Ball feeding device

Abstract

A ball feeding device is disclosed that includes a trigger and feeder disposed at least partially inside a housing. The trigger may be actuated by simulating the athletic motion required to propel an athletic projectile such as a baseball, tennis ball or hockey puck by striking a wand or disrupting a beam. The feeder is actuated by the trigger to introduce an athletic projectile into a propelling device. A control member assists in reducing premature or multiple projection of projectiles for each trigger activation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for feeding an athletic projectile into a propelling device comprising: 
 a) a tube;    b) a trigger disposed near the tube adapted to be actuated by simulating the motion used to propel the projectile;    c) a feeder disposed adjacent the propelling device and actuated by the trigger;    d) a control actuated by the feeder to limit the number of projectiles that are introduced into the propelling device.    
     
     
         2 . A method for feeding athletic projectiles into a propelling device comprising the steps of: 
 a) loading a projectile into feeder;    b) simulating a motion for propelling an athletic projectile;    c) tripping a trigger by the simulated motion;    d) activating a control member to allow a projectile into the propelling device and to prevent any other projectile from entering the propelling device; and    e) projecting the projectile.