Claims
- 1. An adapter for imparting spin to a ball projected from an apparatus that propels a ball pneumatically from an exit tube, comprising an engaging member that extends beyond an exit end of an exit tube and extends into a path of a ball propelled from the exit tube.
- 2. The adapter of claim 1, comprising a plurality of engaging members.
- 3. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the engaging members are mounted on a tubular member that engages an exit tube of an apparatus that propels a ball pneumatically.
- 4. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the engaging members comprise a bendable and resilient core and a covering.
- 5. The adapter of claim 4, wherein the core is made of metal.
- 6. The adapter of claim 5, wherein the covering is made of rubber.
- 7. The adapter of claim 4, wherein the core has a free end and the cover extends beyond the free end of the core.
- 8. The adapter of claim 4, wherein at least one lateral groove is provided in a ball-contacting surface of the covering.
- 9. In an apparatus that pneumatically propels a ball from an exit tube, the improvement comprising an engaging member that extends beyond an exit end of an exit tube and extends into a path of a ball propelled from the exit tube.
- 10. A position adjuster for an exit tube of an apparatus that propels a ball pneumatically from an exit tube, comprising:
a first member; and a second member for engaging an exit tube of an apparatus that propels a ball pneumatically from an exit tube, the second member being relatively movable with respect to the first member.
- 11. The adjuster of claim 10, wherein the first member comprises a T-shaped slot and the second member comprises an aperture, the adjuster further comprising an elongate fastener comprising a first end that extends through the aperture of the second member and a second end that engages the slot in the first member.
- 12. The adjuster of claim 11, wherein the first end of the fastener is threaded and he adjuster further comprises a bolt threaded on the threaded first end.
- 13. A platform for an apparatus that propels a ball pneumatically from an exit tube, comprising:
a first surface for supporting an apparatus that propels a ball pneumatically from an exit tube; and first and second engaging members for engaging a ground-contacting device, provided on a second surface opposed to said first surface; at least one of the engaging members being movable with respect to the other of the engaging members.
- 14. The platform of claim 13, further comprising a pair of parallel grooves for carrying the movable engaging member.
- 15. The platform of claim 14, wherein the first and second engaging members are movable.
- 16. The platform of claim 14, wherein the grooves have recessed sidewalls.
- 17. A pneumatic projectile propulsion apparatus, comprising:
a pressure canister for containing a supply of air for pneumatically propelling a projectile, comprising an exit tube through which a projectile is expelled; a hopper for supplying projectiles to the canister; and a blower for supplying air to the canister, wherein the blower is a single electric motor blower that draws less than 15 amps of current, and the apparatus is capable of propelling a tennis ball-sized or baseball-sized projectile at a speed of at least 90 mph.
- 18. A pneumatic projectile propulsion apparatus, comprising:
a pressure canister for containing a supply of air for pneumatically propelling a projectile, comprising an exit tube through which a projectile is expelled; a hopper for supplying projectiles to the canister; a cover that contains a blower for supplying air to the canister, the cover being disposed in the hopper, an outlet of the blower being in fluid communication with the canister.
- 19. A pneumatic projectile propulsion apparatus, comprising:
a pressure canister for containing a supply of air for pneumatically propelling a projectile, comprising an exit tube through which a projectile is expelled; a hopper for supplying projectiles to the canister; and a cover that contains a blower for supplying air to the canister, the canister being carried by the cover and the hopper being carried by the canister.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/999,205 filed Nov. 30, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09999205 |
Nov 2001 |
US |
Child |
10091126 |
Mar 2002 |
US |