Device for detecting and recording characterstics of a projectile

• US 20060178236A1
• Filed: 02/04/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Matthew P. Mosbey
• Original Assignee: Matthew P. Mosbey
• Inventors: Mosbey, Matthew P.
• Application Number:
  US11/051,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20060178236A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/451
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0043 Systems for locating the point of impact on a specific surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/04 Badminton
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/065 Racketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/16 Table tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls

Abstract

A baseball pitching training device constructed to detect the position and speed of a pitched baseball thrown proximate to a homeplate. A frame is connect to a base with multiple sensors positioned within the frame and base. The sensors are arranged proximate to a homeplate, such that when a baseball passes within a predetermine distance of the homeplate, the sensors detect the baseball and a control unit, in response to the sensors detecting the baseball, determines the position and speed of the baseball. When select sensors detect the baseball, a strike is indicated by the control unit. Among other things, the training device can be programmed to vary the strike zone.

Claims

1. A device for determining at least one of the velocity and position of a thrown object, said device comprising:

a frame;

a base connected to the frame; and

a plurality of sensors disposed within each of said frame and said base, said plurality of sensors arranged such that when the thrown object passes within a predetermined area proximate said plurality of sensors, at least one of said plurality of sensors detects the object and determines the at least one of the velocity and position of the thrown object.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, and further comprising a control unit connected to said plurality of sensors.

3. The device as recited in claim 2, wherein said control unit for programming said device.

4. The device as recited in claim 3, wherein said control unit operable to select certain of said plurality of sensors, such that if any of said certain of said plurality of sensors detects the object, the position of the thrown object is determined to be a strike.

5. The device as recited in claim 4, and further comprising a removable backstop for receiving the thrown object subsequent to passing proximate said plurality of sensors.

6. The device as recited in claim 4, wherein said control unit further for cumulating the at least one of the velocity and position of multiple thrown objects.

7. A device for determining at least one of the velocity and position of a thrown ball, said device comprising:

a generally rectangular shaped frame;

a base connected to the generally rectangular shaped frame;

a plurality of sensors disposed within each of the generally rectangular shaped frame and the base, the plurality of sensors arranged such that when the ball passes within a predetermined area proximate said plurality of sensors, at least one of said plurality of sensors detects the ball and determines the at least one of the velocity and position of the thrown object.

8. The device as recited in claim 7, wherein said generally rectangular shaped frame is constructed at least in part from PVC.

9. The device as recited in claim 8, and further comprising a control unit connected to said plurality of sensors.

10. The device as recited in claim 9, wherein said control unit is connected to said plurality of sensors via a wireless connection.

11. The device as recited in claim 9, wherein said control unit for programming said device.

12. The device as recited in claim 11, wherein said control unit is operable to select certain of said plurality of sensors, such that if any of said certain of said plurality of sensors detects the ball, the position of the thrown object is determined to be a strike.

13. The device as recited in claim 12, and further comprising a removable backstop for receiving the ball subsequent to passing proximate said plurality of sensors.

14. The device as recited in claim 13, wherein said control unit further for cumulating the at least one of the velocity and position of multiple thrown balls.

15. A baseball pitching training device comprising:

a frame;

a base connected to the frame;

a plurality of sensors disposed within each of said frame and said base;

a control unit connected to said plurality of sensors; and

said plurality of sensors being arranged such that when a baseball is thrown within a predetermined area proximate said plurality of sensors, at least one of the plurality of sensors detects the baseball and communicates the detection of the baseball to the control unit.

16. The baseball pitching training device as recited in claim 15, and further comprising a homeplate positioned on said base proximate to a select of said plurality of sensors.

17. The baseball pitching training device as recited in claim 16, wherein said controller indicating the position of the thrown baseball in response to the communication from the at least one of the plurality of sensors.

18. The baseball pitching training device as recited in claim 17, wherein said control unit for programming the baseball pitching training device.

19. The baseball pitching training device as recited in claim 18, wherein said control unit operable to select certain of said plurality of sensors, such that if any of said certain of said plurality of sensors detects the baseball, the position of the baseball is determined to be a strike.

20. The baseball pitching training device as recited in claim 19, and further comprising a removable backstop for receiving the baseball subsequent to passing proximate said plurality of sensors.