Ball tossing apparatus and method

Abstract

A ball tossing apparatus includes a support frame and a plurality of launch devices fixed to the support frame and arranged in a two-dimensional array. The launch devices include cylinders having a spring fixed therein, with a ball carrier fixed to the spring. The balls are retained in a loaded position (springs compressed) and then upon activation of the launch devices are launched vertically into the air to the sports player. A method for launching the balls includes the steps of loading the balls into a two dimensional array, and then launching the balls according to a launch sequence. An electronic control system for use with the ball tossing apparatus includes a launch module for launching the loaded balls in the plurality of launch devices according to a launch sequence. The launch sequences can be randomly generated, programmed by the sports player, or retrieved from memory. The launch of the balls can also be controlled remotely.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A ball tossing apparatus, comprising: 
 a support frame; and    a plurality of launch devices fixed to said support frame, said launch devices arranged in a two-dimensional array.    
     
     
         2 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said launch devices comprises: 
 a biasing member for projecting said ball from said launch device; and    a release device for retaining said biasing member in a loaded position, and for releasing said biasing member to project said ball.    
     
     
         3 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said biasing member comprises at least one spring.  
     
     
         4 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one launch device comprises a cylinder having a coil spring disposed therein.  
     
     
         5 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one launch device further comprises a carrier coupled to said coil spring.  
     
     
         6 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein each said carrier further includes at least one engaging structure adapted to engage said release device.  
     
     
         7 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said carrier further includes a plurality of said engaging structures, thereby facilitating multiple loaded positions of said carrier.  
     
     
         8 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one launch device further includes a cup, having a conical interior surface, coupled to said coil spring for carrying balls of varying diameters.  
     
     
         9 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said conical interior surface of said cup comprises a plurality of stepped rings.  
     
     
         10 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said launch devices are disposed to launch said balls substantially vertically.  
     
     
         11 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said support frame includes a top deck defining openings through which said balls are projected.  
     
     
         12 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said launch devices are disposed below said top deck at least when in a loaded position.  
     
     
         13 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said support frame further includes a base and sides, said base and sides together with said top deck defining an interior of said support frame, at least a portion of which is adapted for ball storage.  
     
     
         14 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said top deck is rectangular.  
     
     
         15 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle, coupled to said support frame, to facilitate transportation of said ball tossing apparatus.  
     
     
         16 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said support frame is recessed in a floor of a permanent structure.  
     
     
         17 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said support frame includes indicia of a baseball home plate.  
     
     
         18 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the position of said indicia is adjustable.  
     
     
         19 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including an electronic control system comprising: 
 a processing unit for executing data and code; and    memory for storing data and code, said code including a launch module for sequentially activating said plurality of launch devices.    
     
     
         20 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 19 , further including a user interface for receiving input from a user.  
     
     
         21 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said user interface comprises a keypad.  
     
     
         22 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said user interface comprises a remote control, whereby said balls may be sequentially launched remotely.  
     
     
         23 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said launch module, responsive to instructions from a user, is operative to execute one of a plurality of predetermined launch sequences.  
     
     
         24 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said launch module, responsive to instructions from said user, is operative to receive and store a launch sequence input by said user.  
     
     
         25 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein said launch module, responsive to instructions from said user, is operative to execute said launch sequence input by said user.  
     
     
         26 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said code further includes a random sequence generator operative to generate a random launch sequence.  
     
     
         27 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said code further includes at least one predefined launch sequence.  
     
     
         28 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said code further includes a random sequence generator for generating a random launch sequence.  
     
     
         29 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein: 
 said code further comprises at least one predefined launch sequence; and    said control system further includes a user interface to enable a user to select between a predefined launch sequence and a random launch sequence.    
     
     
         30 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein said user interface further enables said user to input a launch sequence.  
     
     
         31 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein: 
 said control system further includes a user input device for receiving launch instructions from a user; and    said launch module responsive to each received launch instruction is operative to activate a single one of said launch devices.    
     
     
         32 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein said launch module responsive to each subsequently received launch instruction is operative to activate a next one of said launch devices according to a predetermined launch sequence.  
     
     
         33 . A ball tossing apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein said launch module responsive to each subsequently received launch instruction is operative to activate a next one of said launch devices depending on a value of said subsequently received launch instruction.  
     
     
         34 . A method for sequentially launching a plurality of balls, said method comprising: 
 loading said plurality of balls into a corresponding plurality of launch devices arranged in a two-dimensional array; and    launching said balls according to a launch sequence.    
     
     
         35 . A method for sequentially launching a plurality of balls according to  claim 34 , wherein said step of loading said plurality of balls includes loading each of said balls in one of a plurality of loaded positions, each of said loaded positions corresponding to a different launch height.  
     
     
         36 . A method for sequentially launching a plurality of balls according to  claim 34 , wherein said step of launching said balls includes selecting said launch sequence.  
     
     
         37 . A method for sequentially launching a plurality of balls according to  claim 36 , wherein said step of selecting said launch sequence includes receiving said launch sequence from a user.  
     
     
         38 . A method for sequentially launching a plurality of balls according to  claim 37 , wherein said step of receiving said launch sequence from said user includes storing said launch sequence for later retrieval.  
     
     
         39 . A method for sequentially launching a plurality of balls according to  claim 37 , wherein said step of selecting said launch sequence includes generating a random launch sequence.  
     
     
         40 . A method for sequentially launching a plurality of balls according to  claim 36 , wherein said step of selecting said launch sequence includes retrieving a predefined launch sequence from a plurality of predefined launch sequences.  
     
     
         41 . A method for sequentially launching a plurality of balls according to  claim 40 , wherein said step of retrieving a predefined launch sequence from memory includes retrieving a predefined launch sequence previously input by a user.  
     
     
         42 . A method for sequentially launching a plurality of balls according to  claim 34 , wherein said step of launching said balls further includes, launching each of said balls upon receipt of a separate user input launch instruction.  
     
     
         43 . A method for sequentially launching a plurality of balls according to  claim 42 , wherein said launch instructions are generated remotely.  
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein said launch sequence is determined according to values of user input launch instructions received prior to the launch of each of said balls.  
     
     
         45 . A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of  claim 34 .  
     
     
         46 . A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of  claim 35 .  
     
     
         47 . A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of  claim 36 .  
     
     
         48 . A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of  claim 37 .  
     
     
         49 . A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of  claim 38 .  
     
     
         50 . A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of  claim 39 .  
     
     
         51 . A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of  claim 40 .  
     
     
         52 . A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of  claim 41 .  
     
     
         53 . A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of  claim 42 .  
     
     
         54 . A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of  claim 43 .  
     
     
         55 . A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of  claim 44 .  
     
     
         56 . A ball tossing apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of ball launch devices arranged in a two-dimensional array; and    means for sequentially activating said launch devices.