BALL RETURN SYSTEM

Abstract

A ball return system installed in a batting practice facility for retrieving baseballs and/or softballs comprises a ball collecting device and a conveying device. The ball collecting device is located between a batting area and a pitching area, while the conveying device is positioned above a ball pit located in the pitching area. The system enables efficient collection and replenishment of multiple balls, thereby reducing labors and equipment costs for facility operators.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ball return system, in particular a system designed to return baseballs and/or softballs that have been hit or pitched back to pitching machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In modern society, individuals have various options for leisure and entertainment after work. For those who prefer dynamic activities, exercising with friends during holidays or after work hours is a popular choice. Baseball, as a globally popular sport, attracts enthusiasts not only as spectators but also as participants who want to experience the excitement of the game firsthand. To cater for this interest, many operators have developed batting facilities that provide venues for baseball-related activities. These facilities are often located indoors, enabling players to enjoy the sport without worrying about weather conditions such as rain or high winds, thereby attracting a wide consumer base.

Today's batting facilities typically incorporate multiple batting positions located at a predetermined distance in front of pitching machines. These machines throw balls for batters to hit, simulating real-game scenarios and providing an immersive experience for consumers. However, the retrieval of hit balls is often inefficient, requiring manual labors or specialized ball collection equipment. Both methods can be time-consuming and costly, negatively impacting the consumer experience and the overall performance of the facility. The solution to this issue is a system that can efficiently retrieve balls and continuously supply pitching machines, ensuring uninterrupted play and a positive consumer experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the aforementioned deficiencies, the present invention provides a ball return system for installation in a batting practice facility for retrieving baseballs and/or softballs. The batting practice facility includes a batting area and a pitching area having multiple pitching machines. The system comprises: a ball collecting device having at least one collecting surface located between the batting area and the pitching area; a collecting track positioned on one side of the at least one collecting surface, where the collecting track connects to a ball pit in the pitching area; and a conveying device having a conveying wheel positioned above the ball pit. The collecting track extends from the batting area toward the pitching area and slopes downward, and the at least one collecting surface is inclined toward the collecting track and the pitching area.

Wherein, each pitching machine is provided with a ball trough.

Wherein, the conveying device further includes multiple ball routing channels extending from the top of the conveying wheel to both sides and sloping downwardly. These channels have multiple ball inlets on their track sides, each inlet being connected to the corresponding ball trough, and these channels are inclined toward the pitching area.

Wherein, the ball routing channels include multiple softball routing channels and multiple baseball routing channels, where the softball routing channels are wider than the baseball routing channels, and the baseball routing channels are positioned below the softball routing channels.

Wherein, each softball routing channel is equipped with a ball sorting mechanism comprising two sorting bars near the end of the conveying wheel.

Wherein, the conveying device also includes multiple ball return channels positioned below the ball routing channels. One end of each ball return channel is connected to the end of the ball routing channel furthest from the conveying wheel. These ball return channels extend toward the ball pit and slope downwardly.

Wherein, the pitching positions of the pitching machines can be on the right side and/or left side.

Wherein, the pitching area also includes a ball impact barrier positioned in front of the pitching machines. The ball impact barrier has a ball collection opening, and a pitching port of the pitching machine extends through the ball impact barrier.

Wherein, the ball impact barrier is constructed as a shock-absorbing screen or net.

Wherein, the ball collecting device includes two collecting surfaces, with the collecting track located between the two collecting surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing the ball return system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic partial view showing the ball return system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the ball return system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following is a detailed and comprehensive description of the disclosure, including illustrative examples of implementation and specific embodiments. These embodiments are not exhaustive and do not limit the scope of the invention, as other embodiments may achieve the same or equivalent functionality.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the ball return system of the present invention is installed in a batting practice facility 100 for retrieving baseballs and/or softballs. The batting practice facility 100 includes a pitching area 10 and a batting area 20. The pitching area 10 is equipped with multiple pitching machines 11, which can have pitching positions on the right side and/or left side, and each pitching machine 11 has a ball trough 111.

The ball return system comprises: a ball collecting device 30 and a conveying device 40. The ball collecting device 30 includes at least one collecting surface 31 and a collecting track 32. The collecting surface 31 is located between the pitching area 10 and the batting area 20. The collecting track 32 is positioned on one side of the collecting surface 31 and is connected to a ball pit 50 in the pitching area 10. The collecting track 32 extends from the batting area 20 toward the pitching area 10 with a downward slope. The at least one collecting surface 31 is inclined toward the collecting track 32 and the pitching area 10. In this embodiment, there are two collecting surfaces 31, with the collecting track 32 located between them.

The conveying device 40 includes a conveying wheel 41, multiple ball routing channels, and multiple ball return channels 44. The conveying wheel 41 is positioned above the ball pit 50 and is equipped with multiple ball carriers spaced along its outer circumference for conveying balls upwardly from the ball pit 50. These ball routing channels extend from the top of the conveying wheel 41 toward both sides and slope downwardly. Each channel has multiple ball inlets 421, 431 along its track sides, with each inlet connected to a corresponding ball trough 111, and the tracks of these channels are inclined toward the pitching area 10. The ball routing channels include multiple softball routing channels 42 and multiple baseball routing channels 43. The softball routing channels 42 are wider than the baseball routing channels 43, and the baseball routing channels 43 are positioned below the softball routing channels 42. Each softball routing channel 42 is equipped with a ball sorting mechanism 422 near the end of the conveying wheel 41. The ball sorting mechanism 422 consists of two sorting bars designed to separate baseballs from softballs. When balls are baseballs and roll to each ball sorting mechanism 422, these baseballs will fall between the two sorting bars to the corresponding baseball routing channel 43 below. If the balls are softballs, they will remain supported between the two sorting bars and roll to their respective softball routing channels 42.

In this embodiment, the pitching area 10 also includes a ball impact barrier 12, which may be a shock-absorbing screen or net but is not limited to these materials. The ball impact barrier 12 includes multiple holes aligned with pitching ports of the pitching machines 11, and the ball impact barrier 12 has a ball collection opening 121. The ball collection opening 121 is positioned between the collecting track 32 and the ball pit 50, enabling the collecting track 32 to connect directly with the ball pit 50.

In operation, when the balls are pitched by the pitching machines 11 and hit by batters in the batting area 20, the balls either fall directly or rebound off the ball impact barrier 12 and land on the two collecting surfaces 31. These balls roll down the inclined collecting surfaces 31, pass through the collecting track 32 and the ball collection opening 121, and are finally collected in the ball pit 50. The conveying wheel 41 rotates to lift the balls upward. When these balls reach the top of the conveying wheel 41, the balls are directed toward the softball routing channels 42 on either side. After being separated into softballs and baseballs by the ball sorting mechanism 422, these balls then roll along the inclined softball routing channels 42 or baseball routing channels 43. When they reach the nearest ball inlet 421 or 431 to the conveying wheel 41, they will roll into the corresponding ball troughs 111. As soon as these ball troughs 111 are filled, the remaining balls proceed to the next ball inlet 421 or 431, filling each ball trough 111 in turn. When all the ball troughs 111 are filled, the excess balls will roll into the ball return channels 44. These ball return channels 44, which slope downwardly, return the balls to the ball pit 50 where they await the next conveying cycle.

Accordingly, the ball return system of the present invention provides an efficient solution for retrieving baseballs and/or softballs in the batting practice facility 100. The cyclical design of the system eliminates the need for excessive manpower or additional ball collection equipment, thereby ensuring smooth facility operations and maintaining a positive consumer experience. Furthermore, the inclusion of the ball return channels 44 prevents disruptions in the conveying process due to variations in the number of balls. For instance, the system prevents issues such as insufficient balls causing some pitching machines 11 to run empty or excessive balls causing blockages. This design ensures a stable and reliable system for retrieving and supplying baseballs and/or softballs to the pitching machines 11.

Claims

1. A ball return system installed in a batting practice facility for retrieving baseballs and/or softballs, the batting practice facility including a batting area and a pitching area having multiple pitching machines, the system comprising:

a ball collecting device having at least one collecting surface located between the batting area and the pitching area, a collecting track positioned on one side of the at least one collecting surface, and the collecting track connecting to a ball pit in the pitching area; and

a conveying device having a conveying wheel positioned above the ball pit;

wherein the collecting track extends from the batting area toward the pitching area and slopes downward, and the at least one collecting surface is inclined toward the collecting track and the pitching area.

2. The ball return system according to claim 1, wherein each pitching machine is provided with a ball trough.

3. The ball return system according to claim 2, wherein the conveying device further includes multiple ball routing channels extending from the top of the conveying wheel to both sides and sloping downwardly, the ball routing channels having multiple ball inlets on their track sides, each ball inlet connecting to the corresponding ball trough, and the ball routing channels being inclined toward the pitching area.

4. The ball return system according to claim 3, wherein the ball routing channels include multiple softball routing channels and multiple baseball routing channels, the softball routing channels being wider than the baseball routing channels, and the baseball routing channels being positioned below the softball routing channels.

5. The ball return system according to claim 4, wherein each softball routing channel is equipped with a ball sorting mechanism comprising two sorting bars near the end of the conveying wheel.

6. The ball return system according to claim 5, wherein the conveying device further includes multiple ball return channels positioned below the ball routing channels, one end of each ball return channel being connected to the end of the ball routing channel furthest from the conveying wheel, and the ball return channels extending toward the ball pit and sloping downwardly.

7. The ball return system according to claim 1, wherein the pitching positions of the pitching machines are on the right side and/or left side.

8. The ball return system according to claim 1, wherein the pitching area further includes a ball impact barrier positioned in front of the pitching machines, the ball impact barrier having a ball collection opening and multiple holes aligned with the pitching ports of the pitching machines.

9. The ball return system according to claim 8, wherein the ball impact barrier is a shock-absorbing screen or net.

10. The ball return system according to claim 6, wherein the ball collecting device includes two collecting surfaces, with the collecting track located between the two collecting surfaces.