LIGHTWEIGHT TUNNEL FOR BASEBALL PITCHING PRACTICE

• US 20130102423A1
• Filed: 12/11/2012
• Published: 04/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matthew Hammons
• Original Assignee: Matthew Hammons
• Inventors: HAMMONS, MATTHEW
• Granted Patent: US 8,668,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/451
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0046 Mechanical means for locating the point of impact or entry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0633 without electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 47/025 Installations continuously collecting balls from the playing areas, e.g. by gravity, with conveyor belts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• 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 fabric tunnel for baseball pitching practice with a simple “auto-catcher” is made of netting in one embodiment. At the target end a flap with indicia of accuracy of aim also constitutes a flap that provides an audible feedback when hit and also allows the thrown balls to be captured. Straps are used to hold the tunnel in position by attachment to poles supported by guy wires or the straps could be attached to fixed objects such as a chain-link fence.

Claims

1. A baseball pitching-practice tunnel comprising a four-sided fabric tunnel of a length approximately from the pitching mount to home plate for a baseball, or optionally, softball field;

further, the tunnel'"'"'s front opening is an effective size for a pitcher to throw into without significant risk of missing the opening and a far end effectively the size of a batter;

still further, the attachment points for deploying the tunnel having an effective strength to support itself when the tunnel is stretched to the extent that it is taut and requiring no rigid frames along its length;

the tunnel being comprised of a net material on at least one of its four sides.

2. The pitching practice tunnel of claim 1 wherein attachment points at the far end are adapted to be connected to a backstop.