Portable batting practise cage and method of using the same

Abstract

A portable batting practise cage and method of use of the same. The portable batting practise cage includes several support poles and a non-supporting mesh shell. The shell has a substantially planar end wall, depending anchor lines and several transversely extending rows of externally positioned loops. The shell is supported and held erect by inserting one of the several support poles through each of the several transversely positioned rows of externally positioned loops, and anchoring the mesh shell to a ground surface by means of the anchor lines. A pitching port is provided through the planar end wall of the shell, enabling a pitcher positioned outside of the structure to pitch to a batter positioned within the mesh shell.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001] The present invention relates to a portable batting practise cage.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002] Batting practise cages are used as a training tool by coaches of amateur baseball teams. The batting practise cages generally consist of a support frame with an exterior covering of mesh netting. An "L" shaped protective screen is provided within the batting practise cage for the coach to stand behind as he pitches the ball to the batters. There have been batting cages marketed as being "portable" but to date these portable batting cages still require a considerable amount of time for assembly.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003] What is required is a portable batting cage that can be rapidly erected with a minimum of assembly.[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable batting practise cage which includes several support poles and a non-supporting mesh shell. The shell has a substantially planar end wall, depending ancho...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003] What is required is a portable batting cage that can be rapidly erected with a minimum of assembly.

[0007] Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the portable batting practise cage, as described above, even more beneficial results may be obtained through the addition of selected features and combinations of features, as will hereafter be further described. It is preferred that a domed shell be used. It is preferred that each of the several support poles be capable of bending to assume an arch configuration. It is preferred that foldable poles be used with a plurality of interlocking sections held together with a flexible line, such as are now becoming popular with tents. It is preferred that ends of each of the several transversely extending rows of externally positioned loops terminate in pole engaging members so that the poles can be slid through the loops and engaged with the pole engaging members to maintain them in an arch configuration. For reasons of safety, it is preferred that a closure be provided for blocking off a portion of the pitching port and reducing the likelihood of the batter driving a ball back through the pitching port.

Problems solved by technology

The only limitations are practical considerations.

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