Kenneth Harrison Hancock
Engineering at Hillcrest Ln, Mentor, KS
License number
Louisiana PE.0024584
Issued Date
Dec 17, 1991
Expiration Date
Sep 30, 2018
Category
Civil Engineer
Type
Mechanical Engineer
Address
Address
1831 Hillcrest Ln, Mentor, KS 67401
Professional information
Ball Pitching Machine
US Patent:
5121735, Jun 16, 1992
Filed:
May 21, 1990
Appl. No.:
7/525678
Inventors:
Kenneth H. Hancock - Salina KS
International Classification:
F41B 304
US Classification:
124 7
Abstract:
A pitching machine for simulating the high speed, underhand delivered pitch used in fast pitch softball. An electric motor drives an arm on a 360. degree. vertical path of travel. A lost motion coupling between the motor and the arm permits a spring drive during a portion of each arm revolution. The arm is connected to a torsion spring so that energy stored in the spring drives the arm during a portion of each revolution at a high rate of speed to propel the ball from the pitching unit by centrifugal motion as the arm approaches the bottom of its path of travel. A shroud in the form of a cup-shaped cage open at one end cooperates with a curved member to hold the ball until the release point is reached. An optional spring biased, toothed, pivoted lever adjacent the shroud discharge opening frictionally engages the ball to cause a trajectory altering spin to the ball as it is propelled from the unit. A plunger operated ball supply ramp delivers the balls, one at a time, to a station for automatic pickup by the arm during each machine cycle.