Automatic ball launcher

摘要

A ball launching apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a funnel residing at an upper end of a housing. The funnel includes a channel for gravitationally directing a ball into a launch point within an interior compartment of the housing. The apparatus includes a hammer that strikes a ball through a chute, thereby releasing the ball from the housing. Both the distance at which the ball travels and the angle at which the ball leaves the chute may be adjusted by the operator. A method of exercising a dog is also provided herein.

主权项

1. A ball launching apparatus, comprising:
a housing having a supporting base and an interior compartment; a funnel at an upper end of the housing, the funnel being configured to gravitationally direct a ball into a launch point within the interior compartment; a chute adjacent the launch point defining a through-opening along the housing; a platform within the interior compartment, wherein an angle of the platform is adjustable relative to the base; a drive motor configured to rotate a shaft within the interior compartment; an elongated hammer residing along the platform, the hammer comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a through-opening for receiving the shaft, wherein the distal end of the hammer defines a ball striking surface, with the distal end being biased toward the launch point by use of a spring maintained in tension to provide a rotational biasing force, and wherein rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the distal end of the hammer away from the launch point; a ratchet head connected to and configured to rotate with the drive shaft, the ratchet head having at least one ratchet tooth; a strike post residing along the platform; a trigger release arm comprising a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end of the trigger release arm supporting a pawl, and with the pawl being configured to individually engage the at least one tooth on the ratchet head and then release the ratchet head when a proximal end of the trigger release arm has contacted the strike post, whereupon the hammer is released to allow the biasing force on the hammer to cause the ball striking surface of the hammer to counter-rotate back towards the launch point, thereby striking the ball and launching the ball through the chute; and a tension adjustment know residing external to the housing, wherein an adjustment of the tension adjustment know adjusts the location of the strike post along the platform, thereby adjusting the degree of tension placed on the spring before the trigger release arm contacts the strike post.