Patent Publication Number: US-2019184257-A1

Title: Self-Anchoring Base for a Sports Field

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to bases for sports fields used in the games of baseball, softball, and the like. 
     Baseball bases have been around since the invention of the game. A baseball field, also called a ball field or a baseball diamond, is the field upon which the game of baseball is played. The starting point for much of the action on the field is home plate, which is a five-sided slab of whitened rubber. The other three corners of the square, in counterclockwise order from home plate, are called first base, second base, and third base. Three bases fifteen inches (38 cm) square mark the three base positions. These bases, along with home plate, form the four points at the corners of the infield. Single bases are typically constructed to a standard size 15″×15″ and roughly 2″ to 3″ in height at the centre. More recently, in some leagues, a “safety base” is used at first base which is one 15″×30″ base and is half white (15″×15″) and typically the other half “safety” side is orange (15″×15″). This allows the runner to step on his/her side of the base (orange) while the defensive player uses the white side of the base to make their play thus minimizing the chance of collision or accident at the base. 
     The anchoring of the bases has evolved over time, but the options are still limited and somewhat archaic and challenging to install. There are two common styles of bases and anchoring methods. 
     The first style is a firm rubber base that is inserted into a hollow receiver that is permanently embedded within the playing surface of the field. The base has a post permanently affixed to the center bottom of the base. The post of the base is inserted into the hollow receiver to secure the base in position on the playing field. The most recognizable arena for these bases is in high level and professional leagues. 
     An optional variation of this method, at the amateur level, is that the post is detachable from the base when an excessive force is applied to it horizontally allowing the base to separate from the anchored post. This is familiarly known as a “break away” or “quick release” style base and is designed for the safety of the player sliding into the base. The “break away” functionality is typically achieved using magnets and metal plates, though other means may exist. There is still a remaining anchor left in the area where the player is sliding, after the base slides out of the way, and the anchor can also be a source of player injury. Over time, on the quick release type, the magnets become less effective due to dirt and scratching of the surface. This in itself creates additional safety concerns as now the base is not as well anchored and can slide off its anchor with a player just running over the top of it causing potential injury to the runner or player in the area. 
     There are drawbacks to using a style of firm rubber base. The bases are typically made of a solid rubber surface providing no “give” or softness to the base. When players running over or sliding into the solid rubber base the impact can cause twisted ankles or jammed hip and knees. Additionally, a player&#39;s foot may slip off the solid firm surface, also risking injury. 
     The use of a receiver permanently embedded in the surface of the playing field also has disadvantages. Over time the embedded receivers fill with dirt and must be cleaned out to allow the base and its post to be inserted to the proper depth. The installation of the base requires parts and tools. A cap is needed to cover the opening of the receiver when the base is not installed, and a cleaning tool is needed to remove dirt and debris from the receiver to install the post of the base into the permanently embedded receiver on occasion. If either of these items become lost or damaged they must be replaced in order to effectively use the base and anchor system. 
     In colder climates the receivers embedded in the ground during winter months may move and shift due to frost and freeze/thaw cycles of the ground. Shifting of the permanently embedded receivers may result in the need to remove and reset the receivers, a job which typically requires excavating the area of the playing field around the base. 
     The embedded receivers for the bases are permanently positioned at set locations which correspond to distances between bases that are dictated by players&#39; leagues. The positions of the bases cannot be adjusted to facilitate the use of the playing field by teams from different leagues and base distances without installation of additional receivers embedded in the ground. 
     The mounting of the post to the base may fail over time due to weld failure, rubber tears etc. from horizontal forces applied to the base when players slide into the bases. 
     A second type of base and anchor system employs a base composed of a bag having a foam core with an upholstered covering, typically vinyl that incorporates fabric straps that enter into the side of the base through an opening, run inside the covering and exit the opposite side. The fabric straps are then taken under the base externally and fastened together by means of a buckle type arrangement to join the strap ends together. Some styles use two straps, perpendicular to each other, and the straps create a cross pattern on the bottom of the base. Attached to these straps is a bent wire metal fastener that can be slipped over the strap on one end and has a tight rolled wire end that allows a large spike to be hammered through. This is how the base is anchored to the surface, by using either one or two spikes is most common. In essence the spikes anchor the metal wire clips to the ground, the clips hold the straps, and the straps hold the bases. 
     There are several drawbacks with this is style of base and anchoring. First, being an upholstered item, it is vulnerable to seam failure of the covering. The foam core can become waterlogged if the base has prolonged exposure to water. Water damage is particularly problematic after prolonged use when the seams of the covering become worn and begin to fail. The straps are prone to breaking due to the shear forces of runners sliding into the base. Strap failure can also occur if the straps are pulled on to remove the anchoring spikes from the ground. The base anchoring system is then useless without repair or replacement of the straps. 
     A hammer or mallet is required to hammer the spike, or spikes, into the ground to hold the straps of the base in place. This becomes particularly an issue when the ground is hard and dry as the spikes are difficult to hammer in. When the hammer is missing the base cannot be installed without an alternate striking object. Often the only available substitute on the playing field is a baseball bat. Striking a spike with a bat is not only inefficient, but it can also damage the bat. 
     The safety aspect of the anchor is an issue when players slide into bases. If a player catches his/her foot on a spike in the ground, severe injuries can result. Likewise, worn or broken straps can permit the base to shift as runners make contact with the base, potentially causing the player to slip off the base and stumble or fall. 
     In summary, the known base and anchor systems are time consuming and difficult to install. Installation and maintenance require the use of extra equipment. The systems are susceptible to wear and tear with repeated use and require frequent maintenance, repair, and replacement. 
     There is a need for a base which is capable of self anchoring without the use of external spikes or embedded receivers. Such a base could be easily installed in any desired location (to facilitate multiple uses of the same playing field for different league play) and removed from the playing field after use. It would be advantageous to have a base which can be installed and removed without the use of any tools. 
     There is a need for a base which minimizes the risk of injury to players eliminating hard surfaces, exposed anchors, and poorly fastened bases. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A self-anchoring base for use on a playing field comprises a platform having a top side and an underside. An anchoring means extends from the underside of the platform for embedded engagement in the playing field. A protective cover surrounds the platform. The anchor means comprises two or more spikes spaced apart from one another. The two or more spikes are symmetrically arrayed on the platform. The two or more spikes are fastened to the platform by a fastening means. The fastening means comprises a mounting assembly defining a spike socket for each of the spikes. The mounting assembly comprises the socket plate defining the spike socket. The mounting assembly further comprises a support plate for attachment to the socket plate sandwiching the platform therebetween. The self-anchoring base further comprises a cushioning material disposed on the top side of the platform under the protective cover. The protective cover of the self-anchoring base is seamless and waterproof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a self-anchoring base for playing field accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the underside of the platform of the self-anchoring base. Line A-A on  FIG. 2  shows the position of the section line used to generate  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross section through the entire self-anchoring to show the inner structures thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the self anchoring base installed on a playing field. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , a self-anchoring base for use on a playing field is illustrated and identified by general reference numeral  10 . The base  10  has a platform  12  which has a top side  14  and an underside  16 . The platform  12  of the base  10  should be solid and, preferably, the platform should be substantially rigid. The platform can be constructed from high grade plywood, hard rubber, or other suitable solid material. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  an anchoring means  18  extends from the underside  16  of the platform  12  for embedded engagement in the playing field  20 . The anchoring means  18  comprises two or more spikes  22  spaced apart from one another. Preferably, the two or more spikes  22  are symmetrically arrayed on the platform  12 . The specific number of spikes  22  arrayed on the platform  12  is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It is; however, preferred to have two or more spikes, as a base constructed with only a single spike extending from the platform might spin around the single spike when a player runs over or slides into the base. If the base were to shift position in these circumstances it could pose a slip and stumble risk to players. The spikes  22  should be arrayed symmetrically on the platform  12  to ensure that the platform  12  remains balanced and does not otherwise shift. A standard baseball base is typically 15 inches by 15 inches. The preferred number of spikes to anchor a platform of this size is four, and the four spikes would typically be arrayed adjacent to the four corners of the platform. Double bases, also known as safety bases, are 15 inches by 30 inches, and could typically be secured by four spikes also. 
     It may be possible to construct the self-anchoring base  10  having the anchoring means  18  formed integrally with the platform  12 . Such a platform  12  and anchoring means  18  could be cast from metal or hard rubber. Alternatively, it could be molded. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spikes  22  are fastened to the platform  12  by a fastening means  24 . A variety of different types of fastening means  24  could be employed in the present invention. The determination of which fastening means  24  would be appropriate would depend upon the nature of the materials from which the platform  12  and the spikes  22  were constructed. For example, with a metal platform and metal spikes an appropriate fastening means  24  might be welded or magnetic in nature. In other instances suitable fastening means might include riveting, gluing or other methods. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fastening means  24  is a mounting assembly  26  which defines a spike socket  28  for each of the spikes  22 . The mounting assembly  26  could be a single structure which is attached to the platform  12  and which defines a plurality of spike sockets  28 . Alternatively, a plurality of mounting assemblies could be attached to the platform  12 , each mounting assembly defining a single spike socket  28 .  FIG. 2  shows the use of four mounting assemblies, with one mounting assembly  26  positioned adjacent to each corner of the platform  12 . Each mounting assembly  26  comprises a socket plate  30  defining the spike socket  28  attached to the underside  16  of the platform  12 . The spike socket  28  is a heavy duty threaded receiver which allows a high grade threaded spike  22  to be threadingly installed therein. For added strength and stability, a support plate  32  may be positioned on the top side  14  of the platform  12 . The socket plate  30  and the support plate  32  are fastened to one another using bolts  44  and T-nuts  47 , effectively sandwiching the platform  12  therebetween. The mounting assembly  26  then relies on the strength of the bolts  44  to secure the spike sockets  28  to the platform  12 . Although the bolts  44  pass through holes  42  in the platform there is no reliance on engagement of fasteners with the substrate of the platform itself. This eliminates the potential for shear forces to cause wear at the points of contact between the bolts and the substrate of the platform. In less preferred embodiments other known fastening means could be substituted. 
     The spikes  22  are typically constructed of a high grade alloy steel or similar material, and they have a diameter between ⅛ inches to 1 inch. Preferably, ¼ inch diameter spikes are used. A typical length is approximately 2½ inches long, including ¾ inch of thread. The exposed end of each spike  22  is preferably bull nosed to avoid sharp edges which could cause injury. Various combinations of material and spike diameter could be used so long as the combination is sufficient to withstand the shear forces which result from a player running or sliding into the base  10  during game play. The length of the spikes  22  can be adjusted to suit individual needs but the standard extension length of a spike  22  provides approximately 1.5 inches extending from the bottom of the base. Moreover, so long as the spike sockets  28  are constructed to a standard diameter, the user will have the option to insert spikes  22  of different lengths into the spike sockets. This allows the base  10  to be used on different types of diamond surfaces. Some baseball diamonds are very sandy or have loose particulate material and may require longer spikes to fasten them securely without movement. Other diamonds are very hard, and users may prefer shorter spikes. 
     A protective cover  34  surrounds the platform  12 . The protective cover  34  of the self-anchoring base  10  is seamless and waterproof. The protective cover  34  is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of: vinyl, plastic, rubber, para-aramid, and urethane. The protective cover  34  preferably has a non-slip surface so that a player&#39;s shoes will not slide off of the base  10  during game play. The non-slip surface may be achieved as a property of the selected material from which the protective cover  34  is constructed. Alternatively, the protective cover may be treated to provide a somewhat textured surface to permit improved traction. 
     The self-anchoring base  10  further comprises a cushioning material  36  disposed on the top side  14  of the platform  12  under the protective cover  34 . The cushioning material  36  can consist of a gel, foam, or other suitable resilient material. The particular thickness and density of the cushioning material  36  is variable depending upon the desired thickness and firmness. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , an upholstery layer  38  can be applied over the cushioning material  36  and fastened to the underside  16  of the platform  12  with staples, adhesives, or other means to prevent the cushioning material  36  from shifting relative to the platform  12 . 
     Likewise, the underside  16  of the platform  12  may be covered with a fabric or vinyl bottom covering  40  and secured to the platform by adhesives, staples, or other means. Through this bottom covering  40  the spike sockets  28  can be located and holes made through the covering  40  to insert the spikes  22  into the spike sockets  28 . The protective cover  34  which surrounds the platform  12  also covers the cushioning material  36 , the upholstery layer  38  and the bottom covering  40  which may be applied to the underside  16  of the platform  12 . 
     The preferred embodiment of self-anchoring base  10  is manufactured around the platform  12  which is constructed from a high grade piece of ½ inch thick plywood, or a similar product which is capable of mounting metal anchors and accepting staples to fasten an upholstered fabric. The finished base  10  is typically 15″ inches×15″ inches (the standard size of single baseball bases) so the platform  12  is cut slightly smaller and built up with the other materials to the finished size. Adjacent each corner of the platform  12  multiple holes  42  are drilled that accept screws  44  or other fasteners to install the socket plate  30  on the underside  16  of the platform and the support plate  32  on the top side of the platform. The socket plate  30  and the support plate  32  are fastened together using bolts  44  forming the mounting assembly  26  which sandwiches the platform  12 . The socket plate  30  defines the spike socket  28 . In the present embodiment, the socket plate  30  is fixed to the underside  16  of the platform and the support plate  32  is fixed to the top side  14  of the platform. A female threaded nut forms the spike socket  28  to install the threaded spike  22 . The positions of the support plate  32  and the socket plate  30  could be adjusted for manufacturing convenience. 
     The cushioning material  36  is then applied to the top side  14  of the platform  12 . In the preferred embodiment flexible polyurethane foam approximately 2 inches thick and is 15×15 inches square is centered onto the platform with an equal overhang of foam on all sides (approximately ¼″ each per side). The upholstery layer  28  is then applied by wrapping it over the cushioning material and stapling it to the underside  16  of the platform. The upholstery layer is selected from a material onto which the urethane protective cover  34  may be sprayed and bonded. The underside  14  of the platform  12  is preferably covered with a bottom covering  40 , which in the preferred embodiment is a vinyl sheet glued down to conceal any staples (not shown) and edge of the upholstery layer  18 . The vinyl sheeting also provides a compatible material for the urethane protective cover  34  to bond to. 
     The preferred protective cover  34  is a spray urethane which is applied to all surfaces to completely cover the base  10  with a seamless coating. The base  10  is then set aside to allow the urethane spray to cure. Once the urethane is cured, the spikes  22  may be threadingly inserted so that they extend from the underside  14  of the platform  12 . The preferred spray urethane is a proprietary material manufactured product by Normac Adhesive Products Inc. of Burlington, Ontario, Canada. 
     In use, the self-anchoring base  10  of the present invention is virtually effortless to install and remove from a playing field. To install the base  10 , it is placed on the playing field  20  in the desired location with the anchoring means  18  pointed toward the ground. A user then steps on the base  10  to “sink” the spikes  22  into the playing field  20 . The base  10  rests on the surface of the playing field  20  and will resist horizontal forces applied to it. To remove the base  10  from the playing field  20  a user simply lifts the base  10  up off the ground in a vertical direction. The spikes  22  release from the ground. No tools are required for either installation or removal. 
     A particular advantage of the present invention is that the length of the spikes  22  extending from the underside of the base  10  can be adjusted to allow the base  10  to move horizontally if desired. As discussed above, some sports leagues prefer to use “break away” bases to reduce the risk a player jamming his/her foot or leg when sliding into a base. The present invention can function as a “break away” base in that it is possible to install the base  10  to allow a certain amount of horizontal motion of the base in response to the shear force of a sliding player. The key to this functionality is the depth to which the spikes  22  become embedded in the playing field. A base  10  could be constructed with spikes  22  that are long enough and can be embedded deep enough within the ground to prevent any movement of the base, even in the face of excessive lateral forces. Alternatively, a shorter spike length can be selected to allow base  10  to move somewhat in response to lateral forces. This type of break away base is safer because when the base  10  moves out of the way, there is no anchor or receiver left under the original base position on which the player could be injured. Spikes  22  of different lengths (either custom ordered or sold as an option) can be changed out easily.