Foot Operated Ball Pop-up System and Method of Operation

Abstract

A device for vertically launching a ball up into the air. The device has a holding tee for selectively holding a ball. The holding tee is supported by an actuator. The actuator is movable between a first position, where the holding tee is extended, and a second position, where the holding tee is retracted. A main spring biases the actuator into its first position. When moved to its retracted second position against the force of the mainspring, the actuator engages a release mechanism. The release mechanism maintains the actuator in its second position for a period of time before the release mechanism automatically releases. Upon release, the mainspring immediately returns the actuator to its first position. This rapidly forces the holding tee upwardly. Any ball resting on the holding tee is subsequently launched into the air.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for vertically launching a ball up into the air, comprising:
 a holding tee for selectively holding a ball; an actuator that supports said holding tee, said actuator being movable between a first position where said holding tee is extended and a second position where said holding tee is retracted;   a spring for biasing said actuator into said first position;   a release mechanism that retains said actuator in said second position when said actuator is manually moved to said second position, wherein said release mechanism maintains said actuator in said second position for a period of time before said release mechanism automatically releases said actuator, wherein said spring immediately returns said actuator to said first position.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said period of time is between two seconds and ten seconds. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said holding tee is comprised of a plurality of vertical fingers symmetrically disposed about a common point. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , further including a foot treadle on said actuator for applying force to said actuator and moving said actuator toward said second position. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein said actuator has a base with a first section and a second section, wherein said foot treadle is disposed on said first section of said base and said plurality of vertical fingers are disposed on said second section of said base. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein a flex hinge is disposed in said base between said first section and said second section. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 4 , further including a housing that surrounds said actuator, wherein said plurality of vertical fingers and said foot treadle extend through said housing. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said release mechanism includes a gearbox with a gear that engages said actuator when said actuator is in said second position. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein said actuator rotates said gear in said gearbox when said actuator is moved into said second position from said first position. 
     
     
         10 . A device for vertically launching a ball up into the air, comprising:
 a holding tee for selectively holding a ball, wherein said holding tee is movable between an extended position and a retracted position;   a spring for biasing said holding tee into said extended position;   a foot treadle that moves said holding tee from said extended position to said retracted position when depressed;   a release mechanism that retains said holding tee in said retracted position when said holding tee is moved from said extended position to said retracted position by said foot treadle, wherein said release mechanism maintains said holding tee in said retracted position for a period of time before said spring suddenly returns said holding tee to said extended position.   
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein said period of time is between two seconds and ten seconds. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein said holding tee is comprised of a plurality of vertical fingers symmetrically disposed about a common point. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein said holding tee and said foot treadle are connected to a common base. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein said base has a first section and a second section, wherein said foot treadle is disposed on said first section of said base and said holding tee is disposed on said second section of said base. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein a hinge is disposed on said base between said first section and said second section. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 10 , further including a housing, wherein said holding tee and said foot treadle extend through said housing. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein said release mechanism includes a gearbox with a gear that engages said base when said holding tee is in said retracted position. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein said base rotates said gear in said gearbox when said holding tee is moved into said retracted position from said extended position.