US3659576A - Centrifugal spring type projectile throwing device - Google Patents

7 Sheets-Sheet Z 6191/ 4. 540! Ram/aw 7 {/05 we /WM Patented May 2, 1972 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 an o. M a J J n 4 a a 3

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FIG. 2 is a side view taken along

line

22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view partly broken away taken along the

line

55 of FIG. 1;

The machine comprises a frame having a rectangular base as may be seen at in FIG. 2 that rests on a low friction

flat surface base

11 which rests on a surface such as concrete surface as designated at 12. (See FIG. 2.) The entire machine can swivel, that is, it can be turned in azimuth as will be described more in detail presently. It is rotatable about a pin 14 that extends into the

base

11.

Numeral 3O designates a box like hopper at the top of the machine for feeding the balls to the throwing arm. The hopper has a pivotal mounting as will be described and mechanism is provided to reciprocate or agitate it up and down to insure delivery of the balls, this being by way of a

stem

32. The hopper has an

opening

34 in the bottom and there are provided a series of horizontally disposed agitating

members

36 that can be agitated in this opening by way of a

member

238 as will be described more in detail hereinafter.

The balls are delivered from the hopper 30 by way of a

ball chute

44 to cradle 45 of the throwing

arm

46. The throwing arm as seen in FIG. 2 rotates to the right, that is, clockwise, to throw a ball. It is mounted to rotate with

shaft

51. Around this axis is the

torsion spring

52 which drives the arm and which is wound up, that is, torsio'ned by means of a driving motor as will be referred to presently.

Spring

52 is wound up from the right end looking at FIG. 1 while the left end of it is held and the left end then being released after application of a predetermined amount of torsion as will be described. The

shaft

53 is driven by motorized means as will be described which drives a

disc

64 attached to the right end of

spring

52 and the spring drives a

bar

54 which is clamped to the left end of the torsion spring by means as shown at 56. The

bar

54 engages an end of the trigger which prevents rotation of the left end of the spring; continued rotated of the

shaft

53 winds up the spring.

The

trigger

60 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 4 and it is pivotally attached to a

bracket

68 by way of

pivot pin

69. The right end of

trigger

60 forms a

cam surface

162 that cooperates with trigger actuators or actuating levers that are carried by the

disc

64 and which operate to release the trigger and the throwing arm at predetermined degrees of torsion as described more in detail presently.

The

torsion spring

52,

shaft

51 and throwing

arm

46 are a part of a frame which can be rotated angularly in elevation about the axis of

shafts

51 and S3 to adjust the machine in elevation, that is, to vary the height above the ground at which a ball is pitched. This frame includes a

transverse member

70 which is rotatable in elevation relative to the shafts SI and 53 having an

arm

72 which journalled on the

shaft

53 and another

frame member

74 which is journalled on the

shaft

51. Motorized elevating means are provided as will be described hereinafter for angularly moving the

frame

70. It will be seen that the

bracket

68 is attached to the

frame

70 so that when it is rotated angularly it moves the

trigger

60 and consequently it rotates the

spring

52 and the

arm

46 to a different angular starting position. Motorized means are provided for adjusting the elevation, that is, the angle of tilt of the

frame

70 as will be described hereinafter.

The motorized means for adjusting the machine in elevation are designated generally at 80 (FIG. 2) and the means for ad- Iss4 justing the machine in azimuth is designated generally at 82.

Numeral

84 designates a signalling means in the form of an artificial leg or boot which is automatically moved upwardly and then dropped just before the ball is projected or thrown by the machine to simulate the movements of a pitcher before executing a pitch.

TORSION SPRING; DRIVE THEREFOR; AND TRIGGERING MEANS As previously pointed out the

spring

52 is wound up, that is, torsioned by driving the

disc

64 to wind up the right end of the spring. The

disc

64 is wound up by means of a driving means as follows. Supported on the

base

10 of the machine is an electric drive motor 90.

Numeral

92 designates a transverse shaft journalled in pedestal bearings one of which is shown at 94 which are supported on the frame members like the

member

24 as may be seen in FIG. 2. On this shaft is a belt pulley 96 and this pulley is driven from the motor through a

drive belt

100. On the

shaft

92 is also a small sprocket wheel 102 and it drives a

large sprocket wheel

104 by way of the

sprocket chain

106.

The

sprocket wheel

104 is mounted in a

shaft

103 and journalled in pedestal bearing as shown at 105 supported from frame members as shown at 108 and 110.

On the

shaft

103 is a further sprocket wheel 112 as may be seen in FIG. 3.

Numeral

114 designates what may be called the main sprocket which controls the wind up of

torsion spring

52 which is on the

shaft

53. The

sprocket wheel

114 is driven from the sprocket wheel 112 by way of

sprocket chain

116.

Shafts

51 and 53 and

spring

52 are axially aligned the shafts being journalled in

pedestal bearings

55, 55a, 55b, 55c, and 55d supported on

frame members

20, 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d respectively.

In operation, when the machine starts and the

sprocket wheel

114 is driven it bodily rotates the

torsion spring

52 until the

bar

54 clamped to the other end of the spring comes into engagement with the

trigger

60. Continued rotation of the

sprocket wheel

114 then winds up the

spring

52 until a triggering release lever on the

disc

64 engages the trigger to release the

bar

54 allowing the spring to unwind and cause the

arm

46 to throw. There are several trigger release levers at different angular positions and the one that causes the trigger to release can be selected by way of a remote selector switch as will be described. Next will be described the triggering levers and the actuation of the trigger, this mechanism being shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Selective Trigger Release Actuating Levers FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the upper half of the

torsion spring

52 and the triggering mechanism. It will be observed that the

bracket

68 to which the

trigger

60 is pivoted is supported from the

fi'ame member

70. The trigger is biased in a counterclockwise direction by a biasing

spring

132, one end of which is hooked on to a

lug

134 on the trigger and the other end of which is hooked on to a bracket 136 on the

frame member

70. This spring pulls the trigger counterclockwise against the end ofa threaded

stem

140 which forms a stop, the stem having a

head

142 for adjusting and a

lock nut

143. On one end of the trigger it has a slanting cam surface as shown at 144 which cooperates with a

roller

146 mounted on a

pivot shaft

148 which is journalled between legs or

bifurcations

150 and 152 at the end ofthe

arm

54.

At the other end of the trigger it has an extending toe having a slanting

cam surface

162 that the trigger release mechanism cooperates with. Carried by the

disc

64 are three trigger release levers which are equally angularly spaced. One of these is shown in FIG. 4 designated at 166. It is in the form ofa lever having an

intermediate part

168 pivoted on a

shaft

170. The

shaft

170 is in a position that is normal to the axis of the

shaft

53 so that the

actuating lever

166 canrotate in a plane containing the axis of

shaft

53. The

lever

166 has an

arm

172 and between the end of this arm and the

disc

64 is a biasing

spring

174 which normally urges the

lever

166 in a counterclockwise direction looking at FIG. 4. This

lever

166 has another

arm

178 at the end of which is a

shoe

180 having an extending

cam finger

182. Also extending inwardly on the inside of the

arm

178 is

stem

184 having on it a

roller

186 that can cooperate with the

cam surface

162 on the

toe

160 of the trigger.

Cooperating with the

trigger release lever

166 is a solenoid as designated at 190 having a

stem

192 at the end of which is a

roller

194. The

solenoid

190 is mounted on a part of the

frame member

70 as shown.

The

solenoid

190 is controlled by a series or group of switches designated at 200 in FIGS. 1 and 5 which are automatically actuated by a series of cam rises or dwells 202, 204, 206, 207, 209 and 211 on the inside of the

sprocket wheel

114 as may be seen in FIG. 5, these cam dwells being spaced apart angularly corresponding to the spacing of the trigger actuater levers I66, 166a and 16612 and further similar levers not shown. These trigger actuating levers are all alike so that the others need not be described in detail. Each actuator lever determines a pitch speed and a fourth pitch speed is determined by

cam roller

167 equally angularly spaced on

disc

64 and which can actuate the trigger as will be described. The pitch speed is selectable by

rotary speed switch

407 which selects one of the cam actuated switches to be energized. Manual switches 406e, d, e and f provide a safety device. Preferably these switches are concealed in the console 396. When any one of these switches is closed the machine will nevertheless pitch at that speed even though

switch

407 is set for a higher speed. These switches are to prevent amateurs from pitching at dangerous speeds. See FIG. 8.

The figures illustratethe operation of the triggering mechanism. When the

solenoid

190 is not energized and the

stem

192 and

roller

194 are extended as shown in FIG. 4, as the

disc

64 rotates while the

spring

52 is being wound up, the

shoes

180 and extending fingers or

projections

182 will simply engage with the

roller

194 and will ride past it as shown in FIG. 4 with the

actuating lever

166 in a rotated position as shown wherein the

roller

186 cannot cooperate with the

finger

160 on the

trigger

60.

On the other hand ifa circuit is energized through a particular one of the

switches

200 that is actuated by cam dwells 202-211 then the trigger can be actuated. For example, if the switch in the

group

200 that is actuated by the cam dwell 204 has been selected remotely by a remote circuit selector, (speed switch 407) then the switch will energize the

solenoid

190 momentarily when the trigger" actuating

lever

166 corresponding to that angular position comes by the position of

roller

194. The

solenoid

190 being momentarily energized at this time the

roller

194 will be retracted allowing the biasing

spring

174 to rotate the

actuating lever

166 in a counterclockwise direction, looking at FIGS. 4 and 6 rotating it into a position as shown in FIG. 6 wherein the

roller

186 is in a position to engage with and ride over the extending

finger

160 of the

trigger

60 rotating the trigger in a clockwise direction against the force of

spring

132 and causing the other end of the trigger and

cam surface

144 to roll out of the way of the

roller

146 thus releasing the

arm

54 permitting the

spring

52 to unwind and cause the

arm

46 to throw. FIG. 7 illustrates the position of the parts under these circumstances and as will be seen, as the

roller

194 is retracted the

finger

182 of

shoe

180 rotates inwardly past it bringing

roller

186 into a position to engage

finger

160 of

trigger

60 and upon de-energization of

solenoid

190, the

roller

194 is again extended so it comes into a position on the other side of the

finger

182 as shown in FIGS.

-6 and 7 so that the

trigger actuating lever

166 is held in its rotated position as it rotates past the

finger

160 effecting the triggering of the mechanism.

When

bar

54 is released, the arm is rotated clockwise (FIG. 2) to throw a ball. The arcuate movement is dampened by

hydraulic cylinder dashpot

210 pivoted to

upright

211 and having stern 212 pivoted to

segment

213 at the inner end of

arm

46. After movement of

arm

46 is thus restrained it continues in the same direction back to starting position.

BALL FEEDING AND AGITATING MECHANISM FIG. 1 shows the throwing

arm

46 with a ball that has been fed into the

cradle

45 in a position to be thrown. Each time the

arm

46 moves to throw a ball it continues rotation in the same direction under the influence of the drive motor until the

bar

54 comes back into engagement with

trigger

60 which, of course, is now back in the position of FIG. 4. A ball is fed into the

cradle

45 and the remaining balls are prevented from advancing. Balls are fed from the hopper 30 as previously described. As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 there is a chute or trough formed of wire loops as designated generally at 44 and that extends from an opening in the bottom side of an extending

part

220 of the hopper 30 down into a position adjacent the

cradle

45 as may be seen in FIG. 1. The balls roll down this trough or chute.

Numeral

222 in FIG. 1 designates a bracket for two reciprocatable stems one of which is designated at 224 and the other at 226 which control feeding of balls. See FIG. 9. The

member

222 has an extending

bracket

230 to which is pivoted actuating lever 232 to which is attached the inner end of both of the

stems

224 and 226 as shown. The end of lever 232 is coupled to an

arm

236 on the end of

cross shaft

238 mounted in

bearings

240 and 242 on the

frame member

70. The shaft has a

radially extending part

246 which forms a cam follower that cooperates with an extending

projection

248 on the

sprocket wheel

114 so that every time the

sprocket wheel

114 makes a revolution the

projection

248 engages the

member

246 rotating the

shaft

238 and in turn swinging the lever 232. When the lever 232 swings in a counterclockwise direction looking at FIG. 1 the stern 224 retracts allowing a ball to pass from the trough or

chute

44 into the

cradle

45, the other stern 226 being extended to prevent the next ball from advancing and holding it in position. As may be seen, therefore, each cycle of the machine involves one complete revolution of the

shaft

51 and an actuation of the mechanism just described to feed the next ball into the

cradle

45 of the throwing

arm

46. The balls pass through openings in

members

225 and 227, FIG. 9. The balls engage

lever

229 pivoted at 231 and when the supply of balls is exhausted

lever

229 moves to open

switch

437. See FIG. 8.

In order to insure feeding of balls to the throwing arm, the hopper 30 is automatically tilted about its mounting pivot and an agitator is provided for agitating the balls to prevent them from clogging. The hopper 30 is mounted on pivots as shown at 262 and 264 at the upper ends of

uprights

266 and 268 upstanding from the frame which is movable angularly about the axis of

shafts

51 and 53. A

stem

32 includes a

smaller telescoping stem

272 having a

coil spring

274 around it which extends upwardly from a hinged

lever

276. This lever is positioned adjacent a four lobed cam 278 which is part of the

sprocket wheel

114 and which rotates therewith. The cam 278 engages the

lever

276 to move the

stem

274 upwardly thereby tilting the hopper 30 about the pivot axis 262-264 to agitate the balls therein.

The

ball agitating member

36 that moves through the

opening

34 in the bottom of the hopper 30 is one of a series of similar members positioned horizontally along the bottom of the hopper and movable to agitate the balls by way of a

stem

290 which can move arcuately with respect to a

pivot

292. At the other end of the

stem

290 is a

cam follower part

246 which is engageable by

projection

248 upon the

sprocket wheel

114 so that once during each revolution the

stem

290 is swung so as to move the agitating

members

36 as shown in FIG. 3 to agitate the balls.

ADJUSTMENT OF MACHINE IN

ELEVATION Frame

70 previously referred to is arcuately movable about the axis of the

shafts

51 and 53. When it is so adjusted it adjusts the

spring

52 and

arm

46 angularly as well as the trigger so that the height of the pitch is adjusted.

Frame

70 is adjustable by way of vertical lead screws 300 and 302 as may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 which have threaded engagement as may be seen with the frame members of

frame

70. The lower ends of these lead screws are suitably joumalled in bearings such as the one shown at 304 in FIG. 2. On the ends of these lead screws are sprocket wheels as shown at 306 and 308 and passing over these sprocket wheels is a drive chain as shown at 310 in FIG. 1. Engaging with this drive chain is a

small sprocket wheel

312 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 which is on a shaft leading from a gear box 314. The

motor

80 drives gear 316 which in turn drives

gear

318 which is on a shaft for the gear box 314. See FIG. 2. The

motor

80 is remotely controllable and adjustable from a console as will be described hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 1

numeral

330 designates a motor which is mounted directly on the base 12 within the base frame of the machine. The shaft of this motor has a

sprocket

332.

Numeral

331 is a lead screw journalled in a

bearing

334 and having on it a

sprocket wheel

336 which is driven from the

sprocket wheel

332 by a

sprocket chain

338. Lead screw engages a fitting at the end of a

stem

342 attached to the baseof the

frame

10 so that operation of the lead screw is operable to swing the entire machine about the pivot 14. The lead screw also operates limit switches as designated at 335 within a suitable housing. The motor bearing and switch unit are mounted directly to the concrete by stems.

PITCH SIGNALLING MECHANISM As previously explained, numeral 84 identifies an artificial leg or member appearing as a boot which is caused to move downwardly before the ball is pitched to simulate the movements of a live pitcher before pitching.

Numeral

350 designates a transverse shaft extending from side to side of the

frame

10. See FIG. 1.

The

shaft

350 has a

transverse arm member

352 on the end of which is the

artificial leg

34. The inner end of the

arm

352 extends inwardly into a position where it can be engaged by

projection

354 on the

sprocket wheel

114 for angularly moving the

arm

352 and lifting the artificial leg simulating the action of a pitcher. On the

shaft

350 is also a

cam member

356 that cooperates with

roller

358 on the stem of

solenoid

360 which is also remotely controlled, whereby to release the leg, to allow it to drop.

Solenoid

360 is energized by any one of

switches

200, actuated by cam dwells 202, 204, 206, 207, 209 or 214. Upon retracting its stem it disengages from behind

cam

356 allowing

leg

84 to drop.

When the leg drops,

abutment

357 on

cam

356, actuates

switch

359, which as described hereinafter allows energization of triggering

solenoid

190 after the foot has fallen, during a predetermined readily adjustable time interval. See FIGS. 3A and 3B.

ELECTRICAL CONTROL CIRCUITRY OF THE MACHINE The control circuitry of the machine is shown schematically in FIG. 8 and FIG. 1A shows the

panel

390 of the control console. It will be observed that FIG. 8 shows the azimuth motor, that is, the

horizontal deflection motor

330 and the

motor

80 for elevation. Also the triggering

solenoid

190 is shown as well as the

release solenoid

360 for the signalling leg. The

torsion spring

52 is also shown as well as the six

switches

200 individually identified at 200a, 200b, 200e, 200d, 200a and 200f, which are actuated by the cam rises as previously described on the

sprocket wheel

114 and shown in FIG. 5. The cam actuation is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 8. As may be seen in FIG. 8, the motor is controlled by the reversing

switch

400 which may be seen on the

panel

390 of the console in FIG. 1A. The azimuth motor is controlled by a reversing

switch

402 which is also shown on the panel in console FIG. 1A. The speed of the pitch may also be controlled by a group of four manual switches as designated at 406, the switches being individually identified at 4060, 406d. 406e and 406]. The purpose of these switches has already been described. Primarily the speed is controlled by

rotary speed switch

407 having

contacts

407 a f in series with

switches

200 a f.

Numeral

410 designates a contact wiper driven from the shaft of

motor

80 which cooperates with a series of

contacts

412, a, b, c, d, e,f. g, h, i, andj which control circuits through signalling lights as designated at 414a through 414]. Thus at the control panel of the

console

390 the elevation of the machine can be observed from the signal lights.

Numeral

416 designates a similar wiper driven from the shaft of the

motor

330 which cooperates with a series of

contacts

418a, b, c, d, and e that control circuits through

signal lights

420a through 420 e. These lights are positioned on the

control panel

390 across a diagrammatic representation of the home plate as designated at 422 so that the operator can readily observe the horizontal deflection of the pitch from these signal lights. As may be seen in FIG. 8 the power supply from standard volt lines comprises

line wires

430 and 432. The power to the circuitry is controlled by

manual switches

434 and 436. It will be observed that

motor

80 may be energized from

wires

430 and 442 by way of

switch

400 and

wires

444 and 446 back to the line.

Motor

330 may be energized similarly by way of the

switch

402. Switch 434 controls all circuits. Switch 436 controls the pitch speed circuits. Should

motor

80 open one of its

limit switches

401 or 403 it can be manually re-energized by

manual switch

450 and should motor 330 open one of its

limit switches

333 or 335 it can be re-energized by

manual switch

452. Briefly, now referring to the control of the machine from the console, the operator can set the machine for any azimuth, that is, horizontal deflection, and elevation simply by operating the reversing

switches

400 and 402 and then observing the signal lights 414 and 420 on the panel of the console to note that the machine has responded. The reversing switches have three positions, including open and closed in either direction of operation.

The operator sets the machine for speed of pitch by setting the speed switch 407 (and/or) closing one of the

manual switches

4060, d, e, or f. Depending upon which of these switches is closed, a circuit can be energized through one of the switches 20011, b, c, d, e, orfwhen one of these switches is closed by a cam dwell on the

sprocket wheel

114 as described in connection with FIG. 5. The operator can, of course, observe the speed that is indicated by observing switch 407 (and/or) which of the

switches

4060, d, e, orfis closed on the

panel

390 of the console. As previously described, the closing of one of the

switches

406 determines which of the trigger release levers 166 will be effective to actuate the trigger to release the

spring

52 and permit it to drive the

arm

46. It will be observed, of course, that switches 406, 407 and 200 control the

solenoids

360 and both of which will be energized in the cycle irrespective of which of the

other switches

406 is closed, these circuits being in between the

wires

440 on one side of the figure and

wire

444 on the other side.

SUMMARY OF OPERATION From the foregoing description of the machine and its component parts and features, those skilled in the art will fully understand and appreciate its operation, particularly in view of the description of the electrical control system FIG. 8. However, the operation may be briefly summarized as follows. The operator sets a particular horizontal deflection and elevation setting on the machine by way of the

switches

400 and 402. He sets the machine to operate to deliver a particular speed of pitch by operating rotary speed switch 407 (and/or) 4066 through f. The switch may then be closed to start the machine in operation and it will perform a cycle as described in the foregoing. That is the

shaft

51 will be rotated turning

spring

52 until

bar

54 engages the

trigger

60. The

spring

52 is wound up to the point at which trigger 60 is actuated or released to release the

bar

54 at which time the

arm

46 will move through an arc to throw the ball. The trigger is released by a selected one of the trigger release levers 166. Just before the pitch is executed as described in the foregoing the

signalling leg

84 will be up again and then dropped down again. Prior to the execution of the pitch a ball will be loaded into the

cradle

45 of the

arm

46 as previously described and during the cycle, hopper 30 will be tilted and the balls agitated by the

members

36 as described.

It is to be noted that the machine can be stopped if desired at any point in a cycle by shutting offthe power. The parts will then move in a reverse direction under the influence of

spring

52. It will be observed that all parts are constructed to permit such reverse movement without damage, particularly the triggering

levers

166.

If desired the machine may be automatically programmed to deliver particular sequences of different pitches, that is, pitches varying in speed, elevation and horizontal position with respect to the plate. To effect such programming the reversing

switches

400 and 402 are motorized by reversible motors and a motor driven rotary switch is used to operate the contacts of

switches

407 and/or 4060, d, e andf. These three motors may be controlled from a programming device so that at the end of each cycle the machine is automatically set for a different predetermined pitch in accordance with a predetermined sequence. The sequence is pre-established on magnetic tape or otherwise in the programmer which controls the aforesaid motors to make the settings between pitches.

Preferably the alternative triggering means may be operated in response to a time function that is, a timer that energizes the triggering solenoid after a predetermined interval so that the amount of wind up of the torsion spring is proportional to the time interval and pitch speed varies accordingly. It will be observed that the

solenoid

191 in FIGS. 10 and 11 is mounted on the

frame member

72. It is connected to a

stem

500 which in turn is able to actuate a

linkage

502 linked to a transverse shaft 504 joumalled in

bearings

506 and 508 carried by the

member

70. On the end of the shaft 504 is a

member

510 positioned to be able to come into engagement with the

toe

162 of the

trigger

60 to trigger or release the throwing arm. The

linkage

502 comprises a

link

516 pivoted at 518. The link is pivotally connected by

link

520 to another

link

522 the end of which is attached to one end of the shaft 504 as shown, the

link

520 having pivotal connection to the

links

516 and 522. Thus it may be seen that when the

solenoid

191 is energized it .acts through the linkage with sufficient force that

member

510 can engage the

trigger

60 to release. The linkage can also be manually actuated.

The

solenoid

191 if desired can be actuated directly by a mechanical timer as shown at 530 energized by a

battery

532. The time interval can be manually set on the

timer

530 by a

knob

531. The timing interval can be started from any suitable switch on the machine. By way of example the timing interval could be started from any one of the 200 series of switches as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 shows another type of timing device for obtaining the timed interval and variation in pitching speed. This timing device might be energized by one of the cam switches such as 200a, which is held closed for an interval as long as the maximum setting of

switch

407.

Numeral

550 designates a presettable binary count down counter preferably of three bits minimum. The

speed switch

407 through its various contacts, when the

gate line

554 is open, gates the speed setting lines to set the

presettable counter

550 to a like state. The counter is controlled by

gated oscillator

552 having a

gate line

554 controlled by

switch

200a. When the gate line is closed the cycle is begun, the

oscillator

552 being capable of adjustment of its cycle from 0.05 to 0.3 second. The output of the gated oscillator causes the

counter

550 to count down one, each cycle. When the gate line opens the oscillator stop its cycle. While the counter is counting down it cannot be reset by the speed switch. The speed setting lines provide a binary indication of the setting of the

rotary speed switch

407. After the predetermined count down, time

switch closure device

560 closes its

switch

562 which by way of example, can energize

foot solenoid

360 which brings about closure of

switch

359 which now energizes the triggering

solenoid

191 described in connection with FIG. 10 and 11.

In FIG. 12

switch blade

407 is on the same shaft as the

switch

407 previously described that adjusts the pitch speed. It cooperates with contacts 407a'407f' These contacts control three relays as designated at 570, 572 and 574.

Relay

570 actuates a group of

switch blades

570 a-e. Each of

relays

572 and 574 actuate a similar group of switch blades, the

relay

574 having five such blades as shown but the number, of course, being similar to the number of signal lights as shown in FIG. 8. The wiring of FIG. 12 illustrates the manner of wiring in order to achieve calibration of the machine so that the signal lights 414 and 420 actually provide a display on the console of the position of the ball in passing over the plate. FIG. 12 illustrates the circuitry changes (by way of example) that are brought about by setting of the speed switch to contact 407v. This energizes the

relays

570 and 572 thereby moving their switch blades downwardly to their lower contacts. Thus, it will be seen, that whereas previously, the

slider

410 would energize the light 4140, with

relays

570 and 572 energized, at this speed, because of actuation of the

relays contact

412a now will bring about energization of signal light 414a instead of 4140. In other words, the change in speed brings about a vertical shift in the signal light that is illuminated. The technique thus illustrated in FIG. 12 is employed to bring about accurate calibration of the machine in that for the actual observed position of the ball in passing over the plate, the correct signal light is caused to light so that it accurately displays the position.

Alternatively instead of

relays

570, 572, and 574 and their contacts, these contacts might be additional circularly arranged contacts cooperating with additional wipers on the same shaft as wiper 407'.

The same result is achieved with respect to the horizontal display lights 420. It will be seen that energization of

relay

574 shifts its switch contact blades so that there is a shift of one increment with respect to the signal light that is energized. Thus it may be observed that in this manner the machine can be com letely and accurately calibrated over its complete range of speed so that there is an accurate display on the

display panel

390 of the actual position of the ball in passing over the plate.

FIG. 14 shows a simplified circuit arrangement for providing a display indication of the position of the ball over the plate.

Numeral

580 designates an indicating volt meter.

Numeral

582 indicates a

potentiometer comprising resistor

584 and

slide wire resistor

586 with the

wiper

410 as previously described operating as a slider cooperating with

slide wire resistor

586. Across the

volt meter

580 is a Zener diode, for example, 592 for purposes of meter protection. Connected across the

slide wire resistor

586 are

resistors

594, 596, 598 and 600.

Numeral

407 designates a rotary switch arm on the same shaft as

switch

407, 407a, 4071;", 407a", etc. Between these terminals and the junctions between the series resistors 594-600 are

resistors

606, 608 and 510. As will be noted, as the

wiper

410 moves, the volt meter will indicate a position. This reading is varried by changing the position of the

rotary switch

407 and must be calibrated on each machine to indicate the actual position of the ball in passing over the plate as it varies depending upon the speed. The calibration is accomplished by varying the appropriate resistance values of 584, 594 through 602e, after calibration the indicator will indicate the true position of the ball over the plate at any speed. Thus a system or arrangement as shown in FIG. 14 can be used to indicate the vertical position of the balls, for example, and another similar indicator can be used to provide an indication of the horizontal position. By simple adjustments the volt meters can be made to give an accurate calibrated visual display ofthe ball position relative to the plate.

3. A machine as in

claim

2 having additional means comprising timing mechanism for releasing the triggering means at a selected increment of time after beginning of the torsioning of the torsion spring.

8. A machine as in

claim

7 wherein said actuating lever comprises a part movable to a position to engage a part of said triggering means for releasing the triggering means, said movable control member being positionable to be engaged by said actuating lever upon rotation of said one end of said spring to a predetermined position to maintain said actuating lever out of engagement with the triggering means.