STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
None.
REFERENCE TO A COMPUTER PROGRAM
None.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to recreational sports equipment, specifically a collapsible, portable and lightweight Strikezone and Backstop for use with WIFFLE® Game Ball1 and other recreational plastic baseball2 (weighing around 25 grams) games. This invention objectively calls whether a pitched plastic baseball is a “ball” or “strike,” regardless in recreational games or competitive WIFFLE® ball tournaments. The Strikezone and Backstop may also be employed for general throwing, pitching and target practice of WIFFLE® balls and other recreational plastic baseballs into this invention's “strikezone” netting and against the backstop. This invention acts essentially as an “umpire” in judging whether a pitched WIFFLE® ball (or other recreational plastic baseball) is a “strike” or “ball,” while simultaneously acting as a backstop in reducing ball retrieval time, thereby facilitating and increasing the enjoyment and play of WIFFLE® ball games. 1See U.S. Pat. No. 2,776,139, entitled “Game Ball,” issued in 1957 to Blamey, et al.2E.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,906, entitled “Performance Game Ball,” issued on Jan. 25, 1994 to Vitale
U.S. Patent Classification
473/454, 273/396, 473/476, 273/400, 473/454
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This present invention, entitled “Collapsible and Portable Strikezone & Backstop for WIFFLE® Ball (and other Plastic Baseball) Games” (hereinafter referred to as “WIFFLE® ball Strikezone & Backstop” or “WiffleNet”), is primarily comprised of a collapsible, flexible coilable material frame and synthetic fabric in the lightweight and portable structure of the WiffleNet. WiffleNet can be carried in a compact and collapsed state, and rapidly unfurl and expand itself (by collapsible metal coils) for use in WIFFLE® ball games. The WiffleNet is a simple and portable sports device, which can be easily and rapidly assembled (and dissembled), is formed: (1) by a collapsible coilable metal frame with lightweight synthetic fabric as the backstop; and (2) an open partition, near the center of such fabric, with netting collecting WIFFLE® balls (or other plastic baseballs) thrown in as the strikezone.
Prior WIFFLE® Ball and Other Plastic Baseball Patents
The game of WIFFLE® ball, which uses the lightweight (25 grams) plastic ball described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,776,139 to Blamey and Mullany (1957), has evolved from backyard family fun into tournament-structured competitions, which attract more competitive and officious players. (WIFFLE® is a trademark of Wiffle Ball, Inc., Shelton, Conn.) WIFFLE® ball is a variation of the American pastime of baseball, and in addition to a narrow plastic yellow bat, is played using its namesake WIFFLE® ball, a hollow plastic ball having patterned aerodynamic perforations found in one hemisphere of the ball that enables it to curve during travel without much or any torque being applied on pitches. Accordingly, WIFFLE® (and other plastic baseballs) and other similar plastic baseballs enables pitchers to better pitch curveballs and sliders from a variety of trajectories.
The WIFFLE® ball and other plastic baseballs, including those relying on the principles of “aerodynamic drag” or wind resistance, for which this present invention has developed for WIFFLE® ball play, include U.S. Pat. Nos.:
(1) U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,776 to Newcomb, et al. (1990)
(2) U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,422 to Ma (1990)
(3) U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,169 to Autorino, et al. (1989)
(4) U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,238 to Newcomb, et al. (1978)
Since WIFFLE® (and other plastic) baseballs cannot be hit or thrown very far, or cause much personal or property damage from its use, the game of WIFFLE® ball can be played indoors or outdoors, with relatively limited and/or confined space. Consequently, WIFFLE® ball can be enjoyed by a wide array of age categories without fear of injury to any participant or bystander, whether the playing area is in a backyard, picnic area or populated spaces. The game has enjoyed increasing popularity since its first patent sale of the patented product in 1959, and is now being enjoyed in competitive organized leagues (with teams ranging from 2 to 6 fielders). With the difficulty of coordinating 9 players per team, totaling 18, for each game, baseball and softball games have become increasingly challenging to coordinate during these social times to a designated time where all 18 players can attend. Therefore, WIFFLE® ball provides an alternative, offering the simulation of a baseball game in a more accessible format with fewer necessary players.
Whether WIFFLE® ball is played informally or in more competitive settings, the objective calling of balls and strikes is challenging, due to the myriad of trajectories and vectors in which the WIFFLE® ball is thrown and can travel, as well as the requirement of a neutral third party umpire to accurately call the pitches. Prior, more antiquated attempts to address this need involved inanimate objects, such as and most commonly lawn chairs, as well as boards, garbage bins, and strikezones without backstops or backstops without strikezones. For example, if a batter does not swing and the pitched ball entered/struck a designated strikezone, it is called a strike (also if the pitch makes contact with the bat, but nevertheless enters the strikezone). However, these prior art are cumbersome, heavy and makeshift approaches to providing an objective WIFFLE® ball umpire and backstop for pitches.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
INFORMATION DISCLOSURE OF RELATED ART STATEMENT UNDER 37 C.F.R.§§1.97-1.99
Although the prior is fully replete with varied backstop and strikezone devices, (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 1,879,316 entitled “Baseball Strike Zone Target” issued on Sept. 27, 1932 to Kleb and U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,740, entitled “Practice Backstop for Ball Playing Sports” issued on Feb. 18, 1992 to Peterson)) which enable individuals to practice pitching and throwing of baseballs by him or herself, no similar invention has been introduced that is specifically designed for use with WIFFLE® ball and other recreational plastic-baseball games. Additionally, no prior invention has been introduced to modify the rules of WIFFLE ball to determine whether a pitch is indeed either “strike” or “ball” by use of any similar WIFFLE ball strikezone and backstop. The official playing rules from “WIFFLE® Ball Inc.” (see http://www.wiffleball.com/about_rules.htm) also fail to indicate how pitches are determined to be called “balls” or “strikes.” Essentially, no invention exists to simultaneously act as umpire for pitched WIFFLE® (or other recreational plastic-baseball) balls while also serving as a backstop for pitches that are errant, out-of-the-strikezone, or simply “balls.”
Another demand on the market is to provide a practice pitching target and backstop that enables a pitching practice specifically for WIFFLE balls and other plastic baseballs. Such a market demand can be satisfied if a ball thrown off from a pitcher can be stably stopped and easily retrieved. Further, when in a baseball pitching practice if the person throwing a ball can easily retrieve the ball around the net, it would be a significant advantage to those that still want to practice pitching WIFFLE balls alone in a place like a backyard or a patio.
(i) Relevant Strike Zone and Backstop Patents
The following listed below, represent the prior art involving strikezones and/or backstops that are all primarily intended for use with baseballs, not WIFFLE® balls or other plastic baseballs, under U.S. Pat. Nos.:
(1) U.S. Pat. No. 7,704,169 to Bove (2010)—Universal Baseball Practice System
(2) U.S. Pat. No. 7,264,245 to Cho (2007)—Portable Ball Retriever
(3) U.S. Pat. No. 7,160,214 to Rome (2007)—Portable Backstop Game Apparatus
(4) U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,977 to Campbell, et al. (2006)—Sports Training Target System
(5) U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,630 to Cho (2006)—Portable Ball Retriever
(6) U.S. Pat. No. 6,878,078 to Swanson (2005)—Padded Leather Pitching Target
(7) U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,889 to Yip (2001)—Portable Backstop Device
(8) U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,240 to Humboldt (1996)—Baseball Backstop for Pitching Training
(9) U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,291 to Scully (1994)—Ball Pitching Trainer
Relevant to Wiffle® ball play, but not exclusively invented therefor, is US2007/0054757 to Will, et al. (Mar. 8, 2007), entitled “Strike Zone Apparatus.” However, this device lacks a backstop, and is radically distinct in employing a solid board method for calling balls and strikes, rather than this invention, which uses a strikezone netting and backstop approach. Also, relevant to Wiffle® ball play, but not exclusively invented therefor, is U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,474 to Skinner, et al. (2007), entitled “Portable Backstop and Sport Equipment Set, Baseball Related Game, and Playing Field,” comprises of a different construction, as it employs a non-collapsible solid frame and only a partial backstop in its patent protection.
(ii) Relevant Portable Sports Device Patents
The following, listed below, represent the prior art involving portable structures, which employ collapsible steel coiling for its frame, but are not strikezones or backstops, include U.S. Pat. Nos.:
(1) U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,274 to Cho (2007)—Portable Net Device
(2) U.S. Pat. No. 6,793,594 to Grant (2004)—Sports Practice Net
(3) U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,717 to Cho (2003)—Portable Net Device
(4) U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,343 to Cho (2001)—Portable Net Device
(5) U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,023 to Cho (1999)—Collapsible Golf Net
(6) U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,892 to Norman (1989)—Collapsible beach cabana tent
This invention uses a collapsible and coilable frame member to support the backstop with the strikezone embedded within it.
(iii) Novelty from Prior Art
These prior inventions are made with sturdier and heavier components specifically designed for use with baseballs rather than WIFFLE® balls or other plastic baseballs. A common problem to all of these backstop and strikezone devices is their heavy and bulky mounting frame, which makes transportation, set-up and use of these devices simply impracticable and overkill for use with WIFFLE® (or other recreational plastic-baseball) balls. The force and impact of a 25-gram Wiffle® ball against a strikezone or backstop is fractionally less than that of a standard Major League Baseball™ ball, and therefore the construction of such does not require the same sturdiness or durability to withstand pitched baseballs.
No prior art exists for a strikezone and backstop designed for use with WIFFLE® (or other recreational plastic-baseball) balls that is portable and easily assembled and disassembled. Currently, and sadly, WIFFLEball games ranging from informal family backyard barbeque events to WIFFLEball leagues and competitions all employ unsatisfactory strikezones (i.e., lawn chairs, metal 22″×30″ cut-outs mounted on poles, etc.) for objectively determining “balls” and “strikes.” (Note: As opposed to baseball or softball, WIFFLEball games very seldom employ human umpires for determining “balls” and “strikes,” even for competitive events.) Accordingly, there exists a need for a strikezone and backstop that is portable, collapsible and specifically-tailored for use with WIFFLE® (or other recreational plastic-baseball) balls. To meet this demand, this present invention serves as an “umpire” and backstop specifically for use with WIFFLE® (and other recreational plastic-baseball) ball games and competitive tournaments. The WiffleNet was designed to make it easy to call balls and strikes when playing WIFFLEball without an umpire or other neutral party. Additionally, the easy pop-up assembly and collapsible disassembly allows for simple and rapid set-up for WIFFLEball play.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
This present invention modifies the rules and facilitates the game of WIFFLEball by implementing a strikezone in determining whether pitches are either “strikes” or “balls” and a backstop, which facilitates games by reducing the amount of time retrieving pitches thrown past the batter. Additionally, the portable and collapsible nature of this invention offers easy set-up for use and disassembly for storage with its coilable steel-wire frame. The collapsible and portable strikezone and backstop is designed exclusively for use with WIFFLE® and other plastic-baseball balls. Batters stand a short distance in front of the present invention, facing the pitcher, and bat pitches thrown at the backstop. This invention may also be used without a batter, such as for purposes of practicing pitching WIFFLE® and other plastic-baseball balls. In essence, the present invention provides an “umpire” in the calling of “balls and strikes” for pitches during WIFFLE® ball games and tournaments while simultaneously serving as a backstop to facilitate the retrieval of pitches (outside the strikezone) to expedite game play.
(A) “Umpire” Calling Balls and Strikes
The WiffleNet's strikezone and backstop enable an individual to practice throwing and pitching WIFFLE® and other plastic-baseball balls without a catcher or umpire to determine whether pitches are either “strikes” or “balls.” Additionally, this present invention modifies the playing rules of WIFFLE® ball games, as a standard now exists to objectively determine whether pitches not swung at are “strikes” or “balls.” The modification is that any pitch entering the strikezone, which is a rectangular opening within the backstop, is deemed a “strike” (in addition to the other “strikes”) and all others where the batter does not swing are deemed “balls.” Pitches that are “strikes” enter a pouch netting, which funnels into a ball reservoir. Pitches outside the strikezone (without the batter swinging), or “balls,” are blocked by the backstop, which expedites the retrieval of such pitches by the batter.
STRIKE. There are three strikes to an out. The following represent a strike:
- (1) A swing and miss at a pitched ball;
- (2) A foul ball or foul tip ball (except on a third strike);
- (3) A pitch which, before hitting the ground, travels through the strikezone into the netting within the backstop frame;
- (4) A pitch which hits the batter on the fly, if the thrown pitch would have likely traveled into the strikezone but for hitting the batter.
BALL. There are four balls to a walk. The following represent a ball:
- (1) Any pitch not a strike that is not swung at by the batter.
(B) Collapsible Frame and Strikezone
This present invention comprises primarily of: (1) a backstop member fabricated from synthetic fabric (or any other polyvinyl fabric or canvas) attached to a main frame member, which is a collapsible and flexible metal coil; (2) a strikezone area consisting of mesh netting material which forms a pouch that funnels into a ball reservoir at the base of the backstop; and (3) connecting rods and connectors. This invention is simple and minimalist in its design and intention for rapid assembly and simple disassembly, and since it is specifically designed for use with WIFFLE® and other plastic-baseball balls and games, it can be composed of lightweight material. The backstop and strikezone area only need minimal support by two collapsible brace members attached at the two ends and sides of the base to withstand the minimal impact of pitched WIFFLE® and other plastic-baseball balls.
In general, the backstop device comprises of a synthetic fabric (or polyvinyl or canvas) panel supported by a collapsible and flexible metal coil or plastic frame. The preferred foldable cloth-like materials from which the panels of the portable structure of this invention are formed including the elongated pockets are those commonly used in fabricating tents and other portable structures. Strong, lightweight materials such as those made from fibers produced by E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and sold under the trademarks Nylon are particularly preferable.
The material for the frame member is flat spring steel for its corrosion resistance although plated or coated spring steel stock can be used instead. Other materials which may be employed to form the frame include plastic materials having relatively high bending moduli which are in the shape of a flat strip or an oval tube. Round and square shaped tubing or solid stock can also be employed as material for forming the frame. For a portable structure having an approximate width across its base of about 6 feet and a height of up to 6 feet, the preferred material for the frame is a flat spring steel stock (coilable member) having a thickness of approximately 1.25 millimeters (0.050 inch) and a width of approximately 6.25 millimeters (0.25 inch). The frame member is attached to the backstop fabric by sewing a fabric strap over the frame member to the perimeter of the backstop.
When WiffleNet is collapsed, the coilable member forms overlapping loops over itself to minimize its shape for portability purposes. The coilable member has two ends (connected to the base of the invention) to form a closed loop (the body of the backstop), which is enclosed in a cylindrical shell containing the coilable member which permits it to axially rotate. The frame is preferably formed with a single 360-degree twist, particularly when it is formed from a flat stock. The coilable member can form overlapping loops by a slight manual enforcement thereon when the support means is detached for disassembly of the WiffleNet. The entire unit may be folded and collapsed into a smaller dimension for transport because of the collapsible and flexible metal coil frame and fabric composition. It is preferred that the frame member, which is attached by a fabric strap to the backstop, is coilable to overlapping loops to facilitate a pop-up assembly, coiled disassembly and attachment to the ball reservoir for pitched strikes.
(C) Supporting Connectors
The backstop is supported and balanced by two sets of retractable or collapsible plastic brace members—one at each side of the unit. The supports are a pair of rods whose ends are removable, connected to the sides of WiffleNet's base when fully assembled by either a Velcro-strap or fitted connecting-slot method.
Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other advantages of the present invention are set forth in greater detail in the accompanying specification, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been chosen for illustration and description and are shown (not to scale), forming part of the specification herein:
For a detailed understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed summary of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings herein:
FIG. 1: shows a front view of the preferred embodiment of the strikezone and backstop invention in its completely unfurled and assembled state; and
FIG. 2: shows a front profile perspective of the preferred embodiment of the invention in its assembled state; and
FIG. 3: shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention in its assembled state; and
FIG. 4: shows a cut-out and enlarged view of the backstop and collapsible and coilable frame member components; and
FIG. 5: shows various views of the invention collapsing to disassemble; and
FIG. 6: shows an enlarged view of the connector rods components as labeled in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7: shows a detailed view of attachments and connector rod components as labeled in FIG. 1.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
1 Backstop
2 Strikezone
3 Netting
4 Fastening Strap
5 Collapsible and Coilable Frame Member
6 Connector Attachments
7 Ball Reservoir
8 Connector Rods
9 Connector
7 of Drawing Sheeting, 7 of Figures
WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND ENABLEMENT OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiment of the collapsible and portable WiffleNet strikezone and backstop, and its components, for WIFFLE® ball (and other recreational plastic-baseball) games are designated generally by reference numeral and is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, a plain description will be employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the WiffleNet according to the present invention comprises of an elliptical-shaped synthetic fabric (such as Nylon or Nylon Tyvek bonding fabric or any other polyvinyl fabric or canvas material) with a flat backstop (1) that contains a strikezone (2) aperture embedded therein. The base is preferably six feet (6′) wide and the height of the backstop is preferably six feet (6′) tall. The elliptical shape is formed and supported by a collapsible and coilable frame member or flat wire (5), which can be collapsed by twisting, folding and/or bending while still retaining its original elliptical shape (when popped back open). The coilable and collapsible nature of the member facilitates pop-up assembly, disassembly and portability of the invention.
In collapsed state as viewed in FIG. 5, the collapsible and coilable frame member 5 forms overlapping loops as it axially rotates over itself to enable it to be continuously coiled, becomes semi-elliptical in shape when fully unfurled. The collapsible and coilable frame member 5 is around twenty-five feet (25′) in total length (representing the perimeter of the backstop), and is attached to the connector (9) and connecting rods (8) in its fully-assembled state by attachments (6) at the ends and sides of the backstop 5. The resting position of the collapsible and coilable frame member resiliently urges it back towards the shape of the backstop's perimeter at full assembly, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.
As shown in the cut-out and in detail view of FIG. 4, the synthetic fabric (or any other polyvinyl fabric or canvas material) is attached to the collapsible and coilable frame member by mechanical fastening, such as stitching a fastening fabric strap (4), over the frame member across the perimeter of the backstop; the elliptical-shaped fabric is mechanically fastened or attached over the coilable member to form the contour of perimeter of the backstop 1. A fabric strap 4 is stitched or attached along the contour of the backstop is reinforce the collapsible and coilable frame member 5 in its place.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the game apparatus is designed to function as a backstop 1, namely stop WIFFLE(and other plastic baseball) balls pitched thereon, where a batter stands in front of the game apparatus 1. This backstop 1 front surface faces the WIFFLEball pitcher standing some distance away from the batter. Within the backstop 1 is an aperture 2, which is a rectangular dimension to establish a target zone or “strikezone” 2, which is an area through which a pitched ball must enter to be called a strike. The rectangular aperture 2 will be approximately twenty-two inches (22″) wide by thirty-two inches (32″) in height, the bottom of which is one foot (12″) above the bottom of the base and centered horizontally equidistant from the sides of the backstop. (Naturally, the size of the aperture and strikezone can be adjusted for various age groups.) Attached behind this aperture is netting (3), covering the entire strikezone aperture, that captures pitched strikes and funnels those balls into a ball reservoir (7) at the base of the backstop 1. A strap 4 is attached to the opening of the strikezone 2 in order to attach and fasten the pouch netting 3 to the backstop 1. At the center of the base of the backstop 1 is the ball reservoir 7 opening, where the pouch netting funnels strikes into. A strap 4 is also fastened from the funnel end of the pouch netting 3 to the ball reservoir 7 at the bottom center.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the ends of the base and sides of the backstop will be supported and balanced by two detachable lightweight connector-rod brace members 8 attached by the backstop's attachments 6 for the detachable connector rods 8. (They are detachable for more convenient storage and portability.) The connector rods 8 will be attached and connected to ends of the collapsible and coilable frame member 5 at the base, and they will also have a slot attachment 6 through which the detachable connector rods 8 may be connected. The supporting connector rods are attached to the frame and backstop 1 by threading them through a series of attaching sleeve loop attachments 6 at the bottom and sides of the base. The connector rods 8 will be attached themselves to a connector 9, which will support and connect the connector rods 8, and ultimately, the backstop 1.
Since the present invention is made from lightweight synthetic fabric materials and a thin flexible metal coil 5, it is lightweight and simple to transport. The ability to fabricate the structures of this invention from light weight materials make this invention very portable, as its lightweight nature is beneficial for transport to parks, recreational areas, etc. To assemble the WiffleNet, a user must only unfurl the device so that the collapsible and coilable frame member 5 fully expands into its elliptical shape and attach the support connector rods 8 and connectors 9. As depicted in FIG. 5, to collapse the invention, a user must only disconnect the connector rods 8 and connectors 9 and twist, fold and/or bend the collapsible and flexible frame member 5 onto each other to create overlays for portability and storage. In a preferred embodiment, the frame member 5 is one component of flexible coilable steel stock wire that forms one continuous semi-elliptical and part-straight structure. The advantages of the present invention are numerous, as this invention substantially improves portability by simplifying its structure specifically for use with WIFFLE (and other plastic baseball) balls.
It should be understood that the embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein are merely the preferred embodiments, and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations or modifications to these embodiments utilizing functionally equivalent elements to those described herein. Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible by converting the aforementioned construction. In any case, all such variations or modifications as well as others that may become apparent to those skilled in the art, are intended to be included within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to minor details of the illustrated invention shown in the figures and that variations in such minor details will be apparent to one skilled in the art. While the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the frame of the WiffleNet may be constructed of other collapsible, portable and/or connecting light-weight material, and the shape of the WiffleNet may have other shapes, such as square, rectangular, semi-oval, semi-circular, etc. dimensions and sizes.
The claims therefore are to be accorded a range of equivalents commensurate with the advances made over the art.
Patent Application
20130267353
