US2925274A - Batting practice ball and game device - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 16, 1960 P, NEWHA T 2,925,274

BATTING PR ACTICE BALL AND GAME DEVICE Filed July 8. 1958 INVENTOR. Newhflr't Paul. C

} AGENT I i Fig. 2 is asectionalview ofthelballconstructiongtaken 1 jon the 1ine-2I-2 of F ig. .1. j I I I Fig. :3 is a diagram showingthe practice ball; carried 2,925,274 a '7 y a long cord or line such as a-washline, for playing t 2 a 5 I a batting game, hereinafter termed a monkey? garneil; BATIINGYPRACTICE BA L GAMED V Fig. 4 is a diagram-similar to Fig. 3, but showingthe s Y I practice ball and suspension as confined to a smallervarea.

' Application July 8,1958, Serial'No..74 7',310* 1 novel batting practice ball construction which is consti- 10 tuted essentially of two basic components, a core'member and a wrapping disposed about the core member. The core membenindicated by the numeral 10, is preferably of flexible and resilient'material such assponge rubber j T .1 p or similar substance which may be readily compressed This invention relates to baseball'constructions adapted and deformed and has the ability or property to return to toprovidebatting practice, andqto games intended toflbe' its original shape. Thecore member 10 is also preferably played with such baseball constructions; r-: 3 51,: I made in thejshap'e of a-ballor'sphere, although an exact One object of the inventidniis, to provide a-noveland shape ofthisnature is not essential. i T improved baseball construction;adaptedito-be :used for V For the purposes ,o fthe invention I have found that batting practice purposes;'whicliiconstruction is' extremely when the core member 10 is constituted of sponge rubber rugged, resistant to weartand rough-iuseyandflcapablezof having a diameter on the order of 2 inches the resultant having a long and exterided', i;useful life. r 1 s size-and characteristics of the practice ballare generally a ;.Another object of. the inventionis to provide, v'a novel all that would be desired, for the purpos'eiof using the a and improvedbaseball'constructionasjabove character practice ball for hitting, bunting and catching practice,

. ized, which is especially useful and advantageous: asian tboth indoors and outdoors. L

' aid to perfect the techniquesgof hitting, bunting and'catch- By the present invention the wrapping which isplaced ing baseballs. i 1 f 1 about the core member'10 is constituted of heavy cord or V A further ,object of the invention is" to provideian im-l line, preferably onthe .order of /4 inch in diameter, and

r proved-batting practice ball structure in: accordance with I havetound that sash cord or'washline cord of such diamthetforegoing, which may, be readily used not only outeter'serves the purpose admirably. The wrapping about I side or outdoors, but also indoors, in restricted or limited the core member 10 is constituted in a novel v m'anuer,in*

accordance with the invention,'preferably by using but'a :spaces. I 1.

A still further object of the inventionisto provide an single long piece of cord and wrapping or encircling the improved practice ball construction for-batting,.bunting core-member with a plurality of groups of'co'nvolu'tions and catching practice, which is especially adaptable, for or turns in such a manner that aninterlocki'ng of the con- 1 I use with-a tightly strung horizontal linesuchas a washvolutions is effected, thereby to securely-hold all of the line or the like, 7 r v v g convolutions in placeabout the core member regardless A stilltfurth'er object of't he inventionis'to provide an 'of rough-usage and the like. I 1 v I a improved practice ball construction which isjcharac'terizedf Informing the wrapping referring to Figs. 1and 2;,I

l by extreme simplicity and compactness, With frelatively 40 initially provide about the.core membrltl afirst seriesoi: -f yv-corhponentsr I 2' 1; j -1 l-turns','indicated'by the numeral 12,'the said turns being.

Afeature ofa'theinventionlresides intheprbviswn of disposed side bysideand wrappedtightly about the core 5 .zan improvedpractice ball 'constructionwhich.utilizes rela .5 member to form ineifectan annular wrapping'thereaboub. r i ,:ti v'ely inexpensive materials; and whichmayibeteconomi- .Upon completion of 1the-first series ofgtur-ns the'same cally'fabr-icatedjand producedwhile'still'retaining all of 4 ,c,ord preferably :is' used torp'rovide a second 'series of I a tu'rns, also; disposed s ideby side-but vthis time at right angles to and overlying the first seriesio f turnsj- The "the above properties andadvantages, J p ;.T'-Another-.feature of theFinvention *residesirin *thefprio visio'n' of .a-novel practice ballziconstruction fwher'eing I I II p T major portionof the ball .fandflalso a suspension-imeanstheifigures- Upon completion of 'thesecond series of therefor, including the outside :or wrapper structure, i s 5 1mm I-then utilize the remaining cordto' form 'a'third constituted of fiexible-cord'or line, as for. example cottons series of turns which is now disposed at-right angles "to I *washl-ine', nylon line and. the like. v f a; I both the first and secondfs'eries of turns.-"All of the said A still furtheffeature'of theinvention resides; in thef'" I series .of turns are constituted of' complete iconvolutions provision of a novel practice balliconstruction formed of the cord or rope, disposed tightly against one another largely of washline ortlre like, wherein thesaiddine in.side-by-side,relation; v

of cord is arranged and organized in a novel manner, I The thirdand final series ofturns ismade 'to 'ov'erlie with interrelated'and locking portions, so as' to provide a the'second series of turns, and is made to underliefthe stu'rdy and rugged construction? not -likely to'lcomeapart- '.-first"series of'turnsfand in"-accornplishing' this latter'any and one which is characterised by greafsimplicityr; s'uitabletool; threading device or' needle maybe utilized,

A still further and' important object of the invention to pull the cord under the first series of turns'andbe'tween fis to'provide an irnprovedpractice ball construction 'with I {the same and-core member 10. Thisconstructio n issuspension means wherein:-thel said tsuspension'meansj -c le'arlyillustrated.inthe figuresgand "the third'series iof I is securely attached to the? ball i against s eparation fwhile fstill niainfaining 7 desirableisiniplicity in th structure rwitha'minimum ofcomponentsi Other features and advantages: wi

. the-ithree 'series'of turnsall at right anglesto each other second series of turns is-designated by the numeral 14 in i turns is indic'atedby-. the:numeral*16." By so arranging l '59Withfthe third seriesoverlying the second and underlying I 3 hereinafter'appear; :j II the firsg there is anvinterlocking' of the-seriesin'suclia v 'In the accompanying drawings, "similar-1 characters of manner that the turns will not'become loose and-will not .f'ife c iafe u 'desig'flaferlikb'.c0mp0i1nts through-J. beinadvertently undone from the core member 10. This I out-"the several views,' iniwhich:-

isbecause the turns initially are especially tightly wrapped r L I .i: Figureglfis asid e'levationa -view ofthe improved, ..-around'the"co're, and because there is a frictionalretein ri bgatting practice ball constructionrasprovidedby themvenq -tion bf thethird series; otturns by the first seriesyl tion', including'the'suspension means fortheball alsolaafrictional retention of second series b messy;

tllii'd series. In a like mannerthere "is a friotionalretention of the first series by the second series, since a completely interlocking organization is effected by so winding the turns in the aforesaid manner.

Upon completion of the three series of turns it'will be I directly connected to the said ends will be securely fric- -tionally retained in place by the overlapping arrangements of the'various turns.

In accordance with the invention I utilize the said ends of the cord or rope to constitute a reliable suspension means for the ball. As seen in Fig. l, a long end 18 of the rope, leading from the last turn of the third series 16 may be secured to a split chain link 20 as by means of a suitable knot 22 in a manner well understood. The remaining short end 24 of the rope, coming from the first turn of the first series 12, may then be secured to the long end 18 :in any suitable way, as for example by means of groups of fine cord lashings or wrappings, or wrappings of strong adhesive tape or the like. As shown in the figures, wrappings of adhesive tape are employed.

The above completes the construction of the ball and 'the suspension means immediately associated therewith.

I have found that with a ball construction as above set forth and characterized it 'is possible to subject the :hall .to severe use without the cord wrapping becoming undone. Therefore this type of ball construction lends itself admirably to use as a practice ball, to perfect hitting and bunting practice and also to perfect catching technique both indoors andout of doors. The ball may be .ZSLISPI1dd from any suitable support, and the user may swing at the ball While it is at rest or he may make the ball swing back and forth, and strike at the ball while it is swinging.

I have found that a ball construction as above set forth, while being extremely rugged, is somewhat softer than a iregular'baseball and consequently will not effect as serious an injury if a person should be struck with it. The-practice ball is essentially :quite light in weight and the cord wrapping with the sponge rubber provides for a certain amount of give or yieldability, which characteristics are of considerable advantage in a practice ball. Moreover, because of the secure anchorage of the end ropes 18 and 24, the ball cannot part from the suspension means and is .accordingly at all times securely anchored. This is an important feature of the invention, since it minimizes the 4 like, may be strung between two sturdy supports, .andthe ball may be suspended from the washline by meansof the split chain link 2% A pair of stops 32 may be located on the washline 30, to restrict the movement ofthe ball and suspension means along the line. These stops, for example, may be advantageously constituted of split rubber stoppers, and such stoppers may be taped to the washline for security to prevent their shifting. Two players may engage in a game with the above organization. One

player may stand under each of the stoppers 32, and the ball may be impelled along the washline 30 by one player toward the other. When the ball reaches the other player he may swing at it. If he effects a solid blow with the bat this will be counted as a point for him. If he should miss the ball it would be counted as a point against him. If the impelled ball does not approach the player within a fair zone suitable for batting, he may decline to swing at it, and accordingly it would be counted as a point for him or against the other player. If he should swing at such a poorly placed ball, and not strike it, it would be counted at point against him or for the player who has impelled the ball. I have termed the above game :a

- monkey game since the ball in traveling between the likelihood of damage or injury which might occur if the ball should become loose from its moorings struck a solid blow.

Even :if the wrapping 16 would for some reason or other become loose, :the ball would still not be released from,

after being the suspension, inasmuch as it is securely anchored at all times by the long end 18 which is integral with the entire wrapping about the sponge rubber core member 10. Such construction constitutes an important feature of the present invention.

In addition to the above advantages, the practice ball has a certain amount of resilience by which it will rebound with appreciable force when struck a stout blow by a bat. This is of. importance since it provides a degree of personal satisfaction when the ball is struck a square blow by the user.

The nature and characteristics of the sash or washcord are such that they resist wear and abrasion to a'considerable extent. Usually such cord or, rope i'simpregnated or permeated with a wear-resistant substance, such as wax or the like, to make it weather resistant, and such subtice ball as above constructed; For example; as shown in Fig. 3, a horizontal line 30 such as a washline or the midwaist, for best efficiency.

two contestants may be likened somewhat to the actions of a monkey or similar creature.

Another game, which I term a rotation game, is illus 'trated in Fig. 4. This game may be played by one player, and other players may take turns after the first player has completed a certain amount of practice. In the rotation game the stoppers 32 which are located on the clothesline are placed close together, thereby restricting the travel of the ball greatly. The player stands adjacent the ball, and either swings at it while the ball is at rest, or else pushes the ball to start it swinging and then strikes at it with the bat as the ball swings back toward him,- or away from him.

It should be noted that in both of the described games the player can pitch to himself, so to speak, by placing the ballin :motion before swinging with the bat, and this is an important feature of the games. In so placing the ball in motion, he may hold it approximately at ear height and then allow it to swing over the plate. Upon the balls and accordingly by so manipulating the ball the player may secure excellent batting practice.

Preferably the height of the ball when it is suspended from the clothes line should be such as to locate it at the In connection with the monkey game above illustrated in Fig. 3', homeplates'rnay be located below the stoppers 3'2 and when a ball which has been impelled crosses the plate without being struck it may be scored as a run :for

the player who has impelled the ball. Various other rules.

may be readily conceived and put into use.

It will now be understood that by the foregoing I have provided a rugged and simplified batting practice ball construction which 'is constituted of relatively few components, which is safe in use, and which will withstand severe usage without appreciable deterioration.- The practice ball is so constituted that it will be securely held by its mooring, thereby minimizing to the greatest possible extent the likelihood of astruck ball going out of bounds or doing possible damage or injury.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be'used without others.

1. A batting practice ball comprising a corememher; and a wrapping disposed aboutsaid core member, comprising heavy cord arranged in a first series of turns z'dis'posed side by side and wrapped tightly about the core membefi -a second series of turns disposed side by side at right angles to and overlying the first series of turns,

:jand garland-series. ottturnsidisnosed d connect the said first and second series;

si e yidefa 2 isht.. -series'of;turns; saidi Qttnm oycr y ns the. s st s d s ss n !d. )fi !85 eei firstseries,; tl ereby to interlockingly and a'onefpieee wrapping disposed about sa1d core.me1ni i Prising a piece of*heavy.=.cord-1.arrangedfina first: series of turns disposed side bygsideand wrapped rightly 2. A batting practice, ball comprising 'a core mem T her; and a one-piece wrapping disposed about-said core memben comprisingapiece-of' heavy'cord arranged in t V a first series of turns disposed side'by' side and wrapped tightly aboutthe core member, a second series of turns disposed side by side at right angles to and overlying the first series of turns, and a third series of turns disposed side by side ,at right angles to both the first and second series of turns, said third series of turns overlyingthe I said second series and underlying the'said first series, thereby to interlockingly connect the said first and second series. 7

3. A batting practice ball comprising a core member;

and a wrapping disposed about said core member, com? prising heavy cord arranged in a first series'of turns disposed side by side and wrapped tightly about the core member, a second series of turns disposed side by side at right angles to and overlying the first series of turns, and a third series of turns disposed side by side at right angles to both the first and second series of turns, said third series of turns overlying the said second series and underlying the said first series,'thereby'to interlockin gly v connect the said first and second series, saidfirst, second, and third series of turns eachhaving on the order of six complete turns and said cord having a diameter on the order of one quarter inch. q

4. A batting practice ball comprising a coremember;

and a wrapping disposed about said'core member, com

underlying the said first series, thereby to interlockinglyconnect the said first andisecondseries, said core mem-f and a one piece wrapping, disposed about said core mem ber, comprising a piece of heavy cord arranged in a first series of turns disposed side, by side and wrapped tightly r about the core member, a second series of turns disposed t pn ahav ne s erm 9: v a-suspensionfo pract ce balli compri e 1 A b t n about the core membe a second seriesfoffturnsdisposed side by side at right angles to andoverlying the first series of turns, and a third series of turns disposed side i by. side at right angles'to both the first and second seriesof 'turns, said third series of turnsoverlying the said second series and underlying the said first series,- thereby to interlockingly connect the said' first and second series, the first turn of the firstseries and the last turn of the last series being broughtout as two separate ends of the cordwhich constitutes the said wrapping,said end portions being fastened together. adjacent the ball and at least one of saidzend portions having appreciable length whereby it constitutes a suspension means for the ball.

' 8. A-batting practice ball comprisinga coremember; and a wrapping disposed about said core member, com prising heavy cord arranged in a first series of turns disposed side by side and wrapped tightly about the core member, a second series of turns disposed side by side at right angles toand overlying the first series of turns,

and a third series of turns disposed side by side at right angles to both the first and second series of turns, said third series of turns overlying the said second series and underlying the said first series, thereby to interlockingly 'connect thesaidfirst and second series, said core member being cpnstitutedof resilient sponge rubber.

9." A batting-practice ball comprising a core member;

side by side at right angles to and overlying the first series of'turns, and a third series, of turns disposed'side by side at right angles to both the first andsecond series of turns, said third series of turns overlying the said second series' g. and; underlying the saidifirst series, thereby .to interlock-r her having a diameter on the .order of' two "inches and.

I said cord having a diameter on the order of one quarter. :inch.' 7 'f I f; S; 5. A battingpractice ball comprising a ,core member;'*:

and a wrapping disposedabout said core member, comprising heavy cord arrangedin -a f rst series of turns dis member, a second series of turns disposed-side by side at right angles to and overlying the first'series of turns,; I i 7 ti'ons are fastenedto each other.

. and a third series of turns disposed .side'by side at right angles to both the first and second series of turns, said third series of turns overlying the said second. series and underlying the said first series, thereby to interlockingly connect the said first and second series, the first turn or.

the second series being integrally connected .with. the last j and a third series'of turns? disposed side by side at right angles to both the first'and second series of turns, said third series of turns. overlying the said 'second seriesfand 60.. 6. A batting practice .ball eor'nprisingfa'core member; and a wrapping disposed about said'core member, com-, 1 prising heavy cord arranged in a first series of turns disf posed side by side and,wrappedtightlyfabout the core member, a second series of turns disposed side by side at right angles to and'overlying the first series .of turns,

ingly connect the said firstand second'series, the first turn of the first series afid the last; turn of the lastseriesbeing brought out as twoseparate ends of the cord which con 7 stitutes the said wrapping, said end portionsgbeingltas; ":te'ned together adjacent thejball and atleast'one ofgsaid end fportions having appreciable length whereby; it contitutes a suspension means for the bal1;;and plurality end portions; which are brought out fromt f iallisaid 10. A batting practiceball comprismg'a core'member;

7 and a wrapping disposed about saidcore member, comprising'heavy cord arranged in a first series of turns disposed side by side and wrapped tightly about-the core member, a second series ofjturns disposed side by side at T right angles toand overlying the first series of turns, and a third series .of turns disposed side. by side at right angles to both the first and second series of turns, said third series "of turns overlying the'said second series and underlying the said first series, thereby to interlockingly connect the said'first and second series; line means comprising a length ot line adapted to be strung horizontally above the ground;

suspension means attached to the said wrapping;- and a loopseeured to said suspension means andjadapted'to encircle the'said line whereby the ball and suspension means.

- may be slid'along the line-when the latter is-strungabove I the ground.

underlyingthe' said first series, thereby :tointerlockingly";

, connect the said first and seconds'eries,.the'first turn of the first series and the lasttumfof the third series being? brought out .as two end portions'gof the cordwhich con-' stitute's thesaid wrapping, at least one of saidend per-- to'limit the amount short distance': J t ,12; The invention as definedin claim It), in which there i 111. The invention jas definedinlelaim 10, in whieh there .is a pair of stops carried by hesaid line on opposite side "of the Said l l x l g' p md closely together 7 p idin mwement of the loppti ofiseparatefine tape lashings securing togeth' thef'said j

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