Patent ID: 7806112

Claim:
An apparatus for launching balls for sports practice comprising: a tank ( 2 ) for housing a gaseous fluid under pressure; a launch tube ( 3 ) whose section substantially corresponds to that of a ball ( 4 ) to be launched, said tube having an open end ( 7 ) for launching the ball ( 4 ) and having a seat ( 8 ) for positioning the ball ( 4 ); an exhaust duct ( 5 ) of the fluid operatively connected between said tank ( 2 ) and said launch tube ( 3 ); and a rapid opening device ( 6 ) for discharging on command said fluid from said tank ( 2 ) to said launch tube ( 3 ) through said exhaust duct ( 5 ), to cause the launching for the ball ( 4 ); and throttling means ( 37 ) mounted in said exhaust duct ( 5 ); wherein said throttling means are configured to be adjusted for varying an effective section of the exhaust duct such that the effective section determined by the throttling means remains the same during a whole launch.