Projectile Launching Machine

Abstract

A projectile launching machine includes a base having a front end and a rear end, a front leg assembly extending having a lower end coupled to the front end of the base and an upper end, distal from the lower end and a throwing arm pivotally coupled to the upper end of the front leg assembly at a pivot, the throwing arm having a biased end extending from the pivot and a ball end distal from the biased end, the throwing arm movable between a locked position and a throw position. A biasing member having a first biasing member end is connected to the biased end and a second biasing member end movably coupled to the front leg assembly. An arm release mechanism has a first end connected to the front leg assembly between the lower end and the upper end, and a second end movable between a locking position wherein the throwing arm is in the locked position and a release position wherein the throwing arm is biased by the biasing member to the throw position.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A projectile launching machine comprising:
 a base having a front end and a rear end;   a front leg assembly having a lower end pivotally coupled to the front end of the base;   a support bar assembly having a first end removably attached to the base and a second end pivotally attached to the front leg assembly, the support bar being releasable from the base such that the front leg assembly is pivotable toward the base;   a throwing arm pivotally coupled to the front leg assembly at a pivot, the throwing arm having a biased end extending from the pivot and a ball end distal from the biased end, the throwing arm movable between a locked position and a throw position; and   a biasing member having a first biasing member end connected to the biased end and a second biasing member end movably coupled to the front leg assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the front leg assembly comprises a lower leg portion directly attached to the base and an upper leg portion, distal from the base, the upper leg portion being releasably attached to the lower leg portion. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the support bar assembly is attached to the lower leg portion. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the lower leg portion comprises a single leg and wherein the upper leg portion comprises a first upper leg portion on a first side of the lower leg portion and a second upper leg portion on a second side of the lower leg portion. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the support bar assembly comprises a first support bar attached to the lower leg portion below the first upper leg portion and a second support bar attached to the lower leg portion below the second upper leg portion. 
     
     
         7 . A projectile launching machine comprising:
 a base having a front end and a rear end;   a front leg assembly coupled to the front end of the base;   a support bar assembly having a first end attached to the base and a second end attached to the front leg assembly;   a throwing arm pivotally coupled to the front leg assembly at a pivot, the throwing arm having a biased end extending from the pivot and a ball end distal from the biased end, the throwing arm movable between a locked position and a throw position;   a biasing member having a first biasing member end connected to the biased end and a second biasing member end; and   a biasing member adjustment mechanism comprising:
 a first adjusting rod having a free end connected to the second biasing member end and a connected end pivotally connected to the front leg assembly; and 
 a second adjusting rod pivotally coupled to the first adjusting rod and selectively coupled to the support bar assembly. 
   
     
     
         8 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the connected end of the first adjusting rod is pivotally connected to the front leg assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the first adjusting rod comprises a plurality of connections formed along a length thereof, wherein the second biasing member end is selectively attached to one of the plurality of connections. 
     
     
         10 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of connections comprise a plurality of through openings. 
     
     
         11 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the support bar assembly comprises first and second parallel bars and a support pin connecting the first and second parallel bars, the second adjusting rod comprising a plurality of slots for selective engagement with the support pin. 
     
     
         12 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 11 , wherein an adjustment of the second adjusting rod between adjacent of the plurality of slots results in a larger tension adjustment in the biasing member than an adjustment of the first adjustment rod between adjacent of the plurality of connections. 
     
     
         13 . A projectile launching machine comprising:
 a base having a front end and a rear end;   a front leg assembly coupled to the front end of the base;   a throwing arm pivotally coupled to the front leg assembly at a pivot, the throwing arm having a biased end extending from the pivot and a ball end distal from the biased end, the ball end having an engaging rod;   a biasing member having a first biasing member end connected to the biased end and a second biasing member end;   a holding arm having a first end pivotally connected to the front leg assembly, and a second end;   a release bar attached to the holding arm such that the holding arm is pivotable about the front leg assembly such that the release bar is releasably engageable with the engaging rod such that, when the holding arm is pivoted to a loading position, the throwing arm is pivoted to a throwing position.   
     
     
         14 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the release bar comprises a notch, wherein the engaging rod is releasably insertable into the notch when the holding arm is pivoted to the loading position. 
     
     
         15 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 13 , further comprising a pawl, and wherein the first end of the holding arm comprises a ratchet such that the pawl is releasably engageable with the ratchet. 
     
     
         16 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 15 , wherein, when the pawl is engaged with the ratchet, the holding arm is precluded from inadvertently releasing as the throwing arm is being pulled back to the throwing position. 
     
     
         17 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the pawl is biased to engage with the ratchet. 
     
     
         18 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 13 , further comprising a cradle at the ball end of the throwing arm, wherein the cradle is adapted to receive and retain a projectile. 
     
     
         19 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 18 , wherein the cradle is adjustably mounted on the throwing arm. 
     
     
         20 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the cradle comprises a first finger mounted on a first side of the throwing arm and a second finger mounted on an opposing side of the throwing arm. 
     
     
         21 . The projectile launching machine according to  claim 20 , wherein each of the first finger and the second finger are independently adjustable relative to the throwing arm.