Abstract: A radio controlled toy in which movement of the toy upon changing the travelling direction is natural and human-like. An upper body is mounted on a seat plate such that the upper body is twisted with respect to the seat plate. Two legs are mounted on the seat plate such that the direction thereof is changed with respect to the seat plate. The upper body and the two legs are interconnected by way of a link mechanism so that a twisting movement of the upper body and a direction changing movement of the two legs is performed in an interlocking relationship with each other. Further, a rotation controlling unit is provided for stopping rotation or reducing the speed of rotation of a wheel provided on an inner side of one of the two legs when a twisting movement of the upper body and a direction changing movement of the two legs are carried out.

Abstract: A toy (10) is disclosed including a spinner (34) having an annular member (38) formed of compressible material rotatably moveable relative to first and second, semiconductor walls (18, 28). A first track wall defined by walls (14, 16, 20) extends between the extremities of the first wall (18). A second track wall defined by walls (24, 26, 30) extends between the extremities of the second wall (28) parallel to and spaced from the first track wall, with the first and second track walls defining a track for rolling receipt of the balls (76). The track includes first and second inclined portions having a bell (68) at their interconnection. In operation, balls (76) compress the compressible material and are captured between the annular member (38) and the first wall (18) when the spinner (34) is rotated.

Abstract: A direction-control device for a tennis-ball shooter having a mount plate on which two motors are mounted for driving two wheels which together control a speed and a spinning extent of a tennis ball to be served. The direction-control device includes a first bar extending along a Z-axis and drivable by a first motor to allow a pivotal movement of the mount plate on a Y-Z plane about an X-axis upon a restricted rotational movement of the first motor, thereby controlling the served tennis ball to fall in front of or behind the practicer. The device-control device further includes a second bar having a first end attached to the mount plate and a second end drivably attached to a second motor to allow a pivotal movement of the mount plate on a Z-X plane about a Y-axis upon a restricted rotational movement of the second motor, thereby controlling the spinning axis of the tennis ball to be served.

Abstract: A wheel for a ball throwing machine includes a tire-mounting wheel formed of two lateral halves of spun metal each having a central portion and an angularly extending rim portion, the central portions of the two halves being arranged in abutting relation with the rim portions diverging outwardly. A resilient solid polyurethane tire is molded integrally to the outer surfaces of the diverging rim portions, securing the two halves together. The tire is molded to a resilient hardness ranging between about 25A and 75A Durometer, preferably about 40A Durometer. Circumferentially spaced registering holes in the central portions of the two wheel halves removably receive bolts by which to secure the wheel to the hub of a power driven rotary shaft of a ball throwing machine.

Abstract: A new ball throwing machine for ejecting tennis balls comprising an adjustable ball throwing mechanism, a microcomputer controlling the throwing mechanism for programmed stroke sequences, and a remote control unit attached to the microcomputer and having a touch pad keyboard for direct assignment of impact points of the balls and for command selection and, for balls impacting on a center line of a tennis court, the throwing mechanism is controlled for determining a vertical angle and a launching speed of throwing out the balls on basis of linear interpolation between co-ordinates of two check points of the impact of balls, of a training level and a stroke type preselected on the keyboard, and the first check point is a meshing point of a net and the center line of the tennis court, the second check point is a meshing point of a baseline and the center line; for all other balls, also a horizontal angle of throwing out the balls is determined by a simple trigonometric relation, and a memory is provided in the m

Abstract: A ball delivery apparatus, in particular for tennis balls, includes a ball magazine, a ball firing system, and a feed system that moves balls from the ball magazine one by one to the ball firing system. The ball firing system fires each ball in accordance with a preprogrammed firing setting that in each instance determines the speed, spin, and/or direction of each ball. A variable feed sequence frequency of the feed system is controlled as a function of the firing settings of the ball firing system. A time interval scale for establishing the movement of the next ball through the feed system is associated with each firing setting accepted by the ball firing system for firing a ball. The intervals between the balls can be matched to the particular ball characteristics.

Abstract: A pair of front rotary wheels are disposed so that they hold therebetween a frame extending in the direction in which a ball is thrown. A pair of rear rotary wheels are disposed rearwardly of the front rotary wheels and with the frame held therebetween. These front and rear rotary wheels are operatively connected together by operatively connecting devices. When a ball is fed in from the rear end of the frame, it is nipped between the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of rear rotary wheels and thrown forward and then it is nipped between the outer peripheral surfaces of the front rotary wheels and thrown forward. An annular bracket is fitted on the frame in its intermediate portion between the front and rear rotary wheels and is attached to the frame. The annular bracket are pivotally supported at its right and left outer sides on the support block, and the operatively connecting devices are disposed within the annular bracket.

Abstract: A machine for pitching baseballs includes two discs which are mounted on independently rotatable shafts. The discs have urethane at their peripheries. The spacing between the shafts can be adjusted in order to set the width of a gap between the discs. A ball feed mechanism inserts balls into the gap between the discs, which then fling the balls outward in a pitching style which depends upon the orientation of the pitching machine and the relative rotational speeds of the discs. In one embodiment, the ball feed mechanism employs a tubular feed body having a tapered outlet end which is positioned adjacent the gap. A piston in the feed body reciprocates to push the balls out. In another embodiment, the ball feed mechanism is mounted on a chassis having casters and is connected via a flexible hose to a feed nozzle positioned adjacent the gap. A reciprocating slider transfers balls from a storage chamber to an inverted-T tube arrangement, whence they are blown pneumatically through the hose to the feed nozzle.

Abstract: A baseball practice mechanism defined by a tripod mounted framework supporting a baseball propelling arrangement and including a pivotal structure controlling a desired training need, as, for example, flyballs, batting practice, grounders, or the like. The tire speed is accomplish by use of an adjustment thread cooperatively engaging a pivotal plate which bears against the housing of a power source, serving, in end purposes, as a variable speed control for the rotation of the baseball propelling tire. Baseball feeding is accomplished through an entry opening into a V-shaped cup, providing safety to the user and, at the same time, the positive and repetitious squeezing, and propelling, of the baseball in a controlled direction through simple pivotal action. The mechanism is mobile through pulling movement of one or more of the tripod base legs combined with the rotating action afforded by the tire.

Abstract: A machine for pitching baseballs includes two discs which are mounted on independently rotatable shafts. The discs have urethane at their peripheries. The spacing between the shafts can be adjusted in order to set the width of a gap between the discs. A ball feed mechanism inserts balls into the gap between the discs, which then fling the balls outward in a pitching style which depends upon the orientation of the pitching machine and the relative rotational speeds of the discs. In one embodiment, the ball feed mechanism employs a tubular feed body having a tapered outlet end which is positioned adjacent the gap. A piston in the feed body reciprocates to push the balls out. In another embodiment, the ball feed mechanism is mounted on a chassis having casters and is connected via a flexible hose to a feed nozzle positioned adjacent the gap. A reciprocating slider transfers balls from a storage chamber to an inverted-T tube arrangement, whence they are blown pneumatically through the hose to the feed nozzle.

Abstract: A Gattling-like gun provides for manual control of the rate of firing of projectiles in the form of balls. 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. 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 Archimides' spiral to a feed tube connected to the gun.

Abstract: A portable, automatic serving device for table tennis is provided which includes a robot server and ball capture net. The robot includes a serving head which is mounted for rotation with respect to the body along a plurality of axes. The head is provided with balls from a passageway in the robot operatively connected between the head and the base of the robot. A collapsible net is provided for capturing balls returned by a player. The robot is positioned within and cooperates with the net so that return balls are fed automatically to the head. The robot is operated by three motors, which may be controlled individually to serve sequentially a plurality of balls to a player for practice or for sport. The robot construction provides for a variety of ball delivery techniques, all of which are controlled simply during operation.

Abstract: A portable, automatic serving device for table tennis is provided which includes a robot server and ball capture net. The robot includes a serving head which is mounted for rotation with respect to the body along a plurality of axes. The head is provided with balls from a passageway in the robot operatively connected between the head and the base of the robot. A collapsible net is provided for capturing balls returned by a player. The robot is positioned within and cooperates with the net so that return balls are fed automatically to the head. The robot is operated by three motors, which may be controlled individually to serve sequentially a plurality of balls to a player for practice or for sport. The robot construction provides for a variety of ball delivery techniques, all of which are controlled simply during operation.

Abstract: An automatic tennis ball feeding and serving apparatus comprises a ball hopper, wheel-type tennis ball projector and conveyor for transporting tennis balls from the hopper to the ball projector. A frame is provided to which the hopper, ball projector and conveyor are fixed, with the ball projector elevated above the hopper. The conveyor includes an endless loop, motor driven conveyor chain which is inclined at a small angle from the vertical. A ball delivering chute is positioned between the conveyor and the ball projector to gravity feed balls from the conveyor to the ball projector. Connected to the conveyor chain are a plurality of spaced apart, tennis ball transporters, each having a shallow ball receiving recess. Associated with each ball transporter is a ball anti-stacking element which prevents the stacking of two or more tennis balls on the same ball transporter. Each anti-stacking element projects outwardly from the conveyor belt about 11/2 tennis ball diameters above each ball transporters.

Abstract: Disclosed is an unusually light-weight, compact, self-contained, self-powered ball thrower adapted to be carried and transported in the trunk of a passenger vehicle. All rotary components are driven by miniature DC motors having permanent magnet stators to maximize lightness without sacrificing performance. The low power requirements of these motors is readily provided by an onboard AC to DC power converter or by a rechargeable storage battery. The housing is power-oscillated to vary lateral ball trajectory and the throwing wheels are tiltable to vary the vertical delivery trajectory. An ample capacity ball hopper collapses compactly when not in use and a special control circuit assures uniform ball velocity during closely spaced successive ball throwing cycles.

Abstract: A ball throwing machine which includes a pair of rotary discs supported for rotation and angularly opposed relation so as to laterally engage a ball and effect propulsion thereof is disclosed. A pair of positioning disc disposed on the interior ball-contacting surfaces of the flat-faced rotary disc precisely locate the balls to be projected on the rotary discs to insure consistency between throws or pitches.

Abstract: A projector for projecting a tennis ball through the air. The projector has a housing containing a loading opening and two spaced recesses. A wheel with a roughened periphery is rotatably mounted in each recess. At least one of the wheels is motor-driven. The wheels are spaced from one another sufficiently that a tennis ball directed between them will be gripped and ejected from the housing toward a tennis player. The distance between the two wheels may be adjusted. A backstop is provided to stop a tennis ball driven by the tennis player. The backstop directs the stopped ball to the loading opening of the projector for reprojection to the player.

Abstract: A table tennis robot with right and left servers, oscillatory motion, top spin and bottom spin, right and left side spin, combination of spins, or no-spin modes, variable ball speeds, and continuous recycling of balls, to provide a human player with challenging practice serves.A ball catching net is located at one end of the tennis table. Balls caught by the net fall into a pan located below the table and are then fed upward by suction of a fan into a chamber. The chamber distributes balls one at a time into a vertical tube. At its bottom, the tube has right and left branches. A ball deflecting vane is adjustable to selectively direct a ball into either the right or left branch. The branches lead, respectively, to a right server and a left server. Each server has a rotating ball drive wheel. The output port of the right server has adjustable guide rails to impart high top spin to a ball. The output port of the left server has adjustable guide plates to impart various types of spin to a ball.

Abstract: A pair of spaced, resiliently tired wheels are mounted on a base for axial rotation in a common plane, the spacing between the wheels being less than the diameter of a ball to be thrown and the rotational speed of each wheel being adjustable independently of the other. The base is supported on a universal mounting ball by means of a socket located on the base at the center of gravity of the assembly of base and components supported thereon. The universal mounting ball is supported at the upper end of an angularly bent support arm, whereby to afford angular adjustment of the rotational plane of the wheels infinitely in all directions about the common pivot of the mounting ball, between horizontal and vertical positions. Electrical controls are provided for controlling the speed of rotation of the coacting wheels.

Abstract: A machine for repetitively throwing footballs by means of spaced apart confronting surfaces of spinning wheels. The machine includes a magazine with clamps for holding a plurality of footballs fixed in predetermined alignment for transfer for eventual throwing. A transfer arm is disclosed for sequentially transferring successive balls from the magazine to the throwing wheels while continuously holding them against misalignment until engagement by the throwing wheels. Several components of the machine are pivoted about a common axis to enable ball transfer without letting go of the balls. An operator's station and controls are provided so an operator can control all functions of the machine without touching the balls.

Abstract: A ball return device for aiding in the practice of basketball or other games which require that a ball be returned to a player in order to perform repetitive practice routines. The device comprises a receiving basket which may be placed under a basketball hoop and which directs a ball to a pair of rotating heads operable to propel the ball toward the player. A detection apparatus on the return device is operable to sense the distance between a player and the return device. When the distance between the player and the return device is within a zone of acceptable distances, an output signal is generated which causes the return mechanism to eject a ball toward the player.

Abstract: A ball throwing machine comprising a first pair of counter-rotating wheels whose axes are parallel to each other, and a pair of second counter-rotating wheels which are disposed forwardly adjacent the first rotary wheels and whose axes are parallel to each other and substantially at right angles as seen in front view to the axes of the first rotary wheels. A ball is nipped between the outer peripheral surfaces of the first rotary wheels and accelerated, whereby the ball is propelled forward. Then, this propelled ball is nipped between the outer peripheral surfaces of the second rotary wheels and further accelerated and thereby thrown forward.

Abstract: A ball return device for aiding in the practice of basketball or other games which require that a ball be returned to the player in order to perform repetitive practice routines. The device comprises a receiving basket which may be placed under a basketball hoop and which directs a ball to a pair of rotating heads operable to propel the ball in the direction of the player. An electronic sensing device is operable to change the position of the return mechanism in response to movement of the player and thereby direct balls to the player as he moves about the court. The propelling head may be adjusted to change the elevation at which the ball is propelled and further adjusted to change the force with which the ball is propelled in order to effectively deliver a ball to virtually any location on a basketball court.

Abstract: An apparatus for propelling metal cans into the air for target use with a BB gun utilizes a motor-driven launching wheel having a resilient perimeter, and a gripping surface spaced apart from the perimeter by a distance equal to the diameter of the can to be launched. A downwardly inclined feed ramp sends cans to a launching arm which is raised by a solenoid so as to place the can between the wheel and gripping surface.

Abstract: A ball pitching machine including a mainframe, a subframe pivotally attached to and selectively tiltable with respect to said mainframe, and a bracket pivotally attached to and selectively pivotable with respect to said subframe. The subframe supports a drive and attached drive wheel while the bracket supports a radially aligned pressure wheel. The bracket includes an A-frame member and the pressure wheel is rotatably supported at its apex. A guide tube having a discharge end disposed intermediate the drive wheel and the pressure wheel directs a ball in contact with the rotating drive wheel. The machine can pitch balls of various diameters such as baseballs and softballs since the spacing between the drive wheel and the pressure wheel is selectively adjustable by pivoting the bracket with respect to the subframe. Also, the amount of pressure applied by the pressure wheel determines the speed at which the ball is ejected from the machine.

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 machine projects footballs with varying degrees and directions of spin about either the longitudinal axis, as in a pass, or the transverse axis, as when kicked. The ball is projected by two juxtaposed wheels rotating in opposite directions. The wheels are spaced apart sufficiently to allow passage of the football without permanently damaging the ball, yet close enough together to impart velocity to the football. The football can be projected with a variable amount of spin by varying the relative orientation of the two projecting wheels. The footballs are fed into the projecting wheels by a reciprocating longitudinal plunger having an end attachment which is altered to conform to either the pass or kick orientation of the football. Rotating guide members maintain the football orientation as it is fed into the projecting wheels. A positioning chute orients the football in a vertical, kick position as it is fed into the reciprocating plunger and then into the projecting wheels.

Abstract: A pair of rotary wheels, a counter-rotating mechanism for rotating these rotary wheels in opposite directions, and a drive source for driving the rotary wheels through the counter-rotating mechanism are provided. A ball is nipped between the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary wheels and is thereby thrown. The drive source is in the form of an engine having an output pulley, while the counter-rotating mechanism has an input pulley. A transmission belt is entrained around these pulleys.

Abstract: In a ball throwing machine, especially for squash balls or tennis balls, there is located on the base of a ball storage container a ball separating device in the form of a driven turntable which is arranged so as to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane and has on a circumferential circle substantially vertical passages of a width somewhat greater than the diameter of the balls to be separated. The turntable has a thickness corresponding to a multiple of a ball diameter and at the ball delivery point it has a ball stop which is located at a distance equivalent to approximately one ball diameter above the base member and there at least partially blocks the passages and for that purpose extends into a peripheral groove of the turntable. Each passage is located above a discrete base member which is connected to the turntable and rotates together with the turntable and gives way selectively below each passage in the peripheral sector of the ball discharge opening.

Abstract: A ball throwing machine body having a pair of rotatable bodies adapted to nip a ball therebetween to throw it and a support member of ball joint type for supporting the ball throwing machine body on a pillar member. The support member enables the ball throwing machine body to be turned around an axis extending in the ball throwing direction and to be fixed at a desired position.

Abstract: Balls such as table tennis balls or tennis balls are continuously fed to two pairs of adjacent flanged rollers of a ball-throwing head by a blower and two transfer ducts. Balls hit by the player are collected by a net and a trough, then fed back to the head. The rollers have separately variable speeds of rotation, a gap being provided between each pair of rollers and adapted to the diameter of the balls. The balls are directed alternately into each transfer duct, the opening of which is located opposite to each gap.

Abstract: The system includes a stance and stride chart adapted to lie flatly on the ground and having indicia thereon indicating home plate and the proper location for a batter's feet as he stands adjacent home plate in preparation for taking a stride during a batting swing. Further included is a ball toss device adapted to be positioned forwardly adjacent the stride chart and operable to loft a ball gently through the strike zone above the plate for hitting by the batter as he completes the swing. A catching net may be positioned forwardly of the chart to collect batted balls. The ball toss device is operable to loft a supply of balls sequentially and at spaced intervals toward the strike zone and has the capability of adjustment for accommodating either hardballs or larger diameter softballs.

Abstract: A ball expelling device has a pair of soft, counter-rotating, coacting wheels mounted in a housing container on a pair of parallel spaced axles. A ball feed tube terminates in an outlet opening defined by a pair of opposed fingers at a location between opposed peripheral surfaces of the wheels. The ball feed tube is selectably positionable so that the outlet opening is moveable both in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the wheels and in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the wheel axles. A drive assembly operates to counter-rotate the wheels and preferably includes a pair of step-cone drive pulleys mounted on a pair of parallel drive axles with the drive pulleys each connected by a v-belt to a respective multi-stage pulley mounted on a wheel axle. The drive axles are interconnected by a transmission so that rotation of one drive axle causes rotation of the other drive axle in an opposite angular direction with equal magnitude.

Abstract: A pitching machine and control system which will pitch any baseball pitch desired on command with all parameters of each pitch chosen before the pitch of the ball. The system measures and counteracts the effects of the prevailing weather upon the ball then delivers the ball to the chosen point in the target zone. The parameters of the pitch are: orientation of the seams of the ball with respect to the access of spin, orientation of the access of spin with respect to the direction of travel, location of the release point with respect to the center of the machine (including both height and width), velocity of the ball, magnitude of the spin of the ball, and initial direction of the ball. The target parameters which are also selected before pitch are the target location with respect to the release point of the ball. Internal settings of the machine are adjusted to satisfy the pitch, and target parameters and the prevailing weather. Pitch and target parameters can be stored and played back to control the system.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for propelling balls such as baseballs and softballs with accurate and predetermined spins, speeds and placements which includes a pair of opposed spinning wheels, a guide to insert the ball to be thrown between the wheels and a motor which by means of a belt and pulleys, drives the two wheels at least at two predetermined ratios or speeds to impart the proper motion to the ball. The wheels are mounted so that the distance therebetween can be adjusted for balls of different diameters. A base is also included which optionally may include pivot means so that the plane of rotation of the spinning wheels can be rotated about the path of the ball to change the direction of the spin on the thrown ball and an automatic feed mechanism.

Abstract: A baseball-pitching machine wherein a baseball is delivered into the constricted space between, and thereby gripped frictionally by, to oppositely rotating wheels which throw the ball. A single DC shunt wound motor is used to drive the wheels in cooperation with one variable drive pulley and an assortment of guide pulleys. One wheel is driven at a constant speed by the motor while the speed of the second wheel is adjusted by means of a variable drive pulley. By thus changing the speed of one of the two oppositely rotating wheels, it is possible to impart a variety of spins to the thrown ball and thus simulate curve and slider balls thrown by a professional pitcher. The axis of the variable drive pulley is fixed and the position of the belt within the variable drive pulley is controlled indirectly by means of a belt tensioning pulley operated by a screw.

Abstract: A soccer ball practice machine includes a pair of juxtaposed, oppositely rotating wheels for propelling a soccer ball toward a soccer player to facilitate the practice and instruction of a wide variety of soccer skills. The orientation of these wheels can be selectively varied to permit the soccer ball to be propelled in an infinite number of directions. In addition, the distance separating the rotating juxtaposed wheels can also be adjusted to accommodate soccer balls of varying diameters and can be automatically increased to prevent damage to oversized balls due to engagement by the wheels. A large hopper includes a rotating auger which successively feeds soccer balls in the hopper into a flexible feed tube and down a rigid ball chute where they are engaged by the wheels and propelled outwardly.

Abstract: A tennis ball emitting or serving device includes a ball emitting cylinder having controllable horizontal and vertical angles. The ball is driven by contact with the peripheral surfaces of rotating ball emitting wheels or pulleys. To impart various directions and speeds of spin to the ball, the ball emitting wheels may be rotated at various speeds and the axes of the wheels may be independently disposed at variable angles.

Abstract: A ball shooting machine for volleyball practice has a pair of tire-wheel type ball shooting mechanisms supported by members comprising an intermediate rod, a pillar and legs. Mechanisms for varying the shooting angle, direction, height and course of the ball are provided at each joint of the supporting members respectively. Balls are charged in a member mounted at such a specific angle as to make it possible to charge the ball smoothly irrespective of the inclination or position of the ball shooting machine.

Abstract: One or both of a pair of oppositely rotating bodies, such as motor driven flywheels, are mounted for pivotal movement against the side of a ram. One or more tension rods connect pivot shafts or members for equalizing precession and similar forces of rotating bodies, rather than housing. Pulsed solenoids produce force increased by force multiplying device, such as pivoted links or cable arrangement, which has greatest mechanical advantage when solenoid pull is weakest at start, but decreases as solenoid pull increases. Ram has entrance taper on one or both sides. Ram is returned by nylon sheathed bundle of elastomer cords which are looped around ram from both sides and stretch proportionally along their length. Removable guide rods engage holes in side wings of ram. Safety device is actuated by rod, moved through engagement with work piece, for closing safety switch in solenoid circuit. Alternatively, a block engages a ram wing to prevent impact stroke, but is removed by a similar rod.

Abstract: A tennis training device having ball emitting cylinder for cylically emitting tennis balls to a player's side, a ball collecting device for collecting tennis balls hit by a player, a ball control device for controlling horizontal and vertical angles of the ball emitting cylinder, a ball transfer device for transferring the tennis balls from the ball collecting device to the ball emitting cylinder and a ball distributing device located between the ball collecting device and the ball emitting cylinder for feeding the balls one by one to the ball emitting cylinder continuously with a constant time period between contiguous following balls.

Abstract: A base plate is attached to the midsection of an archery bow, and a pair of spaced, aligned rings fastened to the base plate for supporting a telescopic sight.

Abstract: A tennis training device having a ball emitter including a ball emitting cylinder is disclosed. In this case, a device is provided for controlling horizontally and vertically inclined angles of the ball emitting cylinder. This controlling device is composed of a supporting member for the ball emitting cylinder, two low speed motors each rotatable in forward and reverse directions, links for connecting the supporting member to the two motors, respectively. An electric power supply source is connected to the two motors for supplying input current to the two motors, and a remote control panel is connected through the electric supply source to the two motors, includes change-over switches for changing over the input to the two motors and rotates the ball emitting cylinder in horizontal and vertical directions so as to control horizontally and vertically inclined angles of the ball emitting cylinder.

Abstract: A baseball suitable for continuous use in a pitching machine comprises a molded, resilient polyurethane foam sphere having a type A-2 shore durometer hardness of less than about eighty to eighty-five. The sphere has a smooth polyurethane surface skin, with the surface of the sphere being provided with a regular pattern comprising a multiplicity of cup-like or hemispherical depressions substantially covering the surface. The baseball has the advantage of durability as well as the advantage of being formed economically in one operation from a homogeneous composition. The cup-like depressions enable the ball to travel greater distances than would be expected for the resilient material, and enhance the accuracy with which the ball can be pitched, bringing the ball substantially within the range of initial performance of a conventional or regulation baseball.

Abstract: A tennis ball server supplied by a motorized ball feeder comprised of a trough and rotating plate that feeds balls at one rate, and wherein the server is motorized to oscillate so as to vary elevation of trajectory at another rate and is also motorized to oscillate so as to vary the traverse at still another rate; the three dissimilar motorized rates providing unpredictably placed serves, with speed control over said serves.

Abstract: A baseball pitching machine includes a pair of adjacent ball engaging wheels each provided with a groove or concave surface formed in a body of an elastomeric material. As the baseball is received between the grooved wheels, the groove edges are laterally distorted, since the edges are unrestrained, to grip the baseball securely on opposite sides thereof and pitch the baseball in an accurately predetermined direction.

Abstract: A game apparatus for use with projectiles, such as table tennis balls, including a ball receiving housing having a ball entrance and ball guide apparatus leading to a target area to receive balls propelled toward it by a player or players. Balls arriving at the target area are received by ball propelling apparatus which return or eject the balls toward the player through ball ejection guiding passage apparatus and an ejection opening. The game may be played by a single player for practice or by several players to simulate tennis, table tennis, handball or the like.

Abstract: A tennis ball throwing machine for use in the practice of tennis having the capability of controllably delivering tennis balls to a player's forehand and backhand at various speeds and with various spins simulating conditions commonly encountered in game play. The machine has a pair of wheels which are independently and controllably driven so as to throw a tennis ball delivered therebetween by an automatic ball feed mechanism at a speed and with a spin determined by the speed of each of the wheels. Various features include an oscillating system to alternate pitches between the forehand and backhand in a controllable manner, an elevation adjustment mechanism for controllably varying the height of the delivery or providing a random variation in such height, and independent ball speed and ball spin controls. Remote controls for the machine may be provided.

Abstract: Table tennis balls are pushed by a rotated, notched, feed disc from a hopper to a pair of rotated throwing discs which move each ball along either an adjustable, spin producing, bottom guide or an adjustable, spin producing, upper guide. Thrown balls hit back by a player into a retrieving net roll into a vertical tube having a hose connected to the upper end of the hopper which has a fan mounted therein to draw the balls through the hose into the hopper. The tube is mounted on legs, and the hopper and a drive of the discs are mounted on a bar pivotal on a rod mounted adjustably on the tube. A crank drive carried by the bar and connected to the rod oscillates the bar to vary the direction of throw of the discs. Remote controls are manually actuated to vary the rate of oscillation, to vary the rate of rotation of the feed disc, and to vary the speed of the throwing discs. The net is mounted on segmental rod frames mounted on the tube and an upright secured to the tube.

Abstract: A football is projected with rotation on its longitudinal axis, in the manner of a forward pass, when it is fed into the space between, and thereby gripped frictionally by, the laterally spaced, confronting surfaces of a pair of driven wheels which confronting surfaces move in a forward, football throwing direction but in planes which extend forward angularly to opposite sides of the line on which the football is projected, the planes forming an included acute angle with each other. The speed and direction of football rotation may be varied by adjusting said angular relationship, and the speed of forward projection of the football may be varied by adjusting the rotational speed of the wheels. By adjusting said confronting surfaces to a common plane and feeding a football into the space therebetween such that said surfaces grip the football below its longitudinal centerline, the football is projected therefrom with rotation on its transverse axis, in the manner of an end-over-end kick-off.