U.S. patent application number 13/371316 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-15 for portable batter training apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kurt Carlson. Invention is credited to Kurt Carlson.
Application Number | 20130210554 13/371316 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48946043 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130210554 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carlson; Kurt |
August 15, 2013 |
Portable Batter Training Apparatus
Abstract
A device for use in the instruction and practicing of hitting a
baseball with a bat and consisting of a platform component and a
tee component. The platform has a surface area appreciably larger
than a regulation size home plate providing adequate area
surrounding home plate needed to duplicate horizontally various
pitch locations. The platform's surface is made of magnetically
attractive material. The tee utilizes a magnetic base that allows
it to be affixed to any point on the platform surface giving the
user maximum choices for horizontal tee placement. The base's
magnetic force is sufficient to hold the tee in place for
reasonable bat contact and will release when subjected to mishits.
The tee component is vertically adjustable to replicate pitches of
various heights.
Inventors: |
Carlson; Kurt; (Gig Harbor,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Carlson; Kurt |
Gig Harbor |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48946043 |
Appl. No.: |
13/371316 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/417 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/093 20130101;
A63B 2069/0008 20130101; A63B 2209/08 20130101; A63B 2071/026
20130101; A63B 69/0002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/417 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A portable batter training apparatus comprising: a predominately
square tee platform constructed of rigid materials, combined
thickness of said tee platform materials is sufficient to provide
anchoring weight for said tee platform, said tee platform top most
surface is magnetically attractive, said tee platform edges, bottom
and top most surface have an applied protective coating, said tee
platform top most surface having a regulation size home plate
applique, said top most surface area is appreciably larger than
said applique, said tee platform is equipped with a handle, an
independent adjustable tee having a magnetic base rigidly attached
to the lower end of an impact resistant female tube which receives
an impact resistant male sliding tube facilitating vertical
telescopic ability with said sliding tube being held at desired
position through the use of frictional force applied on the sliding
tube by a cap installed on the upper end of said female tube
through which the sliding tube passes and by a bushing installed on
the lower end of said sliding tube which contacts the interior
surface of said female tube with the upper end of said sliding tube
fitted with a compact, resilient ball holding device.
2. The tee as described in claim 1 wherein said tee can having said
magnetic base can be secured without limitation upon said
magnetically attractive top most surface of said tee platform.
attractive top most surface of said tee platform.
3. The location points as described in claim 2 wherein said points
are not predetermined.
4. The tee as described in claim 1 wherein said tee having said
magnetic base with a suitable pull force to hold said tee in place
on said magnetically attractive top most surface of said tee
platform during reasonable bat to ball contact.
5. The tee as described in claim 1 wherein said tee having said
magnetic base will hold said tee in place as described in claim 3
will have a suitable pull strength to allow said magnetic tee base
to release from said magnetically attractive top most surface of
said tee platform in the case of mishits to prevent damage to said
tee.
6. The tee as described in claim 1 wherein said tee can used
independently from said tee platform by magnetic attachment to
alternate magnetically attractive objects.
7. The ball holding device as described in claim 1 wherein said
ball holder exerts minimal interference with bat to ball
contact.
8. The tee as described in claim 1 wherein said tee is vertically
adjustable.
9. The tee platform as described in claim 1 wherein said tee
platform facilitates the use of magnetically attachable accessories
such as pitch zone indicators.
Description
CROSS REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0004] This invention generally relates to a batter training
apparatus utilizing a vertically and horizontally adjustable tee to
allow a user to learn and practice proper technique for hitting a
ball with a bat.
BACKGROUND
Prior Art
[0005] A batting tee is used by baseball players and coaches in
teaching, learning and practicing the skills involved in hitting a
baseball. A ball placed upon a tee that can be moved horizontally
to spots on and around the home plate area coupled with vertical
tee adjustment, allows the users to simulate the various pitches a
batter must learn to hit. The player, through repetition and
instruction, can develop consistent proper technique required to
hit the various pitches thrown in a game.
[0006] During instruction or practice it is desirable for the
player or coach to be able to make quick, easy and spontaneous
adjustments to the tee. It is desirable that the tee be capable of
unlimited horizontal adjustability on and around the home plate
area and also have ample vertical adjustability. It is also
desirable that this adjustability be accomplished instantly and
easily without the use of cumbersome adjustment devices such as
pins, clips, brackets, tracks, pivots, holes, pegs, rails or legs.
Furthermore, it is advantageous for the tee to have adequate
stability to prevent nuisance tipping or other movement as this
causes the user to spend an inordinate amount of time resetting the
tee, thereby disrupting the efficiency and rhythm of practice.
Finally, it is desirable that the tee be able to tip in the
instance of a mishit to prevent damage to the tee and that the tee
can be quickly reset to the desired spot.
[0007] An added benefit is a tee that is portable and useable in a
variety of locations on a variety of substrates (such as sand,
gravel, wood or artificial turf) regardless of the availability of
an existing home plate and that this same tee require no extra
weighting, shims, blocking or bracing.
[0008] A typical batting tee consists of base, which is often in
the shape of a baseball home plate but sometimes square or round.
Attached vertically to the base, (usually centered), is a set of
telescoping tubes on top of which a ball can be placed. The top of
the ascending tube may act as the ball holder or the ascending tube
might be fitted with a ball holding device. Ball height adjustment
is made utilizing the telescoping action of the vertical tubes. If
the tee is permanently attached to the base, horizontal adjustment
is made by moving the entire apparatus to a different area of the
ground. Other tees use integrated tracks, brackets, sockets, pins,
pivots or legs. Several tees of the former description are known in
the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,883,138 to Chorey and U.S. Pat. No.
6,358,163B1 to Tanner disclose such designs. Tees of this type
suffer from a lack of stability especially on uneven substrates or
when placed on the borders of an elevated home plate. These tees
are also prone to nuisance tipping and movement. While some
allowance for tipping can be beneficial to prevent tee damage on
mishits, a tee that tips too easily must be reset even when the
batter strikes the ball within an acceptable range of accuracy.
This tipping movement creates an annoyance and detracts from the
teaching, learning or practice objective. Users frequently are
forced to stack auxiliary weights on the base of the tee to gain
stability.
[0009] Another tee with a with a permanently attached base is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,987 to Rodino, Jr. This device
uses a larger heavier base and rigidly connected telescoping rubber
pipes for vertical adjustment. Because of the large intrusive base
such a tee is very limited in horizontal adjustability. The rubber
pipe ball holder is too bulky and creates excessive interference
with the batters swing. This type of tee has no built in protection
from mishits. Thus, it is susceptible to damage, tumbling and
nuisance shifting.
[0010] An effort at adding some horizontal adjustability to the
Rodino design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,691 to Lefebvre,
et, al. The options available for adjustment are limited to a few
predetermined choices as dictated by locating holes installed
through the base. Also, the adjustment requires the inconvenient
process of unscrewing the telescopic pipe ball holder assembly from
a threaded disc located under the base of the tee and reassembling
it at another hole location. The bulky rubber pipe ball holder
creates excessive interference with the batters swing and also has
no built in protection from mishits making it vulnerable to damage,
tumbling and nuisance shifting.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,091 to Lin discloses an attempt to
improve horizontal adjustability by attaching the vertical
telescoping pipe assembly to a pivoting swivel mount. The mount
rotates on a centrally located bolt on the base and engages
locating holes in the base surface via a spring loaded bolt. The
location options are restricted by the range of the pivot and the
limited number of locating holes. The tee's design makes no
allowance for being struck by the bat on mishits and is susceptible
to damage, nuisance shifting and tumbling.
[0012] Yet another attempt to improve the range of horizontal
adjustment is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,360 B1 to Eckstein.
This tee design utilizes a steel base consisting of two legs
secured at 90 degree angles in regard to each other, forming an X.
The X base is set on the ground centered over an existing home
plate. The tee element has a magnet attached at the bottom end that
allows it to be coupled to various locations on the steel X base.
To reposition the tee the user must step on the X base to disengage
the magnet for repositioning. Horizontal adjustment is limited to
the area upon the X base. The design's chosen magnet is of a
strength that prevents disengagement on mishits and thus the tee
design is susceptible to damage and nuisance shifting. The X base
design is prone to stability issues especially when the tee is
positioned on the outer ends of the X legs.
[0013] Prior art discloses batting tees that use a track or channel
system to facilitate horizontal adjustment, as is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,099,418 to Owen. The tee is secured to a channel
installed in the base with the use of a track follower that slides
in the track and is secured to the bottom of the tee with the use
of a threaded shank. This creates a rigid connection that will be
very susceptible to damage, as well as nuisance shifting and
tumbling on mishits. Horizontal adjustability is limited to
locations made available by the layout of the installed track.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,683 to Cardieri discloses a tee design
that utilizes a tube and aperture arrangement for horizontal
adjustment. The vertical adjustable tee member is inserted into
vertically aligned apertures supported by a bi-level base with the
bases divided by spacers. Horizontal adjustments are limited to the
provided apertures. The design does not offer any protection from
the force of mishits which will result nuisance movement and damage
to the vertical tee member.
SUMMARY
[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
readily adjustable batting tee apparatus that has an expanded range
of horizontal positioning and is unencumbered by limiting
adjustment devices. In addition, horizontal positioning is achieved
and maintained in a way that allows for tee stability while
simultaneously limiting susceptibility to damage on mishits. The
apparatus includes a batting tee platform component with a
perimeter appreciably larger than a standard sized home plate and
an independent vertically adjustable tee component. The tee
platform's surface is magnetically attractive and furnished with a
home plate applique. The tee is equipped with a magnetic base that
allows it to be securely positioned without limitation upon the
batting tee platform. The tee base's magnetic force is sufficient
to hold the tee in place on reasonable bat contact but will release
when subjected to mishits. Because the tee platform is substantial
enough to maintain position if the tee is dislodged, it is a simple
matter to reset the tee and resume activity. Desired horizontal
adjustment is made by tipping the tee in any direction to break the
magnetic bond and setting the tee on the desired spot. Vertical tee
adjustment is achieved through simple manipulation of a set of
telescoping tubes, with the adjustment held in place by friction
contact made at several points within the tubes assembly. A ball
holder suitably sized and made of a resilient material allows bat
to ball contact to occur with minimal interference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the batting tee
platform and batting tee of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the present invention
in use.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the batting tee platform of
the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the batting tee of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a cut away view of the batting tee of present
invention
[0021] FIG. 6 is an overhead view of the tee platform of the
present invention with a sample array of possible tee
positioning.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the batting tee of the
present invention attached to an alternate platform.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the batting tee of present
invention alternately attached to a dumb bell weight.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the batting tee platform and
batting tee of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 10 is an elevation view of the batting tee platform and
batting tee of the present invention with the tee vertically
adjusted to a low position.
[0026] FIG. 11 is an elevation view of the batting tee platform and
batting tee of the present invention with the tee vertically
adjusted to a middle position.
[0027] FIG. 12 is an elevation view of the batting tee platform and
batting tee of the present invention with the tee vertically
adjusted to a high position.
[0028] FIG. 13 is an elevation view of the batting tee of the
present invention highlighting the sliding tube within the base
tube.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the sliding tube assembly
of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a perspective view the ball holder and the ball
holder attachment to the sliding tube of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 16 is a cut away view of the attachment of the magnet
base to the base tube of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the base tube and base magnet
assembly of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 18 is a perspective of the tee platform and pitch zone
markers of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the pitch zone marker of
the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 20 is a cut away view of the pitch zone marker of the
present invention.
[0036] FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the pitch zone marker of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION
[0037] Presented in the drawings is a preferred embodiment of a
batting tee platform and accompanying tee. FIG. 1 shows a
perspective view of the present invention batting tee platform 8
and batting tee 10. FIG. 2 is also a perspective view showing the
present invention being used in a typical fashion by user/batter
(A) striking ball (C) with bat (B). FIG. 3 shows an exploded view
of batting tee platform 8 of the preferred embodiment being
constructed of a section of exterior grade plywood which has been
coated with exterior wood primer. The predominately square plywood
section is ideally noticeably larger than a regulation size home
plate to provide a surface 18 with adequate area to simulate
various horizontal pitch locations as well as facilitate ball
placement for various drills. The plywood should be of sufficient
thickness to provide material stability as well as provide the mass
required to keep batting tee platform 8 in place during use without
being too heavy so as to detract from intended portability. Other
materials may be used such as plastic, fiberglass or various
composite materials. To platform base 20 is attached a layer of
sheet steel 21.
[0038] Attachment of sheet steel 21 to plywood base 20 is
preferably accomplished using contact cement. The sheet steel could
be attached with other adhesives or with mechanical fasteners such
as screws. Alternative embodiments might replace the use of sheet
steel 21 with the use of steel strips attached across platform base
20 or steel rods inlayed into platform base 20. However, maximum
horizontal adjustment capability is achieved when the entire
surface 18 area is magnetically attractive. Also a flat, smooth
surface 18 provides a superior finish and an uncluttered
appearance.
[0039] When attachment of sheet steel 21 to platform base 20 is
complete all sides are sanded and edges eased to eliminate any
sharp surfaces and prepare for finishing. Tee platform 8 is then
painted with a durable exterior grade paint or comparable durable
coating. Surface 18 painting includes a representation of home
plate 19 in a contrasting color, preferably white. Surface 18
painting or home plate 19 painting might be replaced by the use of
decals or other coating application techniques. Finishing not only
protects batting tee platform 8 from environmental damage but also
enhances aesthetic appeal. Color selection could match various
field surface types.
[0040] Handle 22 attachment is undertaken upon completion of final
finish coating. Preferred handle material is strong and flexible
such as nylon web strap. This type of material is abrasion
resistant, won't break if stepped on and will allow tee 10 and
platform 8 to be carried together in one hand. Other materials such
as rope or vinyl or plastic strap could be used. A shoulder strap
might also be used for carrying purposes. Handle 22 is attached to
tee platform 8 with mechanical fasteners such as screws 23 with
finishing washers 24.
[0041] Tee 10 of the present invention is seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.
The tee assembly utilizes as the tee base 17 a round base ferrite
magnet with a nickel plated cap and a manufacturer's listed pull
strengths of 190 lbs. Magnet base 17 allows tee 10 to be attached
to any point on the magnetically attractive surface 18 of batting
tee platform 8 FIG. 6 shows a sample array of horizontal
adjustments available with tee 10 upon the surface 18 of batting
tee platform 8. The magnetic strength of magnet base 17 is adequate
to keep the tee upright during reasonable bat to tee 10 contact but
will release from tee platform 8 on severe mishits to prevent tee
damage. Potentially the magnet base could be accomplished by using
a set of magnets attached to a base frame. To make horizontal tee
adjustments the tee is grasped at friction cap 14 and tipped at in
any direction to break the magnetic bond between surface 18 of
platform 8 and tee 10 and repositioned to a new spot as desired by
the user or reset to a the prior position if knocked over on a
mishit. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 batting tee 10 can be used
independently from batting tee platform 8 by magnetic attachment to
magnetically attractive objects. FIG. 7 shows batting tee 10
magnetically attached to a downsized version (D) of batting tee
platform 8. FIG. 8. shows magnetic attachment to iron dumbbell
weight (E). FIG. 9 shows batting tee 10 attached to a full sized
batting tee platform 8.
[0042] As seen in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, batting tee 10 is vertically
adjustable. Referring again to FIG. 5, a cutaway view discloses
that vertical height adjustability is achieved utilizing a set of
tubes. Sliding tube 13 slides inside base tube 15 and can be
adjusted vertically in a telescopic manner. This arrangement is
also seen in FIG. 13. Adjusted height is held using friction force
applied to sliding tube 13 by friction cap 14 and bushing 28 to
base tube 15. Bushing 28 is pressed onto sliding tube 13 and held
by friction. An application of all purpose glue to the connection
between sliding tube 13 and bushing 28 will aid in holding bushing
28 in place. FIG. 14 discloses a separate view of sliding tube 13.
The applied friction force is enough to hold sliding tube 13 in
place during use while still allowing the user to manually adjust
sliding tube 13 up or down to set ball holder 12 to the desired
height. The diameter of the sliding tube hole in friction cap 14 is
smaller than the diameter of sliding tube 13. Friction cap 14 is
ideally made of rubber. Rubber has the characteristics needed to
allow the sliding tube hole in friction cap 14 to suitably expand
and grip sliding tube 13. The diameter of bushing 28 is about the
same as the inside diameter of base tube 15. Bushing 28 also
provides lateral stability for sliding tube 13. Rubber is the
preferred material for friction cap 14 and bushing 28. Bushing 28
could be made of vinyl, plastic or a fibrous material. Alternate of
attachment of bushing 28 could be made by using mechanical fastener
such as a screw and attaching bushing 28 to the bottom of sliding
tube 13. Optionally, height adjustment could be held by the use of
an interior twist lock cam or a hand tightened compression nut and
sleeve assembly. Ideally sliding tube 13 should be made of an
impact and shatter resistant material such as fiberglass or some
type of reinforced plastic. A solid rod of the same material could
be used. A material of a smaller diameter is preferred to prevent
visual obtrusiveness.
[0043] Ball holder 12 attaches to the top of sliding tube 13 as can
be seen in FIG. 15. The preferred embodiment shows a conical shaped
ball holder 12 that is formed of a durable resilient material with
enough rigidity to support the ball without collapsing such as
rubber, vinyl or suitable derivatives. The ball holder must be
flexible enough not to impede the user's swing. The ball holder
should be as compact as possible so as not to be visually
obtrusive. As seen in FIG. 15 sliding tube 13 is pressed into ball
holder 12 . The flexible properties of the material of which ball
holder 12 is formed allows sliding tube 13 to a slightly larger
diameter than the receiving socket of ball holder 12. When pressed
together a friction fit is created that secures ball holder 12 to
sliding tube 13. An all purpose glue is applied to the socket of
ball holder 12 before joining sliding tube 13 and ball holder 12.
The glue aids in the joining of the two parts and will also aid in
preventing ball holder 12 from detaching from sliding tube 13.
[0044] Base tube 15 is best constructed of painted steel or similar
rigid, impact resistant thin walled material. As seen in FIGS. 16
and 17 magnet base 17 is rigidly connected to base tube 15 by means
of a rigid mechanical connection. The preferred embodiment utilizes
coupling nut 27 which is pressed into base tube 15. Magnet base 17
is secured to base tube 15 by use of bolt 26 and washer 25
connected via a mounting hole in magnet base 17. Thread lock
compound is applied to bolt 26 to prevent loosening during use. The
connection between base tube 15 and magnet base 17 is covered by a
rubber, plastic or vinyl trim piece 16.
[0045] FIG. 18 shows an alternate use embodiment for tee platform 8
where pitch zone markers 29 as seen in FIG. 19, are magnetically
attached to batting tee platform 8. As seen in FIG. 20 the
preferred embodiment is shown using the same fiberglass tube
material as is used for sliding tube 13. As seen in FIGS. 21 and 22
a smaller magnet base 32 with a listed pull strength of 15 lbs. is
attached to indicator tube 30 using screw 34 and washer 33 via a
mounting hole in magnet base 32. The top of indicator tube 30 is
fitted with vinyl cap 31 but a small ball or other top could be
used to provide a finished appearance and prevent injury. Pitch
zone indicators are used when batting tee platform 8 is used as a
home plate and a batter is having pitches thrown to him/her and tee
10 is not in use. Pitch zone indicators 29 can help the pitcher
better see the zone into which the ball is to be thrown and can
help the batter to see where pitches are being thrown in relation
to home plate. The magnetic attachment allows pitch zone indicators
29 to be positioned as desired to highlight different pitch zones.
Should pitch zone indicators 29 be struck by a ball they will tip
and can be reset. The impact resistant tubes will reduce the chance
of damage to pitch zone indicators 29.
* * * * *