Ball pitching trainer

• US 5,348,291 A
• Filed: 08/31/1992
• Issued: 09/20/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael T. Scully
• Original Assignee: Michael T. Scully
• Inventors: Scully, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Theatrice
• Application Number:
  US07/938,884
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 273/29 A, 273/181 J, 273/181 R, 273/181 G, 273/411, 273/30, 273/26 A
• US Class Current: 473/454
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/002 variable in size
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/026 stabilised by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40

Abstract

A ball pitching trainer is disclosed having two supports. Each support has a base at an upright and may be disassembled for transport and storage. A target area is suspended between the uprights. The target is defined by an upper horizontal cord and a lower horizontal cord. Two vertical cords are suspended from the upper horizontal cord further defining the open target area. Springs, elastomeric or otherwise, absorb shock from an errant ball striking the target. Fittings are provided for ready adjustment of the target area vertically and horizontally. The bases have hollow interiors for the addition and removal of ballast. Weights are used to keep the vertical cords plumb.

Claims

1. A portable baseball training device for ball pitching practice, comprising:

a first support comprising a first stabilizing base holding up a first upright member;

a second support comprising a second stabilizing base holding up a second upright member, wherein said first stabilizing base and said second stabilizing base are separate from each other and each provide free-standing support of their respective upright above a generally horizontal floor surface;

target means suspended between said first upright member and said second upright member for providing a target for a pitched ball, wherein said target means defines an open pitching target to allow the ball to pass through the target to be caught by a catcher, wherein said target means is selectively adjustable to allow selective positioning of the open pitching target with respect to said uprights; and

suspension means for suspending said target means between said first and second upright members, wherein said suspension means includes spring means located between said target means and said first and second upright members for dampening shock caused by an errant ball striking said target means peripherally around said open pitching target;

wherein said suspension means consists essentially of;

(a) said spring means; and

(b) a first generally horizontal cord suspended between said first and second uprights, partially defining said open target area, wherein said horizontal cord provides a small profile to reduce the incidence of an errant ball striking said cord;

wherein said first support and said second support are free of any rigid cross-brace support therebetween, wherein said first upright member and said second upright member are spaced apart from each other not more than about six feet, and further wherein said target means include a left generally vertical cord hung from said first cord and further includes a right generally vertical cord hung from said first cord to partially define the open pitching target between said left cord and said right cord, wherein said left and right vertical cords are narrow, brightly colored cord;

wherein said left cord is attached to said suspension means by a left fitting, and wherein said right cord is attached to said suspension means by a right fitting, and wherein said left fitting and said right fitting are selectively slidable horizontally along said first horizontal cord to allow selective horizontal positioning of the open pitching target with respect to said uprights;

wherein said right cord and said left cord have a weight secured thereto to pull said right and left cords taut;

wherein said first stabilizing base and said second stabilizing base each define a separate hollow interior therein for holding ballast and each stabilizing base has a closure and opening to allow addition and removal of ballast;

wherein said target means includes a lower generally horizontal cord suspended on between said first and second uprights and below said suspension means;

wherein said lower generally horizontal cord has a lower right fitting attached thereto and securing said right generally vertical cord, and

wherein said lower generally horizontal cord has a lower left fitting attached thereto and securing said left generally vertical cord, and wherein said lower left fitting and said lower right fitting are selectively horizontally slidable along said lower cord.

2. A portable baseball training device for ball pitching practice, comprising:

a first support comprising a first stabilizing base holding up a first upright member;

a second support comprising a second stabilizing base holding up a second upright member, wherein said first stabilizing base and said second stabilizing base are separate from each other and each provide free-standing support of their respective upright above a generally horizontal floor surface;

target means suspended between said first upright member and said second upright member for providing a target for a pitched ball, wherein said target means defines an open pitching target to allow the ball to pass through the target to be caught by a catcher, wherein said target means is selectively adjustable to allow selective positioning of the open pitching target with respect to said uprights; and

suspension means for suspending said target means between said first and second upright members, wherein said suspension means includes spring means located between said target means and said first and second upright members for dampening shock caused by an errant ball striking said target means peripherally around said open pitching target;

wherein said suspension means consists essentially of;

(a) said spring means; and

(b) a first generally horizontal cord suspended between said first and second uprights, partially defining said open target area, wherein said horizontal cord provides a small profile to reduce the incidence of an errant ball striking said cord;

wherein said first support and said second support are free of any rigid cross-brace support therebetween, wherein said first upright member and said second upright member are spaced apart from each other not more than about six feet, and further wherein said target means include a left generally vertical cord hung from said first cord and further includes a right generally vertical cord hung from said first cord to partially define the open pitching target between said left cord and said right cord, wherein said left and right vertical cords are narrow, brightly colored cord;

wherein said left cord is attached to said suspension means by a left fitting, and wherein said right cord is attached to said suspension means by a right fitting, and wherein said left fitting and said right fitting are selectively slidable horizontally along said first horizontal cord to allow selective horizontal positioning of the open pitching target with respect to said uprights;

wherein said right cord and said left cord have a weight secured thereto to pull said right and left cords taut;

wherein said first stabilizing base and said second stabilizing base each define a separate hollow interior therein for holding ballast and each stabilizing base has a closure and opening to allow addition and removal of ballast;

wherein said target means includes a lower generally horizontal cord suspended between said first and second uprights and below said suspension means;

wherein said lower generally horizontal cord has a lower right fitting attached thereto and securing said right generally vertical cord, and

wherein said lower generally horizontal cord has a lower left fitting attached thereto and securing said left generally vertical cord, and

wherein said lower left fitting and said lower right fitting are selectively horizontally slidable along said lower cord; and

,

at least four elastomeric members to dampen shock caused by an errant ball striking said target means peripherally around said open pitching target, said four elastomeric members being attached to said first and second uprights in two pairs with said first horizontal cord suspended between an upper pair of elastomeric members and said lower horizontal cord suspended between a lower pair of elastomeric members, and wherein said first and second uprights each have selectable attachment fittings vertically arrayed to receive said elastomeric members at selected heights to allow selective vertical positioning of the open pitching target with respect to said uprights, and wherein said first stabilizing base and said second stabilizing base each have a plurality of ground anchor means for receiving a stake therethrough into ground beneath said bases to provide additional stability.

3. A portable baseball training device for ball pitching practice, comprising:

a first support comprising a first stabilizing base holding up a first upright member;

a second support comprising a second stabilizing base holding up a second upright member, wherein said first stabilizing base and said second stabilizing base are separate from each other and each provide free-standing support of their respective upright above a generally horizontal floor surface;

target means suspended between said first upright member and said second upright member for providing a target for pitching the ball, wherein said target means defines an open pitching target to allow the ball to pass through the target, wherein said target means is selectively adjustable to allow selective positioning of the open pitching target with respect to said uprights; and

suspension means for suspending said target means between said first and second upright members, wherein said suspension means includes spring means for dampening shock caused by an errant ball striking said target means peripherally around said open pitching target;

wherein said first support and said second support are free of any rigid cross-brace support therebetween, and further wherein said target means include a left generally vertical cord hung from said suspension means and further includes a right generally vertical cord hung from said suspension means to partially define the open pitching target between said left cord and said right cord;

wherein said left cord is attached to said suspension means by a left fitting, and wherein said right cord is attached to said suspension means by a right fitting, and wherein said left fitting and said right fitting are selectively slidable horizontally along said suspension means to allow selective horizontal positioning of the open pitching target with respect to said uprights;

wherein said right cord and said left cord have a weight secured thereto to pull said right and left cords taut;

wherein said target means includes a lower generally horizontal cord suspended between said first and second uprights and below said suspension means;

(a) wherein said lower generally horizontal cord has a lower right fitting attached thereto and securing said right generally vertical cord, and

(b) wherein said lower generally horizontal cord has a lower left fitting attached thereto and securing said left generally vertical cord, and

wherein said lower left fitting and said lower right fitting are selectively horizontally slidable along said lower cord.