U.S. patent application number 15/993301 was filed with the patent office on 2019-12-05 for pitcher screening assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Peter Kern. Invention is credited to Peter Kern.
Application Number | 20190366186 15/993301 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68692959 |
Filed Date | 2019-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190366186 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kern; Peter |
December 5, 2019 |
Pitcher Screening Assembly
Abstract
A pitcher screening assembly for protecting a pitcher includes a
plurality of frames. Each frame is hingedly coupled to adjacently
positioned frames. Each of a plurality of nets is coupled to and
extends inwardly from a respective frame. The frames are
selectively positionable in an extended configuration, in which the
nets are configured to protect a pitcher from hit balls, and a
folded configuration, wherein the frames are stowable in a trunk of
a vehicle. A plate is coupled to a bottom and extends
perpendicularly from a front of a respective frame. A pair of
wheels are coupled to a back of the respective frame. The wheels
and the plate are configured to stabilize the plurality of frames
perpendicularly to a substantially horizontal surface. The
respective frame, the wheels, and the plate define a dolly that is
configured to transport an item that is positioned on the
plate.
Inventors: |
Kern; Peter; (West Chester,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kern; Peter |
West Chester |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
68692959 |
Appl. No.: |
15/993301 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/0036 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 71/022 20130101; A63B 2071/025
20130101; A63B 1/00 20130101; A63B 2102/18 20151001 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/02 20060101
A63B071/02 |
Claims
1. A pitcher screening assembly comprising: a plurality frames,
each said frame being hingedly coupled to adjacently positioned
said frames, said plurality of frames including a top frame, a
center frame, and a side frame; a plurality of nets, each said net
being coupled to and extending inwardly from a respective said
frame wherein said plurality of frames is selectively positionable
in an extended configuration such that said plurality of nets is
configured for protecting a pitcher from hit balls and a folded
configuration wherein said plurality of frames is configured for
stowing in a trunk of a vehicle; a plate coupled to a bottom of
said side frame and extending perpendicularly from a front of said
said side frame; a pair of wheels coupled to a back of said side
frame such that said wheels are opposingly positioned to said plate
wherein said wheels and said plate are configured for stabilizing
said plurality of frames perpendicularly to a substantially
horizontal surface, wherein said side frame, said wheels, and said
plate define a dolly configured transporting an item positioned on
said plate; and said plurality of frames comprising said top frame
being hingedly coupled to and extending from an upper member of
said center frame such that said top frame and said center frame
are substantially coplanar, wherein said top frame is positioned
for selectively pivoting for positioning said top frame adjacent to
a rear face of said center frame, and said side frame being
hingedly coupled to and extending from a respective opposing side
member of said center frame such that said side frame and said
center frame are substantially coplanar, said plate extending from
said side frame, wherein said center frame is positioned for
selectively pivoting for positioning said center frame adjacent to
a front face of said side frame such that said center frame and
said top frame are positioned over said plate.
2. The assembly of claim 1, further including said frames being
tubular.
3. The assembly of claim 1, further including said frames
comprising metal.
4. The assembly of claim 1, further including each said frame being
substantially rectangularly shaped.
5. The assembly of claim 4, further including each said frame
having corners, said corners being arcuate.
6. (canceled)
7. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of first
hinges coupled to and extending between said center frame and said
top frame; and a plurality of second hinges coupled to and
extending between said center frame and said side frame.
8. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising: said plurality of
first hinges comprising two said first hinges; and said plurality
of second hinges comprising three said second hinges.
9. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising: said first hinges
being lemniscately shaped wherein a lower member of said top frame
is positioned in and rotatable within an upper opening of each said
first hinge and said upper member of said center frame is
positioned in and rotatable within a lower opening of each said
first hinge; and said second hinges being lemniscately shaped
wherein said respective said opposing side member of said center
frame is positioned in and rotatable within a first opening of each
said second hinge and an associated opposing edge member of said
side frame is positioned in and rotatable within a second opening
of each said second hinge.
10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of latch
rods, each said latch rod being pivotally coupled to and extending
from a respective said opposing side member of said center frame;
and a pair of latch hooks, each said latch hook being coupled to a
respective opposing side tube of said top frame wherein each said
latch hook is positioned for selectively coupling to an associated
said latch rod for fixedly positioning said top frame substantially
coplanarly with said center frame.
11. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of bars,
each said bar being coupled to and extending from a respective
opposing edge member of said side frame such that said pair of bars
is opposingly positioned to said plate; and an axle rotationally
coupled to and extending between said bars, each said wheel being
coupled to said axle such that said wheel is positioned proximate
to an associated said opposing edge member of said side frame.
12. The assembly of claim 1, further including a roller axially
coupled to said center frame wherein said roller is positioned
distal from said side frame when said plurality of frames is in the
extended configuration such that said roller is configured for
facilitating locomotion of said plurality of frames along the
substantially horizontal surface.
13. The assembly of claim 12, further including a rod pivotally
coupled to said center frame proximate to said roller wherein said
rod is positioned for selectively pivoting relative to said center
frame such that an endpoint of said rod contacts the substantially
horizontal surface for stabilizing said plurality of frames on the
substantially horizontal surface.
14. The assembly of claim 1, further including a netting coupled to
and extending between a respective opposing side tube of said top
frame and a top member said side frame wherein said netting is
configured for protecting the pitcher from the hit balls.
15. The assembly of claim 14, further including said netting having
a first edge coupled to said respective said opposing side tube of
said top frame, said netting having a second edge coupled to said
top member of said side frame, said netting having a third edge,
said third edge comprising elastic wherein said third edge is
configured for stretching upon contacting an arm of the
pitcher.
16. A pitcher screening assembly comprising: a plurality frames,
each said frame being hingedly coupled to adjacently positioned
said frames, said frames being tubular, said frames comprising
metal, each said frame being substantially rectangularly shaped,
each said frame having corners, said corners being arcuate, said
plurality of frames comprising: a center frame, a top frame
hingedly coupled to and extending from an upper member of said
center frame such that said top frame and said center frame are
substantially coplanar, wherein said top frame is positioned for
selectively pivoting for positioning said top frame adjacent to a
rear face of said center frame, and a side frame hingedly coupled
to and extending from a respective opposing side member of said
center frame such that said side frame and said center frame are
substantially coplanar, wherein said center frame is positioned for
selectively pivoting for positioning said center frame adjacent to
a front face of said side frame such that said center frame and
said top frame are positioned over said plate; a plurality of first
hinges coupled to and extending between said center frame and said
top frame, said plurality of first hinges comprising two said first
hinges, said first hinges being lemniscately shaped wherein a lower
member of said top frame is positioned in and rotatable within an
upper opening of each said first hinge and said upper member of
said center frame is positioned in and rotatable within a lower
opening of each said first hinge; a plurality of second hinges
coupled to and extending between said center frame and said side
frame, said plurality of second hinges comprising three said second
hinges, said second hinges being lemniscately shaped wherein said
respective said opposing side member of said center frame is
positioned in and rotatable within a first opening of each said
second hinge and an associated opposing edge member of said side
frame is positioned in and rotatable within a second opening of
each said second hinge; a pair of latch rods, each said latch rod
being pivotally coupled to and extending from a respective said
opposing side member of said center frame; a pair of latch hooks,
each said latch hook being coupled to a respective opposing side
tube of said top frame wherein each said latch hook is positioned
for selectively coupling to an associated said latch rod for
fixedly positioning said top frame substantially coplanarly with
said center frame; a plurality of nets, each said net being coupled
to and extending inwardly from a respective said frame wherein said
plurality of frames is selectively positionable in an extended
configuration such that said plurality of nets is configured for
protecting a pitcher from hit balls and a folded configuration
wherein said plurality of frames is configured for stowing in a
trunk of a vehicle; a plate coupled to a bottom of a respective
said frame and extending perpendicularly from a front of said
respective said frame, said plate extending from said side frame; a
pair of wheels coupled to a back of said side frame such that said
wheels are opposingly positioned to said plate wherein said wheels
and said plate are configured for stabilizing said plurality of
frames perpendicularly to a substantially horizontal surface,
wherein said side frame, said wheels, and said plate define a dolly
configured transporting an item positioned on said plate; a pair of
bars, each said bar being coupled to and extending from a
respective said opposing edge member of said side frame such that
said pair of bars is opposingly positioned to said plate; an axle
rotationally coupled to and extending between said bars, each said
wheel being coupled to said axle such that said wheel is positioned
proximate to an associated said opposing edge member of said side
frame; a roller axially coupled to said center frame wherein said
roller is positioned distal from said side frame when said
plurality of frames is in the extended configuration such that said
roller is configured for facilitating locomotion of said plurality
of frames along the substantially horizontal surface; a rod
pivotally coupled to said center frame proximate to said roller
wherein said rod is positioned for selectively pivoting relative to
said center frame such that an endpoint of said rod contacts the
substantially horizontal surface for stabilizing said plurality of
frames on the substantially horizontal surface; and a netting
coupled to and extending between a respective opposing side tube of
said top frame and a top member said side frame wherein said
netting is configured for protecting the pitcher from the hit
balls, said netting being triangularly shaped, said netting having
a first edge coupled to said respective said opposing side tube of
said top frame, said netting having a second edge coupled to said
top member of said side frame, said netting having a third edge,
said third edge comprising elastic wherein said third edge is
configured for stretching upon contacting an arm of the pitcher.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not Applicable
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC
OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM
[0004] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT
INVENTOR
[0005] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed
Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
[0006] The disclosure and prior art relates to screening assemblies
and more particularly pertains to a new screening assembly for
protecting a pitcher.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented
above by generally comprising a plurality of frames. Each frame is
hingedly coupled to adjacently positioned frames. Each of a
plurality of nets is coupled to and extends inwardly from a
respective frame. The frames are selectively positionable in an
extended configuration, in which the nets are configured to protect
a pitcher from hit balls, and a folded configuration, wherein the
frames are stowable in a trunk of a vehicle. A plate is coupled to
a bottom and extends perpendicularly from a front of a respective
frame. A pair of wheels are coupled to a back of the respective
frame. The wheels and the plate are configured to stabilize the
plurality of frames perpendicularly to a substantially horizontal
surface. The respective frame, the wheels, and the plate define a
dolly that is configured to transport an item that is positioned on
the plate.
[0008] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that
will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject
matter of the claims appended hereto.
[0009] The objects of the disclosure, along with the various
features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed
out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part
of this disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0010] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other
than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration
is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pitcher screening assembly
according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a back view of an embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a back view of an embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a detail view of an embodiment of the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
FIGS. 1 through 8 thereof, a new screening assembly embodying the
principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and
generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be
described.
[0020] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the pitcher
screening assembly 10 generally comprises a plurality of frames 12.
Each frame 12 is hingedly coupled to adjacently positioned frames
12, as shown in FIG. 1. The frames 12 are tubular. The frames 12
comprise metal. Each frame 12 is substantially rectangularly
shaped. Each frame 12 has corners 14 that are arcuate. The frames
12 may be covered with a protective material, such as rubberized
foam or the like.
[0021] The plurality of frames 12 comprises a center frame 16, a
top frame 18, and a side frame 20. The top frame 18 is hingedly
coupled to and extends from an upper member 22 of the center frame
16 so that the top frame 18 and the center frame 16 are
substantially coplanar. The top frame 18 is positioned to be
selectively pivoted to position the top frame 18 adjacent to a rear
face 24 of the center frame 16, as shown in FIG. 4. The side frame
20 is hingedly coupled to and extends from a respective opposing
side member 26 of the center frame 16 so that the side frame 20 and
the center frame 16 are substantially coplanar. The center frame 16
is positioned to be selectively pivoted to position the center
frame 16 adjacent to a front face 28 of the side frame 20, as shown
in FIG. 5.
[0022] A plurality of first hinges 30 is coupled to and extends
between the center frame 16 and the top frame 18. The plurality of
first hinges 30 comprises two first hinges 30, as shown in FIG. 4.
The first hinges 30 are lemniscately shaped. A lower member 32 of
the top frame 18 is positioned in and rotatable within an upper
opening 34 of each first hinge 30. The upper member 22 of the
center frame 16 is positioned in and rotatable within a lower
opening 36 of each first hinge 30.
[0023] A plurality of second hinges 38 is coupled to and extends
between the center frame 16 and the side frame 20. The plurality of
second hinges 38 comprises three second hinges 38. The second
hinges 38 are lemniscately shaped, as shown in FIG. 8. The
respective opposing side member 26 of the center frame 16 is
positioned in and rotatable within a first opening 40 of each
second hinge 38. An associated opposing edge member 42 of the side
frame 20 is positioned in and rotatable within a second opening 44
of each second hinge 38.
[0024] Each of a pair of latch rods 46 is pivotally coupled to and
extends from a respective opposing side member 26 of the center
frame 16, as shown in FIG. 1. Each of a pair of latch hooks 48 is
coupled to a respective opposing side tube 50 of the top frame 18.
Each latch hook 48 is positioned to selectively couple to an
associated latch rod 46 to fixedly position the top frame 18
substantially coplanarly with the center frame 16.
[0025] Each of a plurality of nets 52 is coupled to and extends
inwardly from a respective frame 12, as shown in FIG. 2. The
plurality of frames 12 is selectively positionable in an extended
configuration wherein the nets 52 are configured to protect a
pitcher from hit balls. The plurality of frames 12 is also
selectively positionable in a folded configuration wherein the
frames 12 are configured to be stow in a trunk of a vehicle.
[0026] A plate 54 is coupled to a bottom 56 of a respective frame
12 and extends perpendicularly from a front 58 of the respective
frame 12, as shown in FIG. 3. The plate 54 extends from the side
frame 20. Each of a pair of wheels 60 is coupled to a back 62 of
the respective frame 12. The wheels 60 are opposingly positioned to
the plate 54 so that the wheels 60 and the plate 54 are configured
to stabilize the plurality of frames 12 perpendicularly to a
substantially horizontal surface. The respective frame 12, the
wheels 60, and the plate 54 define a dolly 64, as shown in FIG. 7.
The dolly 64 is configured to transport an item that is positioned
on the plate 54. The center frame 16 and the top frame 18 are
positioned over the plate 54 when the plurality of frames 12 is
positioned in the folded configuration.
[0027] Each of a pair of bars 66 is coupled to and extends from a
respective opposing edge member 42 of the side frame 20. The pair
of bars 66 is opposingly positioned to the plate 54. An axle 68 is
rotationally coupled to and extends between the bars 66, as shown
in FIG. 2. Each wheel 60 is coupled to the axle 68 so that the
wheel 60 is positioned proximate to an associated opposing edge
member 42 of the side frame 20.
[0028] A roller 70 is axially coupled to the center frame 16. The
roller 70 is positioned distal from the side frame 20 when the
plurality of frames 12 is in the extended configuration, as shown
in FIG. 4. The roller 70 is configured to facilitate locomotion of
the plurality of frames 12 along the substantially horizontal
surface.
[0029] A rod 72 is pivotally coupled to the center frame 16
proximate to the roller 70, as shown in FIG. 3. The rod 72 is
positioned to be selectively pivoted relative to the center frame
16 so that an endpoint 74 of the rod 72 contacts the substantially
horizontal surface to stabilize the plurality of frames 12 on the
substantially horizontal surface.
[0030] A netting 76 is coupled to and extends between a respective
opposing side tube 50 of the top frame 18 and a top member 78 the
side frame 20, as shown in FIG. 2. The netting 76 is configured to
protect the pitcher from the hit balls.
[0031] The netting 76 is triangularly shaped. A first edge 80 of
the netting 76 is coupled to the respective opposing side tube 50
of the top frame 18. A second edge 84 of the netting 76 is coupled
to the top member 78 of the side frame 20. Having the first edge 80
and the second edge 84 of the netting coupled to the top frame 18
and the side frame 20, respectively, prevents hit balls from
passing between the netting 76 and the frames 12. A third edge 82
of the netting 76 comprises elastic so that the third edge 82 is
configured to stretch upon contact with an arm of the pitcher. The
netting 76 prevents the arm of the pitcher from contacting the
frames 12.
[0032] In use, the dolly 64 comprising the plurality of frames 12
in the folded configuration is transported to a desired location.
The first hinges 30 and the second hinges 38 allow the plurality of
frames 12 to be positioned in the extended configuration. The rod
72 is pivoted relative to the center frame 16 so that the endpoint
74 of the rod 72 contacts the substantially horizontal surface. The
wheels 60, the plate 54, the roller 70, and the rod 72 support the
plurality of frames 12 perpendicularly to the substantially
horizontal surface. The pitcher pitches the ball over the side
frame 20. The nets 52 and the netting 76 protect the pitcher from
hit balls.
[0033] With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations
in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation,
assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one
skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0034] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent
document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense
to mean that items following the word are included, but items not
specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element
by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that
more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly
requires that there be only one of the elements.
* * * * *