrel define two straight lines skewed with respect to each other to permit the launching of projectiles having an oblong configuration.

Abstract: A distributor for feeding projectiles to the trajectory of a projectile engaging vane carried by a cylindrical gun in a centrifugal launcher of the type including a rotor having an open central zone, the distributor being defined by a support provided with a transfer zone and a passage for storing a plurality of projectiles that are fed by a jack into the transfer zone for successive engagement by a slide, the latter being periodically advanced in synchronization with rotation of the rotor to engage and bring each projectile against an anvil and in the trajectory of the projectile engaging vane. The slide blocks the passage while in its advanced position, and unblocks the passage when retracted to permit feeding of the projectiles into the transfer zone. An engagable lock maintains the slide in the advanced position in opposition to its retraction.

Abstract: A ball throwing apparatus for practicing baseball, tennis and the like and including a rotating body with a ball receiving port on one side and a ball projecting port on the other side, and a ball holder and a held ball releasing provided at the ball projecting port; the ball put through the ball receiving port is accelerated in the direction of rotation of the rotary body, and the ball is projected out from the ball projecting port at a predetermined speed and in an exact predetermined direction by releasing the centrifugal force instantaneously at a previously set angle or projecting the ball out from the ball projecting port in the tangential direction of the circle of rotation of the ball.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for ejecting a projectile having a rotatably driven carrier on which at least one radially arranged guide tube is attached and into which a feed path by means of a release device delivers close to the rotational axis of the carrier projectiles to be ejected. The device rotates at at least 100 rpm and the guide tube is at least 0.1 m in length.

Abstract: A projectile for a gun-vane centrifugal launching device is disclosed, of the type with an ogival head, a body and a tail of decreasing section. The body is cylindrical and the weight of the tail is chosen in such a way that the center of gravity of the projectile lays in the plane where the body joins the tail or in the immediate vicinity of this plane. The shape of the said tail is such that no point of the surface of the latter touches the wall of the gun-vane, particularly during the ejection of the projectile.

Abstract: A game machine which can be played by two or more players includes an elongated box-like housing in which a game ball can be inserted, the housing including elongated side members with transparent windows therein and opposed end members with openings in their upper portions through which the game ball can be projected, the housing also including two projector elements in respective opposite ends thereof which are capable of utilization by competing players to project the game ball towards the opposite end member, and at least two activator elements in the housing between the two projector elements which are capable of utilization by competing players to contact and move a game ball in the desired fashion. A flooring structure inside the housing forms a contoured playing deck surface above the bottom of the housing and provides multiple, uniform and equally spaced-apart spaces which extend from one end member of the housing to the other.

Abstract: In a method for changing the spin of bodies released from an aggregate, the bodies are connected by straps or bars which serve as tension or compression members. Spin of the connected bodies results in either compressive or tensile forces in the connecting member. Those forces in turn provide torque which counters or enhances the spin and converts that spin to or from translational energy. Once the spin of the bodies has been changed a predetermined amount, the connecting member is released.

Abstract: A machine is provided for pitching one or more balls at selected intervals by selectively connecting a clutch mechanism to a pitching arm.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which is operable to either set or serve balls on various trajectories to facilitate a player's practice of the game of volleyball. A guide trough supplies balls to the striking position, and a motor drives the apparatus to strike successive balls, at predetermined intervals, to provide maximum utilization of a player's time during practice. The apparatus may be adjusted to vary the force delivered to the balls and to vary the trajectory as desired.

Abstract: A trap loader safety assembly includes a trap target throwing machine positioned in a suitable pit having a predetermined safe position for a person loading the machine with targets. Normally the loader displays a red flag to the shooters before leaving the pit, but often this precaution is forgotten and the loader leaves the pit with no warning to the shooters. To overcome this possible danger, a seat which is normally provided for the loader, is responsive to the weight of the loader to place the throwing machine in operation and to discontinue a signal to the shooter or shooters to withhold shooting. When the loaders weight is removed from the seat the throwing machine is rendered inoperative and the signal is displayed to the shooter to withhold shooting.

Abstract: Apparatus for the throwing of clay pigeon type targets, including a throwing arm and an automatic target loading device therefor, is mounted on a trailer chassis so as to be transportable. The transportable target throwing apparatus also includes mechanisms for immobilizing and leveling the chassis on which the loading device and throwing arm are mounted and a shield which protects the loading device and throwing arm from errant shots when in use. The shield, or protective cover, is partially removable from the trailer to permit unobstructed operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A competitive board game wherein two players propel a ball back and forth between them, each attempting to get the ball past his opponent. Each player has a mechanical energy-storing catch-and-propel mechanism which is coupled to the board for limited movement. When the ball is propelled toward a player, he attempts to catch it with his mechanism. The mechanism automatically returns the ball toward the player's opponent. Each catch and propel mechanism is manually cocked by a player after each discharge. The player directs the return to attempt to make it more difficult for the opponent to catch the ball. The play proceeds until someone misses. The players may be opposite one another with the board extending between them, or they may both face an upright wall against which the ball is rebounded. The ball is discharged automatically and essentially instantaneously each time it is caught by a mechanism. One illustrated form of the mechanism discharges the ball each time at a generally predetermined speed.

Abstract: A competitive game apparatus of the type resembling a table tennis game including a table having opposed playing areas divided by a transverse barrier or "net". The opposed playing areas slope downwardly from the barrier to define a crown below the barrier. A pair of hand manipulatable projecting devices are provided, one for each player of the game, for receiving a substantially hard ball rolling along the playing area and projecting the ball back across the barrier. The playing areas are resiliently supported to dampen the bouncing effect of the ball so that it lands on the playing surface and rolls toward the player down the playing area. Each projecting device is electrically operated and includes a rotatable roller having a resiliently flexible periphery for engaging the ball and directing it through a chute for return to the opposite playing area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for launching a remotely piloted aircraft is disclosed wherein the aircraft, is revolved about a fixed pivot point until a pretermined speed is reached whereupon the vehicle is released from the launching apparatus. The vehicle is attached to one end of a rotatable arm, the imbalance on the arm being counteracted by a counter weight attached to the opposite end. The counter weight is released from the arm at the same time as the aircraft so as to avoid structural damage to the apparatus caused by rotation in the unbalanced condition. The arm is oriented such that it rotates in a plane inclined obliquely to the local gravitational field of the launch site. The supporting structure for the arm may be made stationary, or may be attached to a mobile vehicle for ground transportation.

Abstract: A pole vaulting game apparatus consisting of a carriage movable along a track by a manually operable device, a flexible pole carried pivotally by the carriage and having a piece simulating the vaulter frictionally mounted thereon, and a trip device operable to pivot the pole sharply upwardly into a bowed position at a point in the travel of the carriage, and against a stop, whereby the vaulter piece leaves the pole in an upward direction, the object of the game being to cause the vaulter piece to pass over a horizontal bar as in normal pole vaulting.