Ball-juggling robot

Abstract

An amusement device, comprising two cooperating units. Each unit is equipped with a net for catching an incoming airborne ball, and a launcher for launching the ball, once caught. The two devices, if properly programmed, can juggle two, or more, balls.

1 . A ball launching device, comprising: 
 a) a free-standing station from which balls are launched;    b) a free-standing receiver for receiving an airborne ball and diverting the ball toward the station; and    c) an ejector for ejecting a ball located at the station upward into the air.    
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is effective to divert airborne balls arriving from multiple directions.  
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 2 , wherein said multiple directions span a horizontal angle exceeding 60 degrees.  
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 2 , wherein said multiple directions span a vertical angle exceeding 60 degrees.  
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein said receiver is effective to divert a table tennis ball, but is ineffective to divert a golf ball.  
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein said receiver is effective to divert incoming balls which have been airborne for a distance exceeding 15 feet.  
     
     
         7 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein said receiver cannot receive ground-borne rolling balls.  
     
     
         8 . A ball launching device, comprising: 
 a) a station from which balls are launched;    b) a net for catching airborne balls and directing caught balls to the station;    c) a launcher for launching balls held at the station into the air; and    d) a control system for detecting arrival of a ball at the station, and triggering the launcher in response, wherein the device is effective to (i) launch a ball into contact with a vertical wall located about two feet away, (ii) catch the ball after it rebounds off the wall, and (iii) repeat steps (i) and (ii).    
     
     
         9 . An amusement device, comprising: 
 a) a miniature vehicle;    b) a basket on the vehicle for catching an airborne ball; and    c) a launcher for launching balls caught by the basket.    
     
     
         10 . Device according to  claim 9 , wherein the vehicle is constrained to follow a predetermined path during movement.  
     
     
         11 . Device according to  claim 9 , and further comprising: 
 d) a detector for detecting the presence of a ball caught by the basket and launching the ball in response.    
     
     
         12 . Device according to  claim 9 , and further comprising: 
 d) a second basket for catching balls launched by the launcher; and    e) a second launcher for launching balls caught by the second launcher.    
     
     
         14 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiver has a capture cross section of about 150 square inches.