Turning device for a ball launcher

Abstract

A ball launcher turning device external to the ball launcher comprises a base, a platform movably connected to said base and externally securable to the ball launcher, and a turning mechanism housed within the turning device that is configured to cause the platform and the ball launcher to undergo angular displacement relative to the base, in response to a force transmitted to the turning mechanism by a controlled force generator, to facilitate propulsion of balls ejected from the ball launcher in varying directions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ball launcher apparatus, comprising:
 a ball launcher configured to controllably launch balls from an ejection port of the ball launcher with at least a predefined speed and angle relative to a horizontal plane to initiate a desired ball ejection operation;   securing means; and   a turning device configured to be connected to and disconnected from the ball launcher via the securing means,   wherein said turning device comprises:   a) a base having a lower surface and side surfaces of the base;   b) a platform connected to the base and configured to rotate about the base while the base is stationary such that the ball launcher rotates as the platform rotates, the platform having an upper surface and side surfaces of the platform to define an interior space of the turning device between the upper surface of the platform and the lower surface of the base and interior to the side surfaces of the platform and base, wherein the securing means is integral with or in suitable engagement with one or both of the upper surface and at least one of the side surfaces of the platform when in secured relation with the ball launcher to minimize or eliminate ball launcher slippage during a turning motion;   c) a controlled force generator disposed between the upper surface of the platform and the lower surface of the base without extending outside of the interior space of the turning device, wherein a power source for powering the force generator is connectable thereto; and   d) a turning mechanism connected to the controlled force generator and the platform and disposed between the upper surface of the platform and the lower surface of the base without extending outside of the interior space of the turning device, the turning mechanism configured to rotate the platform about the base while the base is stationary such that the platform and the ball launcher undergo angular displacement relative to said base, in response to a force transmitted to said turning mechanism by said force generator, to facilitate propulsion of the balls ejected from the ball launcher in varying directions.   
     
     
         2 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform is configured to undergo angular displacement with respect to the base about a vertically oriented pin movably connecting the platform and the base. 
     
     
         3 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 2 , wherein the turning mechanism is also configured to transmit a force that causes the platform to undergo oscillatory angular displacement. 
     
     
         4 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 1 , further comprising guide means to ensure that the platform will be guided along a desired path during the angular displacement. 
     
     
         5 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 1 , wherein the force generator is an electric motor. 
     
     
         6 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 5 , wherein the power source is selected from a group consisting of:
 i. an AC electricity supply system deliverable to the motor by an electrical outlet and a cable connected to the outlet and to the motor;   ii. an external battery;   iii. an internal rechargeable battery;   iv. a common battery for powering the motor as well as ball launcher components, electrical power being transmittable through an additional cable extending between, and fixedly or releasably connected to, the common battery and the motor;   V. a power source providing steady electric power that is sufficient to start and stop the angular displacement of the platform; and   vi. a power source providing a controllable current level that is sufficient to start and stop the angular displacement of the platform and to control its rotational speed.   
     
     
         7 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an internal controller which is also housed within the turning device and is configured to control operation of the force generator, wherein the internal controller has at least one communication unit, for receiving operational commands from at least one remote station. 
     
     
         8 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one communication unit is selected from the group consisting of a Bluetooth device, a WiFi device, a wired communication device, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one remote station is selected from the group consisting of a smartphone, a tablet, a computer, a remote controller, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more contact wheels adapted to be in rolling contact with an underside of the platform are movably mounted to the base to maintain a substantially uniform spacing between the base and platform, while the platform is both stationary and undergoing angular displacement. 
     
     
         11 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 1 , wherein the base or platform is configured with a plurality of structural supports providing increased structural integrity. 
     
     
         12 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 2 , wherein the turning mechanism comprises an elongated link that is pivotally connected at a first end to a vertically oriented shaft driven by the force generator and that is slidably constrained at a second end within a groove formed in the platform that is offset from the shaft to apply a rotation-inducing force. 
     
     
         13 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 12 , wherein the groove is linearly extending and is delimited by first and second parallel walls, a rotational direction of the link defining onto which of the first and second walls is the rotation-inducing force applied thereby and also defining a corresponding turning direction of the platform. 
     
     
         14 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 12 , wherein the turning mechanism is also configured to transmit a force that causes the platform to undergo non-uniform angular motion at a varied rate even though the power source provides steady electric power by virtue of a varied distance between the second end of the elongated link and the vertically oriented pin movably connecting the platform and the base. 
     
     
         15 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 6 , wherein the turning mechanism is also configured to transmit a force that causes the platform to undergo non-uniform angular motion at a varied rate, or at a varied angular displacement in a same direction of rotation, or at a varied angular displacement that changes a direction of rotation, or at a varied rate and at a varied angular displacement, in response to a controlled current level delivered by the power source to the motor. 
     
     
         16 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 1 , wherein the turning device is arm or hand holdable when disconnected from the ball launcher, while the controlled force generator and turning mechanism are protected within the interior space of the turning device between the upper surface of the platform and the lower surface of the base. 
     
     
         17 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing means comprises one or more hand-manipulated elements that are shaped to receive or to be engaged with corresponding elements of the ball launcher and by which the ball launcher is able to be separably secured to the turning device. 
     
     
         18 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing means are recessed regions formed in the platform that are shaped to receive corresponding elements of the ball launcher. 
     
     
         19 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 6 , wherein a controller in data communication with the ball launcher components is housed within the ball launcher and comprises a processor configured to transmit control signals needed to initiate a desired ball ejection operation to the turning device motor, through the cable; or
 the controller is in data communication with a user interface by which desired operating conditions for the turning mechanism motor are settable.   
     
     
         20 . The ball launcher device according to  claim 19 , wherein the turning device mechanism has different rotational characteristics during initiation of two subsequent ball ejection operations that are performed in response to first and second different control signals.