Pitching practice device

• US 4,254,952 A
• Filed: 12/11/1978
• Issued: 03/10/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George H. Playter Jr
• Original Assignee: George H. Playter Jr
• Inventors: Playter, George H. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, THEATRICE
• Application Number:
  US05/968,189
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 273/26 A, 273/29 A, 273/181 R, 273/181 A, 273/181 B, 273/181 C, 273/181 D, 273/181 J, 273/181 K, 273/181 F, 273/182 R, 273/182 A, 273/35 R , 273/102 R, 273/102 S, 273/127 R, 273/127 B, 273/102 S, 273/, 273/102.4, 273/103, 273/105 R, 273/105.5, 273/101, 273/102.1 R, 273/102.1 B , 273/102.1 G, 273/102.2 A, 273/102.2 B, 273/102.2 R, 273/102.2 S, 273/102.3, 273/176 B, 273/176 D, 273/177 B, 273/183 R, 273/401 , 273/400
• US Class Current: 473/456
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/005 Keeping track of the point of impact or entry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40

Abstract

A pitching practice device consisting of a sheet of canvas or the like supported in a vertical plane, and having an aperture formed therein defining a strike zone, at which a baseball pitcher may pitch baseballs to develop his accuracy and control. For still greater accuracy of control, and to "catch" the balls, a canvas chute is attached to the rearward surface of the sheet, and divided into a plurality of sections each opening through the sheet aperture, for receiving and trapping any ball entering its opening. The sheet aperture is thus divided into zones for indicating, and recording, whether a pitched ball is "high", "low", "inside", "outside", or "down the middle". The sheet is resiliently supported to prevent damage either to the device or to the ball. The device may also be adapted for use, with a set of playing rules, as a competitive game, particularly for children.

Claims

1. A baseball pitching practice device comprising:

a. a stand,

b. means operable to anchor said stand relative to the ground, in upstanding relation from the ground,

c. a generally rectangular sheet of flexible material disposed in a generally vertical plane and having an aperture forming a strike zone formed therein whereby a pitcher may pitch baseballs at the exposed forward surface of said sheet to pass through said aperture, said sheet being spaced forwardly from said stand and said stand being disposed entirely behind said sheet, and

d. connecting means extending forwardly from said stand and connected to the peripheral edge of said sheet, said connecting means being resiliently yieldable in a rearwardly horizontal direction, whereby to be yieldable under the impact of baseballs striking said sheet in the area of said connecting means, said connecting means comprising a series of horizontal, forwardly-opening socket members affixed to said stand in spaced relation about the periphery of said sheet, an elongated horizontal stud slidably mounted in each of said sockets and affixed at its forwardly extended end to said sheet, and a spring yieldably resisting rearward movement of said stud in said socket member.

2. A baseball pitching practice device comprising:

a. a stand,

b. means operable to anchor said stand relative to the ground, in upstanding relation from the ground,

c. a generally rectangular sheet of flexible material disposed in a generally vertical plane and having an aperture defining a strike zone formed therein, whereby a pitcher may pitch baseballs at the exposed forward surface of said sheet to pass through said aperture,

d. means connecting the peripheral edge of said sheet to said stand, said sheet being otherwise spaced apart from said stand,

e. a generally horizontally extending chute formed of flexible material, being closed at its rearward end and having an open mouth at its forward end,

f. an endless loop of elastic cord secured to said chute around the periphery of the mouth thereof, and

g. a series of hooks affixed to the rearward surface of said sheet in spaced relation around the periphery of said aperture, and opening outwardly from said aperture, said endless loop of elastic cord, when tensioned, being engageable in said hooks.

3. A baseball pitching practice device comprising:

a. a stand,

b. means operable to anchor said stand relative to the ground, in upstanding relation from the ground,

c. a generally rectangular sheet of flexible material disposed in a generally vertical plane and having an aperture defining a strike zone formed therein, whereby a pitcher may pitch baseballs at the exposed forward surface of said sheet to pass through said aperture,

d. means connecting the peripheral edge of said sheet to said stand, said sheet being otherwise spaced apart from said stand,

e. a generally horizontally extending chute closed at its rearward end and having an open mouth at its forward end, and

f. means operable to secure the mouth of said chute to the rearward surface of said sheet, with the open mouth thereof in encircling relation to the aperture of said sheet, said chute being provided with longitudinally extending partitions whereby said chute is divided cross-sectionally into a series of pockets, the forward edges of said partitions intersecting the aperture of said sheet and dividing it into a series of zones each corresponding to one of said chute pockets, whereby a baseball passing through any one of said zones will enter the corresponding pocket of said chute.

4. A device as recited in claim 3 wherein both said sheet and its partitions are formed of flexible material.

5. A device as recited in claim 4 wherein said means securing said chute to said sheet comprises:

a. an endless loop of elastic cord secured to said chute around the periphery of the mouth thereof,

b. a grid of elastic cords corresponding in pattern to the cross-sectional pattern of the partitions of said chute extending across and secured to said endless cord loop, the forward edges of said partitions being secured to the corresponding elastic cords of said grid, and

c. a series of hooks affixed to the rearward surface of said sheet in spaced relation around the periphery of the aperture, and opening outwardly from said aperture, said endless loop of elastic cord, when tensioned, being engageable in said hooks.