Patent Application
20250032877
The present invention relates generally to pitching aids and, in particular, to pitch training aids incorporating suspension mechanisms for enabling one or more support posts to deform upon collision of a support post with an object (e.g., a sports ball).
Pitch training apparatuses generally include targets and/or guiding mechanisms configured and positioned to train a pitcher to be able to pitch a sports ball (e.g., a baseball, softball, etc.) within a designated strike zone for a batter. Pitch training apparatuses may comprise a plurality of posts configured for mounting one or more targets, nets, etc., and are not configured to collision with a sports ball. These support posts, when collided with by the sports ball, may become damaged, may cause the pitch training apparatus to flip, and may cause the sports ball to dangerously deflect, possibly causing injury and/or property damage.
In view of the above, a pitch training apparatus with one or more support posts having a suspension mechanism, enabling the one or more support posts to absorb some or all of the energy resulting from a collision with a sports ball is needed.
According to an object of the present disclosure, a deformable sporting support apparatus is provided. The deformable sporting support apparatus may comprise a plurality of support posts, a base component coupled to the plurality of support posts, and, for each support post of the plurality of support posts, a suspension mechanism coupled to the support post and the base component. The suspension mechanism may be configured to enable the support post to deflect up to a maximum deflected angle between the base component and the support post upon an object impacting the support post.
According to various embodiments, the suspension mechanism may be configured to maintain a standard angle between the base component and the support post.
According to various embodiments, the suspension mechanism may be configured to adjust a position of the support post relative to the base component to maintain the standard angle between the base component and the support post.
According to various embodiments, the standard angle may be approximately 90 degrees.
According to various embodiments, the maximum deflected angle may be approximately 8 degrees.
According to various embodiments, the base component may comprise one or more leg components, wherein a leg component may be coupled to each support post of the plurality of support posts.
According to various embodiments, the one or more leg components may comprise one or more extension members configured to expand and contract, altering a length of the one or more leg components.
According to various embodiments, the suspension mechanism may be coupled to an extension member, of the one or more extension members.
According to various embodiments, the deformable sporting support apparatus may comprise one or more wheels, coupled to at least one of the one or more leg components.
According to various embodiments, the deformable sporting support apparatus may comprise a bracing member configured to maintain a distance between the plurality of support posts.
According to various embodiments, the bracing member may comprise a hinged component configured to enable the bracing member to fold into a folded position.
According to various embodiments, the bracing member may comprise a locking mechanism configured to lock bracing member in an open position wherein, in the open position, the bracing member is configured to maintain the distance between the plurality of support posts.
According to various embodiments, the bracing member may be coupled to the base component.
According to various embodiments, the bracing member may be coupled to each of the plurality of support posts.
According to various embodiments, the suspension mechanism may comprise a spring mechanism configured to absorb impact force when the object impacts the support post.
According to various embodiments, the suspension mechanism may comprise a hydraulic suspension system configured to absorb impact force when the object impacts the support post.
According to various embodiments, one or more of the plurality of support posts may have an adjustable height.
According to various embodiments, the suspension mechanism may be pivotally coupled to the support post.
According to various embodiments, the deformable sporting support apparatus may further comprise a barrier, positioned between the plurality of support posts, configured to prevent a sports ball from passing through the barrier when the sports ball comes into contact with the barrier.
According to various embodiments, the deformable sporting support apparatus may further comprise one or more securing mechanisms coupled to the plurality of support posts. The barrier may be secured to each of the plurality of support posts via the one or more securing mechanisms.
Having thus described example implementations of the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
Each figure shown in this disclosure shows a variation of the embodiments presented, and only differences will be discussed in detail.
Some implementations of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all implementations of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various implementations of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein; rather, these example implementations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Also, something may be shown or described as being to a first, second, third, or the like should not be taken to imply a specific order, unless otherwise stated. Further, although reference may be made herein to a number of measures, predetermined thresholds and the like such as dollar amounts, units, percentages and the like, according to which aspects of example implementations may operate; unless stated otherwise, any or all of the measures/predetermined thresholds may be configurable. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
Example implementations of the present disclosure are generally directed to deformable sporting support apparatuses for training a user to aim a sports ball (e.g., a baseball, softball, lacrosse ball, football, tennis ball, ping pong ball, soccer ball, etc.). Example implementations will be primarily described in the context of pitch training systems and apparatuses for use with baseballs and softballs. It should be understood, however, that example implementations may be equally applicable to any of a number of other projectiles such as, e.g., footballs, ping pong balls, tennis balls, and the like. It is to be understood that, as used herein, “sports ball” could include any suitable targeted projectile for use in sports.
Referring now to
According to various embodiments, the deformable sporting support apparatus 100 may comprise a plurality of support posts 102. The plurality of support posts 102 may be configured to secure a barrier 104 therebetween (as shown, e.g., in
According to various embodiments, one or more of the plurality of support posts 102 may have a set height. According to various embodiments, one or more of the plurality of support posts 102 may have an adjustable height. According to various embodiments, one or more of the plurality of support posts 102 may be a telescoping support post 102 (as shown, e.g., in
According to various embodiments, the barrier 104 may be secured to the deformable sporting support apparatus 100 between the plurality of support posts 102. The barrier 104 may be configured to prevent an object (e.g., a sports ball) from passing through the barrier 104 when the sports ball comes into contact with the barrier 104 such as, e.g., when the sports ball is pitched/thrown toward the barrier 104. The barrier 104 may comprise one or more materials and/or configurations of materials suitable for preventing the sports ball from passing through the barrier 104. For example, the barrier 104 may comprise plastic, fiber, rope, rubber, wood, glass, metal, and/or other suitable materials. Some or all of the barrier 104 may be in the form of netting configured to receive the sports ball when the sports ball comes into contact with the barrier 104.
According to various embodiments, the deformable sporting support apparatus 100 may comprise one or more securing mechanisms 138 configured to secure the barrier 104 to one or more securing points 106 (e.g., hooks, loops, etc.) of the plurality of support posts 102. According to various embodiments, the barrier 104 may be secured to each of the plurality of support posts 102 via the one or more securing mechanisms 138. According to various embodiments, the one or more securing points 106 may be configured to be repositionable along the plurality of support posts 102.
According to various embodiments, the one or more securing mechanisms 138 may comprise one or more structures for causing the barrier 104 to be taut between the plurality of support posts 102. For example, the securing mechanisms 138 may comprise one or more elastic bands configured to be secured to both the barrier 104 and the support posts 102, causing the barrier 104 to be stretched taut between the support posts 104, enabling the position of the barrier 104 between the support posts 104 to be maintained. It is noted, however, that other suitable securing mechanisms 138 may be incorporated, while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure. For example, the securing mechanisms 138 may comprise rope, wire, chain, and/or other suitable securing mechanisms 138 for securing the barrier 104 taut between the support posts 102. According to various embodiments, the tautness of the barrier 104 between the support posts 102 may be aided by the support posts 102 being maintained at a set distance apart from each other.
According to various embodiments, the barrier 104 may comprise a plurality of connection points 136 configured for securing the one or more securing mechanisms 138 to the barrier 104, enabling the barrier 104 to be coupled to the support posts 102 via the one or more securing mechanisms 138 being coupled to the connection points 136 of the support posts 102 and the connection points 136 of the barrier 104.
According to various embodiments, the set distance between the support posts 102 may be maintained via one or more bracing members 116. The bracing member 116 may be coupled to the base component 108 and/or one or more of the plurality of support posts 102. As shown in
The bracing member 116 may be coupled to the support posts 102 and/or the base component 108 via one or more bracket components 118. According to various embodiments, when the bracing member 116 is coupled to one or more of the plurality of support posts 102, the bracket member 118 is configured to enable the support post 102 to rotate about the bracket member 118.
According to various embodiments, the deformable sporting support apparatus 100 may comprise a base component 108. The base component 108 may be coupled to the plurality of support posts 102. According to various embodiments, the base component 108 may comprise one or more leg components 110. According to various embodiments, as shown in
According to various embodiments, the one or more leg components 110 may have set dimensions. According to various embodiments, the one or more leg components 110 may have one or more adjustable dimensions. For example, the one or more leg components 110 may comprise one or more extension members 112 configured to expand and contract, altering a length of the one or more leg components 110. According to various embodiments, the leg components 110 may comprise one or more locking mechanisms 126 configured to secure the one or more extension members 112 in an expanded and/or retracted position.
According to various embodiments, the deformable sporting support apparatus 110 may comprise one or more suspension mechanisms 114. According to various embodiments, for each support post 102 of the plurality of support posts 102, a suspension mechanism 114 may be coupled to the support post 102 and the base component 108.
According to various embodiments, for each support post 102, the one or more suspension mechanisms 114 may be configured to enable the support post 102 to deflect up to a maximum deflected angle between the base component 108 and the support post 102 upon an object impacting the support post 102. According to various embodiments, the maximum deflected angle may be under 10 degrees. According to various embodiments, the maximum deflected angle may be approximately 8 degrees. It is noted, however, that other suitable maximum deflection angles (e.g., greater than or less than 10 degrees) may be incorporated while maintaining the spirit and functionality of the present disclosure.
By enabling the support posts 102 to deflect upon impact with an object (e.g., a sports ball), the suspension mechanisms 114 enable some of the energy of the impact with the sports ball to be absorbed by the suspension mechanism 114, decreasing a speed at which the sports ball may deflect/bounce off of the support posts 102, decreasing the risk of injury upon contact with the deflected sports ball. Furthermore, by enabling the support posts 102 to deflect upon impact with an object (e.g., a sports ball), the suspension mechanisms 114 may decrease the risk of damage to the support posts 102 following an impact between the support post(s) 102 and a sports ball since the support posts 102 maintain an ability for motion upon impact.
According to various embodiments, the suspension mechanism 114 may be configured to maintain a standard angle between the base component 108 and the support post 102. As shown in
According to various embodiments, one or more of the suspension mechanisms 114 may be coupled to a support post 102 enabling the support posts 102 to deflect upon impact with an object (e.g., a sports ball), and a leg component 110. According to various embodiments, the suspension mechanism 114 may be coupled to an extension member 112 of the leg component.
According to various embodiments, the suspension mechanism 114 is configured to absorb impact force when an object (e.g., a sports ball) impacts the support post 102. The suspension mechanism 114 may be a hydraulic suspension mechanism, a spring suspension mechanism (as shown, e.g., in
The deformable sporting support apparatus 100 may be configured to be collapsible for ease of transportation and storage. According to various embodiments, the bracing member 116 may comprise a hinged component 120 configured to enable the bracing member 116 to fold about the hinged component 120 into a folded position, decreasing the distance between the plurality of support posts 102. According to various embodiments, the bracing member 116 may comprise a locking mechanism 122. The locking mechanism 122 may be configured to lock the bracing member 116 in an open position. In the open position, the bracing member 116 may be configured to maintain the distance between the plurality of support posts 102. According to various embodiments, the deformable sporting support apparatus 100 may comprise one or more wheels 124 configured to aid in transportation of the deformable sporting support apparatus in an expanded and/or collapsed configuration. According to various embodiments, the one or more wheels 124 may be coupled to at least one of the one or more leg components 110 (as shown, e.g., in
Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these disclosures pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure are not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure.
Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example implementations in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
