ANTI-BOUNCE BACK PROTECTIVE SAFETY SCREEN APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

• US 20150328517A1
• Filed: 05/13/2015
• Published: 11/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Valle Baseball Incorporated
• Original Assignee: John Valle Baseball Incorporated
• Inventors: Valle, John A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,782,649 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/40 Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls or other bodies golf cups with ball ejector means A63B57/405; traps for clay-pigeon targets F41J9/18
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls

Abstract

A protective screen system having a protective screen made up of a protective screen frame and a primary net, and including a protective screen safety apparatus coupled to the protective screen. The protective screen safety apparatus includes one or more spacing connectors adapted to couple a structure such as a protective screen frame, and support and suspend a safety net in front of and spaced from the protective screen frame to minimize bounce back of a ball from the protective screen frame. Methods of protecting a batter with the protective screen safety apparatus are provided. Retrofitting and adjustable protective screen safety apparatus are described, including embodiments adapted to minimize damage to chain-link fences, as are other aspects.

Claims

1. A protective screen system, comprising:

a protective screen including a protective screen frame and a primary net; and

a protective screen safety apparatus coupled to the protective screen, the protective screen safety apparatus including;

one or more spacing connectors adapted to couple the protective screen safety apparatus to the protective screen frame, and

a safety net supported and suspended in front of the protective screen frame by the one or more spacing connectors.

2. The protective screen system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the one or more spacing connectors comprise:

an adapter configured to couple to the protective screen frame; and

an extending attachment from which the safety net is suspended.

3. The protective screen system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the one or more spacing connectors comprise a spring member.

4. The protective screen system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the one or more spacing connectors comprise:

an adapter that is coupled to the protective screen frame; and

a spring member extending from the adapter.

5. The protective screen system of claim 4, wherein the spring member protrudes at an angle between about 10 degrees to about 80 degrees from a horizontal.

6. The protective screen system of claim 1, wherein the one or more spacing connectors supports the safety net at a distance in front of the protective screen frame of about 3 inch or more.

7. The protective screen system of claim 6, wherein the one or more spacing connectors supports the safety net at a distance in front of the protective screen frame of between about 3 inch to about 20 inch.

8. The protective screen system of claim 1, wherein the one or more spacing connectors is configured and operable to suspend the safety net in front of the protective screen frame to prevent a ball from ricocheting off from at least a portion of the protective screen frame.

9. The protective screen system of claim 1, wherein the one or more spacing connectors are reconfigurable to protect a first side or a second side of the protective screen.

10. A protective screen safety apparatus, comprising:

one or more spacing connectors configured and adapted to be coupled to a protective screen wherein the protective screen includes a protective screen frame and a primary net; and

a safety net supportable by the one or more spacing connectors and configured to be positioned adjacent to and in front of the protective screen but spaced therefrom, the safety net configured and adapted to prevent bounce back of a ball from the protective screen frame of the protective screen.

11. The protective screen safety apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least some of the one or more spacing connectors comprise a spring member.

12. The protective screen safety apparatus of claim 11, wherein the spring member comprises a rod of elastomer material or a coil spring.

13. The protective screen safety apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of the one or more spacing connectors comprises:

an adapter configured to couple to the protective screen frame on one end; and

an extending attachment that extends from the adapter, wherein the extending attachment further comprises;

a spring member.

14. The protective screen safety apparatus of claim 13, wherein the spring member protrudes at an angle between about 10 degrees to about 80 degrees from a horizontal when the adapter is oriented to couple to the protective screen frame.

15. The protective screen safety apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more spacing connectors are reconfigurable to protect a first side or a second side of the protective screen.

16. The protective screen safety apparatus of claim 10, comprising:

a support frame; and

the one or more spacing connectors coupled to the support frame.

17. The protective screen safety apparatus of claim 10, comprising:

a support frame configured to be attached to and adjusted to a size of a top of the protective screen; and

the one or more spacing connectors coupled to the support frame.

18. A method of protecting a batter, comprising:

providing a protective screen including a protective screen frame and a primary net;

providing a protective screen safety apparatus coupled to the protective screen, the protective screen safety apparatus including a safety net positioned in front of the protective screen frame and spaced therefrom; and

preventing bounce back of a ball from the protective screen frame with the safety net.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising:

providing a pitching machine being fed by a person; and

providing a safety net between the pitching machine and the person to protect the person from being struck by a ball ricocheting off from the pitching machine.

20. A protective screen safety apparatus, comprising:

a support frame including connection features configured and adapted to be connected to a structure selected from a group consisting of a protective screen and a chain-link fence;

one or more spacing connectors comprising a spring member coupled to the support frame; and

a safety net supportable by the one or more spacing connectors and configured to be positioned adjacent to, and in front of the frame, but spaced therefrom, the safety net configured and adapted to prevent ball bounce back or damaging contact with the structure.