Table tennis ball distribution and storage apparatus and method
US6691691B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63B2102/16
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The table tennis ball distribution and storage apparatus and method described herein stores a plurality of table tennis balls and automatically projects a single ball on command. The apparatus includes an integrated timing system that simultaneously loads a single ball from a storage unit into a firing cavity, cuts power to a motor to keep the ball within the firing cavity, and arms a flipper system. The integrated timing system includes an integrated ball support/feeder system, a flipper system, and an actuator system. The integrated ball support/feeder system both supports the stored balls and loads a single ball into the firing cavity. The flipper system is used on the apparatus to propel the ball in an exact and proper trajectory. An actuator system controls the timing of the flipper system. The table tennis ball distribution and storage method uses the apparatus to store and distribute table tennis balls.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.