Homework 2: Jan 28 Karch
Validity of Patent #4596230: Filed Nov 5, 1984
The patent I chose was for the invention of a automated football throwing machine with the potential to load via a circular assembly of up to 8 footballs. There are three main steps to this device:
- Hold multiple footballs with the ability to feed one at a time into the system
- Automatically move the football into the correct orientation to be projected
- Project the football with the desired amount of spin
While no previous patented invention had accomplished all three of these goals, a combination of elements from the three patents referenced by patent #4596230 make the validity of the patent come into question.
Coacting wheels type football throwing device
Patent #4026261: Filed Mar 6, 1975
This is the earliest (and simplest) patent of a football throwing machine that I have been able to find. It consists of two oppositely rotating wheels powered by a motor, skewed to provide for the spin on the football when thrown. It is very similar to the "Jugs Football Machine which is in very common use today. The balls are loaded and pushed into the driving wheels by hand.
Automatic apparatus for positioning footballs for kicking
Patent #4460173: Filed Dec 6, 1983
This patent outlines an automated system for the positioning of the football in the correct orientation. The machine receives the ball from a chute and then moves it into the correct position for a kicker to kick from. While it does not project the ball or orient the ball in more than one way, it displays similar concepts to patent #4596230 in the orienting of the ball.
Target Throwing Apparatus
Patent #2310746: Filed Oct 20, 1941
This is the only patent referenced that does not involve footballs in the original intent of the design. This patent is designed to throw clay or wooden targets (for Skeet Shooting) successively. The targets are held in a wheel of cylinders, very similar to the way footballs are held in patent #4596230.
