Abstract:
A multi-sport ball machine is disclosed that is configured to selectively levitate, softly toss, rapidly pitch, roll, and bounce balls to a consistent or random location. The disclosed machine can also control the spin of a ball which affects its flight path and is self-contained and compact in size. Furthermore, the disclosed machine allows athletes of any age to practice safely in close quarters, indoors or out, with others or independent of others, and is easy to operate which enables athletes to train in a more efficient manner. Accordingly, the disclosed machine serves as a tool to help players transition from practice to utilizing the practiced skills in a competitive game play situation further engraining the skills they have been practicing and having fun.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/980,976, filed on Apr. 17, 2014. The entirety of US 61/980,976 is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    As long as baseball, softball, hockey, tennis, lacrosse and other sports have been played, players have tried to practice and advance their skills. Although some devices exist for such purposes, Improvements are desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A multi-sport ball handling machine that could levitate, softly toss, rapidly pitch, roll, bounce balls, to a consistent or random location, and could control the spin of a ball which affects its flight path, is self-contained and compact in size, such as the machine of this disclosure, would greatly advance an athlete&#39;s ability to train in numerous sports. Furthermore, a machine that allows athletes of any age to practice safely in close quarters, indoors or out, with others or independent of others, and is easy to operate, such as the machine of this disclosure, would enable athletes to train in a more efficient manner. Finally a machine should also serve as a tool to help players transition from practice to utilizing the practiced skills in a competitive game play situation further engraining the skills they have been practicing and having fun. The disclosed multisport ball rolling, levitating, tossing, and throwing system solves these problems. 
         [0004]    A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional side view of a multi-sport ball machine having features and characteristics in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a launch randomizer associated with the multi-sport ball machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the launch randomizer shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the launch randomizer shown in  FIG. 2  with an angle changing tube attached. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the multi-sport ball machine shown in  FIG. 1  showing intermediate positions of a launching arm and ball and a launching illuminator light. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a top view of an air flow control system associated with the multi-sport ball machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the air flow control system shown in  FIG. 6 , with a door in an open position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the air flow control system shown in  FIG. 6 , with a door in a closed position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a multi ball hopper and ball loading system associated with the multi-sport ball machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a tube kit including optional tubes for use with the multi-sport ball machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a stacked tube configuration utilizing multiples of some of the tubes shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a roller tube from the kit shown in  FIG. 11  shown as being attached to the multi-sport ball machine, wherein the roller tube is positioned for discharging balls along a floor or other surface. 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a bottom view of a ball feeder timing plate associated with the multi-sport ball machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a top view of the ball feeder timing plate shown in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the ball feeder timing plate shown in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a top view of a ball jam gear associated with the multi-sport ball machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the ball jam gear shown in  FIG. 16 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a schematic view of a power and control wiring diagram for the disclosed machine. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-18 , a multi-sport ball machine  1  is presented which includes a housing  2 , an attachable and removable cover  3 , and an outlet  19  for discharging balls  5 . In one aspect, the multi-sport ball machine  1  can store a plurality of balls  5  in a ball holding area or hopper  10  and can be activated to automatically discharge the balls through the outlet  19  to levitate, softly toss, rapidly pitch, roll, and/or bounce the balls  5  at predefined or varied time intervals. The machine  1  can be selectively adjusted to launch or deliver the balls  5  to a consistent or random location, and can also control the spin of a ball which affects its flight path. The ball machine  1  is also self-contained and is compact in size, which allows for ease of portability, use, and storage. 
         [0026]    In one aspect, the machine  1  can be turned on with a switch  45  which activates a motor  18  which provides a constant air flow by rotating a blower fan blade  20 . The motor  18  remains running as long as the switch is placed in an “on” position. The airflow generated by the fan  20  is drawn down through the top of the machine  1  through a feeder plate  77  and an air intake tower  76  (as shown in  FIGS. 16-17 ). The balls  5  can be stored in a “hopper”  10  in which the ball launching sequence begins by a ball  5  being loaded or falling into one or more loading areas  16  defined in a ball feeder plate  77 . Each of the loading areas is sized to receive one and only one ball  5 . Any number of loading areas  16  may be provided in the ball feeder plate  77 , to the extent that the ball and feeder plate size allow. For example, and referring to  FIG. 9 , a configuration is shown in which four radially spaced loading areas  16  lying along a common radius are provided. Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 16  a configuration is shown in which five radially spaced loading areas  16  lying along a common radius are provided. 
         [0027]    In operation, the balls  5  that have dropped into the receiving areas  16  are individually moved toward a ball drop tube  14  by a ball loader motor  12  which rotates the ball feeder plate  77  to vertically align one of the loading areas  16  with the ball drop tube  14 . In one example, the ball loader motor  12  is configured to rotate at a constant or varying rate when the switch  45  is activated. The bottom of each receiving area  16  is open, but is blocked by a structure  15  which has a single opening  15   a  aligned with drop tube  14 . As such, a ball  5  will be held within a receiving area  16  until the receiving area  16  is aligned (by rotation of the plate  77 ) with the aperture  15   a  and the ball drop tube  14 . 
         [0028]    Once a receiving area  16  is aligned with the ball drop tube  14 , a switch  26  will activate by a timing plate  89  attached to the bottom of the ball feeder plate  77 . The timing plate  89  is provided with timing slots  58  that act on the air flow control switch  26  such that the air flow control switch  26  is activated when a loading area  16  is above the ball drop tube  14  and such that the air flow control switch  26  is deactivated when the loading area  16  is no longer above the drop tube  14  such that the timing plate  89  is covering the top of the drop tube  14 . It is noted that the timing plate  89  is provided with apertures  59  that align with each of the loading areas  16  of the feeder plate  77 . Once activated, the switch  26  will cause an air flow control system actuator  46  (e.g. a solenoid) connected to a linkage mechanism  22  to move a damper or door  50  to a closed position and to stretch a connected spring  54  into an extended position, as shown at  FIG. 8 . 
         [0029]    In the closed position, a passageway  48  located between the fan  20  and the drop tube  14  is blocked and the air generated by the fan  20  is directed through a vent  78 . As shown, the vent  78  directs air towards motor  18  to cool the motor  18 . As the closed position reduces airflow moving upwards through the drop tube  14 , the closed position allows the ball  5  to drop down into the drop tube  14 . It is noted that the door  50  can be provided with a small opening  56  to allow just enough air flow to work on the ball  5  that has dropped through the drop tube  14  to urge the ball  5  into a ball stager  28  connected to an outlet  19  of the machine  1  (or just out the open end of the “tee” tube  72 ). 
         [0030]    As the ball load motor  12  continues to rotate the plates  77 ,  89 , the switch  26  is deactivated which deactivates the actuator  46 , thereby allowing the connected spring  54  to rapidly pull the door  50  into an open position, as shown at  FIG. 7 . This rapid reaction will allow the full air flow to act on the ball  5  and the ball  5  will then be launched at a distance or hover with a particular spin as determined by user selected tubes. The spin will give the ball gyroscopic stability in the hover mode and ball direction in a roll, toss, and throw mode. The rapid opening of the door  50  also generates an audible change in the sound emanating from the fan  20  and motor  18  which alerts the user that a discharged ball  5  is soon forthcoming. Thus the opening of the door  50  serves as an audible alert system. 
         [0031]    In one aspect, the timing slots  58  are configured such that the timing plate  89  completely covers the top of the drop tube  14  (i.e. no overlap between aperture  59  and drop tube  14 ) before allowing the switch  26  to be deactivated such that it is ensured that air from the fan  20  is restricted from flowing out through the drop tube  14 . In the open position of the door  50 , the fan  20  is placed back in fluid communication with pathway  48  and outlet  19 , which allows full air flow to act on the ball  5  and to launch or hover the ball  5  based on user tube configuration (discussed below). 
         [0032]    With the above described configuration and operation, a user will be able to practice a skill without interruption until the ball hopper is empty. For instance, when hitting off a tee in baseball. The current process is to place the ball on the tee, hit the ball off the tee, chase the ball and pick it up, place it again on the tee, and hit the ball again restarting the entire process. With the machine, the hitter will be able to swing and hit a ball, wait for it to reload and repeat the process until ball hopper is empty and at that point go and pick the balls up. This is essentially the same process for all individual practice. Reference will now be made to the individual figures, and the specific features disclosed in each. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are front and side views of a launch randomizer including a motor  38  and a gear  39 . As shown, the motor  38  is attached to a gear or gears  34  that rotate a section of tube  39  that is held in place by a bearing  36 . This allows all attached tubes to rotate and change the orientation of the user tubes as balls are launched out the end of the user tubes. The randomizer is an optional attachment that gives the user the option of changing the ball flight, bounce, or roll properties and direction. For example in baseball, a user can turn on the randomizer without the angle tube that will change the type of pitch thrown to the user, changing each pitch from a fastball rotation, to slider rotation, to 12/6 curve rotation, to screwball, vastly increasing the difficulty level of the pitch. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the launch randomizer connected to an angle changing tube  40 . In particular the launch randomizer  39  will be connected to the toss &amp; pitch tube  87  which is connected to the angle tube  40  which allows for the open tube end to change angles and launching balls in different angles. Likewise with the angle tube  40  attached to the randomizer the user can have pop flys or ground balls thrown to different locations thereby allowing players to have a more realistic game play situation rather than just have a ball thrown to one location. These two parts can be used to create many practice and game scenarios for many types of sports. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of the machine  1  with a 360 degree rotating launching arm  24  connected to outlet  19  and to a launch tube. In one aspect, the launching arm  24  is configured as a rotating joint that is connected to the outlet  19  and that allows connected launch tubes to be rotated in a full 360 degree range, as illustrated. In one example, and as shown at  FIG. 12 , in order to simulate a puck gliding across the floor, the launching arm  24  can be used in conjunction with the angle tube  40  to create a ball  5  that has top spin and will stay tight to the ground. To facilitate this operation, the launching arm  24  is configured to be rotated and aimed past the 90 degree point (i.e. surface level with the floor). 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a top view of an embodiment of the constant air flow system and control. In particular, a constant air flow generated by a constant speed blower fan blade  20  pulling air in through opening  44  allows air flow to move through opening in air flow control  22  at a constant speed until interrupted. In order for the ball to be most efficiently launched through a tube the air flow must be rapidly applied to the ball and allowed to act on the ball through the entire length of the tube. A preferred method is to obstruct the air flow and then rapidly remove the obstruction and allow full air flow to immediately act on the ball generating spin from a toss tube spring  66  or to work upon a spin device  68  in the tee tube  72 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a ball feeder plate  77  and hold down ring  32 . In particular, multiple balls  5  are loaded into hopper area  10  while the ball feeder plate motor  12  rotates the ball feeder plate  77 . As discussed previously, as the ball feeder plate  77  rotates balls  5  will fall into a loading area  16  and rotated into position  74  (position at which one of the loading areas  16  is aligned over drop tube  14 ) in preparation to be positioned over drop tube  14 . The hold down ring  32  acts as a way to align balls  5  to loading area  74  and acts as a cover allowing only one ball to enter  74  as well as a way to maintain air pressure within the tubes. 
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a view of a kit  71  including multiple tubes, for example, tee tube  72 , toss &amp; pitch tube  87 , speed tube  69 , roller tube  73 , and angle tube  40 . In particular the tube  69  allow for changing of ball speed, distance, and ball flight characteristics. The toss &amp; pitch tube  87  is a section of tube that contains a spring  66  that will temporarily hold a ball  5  in place. In operation, the airflow through the notch or opening  56  in the door  50  will urge the ball  5  against the spring  66  when the door  50  is in the closed position. The spring  66  will hold a ball in this position until the full air flow acts upon the ball  5  when the door  50  is opened, at which point the ball  5  will be launched out the end of the tube. As the ball  5  passes the spring  66 , the spring will impart a rotation on the ball  5 . The toss &amp; pitch tube  87  can be rotated to either toss the ball softly or pitch the ball quickly and a farther distance. In one example, the spring  66  is made from spring steel and is secured to the tube with a screw or other fastener. A screw or fastener may also be used in place of the spring  66  in certain applications, particularly where the balls  5  are made from a foam material which easily compresses. 
         [0039]    The ability to add speed or distance to a ball is created by connecting tubes end to end with a connecting collar  67 , the more tubes the faster and farther the ball will travel. See  FIG. 11 , where it is shown that two speed tubes  69  and a toss and pitch tube  87  are connected together. 
         [0040]    When using the tee tube  72 , once a ball  5  automatically drops into the drop tube  14 , the ball  5  will pass directly through the discharge arm  24  and up through the tee tube  72 . As the ball  5  moves through tube  72 , the ball  5  will contact the spin control device  68  which applies light friction to cause the ball  5  to spin, thus giving the ball gyroscopic stability as it leaves the end of the tube  72  and is then supported by an air flow column and levitates for a specified time (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The spin control device can be a protrusion  68  (e.g. a screw) within the tube  72  and/or can be a friction element  88 , such as a fabric or tape layer. The tee tube  72  also allows for adjustable levitation via an adjustable sleeve  70 . This will allow the ball to be raised or lowered for the size of each player and to work different areas of the zone for baseball and softball players. The angle tube  40  allows for variations in direction of balls that are launched. In one aspect, the ball  5  is initially discharged through the end of the tube  72  when the door  50  is in the closed position by the force of the airflow stream passing through notch or opening  56 . Shortly thereafter, the timing plate  89  rotates to move slot  58  from switch  26  such that the door  50  is rapidly opened and a rush of air further pushes the ball  5  into the air and provides for a stable levitation cushion for the ball  5 . The provision of an initial lower flow air stream followed by a high flow air stream in combination with imparting a spinning motion on the ball results in a reproducible and reliable levitation action. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 13-17  show a ball feeder plate assembly including the timing plate  89 , a ball jam gear  86 , the ball feeder plate  77 , and an air intake tower  76 . As discussed previously, the purpose of the ball feeder plate  77  is to properly position balls  5  and activate initiate ball movement from the hopper  10  into a hitting position either from the air tee or as a tossed, rolled, or pitched ball. As shown, the timing plate  89  is provided with apertures  85  that correspond and align with the loading areas  16  on the ball feeder plate  77 . Timing slots  58 , one for each loading area  16 , in the ball feeder timing plate  89  will activate switch  26  allowing balls to be pulled into the staging area of the toss and pitch tube or lightly tossed into the levitating position above the air tee. The air intake tower  76  is configured to allow air to be drawn down through the center of the ball feeder plate  77  such that inlet of the fan  20  can have a less restricted airflow path. As shown, the tower  76  has a grill portion  76   a  through which air can pass and a tower portion  76   b  which prevents balls  5  from blocking the grill portion  76   a . The ball jam gear  86  is a safety feature to protect the machine  1  as well as the user. In the event of a ball  5  being caught in the ball feeder plate  77  the ball jam gear  86  will allow the motor  12  to continue to turn and the ball feeder plate  77  to slip and unjam a ball. The ball jam gear  86  will fit into a position located at the center  83  of the ball feeder timing plate  89  and will be surrounded by openings in the ball feeder timing plate  89  that will allow air to pass through the ball feeder timing plate  89 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , a control schematic is shown that illustrates the automatic operation of the machine  1 . As shown, power is delivered to the ball loader motor  12  and the fan motor  18  through the activation of the switch  45 . A solenoid  46  is also shown as being provided to actuate the door  50 , wherein the solenoid is controlled by a micro switch  90  which is also in communication with switch  26 . As such, the micro switch activates and deactivates the solenoid based on the position of the switch  26  which is controlled by the timing plate rotation caused by the motor  12 . The control system can also include a launch indicator system  45  with audio and/or visual feedback such that when the machine is used to simulate a pitch, an indication that the ball is about to be launched is provided. In one example, the illuminator system includes a series of lights that are sequentially activated or deactivated to show the timing of when the ball  5  will be launched. Alternatively or simultaneously an audio load indicator can be heard alerting that a ball  5  will be released in a specific amount of time. 
       VARIATIONS 
       [0043]    Even though the drawings show the air control system as a door, the effect of closing off the constant air flow can be achieved through a valve type mechanism or other restricting device. Also, the “opening and closing” of the air flow can be achieved using multidirectional actuators in place of or combination to tension springs. 
         [0044]    The randomizer motor can may be changed to eliminate the gears and replaced with a simple wheel that utilizes a rubber surface and friction to turn the inner tube. Along with the randomizer the angle tube that allows for random directional launching could be a ball valve to give even more control of exit angle of launched balls. 
         [0045]    The number of tube variations is almost unlimited. It would be possible to have tubes of any length, number, angle, arc, or opening type. Furthermore, tube end openings can affect the direction and spin on the ball. 
       PRODUCTION AND USE 
       [0046]    The multi sports systems will be made primarily from plastic but is not limited to production of this material. Multiple types of gears, bearings, motors, springs, and levers may be used for the power and motion of the machine. Embodiments can be generated using cut, stamped, or molded parts. The connection of embodiments may use adhesives or fasteners. Container may be multiple shapes that include oval, square, rec. etc. . . 
         [0047]    The machine will be used in training by athletes of all ages for multiple sports including but not limited to; baseball, softball, hockey, tennis, and lacrosse. Types of training uses would be for pitching, fly balls, ground balls for baseball and softball, hockey passes and goalie defense, tennis serve and volley, lacrosse passing, shooting and goal protection. Game play can be defend the wall,  500 , mini baseball game and many more that users will create. 
       ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0048]    The disclosed multi-purpose ball machine  1  can be configured in many different ways without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. For example, the following features may be incorporated: Remote Control of randomizer, launch pausing, and 360 degree directional arm; Lighting Indicators; Tube Lighting; Tripods or other system to elevate machine to different heights; Camera/Video Camera attachment/holder; Variable Rotation system for randomizer or ball feeding system; Multiple angular tubing to accommodate for various launching patterns; Various materials to be used in spin control and friction strips; Various sizes and shapes of “bucket” for containing inner workings of machine; Ball Rolling tube to simulate hockey puck or like; Variable Speed air flow motor for added burst of air flow; AC and AC or DC power capable; Capability of using multiple ball sizes, shapes, and materials; Vacuum attachment for ball retrieval; Digital Score board/ball launch counter; Air flow inducer or reducer to control height of hover; Eliminate ball loading system and air flow control actuator through a set of gears and lever; Sound reducing foam or insulation; Voice recognition for launch or hover control through mobile phone or other device; USB connections for information download; Switch that stops ball loader after each launch and is initiated by remote; Telescoping piece to control or dampen hovering height; Auto reversing motor for hopper motor; and a Swing Guide that force specific swing techniques in baseball and softball. 
         [0049]    The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.