GB2528240A - A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus and coaching aid - Google Patents

Abstract

A bat and ball game and coaching apparatus where the height of the ball used as striking practice target can be adjusted comprises a ball holding means 1 and support means 3 which engages with a support surface 4 and supports the ball holding means 2. The ball holding means and the support means are pivotally connected via an articulated and/or sprung mechanism 7 so that the support means will return to or remain in the initial position. The spring mechanism is a coil spring connecting between the ball holding means and the support means, which is a cup 2. The extendible stand is a telescopic pole 3a, 3b which extends through a screw thread mechanism 8. A base plate 5 is weighted to engage with the support surface. The surface of the base plate comprises a flattened section sized to receive a users foot. The base plate further comprises a handle 6 formed through a flattened section.

Description

A bat-and-ball game oractice anoaratus and coaching aid

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in practising or coaching ball striking for bat-and-ball games. More particularly but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an apparatus for use in practicing or coaching ball striking for bat-and-ball games where the height of the ball used as a striking practice target can S adjusted, between positions close to the ground up to shoulder or head height.

Background

Bat-and-ball games such as cricket, rounders or baseball are field games played by two opposing teams, the teams alternating between a batting role and a fielding role.

A player on the fielding team puts the ball in play by way of a delivery directly to a batting player on the opposing team, the delivery known as bowling' in cricket, or a pitch' in baseball. The player on the batting team attempts to strike the delivered ball with bat to score. Generally, the ball is delivered directly towards or to one side of the batting player, and generally reaches the player anywhere between just above ground level and shoulder level.

A large degree of hand/eye co-ordination is required by the striking player in order to assess the delivery vector of the ball, and to move their striking bat into contact with the ball so as to send the ball in the required direction with the required velocity. This co-ordination can be developed by practice. Generally this requires at least two people, one to act as the practicing batter, the other acting as the bowler, pitcher or similar, launching the ball towards the batter so that they can practice striking. This requires a degree of skill on the part of the bowler or pitcher: for beginners they must be able to produce multiple and substantially identical throws at the same height and speed. This type of practice can therefore be difficult if a person with the right skills and patience is not available for practice or available from coaching staff, or sufficient numbers of people are not available for a team practice or coaching session.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: 1)85916045 describes and shows a multiple-adjustable balling tee that includes base and tube assemblies. The base assembly includes a base plate and a rotating plate.

The rotating plate is rotatably mounted on the base plate by an axle subassembly.

The tube assembly includes telescopically interconnected first and second tubes.

The first tube is concentrically mounted on the rotating plate.

US8257202 describes and shows a teaching aid device that helps baseball players learn how to properly swing and hit a ball that has a pair of batting tees placed in a linear pattern parallel to the bat swing. The batter contacts one ball and then the other during one swing. With balls on both tees and the tees at the same height, the hitter is aligned to hit the back or rear baseball up the middle. By hitting the rear ball, and then extending through contact and hitting the front ball, the hitter teaches him or herself to "get extension" through the baseball. If the hitter does not hit the front ball squarely, the device will indicate that he or she does not "follow through". If the hitter hits the back bail only, this device provides Instant feedback that the swing is not level.

U88246493 describes and shows a batting practice apparatus able to be installed on any flat surface that includes a base, a batting unit, an air-pump unit and at least one suction unit. The batting unit is mounted on the topside of the base while the air-pump unit is installed in the interior of the base and connected with the batting unit, and the suction unit is also positioned in the base and communicates with the air-pump unit. When receiving external force to swing, the batting unit will actuate the air-pump unit to pump air out of the suction unit and form a vacuum chamber between the suction unit and the flat surface, able to increase the suction strength of the suction unit and lighten the batting practice apparatus.

In contrast the present invention provides a bat-and-ball game practice and coaching apparatus where the height of the ball used as a striking practice target can be adjusted.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a bat-and-ball game practice apparatus, comprising: a ball holding means configured to support a ball, and; a support means configured to engage with a support surface and support the ball holding means above the support means; the ball holding means further configured for adjustment so that the height of a supported ball above the support surface can be varied to any position between a position adjacent to the support surface, and a position substantially at head height.

Having an apparatus where the height can be adjusted to a low position adjacent to the support surface allows the apparatus to be used for practice in a greater range of sports, where balls may legally be delivered at lower heights, as well as those where the ball can be delivered at a higher height, which adds to the flexibility and scope of the apparatus and allows it to be used for training for a greater range of sports.

In this way the apparatus can be used both for single person or user practice and for multiple person or user coaching.

Advantageously, the ball holding means and the support means are pivotally connected via an articulated and/or sprung mechanism configured so that the support means will return to and/or remain in an initial position in the absence of an extemally applied force. This mechanism allows the support means to move out of position if accidentally knocked or struck, and preferably allows the support means to be folded away when not in use, for example wherein a locking or disengagement means is provided to act against or release the mechanism.

Advantageously, the spring mechanism is a coil spring connecting between the ball holding means and the support means. Coil springs are robust, readily available and inexpensive, and provide a simple spring mechanism.

Advantageously, the ball holding means comprises a cup configured so that a ball can rest on and be supported by the cup in use, the cup configured to engage with the support means. A cup is a simple and robust way to hold the ball.

Advantageously, the cup is at least partly formed from rubber. This is an inexpensive and readily available material that elastically deforms when struck and which is difficult to break or damage by striking.

Advantageously, the cup comprises a base plug and a plurality of extensions that extend from around one end of the plug to form a hollow crown. This provides a simple one-piece construction that can be simply and easily formed, and the crown provides a simple way to form a cup to hold the ball in position in use, while allowing deformation when struck and little to no interference with a supported ball.

Advantageously, the ball holding means further comprises an extendible stand, a lower end connecting to the support means, an upper part configured to engage with the cup. This provides a simple way to support the ball at a variety of different heights.

Preferably the extendible stand is a telescoping pole. This provides a simple, inexpensive and readily available mechanism. In some embodiments the pole extends through a screwthread mechanism, stud and catch mechanism and/or spring bias towards extension.

Advantageously, the upper end of the pole and the cup are configured for mutual connection. This allows the cup to be connected at a convenient location.

Advantageously, the upper end of the pole comprises an aperture, the plug fitting into the aperture and connecting via an interference fit. This allows for the connection to be made simply and easily.

Advantageously, the support means is a base plate, the underside of the base plate resting against a support surface, the base plate weighted to engage with the support surface in use, the upper surface configured to engage with the ball holding means.

A base plate can be simply and inexpensively formed and can be used on any surface, and can be weighted to engage with the surface without the need for a physical connection such as screwing.

Advantageously, the upper surface of the base plate comprises a flattened section configured so that the section is flat and immediately adjacent to and parallel to the support surface in use and sized to receive a user's foot. This allows a user to step in dose to the ball when supported to practice close-in shots.

Advantageously, the base plate further comprises a handle, formed through the flattened section. This allows the apparatus to be easily transported in use.

Brief DescriDtion of Figures Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above and to one side of an embodiment of the bat-and-ball game practice apparatus of the present invention, having a base plate that rests on a support surface in use, a telescoping pole that forms a support stand connected at a lower end to the upper surface of the base plate via a coil spring, and a cup connected to and extending from the upper end of the telescoping pole in use to support a ball.

Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view from above and to one side of the bat-and-ball game practice apparatus of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the bat-and-ball game practice apparatus of figures 1 and 2.

Figures 4a -4<1 show the bat-and-ball game practice apparatus adjusted to various different height configurations so that a user can practice hitting a ball at different heights for a particular sport, and so that the apparatus can be configured for use with different sports, the apparatus in figure 4a configured so that a ball is low or adjacent to the support surface and a user can step in close with their foot to make a shot, the apparatus in figures 4b-d configured so that a user can practice shots at high or mid-level.

Detailed Description of Figures

An embodiment of the bat-and-ball game practice apparatus of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures.

A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus 1 has three main parts: a cup 2 configured so that a ball can rest on and be supported by the cup 2 in use, an extendible stand 3, and a base plate 4.

The base plate 4 is formed as a unitary item. In this embodiment, the base plate 4 is formed from a metal such as steel or similar, but the base plate 4 could also be formed as a plastic container that can be filled with a weighting medium such as sand or water. The underside of the base plate 4 is flat and in use rests against a support surface such as the ground of a playing field or a sports hall. The base plate 4 is weighted so that it engages with the support surface in use. In this context, engagement does not necessarily indicate physical attachment such as would be achieved by screwing the plate into the ground, or connecting the plate to a surface via a connection mechanism such as screws through the plate (although these are not excluded). Engagement is intended to indicate at a minimum that the plate 4 is of a size and weight such that it will not accidentally easily move in use, and the application of deliberate and directed force is required to cause the plate to move away from a set or in use position. If required, physical connection devices could also be used. In plan view, the base plate is circular. One semicircular half comprises a flattened section 5 or section of flat plate. This is sized and shaped so that a user can stand on the flat section 5 in use, and is thin so that their foot will be as close a possible to, or immediately adjacent to, the support surface. This section is also parallel to the support surface. This allows a user to step in close to practice close-in shots. A handle 6 is formed through the flattened section. This allows the apparatus to be easily transported in use. The other semi-circular portion forms the major part of the mass that holds the base plate 4 in position in use. A coil spring 7 is connected to and extends upwards from the centre of the plate 4.

The extendible stand 3 is a telescoping pole formed from two halves, one sliding within the other so that the overall length/height can be adjusted. The two halves can be locked in position via an adjuster 8 at the top of the lower half 3a, the upper half 3b sliding within the body of the lower half 3a. The lower end of the lower half 3a is configured so that it can be releasably connected to the spring 7 so that the extendible stand extends upwards from the centre of the plate 4. In alternate forms, the stand 3 could be scissor arms or similar.

The cup 2 comprises a base plug 9 and a plurality of extensions 10 that extend from around one end of the plug to form a hollow crown, the lower part of a ball cupped between the extensions 10 in use so that greater part of the ball extends above the crown and the ball is securely held in position. The cup 2 is formed from rubber so that it will elastically deform when struck without breaking or being damaged, or causing damage to a bat. The cup 2 is configured so that it can connect either to the top of the spring 7, or to the top end of the upper section 3b. In the configuration shown In figures 1-3, and 4b-d, the cup 2 is connected to the top end of the upper section 3b. In the configuration shown in figure 4a, the cup 2 is connected to the top end of the spring. In this embodiment, the upper end of the stand 3 comprises an aperture into which the plug 9 fits, connecting via an interference fit. This allows for the connection to be made simply and easily. In alternate configurations, the plug 9 could be formed as a sleeve that extends around the upper end of the stand 3.

It can be seen that the cup by itself, or in combination with the stand 3, form a ball holding means that support a ball at a height that can be adjusted for practicing different shots. By connecting the cup 2 to the spring directly, a ball in use can be a positioned low or adjacent to the support surface at a height from the support surface of substantially around 6 to 8 inches from the support surface. This allows a user to practice low shots such as the low drives that they might experience in cricket. When using the stand 3 as well as the cup 2, the height of the ball can be adjusted between around hip height up to shoulder or head height so that a user can practice higher shots such as might be experienced in cricket, rounders or baseball. The spring 7 allows a pivoting connection between the ball holding means (cup 2 alone, or cup 2 and stand 3 in combination) so that the energy and movement of mis-positioned shots that strike either the spring 7 or the stand 3 will be absorbed and the stand or spring will move with the impact. Once the externally applied force is removed, the spring 7 will move back to an upright position, along with the stand 3, if the stand 3 is connected. As well as allowing the support means to move out of position if accidentally knocked or struck, this allows the support means to be folded away down the side of the base 4 when not in use.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to Include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims (14)

1. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus, comprising: a ball holding means configured to support a ball; a support means configured to engage with a support surface and support the ball holding means above the support means; the ball holding means further configured for adjustment so that the height of a supported ball above the support surface can be varied to any position between a position adjacent to the support surface, and a position substantially at head height.

2. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ball holding means and the support means are pivotally connected via a spring mechanism configured so that the support means will return to and/or remain in an initial position in the absence of an externally applied force.

3. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the spring mechanism is a coil spring connecting between the ball holding means and the support means.

4. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 3 wherein the ball holding means comprises a cup configured so that a ball can rest on and be supported by the cup in use, the cup configured to engage with the support means.

5. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cup is at least partly formed from rubber.

6. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the cup comprises a base plug and a plurality of extensions that extend from around one end of the plug to form a hollow crown.

7. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the ball holding means further comprises an extendible stand, a lower end connecting to the support means, an upper part configured to engage with the cup.

8. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the extendible stand is a telescoping pole.

9. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the upper end of the pole and the cup are configured for mutual connection.

10. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the upper end of the pole comprises an aperture, the plug fitting into the aperture and connecting via an interference fit.

11. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 10 wherein the support means is a base plate, the underside of the base plate resting against a support surface, the base plate weighted to engage with the support surface in use, the upper surface configured to engage with the ball holding means.

12. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the upper surface of the base plate comprises a flattened section configured so that the section is fiat and immediately adjacent to and parallel to the support surface in use and sized to receive a user's foot.

13. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the base plate frirther comprises a handle, formed through the flattened section.

14. A bat-and-ball game practice apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the figures.