Batting Tee

Abstract

A batting tee includes a base, a support attached to the base, and a target mount rotatably attached to the support, the mount having a housing, a number of bearings disposed within the housing and spaced from one another, and a pair of wires engaged at one end with the housing and to a target at the opposite end, wherein the support is inserted through the housing and the number of bearings to allow the target mount to rotate with regard to the support.

Claims

1. A batting tee comprising: a. a base; b. a support attached to the base; and c. a target mount rotatably attached to the support, the mount comprising: i. a housing; ii. at least two of bearings disposed within the housing and spaced from one another; and iii. at least one wire engaged with the housing at one end and adapted to be secured to a target at the opposite end, wherein the support is engaged with the at least two bearings to allow the target mount to rotate with regard to the support.

2. The batting tee of claim 1, wherein the at least one wire is releasably engaged with a target opposite the housing.

3. The batting tee of claim 2, wherein each of the at least two bearings each comprise: a. an outer ring engaged within a seat formed in the housing; b. an inner ring disposed within and spaced from the outer ring; and c. a number of ball bearings retained between the outer ring and the inner ring, wherein the ball bearings rotate with respect to the inner ring and the outer ring to enable the outer ring and the inner ring to move with respect to one another.

4. The batting tee of claim 3, further comprising a rod engaged with and extending outwardly from the support, wherein the rod is inserted through and engaged with the inner rings of each of the at least two bearings.

5. The batting tee of claim 4, further comprising a rod adapter at least partially disposed within the support, and wherein the rod is engaged with the rod adapter opposite the target mount.

6. The batting tee of claim 5, wherein the rod adapter comprises: a. an exterior cross-section shaped complementary to an interior cross-section of the support; and b. an interior passage shaped complementary to the cross-section of the rod.

7. The batting tee of claim 6, further comprising a securing pin inserted through the support, the rod adapter and the rod to secure the rod to the support.

8. The batting tee of claim 3, further comprising a knob releasably engaged with the rod and the housing opposite the support to hold the housing on the rod.

9. The batting tee of claim 8, wherein the knob compresses the inner rings of the at least two bearings between the knob and the support to prevent rotation of the inner rings relative to the rod, while allowing the outer rings of the at least two bearings and the housing to rotate relative to the rod.

10. The batting tee of claim 3, wherein the at least one wire is secured to the outer ring of the at least two bearings.

11. The batting tee of claim 10, wherein the at least one wire includes a loop opposite the target, and wherein the loop is secured within the housing around the outer rings of the at least two bearings.

12. The batting tee of claim 11, wherein the loop of the at least one wire is attached to the outer rings of the at least two bearings.

13. The batting tee of claim 1, wherein the support is adjustably secured to the base.

14. A target mount releasably securable to a batting tee, the target mount comprising: a. a housing; b. at least two bearings disposed within the housing and spaced from one another, wherein each of the at least two bearings comprises: i. an outer ring engaged within a seat formed in the housing; ii. an inner ring disposed within and spaced from the outer ring; and iii. a number of ball bearings retained between the outer ring and the inner ring, the ball bearings configured to rotate with respect to the inner ring and the outer ring to enable the outer ring and the inner ring to move with respect to one another; c. at least one wire engaged with the housing at one end and secured to a target at the opposite end; and d. a target engaged with the at least one wire opposite the housing, wherein the target mount is adapted to be releasably attached to a support of the batting tee.

15. The target mount of claim 14, further comprising a rod inserted through and engaged with the inner rings of each of the at least two bearings the rod adapted to be secured to the batting tee.

16. The target mount of claim 15, further comprising a rod adapter releasably secured to the rod and adapted to engage the rod with the batting tee, the rod adapter comprising a body with an exterior cross-section shaped complementary to an interior cross-section of a component of a batting tee and an interior passage shaped complementary to the cross-section of the rod.

17. The target mount of claim 15, further comprising a securing pin inserted through the rod and the rod adapter.

18. The target mount of claim 14, wherein the at least one wire is secured to the outer ring of each of the at least two bearings.

19. The target mount of claim 18, wherein the at least one wire includes a loop opposite the target, and wherein the loop is secured around the outer rings of the at least two bearings.

20. The target mount of claim 14, wherein the at least one wire is inserted through a passage in the target and engaged with a grommet disposed on the target opposite the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present invention.

[0011] In the drawings:

[0012] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a batting tee constructed according to the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of a post of the batting tee of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a support of the batting tee of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a target mount engaged with the support according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a partially broken away sectional view of the target mount and support of FIG. 4.

[0017] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the support of FIG. 3.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0019] With reference now to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, a batting tee constructed according an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The batting tee 10 includes a base 12 adapted to be supported by and/or positioned on the ground or other supporting surface and connected to a post 14 extending upwardly from the base 12 and a support 16 adjustably connected to the post 14 opposite the base 12.

[0020] The base 12 can be formed of any suitable material, such as a rigid material including a plastic or a metal. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 12 is formed of a metal material to provide sufficient weight to the base 12 to maintain the batting tee 10 in an upright position when in use. The base 12 can additionally include portions of varying thicknesses that function to provide sufficient weight to the base 12 to prevent the base 12 from becoming moved off of the ground to maintain the upright position of the batting tee 10.

[0021] Further, the base 12 includes a number of surface-engaging members 18, or feet that extend outwardly from the corners of the base 12 to increase the area and corresponding engagement of the base 12 with a surface, such as the ground, to provide enhanced stability to the batting tee 10 when in use. Each of the members 18 can be formed of a material that frictionally engages the surface on which the base 18 is positioned.

[0022] Also, to assist in maintaining the batting tee 10 in the upright position, the surface-engaging members 18 can either include or be utilized with an anchor (not shown) that is attached to the member 18 and inserted into or otherwise with the ground.

[0023] To connect the post 14 to the base 12, the base 12 includes a strut 20 extending upwardly from the base 12 and including opposed apertures 22 extending therethrough. The post 14, which can be formed as a hollow tube of a material similar to that for the base 12, such as a metal or hard plastic, is insertable within a hollow interior 23 of the strut 20 to align the apertures 22 with a first pair of holes 24 disposed in opposed sides of the post 14. A first securing pin 26 can be releasably inserted through the apertures 22 and the first pair of holes 24 to engage and hold the post 14 within or on the strut 20 and the base 12.

[0024] The pin 26 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment includes a head 25 and a shaft 27 extending outwardly from the head 25 that is inserted through the apertures 22 and the first pair of holes 24. The head 25 also includes a locking member 29 that is pivotally secured to the head 25 at one end and a second end that can be releasably engaged with the end of the shaft 27 opposite the head 25 and extending outwardly from the strut 20.

[0025] Referring now to the illustrated exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, opposite the first pair of holes 24, the post 14 includes a second pair of holes 28 formed in opposite sides of the post 14. The post 14 additionally includes a cap 30 positioned around the periphery of the end of the post 14 opposite the base 12 and adjacent the second pair of holes 28. The support 16, which can be formed as a hollow tube of a material similar to that for the base 12 and/or the post 14, such as a metal or hard plastic, is engaged with the post 14 by inserting the first portion 32 of the support 16 through the cap 30 and into the interior of the post 14. The cap 30 is formed of a suitable material that frictionally engages and aligns the support 16 within the post 14 to minimize the movement of the support 16 relative to both the cap 30 and the post 14.

[0026] Additionally, looking at FIG. 3, the support 16 includes a number of spaced pairs of openings 34 disposed along and extending through the first portion 32 of the support 16. The support 16 is inserted through the cap 30 and into the post 14 to align a selected pair of openings 34 with the second pair of holes 28 adjacent the cap 30 to position a second portion 36 of the support 16 engaged with the first portion 32 at a selected height with regard to the base 12 and/or surface on which the base 12 is positioned. The second portion 36, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, is formed as an integral extension of the first portion 32 that is joined thereto by a curved portion 37 that positions the second portion 36 in a horizontal position relative to the vertical position of the first portion 32. A second securing pin 38 formed similarly to the first securing pin 26 can be inserted through the second pair of holes 28 and the aligned selected pair of openings 34 in the first portion 32 to hold the support 16 in the desired position with regard to the post 14.

[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 3-7, within the hollow interior of the second portion 36 opposite the curved portion 37 is positioned a rod adapter 40. The rod adapter 40 is configured to be inserted within the second portion 36 to engage the interior of the second portion 36 in a non-rotatable manner. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the second portion 36 is formed as a tube having a uniform cross-section along its length, which can be selected to be generally square. The body of the rod adapter 40 is formed to have an exterior cross-section complementary to that of the second portion 36, such that the rod adapter 40 can be aligned with and slidably inserted within the second portion 36 but with the exterior of the rod adapter 40 being engaged by the interior of the second portion 36 upon any rotational movement of the rod adapter 40 within the second portion 36.

[0028] The rod adapter 40, which can be formed as a hollow tube of a material similar to that for the post 14 and/or support 16, such as a metal or hard plastic, includes an interior circular cross-section passage 39 extending therethrough and a pair of apertures 41 located on opposed sides of the rod adapter 40 that intersect the passage 39. The pair of apertures 41 are alignable with openings 47 disposed adjacent the end of the second portion 36 opposite the curved portion 37.

[0029] Within the second portion 36, the rod adapter 40 can be engaged with a rod 42 inserted into the passage 39 of the rod adapter 40. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the rod 42 includes a bore 45 that can be positioned in alignment with the apertures 41 and the openings 47, such that an engaging pin 43 can be inserted therethrough to hold the rod 42 and adapter 40 in a non-rotatable position within the second portion 36.

[0030] Opposite the rod adapter 40, the rod 42 extends from the adapter 40 outwardly of the second portion 36 and includes a knob 44 threadedly engaged within a passage 49 formed in the rod 42 opposite the adapter 40, as best shown in FIGS. 5-7. The knob 44 includes a handle 51, a compression portion 53 located on one side of the handle 51, and a threaded shaft 55 extending outwardly from the compression portion 53 opposite the handle 51 and engaged within the passage 49.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4-7, removably disposed on the rod 42 between the adapter 40 and the knob 44 is a rotatable target mount 46. The mount 46 is formed with a housing 48 including a pair of joined halves 50,52 each formed of a suitable material, such as a metal or a plastic, and defining a narrow central section 54 and wide end sections 56,58 located at opposed ends of the central section 54. The halves 50,52 each include securing pins 55 that are engageable with complementary sleeves 57 located in alignment with the pins 55 when the halves are joined to one another around the rod 42.

[0032] The narrow central section 54 is formed to be larger in diameter than the rod 42, such that the rod 42 can extend through the central section 54 without engaging the central section 54. Further, each of the end sections 56,58 includes a seat 60 formed therein that receives a bearing 62. The bearing 62 is formed with an outer ring 64 fixed to the end sections 56,58, e.g., secured to the seat 60 in each end section 56,58, and an inner ring 66 defining a passage 68 therein and spaced from the outer ring 64 by a number of ball bearings 67 located therebetween. The rod 42 can be inserted through the passages 68 in the inner ring 66 of each bearing 62, such that the adapter 40 contacts the inner ring 66 of the bearing 62 on one end of the mount 46 and the knob 44 contacts the inner ring 66 of the bearing 62 at the opposite end of the mount 46. This mechanical or frictional engagement of the bearings 62 with the adapter 40 and knob 44 at each end of the rod 42 secures the mount 46 on the rod 42, while also allowing the mount 46 to freely rotate around the rod 42 as a result of the free rotation of the outer ring 64 relative to the inner ring 66 provided by the ball bearings 67.

[0033] The mount 46 further includes a pair of wires 70 attached thereto. Each wire 70 includes a loop 72 at one end that is positioned around the exterior of the outer ring 64 of the bearing 62. Adjacent the loop 72, the wire 70 is engaged by the housing 48, such as within one or more slots 73 formed in or adjacent the seat 60, to fix the loop 72 around the bearing 62 in a stationary position relative to the housing 48 to enable the wires 70 to rotate around the rod 42 in conjunction with the housing 48 and the outer rings 66 of the bearings 62.

[0034] The wires 70, which can optionally be encased in a sheathing material (not shown), further extend outwardly from the housing 48 into connection with a target or ball 74 opposite the loops 72. The target 74 is shaped similarly to a baseball or softball and includes a pair of channels 76 formed through the target 74. The wires 70 are each inserted through the channels 76 and engaged with a grommet 78 disposed against the target 74 in a position opposite the mount 46. The grommet 78 is shaped to conform to the outer surface of the target 74 and includes a recess 80 disposed opposite the target 74 and extending between a pair of apertures 82 extending through the grommet 78. After exiting the channels 76 in the target 74, the wires 70 pass through the apertures 82 and include a bend 86 that is oriented at approximately a 900 angle to the wire 70 exiting the channel 76 and that extends along the recess 80. The bends 86 each engage the grommet 78 within the recess 82 to hold the wires 70 in position on the target 74 such that the target 74 is supported by the wires 70 in a suspended position below the mount 46 for use in practicing a batting swing.

[0035] In one exemplary embodiment for the operation of the batting tee 10, initially the height of the second portion 36 of the support 16 as desired relative to the surface on which the base 12 is positioned by moving the first portion 32 of the support 16 relative to the post 14. The first portion 32 is held in the desired position by engaging the second pin 38 between the post 14 and the first portion 32. The rod 42 is then inserted within the rod adapter 40 on the second portion 36 and secured therein using the pin 43.

[0036] Subsequently, the mount 46 can be positioned on the rod 42 by sliding the rod 42 into the mount 46 through the inner rings 66 of the bearings 62 disposed within the housing 48. The knob 44 can then be engaged with the rod 42 opposite the rod adapter 40 to retain the mount 46 in position on the rod 42 with the target 74 located in a suspended position beneath the mount 46 by the wires 70. In this configuration, when the target 74 is struck by a bat (not shown), the target 74 is driven in a direction away from the point of contact of the bat with the target 74. The movement of the target 74 in this direction causes the wires 70 secured through the target 74 by the grommet 78 to move in the same direction. Consequently, the engagement of the wires 70 to the housing 48 via the slot 73 and the loops 72 secured around the outer rings 66 of the bearings 62 causes the outer rings 66 and housing 48 to move or rotate in the direction of movement of the wires 70 around the rod 42. The construction of the housing 48 to fix the bearings 62 with regard to one another prevent the bearings 62 and the wires 70 engaged with the bearings 62 an the housing 48 from binding against the rod 42 as the movement of the target 48 rotates the housing 48 and bearings 62 around the rod 42. Thus, with this construction, the batting tee 10 allows the free rotation of the housing 48 and target 74 attached to the housing 48 by maintaining the alignment of the bearings 62 and wires 70 with the rod 42 using the housing 48.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, the wires 70 can be engaged directly with the housing 48 without the loop 72. In an additional alternative embodiment, the wire 70 can be formed as a single member with both loops 72 formed at each end of the wire 70. Further, in still another alternative embodiment, the housing 48 can include more than two bearings 62 within the housing 48 and disposed around the rod 42. In still an additional alternative embodiment, the base 12 and post 14 can be formed as a single piece to which the support 16 is adjustably secured.

[0038] The invention and the manner and process of making and using it are now described in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, to make and use the same. It is to be understood that the foregoing describes preferred embodiments of the present invention and that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.