Patent ID: 7691012
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling the parameters of a ball flight and trajectory in three dimensional space comprising the steps of: receiving one or more parameters identifying a flight and trajectory of a baseball or softball in three dimensions for one or more player positions from a stored routine in a machine control system, said machine control system controlling a machine capable of automatically launching a sequence of baseballs or softballs with trajectories including multi-hop, fly balls, and pop-ups and with spin characteristics including top spin and back spin, wherein said machine is capable of automatically rotating toward different player positions during said launching sequence; controlling one or more motors positioned to feed one or more balls from below said machine through an internal channel in a support shaft to an ejection mechanism, wherein the internal channel allows the one or more balls to pass through the support shaft without limiting the rotation of the support shaft; controlling a rotation motor to rotate the support shaft to position the ejection mechanism toward different player positions, wherein the support shaft supports the election mechanism and allows rotation about a vertical axis formed through the center of the internal channel; controlling a pivot motor to pivot the ejection mechanism to the desired trajectory in the vertical plane, wherein the ejection mechanism is connected to the support shaft at a pivot point about which the pivot motor pivots the ejection mechanism; and controlling independently one or more ejection motors of said machine to eject the ball in accordance with the received flight and trajectory wherein the machine control system controls the launch sequence of baseballs or softballs to a desired position on the field with the desired velocity, trajectory and spin.