A ball machine system comprising a ball launching system, a memory configured to store a court model that includes dimensions of a court type in relation to a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system, an imaging system connected to the ball launching system and configured to capture a plurality of images of a court, and a processor. The processor configured to analyze the plurality of images to detect feature points in each of the plurality of images, superimpose a plurality of different transformations of the court model onto the plurality of images to generate a plurality of model fits, select as a final model fit, from the plurality of model fits, a model fit based on a degree of overlap among features of the transformed court model and the respective image, and calculate the position of the ball launching system on a playing surface of the court based on the selected final model fit and intrinsic parameters of the imaging system.

The present invention is a ball feeding and throwing apparatus that is capable of feeding multiple ball throwing devices. The present invention feeds balls to each device at a constant rate and allows each ball feed to be independently controlled via a remote control. The present invention comprises a main hull, feeder modules, feeding tubes, and ball throwing devices. The main hull be an all-in-one system which feeds balls via the feeder modules at a constant rate. The feeder modules then transfer the balls through the feeding tubes to each of the multiple ball throwing devices where the balls are thrown towards an athlete.

The present invention allows a single coach to control a number of ball feeds remotely and independently. Thereby allowing a single coach to train a number of athletes at one time. Further, the training experience is improved as the coach is free to control the ball feeds remotely, placing the coach in close proximity to an athlete. The close proximity allowing improved communication, greater observation, and allows for hands on training and demonstration.

A sports projectile delivery system may control the operation of a launcher to cause an American football or other sports projectile to be delivered to a target location on a field. In some aspects, the system can track player movements on the field, e.g., through the use of a tracking device mounted on the player, enabling the ball etc. to be launched to a player in anticipation of where the player will go. The system may include additional customization and/or logging options, e.g., permitting a player to designate a body position (e.g., above the head or near the knees) for delivery of the ball, designate a speed or hang time for delivery, or provide player data and analytics to an online or otherwise connected database.

An automatic ball launcher for pets includes a body shell, a ball launch aisle, a ball launch mechanism which is connected to the ball launch aisle and near the outlet for the ball; the ball launch mechanism comprises one or more ball launch wheels and one or more ball launch motors; the ball launch wheels are set on two sides of the ball launch aisle, a face of which is a concaved curve; the concaved curve matches the outline of the ball; regular teeth are arranged on the concaved curve; the ball launch wheels are driven by one or more ball launch motor and launch the ball from the outlet. The present invention effectively enlarged the contact surface between the wheels and the ball, which solve the problem of slippery ball being stuck inside the launcher. The playing is not interrupted by the stuck ball and is enjoyable.

The present invention discloses a system 200 and an apparatus 100 for throwing a sports object 102 includes a body 110 with a feeding point 120 and a releasing point 130. A plurality of passages 112 structured in body 110 to extend from the feeding point to the releasing point 130. The one or more rotating means 114 are positioned in the body 110 such that a rotating surface 116 of the rotating means 114 extends into at least two passages 112 away from each other, wherein the rotating means 114 is adapted for throwing the object 102 received from the feeding point 120 to the releasing point 130 away from the apparatus 100 in one or more direction to achieve desired object delivery from the releasing point 130.

This invention relates generally to a ball delivery system and method, and more particularly to a ball delivery system where the axis of rotation of the ball delivered from the system can range from perpendicular to the direction of motion of the ball to parallel to the direction of motion. This invention also permits a user to enter information related to the speed and axis of rotation of the ball. This invention also permits information related to the speed and axis of rotation of the ball to be determined from a video of a ball.

A device and method for aiding in the practice of basketball and other games that require a ball to be returned to a player in order to perform repetitive practice routines. The device generally includes a ball catching component and a ball ejection component. The ball catching component catches balls thrown by the player and delivers them to the ball ejection component so that the ball ejection component has a continuous supply of balls. The invention includes a means for tracking a predetermined color worn by a player on the court and returning the ball toward the player's current position after a predetermined triggering event has occurred.

A racket-free tennis training device includes a maneuverable platform on which an elevation mechanism is mounted. A ball receiving and shooting mechanism is mounted on the elevation mechanism. The ball receiving and shooting mechanism includes a ball receiving mechanism, a ball management mechanism, and a ball shooting mechanism. The ball receiving mechanism includes a ball receptacle. The ball management mechanism includes a ball collection barrel and an advancing mechanism. The above arrangement allows for correctly receiving a tennis ball from an opponent site and then serving a ball to the opponent site to simulate an actual tennis game.

Adaptive basketball shooting devices are disclosed that allow a person with limited use of his or her arms to shoot a basket from a seated position in a wheelchair. In preferred implementations, the device allows a person with limited mobility to pick up, carry, and shoot a basketball. Some devices include a frame, a conveyor configured to retrieve a ball from a surface on which the wheelchair is positioned, e.g., a floor or a paved basketball court, and in cooperation with the frame convey the ball vertically relative to the frame, and a driven wheel mounted on the frame and configured to eject the ball upward from the device.

A sport carrying bag has a rotatable disc which is configured with a plurality of circumferentially spaced ball-receiving regions including one through-hole region, a mounting plate located below the disc, a chute downwardly extending to a loading section of launching apparatus, a fixed bi-directional ball feeding motor for rotatably driving the disc, and a controller in data communication with the ball feeding motor. Upon rotation of the disc in a first direction, a ball received in the through-hole region ceases to be contacted by the mounting plate and gravitates through the chute to the loading section of the launching apparatus. In response to a detected jammed condition, the controller commands the ball feeding motor to reverse its operating direction such that the disc will rotate in a second direction to cause one or more jammed balls to become dislodged.