Mechanism for Protecting a Baseball Pitcher

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part (“CIP”) of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/993,611 filed Nov. 23, 2022, which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part (“CIP”) of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/959,219 filed October 3, 2022—each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for purposes of priority pursuant to Title 35, United States Code, § 120.

FIELD

The present subject matter is directed, in general, to a mechanism for protecting a baseball pitcher from injuries resulting, e.g., from line drives hit toward a pitcher, and more particularly, to a mechanism sized and configured to protect a baseball or softball pitcher during batting practice.

BACKGROUND

• • U.S. Pat. No. 7,413,521 to Cherry discloses a protective screen for use with a pitching machine designed for pitching balls. The protective screen includes a door adapted and configured for opening and closing, to permit a ball to be pitched through and automatically closing behind to protect a pitching machine operator. U.S. 2013/0168334 to Garrabrants discloses a pitching screen frame formed from a planar rigid member separably interconnected with other structural members at joints formed in the rigid member. The planar rigid member can include a welded triangle. U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,071 to Lundy discloses a portable backstop structure for use in athletic events. The structure has interconnected main frame members. The main frame members are wheel mounted for rolling support of the backstop during its positioning. To investigate how this structure and other prior art attempted to solve a current problem involving injuries to baseball pitchers, we investigated the prior art, finding, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,688 to Coulbourn disclosing a protective barrier for use on a baseball field. The barrier is actuated by motion sensors housed within a structure. The protective barrier is actuated when a projectile—such as a baseball—travels through the sensor line-of-sight. The barrier thus senses when, e.g., a line drive is hit towards a pitcher, whereby the barrier rapidly extends to block the ball, to reduce the likelihood of harm to a pitcher.

L-frame pitching screens, or “L-screens,” and similar devices have long been used to protect pitchers from being struck by batted balls during batting practice. A typical L-screen includes a tubular frame in the shape of a capital “L,” and includes netting for blocking balls batted toward the pitcher. The L-screen is typically placed near the front of the pitcher's mound or other pitching area so that the pitcher may stand behind the L-screen while pitching batting practice (or while feeding balls into a pitching machine). The pitcher typically stands behind the L-screen and throws pitches over the “short” portion, or lower section, of the L-screen. The pitcher may stand behind the “tall” portion of the screen while pitching (except for a pitcher's throwing arm), or a pitcher may move behind the tall portion of the screen after throwing a pitch. When a ball is hit toward the pitcher, the L-screen protects the pitcher from being struck by the batted ball. An example is U.S. published patent application 2007/0049428 to Stromsborg for an L-screen to protect baseball pitchers. The screen has several screen sections pivotally connected to each other. In addition, the L-screen sections are pivotable, relative to each other, beginning with a collapsed configuration in which screen sections at least partially overlap one another, to a deployed configuration in which the various screen sections form a so-called L-shape. Another L-screen for protecting a baseball pitcher is disclosed in U.S. 2011/0195804 to Hixon et al. The '804 published application discloses a protection panel that is transparent to provide an unobstructed view through the protection panel and has adequate strength to withstand impact of a baseball hit by a batter.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,615 to Cavell discloses a screen used by a pitcher. The screen comprises a lower screen having opposite ends and a base secured to the lower screen. The upper screen is pivotally connected to the lower screen midway between the ends thereof. While the upper screen is movable in relation to the lower screen adjacent to one of the loser screen ends, vertical stability is absent. U.S. Pat. No. 4,072,295 to Roberts discloses a foldable backstop. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,153,225 and 8,651,981 (both to Morrow) disclose a pitching screen designed, adapted, and configured to provide a first pitching lane and a second pitching lane in a single pitching screen configuration, to enable left-handed and right-handed pitchers to pitch, without re-positioning the pitching screen.

However, after reviewing the practical, structural, mechanical, and other design features of the prior art mechanisms described above, it was found that all are cumbersome, inefficiently designed, and, moreover, that none sufficiently protects a pitcher in anticipated pitching situations.

The present subject matter comprises a movable framed structure. The framed structure includes a lower framed section designed, sized, adapted, and configured to protect a baseball pitcher or a softball thrower, from the waist to the ground. The framed structure further includes an upper framed section designed, sized, adapted, and configured to be rotatably and stably pivotable about an axis. The axis is oriented substantially vertically relative to a horizontal surface to protect left-handed and right-handed baseball pitchers from a baseball hit back toward a pitcher.

For purposes of providing a complete disclosure and satisfying the enablement requirement of Title 35, U.S. Code, § 112, hardware (e.g., screws, nuts, bolts, other faster means, and so forth) and materials (e.g., netting disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,225 to Morrow and transparent protective panels disclosed, for example, in US published application 2011/0195804 to Hixon et al.) as well as all other prior art described in the preceding paragraphs—are hereby incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter is directed to a movable, framed structural mechanism for protecting a baseball pitcher and/or a softball thrower (hereinafter simply “a pitcher”) from a ball hit back toward the pitcher. The mechanism includes a vertically oriented base, a post extending vertically upwardly from the base, and a shield rotatably mounted on the post. In embodiments, the base may be designed and configured to be movable between first and second positions. In embodiments, the base may be designed and configured to be rectangularly shaped, about twice as wide as high. In embodiments, the base may be designed and configured to have a lower portion spaced adjacent to the ground, an upper portion spaced from the lower portion, and spaced-apart sides, with each side having opposite end portions that are joined to the upper and lower portions. In embodiments, the upper portion, the lower portion, and the spaced-apart sides are all integrally formed of one-piece construction and are preferably made of noncorrosive tubular-metal materials.

The shield is designed and configured to have a lower portion rotatable in a plane spaced “closely adjacent” to, meaning, e.g., from about 3 millimeters (“mm”) to about 20 mm, from the upper portion of the base. The shield rotates about a vertical axis (X-X) defined by the post. The shield is designed and configured to have an upper portion spaced from the lower portion, and spaced-apart sides, with each side having its opposite end portions joined to the upper and the lower portions of the shield. The upper and lower portions of the shield, including the spaced-apart sides, are formed of one-piece construction, and are made of a noncorrosive tubular-metal material.

In embodiments, lower and upper barriers designed, sized, adapted, and configured to be located between the spaced-apart upper and lower portions and the space-apart side portion of each of the base and the shield may be made from a variety of high-strength, durable, quality, materials to protect left-handed and right-handed baseball pitchers from a baseball hit back toward a pitcher.

In embodiments, a pair of feet, secured to opposite ends of the base lower portion, extend laterally from the base, for stabilizing the base vertically. One of the spaced-apart end portions of the shield is adapted and configured to provide a tubular portion having a hollow cavity into which a vertically extending portion of the post is rotatably insertable. This feature of the present subject matter enables the shield to be rotatable about the vertical axis (X-X), between a first pitching position for a right-handed baseball pitcher and a second pitching position for a left-handed pitcher.

Another feature of the present subject matter is its scalability, meaning that principles of the present subject matter can be used to provide mechanisms designed, sized, and configured to be useful to baseball and/or softball pitchers from Little League (elementary school) through college. Thus, Little League Baseball and Softball, a 26 USC § 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, that organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the United States, and the rest of the world, could benefit from this mechanism. Moreover, an assortment of high school baseball teams and college baseball teams including the industries and their employees manufacturing the disclosed mechanisms could benefit as well from the scalability of the mechanism of the present subject matter disclosed in this patent specification.

Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present subject matter shall become better understood after reviewing the detailed description in connection with the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mechanism for protecting a baseball pitcher or a softball thrower, illustrating a shield component of the mechanism in its first position, in which an enlarged sectional view of a post component, from a plane 6-6, is shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 2, another perspective view of the mechanism depicted in FIG. 1, illustrates a start of rotation of the shield component around an axis defined by the post component of the mechanism.

FIG. 3, another perspective view of the mechanism depicted in FIG. 1, shows full rotation of the shield component around the axis from a first position shown in FIG. 1 to a second position.

FIG. 4 illustrates an elevational view of another embodiment of the present subject matter, wherein this embodiment includes at least one wheeled end portion as well as an overhead portion.

FIG. 5 presents a perspective view of the wheeled end portion of FIG. 4 in the background.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the post component from the plane 6-6 in FIG. 1.

Throughout the detailed description, which follows, and the FIGS, above, similar reference numerals shall be used to refer to similar components of embodiments of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, the present subject matter is directed to a movable, framed structural mechanism designed, sized, adapted, and configured for protecting the body and/or head of a baseball or a softball pitcher (hereinafter simply “a pitcher”) from a ball hit back toward the pitcher. In embodiments, the mechanism is designed and configured to be movable between a first and a second position. The mechanism comprises a vertically oriented base 100, a solid metal post 120 extending vertically upwardly from the base 100, and a shield 140 rotatably mounted on the post 120. The base 100 is designed and configured to be substantially vertically oriented relative to a substantially horizontal surface S. The base 100 includes an upper portion 160 and a lower portion 180. In the FIGS of the illustrated embodiment, the base 100 is sized, designed, adapted, and configured to protect adult pitchers. In embodiments, the base 100 is designed and configured to be rectangularly shaped, about twice as wide as high. The base 100, accordingly, could have a height H (FIG. 1) ranging from about 30 inches to about 40 inches and a width W ranging from about 60 inches to about 80 inches. Moreover, since the mechanism is scalable, a person of ordinary skill in the art (“POSITA”) will appreciate that the present subject matter includes features and mechanisms designed, adapted, sized, and configured to safeguard pitchers of all age groups.

In embodiments, base 100 is designed and configured to have a lower portion 180 spaced closely adjacent to the ground or other substantially horizontally oriented surface S. Furthermore, the base 100 may be designed and configured to include an upper portion 160 spaced from the lower portion 180, and spaced-apart sides 162 and 164, with each side 162 and 164 having opposite end portions that are unitary with the upper and lower portions 160 and 180. In embodiments, the upper portion 160, the lower portion 180, and the spaced-apart sides 162 and 164 are all integrally formed of one-piece construction and are preferably made of noncorrosive tubular-metal materials.

The post 120 is fixed to, and extends vertically upwardly from, the upper portion 160 of base 100. The vertically oriented post 120 defines a vertical axis X-X. The shield 140, pivotably mounted to the vertically oriented portion of the post 120, is rotatable about the post 120 (FIG. 2) from a first position (FIG. 1) for right-handed pitchers to a second position (FIG. 3) for southpaws.

The shield 140 is designed and configured to have a lower portion 142 rotatable in a plane spaced “closely adjacent” to, meaning, e.g., from about 3 millimeters (“mm”) to about 20 mm, from the upper portion 160 of the base 100. The shield 140 rotates about a vertical axis (X-X) defined by the post 120. The shield 140 is designed and configured to have an upper portion 144 spaced from the lower portion 142, and spaced-apart sides 146 and 148, with each side 146 and 148 having its opposite end portions unitary with the lower and the upper portions 142, 144 of the shield 140. Lower and upper portions 142, 144 of shield 140, including the spaced-apart sides 146 and 148, are formed of one-piece construction and made of a noncorrosive tubular-metal material.

In embodiments, an upper barrier BU is designed, sized, adapted, and configured to be located between the spaced-apart upper and lower portions 160 and 180 and the space-apart side portions 162 and 164 of the base 100 and a lower barrier BL is designed, sized, adapted, and configured to be located between the spaced-apart lower and upper portions 142 and 144 and the space-apart side portions 146 and 148 the shield 140. Moreover, the upper and lower barriers BU and BL could be manufactured from an assortment of high-strength, durable, quality, materials (one example of which resembles chain-link fencing disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,615 to Cavell) for protecting left-handed and right-handed baseball pitchers from baseballs hit toward the pitcher.

In embodiments, the post 120 is fixed, preferably welded, to an upper surface portion of the upper portion 160, resulting in the post 120 extending substantially vertically upwardly from the upper portion 160, relative to the ground or other substantially horizontal surface S. Within the hollow side portion 148 of the shield 140, extending from the upper surface portion of the upper portion 160 to a region within the hollow side portion 148 of the shield 140 approximately where the side portion 148 begins to curve to become the upper portion 144 of the shield 140, a height, H2 (FIG. 1) is measured. Furthermore, to minimize wobble of the side portion 148 of the shield 140, relative to the post 120, the post 120 has been designed and configured to have a height, H1 (FIG. 1), extending from the upper surface portion of the upper portion 160 to a top (not shown) of the post 120, is measured. In embodiments, the ratio H1/H2 ranges from about 56% to about 68%; and an annular gap G (FIG. 6) between the inner surface of the hollow side portion 148 and the post 120 is designed, dimensioned, adapted and configured to range from between about 0.5 millimeters (“mm”) to about 2 mm. The H1/H2 ratio is also associated with FIGS. 4, 5 embodiments.

For the illustrated embodiments, the shield 140 could have a height approximately equal to its width. Accordingly, height and width of shield 140 of the illustrated embodiments may range from about 30 inches to about 40 inches. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a pair of feet 200, secured to opposite end portions of lower portion 180 of base 100, extend laterally from the base 100, for stabilizing the base 100 vertically, relative to the ground or another horizontal surface S. Each of the feet 200 could extend laterally from the base 100 by a length ranging from about 2 inches to about 14 inches or to about two or three feet, for supporting the base 100 upon a surface.

Another embodiment of the post 120a (FIG. 4) is fixed to and extends vertically upwardly from the upper portion 160 of base 100, as described above. In this embodiment, the base 100 includes a stabilizing member 170 characterized as a predetermined length of solid cylindrical or tubular noncorrosive metal secured, preferably welded, to the upper portion 160 as well as to the lower portion 180 of base 100 midway between the spaced-apart sides 162 and 164 (FIGS. 4, 5).

In addition, FIGS. 4 and 5 present another embodiment of the feet 200 described above in relation to FIG. 3. The present subject matter further includes at least one embodiment of a foot 200a and an axle 210 spaced from the foot 200a. The axle 210 has opposite end portions. On each end portion of the axle 210 is a rotatable wheel 220, for enabling the mechanism of this embodiment of the present subject matter to be moved from one location (e.g., a storage facility) to another location (e.g., a playing field). Moreover, the foot 200a of this embodiment (FIGS. 4 and 5) can be lifted, to enable this embodiment to be wheeled across a surface S, whenever desired.

The mechanism of this embodiment (FIGS. 4 and 5) of the present subject matter further includes a ceiling 240 extending substantially horizontally from an upper portion 260 of this embodiment of the shield 140a in relation to the surface S. The ceiling 240 is dimensioned and configured to protect a baseball pitcher and/or softball thrower, especially the head of such person.

The mechanism of the present subject matter also includes a spring-biased pin 280 mounted on the shield 140 or 140a and a spaced-apart pair of abutments 282 (FIG. 4) fixed to upper surface portions of upper portion 160. In operation, an indented underside portion of the upper portion 160 engages an abutment 282 and an end portion of the spring-biased pin 280 is automatically fit, based on a preselected spring constant, into an associated aperture of preselected size formed through the upper portion 160, for securely retaining the shield 140 or 140a into a “locked-in-place” position when shield 140 or 140a is moved to its first position (FIG. 1) or to its second position (FIG. 3).

Turning now to FIG. 6, which is an enlarged sectional view taken from the plane 6-6 shown in FIG. 1, a solid post 120 is shown disposed in a hollow portion of the shield 140 or 140a of the mechanism with enough of a gap between the exterior surface of the post 120 and the inner surface of the shield 140 or 140a for enabling the shields 140, 140a to pivot about the axis X-X.

The mechanism of the present subject matter further includes a pair of braces 290 fixed to post 120 or 120a. Each brace 290 has opposite end portions. In the illustrated embodiments, one end portion of the brace 290 is fixed, preferably welded, to the post 120 (see FIGS. 1-3), or to post 120a (see FIGS. 4, 5), at an angle of about 30 degrees or at an angle of about 45 degrees or an angle of about 60 degrees, relative to the post 120 or 120a, and the other end portion of the brace 290 is fixed, preferably welded, to the upper portion 160 of base 100 at an angle complementary (i.e., totaling 90 degrees) to the 30 degree or the 45 degree or 60 degree angle, for stabilizing the substantially vertical orientation of axis X-X in relation to the substantially horizontal surface S.

To summarize, the present subject matter is directed to a protective baseball and/or softball batting practice L-Screen (or “swivel piece”) feature of the present subject matter that can easily be rotated about a substantially vertically oriented post defining a vertical axis, with essentially no wobble, to accommodate either a right-handed or a left-handed pitcher. There is no need to move the base component of the mechanism of the present subject matter to another location for a different-handed pitcher. In embodiments of the present subject matter, a spring-loaded pin can be fixed (such as by being welded) to an upper section of the base, for enabling a user simply to pull the spring-loaded pin up, to release the swivel piece, for enabling the swivel piece to be spun about the vertical axis. In operation, the spring-loaded pin automatically inserts itself into an aperture or hole of suitable size located on the upper surface of the base. The swivel piece also includes head protection for use in batting cages to protect a pitcher from head shots when balls are batted inside the cage. The head protection comprises a top or upper section for the swivel piece, on a 90-degree hinge, which flips 180 degrees from one side to the other of the upper portion 260 of the shield 140a, depending upon whether a right-or a left-handed pitcher is using the head protection feature.

To be clear about the head-protection feature of the present subject matter, the ceiling component 240 of this embodiment (FIGS. 4, 5) is shown horizontally disposed and extending toward a pitcher when the shield component 140a is “fixed” in the second position. The 90-degree hinge feature of this embodiment, located along the upper portion 260 of shield 140a, enables the ceiling component 240 to be flipped 180 degrees to the other side of the upper portion 260 of shield 140a to extend horizontally toward a pitcher when the shield 140a is “fixed” in the first position.

What has been illustrated and described in this patent specification is a mechanism for protecting left-handed and right-handed baseball pitchers from a baseball hit back toward a pitcher. While the mechanism of the present subject matter is shown and described in reference to current embodiments, the present subject matter is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, alternatives, changes, and/or modifications will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art (“POSITA”) after this patent specification and its accompanying drawing figures have been reviewed. Thus, all alternatives, changes, and modifications are to be considered as forming a part of the present subject matter insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.