BATTING TEE SYSTEM FOR BAT-AND-BALL GAMES

• US 20110136592A1
• Filed: 12/09/2009
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steve Keller
• Original Assignee: Steve Keller
• Inventors: Keller, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 8,568,254 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/417
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0046 Mechanical means for locating the point of impact or entry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/003 non-electronic means for locating the point of impact on a target or the point of entry in the goal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0075 Means for releasably holding a ball in position prior to kicking, striking or the like golf tees A63B57/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A batting tee system includes a batting tee assembly that may be used with conventional balls or with the ball described as an embodiment of the present invention. Optionally, the batting tee assembly may be used with a netting system that provides feedback to a batter based on a trajectory of the ball after it has been struck by a bat and leaves the batting tee assembly. In one embodiment, the batting tee assembly includes a support base coupled to a swing arm, which in turn is coupled to an adjustable-height batting tee. The batting tee system may be configured for both left and right handed batters and also placed in a portable or storable configuration.

Claims

1. A batting tee system comprising:

a ball carrying at least one target indicator alignable relative to a home base;

a batting tee assembly having a base coupled to the home base, the base adjustably coupled to a swing arm that extends laterally over and proximate to an upper surface of the base, the swing arm coupled to an adjustable-height tee selectively positionable along a desired bat-to-ball contact path defined relative to the home base; and

a netting system positionable at a desired distance from the batting tee assembly, the netting system having a plurality of indicators arranged to provide feedback information regarding a direction of the ball after it is struck with the bat.

2. The batting tee system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of indicators includes sequentially arranged numbers coupled to different portions of the netting system.

3. The batting tee system of claim 1, wherein the at least one target carried by the ball takes the form of a bull'"'"'s-eye target.

4. The batting tee system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable-height tee includes a concave cup portion for receiving the ball.

5. The batting tee system of claim 1, wherein the batting tee assembly includes a tightening mechanism adjustable to secure the swing arm to the base at a desired contact point.

6. The batting tee system of claim 1, wherein the batting tee assembly includes a handle.

7. The batting tee system of claim 1, wherein the swing arm is rotationally coupled to the adjustable-height tee, wherein the tee is movable between an upright configuration to a stowed configuration.

8. The batting tee system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable-height tee includes at least two telescoping sections.

9. The batting tee system of claim 1, wherein a top portion of the adjustable-height tee is funnel-shaped and made from a reinforced fiber composite material.

10. The batting tee system of claim 1, wherein a top portion of the adjustable-height tee is replaceable.

11. The batting tee system of claim 1, wherein a top portion of the adjustable-height tee is movable within a range of about 20 inches to about 50 inches relative to the base.

12. The batting tee system of claim 1, wherein the home base is painted onto the base.

13. The batting tee system of claim 1, further comprising:

a reinforcement member coupled to a bottom surface of the base to provide a desired amount of structural rigidity to the base.

14. The batting tee system of claim 13, wherein the reinforcement member is molded into the base.

15. The batting tee system of claim 1, wherein the desired bat-to-ball contact path is configured such that the adjustable-height tee is selectively positionable with respect to the home base corresponding to a type of pitch being simulated.

16. A batting tee assembly comprising:

a base portion configured with a home base;

a swing arm adjustably coupled to the base, the swing arm extending laterally over and proximate to an upper surface of the base, the swing arm selectively positionable along an arc relative to the home base; and

an adjustable-height batting tee coupled to the swing arm, the tee movable with the swing arm to be positioned in a location along the arc corresponding to a type of pitch being simulated.

17. The batting tee assembly of claim 16, further comprising a ball carrying at least one target indicator alignable relative to the home base.

18. The batting tee assembly of claim 16, further comprising a netting system positionable at a desired distance from the base, the netting system having a plurality of indicators arranged to provide feedback information regarding a direction of the ball after it is struck with a bat.

19. The batting tee assembly of claim 16, wherein the adjustable-height batting tee includes at least two telescoping sections.

20. The batting tee assembly of claim 16, wherein the base portion is rotatable to accommodate both left and right handed batters.

21. A netting system for halting a ball, the netting system comprising:

a frame assembly;

a netting material coupled to the frame assembly; and

a plurality of indicators arranged to provide feedback information regarding a direction of the ball after it is struck with a bat.

22. The netting system of claim 21, wherein the frame assembly includes at least a left section, a center section, and a right section.

23. The netting system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of indicators includes a first set of indicators coupled to the left section, a second set of indicators coupled to the center section, and a third set of indicators coupled to the right section.

24. The netting system of claim 21, wherein the plurality of indicators includes sequentially arranged numbers coupled to the netting material.

25. A method of setting up a batting tee system, the method comprising:

arranging a home base for a left or right handed batter, the home base coupled to a base portion of the batting tee system;

coupling a first end portion of a swing arm to the base portion;

rotating a second end portion of the swing arm about a pivot located relative to the home base, the second end portion distally located from the first end portion; and

setting an adjustable-height batting tee at a desired position along a contact path to simulate a desired pitch.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

positioning a ball on the batting tee, the ball having at least one marking that indicates where the ball should be struck.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

positioning a ball on the batting tee, the ball having at least one marking that indicates a direction the ball should travel after being struck.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

setting the adjustable-height batting tee to a desired height.