Patent Grant
10471323
The present invention relates generally to playing surfaces for athletic fields and similar facilities, and, more particularly, to a playing surface assembly for use in pitching areas of softball and baseball fields and similar high-use areas of athletic fields having a wear surface that retain its shape with repeated use and that are replaceable when worn.
While some modern athletic fields retain natural surfacing the form of natural grass turf and dirt/clay, a great many now employ artificial turf surfaces in which a layer of synthetic turf is installed over soil or other substrate. Artificial turf provides obvious advantages in terms of maintenance, durability and the capability of being used outdoors or indoors and regardless of growing conditions. A particular group of athletic fields in which artificial turf is commonly installed over the whole or a part of the playing surface are softball and baseball fields.
Softball and baseball pitchers employ a wide range of techniques, but virtually all involve using the legs and feet in one manner or another. Moreover, the various steps, strides and so on take place repeatedly, many times during practice or a game, within the same small, usually confined area of the surface of the field, with the result that this particular area typically experiences an exceptional amount of wear and damage. Where the field surface is formed of a layer of artificial turf, the conventional remedy to such wear and damage has been to cut out the worn area and replace it with a “patch” of the same turf material; not unlike installing a “patch” in one's living room carpet, the result is typically both unsightly and more susceptible to damage than the original. The integrity and appearance of the turf surface of the entire field is thus compromised by damage that is confined to certain relatively small high-wear areas.
The foregoing problem is particularly notable in the case of fast pitch softball, where much of the force of the pitch is generated by a leg drive in which the player thrusts one leg and foot forward while dragging the other. These motions take place within a narrow (e.g., 2-3 feet) “lane” within the pitching circle of the softball diamond, such that this area experiences very significant abrasion and impact loading. In “skinned” fields this area may be formed of dirt or clay that can be smoothed back out at some later time, but which rapidly becomes cratered and furrowed during play or practice and often creates significant difficulties for pitchers as the game proceeds. Installations using artificial turf or similar coverings in this area avoid the problem of the dirt becoming uneven in the pitchers lane, however, the concentrated wear leads to early damage and greatly accelerates the need to patch the field, at significant cost and with the negative consequences described above.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an apparatus for the pitching areas of softball and baseball fields or similar high-wear areas of these or other athletic fields that presents a playing surface that remains substantially even and consistent during use. Furthermore, there exists a need for such an apparatus that reduces the frequency at which the surface needs to be replaced or restored in these areas. Still further, there exists a need for such an apparatus in which the surface can be replaced when worn without creating a weak and unsightly repair as is the case with conventional patching techniques.
The present invention addresses the problems cited above, and is an assembly having a replaceable wear surface that is set within the surrounding playing surface of a softball or baseball field.
In a broad aspect, the invention provides an apparatus comprising a recess member having an interior and an upper opening, that is set within a selected wear area of a playing field, and an insert member that is removably set within the opening of the recess member and that has a thickness such that an upper surface of said insert member lies substantially level with the surrounding surface of the playing field, the upper surface of the insert member comprising a playing surface resistant to wear and damage by the player's feet. The selected wear area of a playing field may be a pitching area of a softball or baseball field.
The playing surface of the insert member may comprise a layer of synthetic turf or wear-resistant synthetic track material, for example. The insert member may be invertible within the recess member and may comprise first and second playing surfaces on opposite sides thereof. The insert member may be removable and replaceable with a new insert member when the playing surfaces become worn.
The recess member may comprise a recess that receives the insert member, and a horizontal flange portion that extends outwardly from sides of the tray portion for mounting of a replaceable border portion formed by synthetic playing surface material.
The insert member comprises a generally flat, rectangular member dimensioned to correspond generally to a defined lane of the pitching area. The recess portion of the recess member may comprise a generally horizontal lower interior surface that engages a downwardly disposed surface of the insert member so as to support the insert member horizontally in the recess member.
The recess member may further comprise an outer tray member that receives the recess member and insert member. The tray member may comprise an upstanding lip portion that forms a boundary between the border portion on the recess member and the surrounding surface of the field to exclude dirt and debris from entering the recess member.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from a reading of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In many of the drawings, elements are designated with a reference number followed by a letter, e.g., “168a, 168b.” In such cases, the letter designation is used where it may be useful in the corresponding description to refer to or differentiate between specific ones of a number of otherwise similar or identical elements. Where the description omits the letter from a reference and refers to such elements by number only, this can be understood as a general reference to the elements identified by that reference number, unless other distinguishing language is used.
Typically, games that are played by teams of players competing physically on a playing field require some minimum field size to accommodate the players and permit and encompass acceptable boundaries of play, in accordance with the rules of the particular game. For example, baseball and softball are both played on a field that includes a “diamond” comprising four bases and foul lines extending from home base outward along first and third liens, although in the case of informal and “pick-up” games, the precise dimensions and shape of the diamond can vary from what might be considered “regulation” and lines defining the boundaries of play may not be explicitly marked on the field. Nevertheless, it is well understood that reference to a “ball field” is to the entire field of play, rather than limited portions thereof.
Similarly, as used in the present specification and claims the term “playing field” refers to the entirety of a field of play, i.e., a space sufficient for teams of players to compete in accordance with mutually accepted rules of competition.
The present invention provides an assembly including a removable insert having a wear resistant surface that is installable in selected area of playing fields, such as pitching areas of softball or baseball playing fields. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described herein in the context of softball and baseball pitching lanes located within the field of play, however, it will be understood that some embodiments may be installed and configured for installation in other areas, such as batter boxes or pitching or batting practice areas, for example, or in areas of other types of playing fields.
As can be seen in
As can be seen in
Rigid panel 30 is constructed or otherwise formed to be resistant to both compression and bending/bowing when subjected to edgewise loading. Moreover, as can be seen, the perimeter of the panel member is configured to fit closely within the confines of the depression of the recess member, so that there is minimal end-to-end and side-to-side clearance between the two. Abutment between the panel and the walls of the recess thus arrest and limits movement of the insert member within the recess member, holding the former against shifting when it is subjected to front-to-rear and side-to-side forces by the feet of the pitcher on its upper surface. Moreover, the rigidity of the panel prevents the insert member from bending, bowing or buckling under the loads, so that the insert member forms a stable surface that remains fixed in position and stable in configuration during play.
As can be seen with further reference to
As can be seen in
As can be seen with further reference to
As noted above, a border 82, formed for example of a synthetic turf material 84, may be installed atop the perimeter flange 54 of the recess member, using a layer of adhesive material 86 or hook-and-loop fabric or other material, allowing the border to be removed when worn and replaced with fresh turf or other surface material. The upstanding lip 68 on the outer tray in turn forms a boundary between the border material 82 and turf or other surface material 84 of the surrounding field, providing a neat edge between the two and also excluding dirt/debris from entering and falling into recess 52.
As can also be seen in
With further reference to
As can best be seen in
Referring again to
To install the recess member 102, an excavation or other opening may be formed in the playing field and the recess member set on the substrate therein. The recess member can be adjusted in position to achieve the desired location, alignment and degree of level, the rigidity of the shell and the foam blocks or “piers” aiding in handling of the member as this is done. Once in position, soil or other material is backfilled over the base flange 126 and side walls 124, to roughly level with the upper surface of the insert member. Concrete may then be poured through openings 128 to fill the interior of the shell beneath wall 114, weighting the recess member and engaging the substrate so as to anchor it in place, and supporting the wall 114 of the recess against downward loading due to players treading on the upper surface of the insert member. Replaceable strips of synthetic turf material may then be adhered or otherwise mounted on horizontal surfaces 132 bordering the sides of the recess 112 atop the side areas 130 of the recess member 102 so as to form a synthetic playing surface that will lie generally level with that of the insert member 104. The insert member is then installed in the manner described above to complete the assembly.
As with the embodiment described above, one or more assemblies may be located in the pitching lane or in other high wear areas on or about a baseball or softball field, or in high-wear areas of other playing fields. Moreover, multiple assemblies may be installed in end-to-end relationship or other patterns to provide elongated or enlarged areas of replaceable wear surfaces, if desired.
Referring to
The replaceable insert member 154 includes an insert substrate 174 and a plurality of tabs 176 that are configured to engage slots 178 formed in the slot plates 168, as described in more detail below. The tabs can be integral with the insert substrate 174, e.g., cut from a single sheet of material, or cast as a single piece, etc., or the tabs can be made separately and later attached to the insert substrate. According to an embodiment, the insert substrate and the tabs are cut from a single sheet of ABS plastic.
Resilient closed-cell foam cushion material 180 is positioned on the upper surface of the insert substrate 174 and in each of the shallow trays 170, and playing surface material 157 is attached to the top face of the foam cushion material.
The replaceable insert member 154 includes an insert substrate 174 and a plurality of tabs 176 that are configured to engage slots 178 formed in the slot plates 168, as described in more detail below. The tabs can be integral with the insert substrate, e.g., cut from a single sheet of material or cast as a single piece, etc., or the tabs can be made separately and later attached to the insert substrate. According to an embodiment, the insert substrate and the tabs are cut from a single sheet of ABS plastic.
Resilient closed-cell foam cushion material 180 is positioned on the upper surface of the insert substrate 174 and in each of shallow trays 170, and playing surface material 182 is attached to the top face of the foam cushion material.
Accordingly to an alternate embodiment, the shallow trays are omitted and a substantially planar upper plate is used with the resilient cushion material 180 positioned thereon. In that embodiment, the recess 162 is at least in part defined by an edge of the upper plate and an edge of the cushion material.
In
Notches 182 formed in the slot plates 168 define the sides of the slots 178. The shallow trays 170 are positioned over the slot plates 168 such that the inward facing rims 172 extends over the notches 182, bottom surfaces of the trays defining the upper parts of the slots 178, while the lower parts are defined by the upper surface of the base substrate 160.
The thickness and material of the base substrate 160 is selected to provide substantial rigidity to the recess member 152. According to an embodiment, the base substrate is made from ABS plastic, with a thickness of about 0.25 inches (about 6 mm). The thickness of the slot plates 168, which defines the height of the slots 178, is selected to be slightly greater than that of the tabs to permit the tabs to be moved into and out of the slots without undue difficulty. According to an embodiment, the slot plates have a thickness of about 0.090 inches 9 about 2.3 mm), while the tabs have a thickness of about 0.060 inches (about 1.5 mm).
In
Referring now to
The insert member 154 includes a plurality of tabs 176 that are positioned to be received into the slots 178. At a first end 192 of the insert member, two tabs 176 are positioned to engage the slot defined by the wide notch 182a, while tabs at the second end 194 are positioned to engage each of the slots defined by the narrower notches 182b.
To install or replace the replaceable insert member 154, a user holds the insert member at a shallow angle with the second end 194 positioned in the recess 162, while holding the first end 192 slightly elevated, and moves the insert member so that the tabs at the second end slide into the corresponding slots. While continuing to hold the first end elevated, the user pulls upward on the inward facing rim 172 of the second segments 188 of the first tray 170, separating the hook and loop fasteners 190 and rotating the second segment outward, as shown in
According to an embodiment, the portion of the playing surface 156 defined by the upper surface of the recess member 152 is, at least in aggregate, substantially planar and parallel with a plane defined by the upper surface of the base substrate 160. Likewise, the portion of the playing surface 156 defined by the upper surface of the insert member 154 is, at least in aggregate, also substantially planar and, while positioned within the recess, parallel with the plane defined by the upper surface base substrate 160.
The base substrate 160 includes a plurality of pour holes 128 positioned to permit the introduction of concrete into the space between the base substrate 160 and the ground below. Support piers 166 are positioned on the underside of the base substrate 160, extending downward, and an anchor member 158 is also positioned on the underside of the base substrate 160. The anchor member has a flange 196 that is positioned to lie in a common plane with the bottom surfaces of the support piers. The anchor member also includes a plurality of flow holes 198—see
The support piers 166 and anchor members 158 serve to stiffen the base substrate 160, and act as spacers to position the recess and playing surface 156 at a desired level and orientation, relative to the ground surface, during installation. The support piers can also serve as partial barriers to limit and/or channel the flow of concrete during installation.
Depending upon the configuration of the assembly, the numbers, sizes and orientations of support piers and anchor members can vary. For example, the assembly 150 can include a socket configured to receive a pitching rubber. In such a case, the arrangement of support piers, anchor members, pour holes, etc. are positioned so as not to interfere with the socket. Furthermore, the replaceable insert member can be provided with an aperture through which the pitching rubber extends.
During installation of the assembly 150, an installer prepares a trench or excavation of the appropriate depth and with a substantially smooth and level bottom, or ground surface. The replaceable wear insert assembly 150 is positioned in the trench on the ground surface in the proper field position with the bottom surfaces of the support piers and the flange 196 of the anchor member resting on the ground surface of the trench, and the playing surface at the same level as the surrounding playing field. Concrete is introduced via the pour holes 128, and caused to spread out under the assembly and flow through the flow holes 198 of the anchor members, to substantially fill the space between the base substrate and the bottom of the trench. The trench is backfilled around the assembly, and the playing surface of the playing field is brought into abutment with the perimeter of the assembly 150. Once the concrete has cured, the replaceable insert member 154 is installed as previously described and the field is ready for use.
Components of the assembly 150, including the base substrate, slot plate 168, trays 170, support piers 166 and anchor member 158 are preferably made of a material that is sufficiently strong and durable as to tolerate the impacts and weight loads that are typical on such playing fields. According to an embodiment, these components are made of ABS plastic. In addition to its strength and durability, ABS plastic is attractive from a manufacturing point of view, inasmuch as it is relatively simple to form, using machining processes, heat forming, solvent welding, etc.
In the embodiment shown in
The assembly 150 shown in the embodiment of
There are a number of different pitching distances that are in common use, in addition to those shown in
Where a claim limitation recites a structure or element as an object of the limitation, that structure itself is not an element of the claim, but is a modifier of the subject. For example, in a limitation that recites “a spacing member coupled to the recess member and configured to hold the recess member a distance from a ground surface,” the ground surface is not an element of the claim, but instead serves to define the scope and meaning of the term spacing member. Additionally, subsequent limitations or claims that recite or characterize additional elements relative to the ground surface do not render the ground surface an element of the claim. Only in a claim that recites the ground surface itself as the subject of a claim limitation does the ground surface become an element of that claim.
While a number of embodiments are shown and described, the claims are not limited by or to the disclosed embodiments, nor any combination of disclosed features, but only by the language thereof.
Ordinal numbers, e.g., first, second, third, etc., are used in the claims according to conventional claim practice, i.e., for the purpose of clearly distinguishing between claimed elements or features thereof. The use of such numbers does not suggest any other relationship, e.g., order of operation or relative position of such elements, etc. Furthermore, an ordinal number used to refer to an element in a claim does not necessarily correlate to a number used in the specification to refer to an element of a disclosed embodiment on which that claim reads, nor to numbers used in unrelated claims to designate similar elements or features. The abstract of the present disclosure is provided as a brief outline of some of the principles of the invention according to one embodiment, and is not intended as a complete or definitive description of any embodiment thereof, nor should it be relied upon to define terms used in the specification or claims. The abstract does not limit the scope of the claims.
It will be understood that the scope of the appended claims should not be limited by particular embodiments set forth herein, but should be construed in a manner consistent with the specification as a whole.
This application is a continuation-in-part of Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/545,647, filed Jun. 1, 2015, now pending, which application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/997,408 filed May 30, 2014.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14545647 | Jun 2015 | US |
| Child | 15731839 | US |
