Method and apparatus for projecting an article

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to methods and devices for projecting articles. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for projecting balls and like articles for interaction with a player where a player may, for example, be considered a human training for or playing a ball sport or, an animal such as a dog exercising by retrieving the projected article. In one form, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for projecting an article comprising: feeding at least one article into a launching means wherein the launching means comprises a plurality of independently controlled rotating drive devices each device adapted to provide contact between the launching means and the at least one article for providing a component of drive force to launch the at least one article; attenuating at least one component of drive force to control the 3-Dimensional spin of the launched article by moving at least one drive device whilst maintaining the orientation of the axis of rotation of said drive device.

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
   
   
       49 . A method of projecting an article comprising the steps of:
 feeding at least one article into a launching means;   providing contact between the launching means and the at least one article over a relatively small contact area with the article for launching said at least one article;   subsequently accelerating the article along a predefined substantially curved guide path to determine a trajectory for the launched article.   
   
   
       50 . A method as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the guide path comprises components in one or more of the x, y and z planes. 
   
   
       51 . A method as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the step of accelerating the article along a predefined substantially curved guide path provides loft in the article's trajectory. 
   
   
       52 . A method as claimed in  claim 49  further comprising the step of altering the predefined guide path to determine one of a plurality of trajectories for the launched article. 
   
   
       53 . A method as claimed in  claim 52  wherein the step of altering comprises substantially vertical movement to provide a change in the loft/pitching gradient of the article's trajectory. 
   
   
       54 . A method as claimed in  claim 49  further comprising the step of extending the guide path substantially beyond the launching means. 
   
   
       55 . A method as claimed in  claim 50  wherein the guide path comprises an x component ranging from about 0° to about 360° corresponding to a horizontal plane. 
   
   
       56 . An apparatus for projecting an article comprising:
 feeding means for feeding at least one article into the apparatus;   a launching means for providing gripping contact over a relatively small contact area with the article for launching said at least one article;   guide path means for subsequently accelerating the launched article along a predefined substantially curved guide path to determine a trajectory for the launched article.   
   
   
       57 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 56  wherein the guide path means comprises at least one adjustable component for controlling the trajectory of the launched article in one or more of the x, y and z planes. 
   
   
       58 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 56  wherein the guide path means provides loft in the article's trajectory. 
   
   
       59 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 56  wherein the guide path means is movable for altering the predefined guide path to determine one of a plurality of trajectories for the launched article. 
   
   
       60 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 59  wherein the movable guide path means provides substantially vertical movement to provide a change in the loft/pitching gradient of the article's trajectory. 
   
   
       61 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 56  wherein the guide path means is extendible for extending the guide path substantially beyond the launching means. 
   
   
       62 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 56  wherein the apparatus further comprises a base and a chassis each adapted for independent movement relative to each other for providing a trajectory for the launched article comprising a horizontal plane component ranging from about 0° to about 360°. 
   
   
       63 . Apparatus for projecting an article comprising:
 feeding means for feeding at least one article into the apparatus;   launching means for providing gripping contact over a relatively small contact area with the article for launching said at least one article wherein the launching means is adapted for launching articles along at least one predetermined trajectory for interaction with at least one player;   guide path means for subsequently accelerating the launched article along a predefined substantially curved guide path to determine a trajectory for the launched article;   receptacle means for subsequently returning the at least one article for feeding into the launching means comprising a receiving surface area substantially greater than a footprint area of the launching means.   
   
   
       64 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 63  wherein the receptacle means further comprises dampening means for dampening the return flight of a projectile article so as to guide the article toward the receptacle means. 
   
   
       65 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 64  wherein the dampening means further comprises channeling means for directing the article to a target exit point adjacent the feeding means for reintroducing the article to the launching means. 
   
   
       66 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 65  wherein the dampening means comprises netting material. 
   
   
       67 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 63  further comprising sensing means for sensing the return of an article to the receptacle means. 
   
   
       68 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 67  further comprising control means operably associated with the sensing means for controlling the operation of the apparatus.