Abstract:
A system and method for pitching balls, particularly footballs and other football-shaped balls. The system and method are flexibly designed to simulate different types of pitches including but not limited to passes, punts, kick-offs and snaps. A cradle for use in the system and method holds the ball in any one of a number of positions such that when it is fed into the system, the ball is propelled to simulate a different type of pitch. The apparatus and system for pitching balls includes a support for a ball throwing head, two opposing variable speed motor powered wheels that can be tilted in relation to each other to control the spin and distance, a slide configured to present the ball on the cradle into the wheels at different angles to provide right or left handed spirals and end over end pitches, and adjustments for height and horizontal pivot. A removable throwing head allows balls to be pitched from different heights from ground level to an upright arm motion to simulate different types of pitches.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/658,848 filed on Oct. 24, 2012, which claims priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/554,451, filed on Nov. 1, 2011. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     Portions of this disclosure contain material in which copyright is claimed by the applicant. The applicant has no objection to the copying of this material in the course of making copies of the application file or any patents that may issue on the application, but all other rights whatsoever in the copyrighted material are reserved. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to devices and methods for practicing sports, and in particular to simulating a thrown or kicked ball. In particular, the invention relates to simulating thrown, kicked, or snapped footballs, or other types of balls of a similar shape such as rugby balls. 
     Currently there are several devices for simulating the throwing (or pitching) of a football or rugby ball, for players to practice catching passes, snaps and kicks. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “football” will refer to a ball that is football shaped including a rugby ball or other ball that is oblong, and the terms “throwing,” “pitching,” “passing,” “snapping” and “kicking” are used interchangeably to generally describe the motion of propelling of a football. Typically, football throwing devices have two spinning opposing wheels tilted in opposite directions that engage the ball as it passes through the wheels and impart speed and a spiral spin to the ball. These opposing wheels can be adjustably tilted in opposite directions to provide either a clockwise or counter clockwise spin to the ball simulating right handed passes or left handed passes. This is also true of the simulation of a right-footed kicker or a left footed kicker. 
     Further, these devices have height adjustments so that shorter legs provide a simulation of either right handed and left handed centers who snap the ball from the ground. Such devices tend to have severe drawbacks in that they do not have tight, natural spirals and when reconfigured from a mode for throwing passes to a mode for end over end kick offs, much practice time is lost. Existing devices further require time consuming part exchanges to change modes. The reconfiguration of the device with shorter legs to lower the throwing wheels does not typically lower the machine far enough to simulate an actual center who snaps the ball from ground level. 
     A coach using a machine of this type has tremendous time constraints. A whole team must wait while reconfiguring the device to a different mode of operation is made. A practice session with as many as 33 or more players is idled as the required reconfiguration is made. Typically the reconfiguration takes several minutes depending on the skill of the operator and the availability of tools. In total, as much as an hour of team practice time during a full practice session may be lost while multiple reconfigurations are performed during the practice session. Therefore, a machine that allows for fast change-over between modes including passing, snapping and kicking would be of great benefit. 
     One method to eliminate lost practice time is to have a ball holding device and method enabled to present the ball on a multi-position cradle that feeds the ball into the throwing wheels positioned either horizontally for spirals or at various angles for end-over-end kicks. Instant ball angle change capability would be of great benefit to the coach and team. A method that quickly lowers the machine to ground level would also be of great benefit. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides an apparatus and method for throwing football shaped balls that may be presented to a player or groups of players in need of rapid repetition in individual and team drills that are difficult to manually replicate repeatedly. The apparatus and system for pitching balls includes a support for a ball throwing head, two opposing variable speed motor powered wheels that can be tilted in relation to each other to control spin and distance, a slide configured to present the ball into the wheels at different angles to provide right or left handed spirals and end-over-end pitches. A slotted height control adjustment and a horizontal pivot control adjustment are also included. Combined, these adjustments form a gimbal allowing for different ball throwing trajectories. A removable stand allows the machine to be lowered to ground level simulating a center snapping to a place kicker, a punter or a quarterback as well as any other type of pitch or snap from ground level. This invention also provides wheel guards to protect the operator from injury. Two caddy wheels are included, providing easy mobility. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it is configured and functions, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show embodiments of the present invention in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the system to pitch balls; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the system to pitch balls; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective exploded view of the horizontal pivot adjustment on the system to pitch balls; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective exploded view and  FIG. 4B  is a side view of the height control adjustment on the system to pitch balls; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view showing the lower detachable frame of the system to pitch balls; 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a motor adjustment panel for adjusting the position of a motor on the system to pitch balls; 
         FIG. 7  is another side perspective view of a motor adjustment panel for adjusting the motors on the system to pitch balls; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the lock pin for locking the motor adjustment panel on the system to pitch balls; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the motor adjustment panel for adjusting the motors on the system to pitch balls; 
         FIGS. 10A-C  are several views of the ball cradle,  FIGS. 10D-10G  are several views of the ball cradle with the ball in position for pitching and FIGS.  10 H 1  and  10 H 2  show an alternative embodiment for the cradle to hold a football; 
         FIG. 11  is a topside perspective view of the system to pitch balls configured in a snapping position; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the height control of the system to pitch balls when in a snapping position; and 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram of the electronics for controlling the motors on the system to pitch balls. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a football pitching machine  101  in accordance with the present invention. Football pitching machine  101  has three telescoping legs  1  configured to provide a tripod base and a socketing frame  40  to receive legs  1  and formed with three socketing tubes. An adjustment handle  2  locks a swivel shaft  19  (shown in dashed lines) in place that fits inside an upper tube  25  on socketing frame  40 , which is attached to an adjustment yoke  26 A at the top of swivel shaft  19 . Adjustment yoke  26 A is formed from a number of parts including lower crossbar  5 , upper crossbar  28 , fixed side panels  6 ,  29  and adjustable tilt panel  23 . Adjustment yoke  26 A may be attached to and detached from mobility yoke  26 M with attachment wing nuts  8 . A throwing head  100  is affixed to the top of mobility yoke  26 M formed from a number of parts including mobility yoke side panels  12  and a mobility yoke top panel  10 . A pair of throwing wheels  13  is mounted above mobility yoke  26 M and each is controlled respectively by a variable speed motor  11 . Throwing wheels  13  have safety guards  14  around them to prevent a user&#39;s hands or other body parts from coming into contact with throwing wheels  13 . To facilitate mobility or detaching the throwing head from mobility yoke  26 M are two tilting handles  16  that may be gripped during the detachment or lowering process. Also attached to either end of mobility yoke  26 M are a pair of caddy wheels  9  for portability. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the system to pitch footballs showing a ball cradle  22  mounted on a base  21  which slides along a slide tube  20  to present the football into a chute formed between throwing wheels  13 . Also shown is a speed control knob  42  on electronics enclosure  41  that adjusts the speed (RPM) of each motor that may be turned to increase or decrease the speed of motors  11  thereby causing longer or shorter passes, snaps or kicks. 
       FIG. 3  is a close-up perspective exploded view of the horizontal pivot adjustment on the system to pitch footballs. Loosening of horizontal adjustment handle  2  allows lower crossbar  5  of adjustment yoke  26 A to pivot in either direction thereby controlling the horizontal trajectory of the football. Adjustment yoke  26 A has a hole matching holes through lower crossbar  5  and aligned so spring bolt  3  can pass through, thereby locking adjustment yoke  26 A in place. This eliminates pivoting in preparation for transporting system  101 . 
       FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  show a close-up perspective exploded view and a side view of the height control adjustment on the system to pitch footballs, respectively. Loosening vertical adjustment handle  4  allows adjusting tilt panel  23  to pivot. As adjusting tilt panel  23  pivots around pivot point  44 , handle  4  may be tightened on tilt panel bolt  39  at any point along tilt panel slot  38  to hold adjustable yoke  26 A in place. When the tilt angle for the pitching of a ball is required to be changed, handle  4  may be loosened to allow adjustable yoke  26 A to be adjusted as desired by the operator. Also employed is a clutch washer  7  of soft durable material. Clutch washer  7 , when pressed tightly against adjusting tilt panel  23  locks adjustable yoke  26 A at any position along slot  38 . When tightened with less pressure, clutch washer  7  allows the operator to override the locking action, adjusting the football&#39;s height trajectory quickly between throws. Upper tube  25  over swivel shaft  19 , when combined with pivot point  44  form a gimbal allowing the machine to be in balance, with the ability to be pivoted 360 degrees to throw the ball in any desired direction. 
       FIG. 5  is a rear view showing the lower frame detachment on the system to pitch footballs. Two throwing head bolts  46  allow for removal of throwing head  100  (portion shown in brackets) to facilitate transporting and removal of throwing head  100  for snaps at ground level. The detachment occurs between mobility yoke  26 M along the dashed line x-x between cross tube  28  and throwing head  100 . Throwing head bolts  46  are affixed to the bottom side of cross tube  28  and pass through mobility yoke  26 M and are secured by wing nuts  8 . Detachment of throwing head  100  is required when the machine is converted for snapping, kicking or for transportation. Separation is facilitated by tipping the football pitching machine  101  forward onto safety guards  14  using tilting handles  16 . Electronics enclosure  41  is mounted to the top of cover  14  on the left side. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show opposing side perspective views of a motor adjustment panel  612  for adjusting amount of spin and direction of spin of the ball as it is pitched. Each motor adjustment panel  612  allows one of the two motors  11  on the system to be positioned to pitch footballs using a desired amount of spin and direction of spin.  FIGS. 6 and 7  show the method whereby the position of motors  11  may be rotated in an arcuate slot  36 ,  37  on motor adjustment panel  612 . Motors  11  are mounted on motor mounting plate  31 . Motor mounting plate  31  in turn mounts on motor adjustment panel  612  by two motor attachment bolts  625  which pass through respective arcuate slots  36 ,  37  on motor adjustment panel  612 . Wing nuts  24  complete the attachment over motor attachment bolts  625 . When motor attachment bolts  625  are loosened, motor mounting plate  31  slides along a circumferential portion of arcuate slots, allowing opposing motor  11  to be positioned at different angles. At three points in arcuate paths  36 ,  37 , motors  11  can be locked in place by lock spring  32  on loaded locking pin  34 . It will be recognized that additional locking points can be added. When locking pin  34  is pulled out, motor  11  and motor mounting plate  31  are free to slide. When locking pin  34  is released into holes  35 , motor  11  is locked in place. Motor  11  can also be locked, by locking motor angle adjustment wing nuts  24  at any point along the arcuate slots. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of locking pin  34  for locking motor adjustment panels  612  in place. Locking pin  34  employs spring  32  and lock pin housing  33 . Locking pin  34  is inserted when spring  32  is relaxed, causing locking pin  34  to enter any one of three holes  35  in motor adjustment panel  612  thereby locking motor mounting plate  31  and motor  11  into the selected position. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of motor adjustment panel  612  for adjusting motors  11 .  FIG. 9  shows a throwing wheel  13  at various angles along arcuate slots  36 ,  37 . When opposing motors  11  are locked at different angles, they impel a football with a clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation, causing a spiral throw. Adjustment panel  612  can be locked in place along arcuate slots  36 ,  37  to control the amount of spiral spin. 
       FIGS. 10A-H  are views of ball cradle  22  where  FIGS. 10A-C  show cradle  22  alone and  FIGS. 10D-G  show cradle  22  with the ball in position for pitching. FIGS.  10 H 1  and  10 H 2  show an alternative embodiment for cradle  22  to hold the football in place. 
     Cradle  22  is formed of rigid material such as metal or hard plastic and is shaped to hold a football in multiple positions and it has a base portion  1020  that is configured to allow slide tube  20  to slide within it. Depending on the orientation of the football, it comes into contact with cradle  22  at different contact points. In an orientation in which cradle  22  holds a football to be passed, the ball fits inside of a rear cap portion  1005  of cradle  22  with the bottom of the ball being held by opposing front cradle arms  1010   a, b . To secure a football firmly in place within cradle  22 , a protruding component such as a nub  1015  or a fin  1017  is positioned in rear cap portion  1005 . FIG.  10 B 1  shows a close-up view of nub  1015 . Nub  1015  is long enough to fit within the small recess at the tip of the football where the seams come together to keep the football from sliding out of position when it is launched from football pitching machine  101 . Nub  1015  permits the football to be held in the same position for each pass so that each pass pitched from football pitching machine  101  at any given setting is reliably consistent in terms of the distance, spiral and trajectory. 
     Cradle  22  is shaped to hold a football at different angles. The football will be thrown with a spiral action when introduced into throwing wheels  13  when held in a horizontal position as shown in  FIGS. 10D and 10E . When held by cradle  22  at approximately the same 45-degree angle as shown in  FIGS. 10F and 10G , the football will be thrown with an end over end action. The angle of the football can be changed to simulate various kick-offs, such as onside kicks. Cradle  22  slides along slide tube  20  to introduce ball  24  into a chute formed between throwing wheels  13 . 
     FIGS.  10 H 1  and  10 H 2  show a side view and a front view of an alternative embodiment of cradle  22  that uses one or more fins  1017  instead of nub  1015  to hold the ball in consistent placement for introduction to chute between throwing wheels  13 . Fin  1017  may be one or more linear elements that line up and engage one or more seams on the ball at or near the end of the ball. Unlike nub  1015  which may be formed of a rigid material, fin  1017  could be made of flexible plastic, rubber or another flexible material that would bend out of the way as the football is engaged by throwing wheels  13  and spin is imparted to the ball. 
       FIG. 11  is a topside perspective view of a throwing head configured in a snapping position where the football is snapped from ground level. Throwing head  100  is separated from socketing frame  40  and legs  1  and placed on the ground in position to snap the ball simulating the action of a center. A support stand made up of a handle tube  55  sliding on adjustable tube  48  for vertical adjustment control is attached to mobility yoke top panel  10  by pivoting latch  51  which attaches to the end of slide tube  20 . At the bottom of adjustable tube  48  is a base  49 . A knob  54  controls latch  51  allowing quick removal of handle tube  55 . When removed, throwing head may be reassembled onto socketing frame  40  and legs  1  for throwing passes and kicks. When handle tube  55  is attached to mobility yoke  26 M, a transporting handle  47  can be used to easily roll football pitching machine  101  on caddy wheels  9 . 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective close-up view of the height control of football pitching machine  101  when in a snapping position. This illustration shows the method whereby the trajectory of the centered football can be raised or lowered. Handle  52  may be pushed against handle tube  55  such that spring  53  lifts push button  50  releasing handle tube  55  to slide up or down thereby raising or lowering handle tube  55  on adjustable tube  48 . By releasing handle  52 , push button  50  is reinserted into a desired one of the selectable holes in handle tube  55 . 
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram of the electronics  1300  for controlling each of the two variable speed motors  11  on the system to pitch balls. Motors  11  may be brushless direct current (“DC”) motors. On each motor  11  is a ball sensor  1305  that detects a ball passing between throwing wheels  13 . Detection of a ball at sensors  1305  causes a feedback signal to be transmitted to a brushless DC drive  1310  for each motor that causes brushless motor  11  to spin. Power is supplied to each brushless DC drive  1310  at an alternating power outlet  1315 . Both motors  11   a, b  are connected to an interface board  1320  having a processor  1325  that receives input from various sources and transmits instructions to control motors  11 . Interface board  1320  includes speed controls for outputting signals to brushless DC drives  1310  to control the speed at which the drives turn motors  11 , to thereby impact the speed and distance of the ball when it is thrown. The speed controls are made up of a speed input  1330  which receives signals from a speed knob  42  that is adjusted by a user. A pair of speed outputs  1335   a, b  transmit signals from processor  1325  to brushless DC drives  1310   a, b . By using a single processor to control both motors  11 , the operation of motors  11  may be synchronized for speed settings. Synchronization of the motors adjusts motors  11  to operate at the same speed resulting in a tighter spiral when the ball is pitched. In addition, feedback from both motors  11  by sensors  1305  to processor  1325  allows for adjustments to both motors  11  to maintain synchronization of motors  11 . 
     A set of time interval switches  1340   a - c  are used to set the time of the delay between pitches of the ball. It should be understood that more or fewer interval time switches may be incorporated in the football pitching machine  101  depending on the needs of the user. Football pitching machine  101  may alternatively be equipped with an automatic ball feeder. The automatic ball feed motor  1345  is used to automatically feed balls for pitching and further includes a magnetic sensor  1350  for detecting direction. An AC power line  1355  plugs into a standard AC outlet to supply power to the electronics  1300 . A beeper  1360  is used to indicate that a ball is going to be pitched within the number of seconds of the interval selected. 
     Sensors  1305  may also be connected to processor  1325  so that data related to the operation of motors  11  may be monitored and analyzed by processor  1305 . If the data analyzed by processor  1305  indicates any problems, for example, related to excessive heat, vibration or resistance, beeper  1355  may be sounded indicating to the operator that there is need for adjustment. It should also be understood, that the data related to motors  11  may be collected and stored in a memory (not shown) to track the history of operation of the motors for maintenance purposes. 
     A camera  1365  is in communication with processor  1325  to capture either or both still images and/or video recordings of players receiving balls pitched by ball pitching machine  101 . Processor  1325  can transmit signals to camera  1365  at any proper time to turn on from a time prior to a ball being pitched through and including a time period for reception of a pitch. A series of still images or a video recording may later be reviewed and analyzed by coaches and players so that a player can improve different aspects of play. The images may be stored on camera  1365  or in a memory connected to processor  1325  where they may be accessed through a connection port such as a standard USB port, or connected for transmission over a network as desired by a user. 
     In addition to being connected to a camera  1365  to record images, electronics  1300  may also include a payment system  1370  by which a user may pay to use ball pitching machine  101 . Payment system  1370  includes a bill validator  1375  for accepting payment in the form of currency. Alternatively, or in addition, payment system  1370  may include a card acceptor for accepting credit, debit, smart or other types of cards that allow a user to make payment for use of ball pitching machine  101 . Once payment has been accepted, electronics  1300  are activated to allow the user to set machine  101  as desired and to receive pitched balls. It should be understood, that payment may be time based, such as for example, 30 minutes or use for $25. A user may also be charged on a per pitch basis at the discretion of the operator. Interface board  1320  through processor  1325  controls ball pitching machine to track the time in use (e.g. by the hour, minute, or for an event such as a party) or the amount of pitches purchased. Once a user has used his allotted time or pitches, further payment must be made to continue play. Systems for making payment as described are known in the art for use of baseball pitching machines. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to the  FIGS. 1-13 , it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the ball positioning component that is nub  1015  or a fin  1017  may be a combination of a nub  1015  and/or one or more fins  1017  that are positioned in a linear direction away from nub  1015 . Two fins  1017  may be used in an X-pattern to engage the two sets of seams of a football in that are perpendicular to each other. Alternatively, any combination of one, two, three or four fins could be used to engage the seams at the end of the football. Additionally, spring type locking pins have been described for adjusting and maintaining the position of different components of the football pitching machine during operation. However, other types of adjustment mechanisms could be used such as clips, straps or any number of other such mechanisms known in the art. Any variation and derivation from the above description and drawings are included in the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.