US20130345000A1 - Portable pitching mound - Google Patents
Portable pitching mound Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130345000A1 US20130345000A1 US13/692,690 US201213692690A US2013345000A1 US 20130345000 A1 US20130345000 A1 US 20130345000A1 US 201213692690 A US201213692690 A US 201213692690A US 2013345000 A1 US2013345000 A1 US 2013345000A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- mound
- pitching mound
- secured
- portable pitching
- portable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/0002—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/0002—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball
- A63B2069/0004—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball specially adapted for particular training aspects
- A63B2069/0006—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball specially adapted for particular training aspects for pitching
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2210/00—Space saving
- A63B2210/50—Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/04—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 for small-room or indoor sporting games
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
Abstract
A portable pitching mound includes a base portion and a skin formed over the base portion. The base portion may include a foam core to reduce the weight of the mound. The skin may be a rigid skin to improve durability, such as sheet metal. The foam core may include a forward portion and a rearward portion selectively removably secured to one another. The forward portion is sloped downward away from the rearward portion. The rearward portion provides a substantially horizontal upper surface. A pitching rubber is secured to the metal skin on the substantially horizontal surface. Artificial turf may be secured to the forward sloped surface of the forward portion.
Description
- This application relates to a pitching mound and more particularly to a portable pitching mound.
- Most baseball pitchers are accustomed to pitching from a raised mound. However, if a particular baseball field or other practice location lacks a pitching mound, a pitching mound cannot be easily or quickly added. Further, pitchers practicing indoors, such as in a gym, often do not have the opportunity to pitch from a proper mound. Pitching mounds that are somewhat portable exist, but they are heavy and cumbersome or unsuitable for indoor use.
- A portable pitching mound according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a base portion and a skin formed over the base portion. The base portion may include a foam core to reduce the weight of the mound. The skin may be a rigid skin to improve durability, such as sheet metal. The foam core may include a forward portion and a rearward portion selectively removably secured to one another. The forward portion is sloped downward away from the rearward portion. The rearward portion provides a substantially horizontal upper surface. A pitching rubber is secured to the metal skin on the substantially horizontal surface. Artificial turf may be secured to the forward sloped surface of the forward portion.
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pitching mound according to one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a bottom exploded perspective view of the pitching mound ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of two cams that could be used in the pitching mound ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled pitching mound. - A
portable pitching mound 10 according one embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 1 . Theportable pitching mound 10 includes aforward base portion 12 a and arearward base portion 12 b. Thebase portions 12 a, b are low density foam core that has been CNC cut (or, alternatively, molded). The foam may be polystyrene expanded 1.0 lb-1.5 lb/cu ft. The low-density foam core is used to reduce the mound weight while arigid skin 16 gives the unit strength and durability. Therigid skin 16 may be sheet metal. Theforward base portion 12 a is sloped downward away from therearward base portion 12 b. Therearward base portion 12 b provides a substantially horizontal upper surface. - A plurality (in this example, three) complementary
mechanical cam locks 14 a, 14 b are attached via high strength weather resistant expanding glue to theforward base portion 12 a and therearward base portion 12 b, respectively. - Pre-cut to pattern
metal sheet portions 16 are attached to the surfaces of thebase portions 12 a, b and placed in a vacuum assisted pressurized clamping system until the glue is cured. This permanently encasescams 14 a, b andreinforcements 24 within the metal skin formed by themetal sheet portions 16. - Pitching
rubber 22 andartificial turf 18 a, 18 b are attached to themetal sheet portions 16. High strength weather resistant expending glue attaches thepitching rubber 22 andturf 18 a, 18 b directly to themetal sheet portions 16, which are placed in a vacuum assisted pressurized clamping system until the glue is cured. -
FIG. 2 is a bottom exploded view of thepitching mound 10. Referring toFIG. 2 , thebase portions 12 a, b each include a plurality of CNC-cut (or molded) recesses for receivingreinforcements 24, attached via high-strength weather-resistant expanding glue (for example).Feet 26 may be attached to each of thereinforcements 24. Thefeet 26 may be skid/scuff-resistant to make themound 10 suitable for use on a gym floor. Thereinforcements 24 may be wood, metal, hard plastic or other material suitable for distributing the weight of themound 10 to thefeet 26. -
FIG. 3 shows an example of thecams 14 a, b ofFIGS. 1 and 2 that could be used to selectively connect the two halves of the assembledmound 10 together. Themechanical locking cams 14 a, b are utilized in order to easily lock and unlock the two halves of themound 10. Other connectors could be used instead of or in addition to thecams 14 a, b shown. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembledpitching mound 10. - The two piece design is to allow a smaller foot print for storage and transportation. The reduced weight and the two-piece design make this mound truly portable; lightweight and small without compromising strength and durability.
- In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.
Claims (17)
1. A portable pitching mound comprising:
a foam core; and
a rigid skin secured to the foam core.
2. The portable pitching mound of claim 1 wherein the foam core includes a forward portion and a rearward portion selectively removably secured to one another.
3. The portable pitching mound of claim 2 wherein the forward portion is sloped downward away from the rearward portion.
4. The portable pitching mound of claim 3 wherein the rearward portion provides a substantially horizontal upper surface.
5. The portable pitching mound of claim 4 further including a pitching rubber secured to the substantially horizontal upper surface.
6. The portable pitching mound of claim 5 further including artificial turf secured to the rigid skin.
7. The portable pitching mound of claim 6 further including a plurality of reinforcements secured to an underside of the foam core.
8. The portable pitching mound of claim 7 further including a plurality of feet secured to the plurality of reinforcements.
9. The portable pitching mound of claim 8 wherein the foam core is formed of expanded polystyrene.
10. The portable pitching mound of claim 9 wherein the rigid skin is sheet metal.
11. The portable pitching mound of claim 1 wherein the foam core includes a forward portion sloped downward away from a rearward portion of the foam core.
12. The portable pitching mound of claim 11 wherein the rearward portion provides a substantially horizontal upper surface.
13. The portable pitching mound of claim 12 further including a pitching rubber secured to the substantially horizontal upper surface and artificial turf secured to the rigid skin
14. The portable pitching mound of claim 13 wherein the foam core is formed of expanded polystyrene.
15. A method for forming a portable pitching mound including the steps of:
a) forming a foam base;
b) attaching a rigid skin to the foam base; and
c) attaching turf to the rigid skin.
16. The method of claim 15 further including the step of attaching a pitching rubber to the rigid skin.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said step a) includes the step of forming a forward base portion and a rearward base portion, said method further including the step of removably securing the forward base portion to the rearward base portion.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/692,690 US20130345000A1 (en) | 2011-12-02 | 2012-12-03 | Portable pitching mound |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201161566238P | 2011-12-02 | 2011-12-02 | |
US13/692,690 US20130345000A1 (en) | 2011-12-02 | 2012-12-03 | Portable pitching mound |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130345000A1 true US20130345000A1 (en) | 2013-12-26 |
Family
ID=49774897
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/692,690 Abandoned US20130345000A1 (en) | 2011-12-02 | 2012-12-03 | Portable pitching mound |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20130345000A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130196797A1 (en) * | 2012-01-16 | 2013-08-01 | Porta-Pro Mounds Inc. Dba The Perfect Mound | Mobile Baseball Pitching Mound |
US10463943B2 (en) * | 2012-08-23 | 2019-11-05 | Athalonz, Llc | Modular bullpen mound with replaceable trays |
US11000748B1 (en) * | 2018-06-19 | 2021-05-11 | Randy John Krystosek | Portable pitching mound apparatus |
USD927624S1 (en) * | 2019-01-14 | 2021-08-10 | Kalan McHugh | Portable pitching mound |
US20220266111A1 (en) * | 2021-02-23 | 2022-08-25 | Conley Wessel | Padded Training Board |
US20220331677A1 (en) * | 2021-04-16 | 2022-10-20 | X2 Charlotte, LLC | Portable baseball pitching mound for training |
Citations (15)
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---|---|---|---|---|
US2138085A (en) * | 1935-03-11 | 1938-11-29 | Wood Mosaic Co Inc | Portable composite floor |
US2959508A (en) * | 1956-01-30 | 1960-11-08 | Dow Chemical Co | Method for expanding thermoplastic resinous materials and articles thereby obtained |
US3236520A (en) * | 1963-02-11 | 1966-02-22 | Porta Mound | Portable baseball training mound for pitchers |
US4561653A (en) * | 1984-06-13 | 1985-12-31 | Wright Robert L | Portable softball pitching mound |
US4749223A (en) * | 1987-03-30 | 1988-06-07 | True Pitch, Inc. | Portable pitching mound |
US4769963A (en) * | 1987-07-09 | 1988-09-13 | Structural Panels, Inc. | Bonded panel interlock device |
US5171016A (en) * | 1990-04-09 | 1992-12-15 | Kamal Charles J | Apparatus for practicing putting and chipping |
US5467977A (en) * | 1991-12-18 | 1995-11-21 | Beck; John W. | Portable pitching mound |
US5673524A (en) * | 1996-04-12 | 1997-10-07 | Alumet Building Products, Inc. | Reversible composite building panel |
US5707305A (en) * | 1996-10-28 | 1998-01-13 | True Pitch, Inc. | Portable pitching mound |
US20090233740A1 (en) * | 2007-10-29 | 2009-09-17 | Don Eugene Gensler | Portable pitching mound |
US7621831B2 (en) * | 2005-11-21 | 2009-11-24 | Cliff Lee Roberts | Portable pitching mound |
US20110143869A1 (en) * | 2005-11-17 | 2011-06-16 | Goeders John J | Multiple piece pitching mound |
US8216095B2 (en) * | 2007-07-06 | 2012-07-10 | Jane L. Weber, legal representative | Artificial pitching surface |
US8251843B1 (en) * | 2011-10-06 | 2012-08-28 | True Pitch, Inc. | Warning mat for pitching mound |
-
2012
- 2012-12-03 US US13/692,690 patent/US20130345000A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2138085A (en) * | 1935-03-11 | 1938-11-29 | Wood Mosaic Co Inc | Portable composite floor |
US2959508A (en) * | 1956-01-30 | 1960-11-08 | Dow Chemical Co | Method for expanding thermoplastic resinous materials and articles thereby obtained |
US3236520A (en) * | 1963-02-11 | 1966-02-22 | Porta Mound | Portable baseball training mound for pitchers |
US4561653A (en) * | 1984-06-13 | 1985-12-31 | Wright Robert L | Portable softball pitching mound |
US4749223A (en) * | 1987-03-30 | 1988-06-07 | True Pitch, Inc. | Portable pitching mound |
US4769963A (en) * | 1987-07-09 | 1988-09-13 | Structural Panels, Inc. | Bonded panel interlock device |
US4769963B1 (en) * | 1987-07-09 | 1991-09-10 | Republic Bank | |
US5171016A (en) * | 1990-04-09 | 1992-12-15 | Kamal Charles J | Apparatus for practicing putting and chipping |
US5467977A (en) * | 1991-12-18 | 1995-11-21 | Beck; John W. | Portable pitching mound |
US5673524A (en) * | 1996-04-12 | 1997-10-07 | Alumet Building Products, Inc. | Reversible composite building panel |
US5707305A (en) * | 1996-10-28 | 1998-01-13 | True Pitch, Inc. | Portable pitching mound |
US20110143869A1 (en) * | 2005-11-17 | 2011-06-16 | Goeders John J | Multiple piece pitching mound |
US8047934B2 (en) * | 2005-11-17 | 2011-11-01 | True Pitch, Inc. | Multiple piece pitching mound |
US7621831B2 (en) * | 2005-11-21 | 2009-11-24 | Cliff Lee Roberts | Portable pitching mound |
US8216095B2 (en) * | 2007-07-06 | 2012-07-10 | Jane L. Weber, legal representative | Artificial pitching surface |
US20090233740A1 (en) * | 2007-10-29 | 2009-09-17 | Don Eugene Gensler | Portable pitching mound |
US8251843B1 (en) * | 2011-10-06 | 2012-08-28 | True Pitch, Inc. | Warning mat for pitching mound |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
Title |
---|
Webpage download, Blindhope2009, 2009, web.archive.org/web/20090521134149/http://www.blindhope.com/Portable%20Pitcher%20Page.htm, 5 pages * |
Webpage download, hooverfence, 2004, https://web.archive.org/web/20040608125436/http://www.hooverfence.com/sports/baseball-softball/training-pitcher.htm, 7 pages * |
Webpage download, pitch-pro.com, 2009, www.pitch-pro.com/about/, 3 pages * |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130196797A1 (en) * | 2012-01-16 | 2013-08-01 | Porta-Pro Mounds Inc. Dba The Perfect Mound | Mobile Baseball Pitching Mound |
US9474954B2 (en) * | 2012-01-16 | 2016-10-25 | Porta-Pro Mounds Inc. | Mobile baseball pitching mound |
US9844717B2 (en) | 2012-01-16 | 2017-12-19 | Porta-Pro Mounds Inc. | Mobile baseball pitching mound |
US10463943B2 (en) * | 2012-08-23 | 2019-11-05 | Athalonz, Llc | Modular bullpen mound with replaceable trays |
US11000748B1 (en) * | 2018-06-19 | 2021-05-11 | Randy John Krystosek | Portable pitching mound apparatus |
USD927624S1 (en) * | 2019-01-14 | 2021-08-10 | Kalan McHugh | Portable pitching mound |
US20220266111A1 (en) * | 2021-02-23 | 2022-08-25 | Conley Wessel | Padded Training Board |
US11911677B2 (en) * | 2021-02-23 | 2024-02-27 | Conley Wessel | Padded training board |
US20220331677A1 (en) * | 2021-04-16 | 2022-10-20 | X2 Charlotte, LLC | Portable baseball pitching mound for training |
WO2022260750A1 (en) * | 2021-04-16 | 2022-12-15 | X2 Charlotte, LLC | Portable baseball pitching mound for training |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |