Sports training apparatus and methods of use thereof
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in practicing pitching and aiming a baseball, comprising:
- a target screen having a first attachment apparatus for attaching said target screen to a structure and a first aperture;
a frame attached to said target screen, wherein said frame is positioned at a perimeter of said first aperture and reinforces said target screen around said perimeter of said first aperture against impacts such as impacts of thrown baseballs;
said frame defining an opening generally having the shape and size of a baseball strike zone;
said first aperture and said opening communicate whereby a thrown baseball which passes through said first aperture also passes through said opening;
said frame having a rigid construction;
one or more elastic member attached to said frame, wherein said one or more elastic member divides said opening into two or more sections whereby said one or more elastic member is characterized by being able to stretch when struck by a baseball and resiliently return to its original shape after removal of force from the baseball; and
at least one mechanical fastener which releaseably attaches said one or more elastic member to said frame and said frame to said target screen such that said one or more elastic member and said frame can be removed from said target screen and replaced without damage to said target screen.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for use in practicing pitching and aiming a baseball which includes a target screen having a first attachment apparatus for attaching the target screen to a structure, a first aperture, and a frame attached to the target screen and being positioned at a perimeter of the first aperture thereby reinforcing the target screen around the perimeter of the first aperture against impacts from thrown baseballs. The frame has a rigid construction and defines an opening generally having the shape and size of a baseball strike zone. A plurality of elastic members subdivide the opening, and thus the strike zone, into nine sections to aid a player in aiming for different locations within the strike zone. The opening and first aperture communicate such that thrown baseballs which pass through the first aperture also pass through the opening.
50 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in practicing pitching and aiming a baseball, comprising:
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a target screen having a first attachment apparatus for attaching said target screen to a structure and a first aperture; a frame attached to said target screen, wherein said frame is positioned at a perimeter of said first aperture and reinforces said target screen around said perimeter of said first aperture against impacts such as impacts of thrown baseballs; said frame defining an opening generally having the shape and size of a baseball strike zone; said first aperture and said opening communicate whereby a thrown baseball which passes through said first aperture also passes through said opening; said frame having a rigid construction; one or more elastic member attached to said frame, wherein said one or more elastic member divides said opening into two or more sections whereby said one or more elastic member is characterized by being able to stretch when struck by a baseball and resiliently return to its original shape after removal of force from the baseball; and at least one mechanical fastener which releaseably attaches said one or more elastic member to said frame and said frame to said target screen such that said one or more elastic member and said frame can be removed from said target screen and replaced without damage to said target screen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for use in practicing pitching and aiming a baseball, comprising:
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a target screen having a first aperture; a means for attaching a top of said target screen to a structure and capable of holding said target screen in a deployed position; a means for attaching a bottom of said target screen to the structure; a frame attached to said target screen, wherein said frame is positioned at a perimeter of said first aperture and reinforces said target screen around said perimeter of said first aperture whereby structural integrity of said target screen at the perimeter of said first aperture is enhanced against impacts, such as impacts from thrown baseballs; said frame defining an opening generally having the shape and size of a baseball strike zone; said first aperture and said opening communicate whereby a thrown baseball which passes through said first aperture also passes through said opening; said frame having a rigid construction; one or more elastic member attached to said frame, wherein said one or more elastic member divides said opening into two or more sections whereby said one or more elastic member is characterized by being able to stretch when struck by a baseball and resiliently return to its original shape after removal of force from the baseball; and at least one mechanical fastener which releaseably attaches said one or more elastic member to said frame and said frame to said target screen such that said one or more elastic member and said frame can be removed from said target screen and replaced without damage to said target screen. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification