Abstract:
A device for use in the instruction and practicing of hitting a baseball with a bat and consisting of a platform component and a tee component. The platform has a surface area appreciably larger than a regulation size home plate providing adequate area surrounding home plate needed to duplicate horizontally various pitch locations. The platform&#39;s surface is made of magnetically attractive material. The tee utilizes a magnetic base that allows it to be affixed to any point on the platform surface giving the user maximum choices for horizontal tee placement. The base&#39;s magnetic force is sufficient to hold the tee in place for reasonable bat contact and will release when subjected to mishits. The tee component is vertically adjustable to replicate pitches of various heights.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM  
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention generally relates to a batter training apparatus utilizing a vertically and horizontally adjustable tee to allow a user to learn and practice proper technique for hitting a ball with a bat. 
       BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
       [0005]    A batting tee is used by baseball players and coaches in teaching, learning and practicing the skills involved in hitting a baseball. A ball placed upon a tee that can be moved horizontally to spots on and around the home plate area coupled with vertical tee adjustment, allows the users to simulate the various pitches a batter must learn to hit. The player, through repetition and instruction, can develop consistent proper technique required to hit the various pitches thrown in a game. 
         [0006]    During instruction or practice it is desirable for the player or coach to be able to make quick, easy and spontaneous adjustments to the tee. It is desirable that the tee be capable of unlimited horizontal adjustability on and around the home plate area and also have ample vertical adjustability. It is also desirable that this adjustability be accomplished instantly and easily without the use of cumbersome adjustment devices such as pins, clips, brackets, tracks, pivots, holes, pegs, rails or legs. Furthermore, it is advantageous for the tee to have adequate stability to prevent nuisance tipping or other movement as this causes the user to spend an inordinate amount of time resetting the tee, thereby disrupting the efficiency and rhythm of practice. Finally, it is desirable that the tee be able to tip in the instance of a mishit to prevent damage to the tee and that the tee can be quickly reset to the desired spot. 
         [0007]    An added benefit is a tee that is portable and useable in a variety of locations on a variety of substrates (such as sand, gravel, wood or artificial turf) regardless of the availability of an existing home plate and that this same tee require no extra weighting, shims, blocking or bracing. 
         [0008]    A typical batting tee consists of base, which is often in the shape of a baseball home plate but sometimes square or round. Attached vertically to the base, (usually centered), is a set of telescoping tubes on top of which a ball can be placed. The top of the ascending tube may act as the ball holder or the ascending tube might be fitted with a ball holding device. Ball height adjustment is made utilizing the telescoping action of the vertical tubes. If the tee is permanently attached to the base, horizontal adjustment is made by moving the entire apparatus to a different area of the ground. Other tees use integrated tracks, brackets, sockets, pins, pivots or legs. Several tees of the former description are known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,883,138 to Chorey and U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,163B1 to Tanner disclose such designs. Tees of this type suffer from a lack of stability especially on uneven substrates or when placed on the borders of an elevated home plate. These tees are also prone to nuisance tipping and movement. While some allowance for tipping can be beneficial to prevent tee damage on mishits, a tee that tips too easily must be reset even when the batter strikes the ball within an acceptable range of accuracy. This tipping movement creates an annoyance and detracts from the teaching, learning or practice objective. Users frequently are forced to stack auxiliary weights on the base of the tee to gain stability. 
         [0009]    Another tee with a with a permanently attached base is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,987 to Rodino, Jr. This device uses a larger heavier base and rigidly connected telescoping rubber pipes for vertical adjustment. Because of the large intrusive base such a tee is very limited in horizontal adjustability. The rubber pipe ball holder is too bulky and creates excessive interference with the batters swing. This type of tee has no built in protection from mishits. Thus, it is susceptible to damage, tumbling and nuisance shifting. 
         [0010]    An effort at adding some horizontal adjustability to the Rodino design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,691 to Lefebvre, et, al. The options available for adjustment are limited to a few predetermined choices as dictated by locating holes installed through the base. Also, the adjustment requires the inconvenient process of unscrewing the telescopic pipe ball holder assembly from a threaded disc located under the base of the tee and reassembling it at another hole location. The bulky rubber pipe ball holder creates excessive interference with the batters swing and also has no built in protection from mishits making it vulnerable to damage, tumbling and nuisance shifting. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,091 to Lin discloses an attempt to improve horizontal adjustability by attaching the vertical telescoping pipe assembly to a pivoting swivel mount. The mount rotates on a centrally located bolt on the base and engages locating holes in the base surface via a spring loaded bolt. The location options are restricted by the range of the pivot and the limited number of locating holes. The tee&#39;s design makes no allowance for being struck by the bat on mishits and is susceptible to damage, nuisance shifting and tumbling. 
         [0012]    Yet another attempt to improve the range of horizontal adjustment is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,360 B1 to Eckstein. This tee design utilizes a steel base consisting of two legs secured at 90 degree angles in regard to each other, forming an X. The X base is set on the ground centered over an existing home plate. The tee element has a magnet attached at the bottom end that allows it to be coupled to various locations on the steel X base. To reposition the tee the user must step on the X base to disengage the magnet for repositioning. Horizontal adjustment is limited to the area upon the X base. The design&#39;s chosen magnet is of a strength that prevents disengagement on mishits and thus the tee design is susceptible to damage and nuisance shifting. The X base design is prone to stability issues especially when the tee is positioned on the outer ends of the X legs. 
         [0013]    Prior art discloses batting tees that use a track or channel system to facilitate horizontal adjustment, as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,418 to Owen. The tee is secured to a channel installed in the base with the use of a track follower that slides in the track and is secured to the bottom of the tee with the use of a threaded shank. This creates a rigid connection that will be very susceptible to damage, as well as nuisance shifting and tumbling on mishits. Horizontal adjustability is limited to locations made available by the layout of the installed track. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,683 to Cardieri discloses a tee design that utilizes a tube and aperture arrangement for horizontal adjustment. The vertical adjustable tee member is inserted into vertically aligned apertures supported by a bi-level base with the bases divided by spacers. Horizontal adjustments are limited to the provided apertures. The design does not offer any protection from the force of mishits which will result nuisance movement and damage to the vertical tee member. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0015]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a readily adjustable batting tee apparatus that has an expanded range of horizontal positioning and is unencumbered by limiting adjustment devices. In addition, horizontal positioning is achieved and maintained in a way that allows for tee stability while simultaneously limiting susceptibility to damage on mishits. The apparatus includes a batting tee platform component with a perimeter appreciably larger than a standard sized home plate and an independent vertically adjustable tee component. The tee platform&#39;s surface is magnetically attractive and furnished with a home plate applique. The tee is equipped with a magnetic base that allows it to be securely positioned without limitation upon the batting tee platform. The tee base&#39;s magnetic force is sufficient to hold the tee in place on reasonable bat contact but will release when subjected to mishits. Because the tee platform is substantial enough to maintain position if the tee is dislodged, it is a simple matter to reset the tee and resume activity. Desired horizontal adjustment is made by tipping the tee in any direction to break the magnetic bond and setting the tee on the desired spot. Vertical tee adjustment is achieved through simple manipulation of a set of telescoping tubes, with the adjustment held in place by friction contact made at several points within the tubes assembly. A ball holder suitably sized and made of a resilient material allows bat to ball contact to occur with minimal interference. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the batting tee platform and batting tee of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the present invention in use. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the batting tee platform of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the batting tee of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a cut away view of the batting tee of present invention 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an overhead view of the tee platform of the present invention with a sample array of possible tee positioning. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the batting tee of the present invention attached to an alternate platform. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the batting tee of present invention alternately attached to a dumb bell weight. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the batting tee platform and batting tee of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is an elevation view of the batting tee platform and batting tee of the present invention with the tee vertically adjusted to a low position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is an elevation view of the batting tee platform and batting tee of the present invention with the tee vertically adjusted to a middle position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is an elevation view of the batting tee platform and batting tee of the present invention with the tee vertically adjusted to a high position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is an elevation view of the batting tee of the present invention highlighting the sliding tube within the base tube. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the sliding tube assembly of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view the ball holder and the ball holder attachment to the sliding tube of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a cut away view of the attachment of the magnet base to the base tube of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the base tube and base magnet assembly of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is a perspective of the tee platform and pitch zone markers of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the pitch zone marker of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 20  is a cut away view of the pitch zone marker of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 21  is an exploded view of the pitch zone marker of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    Presented in the drawings is a preferred embodiment of a batting tee platform and accompanying tee.  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the present invention batting tee platform  8  and batting tee  10 .  FIG. 2  is also a perspective view showing the present invention being used in a typical fashion by user/batter (A) striking ball (C) with bat (B).  FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of batting tee platform  8  of the preferred embodiment being constructed of a section of exterior grade plywood which has been coated with exterior wood primer. The predominately square plywood section is ideally noticeably larger than a regulation size home plate to provide a surface  18  with adequate area to simulate various horizontal pitch locations as well as facilitate ball placement for various drills. The plywood should be of sufficient thickness to provide material stability as well as provide the mass required to keep batting tee platform  8  in place during use without being too heavy so as to detract from intended portability. Other materials may be used such as plastic, fiberglass or various composite materials. To platform base  20  is attached a layer of sheet steel  21 . 
         [0038]    Attachment of sheet steel  21  to plywood base  20  is preferably accomplished using contact cement. The sheet steel could be attached with other adhesives or with mechanical fasteners such as screws. Alternative embodiments might replace the use of sheet steel  21  with the use of steel strips attached across platform base  20  or steel rods inlayed into platform base  20 . However, maximum horizontal adjustment capability is achieved when the entire surface  18  area is magnetically attractive. Also a flat, smooth surface  18  provides a superior finish and an uncluttered appearance. 
         [0039]    When attachment of sheet steel  21  to platform base  20  is complete all sides are sanded and edges eased to eliminate any sharp surfaces and prepare for finishing. Tee platform  8  is then painted with a durable exterior grade paint or comparable durable coating. Surface  18  painting includes a representation of home plate  19  in a contrasting color, preferably white. Surface  18  painting or home plate  19  painting might be replaced by the use of decals or other coating application techniques. Finishing not only protects batting tee platform  8  from environmental damage but also enhances aesthetic appeal. Color selection could match various field surface types. 
         [0040]    Handle  22  attachment is undertaken upon completion of final finish coating. Preferred handle material is strong and flexible such as nylon web strap. This type of material is abrasion resistant, won&#39;t break if stepped on and will allow tee  10  and platform  8  to be carried together in one hand. Other materials such as rope or vinyl or plastic strap could be used. A shoulder strap might also be used for carrying purposes. Handle  22  is attached to tee platform  8  with mechanical fasteners such as screws  23  with finishing washers  24 . 
         [0041]    Tee  10  of the present invention is seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The tee assembly utilizes as the tee base  17  a round base ferrite magnet with a nickel plated cap and a manufacturer&#39;s listed pull strengths of 190 lbs. Magnet base  17  allows tee  10  to be attached to any point on the magnetically attractive surface  18  of batting tee platform  8   FIG. 6  shows a sample array of horizontal adjustments available with tee  10  upon the surface  18  of batting tee platform  8 . The magnetic strength of magnet base  17  is adequate to keep the tee upright during reasonable bat to tee  10  contact but will release from tee platform  8  on severe mishits to prevent tee damage. Potentially the magnet base could be accomplished by using a set of magnets attached to a base frame. To make horizontal tee adjustments the tee is grasped at friction cap  14  and tipped at in any direction to break the magnetic bond between surface  18  of platform  8  and tee  10  and repositioned to a new spot as desired by the user or reset to a the prior position if knocked over on a mishit. As seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8  batting tee  10  can be used independently from batting tee platform  8  by magnetic attachment to magnetically attractive objects.  FIG. 7  shows batting tee  10  magnetically attached to a downsized version (D) of batting tee platform  8 .  FIG. 8 . shows magnetic attachment to iron dumbbell weight (E).  FIG. 9  shows batting tee  10  attached to a full sized batting tee platform  8 . 
         [0042]    As seen in  FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12 , batting tee  10  is vertically adjustable. Referring again to  FIG. 5 , a cutaway view discloses that vertical height adjustability is achieved utilizing a set of tubes. Sliding tube  13  slides inside base tube  15  and can be adjusted vertically in a telescopic manner. This arrangement is also seen in  FIG. 13 . Adjusted height is held using friction force applied to sliding tube  13  by friction cap  14  and bushing  28  to base tube  15 . Bushing  28  is pressed onto sliding tube  13  and held by friction. An application of all purpose glue to the connection between sliding tube  13  and bushing  28  will aid in holding bushing  28  in place.  FIG. 14  discloses a separate view of sliding tube  13 . The applied friction force is enough to hold sliding tube  13  in place during use while still allowing the user to manually adjust sliding tube  13  up or down to set ball holder  12  to the desired height. The diameter of the sliding tube hole in friction cap  14  is smaller than the diameter of sliding tube  13 . Friction cap  14  is ideally made of rubber. Rubber has the characteristics needed to allow the sliding tube hole in friction cap  14  to suitably expand and grip sliding tube  13 . The diameter of bushing  28  is about the same as the inside diameter of base tube  15 . Bushing  28  also provides lateral stability for sliding tube  13 . Rubber is the preferred material for friction cap  14  and bushing  28 . Bushing  28  could be made of vinyl, plastic or a fibrous material. Alternate of attachment of bushing  28  could be made by using mechanical fastener such as a screw and attaching bushing  28  to the bottom of sliding tube  13 . Optionally, height adjustment could be held by the use of an interior twist lock cam or a hand tightened compression nut and sleeve assembly. Ideally sliding tube  13  should be made of an impact and shatter resistant material such as fiberglass or some type of reinforced plastic. A solid rod of the same material could be used. A material of a smaller diameter is preferred to prevent visual obtrusiveness. 
         [0043]    Ball holder  12  attaches to the top of sliding tube  13  as can be seen in  FIG. 15 . The preferred embodiment shows a conical shaped ball holder  12  that is formed of a durable resilient material with enough rigidity to support the ball without collapsing such as rubber, vinyl or suitable derivatives. The ball holder must be flexible enough not to impede the user&#39;s swing. The ball holder should be as compact as possible so as not to be visually obtrusive. As seen in  FIG. 15  sliding tube  13  is pressed into ball holder  12  . The flexible properties of the material of which ball holder  12  is formed allows sliding tube  13  to a slightly larger diameter than the receiving socket of ball holder  12 . When pressed together a friction fit is created that secures ball holder  12  to sliding tube  13 . An all purpose glue is applied to the socket of ball holder  12  before joining sliding tube  13  and ball holder  12 . The glue aids in the joining of the two parts and will also aid in preventing ball holder  12  from detaching from sliding tube  13 . 
         [0044]    Base tube  15  is best constructed of painted steel or similar rigid, impact resistant thin walled material. As seen in  FIGS. 16 and 17  magnet base  17  is rigidly connected to base tube  15  by means of a rigid mechanical connection. The preferred embodiment utilizes coupling nut  27  which is pressed into base tube  15 . Magnet base  17  is secured to base tube  15  by use of bolt  26  and washer  25  connected via a mounting hole in magnet base  17 . Thread lock compound is applied to bolt  26  to prevent loosening during use. The connection between base tube  15  and magnet base  17  is covered by a rubber, plastic or vinyl trim piece  16 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 18  shows an alternate use embodiment for tee platform  8  where pitch zone markers  29  as seen in  FIG. 19 , are magnetically attached to batting tee platform  8 . As seen in  FIG. 20  the preferred embodiment is shown using the same fiberglass tube material as is used for sliding tube  13 . As seen in  FIGS. 21 and 22  a smaller magnet base  32  with a listed pull strength of  15  lbs. is attached to indicator tube  30  using screw  34  and washer  33  via a mounting hole in magnet base  32 . The top of indicator tube  30  is fitted with vinyl cap  31  but a small ball or other top could be used to provide a finished appearance and prevent injury. Pitch zone indicators are used when batting tee platform  8  is used as a home plate and a batter is having pitches thrown to him/her and tee  10  is not in use. Pitch zone indicators  29  can help the pitcher better see the zone into which the ball is to be thrown and can help the batter to see where pitches are being thrown in relation to home plate. The magnetic attachment allows pitch zone indicators  29  to be positioned as desired to highlight different pitch zones. Should pitch zone indicators  29  be struck by a ball they will tip and can be reset. The impact resistant tubes will reduce the chance of damage to pitch zone indicators  29 .