Abstract: A throwing apparatus and method (10) having a base (12), an arm axle mount (14), a throwing arm (16), a release handle (18), and a power section (20). Throwing arm (16) is rotatably connected by means of axle (46) near the bottom (28) of throwing arm (16) to arm axle mount (14). Arm axle mount (14) is located near the front (22) of base (12). The bottom (28) of throwing arm (16) is connected to one end (48) of power section (20). The other end (50) of power section (20) is connected to one of a number of speed adjustment connection locations (52) in base (12). Release handle (18) is movably connected near the back (24) of base (12) and includes release block (62). When the top (26) of throwing arm (16) is pulled in the rearward position towards the back (24) of base (12), release block (62) is pressed by release handle (18) over the top (26) of throwing arm (16) thereby holding throwing arm (16) in the rearward cocked position. An object to be thrown (78) is placed in the "V" shaped form of throwing arm (16).

Abstract: A target or rabbit launcher apparatus for firearm shooting exercise comprises a motor (2), a reducer (3) which actuates by a pendular movement of about 180.degree. an arming rod (4, 5) integral with one or a plurality of arming plates (6, 7). Each arming plate (6, 7) acts, through an arming trigger (8, 9), on an ejection arm (18, 19) by winding up an ejection spring; a locking stud controlled by an electromagnetic unit releases or locks each ejection arm (18, 19) in order to control the shooting; each ejection arm (18, 19) has its shooting rotation axis coaxial with the rotation axis of the arming rod (4, 5) integral with the reducer; the invention applies particularly to the launching of targets of the "rabbit" type.

Abstract: In a baseball, softball tennis practice ball throwing machine having a spring actuated pivot arm having a ball impact element at a free end thereof and biasing spring elements at its pivot end. A hand crank is attached to a pivot shaft for rotating the arm against the bias of the spring elements. A ball support station is provided to support a ball in the path of the ball impact element to be impacted and projected a distance by the arm as it rapidly rotate about the pivot shaft when under the influence of the biasing spring elements.

Abstract: An inexpensive, uncomplicated ball throwing apparatus to huff balls for hitting and fielding which includes a frame having a front end and a back end supported by a base. The frame has a firing bar hingeably attached to the frame. A pitching armature having a cup end, a hinged mid-point and an elastic band end is coaxially connected to the firing bar at the pivot hinge. A latching mechanism automatically releases the pitching armature at a firing point and includes a latch that attaches the pitching armature to the firing bar. An elastic firing band connects the elastic band end of the pitching armature and the back end of the frame. A latch release cord connects the latch to the front end of the frame and disengages the latching mechanism to release the pitching armature when the firing bar is pulled to a firing point thereby causing the elastic firing band to force the pitching bar to pivot about the pivot hinge.

Abstract: A ball throwing apparatus includes an enclosure formed with an aperture and a movable gate to cover the aperture. A throwing arm adapted to receive a ball is pivotally mounted within the enclosure for movement between a ball loading position and a released position. A suction cup element holds the throwing arm in the ball loading position and releases the throwing arm from the ball loading position after a time delay. When released, the throwing arm is biased by a spring to move from the ball loading position to the released position to throw the ball. At the same time, movement of the throwing arm acts to open the gate to allow discharge of the ball from the enclosure. The use of a gate makes the ball throwing apparatus safer by enclosing the moving parts of the apparatus to make them inaccessible when in use.

Abstract: A ball pitching device includes a pivotable pitching arm spring biased in a ball pitching direction by a spring and pivoted in a direction opposite the ball pitching direction by a rotating member engaging a cam surface of the pitching arm. The pitching arm is pivoted to a ball engaging position, and a ball to be pitched is delivered from a ball chamber for engagement by the pitching arm. After the ball is delivered for engagement by the pitching arm, the rotating member disengages the pitching arm cam surface allowing the spring to return the pitching arm toward the stop position engaging and propelling the ball in the ball pitching direction.

Abstract: A ball projecting apparatus includes a housing with a frontward opening. The interior of the housing has an elongated ball guider which extends inclinedly and longitudinally from a position near the frontward opening and which terminates at a lower position, an electrically driven rotor which is mounted below the elongated ball guider, and a torsion spring which is mounted pivotally to the housing. The torsion spring has a first end portion which engages by a stopper and a second end portion which extends into a circular path that is traveled by the rotor when the rotor is activated.

Abstract: A ball throwing device for projecting a game ball, in particular for pitching a baseball or simulating the trajectory of a batted baseball, is manually operated and requires no electrical power. The device is also transportable in the manner of a hand truck and collapsible into a compact storage configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the pitching machine includes a frame with a base support for resting on the ground, a ball throwing arm pivotally supported on the frame for swinging motion, with a ball seat on the arm, and a latch on the frame for latching the throwing arm in a pre-throwing position until such time as the ball is to be released. A foot lever preferably is provided, pivoted from the frame, for receiving foot pressure and motion from a user. The foot motion loads a spring with a spring loading force which is transferred to the ball throwing arm, the arm remaining stationary when latched in the pre-throwing position.

Abstract: A mounting plate includes a plurality of support cylinders mounted orthogonally to the mounting plate, wherein each support cylinder is arranged to receive a baseball at its upper end. Each cylinder is of a tubular construction to accommodate the baseball sphere and each cylinder including a coil spring mounted therewithin, with each coil spring including a plurality of spring rods fixedly mounted to adjacent coils of the spring. One of the spring rods is arranged for receiving a hook member, a lower distal end of the hook member secured to a suction cup. The suction cup is initially adhered to the mounting plate within the lower distal end of the cylinder, and each suction cup of each support cylinder arranged for randomly releasing the spring to project the spring upwardly to project the associated baseball from the support cylinder with an axial of an individual attempting to strike.

Abstract: A baseball pitching machine includes a ball throwing assembly that is mounted on a platform that may be tilted to adjust the elevation of a baseball pitched by the machine. The device for controlling the tilt of the platform may include plural jack screws for stabilizing the platform between pitches. The angle of inclination of the platform recorded in the device for controlling the tilt of the platform may be corrected when the platform has a predetermined inclination to improve the accuracy of the pitched ball. The correction updates the recorded angle of inclination so that vibrations caused by the ball throwing assembly or malfunctions do not disrupt the operation of the machine to the point where the ball is pitched wildly. A photocoupler provides a corrective signal when the predetermined inclination is reached.

Abstract: A pitching machine for simulating the high speed, underhand delivered pitch used in fast pitch softball. An electric motor drives an arm on a 360.degree. vertical path of travel. A lost motion coupling between the motor and the arm permits a spring drive during a portion of each arm revolution. The arm is connected to a torsion spring so that energy stored in the spring drives the arm during a portion of each revolution at a high rate of speed to propel the ball from the pitching unit by centrifugal motion as the arm approaches the bottom of its path of travel. A shroud in the form of a cup-shaped cage open at one end cooperates with a curved member to hold the ball until the release point is reached. An optional spring biased, toothed, pivoted lever adjacent the shroud discharge opening frictionally engages the ball to cause a trajectory altering spin to the ball as it is propelled from the unit.

Abstract: A ball throwing machine for tossing a plurality of balls in succession, one at a time. The machine has a frame adapted to rest on a supporting surface, a spring-loaded pivotally mounted catapult arm that receives, holds, and tosses the balls, and a cam wheel and cam wheel shaft turnably mounting the cam wheel on the frame. The shaft has an axis which is laterally offset from the pivot axis of the catapult arm. The cam wheel has peripheral teeth, and a power driven pinion engages the teeth to impart turning movement to the wheel. There are cam rollers on the wheel which engage, one at a time, a cam plate on the catapult arm. The arrangement is such that the catapult arm is periodically shifted toward a ball-receiving position, picks up a ball, and as the cam wheel turns further, one cam roller by-passes the cam plate enabling the catapult arm to snap under the action of the spring and toss the ball.

Abstract: A ball throwing apparatus capable of releasing balls at selected intervals and selected trajectories, and operable from a remote location. The apparatus comprises a base and a throwing arm mounted on the base for pivotal movement between a ball loading position and a released position. There is a ball receiving aperture for holding a ball to be thrown mounted on the throwing arm. A suction cup element is positioned to be depressible by the throwing arm so as to releasably hold the throwing arm in the ball loading position. A slow leak is created in the suction cup for releasing the hold of the suction cup element after a short delay to allow the user time to prepare for the throwing of the ball. An actuating spring attached to the throwing arm acts to move the arm from the ball loading position to the released position upon release of the throwing arm by the suction cup element, the movement of the throwing arm between the positions resulting in a throwing motion.

Abstract: A football centering device. A cradle for a football is mounted at the end of a spring-loaded, pivotally mounted arm member that pivots in a vertical plane and which is mounted on an upstanding post. A latch holds the cradle in a cocked position near ground level until the player releases the latch with his foot. When the latch is released, the spring unloads and the arm swings upwardly in a vertical plane. The cradle at the end of the arm delivers the ball to the player in a manner that closely simulates the delivery of a human center.

Abstract: A self-loading, remotely operable and variable, portable ball thrower. An arm with a hand attached thereto is, in the uncocked position, tensioned by an elastic biasing element, such as surgical tubing, in the forward direction. An individual batter, operator, can, by means of a cocking handle, operate the arm in the rearward direction, pick up a ball from a self-loading trough, and reset the arm in the cocked position. Assuming a natural batter's stance, the batter may then, with his or her foot, release the cocking handle thereby allowing the elastic biasing element to draw, with ever increasing speed, the arm towards the uncocked position. Upon reaching the uncocked position, the ball is released in a fluid throwing manner in a consistent angle towards the batter.

Abstract: A self-loading, remotely operable and variable, portable ball thrower. An arm with a hand attached thereto is, in the uncocked position, tensioned by an elastic biasing element, such as surgical tubing, in the forward direction. An individual batter, operator, can, by means of a cocking handle, operate the arm in the rearward direction, pick up a ball from a self-loading trough, and reset the arm in the cocked position. Assuming a natural batter's stance, the batter may then with his or her foot release the cocking handle thereby allowing the elastic biasing means to draw, with ever increasing speed, the arm towards the uncocked position. Upon reaching the uncocked position, the ball is released in a fluid throwing manner in a consistent angle towards the batter.

Abstract: A ball pitching system comprising a pneumatically actuated pitching arm and automatic ball feed system. The pneumatic actuation is provided by an automatic pressure sensor valve. Compressed air is provided by a DC compressor affixed to the frame of the pitching apparatus and may be powered by a conventional 12 volt vehicular battery system. In this manner the preselect pitching of baseballs and the like along a predefined trajectory can be provided at remote locations away from conventional power sources by using conventional automotive electrical supply. The system further provides a reliable, inexpensive assemblage require little maintenance and maximum enjoyment of use with baseballs and the like.

Abstract: A spring loaded arm mechanism is incorporated into a baseball home plate support for tossing a regulation or practice baseball, from ground level, upwardly into the batter's strike zone. A ball launching arm, arm bias spring, arm latch and a release are all arranged in a compact, low-profile unit flush with or just slightly protruding above the home plate support. The arm is cocked, using an arm engaging hand tool, by rotating a ball launching arm end downwardly against the biasing into a latched position. After positioning the baseball, the latch is released, either by the batter or by another via a remotely actuated release, to cause the sprung arm to rotate with great force through a limited arc, propelling the baseball vertically up into the strike zone. A practice embodiment includes a lever arm release actuated by the operator's bat and may further include an elastic ball return tethering cord having an in-line swivel to relieve line twisting.

Abstract: A ball projecting machine comprises a ball striker in the form of a bar secured to a shaft rotatably mounted by bearings in a part of a machine frame. The striker carries a pin on the same side of the shaft as the end of the striker which strikes the balls. A tension spring is connected between a fixed part of the machine frame and the pin to bias the striker. The striker shaft is arranged to be rotated by a manually operated lever so that during a cycle of rotation of the striker in the striking direction, the tension spring is stressed during a first part of the cycle and during a second part of the cycle urges the striker to rotate in the striking direction. The lever is connected to the shaft through a first one-way clutch including a coil spring and drums fixed respectively to the lever and to the shaft. The shaft is connected to the machine frame part through a further one-way clutch including a coil spring and drums fixed respectively to the frame part and to the shaft.

Abstract: A ball throwing device comprising a pusher (16) operatively associated with a striker (12) through a timing mechanism (21) which incorporates a crank (22) set on a drive axle (23) and linked to the pusher (16). The crank (22) is adapted to rotate together with the drive axle (23) at the same speed, and also at a speed higher than the axle speed when the pusher (16) causes the ball (6) to move to the stroke position. Respective projections (31, 32) are provided on the drive axle (23) and on the crank (22), adapted to interact with each other. Such a projection (33) is also formed on the striker (12), while a yoke (36) is fixed stationary on the casing of the drive (24) and a spring-actuated stop (34) is made on the crank (22), the stop being adapted to interact with the striker projection (33) and with the yoke (36).

Abstract: A target launcher having multiple throwing arms which are driven by an electronic control assembly to launch each throwing arm sequentially at a predetermined timed interval. The target launcher will accommodate a variety of different kinds of targets to provide the shooting enthusiast, in particular the archer, with an automatically controlled supply of moving targets. Each throwing arm is released from a lock position to impart a substantially vertical trajectory to one or more targets loaded therein. The timing of the release of each throwing arm is preset manually prior to actuation of the control assembly circuitry. Actuation of the control assembly selectively drives a solenoid associated with each throwing arm to effect the sequential release of each throwing arm in accordance with the timing selected.

Abstract: A tennis ball throwing machine which comprises a motor secured to a frame board, the output end of the motor shaft having a gear wheel securely mounted thereon, first and second transmission shaft respectively fixed to a gear wheel at one end thereof and engaged with the gear wheel of the motor, a bat pivotally attached to the first transmission shaft, one end of the bat being a hitting portion, and the other end thereof being attached to a tension spring, a cam pivoted on the second transmission shaft, a ball guiding groove being pivoted on a supporting shaft and having a portion thereof in contact with the cam to move upward, downward, leftward and rightward, a tension spring at the bottom end of the ball guide groove.

Abstract: Ball dispensing apparatus for hitting practice includes a ball retainer for retaining and sequentially delivering balls to one end thereof, a lever rotatably mounted on a shaft at the one end of the retainer for engaging and lifting a ball from the retainer upon rotation of the lever, and an actuator for the lever for causing the lever to engage, lift, and project a ball from the retainer. A spring is attached to the retainer and to the shaft for accelerating the rotation of the lever into engagement with the ball. The tension of the spring can be varied thereby varying the trajectory of a ball lifted from the retainer.

Abstract: A ball throwing device including a throwing arm having one end pivotally mounted and defining at the other end a ball receiving portion. The throwing arm is driven to swing within a limited angular range between a cocked position and a releasing position so as to throw a ball fed to the receiving portion when moved toward the releasing position. Cooperative with the throwing arm is an annular guide which extends approximately along the path of the ball receiving portion so as to deliver the ball fed at one end thereof to the ball receiving portion of the throwing arm at the cocked position. The guiding surface of the annular guide is configured to be increasingly displaced outwardly from the path of the ball receiving portion in the direction of throwing the ball. Accordingly, the ball can be held on the ball receiving portion in loose engagement therewith while being prevented from dropping out therefrom to thereby assure the projection of the ball with less spin.

Abstract: An automatic ball throwing machine comprising a motorized arm for activating a ball receiving arm which is adapted to be positioned under a ball delivery chute and following the delivery of a ball into the receiving arm, a coil spring mounted at the other end of the receiving arm is released whereupon the receiving arm is caused to be projected upwardly and upon reaching its uppermost position the ball is released and projected toward one using the machine to practice hitting the ball with a suitable bat.

Abstract: An improved ball pitching machine is described which can be easily adjusted so as to vary the trajectory of pitched balls, while at the same time affording maximum protection to by-standers by virtue of a selectively openable housing having an adjustable ball-clearing outlet. In preferred forms, the machine includes an elongated, rotatable ball pitching arm having a concave ball-receiving hand adjacent the outer end thereof; the hand is adjustably secured to the arm in a manner permitting variance of the angle of inclination of the hand relative to the arm, thus allowing the machine to deliver lob-type or essentially straight pitches as desired. The housing has an adjustable cover for varying the effective dimensions of the ball-clearing outlet, so that the outlet size can be correlated to a desired adjustment of the pitching hand.

Abstract: A ball pitching device having an arm brake assembly for a ball pitching machine is provided that rapidly decelerates the throwing arm of the machine once a ball has been released from the arm, thereby reducing unwanted oscillations of the throwing arm and prolonging the useful life of the pitching machine. The brake assembly includes a brake pad fixedly mounted to the throwing arm, and a generally arcuate brake shoe rotatable from a position wherein the throwing arm brake pad is frictionally engaged by the shoe once a ball has been released from the throwing arm, to a position spaced apart from the brake pad when the throwing arm is rotated for pitching of a ball.

Abstract: A toy baseball pitching machine that is particularly adapted to be used by children. The machine has a ball pitching arm that oscillates rather than rotates and is capable of pitching a plastic ball to a batter using an "underhand" method of pitching. The ball pitching arm is fixed to an oscillatable eccentric arm. The eccentric arm is connected to one end of an extension spring, and the arm carries a pivoted pawl. The pawl is engaged by a toothed rotating drive wheel to rotate the pitching arm in one direction toward a cocked position with the spring extended. Further rotation of the drive wheel brings the pawl into contact with a stop to pivot the pawl out of engagement with the drive wheel. The extended spring then acts on the eccentric arm and pitching arm to rotate the pitching arm in the opposite direction to engage and pitch a ball. The drive wheel, pawl, eccentric arm, stop and extension spring are all mounted within a housing; and the pitching arm is outside the housing.

Abstract: A ball pitching machine having a spring powered pitching arm and having a dispensing mechanism with a de-jammer device for individually dispensing balls from a supply hopper and a ball loading device for automatically positioning a ball on the pitching arm for each cycle of the apparatus. The de-jammer device has a reciprocating roller positioned above a tilting floor which tilts between a horizontal position for receiving balls from the supply hopper to a tilted position for discharging balls into a ball feed channel. The ball feed channel delivers a supply of balls to the ball loading device. The reciprocating roller limits the balls supported on the floor to only a single layer while the floor is in its tilted position.

Abstract: A vibrating surface type simulated football game is disclosed in which high accuracy passer and kicker figures have calibrated passing and kicking ranges on the playing surface corresponding to actual player passing and kicking ranges. Pockets formed in movable members of the passing and kicking figures enable free exit of the projectile upon movement of the member against a fixed stop. The passing and kicking movable members are rotated by the player to various compressed positions of a coil compression spring each corresponding to a calibrated range of the projectile and released to move the member against the fixed stop position to provide highly accurate trajectory of the projectile.

Abstract: An inexpensive machine which pitches plastic baseballs. The machine is actuated by the user pulling, and then releasing a cord, as he brings his bat into a hitting position. The machine consists of a frame and two legs which form a tripod base, a ball rack containing a number of balls, a shaft attached to the frame, a torsion spring and a pitching arm are mounted on the shaft. A cord is attached to the pitching arm, and passes in the path of the balls restricting their movement until such time as the batter pulls this cord, causing a ball to roll into the arm and also spring loading the pitching arm. Release of this cord causes the machine to pitch the ball.

Abstract: A ball pitching machine having a spring powered pitching arm and having a dispensing mechanism with a de-jammer device for individually dispensing balls from a supply hopper and a ball loading device for automatically positioning a ball on the pitching arm for each cycle of the apparatus. A torsion adjusting mechanism is used to set the torsion of the coil spring to a prestressed first predetermined force value. The pitching arm applies an additional torsioning force to the coil spring resulting in a second greater predetermined stored force value in the coil spring. An adjustable link extends directly between and connects the coil spring to the pitching arm to maintain the amount of torsion in the coil spring at the first prestressed first determined force value.

Abstract: A washer game includes a playing board of a generally rectangular configuration having side and end surfaces extending upwardly above the plane of the playing board surface. Pocket means adjacent, but spaced from each end of the game board playing surface is provided which pocket means include openings of a predetermined size and configuration adjacent but spaced from each end of the game board playing surface. Washer shooter means are provided for mounting adjacent each end of the game board surface with spring tensioned washer support means whereby a washer may be placed on the support means and the support means pulled against the spring and thereafter released so that the tension in the spring throws a washer on the surface of the game board surface in any of various predetermined angles in relation to the game board surface to try to place the washer in one of the pocket means on the game board surface.

Abstract: A tennis practice device for propelling balls to a player. The player cocks a hammer and sets a time delay mechanism from his receiving position which is remote from the hammer. After a fixed period of time, during which the player positions himself, the delay mechanism releases the hammer to propel the ball toward the player. The time delay mechanism may comprise a tiltable normally inclined channel which guides a ball. When the delay mechanism is set, the channel tilts to a release position wherein the ball rolls down the channel and trips a latch to release the hammer.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which is operable to either set or serve balls on various trajectories to facilitate a player's practice of the game of volleyball. A guide trough supplies balls to the striking position, and a motor drives the apparatus to strike successive balls, at predetermined intervals, to provide maximum utilization of a player's time during practice. The apparatus may be adjusted to vary the force delivered to the balls and to vary the trajectory as desired.

Abstract: An improved spring assembly for driving the throwing arm of a ball throwing machine. The assembly is mountable on a central transverse drive shaft of the machine. It includes a primary spring with an outwardly extending loop for loading against an abutment as the shaft is rotated in a first direction about its axis and for unloading in the first direction upon disengagement of the abutment. A secondary spring assembly is mountable to the drive shaft and includes a looped end engaging the outwardly extending arm of the primary spring assembly at a point approximately midway along its length. The secondary spring loads against the loop of the primary spring in response to rotation of the drive shaft, and unloads to drive the first loop forcibly in the first direction upon disengagement of the abutment by the first loop.

Abstract: A compact, light-weight machine for throwing balls along a desired trajectory includes a housing with an arcuate track leading inwardly from an opening to an initial ball support station. A throwing arm is rotatably mounted within the housing and is connected to a torsion spring. A crank arm is provided on one end of the shaft to rotate the torsion spring and throwing arm against a stop pin that extends through the housing in the path of the throwing arm. The torsion spring stores energy provided through the crank arm as it is rotated about a central axis. When the spring is sufficiently loaded, the throwing arm will slip from engagement with the stop pin and forcibly move against a ball to move it arcuately around the track and outwardly through the opening. The machine is specially adapted for use with resilient balls that will deform both against the track and against the throwing arm.

Abstract: A toy baseball pitching machine that is particularly adapted to be used by children as an outdoor game. The toy baseball pitching machine of the present invention is capable of "pitching" a plastic ball approximately 15 feet to a "batter". The pitching machine is adjustable to pitch balls through varying trajectories. The present invention includes a ball storage rack for feeding a plurality of balls into the pitching machine seriatim and an automatic shut-off switch that shuts the pitching machine off when all balls are pitched.

Abstract: Apparatus for propelling a ball in an underhand manner utilizing a ramp to impart a desired trajectory and direction to the ball. Upon rotation of a cam, an associated follower moves a pitching arm to a cocked position against the bias of a spring.When the follower falls off an extreme portion of the cam upon continued rotation of the cam, the arm is rapidly released and swings through an arc in the course of which it propels the ball along the upper surfaces of the ramp toward a distant location. A supply hopper may be employed adjacent to the propelling apparatus together with an escapement feed mechanism activated by the pitching arm to deliver balls to the ramp one at a time at a location adjacent to the pitching arm in its cocked position.

Abstract: An apparatus for projecting snuff or powdered tobacco into the nostrils. The apparatus includes a contoured nose positioning member, a normally forward and downward sloping lever member having two depressions therein for holding pinches of snuff positioned under each of the nostrils and a pivoted spring loaded striking member held in pre-operative position by a spring loaded pivoted restraining member. When one end of the spring-loaded restraining member is depressed it releases the spring-loaded striking member to pivot downward forcefully. The striking member hits the rear upward sloping end of the snuff projection lever member causing it to pivot downward quickly and its opposite end to pivot upward quickly, thus projecting the pinches of snuff into the nostrils of the user. A small mirror is provided to insure proper orientation of the users' nostrils prior to projection of the snuff.

Abstract: A pitching or batting device for a plurality of balls and the like includes an arm connected at one end to a torsion wind-up device and adapted at its other end to engage a holding cam. The cam is freely rotatable and is spun upon release of the arm tip therefrom so that it assumes a different random position in each cycle. When the arm holding a ball is released, the wind-up mechanism causes the arm to swing and engage a braking device which suddenly slows the arm, causing a pitched ball to be propelled through space. The cam causes the intervals between pitches to be random. The braking device is continuously adjustable in angular position, and a ball reverse spinning device may be employed which also operates randomly in conjunction with variations in height of the braking device.

Abstract: An inexpensive mechanical launcher for launching certain toy disks consists of two predominantly planar pieces of pre-formed plastic material joined together forming a slotted receptor and a handle portion. A toy disk is inserted in the slotted receptor and engages a catch with its outside rim. A spring for biasing the disk against the catch is preloaded during insertion and is engaged with a notch on the disk rim. A plunger having a manually engageable trigger retracts the catch and allows the spring to return to its released position, thus flinging the disk in an outwardly spinning trajectory which can be influenced and altered by varying the axial position of the launcher before release.

Abstract: A pipe frame has a catapult platform attached to catapult arms which is springingly connected to the frame and the hold down mechanism has a detente which engages the platform when a user stands on the platform. The platform will tilt forwardly when a user moves forward on the platform causing the detente to release and permitting the user to be catapulted off the platform into a body of water.

Abstract: A catapult toy includes a base plate, a mounting platform swivelably mounted on the base plate, a pair of arches positioned in a side-by-side relationship on the mounting platform at one end thereof to define an arching guide therebetween, a pivot arm pivotally mounted between the arches to move generally in a vertical plane in the arching guide, a cup disposed on the free end of the pivot arm for carrying a projectile, and a stop element attachable to the arches to bridge the arching guide at various locations therealong and thereby serve to stop upward movement of the pivot arm. Also included are a pair of upright standards mounted on the mounting platform on each side of the vertical plane in which the pivot arm moves, and an elastic band mounted on the upright standards to extend therebetween underneath the pivot arm. Finally, a latch is provided to hold the pivot arm in a latched position in which the arm is stretching or biasing the elastic band.

Abstract: An effective game or game structure can be constructed so as to utilize a receptacle rotatably mounted on a base member. A lid is pivotally mounted on the receptacle so as to be capable of being pivoted between opened and closed positions by a cam and cam follower structure as this receptacle revolves. At least one propulsion structure is located remote from the receptacle so that an individual using the game can attempt to propel a projectile into the receptacle as the receptacle is rotated and as the lid is periodically opened and closed.

Abstract: The ball-pitching apparatus of this invention has a ball-holding container affixed to one end of an arm. A baseball can be releasably supported within the container. The arm is pivotally mounted to a base such that opposed ends of the arm may be pivoted with respect to the base.A pitching spring and an arresting spring are affixed to the base. The remaining end of the pitching spring is connected to the arm at a location between the ball-holding container and the pivot point, while the remaining end of the arresting spring is secured to the end of the arm which is opposite to the baseball-holding container.The springs normally bias the arm into a position of rest, and when the arm is yieldably forced to pivot in opposition to the pitching spring, energy is stored therewithin. The springs have respective ends that are anchored to a common point on the base.

Abstract: Improvements in baseball batting cages directed to providing a limited area, fully enclosed and fully automatic baseball batting cage utilizing a conventional baseball pitching machine; improvements in the floor configuration of a limited area baseball batting cage operative to gravity return all pitched balls, whether struck by the batter or not, to a ball pickup zone; an improved baseball pickup and return device cooperating with said floor construction making possible the automatic operation of the batting cage; improvements in the positioning and mounting of a pitching machine in a baseball batting cage which facilitates the batting cage being both minimum in area and fully automatic.

Abstract: A portable ground supported cage has a spring actuated bat rotatable to pitch a ball received in a cup at the small diameter end of the bat. The springs actuating the bat rotate the bat in a vertical plane to pitch the ball at the speed and trajectory required for batting practice. The bat is cocked and then held in a cocked position by a release handle which rotates between locking and unlocking position relative to the bat to permit its release and consequent pitching of the ball. The rotation of the bat is limited by the restricting of the spring after the bat has moved beyond a perpendicular position relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained tennis ball throwing apparatus is disclosed which includes a constantly rotating cam having gradually increasing radii of successive points around its periphery and an abrupt transition from a maximum radius to a minimum radius, a pivotally mounted throwing arm having one end biased into contact with the periphery of the cam and supporting a ball receiving cup at its other end, and a resilient member for biasing the throwing arm, such that the cam effectively cocks the throwing arm at a relatively slow rate and releases the throwing arm to move under the influence of the resilient member to impart a throwing force to a tennis ball. The housing of the apparatus is mounted on a carriage which is movable with respect to the housing to change the pitch angle thereof, and, therefore, the angle of trajectory of a thrown ball. The ball receiving cup is also adjustable to change the angle of trajectory of the thrown ball.

Abstract: A launching device for propelling a football into an airborne trajectory with the football pointed forwardly and rotating about its longitudinal axis similar to a forward pass in the game of football. The launching device includes a spring-biased, retractable catapult arm with a ball-holding basket on the end thereof. The device is provided with a governor which delays the launching of the ball for a predetermined time period to allow the user to move into position for receiving the ball. The launching device includes height adjustments and spring tension adjustments for regulating the trajectory of the football. A safety interlocking mechanism is provided to prevent the launching of foreign objects. The device cannot be operated unless a football is loaded in the basket. The basket has a size, shape, orientation and edge portion which accurately simulates the trajectory of a thrown football by imparting a spiral spin to the football.