Abstract: A batting system wherein the ball hopper is located proximate a batting position and a pitching machine is located at a pitching position with a ball transport system for conveying baseballs from the ball hopper to the pitching machine. The system provides for the continuous operation of the pitching machine without the need of an operator to approach the pitching machine. In addition, the batting system allows multiple batting systems to use continuously the same field as well as use a field also used as part of a golf driving range.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically setting a golf ball on a tee includes an escapement mechanism to isolate a single golf ball from a plurality of golf balls, a hingedly connected chute to channel a golf ball from the escapement mechanism to the tee, and means to raise and lower the chute from alignment with the tee to a position where it will not interfere with the swing of a golfer standing adjacent to the tee. A motor drives a pulley and chain. A cable is pivotally attached to the chain and to a free end of the chute. Rotation of the motor translates into linear movement of the cable, raising or lowering the chute. A helical coil spring may be imposed between the cable and the chute. A tab extending from the chute operates the escapement mechanism so that when the chute is in the raised position, only a single ball drops onto the chute.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically setting a golf ball on a tee includes an escapement mechanism to isolate a single golf ball from a plurality of golf balls, a hingedly connected chute to channel a golf ball from the escapement mechanism to the tee, and means to raise and lower the chute from alignment with the tee to a position where it will not interfere with the swing of a golfer standing adjacent to the tee. A motor drives a pulley and chain. A cable is pivotally attached to the chain and to a free end of the chute. Rotation of the motor translates into linear movement of the cable, raising or lowering the chute. A helical coil spring may be imposed between the cable and the chute. A tab extending from the chute operates the escapement mechanism so that when the chute is in the raised position, only a single ball drops onto the chute.

Abstract: Plastic balls of the type used in recreational trampoline type pits are picked up by a hand held conduit and conveyed pneumatically to a sorting station where out of round balls are culled from the stream of balls to be washed. A golf ball type washer cleans and disinfects the balls, which are then conveyed to a storage bag for reuse in the pit.

Abstract: A prewasher for sorting and soaking golf balls prior to entry into a ball washer has a tub for receiving the balls, a standpipe in the tub through which a stream of water moves the balls up out of the tub to deposit them in a track that carries only round balls to the ball washer. Broken balls and/or stones drop through openings in the track and are not delivered to the ball washer.

Abstract: A golf ball washer feeds wet balls into an air moving transport mechanism that drys the balls as they are carried to one of a number of dispensers. The wet balls move by gravity down an inclined infeed chute to a load station where each ball is supported on a flow disrupting ramp, and the transport conduit includes a necked down area at the load station which cooperates with the ramp to disrupt the air flow thereby avoiding the tendency of a spherical golf ball to remain suspended in the column of air rather than being moved downstream through the conduit. Each dispenser has an intermittently driven drum with radially outwardly open pockets to provide predetermined numbers of balls to a basket at the discharge station of the dispenser.

Abstract: A driving range environment includes golf ball pickers to return the balls to a golf ball washer. The pickers are parked at a golf ball unload station where the balls are dropped through a grate onto a conveyor or chute for transport to the hopper of the ball washer. From the washer the balls travel through air filled tubes that dry the balls and transport the balls to dispensers where the golfer can again drive the balls at the range.

Abstract: A golf ball washer feeds wet balls into an air moving transport mechanism that drys the balls as they are carried to one of a number of dispensers. The wet balls move by gravity down an inclined infeed chute to a load station where each ball is supported on a flow disrupting ramp, and the transport conduit includes a necked down area at the load station which cooperates with the ramp to disrupt the air flow thereby avoiding the tendency of a spherical golf ball to remain suspended in the column of air rather than being moved downstream through the conduit. Each dispenser has an intermittently driven drum with radially outwardly open pockets to provide predetermined numbers of balls to a basket at the discharge station of the dispenser.

Abstract: A golf ball washer has a cylindrical bristle brush rotatably supported in a rectangular tank to move the balls along a zig-zag dual track defined in the tank cover and in an insert provided in the tank. The balls move downwardly through a top opening in the cover and enter the dual track in end-to-end relationship. The track has segments oriented at oppositely inclined angles to abruptly shift the direction of motion of each ball and to accelerate each ball away from those following it.

Abstract: A flatbed for a pickup truck has adjustable length legs that support several flat panels at the height of the pickup body sides. Two central panels are movable to permit conventional loads to be carried and to be supplemented as well. When layed flat outsize cargo can be conveniently carried. Side rails are pivotably provided along the marginal edges of the platform or bed.

Abstract: A golf ball washing machine for handling a high volume of golf balls is comprised of a wash tub and a scrubbing unit mounted in the tub. A plurality of golf balls are deposited in bulk in a stowage space formed between the tub walls and the scrubbing unit. Baffle panels guide the balls downwardly in the stowage space to the lower end of the scrubbing unit and a fluid injection system feeds the golf balls one by one into a scrubbing chamber. The chamber is formed by a generally cylindrical shell mounted vertically within the tub and a brush rotates coaxially within the shell and scrubs golf balls sandwiched between the brush and shell walls. A track extending from the lower end of the shell to a discharging spout above aids the brush in moving the golf balls upwardly through the scrubbing chamber in opposition to gravitational forces.