Patent Grant
7137910
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a baseball or softball practice system and, more particularly, to a portable system for receiving a thrown ball and safely returning it to a user.
2. Background Art
Over the years, a wide variety of ball receipt and return machines have been developed for enhancing the defensive skills of baseball or softball players. A representative sample of such machines are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,883,272, 5,133,548, and 5,573,239. These devices typically have a rectangular frame for supporting a backstop, which provides a general throwing target. The backstop is frequently a net or tarp the sustaining the impact of thrown ball and allowing it to drop directly into a pan positioned below the target backstop. Often, machines of this variety are affixed with a feeding apparatus that delivers the ball to a return mechanism, which expels the ball into the general direction of the user. However, these machines furnish a dangerous practice environment, particularly to unsupervised children, whom are playing in the general vicinity of the machine or are actively using the device. Moreover, machines of this design lack certain features that provide a more versatile and comprehensive training system.
Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a practice machine that offers an expansive, flexible training system, which promotes efficiency during a practice session.
A practice machine for receiving a thrown ball and returning it to a user is provided with a backstop for stopping the thrown ball, a pan disposed below the backstop for collecting the ball, a ball return adjacent the backstop for expelling the ball, and a trough disposed between the pan and the ball return for feeding the ball from the pan to the ball return. The machine may include a housing, which defines an inner chamber generally enclosing the ball return. The ball return includes a rotatable wheel affixed to a spindle that is rotatably driven by a motor, a ball diameter adjustment mechanism, adjustable to permit balls of different diameters to be expelled, and a trajectory adjustment mechanism for varying the trajectory of the expelled ball regardless of ball diameter.
The trajectory adjustment mechanism may include an angle bracket disposed below the wheel and affixed to a base of the ball return. The angle bracket may have a pair of spaced-apart guide plates fixedly connected by at least one support brace therebetween. Moreover, each guide plate can include an arcuate slot. The trajectory adjustment mechanism may further include a generally U-shaped launch plate disposed between the guide plates of the angle bracket and slidably attached thereto via at least one pair of sliding members in sliding communication with the arcuate slots. The launch plate may have a ball engaging surface including a substantially constant pitch point. Thus, the launch plate can slide between the guide plates of the angle bracket along a semi-circumferential path defined by the arcuate slots such that the ball engaging surface is capable of moving from a substantially horizontal incline to a substantially vertical incline.
Further, the ball diameter adjustment mechanism may comprise of a slide base slidably affixed to an inner support wall and movable between at least two positions. The motor may be fixedly attached to the slide base such that sliding adjustment of the slide base causes the rotatable wheel to lift and lower to at least two fixed distances relative to the launch plate.
Additionally, the trajectory adjustment mechanism may further comprise at least one link rod having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is nearest the launch plate and fixedly attached thereto. The trajectory adjustment mechanism may also include at least one pivot arm, which pivots about a pivot axis, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is fixedly attached to the distal end of the link rod. Finally, the trajectory adjustment mechanism may have a lead screw having a threaded end internal to the housing and a crank end external to the housing, wherein the lead screw is affixed to the housing by a lock collar secured internal to the housing and a hand crank mounted external to the housing. The second end of the pivot arm may be threadably attached to the threaded end of the lead screw. Turning the crank can rotate the lead screw in place causing the second end of the pivot arm to slide along the threaded end of the lead screw such that the pivot arm pivots causing the first end and the link rod to move foreward and aftward, thereby varying the position of the launch plate along the arcuate slots of the angle bracket.
Alternatively, the launch plate can be electrically driven along the semi-circumferential path by a trajectory control motor and a trajectory control switch. In addition, the practice machine may be equipped with a speed control device for adjusting the speed with which the ball is expelled from the machine. Optionally, a speed control override is provided in communication with the speed control device for limiting the maximum speed at which the ball is expelled from the machine.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a practice machine that includes safety mechanisms for reducing the risk of accidents or injury.
Accordingly, a practice machine for receiving a thrown ball and returning it to a user is provided with a backstop for stopping the thrown ball, a pan disposed below the backstop for collecting the ball, a ball return adjacent the backstop for expelling the ball, and a trough disposed between the pan and the ball return for feeding the ball from the pan to the ball return. The machine may include an electro-mechanical stop affixed to the trough for obstructing the ball before it enters the ball return. The stop can be deployed by a proximity sensor, which detects motion within a specified danger zone, preventing the ball from being expelled from the machine. A danger zone control may be provided for adjusting the perimeter of the danger zone. Optionally, the danger zone control is tamper resistant.
The machine may further include a mode switch electrically coupled to the stop that toggles the machine between an AUTO mode and a MANUAL mode. In the AUTO mode, the stop is normally deactivated to permit balls to proceed unobstructed from the pan to the ball return. In the MANUAL mode, the stop is normally deployed to prevent the ball from entering the ball return. Upon receipt of a deactivation signal, the stop is deactivated to permit the ball to enter the ball return and be subsequently expelled thereby. The deactivation signal can be manually triggered by a user accessible trigger switch.
The trigger switch for sending the deactivation signal to the stop may be affixed to the housing or provided in a remote control. The remote control can transmit the deactivation signal either wirelessly or through a wired connection.
Moreover, the machine may further include a proximity sensor electrically coupled to the stop. The proximity sensor is capable of detecting motion within a specified danger zone. Upon motion detection, the proximity sensor activates the stop to prevent any balls from entering the ball return regardless of whether the machine is in the AUTO mode or the MANUAL mode.
Moreover, the machine may include a ball detection device disposed in a terminal end of the trough for detecting the presence of the ball and outputting an audible or visible alert, or both, signaling the ball's exodus.
Further, the machine may include a speed control device for adjusting the speed with which the ball is expelled from the ball return. A speed control override in communication with the speed control device can also be provided to limit the maximum speed attainable by the ball as it exits the ball return. The speed control override may also be tamper resistant.
Furthermore, the practice machine may have a housing defining an inner chamber, which generally encloses the ball return. The housing can be equipped with an ingress for receiving the ball into the ball return and an egress for permitting the ball to be expelled from the ball return. The housing may also include an access panel for providing access to the inner chamber. The access panel may be equipped with a tamper resistant latch to prevent unwanted access the inner chamber. The speed control override or danger zone control or other safety controls can be disposed within the inner chamber and accessible through an opening provided by the access panel when unlatched.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a practice machine that is conveniently stowable or easily portable from one practice location to another.
Accordingly, a backstop for stopping a thrown ball is provided having a collapsible frame and netting. The frame may include a plurality of collapsible upright support posts. Each upright support post may have a plurality of telescoping tubular members. Each telescoping tubular member may be capable of extending substantially end-to-end in an elongated configuration. Moreover, each telescoping tubular member may be capable of collapsing, one inside the next, in a collapsed configuration. The netting can be secured to the frame for providing a target for receiving the thrown ball. The netting may be formed from flexible material capable of collapsing with the frame. The backstop can be collapsible from a fully expanded target configuration when the plurality of telescoping tubular members are in the elongated configuration to a compact transportable configuration when the plurality of telescoping tubular members are in the collapsed configuration.
These and other aspects, object, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.
The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further object and advantages thereof, may best be understood with reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
a is a front plan view of a fully expanded backstop in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
b is a front plan view of a collapsed backstop in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
a depicts a collapsible upright support post in an elongated configuration in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and
b depicts a collapsible upright support post in a collapsed configuration in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of an invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, specific functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
A practice machine 10 for receiving a thrown ball and returning it to a user is illustrated in
Referring generally to
The frame 14 provides support for the netting 16. The system of netting enclosing the ball receiving chamber 15 can be of any suitable material and construction for receiving a thrown ball without permitting it to pass therethrough. Moreover, the ideal netting material absorbs a sufficient amount of energy upon impact with a thrown ball to cause the ball to drop generally downward inside the ball receiving chamber 15 as opposed to rebounding outside. As non-limiting examples, the netting 16 can be formed from a mesh net, canvas, sheet, tarp, or any combination thereof. Any such material is fully contemplated herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The netting defining the left side wall 22, the right side wall 24, the roof 20 and the back wall 18 may be held in position by cording 38 wrapped around the respective support posts, connecting arms, and transverse members. However, it is to be understood that any means of securing the netting 16 to the frame 14 while still allowing flexing of the netting 16 is fully contemplated by the present invention. Further, the support posts, connecting arms, and transverse members may be protected against occasional impact from the ball by padding (not shown) wrapped therearound and held in place by the cording 38. The padding can be of a variety of materials without departing from the scope of the present invention. Preferably, the left side wall 22 is defined by netting that extends in a substantially and normally vertical plane between front upright support post 30a and rear upright support post 30c and between the upper left fore-and-aft connecting arm 34a and the lower left fore-and-aft connecting arm 34b. Similarly, the right side wall 24 is defined by netting that extends in a substantially and normally vertical plane between front upright support post 30b and rear upright support post 30d and between the upper right fore-and-aft connecting arm 34c and the lower right fore-and-aft connecting arm 34d. Moreover, the roof 20 is defined by netting extending in a substantially and normally horizontal plane between the upper left fore-and-aft connecting arm 34a and the upper right fore-and aft connecting arm 34c and between the front upper transverse support member 32a and the rear upper transverse support member 32b. Lastly, the back wall 18 is defined by netting extending across the rear of the ball receiving chamber 15 between the rear upright support post 30c and the rear upright support post 30d and between the rear upper transverse support member 32b and the rear lower transverse support member 32d.
The pan 28 may be disposed underneath the backstop 12 forming a floor to the ball receiving chamber 15, as best shown in
In an alternative embodiment, the frame 14 supporting the netting 16 may be configured without the front upright support posts 30a–30b. Rather, the pan 28 can provide the requisite support for the left and right side walls 22, 24. Moreover, it is possible to construct the frame 14 without the use of the left and right lower fore-and-aft connecting arms 34b, 34d and the lower transverse support members. Instead, the pan 28 can provide the requisite support structure at the base of the backstop 12.
With particular reference to
The ball return 13 is illustrated generally in
The electric motor 56 can be mounted to an inner support wall 78. The inner support wall 78 is rigidly supported by the housing framework. The motor 56 can be a variable speed motor and drives a spindle 80 upon which the rotatable wheel 58 is attached. The motor 56 may be mounted to the inner support wall 78 such that the rotatable wheel 58 is suspended generally above the angle bracket 62 a specified distance. As the ball enters the ball return 13, it rolls along the ball guide 66 to the ball engaging surface 68 of the launch plate 64. When the ball strikes the ball engaging surface 68, it also makes contact with the rotatable wheel 58 and the friction therebetween impels the ball forward out of the ball return 13.
The trajectory with which the ball is expelled from the ball return 13 can be varied by the trajectory adjustment mechanism 60. As the launch plate 64 slides progressively along the arcuate slots 74a–74b of the angle bracket 62, the ball engaging surface 68 can move from a substantially horizontal inclination to a substantially vertical inclination. The angle at which the ball engaging surface 68 is at the time the ball strikes the launch plate 64 determines the angle at which the ball is expelled from the ball return 13. Accordingly, the trajectory adjustment mechanism 60 permits the ball return 13 to expel ground balls, line drives, lobs, fly balls and pop flies, thus enabling a user to practice fielding in addition to throwing.
The launch plate 64 can be slidably driven along the angle bracket 62 in any number of ways. In one embodiment of the present invention, the trajectory adjustment mechanism 60 may further include at least one link rod 82, at least one pivot arm 84, and a lead screw 86 connected to a hand crank 88. The at least one link rod 82 has a proximal end 90a nearest the launch plate 64 and connected thereto. For example, the at least one link rod 82 can be connected to the at least one sliding member 76 in the outer wall 70a. The at least one link rod 82 also has a distal end 90b hingably attached to a first end 92a of the at least one pivot arm 84. The at least one pivot arm 84 also includes a second end 92b threadably attached to a threaded end 94 of the lead screw 86. The lead screw 86 may be affixed to the housing 48 such that the threaded end 94 is disposed within the inner chamber 50 internal to the housing 48 and the hand crank 88 is disposed external to the housing 48. The lead screw 86 can be secured in place by a lock collar 96 affixed to the underside of the housing 48, thereby permitting the lead screw 86 to turn in place upon rotation of the hand crank 88. As the lead screw 86 rotates, the second end 92b of the at least one pivot arm 84 travels along the threaded end 94 of the lead screw 86 causing the at least one pivot arm 84 to pivot about a pivot axis 98. As the at least one pivot arm 84 pivots, the at least one link rod 82 moves forward and backward, thereby pushing and pulling the launch plate 64 along the arcuate slots 74a–74b of the angle bracket 62 and thus varying the inclination of the ball engaging surface 68. Accordingly, the trajectory with which a ball is expelled from the ball return 13 is controlled by simple rotation of the hand crank 88.
In another embodiment, the launch plate 64 can be driven electrically by a trajectory control motor (not shown). For example, the trajectory control motor can be mounted near the rear of the angle bracket 62 and can drive an elongate lead screw (not shown) upon which the launch plate 64 is threaded. The motor can be activated by a bi-directional trajectory control switch (not shown). Activating the trajectory control switch to drive the motor in one direction, for example clockwise, rotates the lead screw causing the launch plate 64 to travel forward along the arcuate slots 74a–74b. Activating the trajectory control switch in the opposite direction, for example counter-clockwise, causes the launch plate 64 to travel backward along the lead screw retracing its path through the arcuate slots 74a–74b. Of course, it is to be understood that other means for adjusting the position of the launch plate 64 are fully contemplated by the present invention.
The ball return 13 may further include a ball diameter adjustment mechanism 106. The ball diameter adjustment mechanism 106 may include a slide base 108 slidably affixed to the inner support wall 78. The slide base 108 may be vertically movable between at least two positions. The motor 56 can be fixedly mounted to the slide base 108 such that the rotatable wheel 58 can lift and lower to at least two fixed distances relative to the ball guide 66. The at least two fixed distances may correspond to the diameter of a baseball and a softball. Additionally, the slide base 108 may be movable to a third position such that the rotatable wheel 58 is secured at a third fixed distance relative to the ball guide 66 corresponding to the diameter of a women's softball.
The ball diameter adjustment mechanism 106 can be implemented to manually adjust the motor height. Accordingly, the slide base 108 may include a plurality of slots 110a–110d for receiving a corresponding plurality of bolts 112a–112d. The plurality of bolts 112a–112d pass through the slots 110a–110d and are threadably attached to the inner support wall 78. Upon loosening the plurality of bolts 112a–112d, the motor 56 and slide base 108 can slide to the desired fixed position. Once the motor 56 and slide base 108 are in the desired fixed position, the plurality of bolts 112a–112d can be tightened securing the rotatable wheel 58 in place. Alternatively, the slide base 108 can be electro-mechanically adjusted using, for example, a servo motor and control circuit subsystem (not shown). Accordingly, a user can operate a ball diameter adjustment switch in communication with the control circuit to control the ball diameter adjustment mechanism 106. The ball diameter adjustment switch may be a multiple position switch (not shown), such as a two-position or three-position toggle switch corresponding to a particular sized ball to be expelled by the ball return 13.
The semi-circumferential path defined by the arcuate slots 74a–74b permits ball engaging surface 68 of the launch plate 64 to maintain a generally constant radial distance from the rotatable wheel 58 when the motor 56 is adjusted to its most desirable fixed position. The continuous equidistant spacing between the ball engaging surface 68 and the rotatable wheel 58, regardless of the location of the launch plate 64, allows the ball to be expelled with greater precision since the pitch point remains substantially constant. It is to be understood that the nominal adjustment for a different ball diameter has negligible effect on maintaining the desired substantially constant pitch point. The ball diameter adjustment mechanism's design is such that adjusting the motor 56 up or down produces only marginal differences in the radial spacing between the rotatable wheel 58 and the launch plate 64 as the launch plate 64 moves along the arcuate slots 74a–74b. Accordingly, the precision with which a ball is expelled is maintained notwithstanding the particular sized ball being used or the particular trajectory selected.
Referring to
A typical variable speed motor suitable for use with the present invention may be capable of expelling balls from the ball return 13 at a relatively high velocity. Certain speeds attainable by the ball return 13 are permissible for experienced users. However, many users may be endangered by balls hurled at very high speeds. In particular, users lacking sufficient skill, reflexes, and maturity may risk injury if the ball return 13 permits a ball to be expelled at an excessive velocity. Accordingly, the speed control device 118 may further include a speed control override 122 for limiting the maximum speed with which the ball is expelled from the ball return 13. It is to be understood that the speed control override 122 may be implemented through hardware or software via control logic. Regardless, a supervisory user, such as a coach, parent, guardian or other responsible adult or young adult, can limit the maximum velocity attainable so as to reduce the likelihood of harm or injury to an active user, particularly children.
The speed control override 122 can be tamper resistant or accessible only by a responsible supervisory user so as not to circumvent its intended purpose as a precautionary safety device. Preventing unwanted users from accessing the speed control override 122 can be obtained in any manner of ways. For example, the speed control override 122 can be positioned within the inner chamber 50 enclosed by the housing 48. To provide access to the speed control override 122, the housing 48 may further include an access panel 124 that, when removed, defines a passage 126 to the inner chamber 50. The access panel 124 may have a tamper resistant latch 128 for securing it to the housing 48. The latch 128 may be, for example, a lock or screw or other device to prevent unwanted access to the inner chamber 50, particularly, the speed control override 122.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the practice machine 10 may include an electro-mechanical stop 130 affixed above the trough 26 for obstructing the ball's path to the ball return 13. The stop 130 of the present invention is illustrated in
The activation signal for deploying the stop 130 can be generated in any number of ways. One particular implementation of the stop 130 can be made in combination with a proximity sensor 136. The proximity sensor 136, shown in
An alternate implementation for the stop 130 can be made in conjunction with a mode switch 142. The mode switch 142, shown in
Of course, it is to be understood that the mode switch 142 can be operable in combination with the proximity sensor 136. In such an instance, an activation signal transmitted by the proximity sensor 136 to deploy the stop 130 can take priority over the signals generated by the mode switch 142 and accompanying hardware, regardless of the mode setting. Thus, the precautionary safety measure provided by the proximity sensor 136 can remain in tact.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the trough 26 may further include a ball detection device 148 for detecting the presence of a ball that passes thereby. The ball detection device 148, best shown in
With regard to
Each telescoping tubular member 220 may include at least one aperture 222 in a first end 224 and at least one detent 226 in a second end 228. As adjacent tubular members are extended end-to-end, the detent 226 of one tubular member can snap into the aperture 222 of another tubular member. As each tubular member is snapped in place, the plurality of telescoping tubular members 220 become secured in the elongated configuration. By depressing each detent 226, the corresponding tubular member can be collapsed within its adjacent tubular member having the corresponding aperture 222. Collapsing each tubular member 220 collapses the entire frame 214, thus lowering the backstop height to a more manageable size for transportation or storage, or both. For example, the collapsed backstop 212 can be loaded into the back of a sport utility vehicle or van, whereas a fully expanded backstop could not.
The netting 216 can be secured to the collapsible frame 214 and provides a target for receiving the thrown ball. The netting 216 may be formed from flexible material capable of collapsing with the frame 214. Thus, the backstop 212 can be collapsible from a fully expanded target configuration when the plurality of telescoping tubular members 220 are in the elongated configuration to a compact transportable configuration when the plurality of telescoping tubular members 220 are in the collapsed configuration.
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20060148596 A1 | Jul 2006 | US |
