Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title: SPORTS TARGET
Inventor: Robert M. Campbell
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the invention
This invention relates to apparatus for use as targets
for various sporting activities and, more particularly, to devices
designed to provide a target for baseball pitchers to practice
throwing the ball in the strike zone.
Description of the Prior Art
The use of a practice target is not uncommon in many
sports. In hockey various devices have been used that can be
attached to the net so that the players can practice shooting.
These range from a piece of plywood with holes cut in it to
circular styrofoam targets about a foot in diameter that are
attached to the goalposts.
In baseball it is known for the pitcher to practice the
accuracy of his pitches by throwing into a net or at a target
representing the strike zone or a part of the strike zone.
Rudimentary targets such as bushel baskets or plates hung against a
fence have been used. Devices used to measure the speed and
accuracy of pitches use a strike zone painted on a tarp to which
appropriate sensory devices are connected to measure the speed and
location of the ball as it hits the target. None of these prior art
devices provide a device in which the size and location of the
target zone can be easily adjusted for different ages or skill
levels.
SUMNARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a simple
device that can be used as a target to practice accurately
throwing, shooting, hitting or kicking a ball or other object.
It is another object of the invention to provide a device
where the location of the target zone can be easily adjusted.
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Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is
provided an apparatus for use as a sports target. The sports target
comprises a tarp and means for attaching said tarp to a support
structure. The support means can be a free standing frame or straps
or the like for attachment to an existing object such as a goal net
etc.. One or more openings are provided in said tarp through which
it is intended to throw, kick, hit or shoot a ball, puck or like
object. Means are provided, said means adapted to cover a part of
said openings, to adjust the size and location of the opening(s) to
accomodate different ages and skill levels. Net means is provided
behind said opening to retain a ball, puck or like object thrown,
hit, shot or kicked through said opening.
Further features of the invention will be described or
will become apparent in the course of the following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more clearly
understood, the preferred embodiment thereof will now be described
in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a front view of a target according to the present
invention.
Fig. 2 is a back view of the target of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side view of the target of Fig. 1 showing a
self standing frame for the target.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Fig. 1 and 2, a target, generally indicated
at 1, consists of a generally rectangular tarp 2 made of a material
sufficiently durable to withstand repeatedly having a ball or other
object thrown or hit at it. A heavy duty tarp typically used for
truck tarps has proven to be practical. The tarp 2 has top 3,
bottom 4 and opposite side 5, 6 edges. Along each of said top,
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bottom and side edges means are provided to attach the tarp 2 to a
frame (not shown) or other support means for the tarp. In the
embodiment shown which is intended for a baseball application, the
means for attachment consists of providing sleeves 7, 8, 9, 10
along each of said top, side and bottom edges. The corners 11 of
the tarp 2 are cutout to permit frame members to be inserted into
the sleeves. Any suitable materials may be used for the frame
(wood, metal or plastic). In the preferred embodiment as best shown
in Fig. 3 the frame is constructed of 1~" ABS pipe pieces that are
detachable to permit transport and storage.
Centrally disposed in tarp 2 is a generally rectangular
opening 12 behind which is a net 13 or other means to retain any
balls thrown into the opening 12. The strike zone in baseball is
defined as "that area over home plate the upper limit of which is a
horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders
and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at
the top of the knees" (The Official Rules of Baseball 1995). Home
plate is 14"-17" wide. The opening 12 therefore is preferably
slightly wider than 14"-17" to simulate the width of home plate.
Where other dimensions are used the size of opening 12 can be
suitably changed without departing from the scope of the invention.
However in order for the target to be used by players of different
age groups the vertical height of the opening 12 and the distance
from bottom edge 4 should be selected to accommodate all age
groups. In order to make opening 12 simulate the strike zone for
any particular age group, one or more flaps 14 are provided that
can be used to cover part of the opening. In Fig. 1 one flap 14 i8
shown covering the bottom of opening 12 . Means are provide for
connecting the flap 14 to tarp 2. In the embodiment shown, Velcro
strips 15 are sewn around the outside of opening 12. Corresponding
Velcro strips 18 are sewn along the sides 20 and 21 of flap 14 on
the back side of the flap so that the flap 14 can be used to cover
a part of opening 12. To provide greater adjustment in flap 14, it
has been found that providing Velcro strips 19 along the front of
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sides 20 and 21 of flap 14 permits the top 22 of flap 14 to be
rolled or unrolled to expanded or reduce the exposed area of
opening 12. Preferably a second flap (not shown) similar to flap 14
is provided to cover the upper part of opening 12. These two flaps
permit the opening 12 to be adjusted so the height of the opening
and its distance from the ground approximates the height and
location of the strike zone of the players using the target. A
third intermediate flap (not shown) can also be provided to divide
the opening 12 into two sections so that a player can practice
throwing high and low strikes and avoid the middle of the strike
zone. Net 13 is provided with sufficient slack so that the balls
stay in the net and don~t bounce out.
As best illustrated in Fig. 2, net 13 is attached to
around opening 12 on the back of tarp 2 in a fashion that will
reduce the chance of it coming unattached. In the preferred
embodiment belting 25 is sewn over top of net 13 and tarp 2 around
opening 12 to hold the net 13 in place and to reinforce the edges
of opening 12 to prevent them from becoming ripped or torn and
insure only balls thrown into opening 12 are retained in net 13.
Slots 26 can be provided in sleeve 7 along the top edge 3
of tarp 2 to permit support members 33 to be attached to the top
frame member 32 as shown in Fig. 3. Bottom frame member 31 can be
spiked or weighted to the ground to prevent the target from moving
when struck by a pitch. Supports 33 retain the target 1 in a
vertical position when pinned to the ground as illustrated in Fig.
3 by spike 34. The target is preferably constructed to permit
support members 33 to support the target at different angles so
that the target can be used for different applications.
In use for baseball, target 1 would be set up as shown in
Fig. 3. Nominal dimensions of tarp 2 suitable for a baseball
application are 5 ft wide by 6 ft high. Flaps 14 would be adjusted
to the strike zone of the age and skill of the players practising.
A pitcher could align himself with the target to simulate pitching
from the pitcherls mound. Pitches that are not strikes would hit
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tarp 2 and fall to the ground. Pitches in the strike zone would be
retained in net 13. The target can be utilized at home plate, in
the bullpen or in any open area such as the outfield, backyards
etc. Another variation is to place a batter in front of the target.
The pitcher can practice pitching to a batter without needing an
umpire or catcher to determine balls and strikes. It will also
assist the batter to determine when he has swung at pitches out of
the strike zone.
While the preferred embodiment is illustrated for use
with baseball, the present invention can be adapted for other
sports such as hockey, golf, soccer, tennis etc by adapting the
shape and size of the tarp, size, shape and location of the opening
and the frame/support means consistent with the objectives for
other sports.
It will be appreciated that the above description related
to the preferred embodiment by way of example only. Many
variations on the invention will be obvious to those knowledgeable
in the field, and such obvious variations are within the scope of
the invention as described and claimed, whether or not expressly
described.
