BALL MACHINE

A ball machine has a link mechanism. One end of the link mechanism is connected with an elastic member, and another end of the link mechanism is connected with a power unit. The link mechanism is connected with a deformable carrier. Thereby, a ball is placed on the carrier. The power unit drives the link mechanism to operate. The carrier is deformed to a certain degree to release the link mechanism. The elastic unit brings the link mechanism to restore the carrier so as to toss the ball automatically.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a ball machine.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A conventional ball machine has a main body. The main body has a guide pipe. Two ends of the guide pipe are to form an inlet and an outlet, respectively. Two rotating wheels are disposed at the outlet to turn in opposing directions. Thereby, a ball is placed into the guide pipe through the inlet. With the rotating wheels to compress the ball, the ball is automatically tossed toward the user. However, it is not easy to control the rotation speed of the rotating wheels, so the conventional ball machine cannot toss the ball to a desired place exactly. Each time the drop point of the ball is different, which is inappropriate for the user to practice and to adjust his/her hitting posture. Besides, the conventional ball machine must be located at a certain distance away from the user. This requires a larger space for the user to practice, and the user cannot control the time to serve a ball. It is hard to know the time to hit a ball. Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to provide a ball machine. The ball machine comprises a base, a link mechanism, a carrier, an elastic unit, a power unit, a sensor unit, and a power source. The link mechanism is disposed on the base. The link mechanism is composed of a number of rods which are connected each other. The carrier is made of a deformable material. The carrier is mounted on the link mechanism and driven by the link mechanism. The elastic unit has two ends connected to the base and one end of the link mechanism, respectively. The power unit is connected to another end of the link mechanism opposite to the elastic unit to drive the link mechanism. The sensor unit is located close to the carrier and connected with the power unit. The power source is electrically connected to the power unit to drive the power unit. Thereby, a ball is placed on the carrier to trigger the sensor unit to drive the power unit to operate the link mechanism. The carrier is deformed to a certain degree to release the link mechanism. The elastic unit brings the link mechanism to restore the carrier so as to toss the ball automatically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a link mechanism according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an output unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the operation of the output unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged sectional view according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the operation of the present invention before the link mechanism is operated; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the operation of the present invention when the link mechanism is operated.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a ball machine 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base 10, a link mechanism 20, a carrier 30, an elastic unit 40, a power unit 50, a sensor unit 60, an output unit 70, a ball container 80, and a power source 90.

The base 10 has a bottom board 11. The bottom board 11 has a front end 111 and a rear end 112. Two parallel standing boards 12 are provided at the front end 111. A frame 13 is provided at the rear end 112. A limit cover 14 is provided on top of the standing boards 12. A bearing platform 15 is provided on the frame 13. The bearing platform 15 has an opening 151.

The link mechanism 20 is disposed on the base 10. The link mechanism 20 is composed of a number of rods which are connected each other. Referring to FIG. 3, the link mechanism 20 comprises two parallel first rods 21. The first rods 21 are located on top of the standing boards 12, respectively. A first transverse rod 211 and a second transverse rod 212 are transversely connected between the first rods 21. The first transverse rod 211 is located at first ends of the first rods 21 close to the front end 111 of the bottom board 11. The second transverse rod 212 is located at second ends of the first rods 21. Two ends of the first transverse rod 211 are connected with two first link rods 22. The first link rods 22 are respectively located at two opposing outer sides of the standing boards 12. A first shaft rod 221 is connected between the first link rods 22. The first shaft rod 221 is inserted through the standing boards 12 and pivoted on the base 10. The first link rods 22 are connected with first ends of two second rods 23 which are disposed between the first rods 21 and the first shaft rod 221. The second rods 23 extend toward the rear end 112 of the bottom board 11. A stop rod 231 is connected between second ends of the second rods 23. The stop rod 231 is adapted to stop one end of each standing board 12. The second rods 23 are connected with two second link rods 24 which are located close to the stop rod 231. The second link rods 24 extend toward the first rods 21. A third transverse rod 241 is connected between the second link rods 24. The third transverse rod 241 has a height which approximates to that of the first transverse rod 211. Besides, a second shaft rod 242 is provided between the second link rods 24. The second shaft rod 242 is located between the second rods 23 and the third transverse rod 241 and inserted through the standing boards 12 to be pivoted on the base 10.

The carrier 30 is made of a deformable material. The carrier 30 is mounted on the link mechanism 20 and driven by the link mechanism 20. In this embodiment, the carrier 30 is nonwoven fabric which has two ends connected to the first transverse rod 211 and the third transverse rod 241, respectively.

The elastic unit 40 has two ends connected to the base 10 and one end of the link mechanism 20, respectively. In this embodiment, the elastic unit 40 comprises a fixed rod 41 disposed on the base 10. The fixed rod 41 is provided with an adjustment bolt 42. The adjustment bolt 42 has a distal end which is transversely connected with a connecting rod 43. Two ends of the connecting rod 43 are connected with first ends of two springs 44. Second ends of the springs 44 are connected to the first transverse rod 211 of the link mechanism 20.

The power unit 50 is connected to another end of the link mechanism 20 opposite to the elastic unit 40 to drive the link mechanism 20. The power unit 50 comprises a motor 51, a driving disc 52 and a connecting member 53. The motor 51 is connected with an output shaft 511. The output shaft 511 passes through the driving disc 52 and is transversally connected with a driving lever 512. One side of the driving disc 52 is provided with a driving block 521 relative to the motor 51. The driving block 521 is located within the range of rotation of the driving lever 512. In this embodiment, the driving disc 52 has two driving blocks 521 which are located at two opposing sides of the driving lever 512. The connecting member 53 is a chain which has one end connected to the driving block 521 and another end connected to the second transverse rod 212 of the link mechanism 20.

The sensor unit 60 is located close to the carrier 30 and connected with the power unit 50. In this embodiment, the sensor unit 60 is a photoelectric interrupter located at two sides of the limit cover 14.

The output unit 70 is mounted on the base 10 and located between the limit cover 14 and the bearing platform 15. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the output unit 70 has a seat 71. The seat 71 has a guide trough 72 which interconnects with the opening 151 of the bearing platform 15 and the limit cover 14. A stop member 73 is provided in the guide trough 72. In this embodiment, the stop member 73 is a ring which has a curved portion 731 facing one side of the bearing platform 15 and bent downward. Two ends of the stop member 73 are pivotally connected with two press levers 74. On end of each of the press levers 72 is connected with one end of a spring 75. Another end of the spring 75 is connected to the seat 71. Another end of each of the press levers 74 is connected to a press board 76.

The ball container 80 is pivoted on the bearing platform 15 and connected with a motor 81 to be rotatable. Referring to FIG. 6, the ball container 80 has a top face 82 and a bottom face 83 opposite to the top face 82. The ball container 80 comprises a plurality of pipes 84 therein. Each of the pipes 84 interconnects with the top face 82 and the bottom face 83 to form an inlet 841 on the top face 82 and an outlet 842 on the bottom face 83. It is noted that the pipes 84 are arranged in a circular route which passes over the opening 151 of the bearing platform 15, so that the outlet 842 of each pipe 84 can pass over the opening 151 when the ball container 80 is rotated. Furthermore, the bottom face 83 of the ball container 80 is provided with a plurality of rollers 85. A stop plate 86 is provided close to the outlet 842 of each of the pipes 84 to lower the friction when the ball container 80 is rotated.

The power source 90 is disposed on the base 10 and electrically connected to the power unit 50 to supply power to the power unit 50. The power source 90 is a dray battery or a power supply unit as shown in this embodiment, so that the ball machine 100 can be used indoor or outdoor by the dry battery to supply the power source.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, when the user uses the ball machine 100 to practice, a number of balls 200, such as baseball balls, are placed in the ball container 80 through the inlets 841 of the pipes 84.

When the ball machine 100 is started, the ball container 80 will be driven by the motor 81 to turn. As shown in FIG. 6, when the outlet 842 is aligned with the opening 151 of the bearing platform 15, the stop plate 86 will be opened for the ball 200 to fall to the guide trough 72 of the output unit 70 and be stopped by the stop member 73.

After that, the user presses the press board 76 of the output unit 70 to turn the stop member 73 due to the leverage principle and to release the ball 200. The ball 200 will roll to the carrier 30 and be confined in the limit cover 14. It is noted that the stop member 73 has the curved portion 731 facing the bearing platform 15. When the stop member 73 is turned, the curved portion 731 will stop the next ball 200 from rolling to the carrier 30.

When the ball 200 rolls to the carrier 30, the ball 200 will trigger the sensor unit 60. The sensor unit 60 will send a signal to the power unit 50, such that the power source 90 starts to turn the output shaft 511 of the power unit 50 and the driving lever 512 holds against the driving block 521 of the driving disc 52 to turn the driving disc 52 as well. The driving block 521 is further connected with one end of the connecting member 53 and the other end of the connecting member 53 is connected to the second transverse rod 212 of the link mechanism 20, so that the connecting member 53 pulls the first rods 21 to move toward the rear end 112 of the bottom board 11 through the second transverse rod 212. The springs 44 at the other ends of the first rods 21 are deformed to have an initial stress. The first link rods 22 are moved by the first rods 21 to move the second rods 23 toward the first end 111 of the bottom board 11. The second rods 23 bring the second link rods 24 to move, such that the first transverse rod 211 and the third transverse rod 241 approach each other to deform the carrier 30 to be a U shape. The ball 200 is now located at the lowest of the carrier 30.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the end connected to the driving block 521 of the connecting member 53 is higher than the output shaft 11, the initial stress of the spring 44 will force the driving disc 52 to turn, such that the driving lever 512 disengages from the driving block 521 to release the link mechanism 20. The carrier 30 restores to its original state by the spring 44 to toss the ball in the air for the user to practice hitting.

It is noted that the carrier 30 is driven by the link mechanism 20 to operate. The error value of the deformation of the carrier 30 is minimal each operation. The ball can be exactly tossed to a predetermined position for the user to practice. The ball machine 100 serves the ball 200 though the link mechanism 20. The ball machine 100 can be placed near the user to be used in a small space for the user to practice. The user can decide the time to server a ball through the output device 70. This is convenient for the user to practice.

Besides, because the link mechanism 20 is provided with the stop rod 231, the link mechanism 20 can be restored quickly by the elastic force of the springs 44. The stop rod 231 is used to stop the ends of the standing boards 11, preventing the link mechanism 20 from being damaged because of excessive action. The initial stress of the springs 44 can be adjusted by the adjustment bolt 42 of the elastic unit 40 so as to adjust the homing speed of the link mechanism 20 and the force of the carrier 30 to toss the ball.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A ball machine, comprising:

a base;
a link mechanism disposed on the base, the link mechanism being composed of a number of rods which are connected each other;
a carrier made of a deformable material, the carrier being mounted on the link mechanism and driven by the link mechanism;
an elastic unit, the elastic unit having two ends connected to the base and one end of the link mechanism, respectively;
a power unit connected to another end of the link mechanism opposite to the elastic unit to drive the link mechanism;
a sensor unit located close to the carrier and connected with the power unit; and
a power source electrically connected to the power unit;
thereby, a ball placed on the carrier triggering the sensor unit to drive the power unit to operate the link mechanism, the carrier being deformed to a certain degree to release the link mechanism, the elastic unit bringing the link mechanism to restore the carrier so as to toss the ball automatically.

2. The ball machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the link mechanism comprises two parallel first rods, a first transverse rod and a second transverse rod being transversely connected between the first rods, two ends of the first transverse rod being connected with two first link rods, a first shaft rod being connected between the first link rods, the first shaft rod being pivoted on the base, the first link rods being connected with two second rods, a stop rod being connected between the second rods, the second rods being connected with two second link rods, a third transverse rod and a second shaft rod being connected between the second link rods, the second shaft rod being pivoted on the base.

3. The ball machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic unit comprises a fixed rod disposed on the base, the fixed rod being provided with an adjustment bolt, the adjustment bolt having a distal end which is transversely connected with a connecting rod, two ends of the connecting rod being are connected with first ends of two springs, second ends of the springs being connected to the link mechanism.

4. The ball machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power unit comprises a motor, a driving disc and a connecting member, the motor being connected with an output shaft, the output shaft passing through the driving disc and being transversally connected with a driving lever, one side of the driving disc being provided with a driving block relative to the motor, the driving block being located within the range of rotation of the driving lever, the connecting member having one end connected to the driving block and another end connected to the link mechanism.

5. The ball machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an output unit, the output unit having a seat, the seat having a guide trough, a stop member being provided in the guide trough, two ends of the stop member being pivotally connected with two press levers, one end of each of the press levers being connected with one end of a spring, another end of the spring being connected to the seat, another end of each of the press levers being connected to a press board.

6. The ball machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the stop member is a ring which has a curved portion bent downward.

7. The ball machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base has a bearing platform, the bearing platform having an opening and being pivotally connected with a ball container, the ball container having a top face and a bottom face opposite to the top face, the ball container comprising a plurality of pipes therein, each of the pipes interconnecting with the top face and the bottom face to form an inlet on the top face and an outlet on the bottom face, the pipes being arranged in a circular route which passes over the opening of the bearing platform, the outlet of each of the pipes passing over the opening when the ball container is rotated.

8. The ball machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bottom face of the ball container is provided with a plurality of rollers, and a stop plate is provided close to the outlet of each of the pipes.

9. The ball machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is a photoelectric interrupter.

Patent History
Publication number: 20120037136
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 12, 2010
Publication Date: Feb 16, 2012
Inventor: Hsi-Tien Lin (Taichung)
Application Number: 12/854,901
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Spring (124/16)
International Classification: A63B 69/40 (20060101);