Apparatus for providing a controlled propulsion of elements toward a receiving member

Abstract

A transmitter disposed on the hand of an individual sends signals when a switch also disposed on the individual's hand is manually actuated between first and second states. The switch may be disposed on one of the individual's fingers and the transmitter may be formed from integrated circuits and may be disposed on the individual's wrist. The signals from the transmitter are received by apparatus which propels elements (e.g. balls) toward the individual. The individual then attempts to hit the element with a member such as a bat.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In combination for propelling an element, 
 a switch carried by an individual and manually actuable between first and second states of operations,    a transmitter carried by the individual and connected to the switch for transmitting signals upon the manual operation of the switch between the first and second states of operation,    a propulsion mechanism displaced from the switch and the transmitter and constructed to propel the element upon actuation, and    a receiver disposed in the propulsion mechanism and energizable by the signals from the transmitter for providing an actuation of the propulsion mechanism to obtain the propulsion of the element by the propulsion mechanism.    
     
     
         2 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 the switch being disposed on a finger of the individual.    
     
     
         3 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 the transmitter being disposed on a wrist of the individual.    
     
     
         4 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 a member held by the individual for impacting the element propelled by the propulsion mechanism.    
     
     
         5 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 a sequence of elements are provided and wherein 
 the propulsion mechanism is constructed to propel each successive one of the elements in the sequence upon each successive actuation of the switch between the first and second states.  
 
 
     
     
         6 . In a combination for use by an individual, 
 a switch disposed on a first limb of the individual for actuation by the individual manually between first and second states, and    a transmitter disposed on a second limb of the individual and connected to the switch for transmitting signals upon each actuation of the switch between the first and second states.    
     
     
         7 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 6  wherein 
 the switch is disposed on a finger of the individual.  
 
     
     
         8 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 6  wherein 
 the transmitter is disposed on the wrist of the individual.  
 
     
     
         9 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 6  wherein 
 a propulsion mechanism is responsive to the signals from the transmitter, and is provided with a plurality of elements, for releasing each successive one of the elements upon each reception of the signals from the transmitter and for propelling the released element to the individual.  
 
     
     
         10 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 9  wherein 
 the switch is disposed on the finger of the individual and the transmitter is disposed on the wrist of the individual.  
 
     
     
         11 . A method of propelling an element, including the steps of: 
 manually actuating between first and second states a switch disposed on an individual's hand,    actuating a transmitter on the individual's hand, in accordance with the manual actuation of the switch, to transmit signals,    receiving the signals at a propulsion mechanism holding the element, and    providing for the propulsion of the element from the propulsion mechanism upon the reception of the signals at the propulsion mechanism.    
     
     
         12 . A method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein 
 the switch is disposed on the individual's finger and wherein 
 the transmitter is disposed in a band on the individual's wrist.  
 
 
     
     
         13 . A method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein 
 an antenna is electrically connected to the oscillator to transmit the signals from the oscillator to the propulsion mechanism and wherein the oscillator and the antenna are disposed on a wrist band made from an electrically insulating material.  
 
     
     
         14 . A method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein 
 the switch is disposed on electrically insulating material and one of the individual's fingers is disposed in the electrically insulating material holding the switch.  
 
     
     
         15 . A method as set forth in  claim 12  wherein 
 an antenna is electrically connected to the oscillator to transmit the signals from the oscillator to the propulsion mechanism and wherein the oscillator and the antenna are disposed on a wrist band made from an electrically insulating material and wherein 
 the switch is disposed on electrically insulating material and one of the individual's fingers is disposed in the electrically insulating material holding the switch.  
 
 
     
     
         16 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  wherein 
 the propulsion mechanism holds a plurality of successive elements and wherein the propulsion mechanism propels each individual one of the successive elements toward the individual upon the reception by the propulsion mechanism of successive signals from the transmitter.