US1912360A - Ball-throwing device - Google Patents

Description

June 6, 19 33. E R BLANCHARD 1,912,360

BALL THROWING DEVICE Filed Nov. 18, 1929 Patented June 6, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BALL-THROl/VING DEVICE Application filed November 18, 1929.

The invention aims to provide a novel and desirable device for throwing a ball when a target portion of said device is struck by a manually thrown ball, thus producing entertainment as well as beneficial exercise and skill.

In carrying out the above end, a further object is to provide new and improved means for mounting the ball throwing arm and limiting its upward swinging movement.

Another object is to provide novel means for holding the ball throwing arm in set position.

A. still further aim is to provide a unique ball holding socket on the ball throwing arm, of such nature that it may be adjusted to direct the ball in different directions.

lVith the foregoing in View, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinatter described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the device in its set position.

'2 Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the device in the act of throwing the ball.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view with the parts related as in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the ball-holding cup and a portion of the arm by which it is carried.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View on line 55 of Fig. 4.

j The drawing above briefly described illustrates the preferred form of construction and while this construction will be herein specifically explained, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made. Moreover, it should be clear that I am not restricted to material or materials used in constructing the device, although wood and Serial No. 403,031.

the other end of said base is preferably beveled as indicated at 9.

Near the beveled end 9 of the base 6, an arched bar 10 straddles said base, the ends of the two parallel legs of said bar 10, being pivotally mounted at the longitudinal edges of the base by means of a bolt 11 passing through these parts. The crown portion of the bar 10 is straight and is secured by screws projected, is placed when the device is set r as seen in F 1 and 2. This cup is constructed and mounted in a unique way as hereinafter described.

A J-shaped bar 17 has its lower portion received in the notch 8, being pivoted in said notch upon a transverse bolt or other pivot 18. The vertical portion of this bar is provided with vertically spaced teeth 19, any of which may be engaged with the free end of the arm 13 to hold the latter set, against the tension of an arm-actuating spring 20 which is disposed between arm 13 and base 6 and secured to the latter as denoted at 21. The spring 20 is preferably provided with a coil 22, arms 23 projecting from the ends of said coil and slidably engaging the ball-throwing arm 13, and a loop 24 projecting horizontally from the intermediate portion of said coil. The fastener 21 passes through this loop 24 and is in the form of a screw or bolt. By loosening this fastener, the entire spring 20 may be adjusted longitudinally of the base 6 to vary the point at which it acts against the arm 13, therebysimilarly varying the force with which the arm will be actuated. Then too, the tension at which the spring device is set, will also control the force with which the arm 13 is operated, and such tension may be varied according to the one of the teeth 19 with which the arm 13 is engaged.

A vertically elongated bar 25 has its lower end secured to and embraced by the J-shaped bar 17, the upper portion of said bar 25 constituting a target. When the device is set as in Figs. 1 and 3, striking of the bar 25 with a manually thrown ball, will release the effective tooth 19 from the arm 13, thereby freeing the latter, with the result that it is swung upwardly by the spring 20 to the limit allowed by the arm 13 and the beveled end 9 of the base 6. lVhen this limit is reached, the ball 16 is forcibly projected from the cup 1 5, and by means now to be described, the direction taken by the ball may be varied.

The socket 15 is of substantially hemispherical form and at an cit-center point is connected by a screw or the like 26 with the arm 13. By turning the cup about the screw or the like 26, its open side may be disposed in different directions, thereby controlling the direction in which the ball 16 will be thrown. The cup 15 may be held in adjusted position by friction or it may be tightly clamped by tightening the screw or other fastener 26.

It will be seen from the foregoing that although a rather simple and inexpensive device has been provided, it will be highly desirable for furnishing entertainment and beneficial exercise, as well asfor developing skill both as to accurate pegging or throwing, and catching.

I claim 2- 1. A ball throwing device comprising abase, a ball-throwing arm pivoted to said base, a spring device between the base and the arm and slidably engaging the lower side of the latter at a point spaced from the pivot of the arm, adjusting means securing said spring device to said base and permitting adjustment of the former longitudinally of the latter to vary the distance between the aforesaid point and pivot and releasable means for holding said arm in set position.

2. A ball-throwing device comprising a base, a ball-throwing arm pivoted to said base, a spring device between the base and arm, said spring device comprising a coil having arms at its ends engaging said ballthrowing arm, said coil embodying an elongated loop between its ends contacting with said base, and adjustable fastening means passing through said loop and securing said spring device adjustably to said base.

3. A ball throwing device comprising a base having a notch at one end, a springactuated ball-throwing arm mounted on said base and when in set position having its ballengaging end disposed at said notched end of said base, a J-shaped bar having its bight portion received and pivoted in said notch, the vertical portion of said bar having teeth to hold said arm in set position, and a vertical target bar having its lower end secured to and embraced by said J-shaped bar.

4. A ball throwing device comprising an elongated base, an arched metal bar whose legs straddle said base, means pivoting said legs to the edges of said base near one end of the latter, the crown of said arched bar being spaced above said base, a ball-throwing arm extending between said legs and secured near one of its ends to the lower side of said crown, said one end of said ball-throwing arm bcing adapted to strike said one end of said base to limit the upward swinging of the former, the other end of said ball-throwing arm being provided with a ball holder, spring means mounted between the base and arm for upwardly swinging the latter, and releasable means for normally holding said arm in lowered position.

5. In a ball throwing device, a pivoted arm, a substantially hemi-spherical ball-holding cup, and means for pivotally connecting an off-center portion of the cup bottom with said arm, allowing turning of said cup to present its open side in any of a plurality of directions.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

ELIAS PAINE BLANCHARD.

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