×

Ball returning backstop

  • US 7,662,053 B1
  • Filed: 12/18/2007
  • Issued: 02/16/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A ball returning backstop assembly configured to collect and return a ball thrown by a user, the ball returning backstop assembly comprising:

  • a backstop configured to collect the thrown ball; and

    a ball return assembly operably coupled to the backstop to receive the collected ball from the backstop and then return the ball,said ball return assembly including a housing a rotatable motor, and a linkage assembly,said housing presenting a ball guiding surface configured to receive the thrown ball after being collected by the backstop,said ball guiding surface presenting a ball returning path with an axis that extends from a rearward end of the path to a forward end of the path, with the surface being configured to guide the ball along the axis as the ball is being propelled toward the forward end,said linkage assembly drivingly coupled to the motor and including a link shiftably mounted relative to the housing,said link being shiftable to reciprocate between a rear position adjacent the rearward end and a forward position spaced forwardly of the rear position,said link having a ball-engaging end that is operably coupled to the housing to follow the axis, with the ball-engaging end being configured to engage the ball and propel the ball along the axis,said housing presenting between the path ends an opening that communicates the ball returning path with the backstop, with the linkage assembly being configured to position the ball received from the backstop through the opening forwardly of the ball-engaging end,said linkage assembly including a return spring that biases the link toward the forward end,said spring exerting a spring force when the link is in the rearward position, with any force exerted by the spring being less than the spring force when the link is in the forward position,said linkage assembly including a second link drivingly attached relative to the motor to be spun by the motor in a direction,said links being drivingly engaged so that rotation of the second link in the direction from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation shifts the first-mentioned link from the forward position to the rearward position,said links being drivingly disengaged by rotation of the second link in the direction from the second angular orientation to a third angular orientation, with the first-mentioned link being biased by the return spring back into the forward position,said links being drivingly re-engaged by rotation of the second link in the direction from the third angular orientation to a fourth angular orientation, with the first-mentioned link being shifted from the forward position to the rearward position.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×