Patent ID: 6227981
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: A63B,A63D

Abstract:
A ramp assembly for guiding and accelerating a ball, comprising:a ramp having a proximal end, a distal end, and a ball guide, the ball guide defining a ball path along the ramp, wherein the ball path descends from the proximal end to the distal end;a base coupled to the proximal end of the ramp for supporting the ramp, wherein the ramp is pivotally coupled to the base for allowing movement of the ramp with respect to the base;a ball release coupled to the ramp for selectively controlling travel of the ball along the ramp, wherein the ball release includes:a stopping m ember coupled to the ramp at a position along the ball guide distal with respect to a ball starting position on the ramp, the stopping member being moveable between a blocking position restricting the ball from traveling along the ball guide toward the distal end of the ramp, and a releasing position allowing the ball unrestricted travel along the ball guide toward the distal end of the ramp; anda switch for selectively controlling the position of the stopping member;a positioning assembly coupled to the ramp for adjusting the orientation of the ramp, wherein the positioning assembly includes:a rotatable wheel coupled with the distal portion of the ramp, the wheel being capable of rotating about an axis substantially parallel to the ramp ball guide for allowing movement of the ramp to a desired orientation;at least one motor coupled to the ramp and to the rotatable wheel for controllably adjusting the ramp to the desired orientation; anda control box housing the switch for selectively controlling the position of the stopping member and a position control operationally coupled with the at least one motor, wherein the position control is configured to actuate the motor in a first and a second direction for controllably adjusting the ramp to the desired orientation.