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[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to recreational equipment. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to apparatus for practicing throwing and catching a baseball.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] In golf, bowling, and basketball a player can practice alone to hone his/her skills. However, most team-oriented sports require the participation of at least two persons for a practice session. For example, to practice throwing and catching a baseball would necessarily involve two or more people. An apparatus which would allow a player to practice these skills at any convenient time, without the need to seek out a teammate or other player, would certainly be of benefit.
[0005] There are many devices in the art which allow for single-participant practice. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,692,307 (Henry) and 4,093,218 (Burchers) both show devices for practicing tennis without need for another participant. The above devices employ a board of considerable height (six feet) and a width at least as wide as a standard tennis net.
[0006] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,026,551 (Larson), 4,364,562 (White et al.) and 5,524,901 (Bison et al.) each show a device used as a target for pitched baseballs. There is no contemplation of rebounding and catching the balls.
[0007] U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,711,092 (Hogue), 4,932,657 (Hailer et al.), 5,833,234 (Valvala et al.); British Patent number 397,260 and Canadian Patent number 605,665 disclose rebound devices fabricated from netting and springs. The netting in these devices deteriorates quickly and the springs are prone to lose their resiliency, thereby mandating expensive replacements.
[0008] British Patent number 1,223,579 shows a device for arresting the flight of a ball. There is no attempt to cause the ball to rebound.
[0009] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a ball throwing and catching practice apparatus as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.
[0010] The present invention is drawn to an apparatus that allows a participant to practice throwing and catching a ball without the involvement of another person. The invention comprises only two major elements. One element is an adjustable frame structure fabricated from metal tubing. The second element is a planar surface mounted to and supported on the adjustable frame structure. The adjustable frame permits a user to position the planar surface at several desired angles relative to the ground. The desired angles are in a range of from approximately ninety degrees to approximately one-hundred thirty five degrees. A ball thrown against the planar surface will rebound in a manner to be caught by the thrower. The angle of rebound is determined by the adjusted angle of the planar surface. Thus, a user can adjust the surface so that the rebounded ball is a high fly, low fly, short hop grounder or ground ball.
[0011] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an apparatus which allows a user to enhance his/her ball throwing and catching skills.
[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus for rebounding balls thrown there against.
[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for rebounding balls wherein the angle of rebound may be adjusted.
[0014] Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for rebounding balls, which apparatus rebounds the balls accurately.
[0015] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
[0016] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
[0021] Referring now to FIGS.
[0022] A solid rectangular board
[0023] In use the invention is positioned on a generally level surface (ground) as shown in
[0024] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.