Abstract:
Improvements in a baseball practice batting tee that allows a person to strike a baseball off the top of the tee. The height of the tee can be from one or more adjustment mechanisms. The mechanism can be from finite detents with a pin in a hole or from a shaft frictionally being maintained in the tube. The top of the batting tee is formed with a spiral ridge to slightly rotate when a ball is struck off the top of the tee. The rotation allows the impact forces from impact with a baseball bat to be distributed from different directions on the top of the tee. The height adjustment is with an expandable washer that slides in a honed tube that has a constant diameter along the length of the tube to maintain a constant force to maintain the height of a ball.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0005]    This invention relates to improvements in baseball practice batting tee. More particularly, the present baseball practice batting tee allows a person to practice hitting a baseball without the ball being “pitched” to them. The baseball practice batting tee elevates and holds the baseball at the elevated position where it can be struck with a bat. 
         [0006]    Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0007]    A batting tee allows a person to practice hitting a baseball or similar object with a bat, stick or club. The ball is held at a fixed elevation above the ground where a batter can practice striking the ball. While the elevation can be adjusted, the elevation above the ground provides a fairly consistent position whereby a person can practice hitting and adjusting their swing without the inconsistencies of the ball being thrown to them. 
         [0008]    Simple ball practice mechanism can range from a ball suspended from a string or a pipe or spring that rises from the ground. A number of patents and or publications have been made to address these issues. Exemplary examples of patents and or publication that try to address this/these problem(s) are identified and discussed below. 
         [0009]    One of earliest batting Tees is found in U.S. Pat. No. 1,242,046 that issued on Oct. 2, 1917. This patent is for a Base Ball Game where an adjustable Tee is used with a baseball and the object of the game is to bat the baseball from the Tee through targets. While this patent discloses a batting Tee it is secured to a game and is not portable. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,109,844 issued on Feb. 7, 2012 to Thomas A. Quinn discloses a Ball Tee for Batting Practice. The ball Tee has a ball receiver on an upper tube that is secured to a vertically adjustable middle tube that is adjustable with detents on a lower tube on a flexible base. When a ball is struck, the upper tube and the base bends to absorb the impact allow the ball to travel. While this patent provides a batting Tee, the flexing of the base allows the batting Tee to move as each ball is struck. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 9,050,516 issued on Jun. 9, 2015 for Allen Holland et al., discloses a Spring-Back Ball Tee for Batting Practice. The ball tee for batting practice has a base assembly including a base, a post cup pivotally attached to the base, and at least one spring biasing the post cup into an upright position. The entire upright portion of bends on the base to release ball as opposed to the base staying stationary and just the top flexing. 
         [0012]    What is needed is a baseball practice batting tee that is easily adjusted for height and the top portion of the tee rotates to reduce stresses at a single side of the top of the tee. The baseball practice batting tee proposed in this document provides the solution. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    It is an object of the baseball practice batting tee to allow a person to strike a baseball off the top of the tee. This allows a person to set the height of a baseball on the tee and to practice hitting the ball at a constant height above the ground. The tee can be fabricated in different heights to accommodate young athletes starting in the sport of baseball to tall experienced athletes. 
         [0014]    It is an object of the baseball practice batting tee to have an adjustable height. The height adjustment can be from one or more adjustment mechanisms. The mechanism can be from finite detents with a pin in a hole or from a shaft frictionally being maintained in the tube. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the baseball practice batting tee for the top of the batting tee to rotate when a ball is struck off the top of the tee. The rotation allows the impact forces from impact with a baseball bat to be distributed from different directions on the top of the tee. This reduces fatigue and repetitive bending stresses from only one direction to the circumference of the top of the batting tee. 
         [0016]    It is another object of the baseball practice batting tee to have a flexible head. The flexible head is formed with a spiral ridge. The spiral ridge prevents folding of the head at only one point. The spiral ridge further imparts a slight rotation to the shaft as flexible head bends forward or backward from the impact of the ball. The flexible head is elongated to allow for an elongated length where an athlete can miss a ball and impact the flexible head without harming the rigid parts of the tee. 
         [0017]    It is still another object of the baseball practice batting tee to have adjustability for retention at least one of the height adjustment. The adjustability by expanding the diameter of a washer by squeezing the washer. The washer and shaft slides in a honed tube that has a constant diameter along the length of the tube to maintain a constant force to maintain the height of a ball. 
         [0018]    Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a tall baseball practice batting tee. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows an intermediate baseball practice batting tee. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the baseball practice batting tee. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the post and the slide tube. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows exploded view of the bottom of the riser shaft. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows a broken detail view of the riser shaft. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a tall baseball practice batting tee  19 . This batting tee  19  has two height adjustment elements. The lower element has a base plate  20  with a post section  40  bolted to the base plate  20 . A slide tube  60  slides inside of the post section  40 . A “T” handle  54  on a pull pin removes a pin from holes in the slide tube  60 . This allows for finite positioning of the outer box  61  in the slide tube  60  that telescopes inside of the post section  40 . A post cap  43  has an opening for the slide tube  60  to pass into the post section  40  and also seals the top of the post section  40  from dust or other debris from entering into the post section  40 . 
         [0026]    A shaft  71  on the riser section  70  provides a second adjustment section that is not restricted to finite positions. The shaft  71  can be lifted or lowered into the slide tube  60 . The compound telescoping sections allow the batting tee  19  to be lowered to a smaller dense package for transportation. The compound telescoping sections also allows the batting tee  19  to be extended for nearly any reasonable height of baseball player to practice. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows an intermediate baseball practice batting tee  18 . This is an intermediate height, but a lower height can also be constructed where the post section (and the shaft  71 ) are about half the shown height to allow starting baseball athletes to practice. In this embodiment, the shaft  71  on the riser shaft section  70  can be slid inside of the post section  40  of the post tube  42  to adjust the practice height of the baseball  97 . While a baseball is shown and described, other objects can be placed on the batting tee, as well as other striking implements can be used with the batting tee. The base  20  is essentially unchanged between all the embodiments of the batting tees. The base  20  remains stationary while practicing and only the upper portion of the riser section bends if the top portion of this section is struck with a bat. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the baseball practice batting tee. The base plate  20  is essentially a rounded square or a rounded rectangular shape made of steel or other equivalent material. The base plate  21  has a flat bottom and the bottom of the base plate  21  has a plastic, rubber or elastomeric covering that both protects the underlying surface and also reduces movement of the baseball tee. A plurality of tapped holes  25  are used to secure the remainder of the baseball tee, or more specifically the post section  40 . Fasteners  23  pass through washers  24  and or lock washers and then through holes  45  in the post section and then a secured in the tapped holes  25 . 
         [0029]    A guide section  30  is placed within the post section  40  to eliminate rattle and provide smooth motion of the slide tube section  60  in and out of the post section. The guide section  40  has an essentially square cross-section with a slot  33  passing down one side of the guide tube  31 . The slot  33  provides for clearance of a pin  51  that stops motion of the slide tube section  60 . Two lengths of felt, or other cushioning/bearing material  32  are on the insides of the guide tube  31  and wrap at least partially around and down the outside of the guide tube  31 . This wrap-around feature prevents the edge of the material  32  from being pulled into the center of the guide tube  31  when the slide tube  60  is placed into the top of the post section  40 . 
         [0030]    The post section  40  has a post base  41  with a plurality of holes  45 . These holes are for securing bolts or screws  23  to secure the post section  40  into the tapped holes in the base plate  21 . The post tube  42  is essentially a square cross-sectional tube and is welded or otherwise secure to the post base  41 . A post side tube  44  is welded to the side of the post tube  42 . In some embodiments the post side tube  44  is not needed when the slide tub section  60  is fixedly secured to the post  40  or the base plate  21 . A post cap  43  has an opening for the slide tube  60  to pass into the post section  40  and also seals the top of the post section  40  from dust or other debris from entering into the post section  40 . 
         [0031]    The pull pin  50  has a T handle  54  that is withdrawn to retract a pin  51 . While a T handle is shown and described, the shape of the handle can take different configurations and shapes. Adjacent to the T handle  54  is a hollow bolt  53  where the shaft of the T handle passes. A compression spring  52  keeps the pin  51  engaged into a hole  62  in the slide tube  60  or onto the side of the slide tube where motion of the slide tube will engage the pin  51  into a hole  62  in the slide tube  60 . A keeper  55  retains the compression spring  52  on the pull pin  50 . 
         [0032]    The slide tube section  60  is a middle section (in some configurations) in the baseball tee. This slide tube section  60  provides incremental movement of the slide tube section  60  in the post section  60  and allows the riser shaft to move within the slide tube section  60  with restrained movement. The slide tube section is essentially constructed with an inner round cross-section tube  63  that is welded within a square cross-section tube  61 . The two tubes  61  and  63  are essentially welded flat at one end and the round tube  63  is welded to protrude from the square tube  61  at the other end. A plurality of holes  62  are drilled, punched or otherwise formed in the side of the square tube  61 . These holes  62  provide stopping locations for the pull pin  51  to engage into to provide finite stopping locations. After the two tub sections  61  and  63  are welded together a central hole  64  is reamed through the round tube to provide a constant and round bearing surface. 
         [0033]    The riser shaft section  70  is an elongated shaft  71  that slides and is retained within the center tube  63  of the slide tube  60 . The bottom of the riser shaft section  70  has a shaft guide  73  with a tapped hole  76  in the bottom of the shaft guide  73 . The tapped hole secures a screw  75 . A washer tube  77  and one or more elastomeric washers/rings or guides  74  are secured with the screw  75  into the shaft guide  73 . As the screw  75  is tightened, the outside diameter of the guides  74  enlarges. The enlarged diameter forces the washers  74  against the inside diameter hole  64  of the center tube  64 . The head on the screw  76  can be slotted, Philips, hex or other shape. It is contemplated that a driver head  26  can be incorporated into the base plate  21 . This will allow a user to lower the riser shaft section  70  into the bottom of the baseball tee, engage the head of the screw  76  in to driver head  26  and tighten (or loosen) the screw  75  to thereby alter the force to move the riser shaft section  70  within the center tube hole  64 . A seal  72  seals the opening between the shaft  71  and the inside diameter  64  of the slide tube  60 . 
         [0034]    In another contemplated embodiment, the two washers  74  are replaced with a single coated diametrical magnet  79 . The coating on the diametrical magnet is plastic, vinyl or other material that creates the friction of the elongated shaft  71  within the round tube  63 . The diametrical magnet  79  presses coating against the inside diameter of the round tube  63 . The bore of the inside diameter of the round tube  63  is not a critical in this embodiment. Further, adjustment of the diametrical magnet  79  is not required in this embodiment. 
         [0035]    At the top end of the elongated shaft  71  is the area where a baseball is placed. The elongated shaft  71  connects to a shaft neck  80  transitions from the fairly ridged elongated shaft  71  to the elastomeric flexible head. From the head collar  82  a spiral upright extends. The spiral nature of the elastomeric material imparts slight rotation to the shaft when the elastomeric head is struck. The rotation alters the area of the head that receives the impact from a baseball bat to thereby move the high stress concentration to a different location with every impact. The top of the baseball tee is a receiver cup  83  where a baseball is placed. The outside metal surfaces of the baseball tee are powder coated or similarly coated to prevent or reduce rust or corrosion. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the post  40  and the slide tube  60  and the direction of assembly of the guide section  30  into 98 the post section  40  and the slide tube into 99 the post section  40 . A guide section  30  is placed within the post section  40  to eliminate rattle and provide smooth motion of the slide tube section  60  in and out of the post section. The guide section  40  has an essentially square cross-section with a slot  33  passing down one side of the guide tube  31 . The slot  33  provides for clearance of a pin that stops motion of the slide tube section  60 . Two lengths of felt, or other cushioning/bearing material  32  are on the insides of the guide tube  31  and wrap at least partially around and down the outside of the guide tube  31 . This wrap-around feature prevents the edge of the material  32  from being pulled into the center of the guide tube  31  when the slide tube  60  is placed into the top of the post section  40 . 
         [0037]    The post section  40  has a post base  41  with a plurality of holes  45 . These holes are for securing bolts or screws  23  to secure the post section  40  into the tapped holes in the base plate  21 . The post tube  42  is essentially a square cross-sectional tube and is welded or otherwise secure to the post base  41 . A post side tube  44  is welded to the side of the post tube  42 . In some embodiments the post side tube  44  is not needed when the slide tub section  60  is fixedly secured to the post  40  or the base plate  21 . A post cap  43  has an opening for the slide tube  60  to pass into the post section  40  and also seals the top of the post section  40  from dust or other debris from entering into the post section  40 . The T handle  54  is withdrawn to retract a pin. While a T handle is shown and described, the shape of the handle can take different configurations and shapes. 
         [0038]    The slide tube section  60  is a middle section (in some configurations) in the baseball tee. This slide tube section  60  provides incremental movement of the slide tube section  60  in the post section  60  and allows the riser shaft to move within the slide tube section  60  with restrained movement. The slide tube section is essentially constructed with an inner round cross-section tube  63  that is welded within a square cross-section tube  61 . The two tubes  61  and  63  are essentially welded flat at one end and the round tube  63  is welded to protrude from the square tube  61  at the other end. A plurality of holes  62  are drilled, punched or otherwise formed in the side of the square tube  61 . These holes  62  provide stopping locations for the pull pin  51  to engage into to provide finite stopping locations. After the two tub sections  61  and  63  are welded together a central hole  64  is reamed through the round tube to provide a constant and round bearing surface. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  shows exploded view of the bottom of the riser shaft  71 . The bottom of the riser shaft section  70  has a shaft guide  73  with a tapped hole  76  in the bottom of the shaft guide  73 . The tapped hole secures a screw  75  with slotted  78  head. A washer tube  77  and one or more elastomeric washers/rings or guides  74  are secured with the screw  75  into the shaft guide  73 . As the screw  75  is tightened, the outside diameter of the guides  74  enlarges. The enlarged diameter forces the washers  74  against the inside diameter hole  64  of the center tube  64 . Altering the compression on the washer(s)  74  changes the force required to raise and lower the shaft  71  as well as the retention force to maintain the height of a ball on the top of the tee. The alternate embodiment of the washers  74  is shown with a single coated diametrical magnet  79 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  shows a broken detail view of the riser shaft  71 . The screw  75  and washer  77  is shown retaining the single coated diametrical magnet  79 . The optional washers  74  are shown. These component have been previously shown and described in  FIG. 5 . The elongated shaft  71  connects to a shaft neck  80  transitions from the fairly ridged elongated shaft  71  to the elastomeric flexible head. From the head collar  82  a spiral upright extends. The spiral nature of the elastomeric material imparts slight rotation to the shaft when the elastomeric head is struck. The rotation alters the area of the head that receives the impact from a baseball bat to thereby move the high stress concentration to a different location with every impact. The top of the baseball tee is a receiver cup  83  where a baseball is placed. The outside metal surfaces of the baseball tee are powder coated or similarly coated to prevent or reduce rust or corrosion. 
         [0041]    Thus, specific embodiments of a baseball practice batting tee have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.