Sports training apparatus for launching sports balls

Abstract

A sports training apparatus for launching sports balls. The sports training apparatus has the ability to launch a sports ball, such as, for example, a soccer ball or a volleyball, at various power levels, at many different angles, with many different types of spin, and can be remotely controlled or programmed with a pre-determined launching pattern. The ball projecting mechanism launches a sports ball by way of a striking leg member which is powered by a compressible spring and detent rod assembly.

1 . A sports training apparatus for launching sports balls comprising:
 a horizontal base-frame;   a main-frame pivotally mounted on said base-frame;   a rotating linear actuator with built-in linear resistor affixed to said base-frame and to said main-frame for rotating said main-frame with respect to said base-frame within a horizontal plane above said base-frame upon extension or retraction of said rotating linear actuator with built-in linear resistor;   a means for projecting a sports ball mounted on said main-frame;   a means for supporting a sports ball mounted on said main-frame in operational association with said means for projecting a sports ball;   a function controlling means;   a plurality of electronic control and electronic drive systems;   a sports training apparatus controlling means; and   a power supply means;   said means for projecting a sports ball comprises:   an arcuate structure having a first end pivotally connected to a pair of support members having a common axis of rotation and said support members being rigidly affixed to said main-frame;   a lobbing linear actuator with built-in linear resistor connected to said arcuate structure and to said main-frame for adjusting a radial orientation of said arcuate structure about said common axis of rotation for optionally changing an impact point on a sports ball by said ball striking means when said sports ball is supported by said means for supporting a sports ball;   a ball striking means comprising a striking leg member having a first end pivotally connected to said arcuate structure for pendulous movement along a striking path along a plane;   a compressing linear actuator with built-in linear resistor connected to said arcuate structure and having a linear motion along said plane of said striking leg member; and   a compressible spring and detent rod assembly connected between a second end of said arcuate structure and said striking leg member for moving said striking leg member along said striking path between a cocked position and a striking position and vice-versa upon extension of said compressing linear actuator with built-in linear resistor;   said compressible spring and detent rod assembly comprises a means to store potential energy, at least one detent rod, and a latching mechanism for engaging said at least one detent rod at one of a plurality of detents on said at least one detent rod for retaining said striking leg member in said cocked position;   said means for supporting a sports ball comprises a sports ball support cup, a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, a vertical motion linear actuator with built-in linear resistor, and a horizontal motion linear actuator with built-in linear resistor for varying a point of impact against said sports ball to impart a spin and a curving trajectory to said sports ball;   wherein said sports training apparatus controlling means relays input signals from said sports training apparatus controlling means and translates them into output signals causing said plurality of electronic control and electronic drive systems to perform a desired function;   wherein said sports training apparatus controlling means, said plurality of electronic control and electronic drive systems are powered by said power supply means.   
     
     
         2 . A sports training apparatus for launching sports balls comprising:
 a horizontal base-frame;   a main-frame pivotally mounted on said base-frame;   a rotating linear actuator with built-in linear resistor affixed to said base-frame and to said main-frame for rotating said main-frame with respect to said base-frame within a horizontal plane above said base-frame upon extension or retraction of said rotating linear actuator with built-in linear resistor;   a means for projecting a sports ball mounted on said main-frame;   a means for supporting a sports ball mounted on said main-frame in operational association with said means for projecting a sports ball;   a function controlling means;   a plurality of electronic control and electronic drive systems;   a sports training apparatus controlling means; and   a power supply means;   said means for projecting a sports ball comprises:   an arcuate structure having a first end pivotally connected to a pair of support members having a common axis of rotation and said support members being rigidly affixed to said main-frame;   a lobbing linear actuator with built-in linear resistor connected to said arcuate structure and to said main-frame for adjusting a radial orientation of said arcuate structure about said common axis of rotation for optionally changing an impact point on a sports ball by said ball striking means when said sports ball is supported by said means for supporting a sports ball;   a ball striking means comprising a striking leg member having a first end pivotally connected to said arcuate structure for pendulous movement along a striking path along a plane;   a compressing linear actuator with built-in linear resistor connected to said arcuate structure and having a linear motion along said plane of said striking leg member; and   a compressible spring and detent assembly connected between a second end of   said arcuate structure and said striking leg member for moving said striking leg member along said striking path between a cocked position and a striking position and vice-versa upon extension of said compressing linear actuator with built-in linear resistor;   said compressible spring and detent assembly comprises a means to store   potential energy, at least one rod, a telescoping tube extending parallel to the rod, the telescoping tube being connected to the rod for simultaneous movement with the rod, and a latching mechanism for engaging a plurality of detents disposed on the telescoping tube for retaining said striking leg member in said cocked position;   said means for supporting a sports ball comprises a sports ball support cup, a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, a vertical motion linear actuator with built-in linear resistor, and a horizontal motion linear actuator with built-in linear resistor for varying a point of impact against said sports ball to impart a spin and a curving trajectory to said sports ball;   wherein said sports training apparatus controlling means relays input signals from said sports training apparatus controlling means and translates them into output signals causing said plurality of electronic control and electronic drive systems to perform a desired function;   wherein said sports training apparatus controlling means, said plurality of electronic control and electronic drive systems are powered by said power supply means.   
     
     
         3 . The sports training apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the telescoping tube includes an outer tube member and an inner tube member, the inner tube member being slidably movable inside the outer tube member, and the inner tube member being connected to the rod. 
     
     
         4 . The sports training apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the latching mechanism comprises one or more pulleys and a cable, the cable being connected to a trigger release bracket which is activated by the rearward motion of the linear actuator for urging upwardly a sliding latch of the latching mechanism from the detents on the telescoping tube. 
     
     
         5 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 1 , further comprises a sports ball storage ramp and a control gate for automatically loading said sports ball onto said means for supporting a sports ball, said sports ball storage ramp is mounted above said means for projecting a sports ball and said control gate is positioned above a low end of said sports ball storage ramp and is operated by a solenoid actuator to let said sports ball fall one at a time onto said means for supporting a sports ball. 
     
     
         6 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 1 , further comprising an enclosure for protecting the interior components of said sports training apparatus for launching sports balls from environmental hazards. 
     
     
         7 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 3 , wherein said enclosure further comprises an opening in a top surface thereof communicating with an inlet portion of said sports ball storage ramp for loading said sports ball storage ramp with a plurality of sports balls. 
     
     
         8 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 1 , wherein said means to store potential energy comprises of at least one compressible spring. 
     
     
         9 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 1 , wherein said means to store potential energy comprises of at least one compressible bushing. 
     
     
         10 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 1 , wherein said function controlling means is a control panel located on said sports training apparatus for launching sports balls containing thereon a plurality of buttons and control knobs. 
     
     
         11 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 7 , further comprising an external remote control wherein said external remote control can perform the same functions as said control panel. 
     
     
         12 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 8 , wherein said external remote control has wireless connectivity with said sports training apparatus controlling means. 
     
     
         13 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 1 , wherein said sports training apparatus controlling means comprises of a microcontroller. 
     
     
         14 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 1 , wherein said sports training apparatus controlling means comprises a field-programmable gate array. 
     
     
         15 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 1 , wherein said power supply means comprises of at least one rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         16 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 12 , further comprising at least one solar panel for charging said at least one rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         17 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 1 , further comprising front support wheels and rear support wheels affixed to said base-frame for movement of the sports training apparatus for launching sports balls for easy movement of said sports training apparatus for launching sports balls. 
     
     
         18 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 14 , further comprising a towing handle, whereby when said towing handle is in a substantially vertical position a brake system on said rear support wheels are engaged and when said towing handle is lowered for towing said brake system on said rear support wheels are disengaged. 
     
     
         19 . The sports training apparatus for launching sports balls according to  claim 1 , further comprising a safety release mechanism, wherein when said striking leg member is in said cocked position a manual release trigger will release said latching mechanism from one of said plurality of detents on said at least one detent rod which then triggers said means for projecting a sports ball and move said striking leg member into said striking position. 
     
     
         20 . A method of launching a sports ball according to the sports training apparatus for launching sports balls as defined in claim comprising the steps of:
 loading said sports ball onto said sports ball support cup;   positioning said sports ball support cup using said vertical motion linear actuator with built-in linear resistor and said horizontal motion linear actuator with built-in linear resistor to impart a desired spin on said sports ball;   radially positioning said means for projecting a sports ball to effect a desired arcing path of said sports ball;   extending said compressing linear actuator with built-in linear resistor to compress and store a potential energy in said means to store potential energy to strike said sports ball with a desired force;   retracting said compressing linear actuator with built-in linear resistor while said striking leg member is kept in said cocked position by said latching mechanism on one of said plurality of detents on said at least one detent rod; and   releasing said potential energy stored in said means to store potential energy causing said striking leg member to strike said sports ball.   
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for casting a sports ball for training purposes, the apparatus comprising:
 a) a platform;   b) a frame rotatably mounted on the platform;   c) a ball projecting means mounted on the frame for casting a sports ball in a manner suitable for various training exercises; and   d) a remote control and programming means for actuating the ball projecting means for casting the sports ball according to the desired training exercise.