US3897057A

US3897057A - Tethered ball baseball practice device

Info

Publication number: US3897057A
Application number: US451895A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald D Pennington
Original assignee: PRO-AM SPORTING GOODS Inc A CORP OF OK
Current assignee: TRAVIS NEWLIN B
Priority date: 1974-03-18
Filing date: 1974-03-18
Publication date: 1975-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-29

Abstract

The batting practice device which rotates a ball suspended on a cord to a center point is collapsible and includes means for adjusting the relative height of rotation of the ball to the batter and allows the ball to be in substantially free flight when hit. Included in the device is a frame structure having collapsible tripod legs for reducing its size for storage. The frame supports a rotatable, vertically mounted shaft. A tubular boom is horizontally supported on the upper end of the shaft. A cord is attached to the tubular boom at one end and the other end of the cord has a ball attached thereto. The lower end of the shaft has a handle attached thereto for facilitating rotation thereof. The tripod legs have a seat attached thereto whereby an operator may sit while operating the handle for rotating the shaft and ball.

Description

United States Patent [191 Pennington [4 1 July 29, 1975 [76] Inventor: Donald D. Pennington, 5340 E. 47th PL, Tulsa, Okla. 74135 [22] Filed: Mar. 18, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 451,895

Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-T. Brown [57] ABSTRACT The batting practice device which rotates a ball suspended on a cord to a center point is collapsible and includes means for adjusting the relative height of rotation of the ball to the batter and allows the ball to be in substantially free flight when hit. Included in the device is a frame structure having, collapsible tripod legs for reducing its size for storage. The frame supports a rotatable, vertically mounted shaft. A tubular boom is horizontally supported on the upper end of the shaft. A cord is attached to the tubular boom at one end and the other end of the cord has a ball attached thereto. The lower end of the shaft has a handle attached thereto for facilitating rotation thereof. The tripod legs have a seat attached thereto whereby an operator may sit while operating the handle for rotating the shaft and ball.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures [52] US. Cl 273/26 E [51] Int. Cl A631) 69/40 [58] Field of Search 273/26 E, 95 A, 197 R,

273/200 R, 200 A, 200 B, 184 B, 185 C [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,441,221 1/1923 Fourcher 273/26 E 2,628,097 2/1953 Lecznar.... 273/26 A 2,697,603 12/1954 Hairies 273/95 A X 3,262,703 7/1966 Hodlick 273/95 A 3,550,938 12/1970 Cunningham 273/26 R PATENTED JUL 2 9 I975 SHEET TETI-IERED BALL BASEBALL PRACTICE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to devices for batting practice and more particularly to a device wherein a ball suspended on a cord is swung through an arc past the batter.

As is well known, the training of a ball player to become an expert batter requires many hours of actual batting practice. This practice may be attained by the use of a pitcher and numerous fielders or by the use of a mechanical device. Problems encountered in the pitcher and player method are (1) frequently the pitchers lack of accuracy, (2) physical fatigue limits the pitcher, and (3) the excessive time it takes the pitcher to pitch each ball. Also with the necessity of fielders to retrieve the hit balls, batting practice cannot be achieved without having a plurality of individuals present.

A motorized arm which slings balls from a hopper to a batter has heretofore been developed. However, this method still requires that a person retrieve the balls and refill the hopper thereby assuming additional time. Also the cost of this slinging arm device is too expensive for the average individual to possess one.

In a second type of mechanical device, a ball suspended on a cord is swung in an are past the batter. While the basic concept of a batting practice device having a ball rotating about a center point is satisfactory, certain deficiencies exist which have heretofore precluded the wide use of this type of batting practice device.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved batting device wherein the suspended ball is manually rotated a great number of times past the batter in a very short time.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide an improved batting practice device wherein the ball has great flexibility in relationship to the non-rotating portion suspended thereto and will be substantially in free flight when hit.

Still another object of this device is to provide an improved batting practice device which has incorporated therein means for adjusting the relative height at which the ball is presented to each batter of a different height and to control the flight of the ball to a place in the strike zone which may be a batters particular weakness.

A final object of this invention is to provide an improved batting practice device which is foldable for carrying and storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally the batting practice device of this invention includes a tripodal frame which carries a vertical rotatable shaft. A baseball suspended on a cord is interconnected to the shaft and the shaft is rotated by means of an operator who sits on a seating means provided and rotates a handle to swing the ball past the batter. One of the tripodal legs is foldable for facilitating the carrying and storage of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus in operation.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus showing the rotatable shaft thereof.

FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway view showing the connection of a seat to the frame, both elements of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a side view of the apparatus showing the same at the commencement of the folding procedure.

FIG. 5 of the drawings is a side view of the apparatus showing same folded for carrying.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the interconnection of the ball cord to the boom cord by means of a swivel-snap.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternate arrangement of the boom attachment member.

FIG. 7A is a top view of boom attachment of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Looking now at FIG. 1, the batting practice device of this invention generally denoted as 10 comprises a tripodal frame 12 to which rotatably supports a shaft 14. The shaft in turn carries a hollow telescopic boom 16 having a flexible cord 18 extending therefrom which is interconnected, by swivel-snap means 20, to a ball 22. The ball has a short cord 24 affixed thereto. Cord 18 extends through boom 16 and terminates through a plug in the rearward end of the boom, as is shown in FIG. 2. A knot 23 in the rearward end of cord 18 prevents the cord from pulling out of the boom. This gives extra length to the cord and increases the elasticity thereof to absorb energy when the ball is hit.

Looking at FIG. 6, swivel-snap 20 on the end of cord 18 connects to the short ball cord 24. Thus ball 22 and cord 24 can be purchased separately of 18 and if a ball deteriorates it can easily be replaced.

Frame 12 includes three

legs

26A, 26B and 26C which are of tubular construction and which have secured to the bottom thereof fiat horizontal feet 28. The upper portions of the legs are bent inwardly into a substantially horizontal plane.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the extremities of the upper leg portions are pressed flat so as to be insertable between upper 30 and lower 32 plates of a triangular shaped connecting bracket 34. The compressed extremities of legs 26A and 268 have therein a transverse aperture 36 which receives a shank of an enlarged headed bolt 38. A nut 40 threadedly engaging the bolt rigidly retains the legs to the connecting bracket.

Looking now at the compressed extremity of leg 26C, such has an open ended slot 42 so as to receive the shank of a bolt 44 passing upwardly through holes in the

plates

30 and 32. A wing nut 46 riding on the upper surface of plate 30 provides tightening means for removably securing leg 26C to the connecting bracket. Thus by the mere loosening of easily accessible wing nut 46, leg 26C can be detached from connecting bracket 34.

Looking now specifically at connecting bracket 34, the upper and lower plates have therein aligned apertures 48. Upper plate 30 has affixed thereon a hollow cylindrical sleeve 50 extending vertically upwardly. Sleeve 50 contains an internal longitudinal bore forming in conjunction a race for a shaft 14 passing therethrough. Received over shaft 14 and secured thereto by setscrew means along the length thereof is a collar 52. Collar 52 rides upon the upper flat horizontal edge of sleeve 50 and serves to rotatably retain the shaft 14 in a vertical position. Suitable lubrication is provided for relatively frictionless rotation of the shaft.

Turning attention now to the upper end of shaft 14, pivotally secured thereto is a boom attachment member 54. Boom attachment member 54 has a U-shaped in cross section portion 56 and a tubular portion 58 perpendicular to and fastened to the U-shaped portion. The U-shaped portion is secured to shaft 14 by means of a pin 60. Tubular portion 58 which receives boom 16 can be operably moved through an are (top FIG. 4) as ball pops-up when hit. By manipulation of screw 62 threadedly passing through the shaft 14 and butting against the web of the U-shaped member the inclined position of the boom is adjustable. The height of the ball relative to the batter is directly proportional to the inclined position of the boom holder and this adjusted by the manipulation of a screw 62. The boom 16 is retained in the tubular portion 58 of attachment member 54 by means of a hitch pin 63.

Rotation of shaft 14 and consequently of boom 16 is facilitated by means ofa handle 57 welded to the lower end of the shaft. Handle 57 includes a suitable grip 59 rotatably carried by the stem thereof. A mesh guard 61 extending from

legs

26A and 26B upwardly secured at the top thereof to sleeve 50 provides protection for the operators head during operation of the device.

Referring now back to FIG. 1 and also to FIG. 3, seat 12 is pivotally interconnected to legs 26A and 268 by a horizontal bar 64 extending therebetween and rigidly fastened thereto. Bar 64 extends outwardly from both legs 26A and 268 to provide a foot receptacle for the operator. Thus the weight of the operator is distributed to all three legs and prevents movement of the device during operation thereof.

Dual seat braces 66 pivotally jointed to bar 64

intermediate legs

26A and 26B progress rearwardly and inwardly therefrom to leg 26C. As is shown in FIG. 3 the seat braces then pass outwardly of and adjacent to leg 26C and continue to extend rearwardly substantially parallel to each other to receive and carry seat 68. A seat stabilizing bar 69 connects the braces below seat 68. Braces 66 are affixed to leg 26C by means ofa bolt 70 passing commonly through the braces and the leg. A wing nut 72 threadedly engages bolt 70.

Legs

26A, 26B and 26C are further braced by means of

inclined braces

74A and 74B. Arm brace 74A has compressed ends and is permanently pivotally secured to leg 26A along the upper length thereof and extends downwardly and rearwardly therefrom to terminate at and on bolt 70. The lower end of the arm is also compressed and contains an open ended slot 76 (shown best in FIG. 4) so as to be removably intersecurable to leg 26C. Arm 74B is of the same construction as arm 74A and is connected to and between

legs

26B and 26C similar to the connection of arm 74A to

legs

26A and 26C.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the folding operation of the apparatus will now be discussed. To fold the apparatus, only four wing nuts need to be loosened. Wing nut 46 holding the upper end of leg 26C to bracket 34 is first loosened. Then wing nut 72 holding the

inclined braces

74A and 748 to leg 26C is loosened and the inclined bracing members allowed to pivot upwardly then downwardly. Next leg 26C is detached from connecting bracket 34 and pivoted downwardly as is shown by the arrows in FIG. 4. Finally the seat member is pivoted upwardly as is shown by the arrows in FIG. 4 until the device assumes the carrying position as depicted in FIG. 5.

In operation, the device is set up by the reversal of the following procedure heretofore described. An operator then sits on the seat as is shown in FIG. 1 and rotates by means of handle 57 the ball past a batter standing at the periphery of the outline of the circle created by the rotating ball. As the ball is swung by a batter, the operator may release the handle, allowing the ball, cord and boom to freely rotate in the reverse direction. When the batting procedure is finished, boom 16 is removed from its holder and the apparatus is folded in the manner as heretofore discussed and the operator easily carries the device to its storage location.

FIGS. 7 and 7A show an alternate arrangement of the boom attachment member. This arrangement. as does that shown in the other views. has two important functions: (a) the boom is free to pivot upwardly when the ball is hit so that the path of the hit ball is more natural, and the stress on the boom is reduced; and (b) the angle of the boom relative to the horizontal is adjustable so the height of the ball delivered past the batter can be selected.

During the detailed description of the preferred embodiment specific language has been used for the sake of clarity. However, it is to be understood that the language used is not for limitation and includes all equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

What is claimed is:

1. A batting practice device for presenting a suspended ball to a batter comprising:

a supporting frame having three legs, one of which is detachably secured to the other two whereby, when one leg is detached, the frame may be compactly arranged for storing or shipping;

a shaft freely rotatably carried by said frame and extending vertically upwardly therefrom;

a tubular boom having a first end vertically pivotally affixed to the upper end of said shaft;

a cord extending through said tubular boom and secured at one end thereof to said boom first end, said cord extending out a second end of said boom, a ball being affixed to the outer end of said cord;

handle means secured to the lower end of said shaft for facilitating the rotation thereof; and

seating means supported to said tripodal frame and located rearwardly of said shaft whereby an operator seated thereon by rotating said handle rotates said boom to cause said ball affixed to said cord to rotate to present said ball through a large diameter arc to said batter.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 having affixed to said frame guard means for protecting said operator.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes means for adjusting the relative height of rotation of said ball.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said means for adjusting a relative height of rotation of said ball comprises:

a boom attaching member having a first portion pivotally attached to said shaft and a second portion perpendicular to said first portion and progressing outwardly from said shaft, said boom being attached to said perpendicular portion; and

means for vertically pivoting said attachment member about the point of attachment whereby said second perpendicular section is free to assume an inclined position relative to said shaft whereby said boom is free to pivot upwardly when said ball is hit.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said seating means is pivotally secured to said two legs and interconnected to said detachable leg whereby said detachable leg and said seating means can be pivoted to fold said frame.

Claims

1. A batting practice device for presenting a suspended ball to a batter comprising: a supporting frame having three legs, one of which is detachably secured to the other two whereby, when one leg is detached, the frame may be compactly arranged for storing or shipping; a shaft freely rotatably carried by said frame and extending vertically upwardly therefrom; a tubular boom having a first end vertically pivotally affixed to the upper end of said shaft; a cord extending through said tubular boom and secured at one end thereof to said boom first end, said cord extending out a second end of said boom, a ball being affixed to the outer end of said cord; handle means secured to the lower end of said shaft for facilitating the rotation thereof; and seating means supported to said tripodal frame and located rearwardly of said shaft whereby an operator seated thereon by rotating said handle rotates said boom to cause said ball affixed to said cord to rotate to present said ball through a large diameter arc to said batter.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said means for adjusting a relative height of rotation of said ball comprises: a boom attaching member having a first portion pivotally attached to said shaft and a second portion perpendicular to said first portion and progressing outwardly from said shaft, said boom being attached to said perpendicular portion; and means for vertically pivoting said attachment member about the point of attachment whereby said second perpendicular section is free to assume an inclined position relative to said shaft whereby said boom is free to pivot upwardly when said ball is hit.