GB439647A - Improvements in and relating to apparatus for use in practising ball games - Google Patents

Abstract

439,647. Game apparatus. WELLS, R. E., 1, Kenya Flats, Split Road, Mosman, near Sydney, Australia. July 2, 1934, No. 19465. Convention date, July 14, 1933. [Class 132 (ii)] Apparatus for use in practising ball games comprises a pivoted delivery arm for receiving balls one at a time, means for imparting intermittent and complete rotary movement to said arm in a vertical plane, means for accelerating the intermittent movement imparted to the arm, means for imparting spin to the ball, and means for abruptly interrupting the accelerated movement for projecting the ball from the delivery arm. The ball carrying arm 20 is secured to the shaft 17 driven from the electric motor 15 through the belt 18 pulley 19, and non-positive friction clutch 26. During its rotation the arm 20 is stopped by the resilient catch 27, a ball 22 is fed in known automatic manner from the hopper 21 to the end of the arm 20 through gearing driven by the electric motor and the shaft 17 and arm 20 receive an adjustable rapid acceleration through the clutch 50, cam member 48 and cord or wire 53 actuated by means released by mechanism driven from the motor 15. The rotation of the arm 20 is abruptly interrupted, by the arm 33 fast on the shaft 17 contacting with the resilient members 31 32 mounted on the drum 28 loose on the shaft 17, to project the ball. The pitch of the ball can be varied by rotating the crank handle 36 to rotate the worm 35 engaging the peripheral ring gear 34 on the drum 28. The arm continues its rotation until again stopped by the catch 27. Top-spin is imparted to the ball by moving the adjustable stud 38 into the path of the multi-armed rotatable member 39 connected by pulley 41 and cord 43 to pulley 45. Break is imparted to the ball by moving the stud 38 into the path of one or other of the arms of the rotatable member 40 connected by pulley 42 and cord 44 to pulley 47 fast with the ball receiving cup member 46. Means may be provided for varying the intervals elapsing between projection of the balls. The balls may be placed in the arm 20 by hand and the shaft 17 may be rotated manually. The apparatus is mounted on a circular platform 9, partly rotatable through the pinion 11 and toothed rack 13 on the bed 10 constituting a portable base. Channels may be provided around the wicket at which the balls are projected to return them by gravity to the base of the apparatus.