Vertical ball cannon with sliding deflector mounted on maneuverable robotic platform
US9864369B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60B2900/351
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A robotic vehicle is provided with vertical ball cannon and a ball deflector. The ball deflector is mounted over the vertical ball cannon on a vertical linear slide. The deflector redirects a ball shot from the cannon toward a desired target, such as a cylindrical goal. The vehicle further includes a rotating goal-grabber for anchoring a goal adjacent to the vehicle and underneath the output of the deflector. A pair of counter-rotating helical screws capture a ball from the ground and raise it into the ball cannon. The cannon launches the ball toward the deflector, which redirects the ball's upward vertical motion away from the cannon into a downward vertical motion toward the desired target.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.