AU2011201481A1

AU2011201481A1 - Ball launching apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2011201481A1
Application number: AU2011201481A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Yan
Original assignee: Alvin Int Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ALVIN INTERNATIONAL Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-01
Filing date: 2011-04-01
Publication date: 2012-10-18
Also published as: AU2011265559A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a ball launching apparatus comprising a body having a ball loading member coupled thereto and at least one aperture to 5 receive a ball therethrough, a drive means housed within the body and a lever coupled to the drive means, the lever moveable between a first position and a second position to launch the ball from the apparatus. ( II

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: "BALL LAUNCHING APPARATUS" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: TITLE BALL LAUNCHING APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to a sports apparatus and in particular, sports training apparatus and equipment. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a ball launching apparatus. However, the apparatus can be used for launching balls other than tennis balls. 10 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION As leisure and sporting activities are becoming increasingly competitive, people are striving to discover new ways to learn a sport and/or further develop their existing skills. Thus, there have been many devices developed to assist with this purpose. 15 An example of such a device in the tennis arena is ball serving and launching machines. These machines are largely targeted at professional and serious tennis players and coaching personnel to assist a player to improve their stroke style, power and/or accuracy. The machines currently on the market are typically expensive, large and cumbersome, not very portable 20 and can be quite complex in their construction. Thus, these machines often do not provide a suitable solution to all sports people. For example, amateur, social and junior tennis players would not readily be able to access such machines and therefore miss out on the benefits provided by such machines. 25 In this specification, the terms "comprises", "comprising" or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an 2 apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 5 It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide a ball launching apparatus for automatically launching balls, and in particular tennis balls, that addresses or at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art. It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide a ball 10 launching apparatus which can launch balls within a limited range of the apparatus. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally, embodiments of the present invention relate to a ball 15 launching apparatus and in particular, a tennis ball launching apparatus. According to one aspect, although not necessarily the broadest or only aspect, embodiments of the present invention reside in a ball launching apparatus comprising: a body having a ball loading member coupled thereto and at least one 20 aperture to receive a ball therethrough; a drive means housed within the body; and a lever coupled to the drive means, the lever moveable between a first position and a second position to launch the ball from the apparatus. Preferably, the drive means is a motorised drive means.

3 Preferably, the drive means comprises a housing having an electric motor and a gear assembly housed therein. Preferably, the electric motor is battery operated. Preferably, a drive wheel rotatably mounted outside the housing, the 5 spindle driven by the gear assembly. Preferably, the lever is pivotally mounted to the drive means via a spindle. Preferably, the drive wheel is coupled to a spindle protruding through the housing. 10 Preferably, the drive wheel periodically engages the lever. Preferably, a biasing means having one end coupled to the lever and an opposing end coupled to the housing. Preferably, the biasing means biases the lever in the first position. Preferably, the drive means moves the lever from the first position to 15 the second position via the drive wheel. Preferably, the biasing means returns the lever from the second position to the first position to launch the ball. Preferably, the ball loading member is removeably coupled to the body of the apparatus. 20 Preferably, the body comprises a projection to couple the loading member to the body. Preferably, the ball loading member comprises a hollow shaft for coupling to the body and a helical ramp connected thereto. Preferably, the ball loading member is modular such that two or more 4 ball loading members can be stacked one on top of the other. Preferably, the body comprises a first aperture to receive the ball from the helical ramp of the ball loading member. Preferably, the body comprises a collar at least partially surrounding 5 the first aperture. Preferably, the body comprises a ramp for feeding the ball into a launching zone. Preferably, the launching zone comprises a second aperture through which the ball exits the apparatus. 10 Suitably, the lever includes a wedge comprising a wall to prevent the ball entering the launching zone. Suitably, the wedge comprises a curved surface to receive the ball thereon. Suitably, the drive means is operated via a switch. 15 Preferably, the apparatus further comprises an indicator. Suitably, the indicator is in the form of an LED light. Suitably, the indicator is activated via a switch. Preferably, the apparatus is stabilised on a ground surface via at least one adjustable foot. 20 Preferably, adjustment of the at least one foot changes the angle of inclination of the apparatus. Suitably, the adjustable foot has a rubber pad. Suitably, the body of the apparatus comprises a first half portion and a second half portion joined together.

5 In another aspect, although not necessarily the broadest or only aspect, embodiments of the present invention reside in a ball launching apparatus comprising: a body having at least one aperture to receive a ball therethrough; 5 a drive means housed within the body; and a lever coupled to the drive means, the lever moveable between a first position and a second position to launch the ball from the apparatus. Further features and forms of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. 10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like 15 reference numbers refer to identical elements. The drawings are provided by way of example only, wherein: FIG 1 is an upward perspective view of the ball launching apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention; FIG 2 is a rear exploded view of components of the ball launching 20 apparatus of FIG 1 according to embodiments of the present invention; and FIG 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ball launching apparatus of FIG 1 showing the internal structure of the apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention.

6 Skilled addressees will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the relative dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be distorted to help improve understanding of embodiments of 5 the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to a ball launching apparatus which can launch balls, and in particular tennis 10 balls, within a limited range of the apparatus. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can be used to launch different types of balls for varying purposes and applications. It will be appreciated that variations to the apparatus may need to be made as required. 15 Referring to FIG 1, a tennis ball launching apparatus 100 is provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The ball launching apparatus 100 comprises a body 2 having a ball loading member 1 coupled thereto. The ball launching apparatus is battery operated, which contributes to the portability of the apparatus 100. A battery pack 7 can be fitted at a 20 bottom of the body 2 of the apparatus. It will be acknowledged that in alternative embodiments the apparatus 100 can be powered by any other suitable means, such as alternating current. According to some embodiments, the ball loading member 1 can be removeably coupled to the body 2 of the apparatus 100. The ball loading 7 member comprises a shaft 4 having an upper end 4a and a lower end 4b. The lower end 4b of the shaft 4 has an aperture (not illustrated) which receives a projection 2a provided at a top of the body 2 to couple the ball loading member 1 to the body 2. 5 The ball loading member 1 comprises a helical ramp 3 connected tot eh shaft 4for feeding one or more balls into the apparatus. Preferably, the length of the helical ramp is sufficient to support a plurality of balls to be fed into the apparatus. The ball loading member 1 is modular. According to some embodiments, the ball loading member 1 is stackable such that one or 10 more additional ball loading members 1 can be coupled to the ball loading member 1 by positioning an aperture provided in shaft 4 of a second ball loading member over the upper end 4a of the ball loading member 1. It will be appreciated that upper end 4a is the same in size as projection 2a. This reduces intervention by the user to re-stock the ball launching apparatus. 15 Hence, numerous ball loading members 1 can be stacked one on top of the other in any order to increase the number of balls that can be automatically fed into the apparatus 100. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, it is envisaged that the ball loading member 1 can be omitted from the apparatus 100. 20 Referring to FIG 1, the ball launching apparatus 100 comprises a cover 6 removeably attached to the body 2 which is adapted to prevent foreign material or objects such as grass, sand, dirt or the like, from entering the body 2 of the apparatus 100. In the event any foreign material or objects do enter the body 2, the cover 6 can be removed to allow access to remove 8 the foreign material or objects from inside the body 2 of the apparatus 100. According to some embodiments, the body 2 of the apparatus 10 is stabilised on a ground surface via at least one adjustable foot 5 provided on a underside of the body 2. Preferably, the body 2 has at least two and 5 optionally four adjustable feet 5 whereby a foot 5 is located about at each corner of the body 2. Preferably, the shape of the feet is conducive to the overall stability of the apparatus 100. As illustrated in FIG 2, the feet 5 have a rubber pad 28 provided on the feet 5 to enhance the ability of the feet 5 to grip an underlying ground surface. Adjustment of the at least one foot 10 changes the angle of inclination of the apparatus 100. Referring now to FIG 2, the body 2 of the ball launching apparatus 100 is formed of a first half portion 8 and a second half portion 9 which are joined together to form the body 2. The second half portion 9 comprises a plurality of apertures 9a which are adapted to receive a fastener 15 therethrough to secure the second half portion 9 to the first half portion 8. The body 2 comprises at least one aperture to receive a ball therethrough. A first aperture 29 is located at a top of the body 2 to receive a ball from the ramp 3 of the ball loading member 1. A collar 30 is provided on the body which at least partially surrounds the first aperture 29 to prevent the ball from 20 falling out of the apparatus 100 as the balls exit the ball loading member 1. Once the ball enters the body 2 of the apparatus 100 it rolls down an internal inclined ramp 31 under the force of gravity to a launching zone 32 ready to be launched from the ball launching apparatus 100. A second aperture 33 is provided in the launching zone 32 through which the ball can exit the 9 apparatus 100. According to some embodiments, a drive means 10 is housed within the body 2 of the ball launching apparatus 100. One or more projections 11 extend from an interior of the first half portion 8 which are adapted to be 5 received within a lug-like projection 10a (shown more clearly in FIG 3) provided on the drive means 10 to secure the drive means inside the body 2 of the apparatus 100. The drive means 10 is activated via a switch 25 provided on the body 2 of the apparatus 100. Preferably, the switch 25 is in the form of a button or rocker switch which is movable between an on 10 position and an off position to activate and de-active the drive means 10 respectively. In further embodiments of the invention, it is envisaged that any other suitable activation mechanism, such as a rod switch or push-button switch, may also be employed. According to some embodiments, an indicator 12 is provided on the 15 body 2 of the apparatus 100 to indicate when the ball launching apparatus 100 is in operation to ensure any person in the vicinity of the apparatus 100 can move to a safe distance from the apparatus 100. Preferably, the indicator 12 is in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED). Suitably, the LED is activated via a switch 13. 20 Referring now to FIG 3, the drive means 10 is preferably a motorised drive means 10 comprising an electric motor 16. The electric motor is preferably battery operated. However, it is envisaged that any other suitable drive means could also be adopted. The motor 16 is mounted within a housing 17 which also houses a gear assembly 18 of the drive means 10.

10 According to some embodiments, the motor 16 drives a worm gear 15 of the gear assembly 18 to rotate which in turn drives a plurality of gears 14. A drive wheel 27 is rotatably mounted outside the housing 17. The drive wheel is coupled to a spindle 34 protruding through an aperture 35 in the housing 17. 5 The spindle is coupled to and driven by gear assembly 18. According to some embodiments, the ball launching apparatus 100 comprises a lever 20 pivotally mounted to the drive means 10 via spindle 24 mounted outside the housing 17, whereby the lever 20 is movable between a first position and a second position to launch the ball from the apparatus 100. 10 The drive wheel 27 periodically engages the lever 20 as the drive wheel 27 rotates. A biasing means 22 is provided to bias the lever 20 in the first position. The lever 20 comprises a wedge 21 having a wall 36 to prevent the ball on the ramp 31 from entering the launching zone 32 and a curved surface for receiving the ball thereon. Preferably, the biasing means 22 is in 15 the form of a helical spring which is coupled at one end to the lever 20 and coupled at an opposing end to the housing 17. In particular, the drive wheel 27 comprises one or more projections 19 which engages the lever 20. Lever 20 pivots about a pivot point 34. As the drive wheel 27 rotates, projection 19 temporarily engages the lever 20 on a 20 first side of the pivot point forcing the first side of the lever 20 in an upward direction and a second end of lever 20 in a downward direction. This increases potential energy in the biasing means 22. As the drive wheel 27 is rotated further by drive means 10, the potential energy in the spring increases as the lever is driven upwardly. As the lever 20 reaches its second 11 position, projection 19 of the drive wheel disengages lever 20. Potential energy stored in biasing means 22 is released and biasing means 22 rapidly returns the first side of lever 20 to the first position. The second side of the lever 20 comprising wedge 21 thus launches the ball through the aperture 5 33. Hence, the drive means 10 moves the lever 20 from a first position to a second position allowing the ball to drop down onto the curved surface of the wedge 21 of the lever 20. The biasing means 22 returns the lever 20 from a second position back to a first position to launch the ball from the ball 10 launching apparatus 100. Hence, the ball launching apparatus 100 of the present invention thus provides a solution to the aforementioned problems of the prior art by providing a ball launching apparatus 100 which can launch balls within a limited range of the apparatus. The portable compact nature of the ball 15 launching apparatus 100, allows for efficient storage and transportation of the ball launching apparatus 100 as required. The ball launching apparatus 100 is strong, durable and can be manufactured at a relatively low cost. All components can also be easily dissembled for cleaning or replacement of parts. 20 Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A ball launching apparatus comprising: a body having a ball loading member coupled thereto and at least one 5 aperture to receive a ball therethrough; a drive means housed within the body; and a lever coupled to the drive means, the lever moveable between a first position and a second position to launch the ball from the apparatus. 10

2. The ball launching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive means is a motorised drive means.

3. The ball launching apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the drive means comprises a housing having an electric motor and a gear 15 assembly housed therein.

4. The ball launching apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electric motor is battery operated. 20

5. The ball launching apparatus of claim 3 or claim 4, further comprising a drive wheel rotatably mounted outside the housing.

6. The ball launching apparatus of claim 5, wherein the drive wheel is coupled to a spindle protruding through an aperture in the housing, 13 the spindle driven by the gear assembly.

7. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the lever is pivotally mounted to the drive means via a spindle. 5

8. The ball launching apparatus of any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the drive wheel periodically engages the lever.

9. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, further 10 comprising a biasing means having one end coupled to the lever and an opposing end coupled to the housing.

10. The ball launching apparatus of claim 9, wherein the biasing means biases the lever in the first position. 15

11. The ball launching apparatus of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the drive means moves the lever from the first position to the second position via the drive wheel. 20

12. The ball launching apparatus of any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the biasing means returns the lever from the second position to the first position to launch the ball.

13. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the ball 14 loading member is removeably coupled to the body of the apparatus.

14. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises a projection to couple the ball loading member to the 5 body.

15. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the ball loading member comprises a hollow shaft for coupling to the body and a helical ramp connected thereto. 10

16. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the ball loading member is modular such that two or more ball loading members can be stacked one on top of the other. 15

17. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises a first aperture to receive the ball from the helical ramp of the ball loading member.

18. The ball launching apparatus of claim 17, wherein the body comprises 20 a collar at least partially surrounding the first aperture.

19. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises a ramp for feeding the ball into a launching zone. 15

20. The ball launching apparatus of claim 19, wherein the launching zone comprises a second aperture through which the ball to exit the apparatus. 5

21. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the lever includes a wedge comprising a wall to prevent the ball entering the launching zone.

22. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the 10 wedge comprise a curved surface to receive the ball thereon.

23. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the drive means is operated via a switch. 15

24. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising an indicator.

25. The ball launching apparatus of claim 24, wherein the indicator is in the form of an LED light. 20

26. The ball launching apparatus of claim 24 or 25, wherein the indicator is activated via a switch.

27. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the 16 apparatus is stabilised on a ground surface via at least one adjustable foot.

28. The ball launching apparatus of claim 27, wherein adjustment of the 5 at least one foot changes the angle of inclination of the apparatus.

29. The ball launching apparatus of claim 27 or 28, wherein the adjustable foot has a rubber pad. 10

30. The ball launching apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the body of the apparatus comprises a first half portion and a second half portion joined together.

31. A ball launching apparatus comprising: 15 a body having at least one aperture to receive a ball therethrough; a drive means housed within the body; and a lever coupled to the drive means, the lever moveable between a first position and a second position to launch the ball from the apparatus. 20

32. A ball launching apparatus as substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.