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Pitching machine

a pitching machine and pitching technology, applied in the field of sports equipment, can solve the problems of ineffective self-practice for batters, too limited time, and the cost of most dedicated pitching machines, and achieve the effect of safe and convenient operation

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-09-17
TAN GUANGMING
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]It is the main object of the present invention to provide an automatic pitching machine which is safe and easy to operate and to shoot the balls constantly.
[0018]The pitching machine comprises a controlling mechanism. The controlling mechanism comprises a stop plate that is mounted between the outlet opening of the guide channel and the ball rack, a sliding channel on pedestal, and a control rod sliding in the slide-way. The control rod connects with the stop plate. When the striking rod swings backwards, its lower end pushes the control rod backwards which makes the stop plate rotate or move, thus clearing the passage between the outlet opening and the ball rack.
[0020]The pitching machine comprises an angle control device that is mounted on the rear end of the pedestal. By rotating the adjusting screws, the batter can change the terracing clearance of base plate on the rear of pedestal and thus change the ball pitching angle.
[0021]The pitching machine illustrated in the present invention constantly supplies balls from the hopper to the ball rack through a guide channel. Its ball hitting mechanism is driven by a motor and can pitch balls constantly. The pitching machine is safe and easy to operate, and brings convenience for batters.

Problems solved by technology

However, the batting practice often requires a pitcher for pitching the baseball or a pitching machine.
However, most dedicated pitching machines are too expensive to be afforded by some little league teams or the like.
The time is always too limited, so such self-practice is ineffective for the batters.
But, this pitching machine still has the following defects:
It is quite complicated and inconvenient for the batter to press the lever while holding a bat and a ball at the same time.
If the lever is pressed but the pedal is not stamped to release the lever for some reasons, the pitching machine is just as dangerous as a loaded gun and can easily hurt people, especially the children.
The lever has to be pressed before every pitching, so it cannot realize constant feeding or automatic pitching of balls.
Besides, it is inconvenient to install a guide channel on it.
Therefore, it brings inconvenience for batters.

Method used

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Experimental program
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first embodiment

[0044]Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a pitching machine according to the present invention is illustrated, wherein the pitching machine comprises a pedestal, a guide channel 4, a ball rack 20, a hopper 5, and a ball hitting mechanism. The pedestal includes a base plate 1, a left side plate 2, and a right side plate 3. To ensure all the balls in the hopper 5 can flow along the guide channel 4 to the ball rack 20, the bottom of the hopper 5 has a funnel shape that the bottom thereof is extended inclinedly and the outlet opening of the hopper 5 is formed at the lowest point of the bottom of the hopper 5. The outlet opening of the hopper 5 is connected to the guide channel 4, and the outlet opening of the guide channel 4 is connected to the ball rack 20. When the hopper 5 is filled up with balls, it can constantly supply the balls to ball rack 20 to retain the ball at the ball rack 20. The ball hitting mechanism comprises a striking rod 6, a resilient element 7 such as a spring, and a strik...

second embodiment

[0050]The pitching machine illustrated in the present invention further comprises a feeding mechanism which comprises an L-shape ejection plate 29, an axis and an ejection rod 30. The axis goes through the bearing holes on the right side plate 2 of pedestal, with one end mounted with the L-shape ejection plate 29 and the other end with the ejection rod 30. As the crank 28 rotates every cycle in a circular manner, the respective end of the crank 28 with the roller 28a presses the ejection rod 30 downwards and levers the L-shape ejection plate 29 on the other end of the axis upwards. The top end of the L-shape ejection plate 29 extends into the hopper to free one of the balls from the hopper.

[0051]FIGS. 10 to 20 illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. Identical with the structural principle of a first embodiment, the principal part in a third embodiment also comprises a pedestal, a guide channel 4, a ball rack 20, a hopper 5, and a ball hitting mechanism. The pedestal ...

third embodiment

[0053]The feeding mechanism in the third embodiment includes an ejection plate 16 that is mounted under the outlet opening of the bottom of the hopper 5 and driven by the motor 8 to reciprocate up and down in the sliding channel of pedestal. The momentum output by the motor 8 is faded first by the bevel gears 13 and 14 and then by a pair of cylindrical gears 31 and 32. A crank 33 on the cylindrical gear 32 actuates a connecting rod 34 which then drives the ejection plate 16 to reciprocate up and down in the sliding channel of pedestal. The top end of the ejection plate 16 moves up and down in the hopper 5 to free one of the balls from the hopper 5 such that the ball is guided to flow along the guide channel 4 smoothly without getting stuck.

[0054]The controlling mechanism illustrated in a third embodiment of the present invention comprises a poke rod 36, a drive wire 37 and a controlling member. The poke rod 36 is mounted on the left side plate 2 of a support 39 with its middle part ...

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Abstract

A pitching machine includes a pedestal, a hopper, a guide channel connecting the hopper with a ball rack for guiding a ball in the hopper to the ball rack, and a ball hitting mechanism which includes a striking rod pivotally coupling with the pedestal, a resilient element for applying a pulling force against the striking rod to drive a lower end thereof towards the ball rack, and a striking rod drive mechanism. The striking rod drive mechanism drives the lower end of the striking rod backward, wherein when the striking rod is pivotally and backwardly moved at an utmost limit, the lower end of the striking rod is released, such that the lower end of the striking rod rapidly swings towards the ball rack for hitting the ball thereat. Therefore, the pitching machine is safe and easy to operate and brings convenience for batters.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION[0001]1. Field of Invention[0002]The present invention relates to the sporting equipment, and more particularly to a baseball or softball pitching machine.[0003]2. Description of Related Arts[0004]Baseball game is a sport requiring the cooperation of hands, head and legs. It not only improves player's health condition but also develop player's agility and response ability. However, the batting practice often requires a pitcher for pitching the baseball or a pitching machine. However, most dedicated pitching machines are too expensive to be afforded by some little league teams or the like. If a batter practices alone, the batter has to cast the baseball with one hand, and to adjust his or her pose to get ready to bat before the ball falls. The time is always too limited, so such self-practice is ineffective for the batters.[0005]To solve this problem, the invention with the Patent No. of CN2604208Y provides a pitching machine that can be operated by...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A63B69/40
CPCA63B69/407A63B2243/0004A63B2047/004A63B2102/18A63B2102/182
Inventor TAN, GUANGMING
Owner TAN GUANGMING
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