Mechanical baseball tee
US8425352B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2011 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63B2069/401
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A hitting training aid is provided, such as a mechanical tee for batting practice. The mechanical tee may present a ball to a batter at various heights, positions, speeds, and angles to simulate real game conditions. The mechanical tee may include a vertical stand with a variable position, retractable post that supports flexible tubing with a suction cup at the end to hold a ball in a suspended manner for striking. The mechanical tee may have a motor and vacuum pump configuration to provide suction, and may automatically feed balls to a batter. The vertical stand may additionally have an air compressor and an attachment for pneumatically tossing or propelling a ball upward for striking. The mechanical tee may move, or toss, a ball to variable and/or random placements within a three dimensional strike zone. A portable stand may have several telescopic pistons for lifting a ball at various placements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.