US5069450A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic umpire for slow pitch softball
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-01-17
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Granted: 1991-12-03
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Expires: 2011-01-17
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for use in slow-pitch softball which is played on a baseball field having a home plate. The apparatus detects and indicates whether a pitch is a strike. The apparatus comprises a flat member having a surface which is positioned horizontally, adjacent to and behind the home plate and has boundaries defining a strike zone. When an object, such as a softball impacts the surface of the flat member, a strike signal is generated and an indication is made that the strike zone has been impacted. The indication can be made by an audible signal which sounds like the word "strike." The strike signal is generated by the closing of a switch or one or more of an array of switches upon impact by the object on the flat member's surface. One type of switch which may be used is a pressure sensitive switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth E. Pyle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:53
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B24/00; A63B24/0021; A63B63/00; A63B63/007; A63B2024/0037; A63B69/00; A63B69/0002; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/0605
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for use in slow-pitch softball which is played on a conventional softball field having a home plate, said apparatus for detecting and indicating whether a properly slow pitched ball is a strike, comprising: a flat member, positioned horizontally, adjacent and behind said home plate; said flat member having boundaries defining a slow-pitch baseball strike zone and a surface on which an object may impact; said flat member including means for generating a strike signal whenever a properly pitched ball impacts on its surface; and announcement means, coupled to said flat member, for indicating when a strike signal has been generated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for use in slow-pitch softball which is played on a conventional softball field having a home plate, said apparatus for detecting and indicating whether a properly slow pitched ball is a strike, comprising: a flat member, positioned horizontally, adjacent and behind said home plate; said flat member having boundaries defining a slow-pitch baseball strike zone and a surface on which an object may impact; said flat member including means for generating a strike signal whenever a properly pitched ball impacts on its surface; and announcement means, coupled to said flat member, for indicating when a strike signal has been generated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said flat member further comprises means for defining a plurality of distinct strike zone boundaries and means for selecting one of said distinct strike zone boundaries.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said flat member further comprises means for adjustably defining a plurality of variable strike zone boundaries and means for engaging one of said variable strike zone boundaries.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said strike signal generating means is a switch which closes when said ball impacts said surface of said flat member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said strike signal generating means is an array of switches, wherein at least one of said array of switches closes when said ball impacts said surface of said flat member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said announcement means generates an audio signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 6 further comprises an audio speaker for making audible said audio signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said audio speaker makes an audible sound which sounds like the word "strike".
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said announcement means further comprises one-shot means coupled to said flat member for receiving said strike signal and generating an intermediate signal to be sent to said announcement means that is longer in duration than said strike signal said one-shot means received.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, said flat member further comprising a pressure sensitive material which generates said strike signal whenever pressure is applied thereto.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for use in slow-pitch softball which is played on a conventional softball field having a home plate, said method for detecting and indicating whether a properly slow pitched softball is a strike, comprising the steps of: positioning a flat member horizontally, adjacent to and behind said home plate, such flat member defining a strike zone and a having a surface on which a ball may impact; providing means on said flat member for generating a strike signal whenever a properly slow pitched softball impacts said flat member; and providing means for indicating when a strike signal has been generated.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for use in slow-pitch softball which is played on a conventional softball field having a home plate, said method for detecting and indicating whether a properly slow pitched softball is a strike, comprising the steps of: positioning a flat member horizontally, adjacent to and behind said home plate, such flat member defining a strike zone and a having a surface on which a ball may impact; providing means on said flat member for generating a strike signal whenever a properly slow pitched softball impacts said flat member; and providing means for indicating when a strike signal has been generated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 11 wherein said indicating step includes audibly announcing when a strike signal has been generated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-02 | 1995-06-03 | 1995-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-02 | 1999-06-03 | 1999-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-02 | 2003-06-03 | 2003-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |