Collapsible L-screen for protecting a baseball pitcher

• US 20070049428A1
• Filed: 08/29/2005
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Easton Sports Incorporated (BRG Sports, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Jas D Easton Incorporated
• Inventors: Stromsborg, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US11/215,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20070049428A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/451
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls

Abstract

An L-screen for protecting a baseball pitcher includes a plurality of screen sections pivotally connected to one another. The screen sections are pivotable, relative to one another, from a collapsed configuration in which the screen sections at least partially overlap one another, to a deployed configuration in which the screen sections optionally form an L-shape.

Claims

1. An L-screen for protecting a baseball pitcher, comprising:

a first screen section;

a second screen section pivotally connected to a first side of the first screen section;

a third screen section pivotally connected to a second side of the first screen section;

wherein the second and third screen sections are pivotable from a deployed configuration to a collapsed configuration in which the first, second, and third screen sections at least partially overlap one another.

2. The L-screen of claim 1 wherein the first, second, and third screen sections at least substantially form an L-shape in the deployed configuration.

3. The L-screen of claim 1 wherein the first, second, and third screen sections are substantially coplanar in the deployed configuration.

4. The L-screen of claim 1 wherein the first, second, and third screen sections rest against one another in the collapsed configuration.

5. The L-screen of claim 4 wherein, in the collapsed configuration, each side of an outer frame of the first screen section rests against a corresponding side of an outer frame of each of the second and third screen sections.

6. The L-screen of claim 1 wherein, in the collapsed configuration, an outer frame of the first screen section is located between an outer frame of each of the second and third screen sections.

7. The L-screen of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of locking mechanisms located in at least one of the first, second, and third screen sections for locking the L-screen into the deployed configuration.

8. The L-screen of claim 7 wherein at least one of the locking mechanisms comprises a locking pin and a locking insert that is slidable into a frame of one of the first, second, and third screen sections.

9. The L-screen of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of detachable legs attached to at least one of the first and third screen sections for maintaining the L-screen in an upright deployed position.

10. The L-screen of claim 1 further comprising at least one foldable leg attached to at least one of the first and third screen sections for maintaining the L-screen in an upright deployed position, with the foldable leg pivotable to a position near or against the L-screen.

11. The L-screen of claim 1 further comprising at least one detachable wheel mechanism attached to one of the first, second, and third screen sections when the L-screen is in the collapsed configuration.

12. The L-screen of claim 1 wherein the first and second sides of the first screen section are substantially perpendicular to each other.

13. The L-screen of claim 1 wherein an outer frame of each of the first, second, and third screen sections is rectangular.

14. The L-screen of claim 1 wherein the second and third screen sections are pivotally connected to the first screen section via a plurality of hinges.

15. The L-screen of claim 14 wherein the hinges are welded to frames of the first, second, and third screen sections.

16. An L-screen for protecting a baseball pitcher, comprising:

a plurality of screen sections pivotally connected to one another;

wherein the screen sections are pivotable, relative to one another, from a collapsed configuration in which the screen sections at least partially overlap one another, to a deployed configuration in which the screen sections at least substantially form an L-shape.

17. The L-screen of claim 16 further comprising a plurality of locking mechanisms located in or on at least one of the screen sections for locking the L-screen into the deployed configuration.

18. A method for collapsing an L-screen that includes a plurality of screen sections, comprising:

disengaging locking mechanisms on the L-screen; and

pivoting the screen sections, relative to one another, until the screen sections at least partially overlap one another.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising removing legs from the L-screen.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising attaching a wheel mechanism to at least one of the screen sections after the pivoting step.

21. An L-screen for protecting a baseball pitcher, comprising:

a plurality of means for preventing a ball from passing therethrough pivotally connected to one another;

wherein the plurality of means are pivotable, relative to one another, from a collapsed configuration in which the plurality of means at least partially overlap one another, to a deployed configuration in which the plurality of means at least substantially form an L-shape.