The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 01, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 28, 1998
Gerard R Snyder, Waldorf, MD (US);
Brian Edwards, White Plains, MD (US);
Other;
Abstract
A machine for tossing or set ting a volleyball into the air, to aid in practice of spiking the ball, includes a cylindrical housing with a ball exit opening at one end, with legs to set the housing on the ground with the exit opening facing upward. A ball support cup with attached rod is slidably supported in the housing by a linear bearing. The ball support cup is spring biased toward the exit end; a brake prevents the rod from passing completely through the bearing. The lower end of the rod includes teeth which are engageable with a sprocket wheel of a timer assembly. When a ball is placed on the support cup, and the cup is pushed down, the teeth will engage the sprocket wheel to activate the timer; after a time, the sprocket wheel will disengage from the teeth, allowing the spring to move the support cup upward to launch the ball through the exit opening.