Improved pitching machines capable of providing accurate, repeatable, and various pitches for training or simulation purposes (e.g., batting and catching). The pitching machine of the present invention may be operable to deliver pitches that each have a different predetermined trajectory, location, velocity (speed to target), and rotational velocity with repeatable precision and accuracy. Additionally, the pitching machine may be programmable and capable of simulating a pitch sequence, as thrown by a pitcher in a game situation, which provides a novel and effective tool for training batters.

Improved pitching machines capable of providing accurate, repeatable, and various pitches for training or simulation purposes (e.g., batting and catching). The pitching machine of the present invention may be operable to deliver pitches that each have a different predetermined trajectory, location, velocity (speed to target), and rotational velocity with repeatable precision and accuracy. Additionally, the pitching machine may be programmable and capable of simulating a pitch sequence, as thrown by a pitcher in a game situation, which provides a novel and effective tool for training batters.

A toy launcher for launching projectiles that includes a drum having a substantially circular shape and comprising a ring of projectile holders to hold projectiles for launching, the ring of projectile holders including a ring of inner support portions located substantially at a first radius from a center of the drum, each inner support portion adapted to support at least a portion of a projectile on an inner concentric ring of projectiles, and a ring of outer support portions located substantially at a second radius from the center of the drum, each outer support portion adapted to support at least a portion of a projectile on an outer concentric ring of projectiles, wherein the second radius is different than the first radius, and wherein the drum includes a ring of front openings and a ring of rear openings that are aligned with at least the inner concentric ring of projectiles.

A toy launcher for launching projectiles that includes a drum having a substantially circular shape and comprising a ring of projectile holders to hold projectiles for launching, the ring of projectile holders including a ring of inner support portions located substantially at a first radius from a center of the drum, each inner support portion adapted to support at least a portion of a projectile on an inner concentric ring of projectiles, and a ring of outer support portions located substantially at a second radius from the center of the drum, each outer support portion adapted to support at least a portion of a projectile on an outer concentric ring of projectiles, wherein the second radius is different than the first radius, and wherein the drum includes a ring of front openings and a ring of rear openings that are aligned with at least the inner concentric ring of projectiles.

In accordance with embodiments a toy projectile system can have a toy projectile and a toy projectile launcher having an improvised projectile checking and locking feature to confirm presence of a proper projectile of the system through detection of the nub and prevent launch of a projectile not designed for use with the system.

In accordance with embodiments a toy projectile system can have a toy projectile and a toy projectile launcher having an improvised projectile checking and locking feature to confirm presence of a proper projectile of the system through detection of the nub and prevent launch of a projectile not designed for use with the system.

A toy projectile launcher for launching projectiles, e.g, toy foam darts, from a hopper. One or more agitating members inside the hopper to enable the projectiles to drop into a firing chamber under the hopper. A hopper cover has a collapsible ceiling with nested members and a ceiling plate to maintain the projectiles toward the bottom of the hopper. A catch coupled to the ceiling plate engages an opening in a hopper wall to prevent the ceiling from collapsing when the hopper cover is closed. Where there are multiple vertically spaced-apart openings in the hopper wall, the catch may disengage from a first opening, and then engage a lower, second opening in the hopper wall, as the number of projectiles in the hopper drops and the ceiling plate descends in the hopper. A rotating track and a push rod advance projectiles from the firing chamber to flywheels for launch.

A toy projectile launcher for launching projectiles, e.g, toy foam darts, from a hopper. One or more agitating members inside the hopper to enable the projectiles to drop into a firing chamber under the hopper. A hopper cover has a collapsible ceiling with nested members and a ceiling plate to maintain the projectiles toward the bottom of the hopper. A catch coupled to the ceiling plate engages an opening in a hopper wall to prevent the ceiling from collapsing when the hopper cover is closed. Where there are multiple vertically spaced-apart openings in the hopper wall, the catch may disengage from a first opening, and then engage a lower, second opening in the hopper wall, as the number of projectiles in the hopper drops and the ceiling plate descends in the hopper. A rotating track and a push rod advance projectiles from the firing chamber to flywheels for launch.

A toy launcher for launching a projectile, the toy launcher includes a housing having a launch opening, a launch mechanism provided within the housing, the launch mechanism including at least one flywheel configured to launch the projectile, a pusher mechanism configured to move the projectile into contact with the at least one flywheel, and a trigger mechanism that, when actuated, is configured to move the projectile with the pusher mechanism into contact with the at least one flywheel and configured to rotate the at least one flywheel to launch the projectile through the launch opening in the housing.

A position adjusting device includes a first support member, a mounting seat disposed on the first support member and including a receiving seat and a pivot shaft disposed in the receiving seat, and a second support member carried by the receiving seat.