Baseball pitching aid

• US 6,350,211 B1
• Filed: 02/11/2000
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Laura Zane Kolmar
• Original Assignee: Laura Zane Kolmar
• Inventors: Kolmar, Laura Zane
• Primary Examiner(s): Chapman, Jeanette
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US09/503,094
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 425/16, 425/542.2, D21/635, 273/348, 273/386, 273/390, 273/392, 273/317.7, 273/317.9, 473/417, 473/421, 473/422, 473/439, 473/451, 473/452, 473/454, 473/455, 33/1.G, 332/86, 332/93, 337/00, 337/55, 337/59, 33/1.H, 332/89
• US Class Current: 473/454
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball

Abstract

A simulated image of a batter facing a pitcher is provided for use in pitching practice. The lower portion of the batter includes one or more stakes which are inserted into the ground and provide a stable support. By positioning the simulated batter in an appropriate place near “home plate”, a pitcher can use the batter as a reference to determine the location of the strike zone. The size of the batter can be adjusted to vary the size of the strike zone. A ball detection apparatus and audio output can be provided to indicate when a pitch is detected and whether the pitch is a ball or a strike.

Claims

1. A simulated batter for use as a pitching aid comprising:

an upper body portion;

a lower body portion;

a vertical support rod;

the lower body portion being attachable to the vertical support rod;

the upper body portion attachable to the vertical support rod at one of a plurality of positions such that at least a portion of the upper and lower body portions overlap;

the upper and lower body portions configured to produce the image of a batter in an at-bat position;

at least one sensor coupled to the one of the upper and lower body portions for detecting an object thrown past the batter;

a control circuit receiving input from the sensor and determining when a detected object has passed through a predetermined area; and

an audio output responsive to the control circuit, the control circuit configured to initiate an audio output in response to the determination that the detected objected has passed through the predetermined area.

2. The batter of claim 1, further comprising a net extending outwards from the batter.

3. The batter of claim 1, further including a distance measuring device suitable for facilitating proper positioning of the batter, the distance measuring device being coupled to the batter.

4. A simulated batter for use as a pitching aid comprising:

an upper body portion and a lower body portion hingedly connected to the upper body portion, the upper and lower body portions configured to produce the image of a batter in an at-bat position;

a vertical support rod;

the lower body portion attachable to the vertical support rod at one of a plurality of positions, the position of the attachment of the upper body portion to the support rod determined a height of the batter; and

a ball detection apparatus coupled to at least one of the upper and lower body portions, the ball detection apparatus having at least one sensor which detects an object thrown past the batter when the object passes through a predetermined area.

5. The batter of claim 4, further comprising a stand having the vertical support rod extending therefrom.

6. The batter of claim 4, further comprising at least one downwardly extending stake.

7. The batter of claim 4, wherein each of the body portions is substantially planar.

8. The batter of claim 4, wherein each of the body portions comprises one of wood, plastic, and cardboard.

9. The batter of claim 4, wherein each of the body portions comprises a molded plastic shell.

10. The batter of claim 4, wherein each of the upper and lower body portions is three-dimensional.

11. The batter of claim 4, wherein:

at least a section of the upper body portion is torso-shaped;

the lower body portion comprises a thigh-shaped portion hingedly connected to the upper body portion, a calf-shaped portion hingedly connected to the thigh-shaped portion, and a foot-shaped portion hingedly connected to the calf-shaped portion.

12. The batter of claim 11, wherein the thigh-shaped portion is attachable to the vertical support rod at one of a plurality of positions.

13. The batter of claim 4, wherein the ball detection apparatus further includes:

a control circuit receiving input from the sensor and determining when a detected object has passed through the predetermined area; and

an audio output responsive to the control circuit, the control circuit configured to initiate an audio output in response to the determination that the detected object has passed through the predetermined area.

14. The batter of claim 4, further comprising a net extending outwards from the batter.

15. The batter of claim 4, further including a distance measuring device suitable for facilitating proper positioning of the batter, the distance measuring device being coupled to the batter.

16. The batter of claim 13, wherein the ball detection apparatus utilizes one of an ultrasonic detector and a infrared detector.

17. The batter of claim 16, wherein the at least one sensor and the control circuit are configured to form a distance sensing mechanism which detects the presence of an object in front of the at least one sensor, the ball detection apparatus determining the distance of the detected object from the at least one sensor by analyzing timing information related to emitted and detected sensor signals.

18. The batter of claim 17, wherein the predetermined area is defined in part by a minimum distance value and a maximum distance value, the predetermined area being between the minimum and maximum distance values.

19. The batter of claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors disposed on a rear portion of the upper and lower body portions, each sensor emitting one of a beam and a wave such that the thrown object is detected by interfering with one of the emitted beam and emitted wave causing a signal to be sent to the control circuit.