Batting Cage

Abstract

Batting cages are disclosed relating to practice for games such as baseball and softball. The batting cages described may include a net enclosure, a pitching compartment, a hitting compartment, a first pitching screen separating the pitching compartment from the hitting compartment, a second pitching screen that may cover a portion of an opening in the first pitching screen; a second opening in the first pitching screen; and a guide that directs balls from the hitting compartment through the second opening toward a location in the pitching compartment. Uses of batting cages are also taught.

Description

[0001] Batting cages described herein may be used for throwing and hitting practice typical of baseball and softball. Batting cages disclosed herein may be used for hitting practice and pitching practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the batting cage.

[0003] FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of the batting cage.

[0004] FIG. 3 shows an end view of the primary pitching screen and the secondary pitching screen.

[0005] FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of certain frame elements of the batting cage.

[0006] FIG. 5 shows an end elevation view of an A-frame portion of the batting cage.

[0007] FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view of a batter and a pitcher within the batting cage.

[0008] FIG. 7 shows a machine pitching secondary screen.

[0009] FIG. 8 shows a primary pitching screen partially covered by a secondary pitching screen.

[0010] FIG. 9 shows a wireframe perspective view of the batting cage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] FIGS. 1-9 of the drawings depict a variety of components of Batting cage 100.

[0012] Among those components are Batter 30, Pitcher 40, Ball 50, Batter's side frame 110, Pitcher's side frame 120, A-frame 128, A-frame post 130, Ground-level connecting rod 150, Ground level connecting rod hinge 153, Lower frame connectors 156, A-frame crossbar 158, A-frame connectors 163, A-frame hinge 168, A-frame peak connector 170, A-frame top connecting bar 173, A-frame top connecting bar hinge 176, Bottom external connecting bar 178, Tension wire 210, Turnbuckle 213, Primary pitching screen 230, Primary screen pitching opening 233, Secondary pitching screen 240, Secondary pitching screen tethers 243, Live pitching secondary screen 250, Machine pitching secondary screen 256, Machine pitching screen opening 258, Live pitching opening 260, Ball return openings 270, Canopy net 280, Hitting zone 290, Pitching zone 296, Ball return 310, Mesh sleeve 316, and Ball bucket 323.

[0013] Batting cage 100 may include a frame structure having an A-frame 128 at each of its four corners. At each end of Batting cage 100 an A-frame 128 may be connected to another A-frame 128 by an A-frame top connecting bar 173 to create a structural configuration commonly associated with a sawhorse or a swing set. The peak of each individual A-frame 128 may have an A-frame peak connector 170. Each A-frame peak connector 170 may be attached to an A-frame top connecting bar 173. Each A-frame peak connector 170 may also be attached to a Tension wire 210 which together with A-frame top connecting bar 173 is the upper supportfor Canopy net 280. Canopy net 280 may drape to the ground covering all four of A-frame 128 such that Batting cage 100 forms a complete enclosure. In certain embodiments Bottom external connecting bar 178 may be staked to the ground for structural support. Additionally, various other parts of Batting cage 100 may be staked to the ground. Further, Canopy net 280 may be staked to the ground in various places.

[0014] Batter's side frame 110 and Pitcher's side frame 120 may be arranged to have the same ora substantially similar A-frame 128 construction. Each A-frame 128 may be constructed from a first A-frame post 130 and a second A-frame post 130. Each A-frame post 130 may be constructed as sliding telescoping poles with button locks. The first A-frame post 130 may be joined with the second A-frame post 130 at the top by A-frame peak connector 170. The first A-frame post 130 may be joined with the second A-frame post 130 near or slightly above the midpoint by A-frame crossbar 158 with the connections occurring by way of A-frame connectors 163. A-frame hinge 168 may make A-frame crossbar 158 foldable so that it takes up less space for storage or transport. Lower frame connectors 156 and Ground-level connecting rod 150 may be used to connect a pitching side A-frame 128 to a hitting side A-frame 128 thereby controlling the distance between the A-frames on either side of Batting cage 100. Ground level connecting rod hinge 153 makes Ground-level connecting rod 150 foldable thereby making the system more collapsible and portable. A-frame top connecting bar 173 connects A-frame 128 on one end to the other A-frame 128 on the same end and acts as an upper cross bar. Like other pieces, A-frame top connecting bar 173 may be folded for transport at A-frame top connecting bar hinge 176.

[0015] A Pitcher 40 may set up in Pitching zone 296 with a Batter 30 in Hitting zone 290 such that the Pitcher 40 and the Batter 30 are separated by Primary pitching screen 230. The Pitcher 40 may pitch through Primary screen pitching opening 233 which in the case of a live pitcher would be Live pitching opening 260. Live pitching opening 260 can be configured to accommodate an underhand pitcher and can be configured to accommodate an overhand pitcher. In either case, the opening is such that it would protect either a right-handed pitcher or a left-handed pitcher. In the case of an overhand pitcher, Live pitching secondary screen 250 would be placed over the lower portion of Primary screen pitching opening 233 making the Live pitching opening 260 line up with the height at which overhand pitches are typically thrown. In the case of an underhand pitcher, Live pitching secondary screen 250 would be placed over the upper portion of Primary screen pitching opening 233 making the Live pitching opening 260 line up with the height at which underhand pitches are typically thrown.

[0016] Instances of Secondary pitching screen 240, which may include Live pitching secondary screen 250, Machine pitching secondary screen 256, or other similar protective covering of Primary screen pitching opening 233, are designed to be configured and reconfigured to provide maximum protection to Pitcher 40 regardless of the style of pitching used. In the case of a pitching machine, Machine pitching secondary screen 256 may be used to cover Primary screen pitching opening 233 such that the person operating the pitching machine is almost entirely protected from any Ball 50 hit by Batter 30. Batting cage 100 may be used for baseball or softball practice.

[0017] Secondary pitching screen 240 which may be either Live pitching secondary screen 250 or Machine pitching secondary screen 256 may be attached to Primary pitching screen 230 by a series of Secondary pitching screen tethers 243. The Secondary pitching screen tethers 243 may be positioned and tensioned such that Secondary pitching screen 240 overlaps portions of Primary pitching screen 230 as depicted in the drawings. This overlap may be greater than one inch of overlap. The overlap limits the ability of balls to pass between Primary pitching screen 230 and Secondary pitching screen 240. Secondary pitching screen tethers 243 may be used along with clips such as carabiners or other similarly functioning clips which allow for easy placement and removal of Secondary pitching screen 240. Optionally the clips may be implemented without Secondary pitching screen tethers 243.

[0018] Balls hit by Batter 30 may occasionally pass through Ball return openings 270 into Ball return 310 sliding down Mesh sleeve 316 into Ball bucket 323. Most balls from a batting practice session will come to rest inside of Hitting zone 290. When the batting practice or session is done, the participants may use one or more of Ball return openings 270 as targets for practicing baseball or softball throws that are more like the throws that are made in a normal game of baseball or softball. The thrown balls would pass through Ball return openings 270 into Ball return 310 sliding down Mesh sleeve 316 into Ball bucket 323. Mesh sleeve 316 may attach to or be associated with Ball bucket 323 in a variety of ways. In particular, relationships between Mesh sleeve 316 and Ball bucket 323 may allow for easy access to the balls by Pitcher 40 and maintain the path between Ball return openings 270 and Ball bucket 323. Ball bucket 323 may alternately be any container meeting one or more of the above criteria. Ball return 310 and Primary pitching screen 230 may be attached to Canopy net 280 and optionally Tension wire 210 by any suitable means. Those attachments may be such that a ball cannot pass to the other side of Primary pitching screen 230 around the periphery of Primary pitching screen 230 without passing through Ball return 310. Optionally, Primary pitching screen 230 is connected to Canopy net 280 and Ball return 310 in such a way that balls may only cross the barrier of Primary pitching screen 230 by passing through Primary screen pitching opening 233 or through one or more of Ball return openings 270. The attachment between Primary pitching screen 230 and Canopy net 280 may be permanent such that the Primary pitching screen 230 need not be attached to Canopy net 280 during each installation of the Batting cage 100 or it may be a temporary connection that is re-established each time Batting cage 100 is put up.

[0019] Tension wire 210 may be strung from the tops of a Pitcher's side frame 120 to the top of a Batter's side frame 110 and then again from the other Pitcher's side frame 120 to the top of the other Batter's side frame 110. Once assembled the top of the structure supporting the Canopy net 280 would include two instances of Tension wire 210 and two instances of A-frame top connecting bar 173.

[0020] The full-height length of the hitting zone, being the distance between the batter's side A-frame top connecting bar 173 and Primary pitching screen 230, may, for example, be 246 inches with certain examples falling between 130 and 360 inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 188 and 303 inches.

[0021] The full-height length of the pitching zone, being the distance between the pitcher's side A-frame top connecting bar 173 and Primary pitching screen 230, may, for example, be 54 inches with certain examples falling between 25 and 100 inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 40 and 77 inches.

[0022] The width of A-frame top connecting bar 173 may, for example, be 147 inches with certain examples falling between 90 and 290 inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 119 and 219 inches.

[0023] The depth of Ball return 310, being the separation of Mesh sleeve 316 from Primary pitching screen 230 at Canopy net 280, may, for example, be 4.0 inches with certain examples falling between 0.5 and 15.0 inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 2.3 and 9.5 inches.

[0024] The individual ball return opening area may, for example, be 720 square inches with certain examples falling between 250 and 1800 square inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 485 and 1260 square inches.

[0025] The primary screen pitching opening height may, for example, be 78 inches with certain examples falling between 48 and 110 inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 63 and 94 inches.

[0026] The primary screen pitching opening width may, for example, be 30 inches with certain examples falling between 20 and 60 inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 25 and 45 inches.

[0027] The screen height below the primary screen pitching opening may, for example, be 12.0 inches with certain examples falling between 4.0 and 24.0 inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 8.0 and 18.0 inches.

[0028] The cross-sectional area of the batting cage, for example as measured under A-frame top connecting bar 173, may, for example, be 17520 square inches with certain examples falling between 8000 and 33000 square inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 12760 and 25260 square inches.

[0029] The area of Live pitching secondary screen 250 may, for example, be 1296 square inches with certain examples falling between 550 and 3500 square inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 923 and 2398 square inches.

[0030] Each individual A-frame may have a width that is greater than the A-frame's height.

[0031] The individual A-frame width may, for example, be 146 inches with certain examples falling between 70 and 220 inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 108 and 183 inches.

[0032] The tension wire length may, for example, be 297 inches with certain examples falling between 190 and 380 inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 244 and 339 inches.

[0033] The batting cage bottom length, namely the distance from Bottom external connecting bar 178 to the opposite Bottom external connecting bar 178, may, for example, be 444 inches with certain examples falling between 300 and 650 inches and a significant number of those examples falling between 372 and 547 inches.

[0034] The base to top length ratio, namely the batting cage bottom length divided by the tension wire length, may, for example, be 1.49 with certain examples falling between 1.15 and 1.85 and a significant number of those examples falling between 1.32 and 1.67.

[0035] The batting cage may be assembled from a number of potential materials of construction including aluminum, steel, fiberglass, plastic, and combinations thereof.

[0036] The batting cage may be arranged such that it is supported by a series of A-frame structures.

[0037] The batting cage may be arranged to have separate compartments for hitting and pitching.

[0038] The batting cage may have a screen between a pitching compartment and a hitting compartment.

[0039] The batting cage may have an opening in a screen that separates the hitting compartment from the pitching compartment through which balls may be thrown from the hitting compartment such that the balls thrown through the opening are redirected into a container.

[0040] A portion of the canopy net covering the batting cage may be supported by a tension wire. The tension wire may be tensioned with a turnbuckle.

[0041] The upper portion of the canopy net may be supported by both wire and rigid mechanical supports such as polls.

[0042] One or more Ball return openings may be positioned to the side of the pitcher.

[0043] The primary pitching screen may have an opening large enough to accommodate overhand pitches, underhand pitches and pitching machine pitches.

[0044] A secondary pitching screen may be configured such that it may alternatingly be placed over the top of the pitching opening of the primary pitching screen and the bottom of the pitching opening of the primary pitching screen. An additional secondary pitching screen may be provided and configured such that a whole of less than 2 ft..sup.2 is provided for pitching machine pitches into a hitting zone.

[0045] Ball return openings may be provided in the primary pitching screen such that loose balls in the hitting zone may be thrown through the Ball return openings such that a mesh sleeve or other guide directs the balls into a container situated in the pitching zone.

[0046] Primary pitching screen 230 is arranged such that it protects the side of the body opposite the pitcher's pitching arm without any need for adjustment between left and right-handed pitchers. Secondary pitching screen 240 is also unique in that its configuration is not dependent on whether a pitcher is right or left-handed. Primary pitching screen 230 and Secondary pitching screen 240 may be constructed of netting, which weighs significantly less than metal framed pitching L screens.

[0047] Batting cage 100 may be disassembled and collapsed for storage. One method of doing so includes separating Secondary pitching screen 240 from Primary pitching screen 230 removing any Secondary pitching screen tethers 243 and clips needed for the separation; folding and setting aside the Secondary pitching screen 240; detaching and folding Primary pitching screen 230; removing any ground stakes; releasing both instances of Ground level connecting rod hinge 153 such that Ground-level connecting rod 150 begins to fold onto itself as Batter's side frame 110 and Pitcher's side frame 120 move closer to one another; releasing A-frame hinge 168 such that A-frame crossbar 158 folds as the two instances of A-frame post 130 come together; releasing the telescoping lock, which may be a button lock on each of A-frame post 130 so that each A-frame post 130 collapses; releasing A-frame top connecting bar hinge 176 and maneuvering each instance of A-frame post 130 together to create a bundle of the various posts and support members; gathering any loose Canopy net 280; and optionally gathering all of the component parts of Batting cage 100 into a bag for transport or storage. Assembly of Batting cage 100 after storage or transportation may be accomplished by practicing the above procedure in reverse. The collapsible nature of Batting cage 100 with Canopy net 280 attached allows for the erection of Batting cage 100 quickly and without significant reference to instructions. Batting cage 100 merely undergoes a series of expansions until it reaches its full assembled size.

[0048] Batting cages described herein may, for example, comprise a frame; a net enclosure; a pitching compartment within the net enclosure; a hitting compartment within the net enclosure; a first pitching screen separating the pitching compartment from the hitting compartment; a second pitching screen; a first opening in the first pitching screen; a second opening in the first pitching screen; and a guide configured to direct balls passing from the hitting compartment through the second opening toward a ball discharge opening in the pitching compartment. In a related example, the second pitching screen may be arranged and configured to partially cover the first opening. In a related example, the second pitching screen may be arranged and configured to attach to the first pitching screen. In a related example, the second pitching screen may overlap the first pitching screen. In a related example, the guide may be arranged and configured to direct balls downward toward a container. In a related example, the second opening may be a throwing target for individuals in the hitting compartment. In a related example, balls thrown from the hitting compartment through the second opening may collect at a first location in the pitching compartment. In a related example, the guide may be a sleeve comprising netting material. In a related example, the frame may be collapsible. In a related example, the frame may be collapsible such that the frame, the net enclosure, and the first pitching screen are configured to be moved as a unit when the frame is collapsed. In a related example, the second pitching screen may be arranged to cooperate with the first pitching screen to partially obscure the first opening in a way that provides an additional protection to pitchers and such that the additional protection is equivalent for right-handed pitchers and left-handed pitchers. In a related example, the second pitching screen may be adjustable to accommodate overhand and underhanded pitching by adjusting the height of the second pitching screen. In a related example, the frame may be configured to collapse to a dimension smaller than a height of the frame when fully expanded.

[0049] Batting cages described herein may, for example, comprise a frame; a net enclosure; a pitching compartment within the net enclosure; a hitting compartment within the net enclosure; a first pitching screen separating the pitching compartment from the hitting compartment; a second pitching screen; and a first opening in the first pitching screen; such that the frame may be collapsible and such that the frame, the net enclosure, and the first pitching screen are configured to be moved as a unit when the frame is collapsed.

[0050] Methods for facilitating hitting practice may, for example, comprise transporting a batting cage to a practice site wherein the batting cage is in collapsed form during the transporting; expanding a frame of the batting cage and a net enclosure of the batting cage at the practice site thereby creating both a pitching compartment within the net enclosure and a hitting compartment within the net enclosure; arranging a first pitching screen such that it separates the pitching compartment from the hitting compartment; locking the frame in an expanded configuration; arranging for pitching from the pitching compartment through a first opening in the first pitching screen to a batter in the hitting compartment; and collapsing the frame after the pitching. In a related example, the batting cage may collapse to a dimension smaller than the height of the expanded configuration. In a related example, the frame, the net enclosure, and the first pitching screen may be configured to be moved as a unit when the frame is collapsed. In a related example, a second pitching screen may be arranged to cooperate with the first pitching screen to partially obscure the first opening. In a related example, a second pitching screen may be arranged to cooperate with the first pitching screen to partially obscure the first opening in a way that provides an additional protection to pitchers such that the additional protection is equivalent for right-handed pitchers and left-handed pitchers.

[0051] The above-described embodiments have several independently useful individual features that have particular utility when used in combination with one another including combinations of features from embodiments described separately. There are, of course, other alternate embodiments which are obvious from the foregoing descriptions, which are intended to be included within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A batting cage comprising: a. a frame; b. a net enclosure; c. a pitching compartment within the net enclosure; d. a hitting compartment within the net enclosure; e. a first pitching screen separating the pitching compartment from the hitting compartment; f. a second pitching screen; g. a first opening in the first pitching screen; h. a second opening in the first pitching screen; and i. a guide configured to direct balls passing from the hitting compartment through the second opening toward a ball discharge opening in the pitching compartment.

2. The batting cage of claim 1 wherein the second pitching screen is arranged and configured to partially cover the first opening.

3. The batting cage of claim 1 wherein the second pitching screen is arranged and configured to attach to the first pitching screen.

4. The batting cage of claim 1 wherein the second pitching screen overlaps the first pitching screen.

5. The batting cage of claim 1 wherein the guide is arranged and configured to direct balls downward toward a container.

6. The batting cage of claim 1 wherein the second opening is a throwing target for individuals in the hitting compartment.

7. The batting cage of claim 1 wherein balls thrown from the hitting compartment through the second opening collect at a first location in the pitching compartment.

8. The batting cage of claim 1 wherein the guide is a sleeve comprising netting material.

9. The batting cage of claim 1 wherein the frame is collapsible.

10. The batting cage of claim 1 wherein the frame is collapsible and wherein the frame, the net enclosure, and the first pitching screen are configured to be moved as a unit when the frame is collapsed.

11. The batting cage of claim 1 wherein the second pitching screen is arranged to cooperate with the first pitching screen to partially obscure the first opening in a way that provides an additional protection to pitchers and wherein the additional protection is equivalent for right-handed pitchers and left-handed pitchers.

12. The batting cage of claim 1 wherein the second pitching screen is adjustable to accommodate overhand and underhanded pitching by adjusting the height of the second pitching screen.

13. The batting cage of claim 1 wherein the frame is configured to collapse to a dimension smaller than a height of the frame when fully expanded.

14. A batting cage comprising: a. a frame; b. a net enclosure; c. a pitching compartment within the net enclosure; d. a hitting compartment within the net enclosure; e. a first pitching screen separating the pitching compartment from the hitting compartment; f. a second pitching screen; and g. a first opening in the first pitching screen; h. wherein the frame is collapsible and i. wherein the frame, the net enclosure, and the first pitching screen are configured to be moved as a unit when the frame is collapsed.

15. A method for facilitating hitting practice comprising: a. transporting a batting cage to a practice site wherein the batting cage is in collapsed form during the transporting; b. expanding a frame of the batting cage and a net enclosure of the batting cage at the practice site thereby creating both a pitching compartment within the net enclosure and a hitting compartment within the net enclosure; c. arranging a first pitching screen such that it separates the pitching compartment from the hitting compartment; d. locking the frame in an expanded configuration; e. arranging for pitching from the pitching compartment through a first opening in the first pitching screen to a batter in the hitting compartment; and f. collapsing the frame after the pitching.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the batting cage collapses to a dimension smaller than a height of the expanded configuration.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the frame, the net enclosure, and the first pitching screen are configured to be moved as a unit when the frame is collapsed.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein a second pitching screen is arranged to cooperate with the first pitching screen to partially obscure the first opening.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein a second pitching screen is arranged to cooperate with the first pitching screen to partially obscure the first opening in a way that provides an additional protection to pitchers and wherein the additional protection is equivalent for right-handed pitchers and left-handed pitchers.