Patent Application
20240189694
Not all people are physically capable of wielding a bat to hit a ball due to a physical disability. Batting systems are configured to help disabled people who cannot hold and swing a bat to hit a ball from a ball holder otherwise known as a tee with a batting device. Batting systems must be stable while being used, but mobile enough to be transported to a baseball field. Additionally, the batting device must also be quickly removed from the home plate to allow baserunners to access home plate after the ball is hit into play. While various types of handicap aids have been made and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventors has made or used the invention described herein.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.
The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
For clarity of disclosure, the terms “proximal” and “distal” are defined herein relative to a user (e.g., a batter). The term “proximal” refers to the position of an element arranged closer to the user, and the term “distal” refers to the position of an element arranged further away from the user. To the extent that spatial terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” or the like are used herein with reference to the drawings, it will be appreciated that such terms are used for exemplary description purposes only and are not intended to be limiting or absolute. In that regard, it will be devices such as those disclosed herein may be used in a variety of orientations and positions not limited to those shown and described herein.
Furthermore, the terms “about,” “approximately,” and the like as used herein in connection with any numerical values or ranges of values are intended to encompass the exact value(s) referenced as well as a suitable tolerance that enables the referenced feature or combination of features to function for the intended purpose described herein.
In some instances, it may be desirable to provide a batting device that enables a person with limited motor function to hit a ball with a bat from a ball holder. Such a device must be stationary and stable when in operation so the device may transfer energy to the ball to enable the ball to be hit into play at an acceptable distance. The device must also be portable so that the device may be easily transported to a sports field but be capable of being quickly moved so the batting device does not interfere with baserunners. The batting device described below in connection with the Figures exhibit such features and functionality.
Ball holder (300) or tee may be of the fixed variety that can only be used with the height (h) or may be adjustable so that the ball holder (400) may be used for users utilizing batting device (200) and users of different physically stature swinging bat (BAT) at the ball (BALL) without batting device (200). The ball holder (400) includes a holder base (410) having a planar surface configured to provide stability and engage the earth and a ball support (420) including tubular in shape and extending vertically away from holder base (410). Ball support (420) may additionally have a ball mount (430) that includes a flared surface configured to retain the ball (BALL) upon ball support (420). Ball support (420) or ball mount (430) may be constructed of materials that have resilient properties to prevent ball holder (400) from being knocked over when struck with a bat (BAT). The batting system (100) may be adapted to be used to hit a ball (BALL) in the game of baseball, but may be adapted for similar sports where a bat is used to hit a ball such as softball, stickball, T-ball, wiffle ball, cricket, or any similar sport that uses a bat (BAT) to hit a ball (BALL) that is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. These are merely examples of sports where a bat is used to hit a ball and is not intended to be unnecessarily limiting. The ball (BALL) may include any ball (BALL) that corresponds to the sport being played.
The relay (216) links the control circuit (228) to the operational circuit (230) and allows the operational circuit (230) to be actuated by the control circuit (228). The relay (216) includes an electromagnetic coil (not shown) and one or more contacts (not shown). The contact has a first side (not shown) and a second side (not shown). The positive control cable (236) connects to the positive side of the electromagnetic coil and the negative control cable (238) connects to the negative side of the electromagnetic coil. When the control circuit (228) is completed, the electromagnetic coil pulls the contacts in bridging the first and second sides of the contact completing the operational circuit (230) and providing voltage to the solenoid (218).
The control circuit (228) includes the negative control cable (238) that extends from the battery (214) to the first wiring connector (222). The first wiring connector (222) divides the control circuit (228) into an upper and lower wiring assembly. The first wiring connector includes a male portion (240) and a female portion (242) that are connected in order to complete the control circuit (228). The first and second wiring connectors (222, 224) may be mono headphone jacks. In the present version, the female portion (240) is more proximate to the battery (214) than the male portion (242) but this may be reversed and the male portion (242) may be more proximate to the battery than the female portion (240). The negative control cable (238) extends to the interlock switch (226) that is wired in series with the firing switch (227) and the second wiring connector (224). The interlock switch (226) is a normally open, momentary interlock switch (226). The interlock switch (226) must be pressed into a closed position by a batting assistant or other operator to complete the control circuit (228) so that the firing switch (227) may be closed to complete the control circuit (228). The interlock switch (226) provides a layer of safety to the batting process that is within the control of the batting assistant. The batting assistant is able to break the control circuit (228) until it is safe for a user to activate the solenoid (218), and thereby swing the bat (BAT). The negative control cable (238) extends further to a T-connection (244).
The T-connection (244) is permanently connected to a second wiring connector (224). The second wiring connector (224) allows an alternate firing switch (227) to be used to complete the control circuit (228) and activate the solenoid (218). Not all people have the physical ability to close the firing switch (227) with a hand. The second wiring connector (224) through the T-connection (224) is wired in parallel with the firing switch (227) and allows the firing switch (227) to be wired in parallel with an alternate switch (not shown). The alternate switch may be used by a user to complete the control circuit (228) without the firing switch (227) being closed. The alternate switch may be a mouth switch (not shown), a foot switch (not shown), or a switch configured to be depressed by another part of the body. The mouth and foot switches are configured to be depressed by the mouth or foot of a user.
The negative control cable (238) extends from the T-connection (244) to the firing switch (227). The firing switch (227) may be a jellybean switch. The firing switch (227) is a normally open switch that includes sufficient surface area to aid a user having minimal dexterity to closing the firing switch (227). The negative control cable (238) further extends through the first wiring connector (222) to the relay (216). The negative control cable (238) connects to the negative side of the electromagnetic coil.
In order to activate the solenoid (218) a batting assistant must close the interlock switch (226). Then, the user closes the firing switch (227) or the alternate switch completing the control circuit (228). The completed control circuit (228) energizes the electromagnetic coil in the relay (216). The electromagnetic coil closes the contact. With the closed contact, electricity may pass through the relay (216) and operating circuit (230) to energize the solenoid (218).
Housing assembly (202) includes a rectangular shape but may be configured as any other shape such as a cylindrical shape, a rectangular shape, a polygon shape, a pyramid shape, a conical shape, or any other shape known to those skilled in the art to have a stable base. The housing assembly (202) includes a frame (246) and multiple panels (248, 250, 252, 254) that together enclosing an interior (256) of the housing assembly (202). The housing assembly (202) in the present version is rectangular and includes a top panel (248) positioned distal of the ground; a bottom panel (250) positioned proximate to the ground; a pair of side panels (not shown) extending between the top panel (248) and the bottom panel (250) along the length of the housing assembly (202); a front panel (254) extending between the top and bottom panels (248, 250); and a back panel (252) extending between the top and bottom panels (248, 250) on a side opposite the front panel (254). Handle assembly (206) operatively attached to frame (246) and extends at an angle from the back panel (252). The axle assembly (208) is also attached to the back panel (252) and is configured to transition the batting device (200) from a mobile configuration to a stationary configuration. The rotating assembly (204) is rotatably positioned within the interior (256) of the housing assembly (202). The housing assembly (202) acts as a mechanical ground for the rotating assembly (204). The swinging assembly (210) is fixedly coupled to the top panel (248) and is affixed to and configured to rotate with the rotating assembly (204).
The at least one spring (258) includes a pair of tortional springs. Each spring (258) is secured to the bearing retainers (270) at a first end and each spring (258) is secured to the flywheel (270) at a second end. In the first position, the spring (258) is biased to rotate the flywheel (270) in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the top, and provide force upon the solenoid shaft (268) until the solenoid shaft (268) is retracted by firing of the actuation assembly (212).
The stopping assembly (272) includes a stopping member (280) and a resilient stopper (282). The stopping member (280) is fixedly secured to an outer portion of the flywheel (270) and extends vertically away from the flywheel (270). The resilient stopper (282) is fixedly secured to the frame (246) or one of the vertical panels (252, 254, side panels not shown) in a position that is rotationally aligned with the stopping member (280). The resilient stopper (282) may include silicone, rubber, foam, or a spring and a plunger. The resilient stopper (282) is configured to engage the stopping member (280) to stop the resilient stopper (282) in a controlled manner in the second position to prevent the further rotation of the rotating assembly (204) and acts as a buffer to prevent the rotating assembly (204) from being damaged by engaging the housing assembly (202) directly.
Once the stopping member (280) engages the resilient stopper (282) a batting assistant may use the bat (BAT) to transition the batting device (200) from the second position back to the first position. When the rotating assembly (204) is in the first position a solenoid spring (284) extends the solenoid shaft (268) through the aperture (278) in the flywheel (270) retaining the rotating assembly (204) in the first position. Once restored to the first position, the batting device (200) is ready for the next user.
The upper handle (288) includes an upper portion (294) that is configured to retain the firing switch (227) and a lower portion (296) configured to be retained by the lower handle (286). The lower portion (296) of the upper handle body (288) is configured to fit within the lower handle (290) or vise-versa. The lower portion (296) of the upper handle (288) is configured to slide within the lower handle body (290) at various depths to adjust the height of the firing switch (277). In some versions, the upper handle may include a T-handle (not shown) that further aids a user in manipulating the batting device (200).
The second portion (310) of the hinge (306) is affixed to the axle (302). The hinges extend parallel the side panels. The axle (302) is distally positioned upon the second portion (310) of the hinge (306) relative to the pivot (312). The pair of wheels (300) are spaced apart by a pair of first wheel retainers (304) that locate the wheels (300) a distance from one another. The first wheel retainers (304) inhibits the wheels (300) from moving towards one another and contacting the housing assembly (202). The pair of second wheel retainers (314) are positioned on the axle (302) outside of the wheels (300). The pair of second wheel retainers (314) inhibit the wheels (300) from being removed from the axle (302). The pair of wheels (300) are spaced a first distance (D1) away from each other that is greater than the width the housing assembly (202) allowing the hinge (306) to rotate towards the bottom panel (250) without the wheels (300) contacting any portion of the housing assembly (202).
The batt retainer (324) includes one or more U-bolts (328) or fastening members. In some versions, the U-bolts (328) are replaced with a saddle including bolts extending from the saddle. The U-bolts (328) are positioned upon the bat support (322) and are configured to be fitted around the handle of the bat (BAT) to retain the bat (BAT) against the bat support (322). The U-bolts (328) have a continuous rod that is bent in a U-shape and includes a pair of threaded portions (330) that face one direction. The pair of threaded portions (330) are configured to extend through bores (332) in the bat support (322) and are tightened with nuts (334) to secure the bat (BAT) upon the bat support (322). The batt support (322) includes a horizontal member (336) and a vertical member (338). Both the horizontal member (336) and the vertical member (338) are planar in shape and are joined together at an angle or in the alternative the bat support (322) may be formed of angle iron having vertical and horizontal planar components. The U-bolts (328) may extend through the horizontal member (336) or the vertical member (338) of the bat support (322). The nuts (334) may have additional nuts positioned on the threaded portions (330) of the U-bolts (328) to lock the handle of the bat (BAT) to the horizontal member (336).
In some instances, it may be desirable to provide a batting device that may be actuated manually by a user pulling a string, a lever, or other firing device to release the rotating assembly. This provides a user with limited motor function the ability to hit a ball with a bat without having to physically wield the bat. Such a device must be stationary and stable when in operation so the device may transfer energy to the ball to enable the ball to be hit into play at an acceptable distance. The device must also be portable and compact so that the device may be easily transported to a sports field but be capable of being quickly moved so the batting device does not interfere with baserunners. The batting device described below in connection with the Figures exhibit such features and functionality.
The housing assembly (502) includes a frame (546) a top panel (548), a bottom panel (550), a front panel (554), a back panel (552) and a pair of side panels (562). It should be noted that the side panels (562) include additional side panels (not shown) configured to enclose an interior (556) of the housing assembly (502) for safety purposes. The side panels prevent a person from reaching within the interior (556) and accessing the moving parts of the rotating assembly (504).
The handle assembly (502) includes a handle (586), a pivot (578), and a stopper (582). The handle assembly (502) is rotatably coupled to the frame (546). The handle may be unitarily formed or constructed of multiple pieces but is not configured to be dismantled during the normal transportation of the batting device (500) to and from the sports field. The handle assembly (502) at rest swings downwards away from stopper (582) in a travel configuration. The travel configuration with the handle resting vertically upon a portion of the frame reduces the overall length of the batting device (500) so that the batting device (500) may easily be transported in a car, SUV, or truck. A batting assistant transitions the handle assembly (506) to an operational configuration by pulling upwards on the handle assembly (506) when being moved until the handle exhibits force upon the stoper (582) allowing the back portion of the housing assembly (502) to quickly lifted allowing the weight to be transferred to the axle assembly (508) facilitating movement after a ball (BALL) is hit so that the batting device (500) does not interfere with base runners running towards home plate.
The axle assembly (508) includes a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to an axle (602) that is affixed to one of the side panels or extends from a first side to a second side and extends through the side panels (562). The batting device (500) does not require preparation before transporting the batting device (500). A batting assistant lifts the handle assembly (506) so that the pair of wheels (600) rotatably coupled to the axle assembly (508) engage the earth allowing the batting device (500) to roll. The batting device (500) is then wheeled away by pulling upon the handle assembly (506).
The arm (580) in the first position is engaged by the actuating assembly (512). In the first position the resilient member (558) is under tension and the actuating assembly (512) resists the rotating assembly (504) from rotating in a counter-clockwise direction. The actuating assembly (512) includes an actuator body (568), an actuator spring (572), and an actuator plunger (574). The actuator plunger (574) includes an angled surface configured to engage the arm (580). At rest, the spring (572) biases the actuator plunger (574) through the actuator body (568) to an extended position and engages a side surface of the arm (580). In some versions, the arm (580) may include an aperture or a notch that enables the actuator plunger (574) to engage and retain the arm (580) in the first position. The actuating assembly (512) is transitioned to the retracted position by a string (not shown) used as a firing device that is attached to the actuator plunger (574) being pulled. Once the plunger is in the retracted position, the rotating assembly (504) swings in the counter-clockwise direction, thereby swinging the swinging assembly (510), that swings the bat that hits the ball (BALL). The shaft (560) of the rotating assembly (504) extends above the subframe (564) to the swinging assembly (510).
The swinging assembly (510) includes a collar (576) and a bat support (622). The bat support (622) is fixedly attached to the collar (576). The bat support (622) includes a horizontal member (636) and one or more U-bolts (628). The U-bolts (628) are configured to be fitted around the handle of the bat (BAT) and retain the bat (BAT) against the horizontal member (636). The U-bolts (628) extend through bores (632) in the horizontal member (636) and are tightened with nuts (634) to secure the bat (BAT) to the horizontal member (636). The nuts (634) may have additional nuts (634) on the threaded portions (630) of the U-bolts (628) to aid in retaining the bat (BAT).
In some instances, it may be desirable to provide a batting device that may be actuated both mechanically and electrically. This provides a user with limited motor function to hit a ball with a bat from a ball holder with or without the aid of electricity. Such a device must be stationary and stable when in operation so the device may transfer energy to the ball to enable the ball to be hit into play at an acceptable distance. The device must also be portable and compact so that the device may be easily transported to a sports field but be capable of being quickly moved so the batting device does not interfere with baserunners. The batting device may also need to have variable degrees of hitting force so that the distance that a ball is hit is adjusted to the ability of the league of play. For example, with leagues with small children the ball may need to be hit a short distance from the home plate, while leagues with larger children my benefit from the ball being hit farther from the home plate. The batting device described below in connection with the Figures exhibit such features and functionality.
The housing assembly (702) includes a frame (746) a top panel (748), a bottom panel (750), a front panel (754), and a back panel (752) that partially enclose an interior (756). It should be noted that the housing assembly (702) also include side panels (762) removed in
The handle assembly (706) includes a pair of handles (788) fixedly attached to a pair of hinges (806) that are fixedly attached to the frame (746). The handle assembly (706) is shown in the unfolded position. The handle assembly (706) further includes a magnet (768) positioned on each of the handles (788) or the housing assembly (702) configured to retain the handle in the folded position (see
The actuating assembly (712) is configured to retain the rotating assembly (704) in a cocked, first position, and allows a user to fire the rotating assembly (704). When the rotating assembly is fired, the rotating assembly (704) is transitioned from the first position to the second position by rotating the rotating assembly (704) quickly in the counter-clockwise direction. The actuating assembly (712) includes a mechanical actuation portion (712) and an electrical actuation portion (722) that are both capable of firing the rotating assembly (704) to transition the rotating assembly (704) from the first position to the second position. The electrical actuation portion (722) of the actuating assembly (712) may trigger the mechanical actuation portion (720) of the actuating assembly (712).
The mechanical actuation assembly (720) includes a first actuating spring (724), a second actuator spring (726), a pivoting bar (728), a detent member (730), a cammed lever (732), and a lever extension (734). The cammed lever (732) includes a cammed surface (736), a pin bore (738), and an elongate handle (740). The cammed lever (732) is secured to the subframe (764) by a pin (742) that extends horizontally through the pin bore (738). The pin (742) may include a mounting member (798) that fastens the pin (742) to the subframe (764) and provides a mechanical ground for the pin (742). The pin (742) and pin bore (738) allow the cammed lever (732) to rotate about a lever axis (LA) that is centered by the pin (742). The elongate handle (740) extends vertically to a length that is adequate to provide mechanical advantage to the user. The elongate handle (740) extends vertically through the subframe (764), and the top panel (748) of the housing assembly (702). The cammed surface (736) of the cammed lever (732) engages the pivoting bar (728) and provides a smooth transition to fire the rotating assembly (704) from the first position to the second position. The cammed surface (736) engages the pivoting bar (728) so that the pivoting bar (728) remains engaged with the cog (770). The first actuating spring (724) provides tension against the cam lever (732) which thereby retains the pivoting bar against the cog (770). The second actuating spring (726) provides tension in a direction that opposes the first actuating spring (726) to balance the forces that act upon the pivoting bar (728) by the first actuating spring (724) to reduce the force required to fire the actuating assembly (712). This reduction of the force to fire is important for the physically disabled that may not have the physical strength to physically fire the actuating assembly (712) otherwise. A pivoting bar (728) includes a bar pivot (not shown) that positioned on a vertical surface of the subframe (764) and the bar pivot (not shown) is arranged to allow the pivoting bar (728) to rotate within a plane that is parallel to the ground. In the present version, the second actuating spring (726) extends horizontally from the pivoting bar (728) to the mounting member (798). The second actuating spring (726) also maintains engagement between the cammed surface (736) and the pivot bar (728) for smooth operation of the actuating assembly (712).
The pivoting bar (728) is operatively mated with the detent member (730) that engages the cog (770). The detent member (730) has a detent spring (810) and a detent ball (812). The detent ball (812) retracts within the detent member (730) compressing the detent spring (810) when the rotational assembly (704) is transitioned from the second position to the first position by rotating the rotating assembly (704) in the clockwise direction. Allowing the rotating assembly (704) to be cocked without moving the cammed lever (732) and the pivoting bar (728) so that the actuating assembly (712) does not prematurely disengage the cog (770) swinging the rotating assembly (704) in the counter-clockwise direction.
The lever extension (734) allows a user to distance themselves from the actuating assembly (712) and generally the batting device (700). The lever extension (734) includes a lever bore (814) that is configured to accept the lever extension (734) and includes an elongate bar (840) that extends away from the lever bore (814) so that a user may actuate the mechanical actuation portion (720) of actuating assembly (712) without directly engaging the cammed lever (732). The lever extension (734) may include a grip (not shown) to provide a user the ability to easily grasp the lever extension (734). The cammed lever (734) may also be actuated by a string attached to the elongate handle (740).
During the actuation of the batting device (700) mechanically, the elongate handle (740) is pulled towards the user by a string or by the lever extension (734). This overcomes the force of the first actuating spring (724) while the second actuating spring (726) keeps the pivot bar (728) in engagement with the cammed surface (736) that pulls away from the cog (770) or rotational member. The detent ball (812) disengages the cog teeth (842) of the cog (770) allowing the resilient member (758) to rotate the cog (770) rotating the shaft (760), thereby rotating the external spline (844) located on the upper portion of the shaft (760). The external spline (844) rotates the swinging assembly (710).
The electrical actuation portion (722) of the actuating assembly (712) includes a solenoid (846) and an actuator bar (848). The solenoid (846) in electrical communication through the first wiring connector (222) to a control circuit (228) (see
The swinging assembly (710) further includes a first retainer (836) that is secured to the collar (776) by welding. The bat (BAT) is sandwiched between the first retainer (836) and the second retainer (838). The first retainer (836) is constructed of flat stock and is planar in shape, and the second retainer (838) includes an angle iron, two planar pieces of flat stock joined at a joint, or an arcuate piece of metal. The first and second retainers (836, 838) may further include a piece of rubber. A plurality of threaded rods (830) are secured to one of the first retainer (836) or the second retainer (838). The other of the first or second retainer (836, 838) includes a plurality of bores (832) configured to accept the threaded rods (830) therethrough. The threaded rods (830) are secured by nuts (834) on the other sides of the bores (832). In some versions, the threaded rods (830) may include conventional bolts that extend through bores (832) that extend through both first and second retainers (836, 838).
It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The above-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.
It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.
Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.
