| 摘要 |
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for throwing balls. In particular, it is useful for throwing baseballs and softballs, and for lobbing tennis balls. The apparatus includes a number of components which cooperate to discharge balls at a relatively high velocity. A rotor member is provided. It is coupled to a motor shaft of a motor, preferably an electrical motor. A stator member is provided having an inlet for receiving balls and an outlet for discharging balls. The stator member completely encloses the rotor member and motor shaft thus enclosing all moving parts. Preferably, the rotor member includes a mounting member which couples to the shaft of the motor and which is positioned substantially orthogonal to the shaft of the motor. Additionally, the rotor member includes first and second parallel rails which are coupled to the mounting member and spaced apart a preselected distance which is sufficient to accommodate the balls. Preferably, the stator member defines a generally disc-shaped cavity having a predefined circumference and a predefined width. Preferably, the first and second rails of the rotor are sufficiently long to extend across the predefined circumference of the disc-shaped cavity and are sufficiently wide to extend across the predefined width of the disc-shaped cavity. Preferably, the inlet of the stator member is located at a an axis of rotation of the rotor member, opposite from the mounting member so that balls may be deposited intermediate the first and second parallel rails. Preferably, the outlet is located on the stator member at a position which is substantially tangential to a circular path defined by the rotor member. An adjustable deflector member may be located at the outlet for modifying the trajectory of balls.
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