US20170136329A1

US20170136329A1 - Three Dimensional Strike Zone Apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20170136329A1
Application number: US14/941,574
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Parks
Original assignee: Precision Sports Technology LLC
Current assignee: Precision Sports Technology LLC
Priority date: 2015-11-14
Filing date: 2015-11-14
Publication date: 2017-05-18

Abstract

A pitching apparatus comprising a three dimensional strike area assembly having a plurality of zones. The plurality of zones includes one or more target zones and a support, wherein the strike area assembly is disposed on the support at one or more zones of the strike area assembly, and a back door area of the three dimensional strike area assembly including areas near the back corners and back edges of one or more of the target zones, wherein when an impact is detected at the one or more target zones the impact will cause at least part of the strike area assembly to actuate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Conventional baseball pitching aids typically involve using a target for a pitcher that represents the strike zone for a pitcher. However, judging which pitches are balls or strikes can be difficult for a practicing pitcher to visually ascertain from a distance. This is even more of an issue for pitchers desiring to advance their pitching skills by targeting a particular spot or area of a strike zone.
Some of the earliest pitching aids used by amateur ball players were merely basic objects found around a ballpark or home that represented artificial “strike” zones. However, later more sophisticated pitching devices included other types of practice aids. These devices included pitching aids which allowed a pitcher to receive indications of whether they have thrown a strike or a ball.
However, these devices are typically limited to two dimensional targets and are of little value to a pitcher who desires to advance their pitching skills by targeting a particular area of a three dimensional strike zone. Pitchers are limited in their use of these devices, as they are only able to target the front plane or zone of a strike zone, or to miss it. Also, outside of a basic visual or audio indication that a ball or a strike had been thrown, the functional capabilities of these devices are generally quite limited.
For many pitchers however desiring to advance their pitching skills, determining balls and strikes using a two dimensional target may not be very useful. This is due to the strike zone being in the form of a three dimensional imaginary box over the home plate. Furthermore, despite the formal rules, umpires in baseball games differ in the strike zones that they recognize.
In recent years, Major League Baseball (MLB) has experimented with laser light technology in order to standardize the strike zone and further to measure umpires' personal strike zones. However, because balls and strikes are still called by the umpires, and not laser light technology, adjusting ones pitch to a specific umpire or what's called “painting” i.e., consistently hitting specific areas such as the back corners and the back edges of a strike zone is a skill that is greatly desired by pitchers.
As shown in FIG. 1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,434 illustrates the front view of a softball or baseball training device according to the prior art. The training device shows a suspended strike zone frame surrounded and supported by a support frame 1, which is made up of tubing connected by corner blocks 2. In the illustration of FIG. 1, the strike zone frame is held by lower members 15 and by brace members 9. Also as shown in FIG. 1, the support frame 1 as disclosed can be made of any material that is strong enough to withstand hits by balls, yet be light enough for transport.
Referring now to FIG. 2, U.S. Pat. No. 7,179,179 illustrates a device for improving pitching performance according to the prior art. Referring to the disclosure in FIG. 2 the device 10 uses an air vessel such as air mattress 12 having a front panel 14, an opposed rear panel 16, and a plurality of interior panels 18. FIG. 2 discloses that the front panel of the air mattress 12 has strike zones and a ball zones wherein the strike zone is transparent, in order to use of lights interior to the device to indicate a strike.
Further in FIG. 3, U.S. Pat. No. 8,517,865 illustrates another pitching practice device according to the prior art. The NO ZONE™ as disclosed, is a device that has a subsection of the strike zone including about the middle 11 to 13 inches of home plate. The device generally stretches from just above the batter's knee to the batter's hip. The device in FIG. 3 is disclosed as being an area where the pitcher is to avoid throwing the ball. FIG. 3 further discloses that the device trains a pitcher to aim the ball horizontally at a 2 inch region on either side of the center of the plate.
Referring also to the illustrations of FIGS. 4A and 4B, U.S. Pat. App. US20130157788 discloses a pitching and training device comprising a vertically planar display surface, having an image and dimensions of an average strike zone. The device is disclosed as having a display surface comprising a plurality of areas having rectangular target shapes 17 for receiving pitched balls 16. The shapes are disclosed as indicating the locations of pitches which is controlled by pitch count of “balls” and “strikes” 0-0 to 3-1. Further the device 10 is disclosed as being positioned behind a home plate 12 and secondly being adjustable in a manner as to conform to regulation distances 15 in either baseball 14 or softball 16 sports.
However none of the current pitching devices or aids disclose a three dimensional apparatus that represents a three dimensional strike zone over a home plate, allowing a pitcher to advance their pitching skills by targeting, and or and receiving feedback, regarding pitching accuracy when hitting specific backdoor areas of the three dimensional strike zone e.g., the areas on or near the back corners and edges of a three dimensional strike zone.
Furthermore, none of the current pitching devices or aids disclose a three dimensional apparatus that is representative of the three dimensional strike zone, and which orientation can be adjusted as needed in order to adjust or reset the apparatus to make those specific areas easier or more difficult to hit.
It is therefore desirable to have an apparatus that a pitcher can use to advance their pitching skills by receiving instant feedback that the pitcher is able to consistently hit those specific back door areas of the three dimensional strike zone. Moreover, it is also desirable to have an apparatus that can be adjusted as needed in order to adjust or reset the orientation of the apparatus, to make those specific areas easier or more difficult to hit.
The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the deficiencies of, one or more of the problems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A pitching apparatus including a three dimensional strike area assembly having a plurality of zones. The plurality of zones of the pitching apparatus includes one or more target zones and a support, wherein the strike area assembly is disposed on the support at one or more zones of the strike area assembly.
The pitching apparatus further includes a back door area of the three dimensional strike area assembly including the areas near the back corners and back edges of one or more of the target zones, wherein when an impact is detected at the one or more target zones, the impact will cause at least part of the strike area assembly to actuate. The pitching apparatus further includes that, the strike area assembly includes at least two side zones.
The pitching apparatus also includes at least one of the one or more strike area assembly target zones having zone target indicia disposed thereupon, wherein the target indicia is disposed on the one or more strike area assembly target zones, on or near at least part of the areas near the back corners and back edges of the strike area assembly target zones.
The pitching apparatus further includes that, when an impact is detected in an area where the target indicia is disposed, the strike area assembly will actuate. The pitching apparatus also includes that when the strike area assembly actuates, one or more of lights and sound can be caused to activate. The pitching apparatus further includes that, when the strike area assembly actuates one or more of the vertical position, horizontal position, and orientation of the strike area assembly can change.
Also, the pitching apparatus includes that an adjuster can be coupled to one or more of the support and the strike area assembly, and that when the strike area assembly is caused to actuate, the adjuster can be used to cause the strike area assembly to deactuate.
The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potential embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a baseball pitching target according to the prior art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a device for improving pitching performance according to the prior art.

FIG. 3 illustrates a pitching practice device according to the prior art.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a softball or baseball pitching and training device according to the prior art.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example three dimensional strike area assembly disposed on a support according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example view of top and side back door edges and a back door corner of the three dimensional strike area assembly of FIG. 5 according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B illustrates another example of the three dimensional strike area assembly of FIG. 5, having target indicators disposed on target zones according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate cross sectional views of the three dimensional strike area assembly of FIG. 5 having different shapes, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8A illustrates an example back door corner between a top zone and a side zone.

FIG. 8B illustrates an example of a back zone of the three dimensional strike area assembly of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate example views of an adjuster according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example three dimensional strike area assembly having an adjuster coupled to one or more of the support and the strike area assembly according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Overview of the System
FIG. 5 illustrates an example three dimensional strike area assembly 500 disposed on a support 513 according to the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 has a plurality of zones including a top zone 503, a bottom zone 512, at least two side zones (523), a front zone 511, and a back zone (801) not shown. In one example of the present disclosure, one or more of the above zones may be strike area assembly target zones. In this example, a zone is considered a strike area assembly target zone if the zone is used as a target during pitching. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the top zone 503, at least two side zones (523), and a front zone 511 are strike area assembly target zones, as they are used as targets for a pitcher during pitching. However, other zones such as the back zone (801) or bottom zone 512 may not be target zones as those zones may not be visible to a pitcher, considering the pitcher is positioned in front of the front face of the strike assembly zone (e.g., the front zone 511), and further because no part of those zones are possible to hit directly with any type of pitch.
Referring back to FIG. 5 however, an example of the present disclosure shows one or more strike area assembly target zones (503, 511, and 523) being used as targeted surfaces for pitching. The back zone (801) as described with reference to FIG. 8 below, though not limited or excluded as a target zone, considering the position and or orientation of the strike area assembly 500 relative to a pitcher, may be used for purposes other than a target zone used for pitching.
However, as presently disclosed the apparatus disclosed herein is not limited to practicing or training for the sport of baseball, as the apparatus may be used also for softball, other sports such as tennis, lacrosse, cricket, or any other activity where a pitcher or athlete having a need or desire to target and consistently hit a particular location, and receive instant feedback from, a three-dimensional target for training or otherwise. As further disclosed herein, pitching practice is not limited to actions or activities performed for the purposes of enhancing abilities in particular sport. For example, the pitching apparatus disclosed herein may be also be used in amusement parks, commercial venues, and or arcades, etc. for leisure and or gaming purposes.
As a result, a pitcher as disclosed herein may include anyone that uses a baseball, softball, or any type of projectile to target and attempt to impact the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 with the projectile.
The three dimensional strike area assembly 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 also includes outer edges along each of the target zones (503, 511, and 523). For example, the front zone 511 includes edges 507 along the top, sides, and bottom of the front target zone 511. Similarly, the side target zones 523 and the top target zone 503 also include outer edges (519 and 501), respectively, around the target zones (503, 512, and 523). Furthermore, the edges of two separate target zones may be shared. For example the front target zone's top edge 507 may share an edge with the top target zone edge 501, and so on.
Also, further illustrated in FIG. 5 along the outer edges of the front, sides, and top target zones (507, 519, and 501), target indicators as shown in FIG. 5 as indicators 504, 515, and 517 i.e., “target indicia” as illustrated in FIG. 5, e.g., the shaded regions be disposed on or near at least part of the edges (507, 519, and 501), and or corners (605) as shown below in FIG. 6A, of the three dimensional strike area assembly zones.
In one example, target indicia can be different colors that are painted on or near at least part of the edges (507, 519, and 501). However, in another example target indicia can also be tape, engraving or be ingrained within, or other adhesive, or applied differentiator, that is disposed on the assembly 500, having a different texture, color, or design than the target zone of the assembly 500.
The strike area assembly 500 can be composed of a hard material such as a plastic which can cause the assembly 500 to vibrate when impacted by a pitched object. In another example however, the assembly 500 can be composed of a semi-hard material such as polyethylene foam other semi-hard foam based, or non-foam based material such as rubber, particle board or other wood, etc. which can vary in hardness.
In yet another example, the strike area assembly 500 may be inflatable, having included beams or ridges for maintaining shape. In any of the above examples however, the material composition of the assembly 500 must be sufficiently firm enough to maintain the shape and stability of the assembly 500 during use. As discussed below, the composition of the strike area assembly 500 must maintain enough stability for securing sensors, audio and or visual devices, and or other electronics that can be used for device actuation purposes, as discussed below in reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.
Moreover, the dimensions or size of the of the strike area assembly 500 may vary based on the shape of the assembly 500. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C, the strike area assembly 500 can have different three dimensional shapes.
In one example, the strike area assembly 500 can be cubical, having dimensions of 17 inches in length, 17 inches in height, and having a depth of 17 inches. However depending on the shape of the strike area assembly 500, the width, height, and or depth may vary in order to suit the different zone sizes and dimensions of the assembly zone 500.
Also as further illustrated in FIG. 5, the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 is disposed on a support 513 at one or more strike area assembly zones (e.g., 512, 511, 503, and 523). As shown in FIG. 5, the strike area assembly 500 is disposed on a support 513 at the bottom zone 512. Further, in another example, the support 513 may include one or more stationary stands, poles, or leg extensions that can be used to position or mount the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 in a pitching area (e.g., any area used during pitching). However, as discussed below, based on how the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 is mounted i.e., suspension, etc. the support 513 need not include a stationary stand or pole, made out of any variation or type of plastic, metal, wood, or other suitable stable material, but instead the support 513 can simply be a connection device used to connect the suspension mechanism to the strike area assembly 500.
In another example however, mounting the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 in a pitching area may include first mounting the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 on one or more bases 525 (e.g., one or more stabilizing apparatuses also made out of wood, plastic, metal, or other suitable material or any combination thereof, used for stabilizing the assembly 500). In this example, mounting the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 in a pitching area may also include mounting or disposing the support 513 on one or more bases 525.
In yet another example, mounting the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 in a pitching area can include disposing the strike area assembly 500 on a support 513, by suspending the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 from streams, wires, rope, or any elastic or non-elastic cord connected to the strike area assembly 500. In this example, the assembly can be disposed at one or more of the front, sides, and top target zones (507, 519, and 501), the one or more supports 513 being sufficiently stable to hold the strike zone assembly 500 in place for targeting.
In yet another example, the strike zone assembly 500 support 513 may include a ball and socket joint device that movably connects the support 513 and the strike zone assembly 500. Also, as will be discussed further with reference to FIG. 10, the strike zone assembly 500 may include extensions or connectors (1000) that can be used to connect the strike zone assembly 500 to the support 513, or the strike zone assembly 500 may be without extensions or connectors (1000), and simply be disposed on the support 513 via one or more connection devices such as the ball and socket device discussed above, screw apparatus, bolting, and or snapping and or locking into place, such as using quick connect coupling devices, or other devices commonly used for connecting tubing, hoses, hook and loop, straps, etc. The above described connection devices, and others known in the art may also be used to secure the base 525 as discussed above, or an adjuster 900 discussed below, in FIG. 9A-9B.
Accordingly, now that the strike area assembly 500, target zones (503, 512, and 523), outer edges along each of the target zones (503, 512, and 523), and target indicia (504, 515, and 517) disposed on the target zones have been described, the back door area of the strike area assembly 500 will now be discussed.
In some sports such as baseball, consistently targeting and hitting the different areas along the back door of a strike zone is a skill that is greatly desired by pitchers. For example, hitting the back door in the sport of baseball, or having a three dimensional apparatus that can be used for pitching practice that enables a pitcher to practice hitting the back door of a strike zone will allow pitchers to become more accurate when throwing sliders curveballs and or other pitches. This will in time allow a pitcher to obtain enough accuracy to “paint” the back door i.e., consistently hit specific areas around the back door area such as the back corners and the back edges area of a strike zone.
The back door area of the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 is represented by the areas near the back corners and back edges of the target zones. In one example the areas near the back corners and back edges may be areas within zero to seven inches from the respective edges or corner. Illustrated in FIG. 6A is an example view of the back door area of the strike area assembly 500, which includes top and side back door zones (601 and 603), respectively, and back door corners (605 and 606) of the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 of FIG. 5, according to the present disclosure.
The corners (605 and 606) toward the back of the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 represent back door corners of the back door area. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, because the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 is shaped as a box or cube, there are eight corners total i.e., four back door corners toward the backside of the three dimensional strike area assembly 500. The four corners of the back door area of the assembly 500 include two top back door corners and two bottom back door corners. For example, as illustrated as illustrated by the dark circle 605 in FIG. 6A, one of these top back door corners 605, is the area surrounding the point where the back edge 501 of the top target zone 503, and the side zone 523 meet (i.e., the side zone on the right of the strike area assembly 500). Similarly, as illustrated by the dark circle 606 located on the bottom of assembly 500 in FIG. 6A, the bottom back door corner 606 is the area surrounding the point where the bottom back edge 501 of target zone 503, and the side zone 523 meet.
Referring to FIG. 6B, another example of the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 having target indicia disposed along the back door area and front zones is illustrated according to the present disclosure. Also as shown, the target indicia is disposed along each of the target zones (503, 511, and 523). However, in on example the target indicia need only be disposed on or near at least part of the edges (501, 514, and 519) and or corners e.g., corner 605 of the target zones.
Further as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the target indicia need not be limited to being disposed on or near the edges (501, 514, and 519) and or corners 605, of the zones. For example, target indicia may be disposed in multiple locations on assembly 500. Referring again to FIG. 6B, the front zone 511 includes target indicia in the center of, and in certain target locations of the assembly 500. For example, target indicia 651, and 637 represents target locations in each of the four corners of the front zone 511. Also as illustrated, darker colored target indicators 631 may further be disposed on the strike area assembly 500 being positioned along the back door area of the assembly 500.
In the example illustration of FIG. 6B, target indicia disposed along the back door area such as indicia 631 (and the two dark target indicators within back door corners 605 and 606), represent higher valued target locations for pitchers to practice hitting. For example, targeting the higher valued target locations along the back door area will allow pitchers to become more accurate when throwing sliders, curveballs, and or other pitches. As discussed, this will in time allow a pitcher to obtain enough accuracy to “paint” the back door i.e., consistently hit those higher value target locations, such as the back corners 605 and 606, or other back corners, and the back edges of a three dimensional strike zone (601 and or 603).
Although in the above example, the higher valued target locations along the back door area have target indicia disposed thereon, target indicia may be present on at least part of corners and edges of any target zone i.e., top 503, front 511, bottom 512, and or side zones 523.
In one example referring to FIG. 6B, the apparatus 500 may be used as a gaming device having target indicators disposed thereon, such as 504, 515, 517, 631, 637, and or 651. In this example, the target indicia can either be painted on, taped on, ingrained, or have some material e.g., plastic or otherwise disposed on the strike zone assembly 500. Using this example, in order to obtain points, a ball or other projectile object is launched in the direction of the assembly 500—specifically targeting one or more of the indicators 504, 515, 517, 631, 637, and or 651. In this example, obtaining points may differ depending on what particular target indicia has been impacted with the projectile.
In yet another example of the above gaming illustration, the apparatus 500 may have target indicia having different colors or patterns on each target zone (503, 511, 512 and or 523). The different colors are assigned unique point values (similar to a dart board), so that pitchers can compete in a pitching skill game. When the ball hits a color the pitcher gets the number of points for that color. Each pitcher may get a predefined number of pitches. At the end of the inning, each pitcher totals his points to see who has the most points. The pitcher with the most points wins the game.
However, although a three dimensional cubical or rectangular strike area assembly 500, may benefit a pitcher, and may employ target indicia on each of its target zones to assist in those benefits, as discussed below in FIGS. 7A-7C, the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 is not limited to having a cubical or rectangular shape with eight corners.
For example, the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 may include many different shapes and or sizes having a variety of target zones and or corners. FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate different cross sectional views of a three dimensional strike area assembly 500 having different shapes according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7A, an assembly having nine sides is shown. The nine sides of the assembly 500 represent target zones, although only eight sides will typically be used for targeting, excluding the back zone (801). According to the present disclosure, the front zone 511 and the back zone (801) are interchangeable i.e., depending on the orientation of the strike area assembly 500, whichever zone is facing in the direction closest to the pitcher is referred to as the front zone 511. Likewise, whichever zone is facing in a direction farthest from the pitcher is referred to as the back zone (801).
For example the assembly of FIG. 7A includes a front target zone 511, a top zone 503, and six side zones 523. Also, in this illustration, the junction or point where two side zones 523 meet may represent the bottom zone 512 of the assembly 500. However, in another example of the assembly 500 of FIG. 7A, the bottom and top zones may be flipped. For example, the top zone 503 may be used as the bottom zone 512, and the point where two side zones 523 meet (i.e., 512 in the illustration) may be flipped so that it represents the top zone 503.
The cross sectional view of strike area assembly 500 of FIG. 7B however includes an assembly having ten zones, including front and back zones 511 and (801), respectively, a top zone 503, a bottom zone 512, and six side zones 523. While, the cross sectional illustration shown in FIG. 7C includes 12 zones. These zones include a top and bottom zone (503 and 512, respectively), eight side zones 523, a front zone 511, and a back zone (801).
As discussed earlier, targeting the back door area of the three dimensional strike zone i.e., the higher valued target areas of the strike zone, will allow pitchers to become more accurate when throwing sliders, curveballs, and or other pitches—in time allowing a pitcher to obtain enough accuracy to “paint” the back door. Using the example shapes in FIGS. 7A-7C will allow pitchers to target many different areas around a typical back door area of a strike zone.
This may be very useful because, at least in the sport of baseball, the pitcher's target area or strike zone is typically determined by an umpire. However naturally, umpires may tend to have different boundaries for a strike zone. For example, one umpire may view the height and dimensions of the three dimensional strike zone perfectly per the guidelines of the sport.
However, some umpires may have a tendency to view the strike zone to be some distance or have different dimensions (e.g., inches either to the right, left, or in some other direction) with respect to the ideal strike zone location per the guidelines of the sport. In these cases, there are many benefits to practicing using a three dimensional strike area assembly 500 having different shapes, as it further allows a pitcher to become more accurate when hitting or targeting different areas of the back door area of the three dimensional strike zone assembly 500.
However, as discussed the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 may have target indicia such as (504, 515, and 517) at least partially disposed on or near one or more target zones, edges, or corners of the three dimensional assembly 500. In another example of the present disclosure, when the one or more strike area assembly 500 target zones detects an impact, the detected impact will cause the strike area assembly to actuate.
FIG. 8A illustrates an example back door corner e.g., corner 605 between a top zone 503 and a side zone 523. Further, FIG. 8B illustrates an example of the back zone 801 of the three dimensional strike area assembly of FIG. 5. In one example, whenever the strike zone assembly 500 target zone is impacted at least part of the assembly 500 will actuate (i.e., wobble, vibrate, change orientation, display one or more lights, transmit one or more wired or wireless signals, and or emit one or more sounds).
For example, when a target zone or e.g., target zone indicia 504, 515, and 517 is impacted by an object, the strike zone assembly 500 may shake or wobble. One example is that when the strike zone assembly 500 is impacted at any target zone, the strike zone assembly 500 will wobble. Another key example of the present disclosure is that when a pitcher targets or attempts to work on the accuracy of a particular type of pitch, and successfully hits the back door area of the strike area target 500, the impact detected at the back door area will cause the strike zone assembly 500 to actuate.
For example, the strike zone assembly 500 could wobble, light up (i.e., lights would emit light letting the pitcher know that the pitch was a strike, and or that the impact of the pitch was detected at the backdoor area), emit sound, etc. This actuation may also be in the form of changing the direction or orientation of the strike zone assembly 500.
For example, if the strike zone assembly 500 is hit by a pitch within the top back door zone 601, the strike zone assembly 500 will tilt upward. That is, if the back door zone 601 detects an impact, the orientation of the front zone 511 of assembly 500 may tilt upward. In the same illustration however, if the strike zone assembly 500 is hit by a pitch along one or more of the side back door zones 603, the strike zone assembly 500 will twist horizontally left or right, or toward the direction of the side back door zone 603. Further, although the side back door zone 603 is only shown on the right side of the assembly 500, a side backdoor zone also exist on the left side of the strike zone assembly 500 (not shown). That being said, a similar change in orientation would apply if the left side of the assembly were to detect an impact. As such, the strike zone assembly 500 will tilt upward and or horizontally, thereby changing the orientation of the strike zone assembly 500 based on where it is hit.
Referring to speaker 802 disposed on the back zone 801 of FIG. 8B, the speaker, although illustrated as being part of or protruding from the back zone 801 of the strike area assembly 500, does not need to be located in the back zone 801 or be visible from the outer target zones. Instead, the speaker 802 may represent more than a speaker 802, being located completely within the apparatus 500, disposed on the support 513 or base 525, and or be communicably coupled with the strike zone assembly 500 but otherwise not disposed.
Moreover, the same applies to lights used during actuation, which may be florescent, led, or other type of light emitting device. For example, strike area assembly may include one or more lights, located completely within the apparatus 500, be disposed on the support 513, or base 525, and or be communicably coupled with the strike zone assembly 500, but otherwise not disposed thereon.
In another example, an application on a display such as a Personal Handheld Device or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) may receive one or more notifications that an impact has been detected by the assembly 500. In this example, the strike zone assembly 500 may include analog or digital electronics such as processors and memory for transmitting and or causing sensors 803 to record impact location and magnitude data. Such telecommunication devices such as Bluetooth, radio frequency, digital instrumentation controllers such as (MIDI) controllers, or other wireless data transmitters and or receivers can be used to transmit information obtained by sensors disposed on the apparatus 500, as discussed below.
Other telecommunication methods may include using optical links, infrared, or using telecommunication networks such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks by using Short Message Service (SMS) to receive and transmit data. Accordingly, these telemetry methods have transmitters and receivers, such as radio transmitters for Bluetooth, or other radio transmission, light generation and or amplification devices such as Light Amplification Devices, for transmitting optical telemetry, or data transmitters using the GSM network and associated receivers.
In one example, transmitters and or receivers may be disposed within the three dimensional strike area assembly 500. Transmitters in the present disclosure also include transmitters that relay both light and sound. In another example, the transmitters will actuate when one or more sensors are impacted.
Referring to the illustration in FIG. 8A, of a back door corner 605 between top zone 503 and side zone 523, one or more sensors 803 are shown disposed on the target indicia 504 and 517. Sensors 803 such as motion sensors e.g., seismic, inertia based gyroscopes, or inertia switch sensors may be used to detect the magnitude and or location of the impact due to a pitched object. In yet another example however, acoustic and or pressure based sensors 803 may located anywhere within a particular target zone, and be used to detect the magnitude and location of the impact intensity, vibration, or change in pressure within a particular target zone.
The above discussion referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, has been primarily focused on the actuation of a strike area assembly 500 (i.e., wobbling, vibrating, changes orientation, displaying or activating one or more lights, transmitting one or more wired or wireless signals, and or emitting one or more sounds). The discussion below however will now focus on deactuation of the strike zone assembly 500 once the strike area assembly actuates.
FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate example views of an adjuster 900 according to the present disclosure. In one example of the present disclosure, the adjuster 900 may be used to deactuate the strike area assembly 500 once actuated. The adjuster 900, as shown in FIG. 9A, may further include a housing unit 903 and an engager 901. The adjuster 900 as shown in FIG. 9B may include a mechanical device, a combination of electrical and mechanical devices, or other devices that can be used to deactuate the strike area assembly 500.
In one example, to stabilize any wobbling or vibrating due to the strike area assembly 500 being impacted, the adjuster 900 may include stabilizing devices such as shocks or dampers. In another example, the adjuster 900 may include a motor and one or more orientation devices such as a gyroscope and or an accelerometer. One or more of these devices may be disposed within an internal compartment 905, of the adjuster 900 housing unit 903.
Furthermore in another example, the support 513 or the strike area assembly 500 may detect changes in the orientation of the strike area assembly 500 due to actuation, and subsequently reset or modify the orientation of the assembly 500. In yet another example, the orientation devices such as gyroscopes and or accelerometers may be disposed within the strike area assembly 500 for detecting changes in assembly 500 orientation, while the motor and other adjuster 900 electrical devices are disposed in one or more of the adjuster housing 903, support 513, or base 525. Not limited to the above configuration, the adjuster 900 electrical devices may also be disposed in the strike area assembly 500, so long as they are secured within the assembly 500 in a way that the impact of pitches do not disable the disclosed functionality of the assembly 500.
Furthermore, in another example, displaying or activating one or more lights, transmitting one or more wired or wireless signals, and or emitting one or more sounds, may be deactuated using electrical switches, or other electrical devices that are capable of detecting when the assembly 500 is actuated by including circuitry used to detect the flow of current e.g., in closed circuits, or the lack of current flow in open circuits. In another example, the electrical devices may include digital timers, for allowing the strike area assembly 500 to be in an actuated state for an allowed period of time, before being deactuated.
In yet another example, the adjuster 900 may be used to tilt or adjust the orientation of the strike area assembly 500. The adjuster 900 may be wired, and adjusted using some wired connection and controller. However, the adjuster may also be adjusted by remote control such as using a wireless remote transmitter on a pitcher's key chain, or other handheld remote transmission device. However, the adjuster 900 may also be controlled remotely using one or more software applications on portable handheld devices such as a smartphones or personal digital assistants (PDAs), running one or more software applications such as Windows, Android, IOS, or other software applications known in the art.
Remote transmission devices, smartphones, PDAs, or other devices may have one or more processors and memory capable of storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the adjuster 900 to deactuate, actuate, and or adjust the orientation of the strike zone assembly 500. In another example, the one or more processors can wirelessly cause the adjuster 900 to perform the above actions through the use of telemetry using transmitters and receivers. By way of example, having the ability to adjust the strike area assembly 500, a particular target zone (511, 503, 523 or 512) can be adjusted so that it becomes a more difficult, or less difficult, to hit a desired target location on that particular zone. This functionality can be used in addition to the deactuation process described above, or when the deactuation process using the adjuster 903 has been disabled.
As shown in FIG. 10, an example of the three dimensional strike area assembly 500 having an adjuster 903 coupled to one or more of the support 513 and the strike area assembly 500 is shown according to the present disclosure. In one example, the engager 901 may be coupled to a connector 1000 disposed on the strike area assembly 500.
However it is not necessary for a connector 1000 to be disposed on the strike area assembly 500, instead the engager 901 may alternatively be a detachable device, for connecting to the strike area assembly 500 directly. In the above example, the detachable device may use one or more connection devices such as the ball and socket joint, as discussed above, a screw apparatus, bolting, and or snapping and or locking into place, such as using quick connect coupling devices, or other devices commonly used for connecting tubing, hoses, etc.
The housing unit 903 and an engager 901 of adjuster 900 however may include a ball and socket joint, sliding joint, or any other multi-directional movable joint or connection that can be adjusted or moved into one or more of the vertical positions, horizontal positions, and or orientations (e.g., directional rotation) of the strike zone assembly 500. Further, in another example, in lieu of a ball and socket joint, the housing unit 903 and engager 901 may be a single unit, such as containing a motor interacting with, and having a connection disposed one or more gears, for connecting with the strike area assembly 500. In this example, the engager 901 may just be a connection point of the housing unit 903.
The adjuster 901 in another example, may be configured to cause the strike area assembly 500 to rotate and or pause at different speeds. This rotation and or pausing action of the assembly 500 would be useful for a pitcher who desires an even higher level of performance and accuracy, by practicing having to hit different areas of the strike area assembly 500.
This function of the apparatus will also better equip pitchers with an ability of being capable of changing the type of the pitch to be thrown quickly, while maintaining accuracy, in targeting the back door zones of the strike zone assembly 500 described above. In one example, the above functionality is implemented by either initially configuring the one or more processors and memory or by using telemetry to send one or more commands to a processor via the remote transmitter for configuration, to enable the processor to cause the motor, and or engager 901, to engage within the adjuster 900.
The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. It will be appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure that features described above in accordance with any embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter can be utilized, either alone or in combination, with any other described feature, in any other embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter.
In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, Applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A pitching apparatus comprising:

a three dimensional strike area assembly having a plurality of zones, the plurality of zones including one or more target zones;

a support, wherein the strike area assembly is disposed on the support at one or more zones of the strike area assembly;

a back door area of the three dimensional strike area assembly, the back door area including the areas near the back corners and back edges of one or more target zones; and

wherein when an impact is detected at the one or more target zones the impact will cause at least part of the strike area assembly to actuate.

2. The pitching apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more strike area assembly target zones has zone target indicia disposed thereupon.

3. The pitching apparatus of claim 2, wherein the target indicia is disposed on the one or more strike area assembly target zones on or near at least part of the areas near the back corners and back edges.

4. The pitching apparatus of claim 2, wherein the strike area assembly actuates when an impact is detected in an area where the target indicia is disposed.

5. The pitching apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the strike area assembly actuates, one or more of lights and sound is caused to activate.

6. The pitching apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the strike area assembly actuates, one or more of the vertical position, horizontal position, and orientation of the strike area assembly is changed.

7. The pitching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strike area assembly includes at least two side zones.

8. The pitching apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adjuster coupled to one or more of the support and the strike area assembly.

9. The pitching apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the strike area assembly is caused to actuate the adjuster causes the strike area assembly to deactuate.

10. A pitching apparatus comprising:

a back door area of the three dimensional strike area assembly, the back door area including the areas near the back corners and back edges of one or more target zones;

an adjuster coupled to one or more of the support and the strike area assembly;

wherein when an impact is detected at the one or more target zones the impact will cause at least part of the strike area assembly to actuate; and

wherein the strike area assembly is caused to deactuate using the adjuster.

11. The pitching apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of the one or more strike area assembly target zones has zone target indicia disposed thereupon.

12. The pitching apparatus of claim 11, wherein the target indicia is disposed on the one or more strike area assembly target zones on or near at least part of the areas near the back corners and back edges of the target zones.

13. The pitching apparatus of claim 11, wherein the strike area assembly actuates when an impact is detected in an area where the target indicia is disposed.

14. The pitching apparatus of claim 10, wherein when the strike area assembly actuates, one or more of lights and sound is caused to activate.

15. The pitching apparatus of claim 10, wherein when the strike area assembly actuates, one or more of the vertical position, horizontal position, and orientation of the strike area assembly is changed.

16. The pitching apparatus of claim 10, wherein the strike area assembly includes at least two side zones.

17. A pitching apparatus comprising:

an adjuster coupled to one or more of the support and the strike area assembly;

one or more processors and memory that store instructions that when executed by the one or more processors:

cause the strike area assembly to actuate, when an impact is detected at the one or more target zones; and

cause the strike area assembly to deactuate using the adjuster.

18. The pitching apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least one of the one or more strike area assembly target zones has zone target indicia disposed thereupon.

19. The pitching apparatus of claim 18, wherein the target indicia is disposed on the one or more strike area assembly target zones on or near at least part of the areas near the back corners and back edges of the target zones.

20. The pitching apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more processors and memory that store instructions that when executed by the one or more processors:

cause one or more sensors disposed on the one or more strike area assembly target zones to record pitch impact location and magnitude data.