Abstract:
A baseball pitcher&#39;s training device, which comprises a first display surface having an image of a life size baseball catcher crouched behind home plate, similar to the position a catcher assumes during a baseball game. The display surface further comprises a plurality of apertures positioned within the average strike zone. The device further comprises a second display surface comprising an image of a standard home plate. The second display surface extends from a lower edge of the first display surface in a manner such that the image of the catcher appears to be crouched behind the home plate. Users of this pitcher&#39;s training device can practice throwing baseball pitches through the apertures on the first display surface to thereby increase effectiveness during a baseball game. The combination of the image of the catcher and the image of home plate simulates the actual baseball game and increases the effectiveness of the practice time because the user will be practicing throwing the pitch to a catcher&#39;s mitt in various areas in the strike zone. Furthermore, the device comprises a support structure that is collapsible so as to facilitate transportation and storage of the device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/242,842, filed on Oct. 24, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to sports training devices, in particular, concerns a pitcher&#39;s training device used to practice baseball pitches.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Baseball players, and in particular pitchers, practice throwing pitches in order to increase their accuracy and consistency. These pitchers are responsible for throwing a variety of pitches, such as fastballs and curveballs, and the pitcher aims for different areas of the strike zone in order to be most effective. Oftentimes, live catchers and batters are unavailable when pitchers need to practice, leaving the pitcher unable to practice their pitches.  
           [0006]    To address this concern, several different pitcher&#39;s training devices have been developed. These devices usually comprise a surface with a single or multiple targets. Using these devices, the pitcher practices throwing strikes by aiming and throwing at the target(s). One example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,671. This invention comprises a tarpaulin through which a plurality of apertures is positioned. The apertures are positioned within and slightly outside a box to act as a target for the user. The tarpaulin is supported on all sides and sits perpendicular with respect to the ground with the aid of a supporting structure. The device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,671 also comprises a bag attached on the side of the tarpaulin that faces away from the user. This bag acts to retain a baseball once the user has successfully thrown it through an aperture.  
           [0007]    The tarpaulin included in the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,671 is uniform in color. Use of this device may be problematic because, while the pitcher might become skilled with throwing at this uniform surface with the pitch, the pitcher is less familiar with throwing to a catcher in a game situation. Thus, during a game, the pitcher&#39;s accuracy might be degraded due to the relatively unfamiliar target, thereby reducing the pitcher&#39;s effectiveness.  
           [0008]    Furthermore, the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,671 is approximately six feet tall and seven feet wide. This large structure could potentially be obtrusive or be an eyesore unless it can be moved and stored away out of sight. Unfortunately, its large frame makes moving the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,671 very burdensome. Additionally, the support structure included in the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,671 is rigid and does not collapse. Thus, unless the user has a large amount of storage space, the user might be inconvenienced by the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,671. Hence from the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there is a need for a pitcher&#39;s training device that better simulates pitching during an actual baseball game and is more portable and better suited for storage when not in use.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The pitcher&#39;s training device of the preferred embodiments of the present invention satisfy the aforementioned needs. In one aspect, the pitcher&#39;s training device comprises a first display surface comprising an image of a life size catcher crouched in a manner similar to the position in which a catcher typically assumes behind the home plate during a baseball game. The first display surface further comprises a plurality of targets positioned on the display surface. Preferably, the targets are positioned within an average strike zone around the catcher&#39;s body. The first display surface is supported by a support structure in a manner such that the display surface is substantially upright and planar. Preferably, the supporting structure is also collapsible in a manner such that the display surface becomes nonplanar.  
           [0010]    In one embodiment, the device further comprises a second display surface that comprises an image of a standard home plate. Preferably, the second display surface extends from a lower edge of the first display surface in a manner such that the image of the catcher on the first display surface appears to be crouched behind the image of the standard home plate on the second display surface. In another embodiment, each of the targets on the first display surface comprises an aperture that is sized for a baseball to pass through. In yet another embodiment, netting is attached around the periphery of each aperture in a manner so as to retain a thrown baseball once the baseball passes through the aperture. Preferably, an image of a catcher&#39;s mitt is formed around the periphery of the aperture so that the target simulates a real catcher&#39;s mitt.  
           [0011]    In another aspect, the pitcher&#39;s training device comprises a first surface wherein the first surface displays a life size image of a catcher. Preferably, the first surface further comprises a plurality of targets positioned within an average strike zone around the catcher&#39;s body. Preferably, the first surface is substantially planar such that the image may be displayed. The device further comprises a supporting structure that supports the first surface. The supporting structure comprises two vertical legs to which the first surface is mounted and at least one horizontal leg which supports the vertical legs wherein the supporting structure is collapsible such that the first surface becomes nonplanar. In one embodiment, the legs of the supporting structure comprise light weight, hollow plastic tubing. In another embodiment, at least one horizontal leg comprises a first section and a second section wherein the first and second sections are joined together by a pivot hinge that allows the first and second sections to pivot with respect to each other along the axis of the hinge.  
           [0012]    In yet another aspect, the preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of training baseball pitchers. The method comprises providing a first surface that displays a life size image of a catcher. Preferably, the first surface further comprises a plurality of targets positioned within an average strike zone around the catcher&#39;s body and the first surface is substantially planar such that the image may be displayed. The method further comprises positioning the first surface a predetermined distance from the person so as to allow the person to simulate pitching a baseball to a catcher. In one embodiment, the first surface is positioned at a predetermined distance from the pitcher wherein the predetermined distance is the typical distance between the home plate and the pitching mount so as to allow the pitcher to simulate pitching a baseball to a catcher.  
           [0013]    The user of the pitcher&#39;s training device of the present embodiments practices throwing pitches at the targets to thereby increase the user&#39;s effectiveness during the baseball game. In one embodiment, the targets are apertures sized to permit a baseball to pass through. Using this device, the user throws the pitch in substantially the same way during practice and during a game because the user is throwing at an image of the catcher that closely resembles an actual catcher. Advantageously, this increases the effectiveness of the practice time and the pitcher becomes even more effective during a game. Furthermore, the collapsibility of the device allows the user to conveniently transport and store the device away when not in use. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pitcher&#39;s training device;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pitcher&#39;s training device of FIG. 1 taken along the lines  2 - 2 ;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a detail view of the pitcher&#39;s training device of FIG. 2 taken along the line  3  illustrating a typical pivot joint;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pitcher&#39;s training device of FIG. 1 taken along the lines  4 - 4  illustrating the collapsible support structures;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are side views of the pitcher&#39;s training device of FIG. 4 taken along the lines  5 A- 5 A and  5 B- 5 B illustrating the collapsible support structures. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]    Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. Referring initially to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a pitcher&#39;s training device  100  is illustrated. In particular, the pitcher&#39;s training device  100  includes a display surface  102 , a supporting structure  104  and a plate surface  106 . Both the display surface  102  and the plate surface  106  extend between various components of the supporting structure  104 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, the pitcher&#39;s training device  100  simulates the view that a baseball pitcher would see during a baseball game such that the user may more effectively practice pitching.  
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the supporting structure  104  is comprised of two side members  114   a ,  114   b , a lower frame member  122 , an upper back brace  116 , and a lower back brace  118 . The two side members  114   a ,  114   b  each comprises a base  124   a ,  124   b , a side frame  126   a ,  126   b , a top joint  128   a ,  128   b , and a truss  130   a ,  130   b . As will be described below, the supporting structure holds the display surface  102  in a substantially upright manner such that a pitcher may practice throwing pitches at the display surface  102 .  
         [0021]    The supporting structure  104  preferably is made out of individual straight sections of plastic tubing with an outer diameter of approximately 1.5 inches. At each corner of the supporting structure  104 , the sections of plastic tubing are joined together by corner pieces (not shown). The corner pieces are also constructed out of plastic tubing, but are formed with bends that correspond to the desired final angle of its respective corner. The corner pieces have an inner diameter of approximately 1.5 inches. In order to construct the supporting structure  104 , the ends of the straight sections of plastic tubing fit inside the corner pieces. The plastic tubing is retained inside the corner pieces because of the interference fit between the two members.  
         [0022]    The display surface  102  comprises a thin, flexible, and collapsible material such as vinyl or rubber. In one embodiment, the display surface  102  measures approximately four feet tall and four feet wide. The display surface  102  extends between the two side members  114   a ,  114   b , and is connected to the side frames  126   a ,  126   b . In one embodiment, a portion of the display surface  102  wraps around the side frames  126   a ,  126   b  and then the display surface  102  is sewn onto itself such that the supporting structure  104  holds the display surface  102  taut. In another embodiment, an upper edge  120  and a lower edge  121  of the display surface  102  comprises a plurality of apertures through which a cord is threaded (not shown). The cord is then tied around the side frame members  126   a ,  126   b  in order to provide added tautness to the display surface  102 .  
         [0023]    A plurality of apertures  108   a ,  108   b ,  108   c ,  108   d ,  108   e  are positioned on the display surface  102 . Preferably, the apertures  108   a - e  are simulations of actual catcher&#39;s mitts that are circular with a diameter the size of the pocket of the catcher&#39;s mitt (e.g. approximately 6.0 inches) such that a regulation size baseball can fit therethrough. Preferably, the apertures  108   a - e  are positioned at various locations within a standard strike zone. The width of a strike zone is typically defined as the width of home plate and the height is the distance between the batter&#39;s knees and chest. The height of the strike zone will vary according to the dimensions of the batter, and this device is intended for pitchers to throw strikes to batters of different sizes, with different batting stances. The apertures  108   a - e  are positioned according to the average dimensions of a batter. In one embodiment, one aperture  108   b  is positioned in the center of the average strike zone, one aperture  108   a  is positioned in the upper outside corner of the average strike zone (for a right handed hitter), one aperture  108   c  is positioned in the lower outside corner of the average strike zone, one aperture  108   d  is positioned in the upper inside corner of the average strike zone, and one aperture  108   e  is positioned in the lower inside corner of the average strike zone. It will be appreciated that the apertures  108   a - e  could be positioned at various locations on the display surface  102  where a pitcher would need to practice throwing without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
         [0024]    As shown in FIG. 1, an image  110  is included on a front side  112  of the display surface  102 . In one embodiment, the image  110  represents a life size baseball catcher in a crouched positioned as the catcher would be posed during a game. The image  110  helps to simulate the view that a baseball pitcher would see during a baseball game. In one embodiment, the image  110  can be a photograph of an actual catcher in a crouched position. Using this device  100 , the user will be throwing a pitch toward the catcher&#39;s image  110  in substantially the same way that the user will be throwing a pitch toward an actual catcher during the actual baseball game. Thus, pitching practice involves the same throwing technique that the user will employ during the game. Therefore, the image  110  allows the user of the pitcher&#39;s training device  100  to practice more effectively as it more closely simulates game conditions.  
         [0025]    Furthermore, each aperture  108   a - e  may be surrounded by an image of a catcher&#39;s mitt  134 . These representations of the catcher&#39;s mitt  134  further simulate the actual baseball game, allowing the user to envision throwing a pitch into the catcher&#39;s mitt  134  at the specified target locations.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 also shows the plate surface  106 . The plate surface  106  comprises a flexible, collapsible material such as rubber or vinyl. On the plate surface  106 , a full size image of a home plate  136  is positioned. The plate surface  106  extends outward from the display surface  102  and lies adjacent to the lower frame member  122 . In one embodiment, the plate surface  106  is attached to the lower frame member  122  by folding the plate surface  106  over the lower frame member  122  and sewing the plate surface  106  to itself.  
         [0027]    Since the width of the strike zone is determined by the width of home plate, the image of home plate  134  allows the user to throw the pitch in substantially the same way that the user will throw the pitch during the game. Advantageously, this allows the user to practice pitching more effectively.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 shows a rear side  138  of the pitcher&#39;s training device  100 . As shown, the pitcher&#39;s training device  100  further comprises a plurality of retainers  140   a - e . In one embodiment, the retainers  140   a - e  are nets made out of nylon or another similar material, and the retainers  140   a - e  are closed at their lower end  142   a - e . The retainers  140   a - e  are attached around the periphery of the apertures  108   a - e  on the rear side  138  of the pitcher&#39;s training device. In one embodiment, the retainers  140   a - e  are sewn to the rear side  138  of the display surface  102 . The retainers  140   a - e  capture a thrown baseball when it enters one of the apertures  108   a - e . Advantageously, the user does not have to chase a thrown baseball when it is thrown through the apertures  108   a - e . Also, the retainers  140   a - e  allow the user to assess which target was successfully hit with the thrown pitch.  
         [0029]    Furthermore, FIG. 2 illustrates additional features of the supporting structure  104 . For example, the lower back brace  118  comprises a first member  164  and a second member  165 . The trusses  130   a ,  130   b  similarly comprise a first member  168   a ,  168   b  and a second member  169   a ,  169   b . The lower frame member  122  comprises a first member  172  and a second member  173 . Moreover, the upper back brace  116  comprises a first member  176  and a second member  177 .  
         [0030]    On the lower back brace  118 , a pivot joint  158  joins a first end  166  of the first member  164  to a first end  167  of the second member  165 . A pivot joint  158  also joins a first end  170   a ,  170   b  of the first member  168   a ,  168   b  to a first end  171   a ,  171   b  of the second member  169   a ,  169   b  on the truss  130   a ,  130   b . Additionally, on the lower frame member  122 , a pivot joint  158  joins a first end  174  of the first member  172  to a first end  175  of the second member  173 . Finally, on the upper back brace  116 , a pivot joint  158  joins a first end  178  of the first member  176  to a first end  179  of the second member  177 . As will be described in greater detail below, the typical pivot joint  158  can either allow the supporting structure  104  to collapse or the pivot joint  158  can provide rigidity to the supporting structure  104 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 also illustrates a plurality of hinges  144  on the supporting structure  104 . A first hinge  144  is located at a first end  125   a ,  125   b  of the base  124   a ,  124   b  while a second hinge  144  is located at a second end  162   a ,  162   b  of the base  124   a ,  124   b . Similarly, a third hinge  144  is located at a second end  182  of the first member  176  of the upper back brace  116 . Additionally, a fourth hinge  144  is located at a second end  183  of the second member  177  of the upper back brace  116 . Finally, a fifth hinge  144  is located at a first end  129   a ,  129   b  of the top joint  128   a ,  128   b . The typical hinge  144  is widely known in the art and allows two sections of the support structure  104  to pivot with respect to each other along the axis of the hinge  144 . As will be described below, the hinges  144  allow the pitcher&#39;s training device  100  to collapse.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 3 illustrates a typical pivot joint  158 . For illustrative purposes, the joint between the first and second members  164 ,  165  of the lower back brace  118  is shown, but it will be appreciated that all other pivot joints  158  on the support structure  104  are substantially the same. The pivot joint  158  comprises a hinge  144  and a slider  146 . As described above, the hinge  144  is widely known in the art and allows two sections of the support structure  104  to pivot with respect to each other along the axis of the hinge  144 . The slider  146  is generally cylindrical with an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the hinge  144  such that the slider  146  may slide over and encompass the hinge  144 . The slider  146  also comprises a small aperture  160  at a first end  161  of the slider  146 .  
         [0033]    The second member  165  (or any other respective supporting member with a pivot joint  158 ) comprises a button  163  at the first end  167  of the second member  165  as shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the button  163  has a half dome shape and the button  163  is biased outward from the center of the second member  165 . The diameter of the button  163  is substantially the same as the diameter of the aperture  160  on the slider  146 .  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 3, when the slider  146  is positioned only over the first member  164 , the hinge  144  allows the first member  164  and second member  165  to pivot with respect to each other about the axis of the hinge  144 . As will be described below, this type of pivoting is crucial when collapsing the pitcher&#39;s training device  100 .  
         [0035]    When the axes of the first and second members  164 ,  165  are aligned, the slider  146  is able to slide over the hinge, and as it does, the first end  161  of the slider  146  makes contact with the button  163  and biases the button  163  toward the center of the second member  165 . Then, when the slider  146  is slid further down toward the second member, the button  163  and aperture  160  align, making the button  163  bias away from the center of the second member  165 . As a result, the button  163  biases itself into the aperture  160  such that the slider is secured in place because it cannot slide over the button  163 . In this position, first and second members  164 ,  165  are unable to pivot about the hinge  144  because the slider supports both members  164 ,  165 . As will be described below, the support from the slider  146  allows the pitcher&#39;s training device  100  to stand in an upright position such that the user can practice pitching baseballs.  
         [0036]    The aforementioned slider  146  and hinge  144  combination is but one configuration of the pitcher&#39;s training device  100 . It will be appreciated that an ordinary person skilled in the art could modify this configuration of the pitcher&#39;s training device to make it collapse in a different way, and yet not depart from the spirit of the invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4 illustrates the collapsibility of the pitcher&#39;s training device  100 . To collapse the pitcher&#39;s training device  100 , the user first shifts the sliders  146  on the upper back brace  116 , the lower frame member  122 , and the lower back brace  118  into a position such that the sliders  146  do not encompass their respective hinges  144 . As stated above, this allows the individual supporting structures to pivot about the hinges  144 . Then, the user brings the side members  114   a ,  114   b  together causing the upper back brace  116 , the lower back brace  118 , and the lower frame member  122  to pivot at their respective pivot joints  158 . The hinges  144  located on first and second ends  125   a ,  125   b ,  162   a ,  162   b  of the base members  124   a ,  124   b  also allow the lower frame member  122  and the lower back brace  118  to pivot with respect to the side members  114   a ,  114   b . Similarly, the hinges  144  located at the second end  182  of the first member  176  and the second end  183  of the second member  177  allow the upper back brace  116  to pivot and collapse.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 5A illustrates the next steps in collapsing the pitcher&#39;s training device  100 . First, the user must collapse the trusses  130   a ,  130   b  by shifting the sliders  146  in a position such that the sliders  146  do not encompass their respective hinges  144 . Then, the user pivots the base  124   a ,  124   b  toward the side frames  126   a ,  126   b  thereby causing the first member  168   a ,  168   b  of the truss  130   a ,  130   b  to pivot toward the second member  169   a ,  169   b  of the truss  130   a ,  130   b . Last, the user must roll up the plate surface  106 .  
         [0039]    A fully collapsed pitcher&#39;s training device  100  is shown in FIG. 5B. As shown, the collapsed training device  100  is very compact as compared to the fully upright training device  100 . In one embodiment, the collapsed training device  100  measures a half foot long, four feet tall, and a half foot wide.  
         [0040]    The fully upright training device  100  might be considered obtrusive or visually unappealing when not in use, yet storing it fully upright might prove difficult because the user might have inadequate storage space. Advantageously, the compact size of the collapsed training device  100  allows the user to more easily store it away.  
         [0041]    Also, the user of this device may want to transport the training device  100 . In its fully upright state, the training device  100  might likely be too cumbersome for transport. For example, the large size of the training device  100  might prevent it from fitting in a car, and it might even prove to be difficult to move by hand. However, the training device  100  becomes much more portable upon collapsing the training device  100 .  
         [0042]    In conclusion, the pitcher&#39;s training device  100  allows a baseball pitcher to practice pitching baseballs. The image of the catcher  134  and home plate  136  simulate the view that a pitcher would have during a baseball game. Thus, during practice, the user is able to throw in substantially the same way as the user would throw during an actual baseball game. Advantageously, practicing pitches using the device  100  becomes very effective, and the user&#39;s pitching accuracy and consistency. Also, the collapsibility of the pitcher&#39;s training device  100  allows the user to store or transport it. Advantageously, the user is less likely to be inconvenienced by the pitcher&#39;s training device  100 .  
         [0043]    Although the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has shown, described, and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus as illustrated as well as the uses thereof, may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Consequently, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the foregoing discussions, but should be defined by the appended claims.