Patent Publication Number: US-8529382-B2

Title: Baseball pitching simulator

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to baseball pitching training devices and, more particularly, to a baseball pitching simulator having a horizontally and vertically movable target configured to simulate a live pitcher-hitter dual. 
     Regardless if a pitcher is a child, teenager, adult, amateur or professional, a pitcher routinely seeks a convenient, effective, and entertaining way to practice the art of pitching. Like most sports, pitching accuracy is improved with repetition. Pitching may be practiced by throwing to a catcher who may move his glove around so that the pitcher has a variable target. However, a live catcher may not always be available to work with the pitcher. 
     Various devices have been proposed in the art that provide a target at which to throw a ball. Some devices cause a ball to return to the pitcher and others cause a pitching target to return to a default position when hit. Although presumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing devices do not provide a pitching training aid that effectively simulates a real hitter-pitcher dual or that simulates practice with a live catcher who may vary the position of the catcher&#39;s mitt. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a baseball pitching simulator that effectively simulates pitching to a live catcher. Further, it would be desirable to have a baseball pitching simulator that causes a pitching target to move both vertically and horizontally in between pitches. In addition, it would be desirable to have a baseball pitching simulator that displays an ongoing pitch count as well as the speed of the latest pitch. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A baseball pitching simulator for simulating a live pitcher-hitter dual includes a framework having first and second vertical support members. A first adjustment assembly includes a first carriage coupled to the first vertical support member and is vertically movable by a pulley system and first motor. A second adjustment assembly is coupled to the first carriage and movable vertically when the first carriage is moved up or down the vertical support member. The second adjustment assembly includes first and second pulleys extending laterally between the vertical support members and is coupled to a pitching target. Accordingly, the first adjustment assembly regulates a vertical position of the pitching member and the second adjustment assembly regulates a horizontal position thereof. First and second motors actuate movement of the adjustment assemblies. The simulator includes a pitching target having a pressure sensor to detect impact. The simulator includes a backstop and a vibration sensor to determine when the backstop is impacted. A processor and programming determine and cause the adjustment assemblies to move the pitching target. 
     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a baseball pitching simulator for simulating a live pitcher-hitter dual. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a baseball pitching simulator, as aforesaid, having a framework, movable pitching target, and a backstop that enables a user to throw a baseball toward the pitching target and that senses if the target was hit or missed. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide a baseball pitching simulator, as aforesaid, that includes a pressure sensor on the pitching target and a vibration sensor on a backstop to determine where a pitched ball has impacted. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a baseball pitching simulator, as aforesaid, that includes programming configured to actuate movement of the pitching target after each pitch. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a baseball pitching simulator, as aforesaid, enabling a user to select between a mode in which the pitching target adjusts its position after every pitch and a mode in which it adjusts only after the target was hit, i.e. a “strike.” 
     A still further object of this invention is to provide a baseball pitching simulator, as aforesaid, having a speed detection device and display screen. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a baseball pitching simulator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the baseball pitching simulator as in  FIG. 1  on an enlarged scale; 
         FIG. 3  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from a portion of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4   a  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from a portion of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4   b  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from a portion of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from a portion of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6   a  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from a portion of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6   b  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from a portion of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating the electronic components of the baseball pitching simulator according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating the logic performed by the processor according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A baseball pitching simulator according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 8  of the present invention. The baseball pitching simulator  10  includes a framework  20 , a first adjustment assembly  50 , a second adjustment assembly  70 , a pitching target  80 , a backstop  40 , and sensors configured to detect when a ball impacts either the target or backstop. 
     The framework  20  may include opposed first  22  and second  24  vertical support members each having respective upper and lower ends (unnumbered). An upper support member  26  may extend between respective upper ends of the first  22  and second  24  vertical support members ( FIG. 2 ). The framework  20  may also include a lower support member  28  extending between respective lower ends of the first  22  and second  24  vertical support members. Further, an upper support structure  30  may be coupled to respective upper ends of the first  22  and second  24  vertical support members. Preferably, the upper support structure  30  includes opposed upper side bars  32  extending rearwardly from the first  22  and second  24  vertical support member upper ends with an auxiliary upper support member  33  connecting the side support bars ( FIG. 2 ). The framework  20  may also include a lower support structure  34  having opposed lower side bars  36  extending rearwardly from lower ends of the first  22  and second  24  vertical support members. An auxiliary lower support member  38  may extend between the rearward ends of the lower side bars  36 , the lower support structure  34  preferably having a profile larger than that of the upper support structure  30  so as to be stable against being tipped over in use. 
     The backstop  40  may include a top edge coupled to the upper support structure  30  and extend downwardly substantially adjacent to or attached to the lower support structure  34 . The backstop  40  may have a flexible construction, such as a nylon net, canvas sheet, or the like. 
     The first adjustment assembly  50  (also referred to as the “vertical assembly”) may include a first carriage  52  mounted to the first vertical support member  22  that is configured to move therealong substantially between upper and lower ends of the first vertical support member  22 , as will be described below. More particularly, the first carriage  52  may be configured as a sleeve that extends about the first vertical support member  22  and is slidably movable relative thereto. The first adjustment assembly  50  may include a first motor  61  operatively connected to the first carriage  52  so as to cause the first carriage  52  to move upwardly or downwardly along the first vertical support member  22  when energized, as will be described below. 
     The first adjustment assembly  50  may include a pulley system connecting the first motor  61  and the first carriage  52 . More particularly, the first adjustment assembly  50  may include upper  56  and lower  58  pulleys operatively mounted to respective upper and lower ends of the first vertical support member  22 . The first adjustment assembly  50  may include a first cable  60  having a continuous loop construction and configured to rotate about the upper  56  and lower  58  pulleys when the pulleys are themselves rotated. Preferably, the first motor  61  is operatively coupled to the first adjustment assembly first pulley  56  so as to actuate the pulley to rotate when the first motor  61  is electrically energized. The first cable  60  is fixedly connected to the first carriage  52  so as to move the first carriage  52  upwardly or downwardly along the first vertical support member  22  when the first cable  60  is operated by rotation of the pulleys. 
     Alternatively, the first adjustment assembly  50  may include a track apparatus and electrical means for moving the first carriage  52  therealong (not shown) or another means for moving the first carriage  52  upwardly and downwardly along the first vertical support member  22 . 
     The second adjustment assembly  70  (also referred to as the “horizontal assembly”) has a similar pulley configuration. More particularly, the second adjustment assembly  70  includes a first pulley  72  coupled to the first adjustment assembly first carriage  52 . The second adjustment assembly  70  includes a second pulley  74  that may be positioned adjacent the second vertical support member  24  opposite the first carriage  52  (or attached to a second carriage  62  as will be described later). The second adjustment assembly  70  includes a second adjustment assembly cable  76  having a continuous loop construction and extending between the second adjustment assembly first  72  and second  74  pulleys. The second adjustment assembly cable  76 , therefore, extends substantially between the first  22  and second  24  vertical support members in a generally horizontal configuration. Since the second adjustment assembly first pulley  72  is coupled to the first carriage  52 , the entire second adjustment assembly  70  is moved upwardly or downwardly according to a corresponding movement of the first carriage  52 . The second adjustment assembly  70  includes a second motor  78  operatively connected to the second adjustment assembly first pulley  72  so as to cause it to rotate when the second motor  78  is energized. 
     In some embodiments, the first adjustment assembly  50  may include a second carriage  62  mounted to the second vertical support member  24  and configured for movement therealong between respective upper and lower ends. The first adjustment assembly  50  may also include auxiliary upper  66  and lower  68  pulleys operatively mounted to respective upper and lower ends of the second vertical support member  24 . The auxiliary pulleys are mounted so as to rotate. An auxiliary first adjustment assembly cable  69  that includes a continuous loop construction may be operatively coupled to respective pulleys and extend therebetween in the same manner described previously. The auxiliary cable  69  is connected to the second carriage  62  so as to urge the second carriage  62  upwardly or downwardly along the second vertical support member  24  when the auxiliary pulleys are rotated. Preferably, a connector rod  65  extends between and is fixedly attached to the first adjustment assembly first pulley  56  and the auxiliary first adjustment assembly upper pulley  66  so that rotation of the first adjustment assembly upper pulley  56  causes the auxiliary first adjustment assembly first pulley  66  to rotate. 
     In use, therefore, operation of the corresponding first pulleys causes the first  52  and second  62  carriages to move upwardly or downwardly along respective vertical support members in unison. The second adjustment assembly second pulley  74  may be coupled to the second carriage  62 . 
     Each first carriage  52  and second carriage  62  may include a respective flange  54  attached to outer side surface thereof that extends outwardly ( FIG. 4   a ). The second assembly first pulley  72  may be coupled to the flange  54 . Further, the second motor  78  may be coupled to the second adjustment assembly second pulley  74  so as to actuate the second adjustment assembly first pulley  72  when the second motor  78  is energized. 
     The second adjustment assembly  70  includes a pitching target  80  positioned and configured to be moved laterally between the first  22  and second  24  vertical support members. More particularly, the pitching target  80  is fixedly attached to the second adjustment assembly cable  76  such that the pitching target  80  is moved when the cable is moved. In other words, if the cable  76  is moved laterally to the right, the pitching target  80  is moved laterally to the right as well. 
     The baseball pitching simulator  10  includes a processor  90  in data communication with the first  50  and second  70  adjustment assemblies and, more particularly, in data communication with the first  61  and second  78  motors which operate the adjustment assemblies. A memory (not shown or numbered) is in data communication with the processor  90  and is configured to store programming instructions. As will be described in even more detail later, the memory includes programming that when executed by the processor  90  causes the first motor  61  to be energized to move the first carriage  52  a distance along the first vertical support member  22 . Specific programming causes the processor  90  to determine which direction and how much movement is appropriate. The determined amount may be a random direction and distance. Further, programming causes the processor  90  to energize the second motor  78  to move the pitching target  80  a lateral direction and distance relative to the first  22  and second  24  vertical support members. Again, the direction and distance may be random. The conditions under which the programming is executed will be described below. 
     The pitching target  80  may include a pressure sensor  82  in data communication with the processor  90 . It is understood that the communication between the pressure sensor  82  and processor  90  may be by electrical wire, circuitry, radio signal, or the like. The pressure sensor  82  is configured to detect when an impact force is experienced that is indicative of being struck by a thrown baseball. The outer surface of the pitching target  80  may have a gently padded construction configured to receive rather than deflect an impact by a ball. 
     A vibration sensor  42  may be positioned adjacent, proximate, or in direct physical contact with the backstop  40 . The vibration sensor  42  is in data communication with the processor  90 , such as by wire or wireless signal. The vibration sensor  42  is configured to detect a vibration in the backstop that is indicative that the backstop  40  has been impacted, such as by a thrown baseball. 
     Further, the baseball pitching simulator  10  may include an electronic display  94  in data communication with the processor  90  and memory. In some embodiments, the display  94  and other electronic components may be positioned together in the display housing. The memory includes programming that when executed by the processor  90  calculates and stores pitch count data so as to keep track of which throws (i.e. a pitch) impact the pitching target—a “strike”—and which throws impact the backstop—“a ball”—. Specifically, a pitch is logged in the pitch count data as a “strike” when the pressure sensor  82  detects an impact force; a pitch is logged in the pitch count data as a “ball” when the vibration sensor  42  detects an impact force. Programming may be executed by the processor  90  that causes the pitch count data to be transferred to and rendered by the display  94 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary process  200  according to programming executed by the processor  90  in use of the baseball pitching simulator  10 . First, a mode selection input  96  is operable by a user to determine what mode of operation will be followed by the processor  90 . In some embodiments, the mode selection input  96  may be a button on the display  94  that is in data communication with the processor  90 . At step  202 , the processor  90  determines if a user has selected an “Always Move Mode” in which the processor determines first adjustment assembly movement instructions and second adjustment assembly movement instructions when either one of the vibration sensor  42  or the pressure sensor  82  detects an impact force. If so, then the process  200  proceeds to step  203 ; otherwise, the process  200  proceeds to step  220 . At step  203 , the processor  90  determines if the backstop/vibration sensor  42  has detected an impact and, if so, proceeds to step  204 ; otherwise, the process  200  proceeds to step  205 . At step  204 , the processor  90  causes the pitch count data to reflect a “ball” and process  200  is passed on to step  208 . At step  205 , the processor  90  determines if the pitching target pressure sensor  82  has detected an impact and, if so, proceeds to step  206 ; otherwise, the process  200  returns to step  202 . At step  206 , the processor  90  causes the pitch count data to reflect a “strike” and process  200  proceeds on to step  208 . 
     At step  208 , the processor  90  determines the next moves to be made by both the first  50  and second  70  adjustment assemblies. More particularly, the processor  90  determines both the direction and distance that will result from an energizing of the first motor  61  and second motor  78 . The process  200  then proceeds to steps  210  and  212  where the processor  200  causes the first/vertical adjustment assembly motor  61  and the second/horizontal adjustment assembly motor  78  to be energized according to the movement signals determined by the processor  90  at step  208 . Then, the process  200  returns to step  202  to re-evaluate the mode and actions to be taken. 
     At step  220 , the processor  90  determines if a “Target Mode” has been selected by a user, in which in which the processor  90  determines first adjustment assembly movement instructions and second adjustment assembly movement instructions only when the pressure sensor  82  detects an impact force. If so, then the process  200  proceeds to step  222 ; otherwise, the process  200  returns to step  202 . At step  222 , the processor  90  determines if the pitching target pressure sensor  82  has detected an impact force. If so, the process  200  proceeds to step  226 ; otherwise, the process  200  proceeds to step  224 . 
     At step  224 , the processor  90  determines if the backstop vibration sensor  42  has detected an impact force. If so, the process  200  proceeds to step  225 ; otherwise, the process  200  returns to step  220 . At step  225 , the processor  90  causes the pitch count data to reflect a “ball” and process  200  is returned to step  220  (without energizing either of the adjustment assemblies). 
     At step  226 , the processor  90  causes the pitch count data to reflect a “strike” and process  200  proceeds on to step  228 . At step  228 , the processor  90  determines the next moves to be made by both the first  50  and second  70  adjustment assemblies. More particularly, the processor  90  determines both the direction and distance that will result from an energizing of the first motor  61  and second motor  78 . The process  200  then proceeds to steps  230  and  232  where the processor  200  causes the first/vertical adjustment assembly motor  61  and the second/horizontal adjustment assembly motor  78  to be energized according to the movement signals determined by the processor  90  at step  220 . 
     The baseball pitching simulator  10  may also include a speed detection unit  98  removably coupled to the framework  20 , the speed detection unit  98  also referred to as a radar gun. The speed detection unit  98  is in data communication with the processor  90  so that speed data may be received by the processor  90 . The speed detection unit  98  is positioned generally inline with the pitching target  80  so as to measure the speed of balls being thrown/pitched toward the pitching target  80 . The processor  90  may execute programming that causes the speed data to be transmitted to the display  94  (or to another display  95  ( FIG. 7 )). In addition, the speed detection unit  98  may include a wireless foot switch  99  for resetting or otherwise controlling the unit. 
     In use, a user may pitch balls toward the pitching simulator  10  in an attempt to hit the pitching target  80  to simulate pitching to a catcher&#39;s glove. In doing so, a user may simulate an actuate dual against a batter. Depending on the mode setting, the pitching target may move randomly after each pitch or only when the pitching target  80  is actually struck as described above. 
     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.