Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
473454000 | Pitcher`s target | 25 |
20080248901 | PITCHING TARGET - A collapsible pitching target is described in which a target is located substantially in front of a backstop and preferably includes one or more spot targets. | 10-09-2008 |
20090093325 | COMBINATION PITCHING AID AND BATTING TEE - Described herein is a combination pitching aid and batting tee apparatus. The apparatus includes a base having a front and a rear, a stand extending upwardly from the base, a support rod extending upwardly from the stand, and an arm extending outwardly from the support rod. The arm includes a target associated therewith that can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. The apparatus includes a screen having a top end and a bottom end and a support assembly having a top end and a bottom end that extends upwardly from the base. The bottom end of the screen is attached near the front of the base and the top end of the screen is attached to the support assembly. The support rod can be replaced with a batting tee. | 04-09-2009 |
20120010028 | LIGHTWEIGHT TUNNEL FOR BASEBALL PITCHING PRACTICE - A fabric tunnel for baseball pitching practice with a simple “auto-catcher” is made of netting in one embodiment. At the target end a flap with indicia of accuracy of aim also constitutes a flap that provides an audible feedback when hit and also allows the thrown balls to be captured. Straps are used to hold the tunnel in position by attachment to poles supported by guy wires or the straps could be attached to fixed objects such as a chain-link fence. | 01-12-2012 |
20120065003 | TRAINING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING ACCURACY IN AN ACTIVITY - The present embodiments provide a system for improving ability level in an activity. The system comprises a first target comprising a first dimension and a first color, and a second target comprising a second dimension and a second color. The second dimension is greater than the first dimension, and the second color is different than the first color. In one embodiment, the first target is a first home plate, and the second target is a second home plate. The first home plate may comprise a first width and the second home plate may comprise a second width, wherein the second width is greater than the first width. Additionally, user instructions are provided that specify a sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals. The user instructions may be selected based on various user characteristics. | 03-15-2012 |
20120149503 | Ball Net with Basket - An aspect of the present invention provides a ball net with a basket. The ball net comprises a target opening portion, a decelerating catcher, and a collecting pocket. The target opening portion is configured for hulling a ball therein. The decelerating catcher is provided inside the target opening for reducing speed of, stopping, and dropping the ball. The collecting pocket is disposed below the decelerating catcher for receiving the ball dropped from the decelerating catcher and keeping inside. The target opening portion comprises a coilable loop and an edge portion extending from the coilable loop and defining a flying-in opening. | 06-14-2012 |
20120172156 | NO ZONE.TM. A Pitcher's Practice Apparatus - The present invention relates to a softball/baseball pitcher's pitching practice device, and to a method for using the device. It is a simple and inexpensive pitching practice device useful for indicating the boundaries of a typical strike zone to softball and baseball pitchers. More particularly, this invention relates to a pitching practice device having a strike zone indicator that can be conveniently adjusted to simulate the strike zones of batters of various heights. | 07-05-2012 |
20150065274 | OVERHAND THROWING TRAINING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods for training and improving overhand throwing. A first embodiment of a system includes at least one upper arm that extends from a central body. A pathway marked by indicia extends down the upper arm curving to indicate the correct motion for a desired overhand throw. A flexible slap card may be located along the pathway for use in a first training exercise. The body may include a hole for positioned and sized for use as a target for a second training exercise. Support structures for maintaining the system in a desired position may be included. Methods for training with overhand throwing exercises using the systems are also included. | 03-05-2015 |
20150094173 | BASEBALL'S 3-IN-1 ZONE TRAINER - BASEBALL'S 3-IN-1 ZONE TRAINER is a device for training and conditioning three player positions in order to master the art and science of the pitching, hind-catching and hitting of a baseball; all of which are dependent upon the strike zone. This training device is comprised of four primary connecting sections for ease of assembling and disassembling: Section 1—the horizontal Base Plate, color-coded red, provides for the connecting of Section 2—the vertical Telescopic Height Base and Adjustable Posts designed for a true individualized strike zone, color-coded red and provides two locations for the connecting of Section 3—the Upper and Lower Strike Zone Arms comprised of a combination of flexible materials for defining the horizontal and vertical yellow and green color-coded strike zone; and finally, Section 4—the Rubber-molded Coverings that are pre-assembled to Sections 2 and 3. | 04-02-2015 |
20150321063 | PITCHING TARGET DEVICE - A pitching target device having a frame that includes a base, a vertical support member connected to the base, and a horizontal support member connected to the vertical support member. Pivotally connected to each end of the horizontal support member are a pair of arm members. The arm members include a first section pivotally connected to a second section with target plates attached to the outer ends of each section | 11-12-2015 |
20160082336 | Baseball Pitch Training Device - Provided is a baseball pitch training device having a base with a primary opening adapted to receive an anchoring structure. The base secondary opening is adapted to receive an adapter. The adapter has an opening configured to receive a resilient material, a coupling, and a support structure shaft. The support structure includes a primary shaft connected to a secondary shaft. A baseball bat support structure is connected to an end of the primary shaft. The baseball bat support structure is adapted to grip a surface of a baseball bat. A resilient torso member is adapted to connect to at least one of the primary shaft or to the secondary shaft with an attaching element, to be foldable, and to receive a garment. The secondary shaft has a head gear support structure connected thereto and is adapted to support a head gear. | 03-24-2016 |
20080248901 | PITCHING TARGET - A collapsible pitching target is described in which a target is located substantially in front of a backstop and preferably includes one or more spot targets. | 10-09-2008 |
20090093325 | COMBINATION PITCHING AID AND BATTING TEE - Described herein is a combination pitching aid and batting tee apparatus. The apparatus includes a base having a front and a rear, a stand extending upwardly from the base, a support rod extending upwardly from the stand, and an arm extending outwardly from the support rod. The arm includes a target associated therewith that can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. The apparatus includes a screen having a top end and a bottom end and a support assembly having a top end and a bottom end that extends upwardly from the base. The bottom end of the screen is attached near the front of the base and the top end of the screen is attached to the support assembly. The support rod can be replaced with a batting tee. | 04-09-2009 |
20120010028 | LIGHTWEIGHT TUNNEL FOR BASEBALL PITCHING PRACTICE - A fabric tunnel for baseball pitching practice with a simple “auto-catcher” is made of netting in one embodiment. At the target end a flap with indicia of accuracy of aim also constitutes a flap that provides an audible feedback when hit and also allows the thrown balls to be captured. Straps are used to hold the tunnel in position by attachment to poles supported by guy wires or the straps could be attached to fixed objects such as a chain-link fence. | 01-12-2012 |
20120065003 | TRAINING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING ACCURACY IN AN ACTIVITY - The present embodiments provide a system for improving ability level in an activity. The system comprises a first target comprising a first dimension and a first color, and a second target comprising a second dimension and a second color. The second dimension is greater than the first dimension, and the second color is different than the first color. In one embodiment, the first target is a first home plate, and the second target is a second home plate. The first home plate may comprise a first width and the second home plate may comprise a second width, wherein the second width is greater than the first width. Additionally, user instructions are provided that specify a sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals. The user instructions may be selected based on various user characteristics. | 03-15-2012 |
20120149503 | Ball Net with Basket - An aspect of the present invention provides a ball net with a basket. The ball net comprises a target opening portion, a decelerating catcher, and a collecting pocket. The target opening portion is configured for hulling a ball therein. The decelerating catcher is provided inside the target opening for reducing speed of, stopping, and dropping the ball. The collecting pocket is disposed below the decelerating catcher for receiving the ball dropped from the decelerating catcher and keeping inside. The target opening portion comprises a coilable loop and an edge portion extending from the coilable loop and defining a flying-in opening. | 06-14-2012 |
20120172156 | NO ZONE.TM. A Pitcher's Practice Apparatus - The present invention relates to a softball/baseball pitcher's pitching practice device, and to a method for using the device. It is a simple and inexpensive pitching practice device useful for indicating the boundaries of a typical strike zone to softball and baseball pitchers. More particularly, this invention relates to a pitching practice device having a strike zone indicator that can be conveniently adjusted to simulate the strike zones of batters of various heights. | 07-05-2012 |
20150065274 | OVERHAND THROWING TRAINING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods for training and improving overhand throwing. A first embodiment of a system includes at least one upper arm that extends from a central body. A pathway marked by indicia extends down the upper arm curving to indicate the correct motion for a desired overhand throw. A flexible slap card may be located along the pathway for use in a first training exercise. The body may include a hole for positioned and sized for use as a target for a second training exercise. Support structures for maintaining the system in a desired position may be included. Methods for training with overhand throwing exercises using the systems are also included. | 03-05-2015 |
20150094173 | BASEBALL'S 3-IN-1 ZONE TRAINER - BASEBALL'S 3-IN-1 ZONE TRAINER is a device for training and conditioning three player positions in order to master the art and science of the pitching, hind-catching and hitting of a baseball; all of which are dependent upon the strike zone. This training device is comprised of four primary connecting sections for ease of assembling and disassembling: Section 1—the horizontal Base Plate, color-coded red, provides for the connecting of Section 2—the vertical Telescopic Height Base and Adjustable Posts designed for a true individualized strike zone, color-coded red and provides two locations for the connecting of Section 3—the Upper and Lower Strike Zone Arms comprised of a combination of flexible materials for defining the horizontal and vertical yellow and green color-coded strike zone; and finally, Section 4—the Rubber-molded Coverings that are pre-assembled to Sections 2 and 3. | 04-02-2015 |
20150321063 | PITCHING TARGET DEVICE - A pitching target device having a frame that includes a base, a vertical support member connected to the base, and a horizontal support member connected to the vertical support member. Pivotally connected to each end of the horizontal support member are a pair of arm members. The arm members include a first section pivotally connected to a second section with target plates attached to the outer ends of each section | 11-12-2015 |
20160082336 | Baseball Pitch Training Device - Provided is a baseball pitch training device having a base with a primary opening adapted to receive an anchoring structure. The base secondary opening is adapted to receive an adapter. The adapter has an opening configured to receive a resilient material, a coupling, and a support structure shaft. The support structure includes a primary shaft connected to a secondary shaft. A baseball bat support structure is connected to an end of the primary shaft. The baseball bat support structure is adapted to grip a surface of a baseball bat. A resilient torso member is adapted to connect to at least one of the primary shaft or to the secondary shaft with an attaching element, to be foldable, and to receive a garment. The secondary shaft has a head gear support structure connected thereto and is adapted to support a head gear. | 03-24-2016 |
473455000 | With electrically operated or actuated indicator | 7 |
20090170642 | System for pitching of baseball - The present invention is a system for pitching of baseball or softball to enjoy virtual game, the system includes a pitching room having a mound from which a player will throw a ball and a home plate by which the thrown ball will be determined depending upon its trajectory; a video camera for photographing the pitching room along the longitudinal direction thereof from the back of the mound by using a two-dimensional image sensor included therein; a stripe pattern arranged at a predetermined area including the home plate on the floor, wherein the stripe pattern indicates different positions in the longitudinal direction of the area; a mirror obliquely mounted on the ceiling right above the home plate for reflecting the optical image of the home plate and stripe pattern toward the video camera; and a computer for detecting three-dimensional position of the thrown ball based on the image signal output from the video camera photographing both of the thrown ball and the optical image of the stripe pattern above which the thrown ball passes reflected by the mirror, and for outputting the detecting signal. | 07-02-2009 |
20090286631 | Pitching training aid - The present invention relates to a training aid to promote well balanced pitching techniques for any sport that requires a pitching motion related to but not limited to baseball and softball including a pitching tunnel structure and a pitching target and ball containment system. | 11-19-2009 |
20090298622 | Electronic Pitching Trainer and Method for Determining the True Speed of a Sports Projectile - A sensing device obtains range-related data—such as Doppler data or pulse time-of-flight data—from a sports projectile during flight. The time course of the range-related data is employed, in light of predictable characteristics of the projectile trajectory, to determine and output an accurate determination of the projectile speed for one or more points of interest in its flight. Such determination of speed may, for instance, be the speed at the time of projectile release, even though range-related data is gathered later in the flight, when the projectile is traveling neither so fast, nor straight at the sensor. Such sensing device may employ inexpensive short-range acoustic Doppler, and be incorporated into a target device that automatically displays to a pitcher-in-training the speed and ball/strike condition of each pitch. | 12-03-2009 |
20110294607 | Electronic Pitching Trainer and Method for Determining the True Speed of a Sports Projectile - A sensing device obtains range-related data—such as Doppler data or pulse time-of-flight data—from a sports projectile during flight. The time course of the range-related data is employed, in light of predictable characteristics of the projectile trajectory, to determine and output an accurate determination of the projectile speed for one or more points of interest in its flight. Such determination of speed may, for instance, be the speed at the time of projectile release, even though range-related data is gathered later in the flight, when the projectile is traveling neither so fast, nor straight at the sensor. Such sensing device may employ inexpensive short-range acoustic Doppler, and be incorporated into a target device that automatically displays to a pitcher-in-training the speed and ball/strike condition of each pitch. | 12-01-2011 |
20130157787 | Baseball Pitching Simulator - A baseball pitching simulator includes first and second vertical support members. A first adjustment assembly includes a first carriage coupled to a first vertical support member and is movable by a pulley system and first motor. A second adjustment assembly is coupled to the first carriage and movable vertically when the first carriage is moved along the vertical support member. The second adjustment assembly includes pulleys extending laterally between the vertical support members and is coupled to a pitching target. The first and second adjustment assemblies regulate vertical and horizontal positions thereof, respectively. First and second motors actuate movement of the adjustment assemblies. The pitching target includes a pressure sensor to detect impact. The simulator includes a backstop having a vibration sensor to determine when the backstop is impacted. A processor and programming cause the adjustment assemblies to move the pitching target. | 06-20-2013 |
20130157788 | PITCHING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL SPORTS - Embodiments of a baseball or softball pitching and training device and methods of teaching a student pitcher the art of intelligent pitching are disclosed. An embodiment of a device comprises a vertically planar display surface having an image and dimensions of an average strike zone, the display surface further comprising, a plurality of areas of generally rectangular target shapes for receiving pitched balls; the generally rectangular target shapes indicating graded locations of effectiveness of pitches; and the device furthermore comprising, pitch location information, which is controlled by pitch count of “balls” and “strikes”. Furthermore, an embodiment of a method includes the steps of (1) providing the device disclosed above; and (2) providing pitch location and pitch selection information, which are controlled by pitch count of “balls” and “strikes”. | 06-20-2013 |
20140206480 | ELECTRONIC HOME PLATE FOR BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL GAMES AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC DETERMINATION OF PRESENCE, POSITION AND SPEED OF A BALL RELATIVE TO THE STRIKE ZONE - An electronic home plate providing assistance to an umpire in determination whether a pitch results in a “strike” or a “ball”. The electronic home plate is implemented with eye-safe LEDs producing light beams extending vertically. If a ball intersects the light beams, the light reflected from the ball is scattered and incident on photodetectors embedded in the home plate. A microcomputer embedded in the electronic home plate calculates the height of the ball crossing the light beams, and if the height falls between the top and bottom boundaries of a strike zone adjusted to the height of the batter, an indication system is activated to produce a “strike” signal. The microcomputer in the electronic home plate is further configured to calculate speed of the ball passing over the home plate, and the lateral position of the ball. | 07-24-2014 |
473456000 | Having subdivided strike zone | 8 |
20080293521 | Baseball pitcher's eye training and game - Provided are articles comprising targets useful in aiding persons desiring to improve their baseball pitching skills. An article according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a target area that corresponds substantially in size with the strike zone in American baseball, and the target area is divided into quadrants each of a contrasting color with respect to one another. A plurality of characters, such as numbers, are disposed about the periphery of the target area. | 11-27-2008 |
20080312011 | Baseball/Softball Strike Zone Trainer For Hitters - A practice device for baseball/softball players and umpires. It is used to help the hitter identify where the strike zone is and know where his or her sweet spot is located. This invention allows a hitter to focus on the location of each pitch without being distracted with the need to actually hit the ball. It consists of a free standing upright rectangular frame an attached home plate, a loop material catch panel that fits inside the frame. A three colored adjustable loop material strike zone. Plastic baseballs covered with Velcro hook material. Tally rings attached to the top of the frame for scoring and a weighted bat handle for the batter to grip. | 12-18-2008 |
20090075764 | Target for throwing a target at - A target apparatus includes a front member. An is aperture formed through front member and there is a collapsible frame member having a first pair of leg members and second pair of leg members, a first one of the second pair of leg members pivotally attached at one end thereof to a first one of the first pair of leg members and a second one of the second pair of leg members is pivotally attached at one end thereof to a second one of the first pair of leg members. A mechanism engages at least one of such second pair of leg members and one of an outer edge of the front member and one of the first pair of leg members for retaining the apparatus in an upright position. A flap is connected along an upper edge thereof to a back surface of the front member for deadening an object thrown thru the aperture. | 03-19-2009 |
20110003653 | THROWING TARGET, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - The present application is directed to a throwing target. The throwing target comprises a baseball strike zone, one or more target zones located in the strike zone and one or more target zones located around the strike zone. The throwing target also comprises one or more non-target zones located in the strike zone. The total surface area of the target zones located around the strike zone is greater than the total surface area of the target zones located within the strike zone. | 01-06-2011 |
20130344999 | CORNER STRIKE - The invention is to help aspiring pitchers develop a better approach to pitching in three ways. | 12-26-2013 |
20140171230 | COLLAPSIBLE BACKSTOP - Methods and kits for practicing pitching and evaluating pitching proficiency using a backstop are provided herein. In various embodiments, the backstop may include a target-defining assembly to define a plurality of target regions. In various embodiments, a pitcher may selectively throw balls through the plurality of target regions, e.g., based on pitching contexts provided by the balls. In various embodiments, a plurality of baskets may be mounted adjacent the plurality of target regions, to allow a pitcher to track pitches and evaluate pitching proficiency. In some embodiments the pitching contexts provided by the balls are pitching instructions provided directly on the balls. | 06-19-2014 |
20150321062 | STRIKE ZONE DETECTION DEVICE - The present invention provides a sports training device having at least two stanchions, wherein the stanchions are spaced a horizontal distance apart from each other and wherein the stanchions telescope vertically and are portable; a plurality of horizontal dividers, wherein the plurality of horizontal dividers span between the at least two stanchions; and a plurality of vertical dividers, wherein the plurality of vertical dividers depend from at least one of the plurality of horizontal dividers and wherein the plurality of horizontal dividers and the plurality of vertical dividers overlap to define a plurality of zones. Also provided is an embodiment in which lasers are used as the horizontal and vertical dividers. | 11-12-2015 |
20150352421 | COLLAPSIBLE BACKSTOP - Methods and kits for practicing pitching and evaluating pitching proficiency using a backstop are provided herein. In various embodiments, the backstop may include a target-defining assembly to define a plurality of target regions. In various embodiments, a pitcher may selectively throw balls through the plurality of target regions, e.g., based on pitching contexts provided by the balls. In various embodiments, a plurality of baskets may be mounted adjacent the plurality of target regions, to allow a pitcher to track pitches and evaluate pitching proficiency. In some embodiments the pitching contexts provided by the balls are pitching instructions provided directly on the balls. | 12-10-2015 |