Portable backstop and sport equipment set, baseball related game, and playing field

• US 7,163,474 B1
• Filed: 01/20/2005
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brady Joseph Skinner, Mathew Scott Colby
• Original Assignee: Brady Joseph Skinner, Mathew Scott Colby
• Inventors: Colby, Mathew Scott, Skinner, Brady Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham; Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US10/905,781
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 473454-456, 473/421, 473/468, 273398-402, 273/381
• US Class Current: 473/454
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls

Abstract

A lightweight backstop, equipment set, method of defining a playing field and method of playing a baseball related game is provided. The invention integrates a ball stopping backstop, attached strike zone, foul line ropes and base hit markers with methods and means for defining and marking a playing field scaled to the size and number of players. A separate strike zone is attached to the backstop by means allowing the players to quickly change the vertical position of the strike zone and acoustical responses generated by balls hitting the strike zone. Players may also adjust the sound generated by balls missing the strike zone, but striking the backstop net. One embodiment of the disclosed game eliminates base running and ball throwing near batters after the ball has been struck. The entire equipment set is light weight, easy to move, and simple to assemble.

Claims

1. A backstop comprising:

(a) a backstop frame;

(b) a net attached to the backstop frame;

(c) a strike zone comprised of collapsible material attached to the net by means allowing changes to the acoustical responses generated when the strike zone is struck;

(d) four or more vertical large diameter hollow supports that accept four or more vertical smaller diameter net holders, creating 2 finished vertical net supports;

(e) a net attached to the four vertical smaller diameter net holders;

(f) one or more ropes attached to the ground and to the finished vertical net supports; and

(g) one or more base pieces secured to the bottom of each finished vertical net support.

2. The backstop of claim 1, comprising means for attaching the net to the backstop frame allowing changes to the acoustical responses generated when the net is struck.

3. The backstop of claim 2, comprising two foul line ropes attached to the backstop.

4. The backstop of claim 3, comprising base markers attached to the foul line ropes.

5. The backstop of claim 4, comprising a carrying bag able to enclose the backstop frame, net, strike zone, strike zone holder, foul line ropes and base markers.

6. The backstop of claim 1, comprising finished vertical net supports having top caps with one or more openings allowing rope to pass through the top caps.

7. The backstop of claim 6, comprising a strike zone attached to a solid, single piece fastener which attaches into the backstop net.

8. The backstop of claim 7 comprising one or more tension cords attached to the strike zone and net, by means allowing adjustment to the acoustical responses generated when the strike zone is struck.

9. The backstop of claim 8 further comprising one or more tension cords attached to the net and backstop frame by means allowing adjustment to the acoustical responses generated when the net is struck.

10. The backstop of claim 9, for use with balls weighing less than 5 ounces.