CA1136171A - Baseball practice device - Google Patents
Baseball practice deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1136171A CA1136171A CA000359935A CA359935A CA1136171A CA 1136171 A CA1136171 A CA 1136171A CA 000359935 A CA000359935 A CA 000359935A CA 359935 A CA359935 A CA 359935A CA 1136171 A CA1136171 A CA 1136171A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- arm
- arms
- baseball
- recited
- supporting structure
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003116 impacting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000002759 woven fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
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- Portable Outdoor Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
BASEBALL PRACTICE DEVICE
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A baseball practice device is provided that can be used to assist a baseball player in developing a level swing and/or to provide a pitching target. A pair of single elongated arms are mounted on an arm support structure so that they are vertically spaced apart a minimum distance sufficient to allow the passage of the bottom-shaped portion of a horizontally disposed conventional baseball bat therebetween. The baseball can be mounted on a structure on the lower arm.
Alternatively, the arms may be moved further apart along the arm supporting structure and a pitching target bag can be mounted on the arms. The arm supporting structure is a vertical post mounted in a sleeve pounded in the ground, and the arms are mounted on the post utilizing brackets formed from a single bent plate.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A baseball practice device is provided that can be used to assist a baseball player in developing a level swing and/or to provide a pitching target. A pair of single elongated arms are mounted on an arm support structure so that they are vertically spaced apart a minimum distance sufficient to allow the passage of the bottom-shaped portion of a horizontally disposed conventional baseball bat therebetween. The baseball can be mounted on a structure on the lower arm.
Alternatively, the arms may be moved further apart along the arm supporting structure and a pitching target bag can be mounted on the arms. The arm supporting structure is a vertical post mounted in a sleeve pounded in the ground, and the arms are mounted on the post utilizing brackets formed from a single bent plate.
Description
113617~
BASEBALL PRACTICE DEVICE
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a baseball practice device in general, and particularly to a device for assisting a baseball player in practicing his swing to ensure that his swing is proper, and also to alternatively provide a pitching target to allow a baseball pitcher to develop his control.
It is well known in baseball that for a player to achieve maximum b~nefit from his power in hitting the ball, his swing must level. Many players have a level swing when the ball is pitched within some areas of the strike zone while they have a tendency to "chop" or "undercut" a ball in other areas of the strike zone. One device that has been emminently successful in providing a means to allow a player, with practice, to achieve a level swing in all areas of the strike zone is shown in U.S. Patent 3,940,131. While the device illustrated in that patent is successful in performing its intended functions, it is desirable to provide a less costly structure for performing the same function, such structure also adapted to provide for ready mounting of a pitching target on the same structure so that the device may be used by a batter to achieve a level swing, and by a pitcher to improve his control.
According to the present invention, a baseball practice device is provided comprising a pair of single elongated arms, each having a free end. The device further includes an arm-supporting structure; means for mounting the arms on the arm-supporting structure so that the arms are generally '~
~13617~
horizontally extending, and so that they may be disposed in the same vertical plane with their free ends vertically spaced, and so that they are vertically spaced apart a minimum distance sufficient to allow the passage of the bottle-shaped portion of a horizontally disposed conventional baseball bat therebetween; and means adapted to be disposed on at least the lower of the arms for supporting a baseball thereon. Additionally, according to the present invention the means for mounting the arms on the arm-supporting structure comprises an individual mounting component for each arm, including means for adjustably mounting each arm on the arm-supporting structure independent of the position of the other arm. This facilitates utilization of the structure as both a batting practice and pitching practice device. Also, this -allows the arms to be individually positioned on opposite sides of the arm-supporting structure so that the device may also be used as a "tee" for two batters to practice at the same time.
When used for pitching practice, the device according to the invention further comprises a pitching target bag. The bag comprises a first receiving means for receiving one of the arms therein, and a second receiving means for receiving the other of the arms therein. A body portion, comprising a cloth enclosure, interconnects the receiving means for providing a target for a baseball and for stopping the flight of a baseball in its thrown path when impacted thereby.
Preferably the arm-supporting structure comprises a post having an end portion adapted to be supported on the ground to vertically upstand therefrom. The post can be mounted at any position 1136~7~
with respect to a baseball home plate, to simulate different desirable positions a batter would assume in the batter's box, or the appropriate target area for a pitcher to concentrate on in developing control. A sleeve may be provided that is constructed to be pounded into the ground, and having an inside shape and dimensions corresponding to the outside shape and dimensions of the post end to receive the post end and mount the post vertically when receiving the post end.
Each said individual component preferably comprises a bracket having a body portion and two flanges extending perpendicularly to the body portion from a face thereof. A bore extends through the flanges along a straight line perpendicular to the flanqes, in each flange, the bores being shaped and dimensioned so as to slidably receive the arm- -supporting structure therein. A clasp mounts on the bracket body portion and defines a passageway disposed in a plane extending perpendicularly to a straight line perpendicular to the flanges, and disposed between the flanges, and dimensioned to receive an arm in the passageway. A holding screw extends through a screw-threaded opening in the body portion of the bracket generally parallel to the flanges, and is adapted to frictionally engage the arm-supporting structure to hold the bracket in the vertical position to which it has been moved.
Preferably the bracket body portion comprises a plate, and the flanges are bent and redirected end portions of the same plate.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a simple, versatile, and effective baseball practice device. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description of the invention and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary baseball practice device according to the present invention set up for use by a left-handed batter;
FIGURE 2 is a detail perspective view of the pair of brackets, for mounting the arms, illustrated in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 3 is a detail front view of the arms of the device of FIGURE 1 shown in position for use as "tees" by two different batters; and .
FIGURE 4 is a detail perspective view of a pitching target bag in use with the device of FIGURE
1 when the arms are vertically repositioned.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A baseball practice device according to the present invention is shown generally at 10 in FIGURE
1. In FIGURE 1 the device is illustrated for use by a batter to practice his swing to help make it level, while FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate other uses of the device 10, indicating the versatility thereof.
The device 10 is very simple comprising only a pair of single elongated arms 12, 13 each having free ends; an arm-supporting structure 14;
means - such as brackets 15 - for mounting the arms 1136~71 12, 13 on the arm-supporting structure 14 so that the arms are generally horizontally extending, and so that they may be disposed in the same vertical plane with their free ends vertically spaced, and so that they are vertically spaced apart a minimum distance sufficient to allow the passage of the bottle-shaped portion of a horizontally disposed conventional baseball bat therebetween; and means -such as cylinder 17 - adapted to be disposed on at least the lower (13) of the arms for supporting a baseball B thereon. According to the present invention the means for mounting the arms on the arm-supporting structure comprise an individual mounting component - i.e. bracket 15 - for each arm, for adjustably mounting each arm on the arm-supporting structure independent of the position of the other arm.
The arm-supporting structure 15 preferably comprises a post having a circular cross-section.
The post has an end portion 20 adapted to be supported on the ground to vertically upstand therefrom. Vertical support is preferably provided utilizing a sleeve 21. The sleeve 21 has an internal shape and cross-section adapted to receive the post end 20 therein, and the sleeve may be pounded into the ground, as illustrated in FIGURE 1.
Once sleeve 21 is pounded into the ground the end 20 of post 14 may merely be inserted into the sleeve 21 and will be supported thereby in a vertically upstanding position as illustrated in FIGUR~ 1. The sleeve 21 is pounded into the ground adjacent a conventional home plate H, and may be adjusted to any desired orientation with respect to the home plate H depending upon the batter's normal positioning within the batter's box, and whether he is right- or left-handed.
Each bracket 15 comprises a body portion 25 formed from a plate with two flanges 26 comprising bent and redirected end portions of the plate 25.
The flanges have means defining a bore 27 therein so that the bores 27 are in a straight line perpendicular to the flanges 26. Further the bores 27 are shaped and dimensioned to slidably receive the post 14 therein.
Each bracket lS further comprises at least one clasp 28, and preferably two, mounted on the body 25 for supporting an arm (12, 13). The clasps 28 are mounted on the body 25 between the flanges 26 and define a passageway disposed in a plane extending perpedicular to a straight line perpendicular to the flanges. The passageway defined by the clasps 28 is dimensioned to receive an arm (12, 13) therein, and preferably the clasps 28 are mounted on body 25 by screws, as illustrated in FIGURE 2. Each bracket 15 further comprises a holding screw 30 extending through a screw threaded opening in the body 25 generally parallel to the flanges 26. The screw 30 is dimensioned to frictionally engage the post 14 when threaded through the body 25 a predetermined extent. when screw 30 engages post 14 when the post 14 is received by bores ~7, the bracket 15 is positively held in the vertical position in which it is located.
As clearly illustrated in FIGURE 3, the brackets 15 may assume a wide variety of relative orientatiGns with respect to each other. In FIGURE
3 the brackets 15 are mounted 180 displaced from each other so that the arms 12, 13 extend parallel to each other but on opposite sides of post 14. In FIGURE 3 the device 10 is adapted to be used as a "tee" for two baseballs, and may be used as a "tee~
by two batters at the same time. In this case each arm 12, 13 receives a baseball-supporting structure 17.
While a wide variety of supporting structures may be utilized as the structure 17, the preferred structure illustrated in the drawings comprises a right-cylinder having an axis, and a face substantially perpendicular to the axis for receiving a baseball thereon. The face receiving the baseball B may be curved slightly to conform to the curvature of the baseball to facilitate support thereof, but should not be curved to the extent that it hinders the flight of the baseball from the device 10 once impacted by a conventional baseball bat. Means defining a through-extending bore in the cylinder perpendicular to its axis and dimensioned and shaped to receive an arm (12, 13) therein provides for mounting of the device 17 on an arm 12, 13. The position of the device 17 along the arm 12, 13 is infinitely adjustable, and the device 17 may be removed if desired.
As illustrated in FIGURE 4, the device 1 can be utilized by a pitcher to practice his control. This is accomplished according to the invention by removing the baseball support 17 from the arm 13 (or pushlng it to the end of the arm adjacent the bracket 15), spacing the arms 12, 13 farther apart than illustrated in FIGURE 1, and disposing a pitching target 35 thereon. The pitching target 35 includes a first receiving means 36 for receiving the arm 12 therein, and a second - ~13617~
receiving means 37 for receiving the arm 13 therein.
The receiving means 36, 37 are adapted to be disposed over the free ends of the arms 12, 13 and slid to the position illustrated in FIGURE 4. The receiving means 36, 37 essentially are tubes having a larger inside diameter than the outside diameters of the arms 12, 13, and may be formed by looping a piece of fabric and stitching it as illustrated at 38 and 39 in FIGURE 4.
The target 35 further comprises a body means interconnecting the receiving means 36, 37 for providing a target for a baseball and for arresting the flight of the baseball in its thrown path when impacted thereby. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the body portion comprises a fabric panel 40 disposed between the arms 12, 13, with a pad 41 disposed on the panel -40. A fabric envelope 42 interconnects the panel 40 and the second receiving means 37, and a pair of deflectors 43 extend outwardly from the panel 40 on either side of the pad 41. The target 35 thus preferably comprises a target bag made of any suitable material, but preferably a sturdy, tear-resistant fabric such as a nylon woven fabric. The pad 41 cushions the impact of the thrown baseball against the panel 40, and may be of any suitable cushioning material such as foam, granular material, etcetera, in each case preferably covered with a cloth envelope. The deflectors 43 preferably are relatively rigid, and may be cardboard covered by fabric, or the like.
A device according to the invention having been described, an exemplary manner of utilization thereof will now be set forth:
1136J~7~
When the device 10 is to be utilized by a left-handed batter to practice his swing and to ensure that it is level, the device is utilized in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1. The sleeve 21 is pounded into the ground adjacent the plate ~, the post 14 is inserted in sleeve 21 so that it vertically upstands from the ground, and the vertical positions and angular orientations of the brackets 15 with respect to the post 14 are adjusted by loosening screws 30 and moving the brackets 15 to the desired position. In the desired position the arms 12, 13 are vertically spaced a distance slightly greater than the bottle-shaped portion of a horizontally disposed conventional baseball bat, and the arms 12, 13 are in a common vertical plane which is substantially parallel to a vertical plane extending through the rear edge of the home plate H.
The batter then adjusts the ball holding cylinder 17 along the length of the arm 13 to the desired position, places a baseball (or wiffleball, softball, or the like) on the cylinder 17, and swings so that the bat bottle-shaped portion must pass between the arms 12, 13.
Nhen the device according to the invention is to be utilized by a pitcher to practice his control, the cylinder 17 is removed (or pushed to the end of arm 13 adjacent bracket 15), and the ~rackets 15 are acted upon to move the arms 12, 13 farther apart - to the extent that they comfortably fit in the receiving portions 36, 37 of the target 35. The receiving portions 36, 37 are then slid over the free ends of the arms 12, 13. The pitcher then practices throwing at the target 35, using the pad 41 as his concentration point. A ball impacting the pad 41 will drop into the envelope portion 42 1136~71 and be held therein. Should the ball impact the pad 41 or panel 40 at an angle, it may bounce against the deflector 43 before carooming into the envelope 42.
While the invention has been herein shown and described in what is presently conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications may be made thereof within the scope of the invention, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and devices.
BASEBALL PRACTICE DEVICE
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a baseball practice device in general, and particularly to a device for assisting a baseball player in practicing his swing to ensure that his swing is proper, and also to alternatively provide a pitching target to allow a baseball pitcher to develop his control.
It is well known in baseball that for a player to achieve maximum b~nefit from his power in hitting the ball, his swing must level. Many players have a level swing when the ball is pitched within some areas of the strike zone while they have a tendency to "chop" or "undercut" a ball in other areas of the strike zone. One device that has been emminently successful in providing a means to allow a player, with practice, to achieve a level swing in all areas of the strike zone is shown in U.S. Patent 3,940,131. While the device illustrated in that patent is successful in performing its intended functions, it is desirable to provide a less costly structure for performing the same function, such structure also adapted to provide for ready mounting of a pitching target on the same structure so that the device may be used by a batter to achieve a level swing, and by a pitcher to improve his control.
According to the present invention, a baseball practice device is provided comprising a pair of single elongated arms, each having a free end. The device further includes an arm-supporting structure; means for mounting the arms on the arm-supporting structure so that the arms are generally '~
~13617~
horizontally extending, and so that they may be disposed in the same vertical plane with their free ends vertically spaced, and so that they are vertically spaced apart a minimum distance sufficient to allow the passage of the bottle-shaped portion of a horizontally disposed conventional baseball bat therebetween; and means adapted to be disposed on at least the lower of the arms for supporting a baseball thereon. Additionally, according to the present invention the means for mounting the arms on the arm-supporting structure comprises an individual mounting component for each arm, including means for adjustably mounting each arm on the arm-supporting structure independent of the position of the other arm. This facilitates utilization of the structure as both a batting practice and pitching practice device. Also, this -allows the arms to be individually positioned on opposite sides of the arm-supporting structure so that the device may also be used as a "tee" for two batters to practice at the same time.
When used for pitching practice, the device according to the invention further comprises a pitching target bag. The bag comprises a first receiving means for receiving one of the arms therein, and a second receiving means for receiving the other of the arms therein. A body portion, comprising a cloth enclosure, interconnects the receiving means for providing a target for a baseball and for stopping the flight of a baseball in its thrown path when impacted thereby.
Preferably the arm-supporting structure comprises a post having an end portion adapted to be supported on the ground to vertically upstand therefrom. The post can be mounted at any position 1136~7~
with respect to a baseball home plate, to simulate different desirable positions a batter would assume in the batter's box, or the appropriate target area for a pitcher to concentrate on in developing control. A sleeve may be provided that is constructed to be pounded into the ground, and having an inside shape and dimensions corresponding to the outside shape and dimensions of the post end to receive the post end and mount the post vertically when receiving the post end.
Each said individual component preferably comprises a bracket having a body portion and two flanges extending perpendicularly to the body portion from a face thereof. A bore extends through the flanges along a straight line perpendicular to the flanqes, in each flange, the bores being shaped and dimensioned so as to slidably receive the arm- -supporting structure therein. A clasp mounts on the bracket body portion and defines a passageway disposed in a plane extending perpendicularly to a straight line perpendicular to the flanges, and disposed between the flanges, and dimensioned to receive an arm in the passageway. A holding screw extends through a screw-threaded opening in the body portion of the bracket generally parallel to the flanges, and is adapted to frictionally engage the arm-supporting structure to hold the bracket in the vertical position to which it has been moved.
Preferably the bracket body portion comprises a plate, and the flanges are bent and redirected end portions of the same plate.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a simple, versatile, and effective baseball practice device. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description of the invention and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary baseball practice device according to the present invention set up for use by a left-handed batter;
FIGURE 2 is a detail perspective view of the pair of brackets, for mounting the arms, illustrated in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 3 is a detail front view of the arms of the device of FIGURE 1 shown in position for use as "tees" by two different batters; and .
FIGURE 4 is a detail perspective view of a pitching target bag in use with the device of FIGURE
1 when the arms are vertically repositioned.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A baseball practice device according to the present invention is shown generally at 10 in FIGURE
1. In FIGURE 1 the device is illustrated for use by a batter to practice his swing to help make it level, while FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate other uses of the device 10, indicating the versatility thereof.
The device 10 is very simple comprising only a pair of single elongated arms 12, 13 each having free ends; an arm-supporting structure 14;
means - such as brackets 15 - for mounting the arms 1136~71 12, 13 on the arm-supporting structure 14 so that the arms are generally horizontally extending, and so that they may be disposed in the same vertical plane with their free ends vertically spaced, and so that they are vertically spaced apart a minimum distance sufficient to allow the passage of the bottle-shaped portion of a horizontally disposed conventional baseball bat therebetween; and means -such as cylinder 17 - adapted to be disposed on at least the lower (13) of the arms for supporting a baseball B thereon. According to the present invention the means for mounting the arms on the arm-supporting structure comprise an individual mounting component - i.e. bracket 15 - for each arm, for adjustably mounting each arm on the arm-supporting structure independent of the position of the other arm.
The arm-supporting structure 15 preferably comprises a post having a circular cross-section.
The post has an end portion 20 adapted to be supported on the ground to vertically upstand therefrom. Vertical support is preferably provided utilizing a sleeve 21. The sleeve 21 has an internal shape and cross-section adapted to receive the post end 20 therein, and the sleeve may be pounded into the ground, as illustrated in FIGURE 1.
Once sleeve 21 is pounded into the ground the end 20 of post 14 may merely be inserted into the sleeve 21 and will be supported thereby in a vertically upstanding position as illustrated in FIGUR~ 1. The sleeve 21 is pounded into the ground adjacent a conventional home plate H, and may be adjusted to any desired orientation with respect to the home plate H depending upon the batter's normal positioning within the batter's box, and whether he is right- or left-handed.
Each bracket 15 comprises a body portion 25 formed from a plate with two flanges 26 comprising bent and redirected end portions of the plate 25.
The flanges have means defining a bore 27 therein so that the bores 27 are in a straight line perpendicular to the flanges 26. Further the bores 27 are shaped and dimensioned to slidably receive the post 14 therein.
Each bracket lS further comprises at least one clasp 28, and preferably two, mounted on the body 25 for supporting an arm (12, 13). The clasps 28 are mounted on the body 25 between the flanges 26 and define a passageway disposed in a plane extending perpedicular to a straight line perpendicular to the flanges. The passageway defined by the clasps 28 is dimensioned to receive an arm (12, 13) therein, and preferably the clasps 28 are mounted on body 25 by screws, as illustrated in FIGURE 2. Each bracket 15 further comprises a holding screw 30 extending through a screw threaded opening in the body 25 generally parallel to the flanges 26. The screw 30 is dimensioned to frictionally engage the post 14 when threaded through the body 25 a predetermined extent. when screw 30 engages post 14 when the post 14 is received by bores ~7, the bracket 15 is positively held in the vertical position in which it is located.
As clearly illustrated in FIGURE 3, the brackets 15 may assume a wide variety of relative orientatiGns with respect to each other. In FIGURE
3 the brackets 15 are mounted 180 displaced from each other so that the arms 12, 13 extend parallel to each other but on opposite sides of post 14. In FIGURE 3 the device 10 is adapted to be used as a "tee" for two baseballs, and may be used as a "tee~
by two batters at the same time. In this case each arm 12, 13 receives a baseball-supporting structure 17.
While a wide variety of supporting structures may be utilized as the structure 17, the preferred structure illustrated in the drawings comprises a right-cylinder having an axis, and a face substantially perpendicular to the axis for receiving a baseball thereon. The face receiving the baseball B may be curved slightly to conform to the curvature of the baseball to facilitate support thereof, but should not be curved to the extent that it hinders the flight of the baseball from the device 10 once impacted by a conventional baseball bat. Means defining a through-extending bore in the cylinder perpendicular to its axis and dimensioned and shaped to receive an arm (12, 13) therein provides for mounting of the device 17 on an arm 12, 13. The position of the device 17 along the arm 12, 13 is infinitely adjustable, and the device 17 may be removed if desired.
As illustrated in FIGURE 4, the device 1 can be utilized by a pitcher to practice his control. This is accomplished according to the invention by removing the baseball support 17 from the arm 13 (or pushlng it to the end of the arm adjacent the bracket 15), spacing the arms 12, 13 farther apart than illustrated in FIGURE 1, and disposing a pitching target 35 thereon. The pitching target 35 includes a first receiving means 36 for receiving the arm 12 therein, and a second - ~13617~
receiving means 37 for receiving the arm 13 therein.
The receiving means 36, 37 are adapted to be disposed over the free ends of the arms 12, 13 and slid to the position illustrated in FIGURE 4. The receiving means 36, 37 essentially are tubes having a larger inside diameter than the outside diameters of the arms 12, 13, and may be formed by looping a piece of fabric and stitching it as illustrated at 38 and 39 in FIGURE 4.
The target 35 further comprises a body means interconnecting the receiving means 36, 37 for providing a target for a baseball and for arresting the flight of the baseball in its thrown path when impacted thereby. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the body portion comprises a fabric panel 40 disposed between the arms 12, 13, with a pad 41 disposed on the panel -40. A fabric envelope 42 interconnects the panel 40 and the second receiving means 37, and a pair of deflectors 43 extend outwardly from the panel 40 on either side of the pad 41. The target 35 thus preferably comprises a target bag made of any suitable material, but preferably a sturdy, tear-resistant fabric such as a nylon woven fabric. The pad 41 cushions the impact of the thrown baseball against the panel 40, and may be of any suitable cushioning material such as foam, granular material, etcetera, in each case preferably covered with a cloth envelope. The deflectors 43 preferably are relatively rigid, and may be cardboard covered by fabric, or the like.
A device according to the invention having been described, an exemplary manner of utilization thereof will now be set forth:
1136J~7~
When the device 10 is to be utilized by a left-handed batter to practice his swing and to ensure that it is level, the device is utilized in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1. The sleeve 21 is pounded into the ground adjacent the plate ~, the post 14 is inserted in sleeve 21 so that it vertically upstands from the ground, and the vertical positions and angular orientations of the brackets 15 with respect to the post 14 are adjusted by loosening screws 30 and moving the brackets 15 to the desired position. In the desired position the arms 12, 13 are vertically spaced a distance slightly greater than the bottle-shaped portion of a horizontally disposed conventional baseball bat, and the arms 12, 13 are in a common vertical plane which is substantially parallel to a vertical plane extending through the rear edge of the home plate H.
The batter then adjusts the ball holding cylinder 17 along the length of the arm 13 to the desired position, places a baseball (or wiffleball, softball, or the like) on the cylinder 17, and swings so that the bat bottle-shaped portion must pass between the arms 12, 13.
Nhen the device according to the invention is to be utilized by a pitcher to practice his control, the cylinder 17 is removed (or pushed to the end of arm 13 adjacent bracket 15), and the ~rackets 15 are acted upon to move the arms 12, 13 farther apart - to the extent that they comfortably fit in the receiving portions 36, 37 of the target 35. The receiving portions 36, 37 are then slid over the free ends of the arms 12, 13. The pitcher then practices throwing at the target 35, using the pad 41 as his concentration point. A ball impacting the pad 41 will drop into the envelope portion 42 1136~71 and be held therein. Should the ball impact the pad 41 or panel 40 at an angle, it may bounce against the deflector 43 before carooming into the envelope 42.
While the invention has been herein shown and described in what is presently conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications may be made thereof within the scope of the invention, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and devices.
Claims (11)
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE
DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A baseball practice device comprising a pair of single elongated arms each having a free end;
an arm-supporting structure;
means for mounting said arms on said arm-supporting structure so that said arms are generally horizontally extending, and so that they may be disposed in the same vertical plane, with their free ends vertically spaced, and so that they are vertically spaced apart a minimum distance sufficient to allow the passage of the bottle-shaped portion of a horizontally disposed conventional baseball bat therebetween;
means adapted to be disposed on at least the lower of said arms for supporting a baseball thereon; and wherein said means for mounting said arms on said arm-supporting structure comprises an individual mounting component for each arm, including means for adjustably mounting each arm on said arm-supporting structure independent of the position of the other arm.
an arm-supporting structure;
means for mounting said arms on said arm-supporting structure so that said arms are generally horizontally extending, and so that they may be disposed in the same vertical plane, with their free ends vertically spaced, and so that they are vertically spaced apart a minimum distance sufficient to allow the passage of the bottle-shaped portion of a horizontally disposed conventional baseball bat therebetween;
means adapted to be disposed on at least the lower of said arms for supporting a baseball thereon; and wherein said means for mounting said arms on said arm-supporting structure comprises an individual mounting component for each arm, including means for adjustably mounting each arm on said arm-supporting structure independent of the position of the other arm.
2. A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a pitching target, said target comprising a first receiving means for receiving one of said arms therein; and a second receiving means for receiving the other of said arms therein; and a body portion interconnecting said receiving means for providing a target for a baseball and for arresting the flight of a baseball in its thrown path when impacted thereby.
3. A device as recited in claim 2 wherein said target body portion comprises a cloth enclosure for stopping the baseball flight and receiving and holding the ball therewithin.
4. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said arm-supporting structure comprises a post having an end portion adapted to be supported on the ground to vertically upstand therefrom.
5. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said arms on said arm-supporting means comprise means for mounting said arms to said arm-supporting means so that said arms may be swung 360° about a vertical axis while mounted on said arm-supporting means.
6. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein each said individual component comprises a bracket having a body portion and two flanges extending perpendicularly to the body portion from a face thereof; means defining a bore in each of said flanges so that the bores therein are in a straight line perpendicular to the flanges, the bores being shaped and dimensioned so as to slidably receive said arm-supporting structure therein; at least one clasp mounted on said bracket body portion and defining a passageway disposed in a plane extending perpendicular to a straight line perpendicular to said flanges, and disposed between said flanges, and dimensioned to receive a said arm in said passageway; and a holding screw extending through a screw-threaded opening in said body portion of said bracket generally parallel to said flanges, and dimensioned to frictionally engage said arm supporting structure when threaded through said bracket body portion a predetermined extent.
7. A device as recited in claim 6 wherein said bracket body portion comprises a plate, and wherein said said flanges are bent and redirected end portions of the same plate.
8. A device as recited in claim 6 wherein said arm-supporting structure comprises a post having a circular cross-section, and wherein said bores in said flanges are circular in cross-section, having a diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of said post.
9. A device as recited in claim 4 further comprising a sleeve constructd to be pounded into the ground, said sleeve having an inside shape and dimensions corresponding to the outside shape and dimensions of said post end portion and mounting said post generally vertically upstanding from the ground.
10. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for supporting a baseball on an arm comprises a right-cylinder having an axis, and a face substantially perpendicular to said axis for receiving a baseball thereon; and means defining a through-extending bore in said cylinder perpendicular to said axis and dimensioned and shaped to receive a said arm therein.
11. A device as recited in claim 2 wherein said target comprises a target bag; and wherein said body portion comprises a fabric panel, a pad disposed on said fabric panel, and a fabric envelope interconnecting said fabric panel and said second receiving means; and a pair of deflectors extending outwardly from said panel on either side of said pad.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000359935A CA1136171A (en) | 1980-09-09 | 1980-09-09 | Baseball practice device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000359935A CA1136171A (en) | 1980-09-09 | 1980-09-09 | Baseball practice device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1136171A true CA1136171A (en) | 1982-11-23 |
Family
ID=4117839
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000359935A Expired CA1136171A (en) | 1980-09-09 | 1980-09-09 | Baseball practice device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1136171A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5435545A (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1995-07-25 | Marotta; Sam A. | Strike zone trainer for hitting a baseball |
-
1980
- 1980-09-09 CA CA000359935A patent/CA1136171A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5435545A (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1995-07-25 | Marotta; Sam A. | Strike zone trainer for hitting a baseball |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |