Patent Publication Number: US-7220194-B1

Title: Pitching practice target

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a pitching practice target for use in connection with baseball training. The pitching practice target has particular utility in connection with teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Pitching practice targets are desirable for teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches. In order to be successful, pitchers must be able to place a thrown baseball with a high degree of accuracy. Live batters are usually not available for the large number of repetitions required. Pitching practice targets provide a simulated batter and a visual indication of the strike zone to help pitchers improve their skills. Unlike the prior art, pitching practice targets cover the strike zone with a target instead of merely defining the exterior boundaries of the strike zone with a frame. Furthermore, pitching practice targets can be used with a live catcher unlike the prior art. 
   The use of target teaching aids is known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,070 to Bauer et al. discloses a target teaching aid. However, the Bauer et al. &#39;070 patent does not fold up, and has further drawbacks of lacking a target that covers the strike zone. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,343 to McKinney discloses a combination batting practice tee and pitching target that functions as a batting tee and swing corrector or as a pitching target. However, the McKinney &#39;343 patent does not fold up, and additionally does not have target that covers the strike zone. 
   Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,443 to Padilla discloses a combination ball-hitting and pitching practice apparatus that adjustably mounts a ball rebound net as well as means for practicing hitting stationery balls. However, the Padilla &#39;443 patent does not fold up, and cannot be used with a live catcher. 
   In addition, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 350,569 to Boteler discloses a baseball pitching target that provides a target for pitching baseballs. However, the Boteler &#39;569 patent does not fold up, and also cannot be used with a live catcher. 
   Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,145 to Shriver discloses a portable pitching aid that aids a pitcher in learning the art of pitching. However, the Shriver &#39;145 patent does not fold up, and further lacks a target that covers the strike zone. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,647 to Tellez discloses an adjustable height baseball batter dummy that provides a pitcher with a realistic target when practicing hit pitches. However, the Tellez &#39;647 patent does not fold up, and has the additional deficiency of lacking a target that covers the strike zone. 
   In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 3,658,329 to Ciccarello discloses a swingable strike zone baseball device that provides a practice device for baseball pitchers. However, the Ciccarello &#39;329 patent does not fold up, and also does not have a target that covers the strike zone. 
   Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,065 to Clabough discloses a pitcher&#39;s box pitcher training system that trains all types of pitchers. However, the Clabough &#39;065 patent does not fold up, and further lacks the ability to define the strike zone. 
   Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,120 to Luke, Jr. discloses a baseball pitching and throwing training apparatus that simulates a strike zone or a target area. However, the Luke, Jr. &#39;120 patent does not have target that covers the strike zone, and has the additional deficiency of not being usable with a live catcher. 
   While the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a pitching practice target that allows teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches. The Bauer et al. &#39;070 patent, the McKinney &#39;343 patent, the Padilla &#39;443 patent, the Boteler &#39;569 patent, the Shriver &#39;145 patent, the Tellez &#39;647 patent, the Ciccarello &#39;329 patent, and the Clabough &#39;065 patent make no provision for folding up. The Bauer et al. &#39;070 patent, the McKinney &#39;343 patent, the Shriver &#39;145 patent, the Tellez &#39;647 patent, the Ciccarello &#39;329 patent, and the Luke, Jr. &#39;120 patent lack a target that covers the strike zone. The Padilla &#39;443 patent, the Boteler &#39;569 patent, and the Luke, Jr. &#39;120 patent cannot be used with a live pitcher. The Clabough &#39;065 patent cannot define the strike zone. 
   Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved pitching practice target that can be used for teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this respect, the pitching practice target according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of target teaching aids now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved pitching practice target, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved pitching practice target which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a pitching practice target which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a body with one end of a plurality of legs attached to one end and one end of an arm assembly removably connected to its opposing end. A target is removably connected to the arm assembly&#39;s opposing end, wherein the target defines and completely covers a strike zone and permits a thrown ball to pass through the strike zone. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
   The invention may also include the target being attached to the arm assembly by a plurality of chain hooks and a plurality of chains. The target may be made of mesh. Each of the legs may comprise an upper leg with one end attached to the end of the body, a lower leg with one end slidably inserted into the opposing end of the upper leg, a plurality of locking holes defined by holes in the opposing end of the upper leg and the end and the middle of the lower leg, and a locking pin removably inserted through the locking hole in the upper leg and one of the locking holes in the lower leg. There may be a leg collar slidably encircling the body, a leg collar thumbscrew threadedly connected to the leg collar, and a plurality of supports with one end pivotably connected to the leg collar and their opposing end pivotably connected to the middle of the legs. There may be a plurality of nonskid pads attached to the legs&#39; opposing end. The arm assembly may comprise an arm collar slidably and removably encircling the opposing end of the body, an arm collar thumbscrew threadedly connected to the arm collar, an arm with one end attached to the arm collar, and an arm support with one end attached to the opposing end of the arm and its opposing end attached to the middle of the arm. The end of the legs may be connected to the end of the body by a plurality of hinges. There may be a locking clip connected to the opposing end of the body and a target retainer with one end removably connected to the locking clip and its opposing end attached to the target. There may be a first body extension with one end slidably inserted into the opposing end of the body and a second body extension with one end slidably inserted into the opposing end of the first body extension. The arm assembly may have one end slidably and removably attached to the opposing end of the second body extension. There may be a plurality of chain hooks, wherein one of the chain hooks is attached to the middle of the arm assembly and one of the chain hooks is attached to the opposing end of the arm assembly. There may be a plurality of chains with one end removably connected to the chain hooks. The target may be removably connected to the opposing end of the chains. The invention may have a tripod assembly with one end connected to one end of the body. The tripod assembly may comprise three upper legs with one end hingedly attached to the end of the body, three lower legs with one end slidably inserted into the opposing end of the upper legs, a plurality of locking holes defined by holes in the opposing end of the upper legs and the end and the middle of the lower legs, three locking pins removably inserted through the locking hole in the upper legs and one of the locking holes in the lower legs, a leg collar slidably encircling the body, a leg collar thumbscrew threadedly connected to the leg collar, and a plurality of supports with one end pivotably connected to the leg collar and their opposing end pivotably connected to the middle of the upper legs. There may be a plurality of nonskid pads attached to the opposing end of the lower legs. The arm assembly may comprise an arm collar slidably and removably encircling the opposing end of the second body extension, an arm collar thumbscrew threadedly connected to the arm collar, an arm with one end attached to the arm collar, wherein the opposing end of the arm is bent at an angle, and an arm support having opposing ends with one end attached to the opposing end of the arm and its opposing end attached to the middle of the arm. There may be a carrying strap removably encircling the tripod assembly, the body, the first body extension, and the second body extension. The target may be generally rectangular in shape. The tripod assembly, the body, the first body extension, and the second body extension may be selected from the group consisting of aluminum, stainless steel, and PVC tubing. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. 
   Numerous objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently current, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current 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 arrangements 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. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pitching practice target that has all of the advantages of the prior art target teaching aids and none of the disadvantages. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pitching practice target that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
   An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved pitching practice target that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such pitching practice target economically available to the buying public. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new pitching practice target that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
   Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a pitching practice target for teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches. This allows the invention to be used with a live catcher. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pitching practice target for teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches. This makes it possible to simulate the strike zone for a left-handed or a right-handed batter 
   An additional object of the present invention is to provide a pitching practice target for teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches. This allows the location of the strike zone to be adjusted. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a pitching practice target for teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches. This allows the pitching practice target to be easily stored and carried when not in use. 
   Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pitching practice target for teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches. 
   These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize 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 invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated current embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the current embodiment of the pitching practice target constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side fragmentary view of the tripod assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a side fragmentary view of the arm assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the tripod assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the pitching practice target of the present invention. 
   

   The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1–5 , a current embodiment of the pitching practice target of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , a new and improved pitching practice target  10  of the present invention for teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, the pitching practice target  10  has a tripod assembly  12  attached to one end of a body  30 . The tripod assembly  12  has three upper legs  14  with one end hingedly attached by hinges  24  to one end of the body  30 . A leg collar  28  slidably encircles the body  30  and has three supports  26  pivotably connected to it and to the middle of the upper legs  14 . Three lower legs  16  have one end slidably inserted into the opposing end of the upper legs  14 . The telescoping nature of the lower legs  16  and upper legs  14  allow the overall height of the body  30  to be adjusted and allows the pitching practice target  10  to remain level even if placed on uneven ground. The lower legs  16  are removably secured in place with respect to the upper legs  14  once locking pins  18  are removably inserted through the locking hole in the upper legs  14  and one of the locking holes  20  in the lower legs  16 . A nonskid pad  22  is attached to the opposing end of each of the lower legs  16  to hold the pitching practice target  10  in place. The hinges  24 , pivotably attached supports  26 , and slidable leg collar  28  allow the upper legs to be folded up against the side of the body  30 . A first body extension  34  has one end slidably inserted into the opposing end of the body  30 , and a second body extension  36  has one end slidably inserted into the opposing end of the first body extension  34 . The telescoping nature of the second body extension  36  and first body extension  34  allows the overall height of the pitching practice target  10  to be adjusted. An arm assembly  38  has an arm collar  40  slidably and removably encircling the second body extension  36 . Two chains  46  have one end connected to an arm  42  with one end attached to the arm collar  40  by chain hooks  54  (not visible). The opposing end of the arm  42  is bent at an angle and has an arm support  44  connected to it to form a triangular structure. A target  48  hangs from the opposing end of the chains  46 . A target retainer  50  removably attaches the bottom end of the target  48  to a locking clip  32  connected to the opposing end of the body  30 . The target retainer  50  keeps target  48  from blowing in the wind. However, the target retainer  50  does not cause the target  48  to materially interfere with the passage of a pitched baseball (not shown). In the current embodiment, target  48  is made of a lightweight mesh. As a result, a live catcher (not shown) positioned behind the target  48  can catch a pitched baseball because he or she can see the baseball approaching through the target  48  and the baseball&#39;s trajectory is not materially altered by contact with the target  48 . In the current embodiment, the tripod assembly  12 , body  30 , first body extension  34 , and second body extension  36  are made of aluminum. In the current embodiment, the arm  42  is between 20 and 30 inches long, the leg span of the tripod assembly  12  is about 30 inches in diameter, and the body  30 , first body extension  34 , and second body extension  36  can be extended to a full height of between 4 and 6 feet. 
   Moving on to  FIG. 2 , a new and improved tripod assembly  12  of the present invention for teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, the tripod assembly  12  has three upper legs  14  with one end hingedly attached by hinges  24  to one end of the body  30 . A leg collar  28  slidably encircles the body  30  and has three supports  26  pivotably connected to it and to the middle of the upper legs  14 . A leg collar thumbscrew  52  is threadedly attached to the leg collar  28  and secures the leg collar  28  in place when desired. Three lower legs  16  have one end slidably inserted into the opposing end of the upper legs  14 . The lower legs  16  are removably secured in place with respect to the upper legs  14  once locking pins  18  are removably inserted through the locking hole in the upper legs  14  and one of the locking holes  20  in the lower legs  16 . A nonskid pad  22  is attached to the opposing end of each of the lower legs  16 . A first body extension  34  has one end slidably inserted into the opposing end of the body  30 . 
   Continuing with  FIG. 3 , a new and improved arm assembly  48  of the present invention for teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, the arm assembly  48  has an arm collar  40  slidably and removably encircling the second body extension  36 . The second body extension  36  has one end slidably inserted into the opposing end of the first body extension  34 . The telescoping nature of the second body extension  36  and first body extension  34  allows the overall height of the pitching practice target  10  to be adjusted, and the slidably attached nature of the arm collar  40  allows the position of the arm assembly  38  to be adjusted. An arm collar thumbscrew  56  is threadedly attached to the arm collar  40  to secure it in place when desired. Two chains  46  have one end connected to an arm  42  with one end attached to the arm collar  40  by chain hooks  54 . The opposing end of the arm  42  is bent at an angle and has an arm support  44  connected to it to form a triangular structure. A target  48  hangs from the opposing end of the chains  46 . 
   In  FIG. 4 , a new and improved tripod assembly  12  of the present invention for teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, the tripod assembly  12  has three upper legs  14  with one end hingedly attached to one end of the body  30 . Three lower legs  16  have one end slidably inserted into the opposing end of the upper legs  14 . The lower legs  16  are removably secured in place with respect the upper legs  14  by locking pins  18 . A nonskid pad  22  is attached to the opposing end of each of the lower legs  16 . 
   Concluding with  FIG. 5 , a new and improved pitching practice target  10  of the present invention for teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, the pitching practice target  10  has a carrying strap  58  that encircles the upper legs  14 , body  30 , first body extension  34 , and second body extension  36  when the pitching practice target  10  has its upper legs  14  folded up and the first body extension  34  and second body extension  36  retracted within the body  30 . In its collapsed position, the pitching practice target  10  has its leg collar  28  slid up the body  30  and the supports  26  pivoted to allow the upper legs  14  to fold up against the body  30 . The carrying strap  58  provides a convenient handle and prevents the pitching practice target  10  from opening undesirably. 
   In use, it can now be understood that the user removes the carrying strap  58  from around the pitching practice target  10  and prepares the pitching practice target  10  for use. This is accomplished by first unfolding the upper legs  14  and sliding the leg collar  28  down the body  30  to its desired position. The user uses leg collar thumbscrew  52  to secure the leg collar  28  in place. The user then pulls out each of the lower legs  16 , adjusts them to their desired length, and inserts locking pins  18  through the locking hole in the upper legs  14  and one of the locking holes  20  in the lower legs  16  to secure them in place. The user then pulls out first body extension  34  and second body extension  36  from the body  30  to the desired height. The arm collar  40  is then slidably placed on the second body extension  36  and secured in position by arm collar thumbscrew  56 . Finally, the target  48  is hung by chains  46  from chain hooks  54  and its bottom edge is connected to the locking clip  32  by target retainer  50 . A pitcher can then practice pitching by throwing baseballs at the target  48 . A live catcher can be positioned behind the target  48  if desired to catch the thrown baseballs. Once the pitching practice target  10  is no longer needed, the user reverses the above steps to collapse the pitching practice target  10  and prepare it for transport and/or storage. 
   While a current embodiment of the pitching practice target has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include 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 present invention. For example, any suitable sturdy material such as stainless steel or PVC may be used instead of the aluminum described. Also, the mesh target may also be made of other light weight see-through materials. And although teaching a pitcher to deliver accurate pitches has been described, it should be appreciated that the pitching practice target herein described is also suitable for practicing other sports. Furthermore, a wide variety of leg arrangements may be used instead of the tripod assembly described. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles 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 invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.