US3754544A

US3754544A - Spring operated ball pitching device

Info

Publication number: US3754544A
Application number: US00155947A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Glaser
Original assignee: GLASER ORG
Current assignee: JAMES DAVID Inc; GLASER ORG
Priority date: 1971-06-23
Filing date: 1971-06-23
Publication date: 1973-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 1990-08-28

Abstract

A ball pitching machine comprising a mounting plate, a shaft extending through said mounting plate, a ball throwing arm fixed on one end of said shaft, a ramp for feeding a ball to said ball throwing arm, there being a tension spring engageable with the other end of said shaft to be stressed when a ball is fed to said throwing arm so that upon release of said spring said throwing arm will be forcefully swung to pitch the ball. An adjustment arm is swingably mounted upon said shaft and engaged to said spring for altering the angle of the axis of the spring to the vertical for providing selected trajectory of the pitched ball. The ball pitching machine is motor driven and has a circuitry for maintaining the motor energized during throwing responsive to spring release.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Glaser SPRING OPERATED BALL PITCHING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Harold Glaser, St. Louis County,

[73] Assignee; The Glaser Organization, St. Louis County, Mo.

22 Filed: .lune 23, 1911 211 Appl. No.: 155,947

[451 Aug. 28, 1973 Ponza 1241'? Goldfarb et al 124/16 [57] ABSTRACT A ball pitching machine comprising a mounting plate, a shaft extending through said mounting plate, a ball throwing arm fixed on one end of said shaft, a ramp for feeding a ball to said ball throwing arm, there being a tension spring engageable with the other end of said shaft to be stressed when a ball is fed to said throwing arm so that upon release of said spring said throwing arm will be forcefully swung to pitch the ball. An adjustment arm is swingably mounted upon said shaft and engaged to said spring for altering the angle of the axis of the spring to the vertical for providing selected trajectory of the pitched ball. The ball pitching machine is motor driven and has a circuitry for maintaining the motor energized during throwing responsive to spring release.

19 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures mzmwmza ma 3.754.544

INVENTOR HAROLD GLASER ATTORNEY mm m FIG. 2

INVENTOR HAROLD GLASER ATTORNEY PATENTEBMIBZB B75 3 754544 INVENTOR HAROLD GLASER ATTORNEY BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to amusement devices and, more particularly, to a baseball pitching machine.

Although the prior art does reveal various patents disclosing efforts at developing a machine for pitching a baseball, heretofore there has not been produced such a machine which is adapted primarily for domestic usage. Machines of this type which have had some use have been primarily of commercial character, being relatively large, heavy complex structures as located at amustment and sport practicing centers. Attempts to develop such a machine which will be sufficiently rugged, versatile, and reliable for individual usage have been consistently unsuccessful with the same demonstrating a marked tendency to ready breakdown, as well as being limited as to variety of pitches.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ball pitching machine which is suitably adapted for individual usage; and which incorporates ball projecting means adapted to impel a ball toward a batsman in a manner immediately simulati ve of game pitched balls so that batting proficiency may be enhanced through usage of the machine. It is another object of the present invention to provide a machine of the character stated which is versatile in usage in that the same incorporates means for readily permitting requisite adjustments so that the delivered ball may describe a' predetermined trajectory.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a machine of the character stated which is motor driven so that an indefinite continuous period of usage is possible and incorporates circuitry for uniquely maintaining the motor energized during throwing responsive to spring release.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a baseball pitching machine which may be designed for either battery operation so as to be fully selfcontained, or for connection to a convenient source of electricity. 7

It is another object of the present invention to provide a machine of the character stated which is' economic in manufacture, which is extremely rugged so as to be resistant to breakdown through hard usage; and which is reliable in operation so as to assure of desired consistency in ball pitching. I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevational view of a ball pitching machine constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 3, being the side opposite that illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 4 -4 of FIG. 2.

' FIG. 5 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4. v

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the adjustment arm and related assembly.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary bottom plan view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a wiring diagram of the circuit of the machine of the present invention as adapted for use with a battery.

FIG. 10 is a wiring diagram of the circuit of the machine of the present invention as adapted for use with a convenient source of electricity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A generally designates a ball pitching machine, normally having an encasing housing but with the same not being shown herein for purposes of facilitating exposition; said machine comprising a mounting plate 1, the rearward portion of which, as at 2, is of segmental configuration to present an arcuate rearward end margin, as at 3, (the rearward side of machine A being to the left hand side of FIG. 1') and with the forward portion being relatively reduced, as at 4. Inwardly of margin 3, plate I has formed therein an arcuated boss b for rigidity. Mounting plate 1 is supported upon a tripodal base, indicated 5, being constructed desirably of tubular stock and formed to present a rearward standard or leg 6 and a pair of opposed forward standards or

legs

7,8; all of which

legs

6, 7, 8 suitably have suction cups, .as at 6',7', 8', respectively, engaged upon their lower extremities to render machine A stable in operative disposition.

Mounting plate I in the upper section of its forward portion 4 is apertured, as at 9, for extension therethrough of a main shaft 10 which projects at its opposite ends laterally beyond mounting plate I. Said shaft 10 beyond the left hand side of mounting plate I (as viewed forwardly from the rearward end thereof) is journalled within a bearing 11 formed on the proximate side wall 12 of a gear box 13 securedon said mounting plate 1 and extends transversely across box 13 for projection through a bearing 14 in the opposite gear box side wall 15.

-Within gear box 13 there is disposed a gear train, indicated broadly 16, for motion transmission to shaft 10 from the drive shaft 17 of an electrical motor 18 mounted upon the forward end portion of gear box 13 (FIGS. 1 and 5) and being connected to a source of electrical power, such as a convenient outlet, or to batteries, shown at 19, and carried within a support 20 suswalls 12,15, respectively, of gear box 13. Stub shaft 24 also mounts a pinion 26 which meshes with a driven gear 27, keyed or otherwise secured, upon a stub shaft 28, axially parallel to stub shaft 24, and supported at its ends in

bearings

29,29 integral with the inner faces or walls 12,15, respectively, of gear box 13. Also carried upon stub shaft 28 is a pinion 30 meshing with a spur gear 31 fixed on a jack shaft 32 journalled within

bearings

33,33 formed with walls 12,15, respectively, of gear box 13. Jack shaft 32 in addition is engaged to a pinion 34 for meshing with a pair of relatively large diametered

spur gears

35,35 being disposed freely upon shaft for rotation thereabout', said

gears

35,35 being spaced apart longitudinally of shaft 10. Fixed upon shaft 10 for rotation therewith and between

gears

35,35, is a collar 36 integrally containing a radially extending finger 37; the latter being of such extent so as to abut a pin 38 extending between

spur gears

35,35, substantially intermediate their radial extent and being fixed at its ends thereto.

Upon energization of motor 18 with gear train 16 in operation,

spur gears

35,35 will be freely rotated about shaft 10; with the latter being contemporaneously stationary until pin 38 is brought into contact with finger 37 whereby shaft 10 is coupled with gear train 16 and hence while so coupled will rotate responsively to rotation of motor drive shaft 17, albeit at a relatively reduced speed by reason of the ratio of the gears in train 16. I

The end of shaft 10 projecting beyondthe side of mounting plate 1 opposite to that bearing gear box 13 extends freely through an opening (not shown) in the forward end of an adjustment arm 39 formed preferably of sheet stock, and having an elongated flat web 40 substantially planarwise parallel to mounting plate 1 and of such length to project beyond the rearward edge margin 3 of plate 1. The upper and lower edges of web 40 are turned outwardly for developing reinforcing

marginal flanges

41,42. At the rearward extremity of arm 39 there is mounted relatively narrow cross piece 43 being planarwise normal to web 40; with its outer side having a forwardly extending flange 45 provided with an opening 46 aligned with an aperture 47 in web 40 for extension therethrough of a shaft 48 which projects at its ends beyond said flange 45 and beyond web 40 of arm 39. Cross piece 43 is fixed as by welding at its end opposite flange 45 to the adjacent portions of arm 39. On its end outwardly of flange 45, shaft 48 mounts a knurled locking knob 49 and on its other end is engaged to. a locking nut 50; said latter having an ear 51 which projects through an opening in web 40 for anchorage thereto (FIG. 7). Opposite ear 51, nut 50 includes an abutment edge 52 for disposition against the confronting portion of mounting plate 1. Upon turning of knob 49 in a tightening manner, adjustment arm 39 will be forced by abutment edge 52 relatively snuggly against mounting plate 1, the latter being sandwiched therebetween, for development of sufficient friction to maintain said arm 39 in selected relation to plate 1. Upon loosening of nut 50, by turning of knob 49 in the other direction, arm 39 is freed for swinging about the pivot axis created by shaft 10 to allow said arm 39 to be moved throughout the arc of the segment established by rearward portion 2 of plate 1. It will be observed that the upper and lower margins of plate 1 are turned outwardly to provide stops s for limiting the are of swing of arm 39, as well as for plate strengthening purposes. Also provided upon shaft 47 immediately inwardly of flange 45 is a series of circumferentially presented projections 48 which prevent displacement of shaft 47 from its journals upon tightening action of tension therethrough of a tension shaft 57 having the rearward and major portion of its length externally threaded, as at 56, for engagement within an internally threaded collar 58 formed on the forward end portion of a generally hollow handle 59. Shaft 57 at its forward end is flattened, as at 60, having an aperture 61 therein accepting a hood 62 provided at the rearward end of a tension spring 63. At its forward or opposite end spring 63 is also provided with a hook 64 for connection to a crank pin 65 mounted at one end of a crank 66 fixed on the adjacent end of shaft 10 for rotation therewith (see FIG. 6).

Upon rotation of shaft 10 through coupling with gear train 16 crank 66 is rotated therewith through substantially an angle of 180 thereby causing spring 63 to be placed in tension with a power potential developed. As crank 66 is carried therebeyond, the tension spring 63 will be released so that the stored energy is available for effecting an immediate increase in the angular velocity of shaft 10 with spring 63 being returned rapidly and forcifully to its starting, relatively unstressed state. The spring of the present invention is of the "over-thecenter type. Shaft 10 will be uncoupled by reason of the release of spring 63 since the increased speed of rotation thereof will pull finger 37 away from pin 38 thus effect disengagement of shaft 10 from gear train 16.

For purposes to be discussed more fully hereinbelow, a timing cam 67 is fixed on shaft 10 proximate crank 66; said 'cam 67 having relatively short and relatively long arcuated

operating portions

68,69, respectively, for engagement with

arms

70,71, respectively, of a normally open switch 72. Said switch 72 is disposed upon a bracket 73 secured to web 40 at the forward end of adjustment arm 39, forwardly of shaft 10. By reason of the differential in lengths, cam portion 68 will be engaged with switch arm 70 for a lesser interval than that within which cam portion 69 and switch arm 71 are in circuit-making condition.

With reference being now made to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that carried on the normally left hand end of shaft 10 is a throwing arm 74, fabricated of any suitable rigid material, such as, for example, molded plastie, and having in its portion adjacent shaft 10, an inclined ball-receiving pocket 75 which is continuous with an upwardly and endwise ball opening trough 76. The term upwardly indicates the position of trough 76 when a ball is received therein. As suggested in FIG. 1 the longitudinal axis of adjustment arm 39 and throwing arm 74 are at a mutual angle of slightly less than In operation, shaft 10, when coupled, is rotated to cause throwing arm 74 to move in a counterclockwise manner, as viewed in FIG. 3, with the direction of travel indicated by an arrow; said throwing arm 74 being presented so that as it moves through its rearward arc, its ball trough 76 will be directed upwardly. Correspondingly, crank 66 will follow a clockwise path as viewed in FIG. 1.

Secured on the upper edge of mounting plate 1, in its rearward portion, is a ball discharge 77 which may be suitably connected to an elongated ball ramp or device (not shown), whereby balls may be arranged in single file for rolling through gravity to discharge 77 in accordance with well known constructions. Said ball discharge 77 includes side walls, as at 78,79, for guidance of a ball, as indicated at 80, and for assuring of the same rolling over a switch arm 81 provided in the floor of discharge 77; said switch arm 81 being engaged to a normally open switch 82 mounted on discharge member 77. Said ball discharge 77 opens at its ball delivery end at the left hand side of mounting plate 1 for transfer of a ball to throw-ing arm 74 as the same moves therepast. An elongated support arm 83 is fixed at its lower end to base 5 and at its upper end carries a transversely arcuate ball retaining bar 84 disposed immediately outwardly of the ball delivery and of ball discharge 77 and at a distance therefrom less than the diameter of ball 80 so that the same will maintain the ball to be thrown at the ball delivery end of ball discharge 77 and in circuit-closing relationship upon switch arm 81 pending the arrival of throwing arm 74. Extending forwardly from the upper end portion of support arm 83 is a rail 85 useful in supporting the housing (not shown).

Turning now to FIG. 9, the circuitry of machine A, as incorporating a battery, will now be described. Motor 18 is connnected on one side by

conductors

86,87 to contact 88 of switch 82 for circuit closure with ball discharge switch arm 81 when a ball is disposed thereon. Switch arm 81 is in circuit through conductor 89 to one side of battery 19, the opposite side of which is connected to motor 18 through a lead 90 within which there is disposed a main or control switch 91. With a ball depressing switch 81 to close switch 82, and with control switch 91 closed, motor 18 is energized to cause rotation of drive shaft with attendant rotation of the gears of gear train 16, and for rotating main shaft 10 when coupled as above described. Conductor 86 is also connected to switch arm 71 of switch 72 which is engageable with cam 69 for circuit closure therethrough; said cam 69 being also connected to ground, as at 92, for establishing the circuit through with battery 19, as the latter is connected to ground at 93. It is to be observed that as switch arm 81, through its inherent bias, swings to open condition, after a ball 80 is delivered therefrom, the circuit through motor 18 will remain closed by reason of engagement between switch arm 71 and cam 69; said cam being of such length as to assure circuit maintenance until the next successive ball has depressed switch arm 81 so as to re-establish a circuit to motor 18 therethrough. The timing cam section 69 is designed to assure circuit closure for the interval during which switch 82 will be opened between ary until

gears

35,35 have been rotated to cause pin 38 to be brought into contact with finger 37 whereupon through continued rotation of

said'gears

35,35 shaft 10 is effectively coupled for rotation therewith. Through this action of shaft 10, crank 66 will be caused to rotate in a clockwise directionas shown in FIG. 1 with a development of tension u'pori spring 63 as the same moves substantially through the first half of a revolution. Concurrently, throwing'arm 74 is being rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 3, moving up inwardly of support arm 83 and between ball discharge 77 and retaining arm 84 for accepting a ball within pocket 75 (see FIG. 3 phamton lines). Throwing arm 74 is so related axially to adjustment arm 39 as to be presented for ball reception, while spring 63 is being stressed. Substantially immediately subsequent to acceptance of ball 80 within throwing arm 74, crank 66 will have been moved so as to place spring 63 under maximum stress and immediately thereupon said spring will have been caused to pass over center and by the consequent discharge of the stored energy will impart a relatively rapid rotative movement to shaft 10 to cause throwing arm 74 to swing upwardly and forwardly under spring influence with ball projection. The rotation of shaft 10 under such spring release action will cause finger 37 to be moved away from, or out of contact with, pin 38 to thereby uncouple shaft 10 from gear train 66. Consequently, shaft will be free of such coupling action until spring 63 'has'been substantially returned to repose conditionand with pin 38 reestablishing contact with the now relatively stationary 7 pin 37 to thereby reinstitute the ball throwing cycle.

successive balls. Cam section 68, which is relatively shorter than companion cam section 69, is contoured and located .on shaft 10 to engage switch arm 70 immediately prior to ball release for causing illumination of a warning lamp 94 disposed at the forward end of mounting plate 1 for signalling to the user the imminence of a pitched ball. A lead 95 connects switch arm 70 to lamp 94 and a conductor 96 extends from the other side of lamp 94 to main lead 90.

The power source for motor 18 may be that provided with the customary electrical outlet, as opposed to the utilization of the batteries. FIG.;10. sets forth a wiring diagram for such purpose. The circuit therein differs from that in FIG. 9 in that a conventional plug 97 replaces battery 19 and in that each

cam

68,69 is connected by a

lead

98,99 respectively, with main conductor 89.

I From the foregoing the operation of the machine A may be readily apparent. With motor 18 energized, as through connection either to batteries 19, or to a convenient electrical outlet, shaft 17 is rotated for instituting operation of gear train 16. Shaft 10 will be station- It is to be particularly observed, by reason of the novelty of the present invention, that motor 18 will remain fully energized continuously despite the periodic'uncoupling of shaft 10 from gear train 16. This result is achieved as follows: the ball to be discharged, that being held by retaining bar 84 and discharge 77 for acceptance by the approaching throwing arm 74, through its own weight will depress switch arm 81 for closing. switch 82 so as to connect motor 18 with its source of power (see FIGS. 9 and 10). When the ball is received by the throwing arm, switch arm 81 through its normal bias will move into switch open condition which would normally open the circuit to motor 18. However, timing cam portion 69, moving with shaft 10, will engage switch arm 71 for closing the circuit at a point immediately prior to the opening of switch 82 and maintain such closure for an interval adequate to permit the next ball to be thrown to move depressingly upon switch arm 81. Accordingly, through the unique interrelationship of

switches

82 and 72, motor 18 is continually energized so as to assure of a continuum of operation of machine A.

Timing cam portion 68 is so located and of such extent as to engage its related switch arm at a predetermined point immediately prior to ball discharge under influence of spring 63 so as to illuminate light 94 for the purpose of altering the individual using the machine that the ball will be shortly discharged.

The user, being one who desires to improve ones baseball batting proficiency, is located at a suitable distance from the forward end of machine A and positioned for swinging a hat. The novel construction of machine A causes the discharged ball to follow a path immediately simulative of that of a thrown ball so thatv the user has the advantage of practicing under conditions closely approximating playing conditions.

The trajectory of the thrown ball by machine A may be selected by the user so that a variety of pitches is available, such as between straight and highly arcuated. The selectivity is controlled by the disposition of adjustment arm 39 with respect to mounting plate 1. Loosening of locking knob 49 will release locking nut 50 so as to allow relative movement of adjustment arm 39 with respect to mounting plate 1. Such positioning will, understandably, control the point at which spring 63 will pass over center and thereby control the particular point in its path of movement, at which throwing arm 74 will release ball 80, so that as adjustment arm 39 is located downwardly of mounting plate 1, the greater will be the arc of the trajectory of the thrown ball since throwing arm 74 will release same at a commensurately higher point in its path of rotation. Correspondingly, if less are is desired, arm 39 will be adjusted relatively upwardly of plate 1 so that arm 74 will be caused to release the ball at a relatively lower point in its path of rotation.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is l. A ball pitching machine comprising a mounting plate, means supporting said mounting plate, a shaft journalled in said mounting plate for extension therethrough, means for rotating said shaft, an elongated resilient member located on one side of said mounting plate, means for connecting one end of said resilient member to the proximate end portion of said'shaft, ball throwing arm engaged to the end of said shaft remote from the end proximate said resilient member for rotation therewith, first means for pivoting said resilient member with respect to said shaft so as to vary upon said mounting plate the position at which a projectile will be released, means maintaining said first means in selected position on said plate, and second means for connecting the other end of said resilient member to said first means.

2. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said shaft further comprises a prime mover, means for intermittently coupling said prime mover and said shaft, and a source of power for said prime mover.

3. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for delivering a ball to said throwing arm further comprising an elongated ball ramp having a discharge end, a normally open first switch pro vided in said ball ramp adjacent said discharge end, third means for connecting said first switch and said source of power, said first switch being movable into circuit closed condition by disposition thereon of a ball to be delivered, and fourth means for maintaining said third circuit means closed when said first switch is openv 4. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for maintaining said third means closed further comprises a second switch connected to said third means, and a switch actuator carried on said shaft for closing said second switch during a predetermined arc of travel of said shaft.

5. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 4 wherein a signal device is provided on said machine, a third switch connected to said third means, means connecting said signal device to said third switch, a second switch actuator carried on said shaft for closing said third switch in predetermined timed relationship to delivery of a ball to said throwing arm for energizing said signal device to indicate the imminency of ball throwing to the user; i

6. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 5 wherein said signal device is a lamp.

7. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said means connecting said one end of said resilient member to said shaft comprises a crank fixed on said shaft for rotation therewith, and said resilient member being connected to said crank whereby said resilient member is adapted to be stressed during the rotation of said shaft through substantially the first half of its normal revolution.

8. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said shaft comprising a drive shaft journalled in said mounting plate, a prime mover, means interconnecting said prime mover and said drive shaft, a gear train engageable with said drive shaft, and means for effecting coupling of said gear train with said drive shaft.

9. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means connecting the other end of said resilient member to said first means comprises a spring tensioning device.

10. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said second means connecting the other end of said resilient member to said first means comprises a tension shaft connected at one end to said other end of said resilient member, and means threadedly engaging the opposite end of said tension shaft to said first means.

11. A ball pitching machine comprising a vertically disposed mounting plate, means supporting said mounting plate, a shaft journalled in said mounting plate for extension therethrough, means for rotating said shaft, an adjustment arm, said adjustment arm having a pivotal path of movement describing a plane substantially in parallel relationship to the plane formed by said mounting plate and said adjustment arm being positioned on one side therof, said adjustment arm being swingably mounted at one of its ends on said shaft, an elongated tension spring overlying said adjustment arm and movable therewith, means for connecting one end of said spring to said shaft, means for connecting the other end of said spring to said adjustment arm remote at a position from said shaft, and means for securing said adjustment ann in selected positions of swing relative to said mounting plate.

12. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 11 further comprising a ball throwing arm, a means for delivering a ball, said ball delivering means comprising a ball discharge mounted on the upper portion of said mounting plate and being inclined toward the side thereof upon which said throwing arm is provided, a ball retaining bar located laterally outwardly of said ball discharge for cooperating therewith to maintain a ball pending acceptance thereof by said throwing arm.

13. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said a ball throwing arm is fixed to the end of said shaft remote from said end thereof connected to I said tension spring, the longitudinal axes of said throwing arm and said adjustment arm being at a predetermined angle.

14. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 13 wherein the angle formed by the longitudinal axes of said throwing arm and said adjustment arm being slightly less than 180.

15. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said means connecting one end of said spring to said shaft comprises a crank fixed at one end thereof to one end of said shaft adjacent the shafts connection to said adjustment arm, and said one end of said spring being connected to the other end of crank.

16. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said means connecting the other end of said spring to said adjustment arm including spring tensioning control means for controlling the tension in the spring.

17. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said means connecting the other end of said spring comprises a tension shaft connected at one end to said other end of said spring, means threadedly engaging the other end of said tension shaft to said adjustment arm.

18. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 17 wherein said tension shaft is axially aligned with said elongated tension spring prior to projection of a ball said means connecting one end of said spring to said shaft having a crank fixed upon said shaft for rotation therewith and said crank being connected to said one end of said spring.

19. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 18 wherein said means for rotating said shaft comprises a prime mover, a drive shaft journalled in said mounting plate, means connecting said prime mover to said drive shaft for rotation of the latter upon energization of said prime mover, a gear train operatively connected to said drive shaft for power transmission, and coupling means for connecting said shaft to said gear train during a predetermined period of rotation of said shaft.

222 3 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,754,5 4 Dated August 28, 1973" Inventor( HAROLD GLASER n the above-identified patent It is certified that error appears i 5 shown below:

and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected a 5- CLAIM 1, line 31, after "shaft," insert -'-first means .1

for pivoting said resilient member with respect to said shaft so as to vary upon said mounting plate the position at which a projectile will be released,---,

CLAIM 1, line 31, before "ball" insert -'a---;

CLAIM 1, line 34, delete "first means for pivoting said resilient-"j Y i CLAIM l, delete

lines

35 and 36;

CLAIM I, delete "will be released," from line 37.

CLAIM 3,. line 56, after "third" and before "means" delete "circuit".

CLAIM 11, line 48, after "position" and before "from" insert -'-remote'--. CLAIM 13,, line 61, after "said" and before "ball",

delete "a" Signed and sealed this 18th day of December 1973.

(SEAL) Attest;

EDWARD M'. FLET0H R, JR. RENE D. TEGTMEIER Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A ball pitching machine comprising a mounting plate, means supporting said mounting plate, a shaft journalled in said mounting plate for extension therethrough, means for rotating said shaft, an elongated resilient member located on one side of said mounting plate, means for connecting one end of said resilient member to the proximate end portion of said shaft, ball throwing arm engaged to the end of said shaft remote from the end proximate said resilient member for rotation therewith, first means for pivoting said resilient member with respect to said shaft so as to vary upon said mounting plate the position at which a projectile will be released, means maintaining said first means in selected position on sAid plate, and second means for connecting the other end of said resilient member to said first means.

3. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for delivering a ball to said throwing arm further comprising an elongated ball ramp having a discharge end, a normally open first switch provided in said ball ramp adjacent said discharge end, third means for connecting said first switch and said source of power, said first switch being movable into circuit closed condition by disposition thereon of a ball to be delivered, and fourth means for maintaining said third circuit means closed when said first switch is open.

4. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for maintaining said third means closed further comprises a second switch connected to said third means, and a switch actuator carried on said shaft for closing said second switch during a predetermined arc of travel of said shaft.

5. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 4 wherein a signal device is provided on said machine, a third switch connected to said third means, means connecting said signal device to said third switch, a second switch actuator carried on said shaft for closing said third switch in predetermined timed relationship to delivery of a ball to said throwing arm for energizing said signal device to indicate the imminency of ball throwing to the user.

11. A ball pitching machine comprising a vertically disposed mounting plate, means supporting said mounting plate, a shaft journalled in said mounting plate for extension therethrough, means for rotating said shaft, an adjustment arm, said adjustment arm having a pivotal path of movement describing a plane substantially in parallel relationship to the plane formed by said mounting plate and said adjustment arm being positioned on one side therof, said adjustment arm being swingably mounted at one of its ends on said shaft, an elongated tension spring overlying said adjustment arm and movable therewith, means for connecting one end of said spring to said shaft, means for connecting the other end of said spring to said adjustment arm remote at a position from said shaft, and means for securing said adjustment arm in selected positions of swing relative to said mounting plate.

13. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said a ball throwing arm is fixed to the end of said shaft remote from said end thereof connected to said tension spring, the longitudinal axes of said throwing arm and said adjustment arm being at a predetermined angle.

14. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 13 wherein the angle formed by the longitudinal axes of said throwing arm and said adjustment arm being slightly less than 180*.

15. A ball pitching machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said means connecting one end of said spring to said shaft comprises a crank fixed at one end thereof to one end of said shaft adjacent the shaft''s connection to said adjustment arm, and said one end of said spring being connected to the other end of crank.