Abstract:
The preferred embodiment of this invention involves a portable hitting apparatus comprising a body having a strike zone with one or more hitting targets located thereon. The body is preferably comprised of a bag having interior padding. The body can further include one or more handles on one side for allowing a person to hold the apparatus upright while a user hits the apparatus. The body can be various sizes to accommodate users of different height. The strike zone preferably contains five hitting targets, one for each comer and one for the center of the strike zone. In another embodiment, the body can be sized in the shape of a strike zone, such that no separate delineation of the strike zone is needed. The hitting targets can be designated by a variety of symbols, including baseballs and softballs, and can be various shapes, colors, and sizes.

Description:
[0001]     This patent application claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/678,408 filed on May 6, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to sporting goods. More particularly, this invention relates to portable hitting apparatus.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Successfully hitting a baseball or softball can be a difficult task, especially when the ball is traveling at high velocity. Hitting generally requires quick hand-eye coordination by a batter. For example, if a pitch is in the upper and outer part of the strike zone, a user must be able to quickly identify the location of the nitch and be able to tailor his or her swing to successfully hit the ball. If a batter does not apply a proper swing according to the location of the pitch, the batter will either hit the ball weakly, foul the ball off, or miss the pitch entirely.  
         [0006]     Several techniques have been utilized to help develop hitting skills, such as batting off a tee, throwing “soft toss”, or hitting in a batting cage from a pitching machine. Although these techniques offer help with batting in general, they are not tailored to help with the particular aspect of batting that requires a user to tailor his or her swing according to the location of the ball. While this type of practice can be achieved by “live” batting practice with the help of a pitcher who can locate pitches in particular spots in the strike zone, many people desiring to improve their hitting do not have a pitcher with such pitching abilities and/or cannot afford one. Further, apparatus that have been designed to assist in developing batting skills have not focused on improving a hitter&#39;s ability to tailor his or her swing to the location of the pitch.  
         [0007]     Therefore, it would be highly desirable to provide a relatively lightweight, compact, mobile, and easy to operate apparatus that can help a person improve their ability to successfully hit baseballs or softballs located in various parts of the strike zone.  
         [0008]     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The preferred embodiment of this invention involves a portable hitting apparatus comprising a body having a strike zone with one or more hitting targets located thereon. The body is preferably comprised of a bag having interior padding. The body can further include one or more handles on one side for allowing a person to hold the apparatus upright while a user hits the apparatus. The body can be various sizes to accommodate users of different height. The strike zone preferably contains five hitting targets, one for each comer and one for the center of the strike zone. In another embodiment, the body can be sized in the shape of a strike zone, such that no separate delineation of the strike zone is needed. The hitting targets can be designated by a variety of symbols, including baseballs and softballs, and can be various shapes, colors, and sizes.  
         [0010]     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principals of the embodiments of the invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the hitting bag apparatus.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  depicts a front view of one embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts a top view of one embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  depicts a back view of one embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts a bottom view of one embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  depicts a front view of another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  depicts a back view of another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus.  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  depicts a top view of another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus.  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus.  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  depicts a front view of yet another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus.  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  depicts a back view of yet another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus.  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  depicts a top view of yet another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in  FIG. 1 a  perspective view of one embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus  10 . Apparatus  10  includes a body  20  and strike zone  30 . Body  20  contains a slanted portion  22  and bottom portion  24 , bottom surface  26 , and top surface  28 . Body  20  is preferably comprised of an outer bag having padding material located therein (not shown). Outer bag can be comprised of coated vinyl, leather, canvas, nylon and any other suitable material. The outer bag is preferably made from coated vinyl. The padding material is preferably comprised of foam, including but not limited to open-cell foam, closed-cell foam, soft rubber foam, injected foam, and can also include other lightweight and compressible materials. Also, it is possible to use soft rubber, sand and water to fill the outer bag.  
         [0026]     Body  20  is preferably about 42 to 66 inches in height, about 17 to 30 inches in width, and about 6 to 16 inches in depth. However, body  20  can be varied in size to accommodate different sized users such as those age 8 and under, age 12 and under, age 12 and up, and age 18 and up. An apparatus  10  designed for age 8 and under can have a body  20  with dimensions of about 42 to 48 inches in height, about 17 to 24 inches in width, and about 6 to 12 inches in depth. An apparatus  10  designed for age 12 and under can have a body  20  with dimensions of about 45 to 52 inches in height, about 17 to 24 inches in width, and about 6 to 12 inches in depth. An apparatus  10  designed for age 12 and up can have a body  20  with dimensions of about 48 to 60 inches in height, about 17 to 24 inches in width, and about 10 to 12 inches in depth. An apparatus  10  designed for age 18 and up can have a body  20  with dimensions of about 48 to 66 inches in height, about 17 to 30 inches in width, and about 10 to 16 inches in depth.  
         [0027]     Strike zone  30  includes hitting targets  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , and  48  located therein. Hitting targets  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , and  48  are preferably represented pictorially by baseballs, but can be pictorially represented by other symbols, including but not limited to softballs, baseball bats, (add more). Hitting targets  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , and  48  are preferably about  4  inches by  4  inches in size. However, hitting targets  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , and  48  can vary in size to accommodate different sized strike zones  30 . Hitting target  40  is preferably located in the top left corner of strike zone  30 , hitting target  42  is preferably located in the top right comer of strike zone  30 , hitting target  44  is preferably located in the center of strike zone  30 , hitting target  46  is preferably located in the bottom left comer of strike zone  30 , and hitting target  48  is preferably located in the bottom right comer of strike zone  30 . Hitting targets  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , and  48  can be located anywhere within strike zone  30 . Further, strike zone  30  can include more or less hitting targets than represented in  FIG. 1 . Hitting targets  40 , 42 , 44 ,  46 , and  48  can be permanently attached to body  20 , such as by painting or stitching, or removably attached to body  20 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  depicts a front view of apparatus  10 . This figure illustrates the spatial relationship between body  20 , strike zone  30 , and hitting targets  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , and  48 . It also illustrates the base of the portable hitting device  10 , comprised of slanted portion  22  and bottom portion  24 . In this embodiment of the invention, the portable hitting device can be set directly on the ground or floor, or any other flat surface, for stability during use.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  depicts a top view of apparatus  10 , showing top surface  28 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  depicts a back view of apparatus  10 . Apparatus  10  further includes handles  52  and  54  located on back surface  50 . Handles  52  and  54  are comprised of a durable and flexible material and are preferably sewn to back surface  50 . Handles  52  and  54  primarily allow a user to place his or her arms there through to support apparatus  10  upright while it is being used by a hitter. A zipper  60  is also included along back surface  50 . Zipper  60  preferably runs the length of apparatus  10  and allows a user to insert padding into or take padding out of apparatus  10 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  depicts a bottom view of apparatus  10 , illustrating the width of bottom surface  26  in relation to slanted portion  22 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus  100 . Apparatus  100  includes a body  110  containing a top surface  112  and side portions  114  and  116 . Body  110  is preferably comprised of a lightweight and compressible material such as various forms of foam, including open-cell foam or closed cell foam. Body  110  includes hitting targets  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128  located therein. Hitting targets  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128  are preferably represented pictorially by baseballs, but can be pictorially represented by other symbols, including but not limited to softballs, baseball bats, and/or a matrix of hitting zones such as the common  9  zone matrix used by baseball coaches in analyzing hitting zone preferences and weaknesses. Additionally, hitting targets  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128  can vary in size to accommodate different sized bodies  110 . Hitting target  120  is preferably located in the top left comer of body  110 , hitting target  122  is preferably located in the top right comer of body  110 , hitting target  124  is preferably located in the center of body  110 , hitting target  126  is preferably located in the bottom left comer of body  110 , and hitting target  128  is preferably located in the bottom right comer of body  110 . Hitting targets  120 , 122 , 124 ,  126 , and  128  can be located anywhere on body  110 . Further, body  110  can include more or less hitting targets than represented in  FIG. 6 . Hitting targets  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128  can be permanently attached to body  110 , such as by painting or stitching, or removably attached to body  110 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 7  depicts a front view of apparatus  100 , illustrating the spatial relationship of hitting targets  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128  on body  110 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 8  depicts a back view of apparatus  100 . Apparatus  100  further includes handles  132  and  134  located on back surface  130 . Handles  132  and  134  are comprised of a durable and flexible material and are preferably sewn to back surface  130 . Handles  132  and  134  primarily allow a user to place his or her arms there through to support apparatus  100  upright while it is being used by a hitter.  FIG. 8  also illustrates the protective side portions  114  and  116  which add extra protection to a person that may be standing behind and holding the portable hitting device  10  in place during use by another person.  
         [0035]      FIG. 9  depicts a top view of apparatus  100 , illustrating the width of top surface  112  and protective side portions  114  and  116 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus  200 . Apparatus  200  includes a body  210  containing a top surface  212  and a side surface  214 . Body  210  is preferably comprised of a lightweight and compressible material such as foam . . . Body  210  includes hitting targets  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 , and  228  located thereon. Hitting targets  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 , and  228  are preferably represented pictorially by baseballs, but can be pictorially represented by other symbols, including but not limited to softballs, baseball bats, (add more). Additionally, hitting targets  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 , and  228  can vary in size to accommodate different sized bodies  210 . Hitting target  220  is preferably located in the top left comer of body  210 , hitting target  222  is preferably located in the top right comer of body  210 , hitting target  224  is preferably located in the center of body  210 , hitting target  226  is preferably located in the bottom left comer of body  210 , and hitting target  228  is preferably located in the bottom right comer of body  210 . Hitting targets  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 , and  228  can be located anywhere on body  210 . Further, body  210  can include more or less hitting targets than represented in  FIG. 10 . Hitting targets  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 , and  228  can be permanently attached to body  210 , such as by painting or stitching, or removably attached to body  210 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 11  depicts a front view of apparatus  200 , illustrating the spatial relationship of hitting targets  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 , and  228  on body  210 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 12  depicts a back view of apparatus  200 . Apparatus  200  further includes handles  232  and  234  located on back surface  230 . Handles  232  and  234  are comprised of a durable and flexible material and are preferably sewn to back surface  230 . Handles  232  and  234  primarily allow a user to place his or her arms there through to support apparatus  200  upright while it is being used by a hitter.  
         [0039]      FIG. 13  depicts a top view of apparatus  200 , illustrating the width and depth of apparatus  200 , shown by top surface  212 .  
         [0040]     With respect to the above description it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the embodiments, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the various embodiments of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the embodiments of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the embodiments of the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents fall within the scope of the embodiments of the invention.  
         [0041]     The embodiments of the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the embodiments of the invention reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated the preferred embodiments of the invention.  
         [0042]     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the embodiments of the invention, which are measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the embodiments of the invention in any way.