Baseball pitching target

• US 4,497,485 A
• Filed: 06/04/1984
• Issued: 02/05/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Macosko
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Macosko
• Inventors: Macosko, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, THEATRICE
• Application Number:
  US06/616,838
• Time in Patent Office: 246 Days
• Field of Search: 273/26 A, 273/26 R, 273/29 A, 273/176 B, 273/177 A, 273/181 R, 273/181 A, 273/181 F, 273/181 J, 273/181 K, 273/35 R, 273/407, 273/401, 273/396
• US Class Current: 473/435
• 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 baseball pitching target comprising a rectangular peripheral tubular frame supported by support members staked to the ground and having a mesh backstop itself having an insert that represents such target indicia as the catcher'"'"'s chest protector, shoulder pads and knee protector pads and mitt. Pitched balls are collected in a compartmentalized ball receiving bag except for those pitched balls that miss the strike zone. Those missing the strike zone will be projected back toward the pitcher by the action of the spring-mesh structure of the backstop.

Claims

1. A baseball pitching target for receiving pitched baseballs, comprising in combination:

a peripheral main frame of generally rectangular configuration having rounded corners;

a generally rectangular portion of mesh netting within the periphery of said main frame;

net and bag retaining springs attaching said mesh netting to said peripheral main frame;

a front support member attached to said peripheral main frame and to the ground;

two adjustable telescoping brace members, each attached to the ground and to one side of the upper portions of said main frame;

a rectangular insert region or strike zone attached to said mesh netting and approximately centrally located within said generally rectangular portion of said mesh netting, including;

large cords cooperating with said net and bag retaining springs and said mesh netting to position said strike zone;

two shoulder target discs located at the two upper corners of said rectangular insert region or strike zone;

two catcher'"'"'s knee protector target discs located at the two lower corners of said rectangular insert region or strike zone;

simulated catcher'"'"'s chest protector ribs located at the upper central portion of said rectangular insert region or strike zone;

a compartmentalized ball receiving bag having a mouth attached to said rectangular insert region or strike zone;

said compartmentalized ball receiving bag being separated into three chambers;

an upper chamber of said compartmentalized ball receiving bag;

a lower compartment of said compartmentalized ball receiving bag;

a bag center wall dividing said upper chamber from said lower compartment;

a lower left-hand chamber of said lower compartment;

a lower right-hand chamber of said lower compartment;

a bag divider wall dividing said lower left-hand chamber from said lower right-hand chamber;

reinforcing large cords defining each of said upper chamber, said lower compartment, said lower left-hand chamber and said lower right-hand chamber;

a juncture of said reinforcing large cords at said bag center wall with said bag divider wall; and

a simulated catcher'"'"'s mitt, centrally located beneath said simulated catcher'"'"'s chest protector ribs and secured to said juncture of said reinforcing large cords at said bag center wall with said bag divider wall.

2. The baseball pitching target of claim 1 wherein said rectangular insert region or strike zone is attached to said mesh netting and said large cords by means of a U-channel structure and secured thereto by means of U-channel fasteners.

3. The baseball pitching target of claim 2 wherein said compartmentalized ball receiving bag is attached to said mesh netting and said large cords by means of said U-channel structure and secured thereto by means of U-channel fasteners.

4. The baseball pitching target of claim 1 including fastening buttons, sufficient in number to secure each of said shoulder target discs, said catcher'"'"'s knee protector target discs and said catcher'"'"'s mitt.