Pitch training system

• US 7,399,241 B1
• Filed: 07/21/2006
• Issued: 07/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Thomas Sr
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Thomas Sr
• Inventors: Thomas, Robert L. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Aryanpour; Mitra
• Application Number:
  US11/490,272
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 473/422, 473/431, 473/451, 473/454, 473/455, 273/371, 273/348
• US Class Current: 473/455
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration

Abstract

A pitch training system for indicating whether a thrown baseball has passed through a strike zone includes a zone assembly for detecting a baseball passing through the zone assembly. The zone assembly indicates when the baseball passes through a strike zone as determined by the zone assembly. A backstop is aligned with and positioned a distance from the zone assembly. The backstop intercepts the baseball thrown through the zone assembly.

Claims

1. A pitch training system for indicating when a baseball is thrown through a strike zone, said system comprising:

a zone assembly for detecting the baseball passing through said zone assembly, said zone assembly indicating when the baseball passes through a strike zone as determined by said zone assembly;

a backstop being aligned with and positioned a distance from said zone assembly, said backstop intercepting the baseball thrown through said zone assembly; and

a ball return engaging said backstop and said zone assembly, said ball return receiving the baseball thrown at said zone assembly and returning the baseball back towards the origination of the baseball, said ball return including a plurality of ramps, one of said ramps being coupled to said zone assembly to receive the baseball when the baseball falls adjacent to and in front of said zone assembly, one of said ramps being coupled to said backstop to receive the baseball when the baseball falls adjacent to and in front of said backstop, said ball return including a trough positioned under an end of each of said ramps, said through receiving the baseball from said ramps and directing the baseball back toward the origination of the baseball, said trough being telescopic to permit a length of said trough to be adjusted.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said zone assembly includes a plurality of frame portions arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration, said frame portions defining an aperture to permit the baseball to pass between said frame portions.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said zone assembly includes a plurality of ground stabilizers, each of said ground stabilizers being coupled to one of said frame portions and engaging a ground surface to support said zone assembly in a substantially vertical orientation.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein said zone assembly includes a plurality of light emitters, said light emitters being coupled to one of said frame portions orientated vertically and one of said frame portions orientated horizontally, each of said light emitters emitting light across said aperture.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said zone assembly includes a plurality of light sensors, each of said light sensors being coupled to said frame portions and positioned opposite one of said light emitters, each of said light sensors detecting the light emitted by the associated one of said light emitters, a portion of said light sensors sending a ball signal when the baseball passes between said light emitters and said light sensors.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said zone assembly includes a power supply being electrically coupled to and providing power to said light emitters and said light sensors.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said zone assembly includes at least one indicator housing being coupled to one of said frame portions opposite said aperture.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said zone assembly includes a processing unit being positioned in said at least one indicated housing and being electrically coupled to each of said light sensors and said power supply, said processing assembly receiving signals from said portion of said light sensors, said processing unit processing the signals to determine if the baseball passes through the strike zone.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said zone assembly includes at least one ball light being coupled to said at least one indicator housing and being electrically coupled to said processing unit, said at least one ball light being illuminated by said processing unit when said processing unit determines the baseball missed the strike zone.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein said zone assembly includes at least one strike light being coupled to said at least one indicator housing and electrically coupled to said processing unit, said at least one strike light being illuminated by said processing unit when said processing unit determines the baseball passed through the strike zone.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein said zone assembly includes a power switch being coupled to said at least one indicator housing and electrically coupled between said power supply and said processing unit, said power switch controlling flow of power to said processing unit when said power switch is actuated.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said backstop includes a framework having a substantially rectangular configuration and defining a hole passing through said backstop.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said backstop includes a netting being coupled to said frame and extending across said hole, said netting stopping the baseball after the baseball has passed through said zone assembly.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein said backstop includes a plurality of foot portions being coupled to said framework, said foot portions being positionable on the ground surface to support said framework vertically from the ground surface.

15. A pitch training system for indicating when at baseball is thrown through a strike zone, said system comprising:

a zone assembly for detecting the baseball passing through said zone assembly, said zone assembly indicating when the baseball passes through a strike zone as determined by said zone assembly, said zone assembly comprising;

a plurality of frame portions being arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration, said frame portions defining an aperture to permit the baseball to pass between said frame portions;

a plurality of ground stabilizers, each of said ground stabilizers being coupled to one of said frame portions and engaging a ground surface to support said zone assembly in a substantially vertical orientation;

a plurality of light emitters, said light emitters being coupled to one of said frame portions orientated vertically and one of said frame portions orientated horizontally, each of said light emitters emitting light across said aperture;

a plurality of light sensors, each of said light sensors being coupled to said frame portions and positioned opposite one of said light emitters, each of said light sensors detecting the light emitted by the associated one of said light emitters, a portion of said light sensors sending a ball signal when the baseball passes between said light emitters and said light sensors;

a power supply being electrically coupled to and providing power to said light emitters and said light sensors;

at least one indicator housing being coupled to one of said frame portions opposite said aperture;

a processing unit being positioned in said at least one indicator housing and being electrically coupled to each of said light sensors and said power supply, said processing assembly receiving signals from said portion of said light sensors, said processing unit processing the signals to determine if the baseball passes through the strike zone;

at least one ball light being coupled to said at least one indicator housing and being electrically coupled to said processing unit, said at least one ball light being illuminated by said processing unit when said processing unit determines the baseball missed the strike zone;

at least one strike light being coupled to said at least one indicator housing and electrically coupled to said processing unit, said at least one strike light being illuminated by said processing unit when said processing unit determines the baseball passed through the strike zone,

a power switch being coupled to said at least one indicator housing and electrically coupled between said power supply and said processing unit, said power switch controlling flower of power to said processing unit when said power switch is actuated;

a backstop being aligned with and positioned a distance from said zone assembly, said backstop intercepting the baseball thrown through said zone assembly; and

a ball return engaging said backstop and said zone assembly, said ball return receiving the baseball thrown at said zone assembly and returning the baseball back towards the origination of the baseball, said ball return including a trough positioned under an end of each of said ramps, said trough receiving the baseball, said trough being telescopic to permit a length of said trough to be adjusted.