Title:

Pitching coach

United States Patent Application 20030132574

Kind Code:

A1

Abstract:

Current technology exists to record baseballs or softballs thrown in miles per hour. What is new about The Pitching Coach is the ability to record balls and strikes for each pitch thrown. This gives the opportunity to monitor every pitch thrown for speed and accuracy thereby enabling users to improve their pitching skills as if they were working with a pitching coach.

Inventors:

Mcdonald, Robert Lee (US)
Sloop, Charles Edward (US)
Furr, Michael Ray (US)
Zajac, Joseph Paul (US)

Application Number:

10/046609

Publication Date:

07/17/2003

Filing Date:

01/16/2002

Export Citation:

Click for automatic bibliography generation

Assignee:

MCDONALD ROBERT LEE
SLOOP CHARLES EDWARD
FURR MICHAEL RAY
ZAJAC JOSEPH PAUL

Primary Class:

273/108.3

Other Classes:

473/431, 273/371

International Classes:

A63B69/00; (IPC1-7): A63F7/07

View Patent Images:

Download PDF 20030132574

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Primary Examiner:

GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS

Attorney, Agent or Firm:

Robert Lee McDonald (Concord, NC, US)

Claims:

1. Our claim for the pitching coach is the use of existing technology to record balls, strikes, and miles per hour for baseballs or softballs thrown at the device.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF “THE PITCHING COACH”

[0001] “THE PITCHING COACH” originated from the idea that there needed to be a way for baseball and softball players to practice pitching by themselves and be able to record the speed and accuracy of their pitches. All four joint inventors have been involved with youth in sports programs for many years.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The “Pitching Coach” is designed for individual use to improve pitching efficiency through an adjustable strike zone while recording ball speed and miles per hour. In addition, strikes are indicated by a green light in the strike zone and balls are indicated by a red light outside the strike zone. After four balls, three strikes, or seven pitches the unit will reset. A folding home plate is fixed to the unit with a measuring tape attached to the frame that indicates 42′, 46′ and 60′ pitching standards based on the age of the pitcher. A ball catch and holding track are mounted on “The Pitching Coach” to retrieve balls after each pitch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] 1. 60″ wide

[0004] 2. 54″ high

[0005] 3. Constructed with durable plastic materials

[0006] 4. Stand attached to hold in place

[0007] 5. Measure speed in miles per hour using Radar Technology

[0008] 6. Adjustable strike zone up and down with fixed portion 17″ wide

[0009] 7. Shows strikes on scoreboard

[0010] 8. Shows balls on scoreboard

[0011] 9. Shows walks on scoreboard

[0012] 10. Shows outs on scoreboard

[0013] 11. After 4 balls, 3 strikes or 7 pitches unit resets

[0014] 12. Green light indicator shows strikes in the strike zone

[0015] 13. Red light indicator shows balls outside the strike zone

[0016] 14. Home plate is fixed on “the pitching coach” and folds up while not in use

[0017] 15. Tape measure on frame marks 42′, 46′ and 60′ pitching distance

[0018] 16, Ball catch and holding tray mounted on “the pitching coach”

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The “Pitching Coach” is designed for individual use to improve pitching efficiency through an adjustable strike zone while recording ball speed and miles per hour. In addition, strikes are indicated by a green light in the strike zone and balls are indicated by a red light outside the strike zone. After four balls, three strikes, or seven pitches the unit will reset. A folding home plate is fixed to the unit with a measuring tape attached to the frame that indicates 42′, 46′ and 60′ pitching standards based on the age of the pitcher. A ball catch and holding track are mounted on “The Pitching Coach” to retrieve balls after each pitch.

Defining “The Pitching Coach”

[0020] 1. 60″ wide

[0021] 2. 54″ high

[0022] 3. Constructed with durable plastic materials

[0023] 4. Stand attached to hold in place

[0024] 5. Measure speed in miles per hour using Radar Technology

[0025] 6. Adjustable strike zone up and down with fixed portion 17″ wide

[0026] 7. Shows strikes on scoreboard

[0027] 8. Shows balls on scoreboard

[0028] 9. Shows walks on scoreboard

[0029] 10. Shows outs on scoreboard

[0030] 11. After 4 balls, 3 strikes or 7 pitches unit resets

[0031] 12. Green light indicator shows strikes in the strike zone

[0032] 13. Red light indicator shows balls outside the strike zone

[0033] 14. Home plate is fixed on “the pitching coach” and folds up while not in use

[0034] 15. Tape measure on frame marks 42′, 46′ and 60′ pitching distance

[0035] 16. Ball catch and holding tray mounted on “the pitching coach”

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