PORTABLE BASE ANCHORING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Abstract

A portable base anchoring system includes an anchor and fasteners. The anchor includes a base plate and a block. The base plate defines holes and is configured for placement on a playing surface. The block extends upwardly from an upper surface of the base plate and is configured for insertion into a socket on a bottom surface of a base. Each of the fasteners is configured for insertion into one of the holes to secure the base plate to the playing surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to an anchoring system for facilitating the positioning and securement of sports equipment as well as a method for using the same. More specifically, the present application relates to portable anchors for baseball and softball bases.

BACKGROUND

Conventional base anchoring systems often require a complex setup that results in an inflexible base layout. For example, a setup for such base anchoring systems may require burying a concrete or rubber foundation, attaching the foundation to a piece of square tubing or sleeve, and providing a bases having a peg affixed to a bottom thereof, and inserting the peg of the base into the square tubing or sleeve. However, different baseball and softball leagues require different base layouts, and distances between the bases may vary from game to game. Fields may have difficulty accommodating various base layouts with the convention structure where, for example, a morning game may require 70′ between bases, a noon game may require 90′ between bases, and an afternoon game may require 65′ between bases. Thus, such conventional pegged systems often require a permanent or long-lasting, buried foundation, able to accept pegged bases, which may not allow ballfields to effectively host multiple games from different leagues. Moreover, when the square tubing or sleeve is not in use, it must plugged to prevent dirt and debris from filling the hole and rendering it unusable.

What is desired is a portable base anchoring system that allows for easy and efficient positioning and securement of bases that overcomes the above-described deficiencies of conventional base anchoring systems.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a portable base anchoring system comprises an anchor comprising a base plate defining two or more holes, the base plate configured for placement on a playing surface; and a block extending upwardly from an upper surface of the base plate, the block being configured for insertion into a socket on a bottom surface of a base. The portable base anchoring system further comprises two or more fasteners, each of the fasteners being configured for insertion into one of the holes to secure the base plate to the playing surface.

In accordance with another embodiment, a portable base anchoring system comprises an anchor comprising a base plate defining two or more holes, the base plate configured for placement on a playing surface; and a block extending upwardly from an upper surface of the base plate. The portable base anchoring system further comprises two or more fasteners, each of the fasteners being configured for insertion into one of the holes to secure the base plate to the playing surface; and a base defining a socket on a bottom surface thereof, the socket being configured to receive the block.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be more readily understood from a detailed description of some example embodiments taken in conjunction with the following figures:

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an anchor according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the anchor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts another side view of the anchor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts a bottom view of the anchor of FIG. 1 with a base positioned thereon;

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of the anchor and base of FIG. 4, with the anchor secured to a surface by nails;

FIG. 6 depicts a top view of an anchor according to another embodiment;

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of an anchor according to another embodiment;

FIG. 8 depicts a top view of an anchor according to another embodiment;

FIG. 9 depicts a top view of an anchor according to another embodiment;

FIG. 10 depicts a bottom view of a base according to another embodiment;

FIG. 11 depicts a top view of an anchor according to another embodiment, along with a set of nails and the base of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 depicts the anchor of FIG. 11 as secured to a surface by the set of nails of FIG. 11, along with the base of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Also, all ranges include any combination of the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

The present disclosure, in at least one of the mentioned aspects, can be implemented according to one or more of the present embodiments, optionally combined together.

For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, the words “a” or “an” should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the disclosure.

As will be described herein, portable base anchoring systems are disclosed that can be used at any suitable playing surface or field (e.g., dirt baseball field) and removed when finished without any damage to the bases or playing surface. Further, the portable base anchoring systems can facilitate the setup of base layouts (e.g., positioning bases at correct distances from each other) and can prevent rotation or other movement of the bases. The portable base anchoring system can include an anchor and two or more fasteners. The portable anchoring system can also include one or more bases. Such fasteners could include nails, stakes, rods or any other securement device that allows the anchoring system to secure the base relative to a playing surface.

FIG. 5 generally illustrates one example of an anchoring system 10. FIGS. 1-3 show an anchor 12 including a block 18 attached to a base plate 20. In certain embodiments, and as shown, for example, in FIG. 2, the base plate 20 can define holes 22 near each of its four respective corners. In one embodiment, the anchor 12 may include a 4″×4″× 3/16″ steel base plate 20, where each of the four holes 22 can be ⅜″ diameter holes, spread apart by at the corners by 3″, and a 1 ⅜″×1 ⅜″×1 ½″ block 18 welded to the center of the base plate 20. However, it will be appreciated that dimensions of various aspects of an anchor may be provided in a variety of suitable ranges. It will be appreciated that a base plate could have less than or more than four holes depending the respective need of an anchor and use of an anchoring system.

As shown in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the anchor 12 may be secured to the surface by a set of fasteners (e.g., nails 14). In certain embodiments, the portable base anchoring system 10 may include two or more nails; three or more nails; or four or more nails. Each fastener (e.g., nail 14) can be directed through a corresponding hole 22 in the base plate 20 and driven into the ground or another playing surface to secure the anchor 12. In certain embodiments, the nails 14 may be ⅜″×10″. However, it will be appreciated that nails and other fasteners may be provided in a variety of suitable sizes.

As further shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a bottom surface of the base 16 may define a socket 24 to receive the block 18 of the anchor 12. Many bases 16, when leaving the production facility, may have a centrally-located, square-shaped socket in the bottom surface of the base 16. In some cases, the socket 24 can be filled with a peg (not shown) for use in a conventional pegged system; however, the socket 24 may be left open for use with the portable base anchoring system 10. In certain embodiments, the manufactured socket 24 may be positioned over and onto the block 18 of the anchor 12, such that there may be a substantially snug fit, where the base 16 may be otherwise secured to the anchor 12, at least in part, by gravity. In certain embodiments, the socket 24 may be square-shaped; and in one embodiment, the square-shaped socket 24 may be 1 ⅜″×1 ⅜″. Because of the square-shaped socket 24 in the base 16, the base anchoring system 10 can minimize or prevent rotation and/or lateral movement of the base 16 on the playing surface. However, it will be appreciated that a block and a socket may be provided in any variety of suitable shapes and sizes, such that rotation and lateral movement of a base may be sufficiently limited.

In certain embodiments, the materials used for the anchor 12 can include solid steel, due to its durability. However, it will further be appreciated that a variety of other suitable materials may be used for various portions of a base anchoring system, including, but not limited to rubber, composites, high impact polymer.

As described herein, in one embodiment, the anchor 12 may include a 4″×4″ square base plate 20. However, it will be appreciated that a variety of other suitable shapes and configurations may be employed for a base plate. FIGS. 6-9 show other examples of anchors with suitable base plate configurations. For example, FIG. 6 shows an anchor 112 including a circular baseplate 120. FIG. 7 depicts an anchor 212 including a triangular base plate 220. In such an embodiment, the anchor 212 may be secured with three nails corresponding to the three holes 222 in the triangular base plate 220. FIG. 8 depicts an anchor 312 including a rectangular base plate 320. In such an embodiment, the anchor may be secured with two nails corresponding to the two holes 322 in the rectangular base plate. In one embodiment, the rectangular base plate 320 may be a 2″×4″× 3/16″ strip. FIG. 9 depicts an anchor 412 including two rectangular base plates 420. In such an embodiment, the nail pattern can be similar to that employed for the square-shaped base plate 12, rotated at a 45-degree angle.

A method for using the portable base anchoring system described herein includes measuring the field to position the base lines prior to the start of play. In certain embodiments, and as shown, for example, in FIGS. 10-12, a base 516 can be put down onto the soil in an intended position and then carefully removed, leaving the imprint 526 (e.g., square) of the base 516. With the base 516 removed, an anchoring system 510 can then be employed where the anchor 512 can be positioned in the center of the base imprint 526. An anchor 512 with a square-shape can be used to facilitate central alignment of the anchor 512 within a square-shaped base imprint 526. Once the anchor 512 is aligned in a desirable position, the fasteners (e.g., nails 514) may be directed through the holes 522 in the base plate 520 and hammered into the ground, securing the anchor 512. After the anchor 512 is secured into the ground, the base 516 can be set on top, such that the block 518 of the anchor 512 is inserted into the socket 524 of the base 516. In such embodiments, gravity can help to maintain the base 516 on the anchor 512, while the fasteners (e.g., nails 514) can help to maintain the alignment of the anchor 512 and, thus, the base 516 for the duration of the game. At the end of play, the base 516 may be removed from the anchor 512. The fasteners (e.g., nails 514) may be removed from the holes 522 of the base plate 520 of the anchor 512 and stored for future use. In certain embodiments, the fasteners (e.g., nails 514) may be removed by a tool, such as a claw hammer.

In various embodiments disclosed herein, a single component can be replaced by multiple components and multiple components can be replaced by a single component to perform a given function or functions. Except where such substitution would not be operative, such substitution is within the intended scope of the embodiments.

The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed, and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate principles of various embodiments as are suited to particular uses contemplated. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope of the invention to be defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A portable base anchoring system, comprising: an anchor comprising: a base plate defining two or more holes, the base plate configured for placement on a playing surface; anda block extending upwardly from an upper surface of the base plate, the block being configured for insertion into a corresponding socket of a base; andtwo or more fasteners, each of the fasteners being configured for insertion into one of the holes to secure the base plate to the playing surface.

2. A portable base anchoring system, comprising: an anchor comprising: a base plate defining two or more holes, the base plate configured for placement on a playing surface; anda block extending upwardly from an upper surface of the base plate;two or more fasteners, each of the fasteners being configured for insertion into one of the holes to secure the base plate to the playing surface; anda base defining a socket on a bottom surface thereof, the socket being configured to receive the block.