US3929334A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical baseball umpire
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-09-18
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1994-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A vertically suspended loop to which a flexible net is attached serves to judge if a pitched ball approximately passes through the strike zone above the batter''s plate in the game of baseball (or a related game). A pitched ball, not swung at by the batter, which passes through the loop and is subsequently retained by the net shall be called a ''''strike,'''' whereas a pitched ball, not swung at, and not passing into the net shall be ruled a ''''ball.'''' The loop is suspended by suspension members between a pair of vertical, spaced apart posts such that the posts and loop all be substantially in the same vertical. The loop being suspended at a height above a support surface which is substantially the height of the strike zone of a batter.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A Magazzu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:06
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/0002; A63B63/00; A63B63/08; A63B67/00; A63B67/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A mechanical baseball umpire comprising: a pair of elongated vertical support posts spaced a preselected distance apart, each having a series of vertically spaced eye bolts attached thereto intermediate its ends; a net structure, said net structure having a net member formed as a pocket having a closed bottom portion and an open top portion, said top portion being secured around the periphery of a loop to form an open pocket, said loop having a pair of elongated suspension members attached thereto, each of said suspension members having means at its free end to fasten said suspension members to eye bolts for suspending said loop and net from said pair of posts such that said loop lies in a substantially vertical plane between said post, said fastening means being disengagable from said eye bolts for vertically adjusting said loop and net on said posts, said post net and loop arrangement serving as an umpire in the sense that when a ball is thrown through the loop and retained by said net a ''''strike'''' is designated and when a ball does not pass through said loop a ''''ball'''' is designated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A mechanical baseball umpire comprising: a pair of elongated vertical support posts spaced a preselected distance apart, each having a series of vertically spaced eye bolts attached thereto intermediate its ends; a net structure, said net structure having a net member formed as a pocket having a closed bottom portion and an open top portion, said top portion being secured around the periphery of a loop to form an open pocket, said loop having a pair of elongated suspension members attached thereto, each of said suspension members having means at its free end to fasten said suspension members to eye bolts for suspending said loop and net from said pair of posts such that said loop lies in a substantially vertical plane between said post, said fastening means being disengagable from said eye bolts for vertically adjusting said loop and net on said posts, said post net and loop arrangement serving as an umpire in the sense that when a ball is thrown through the loop and retained by said net a ''''strike'''' is designated and when a ball does not pass through said loop a ''''ball'''' is designated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mechanical baseball umpire of claim 1 wherein said fastening means are swivel snaps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The mechanical baseball umpire of claim 1 wherein said support post are hollow and are separable into top and bottom sections, said top section being telescopically inserted into said bottom section, said eye bolts being attached to said top section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |