Abstract: A baseball pitching machine is disclosed preferably employing a counterrotating wheel type baseball launch subsystem pitching a series of baseballs and a computer controlled system for selecting the type and percentage of pitches, pitcher and batter characteristics, strike zone areas and other parameters to provide a meaningful batting training session. The pitching machine includes a ball transport subsystem including a carousel for receiving and transporting baseballs in sequence to a position adjacent the counter rotating wheels. While being transported, each baseball stops at seam orienting stations where seam rotators rotate the baseball to provide a commanded seam orientation for the particular pitch selected. The baseball is oriented by the ball orienter for insertion in the launch subsystem. A computer allows the selection by the operator of a variety of pitches, random or selected order.

Abstract: A baseball pitching machine is disclosed preferably employing a counterrotating wheel type baseball launch subsystem pitching a series of baseballs and a computer controlled system for selecting the type and percentage of pitches, pitcher and batter characteristics, strike zone areas and other parameters to provide a meaningful batting training session. The pitching machine includes a ball transport subsystem including a carousel for receiving and transporting baseballs in sequence to a position adjacent the counter rotating wheels. While being transported, each baseball stops at seam orienting stations where seam rotators rotate the baseball to provide a commanded seam orientation for the particular pitch selected. The baseball is oriented by the ball orienter for insertion in the launch subsystem. A computer allows the selection by the operator of a variety of pitches, random or selected order.

Abstract: A variable ratio master cylinder designed to operate, in one phase, to take up slack in a braking system by displacing a relatively large volume of fluid at a low pressure with minimum pedal travel and then gradually shift to another phase in which a smaller volume of fluid is displaced at a higher pressure with increased pedal travel to apply the brakes. The master cylinder includes a differential area metering valve which begins to open at a predetermined pressure in the pressure chamber and remains open above a predetermined second pressure and sealing means cooperative with at least one piston to seal off communication between the pressure chamber and the rear of the piston during the pressure stroke of the piston but to allow communication between said chambers on the return stroke of the piston for rapid return to the released state.