Other

Dillon Glenn Lee

Joseph M Miller

Michael C Porter

Shock extender

Adjustable handlebars

Modular vehicle bumper

The powered, moveable hitting tee of the instant invention is basically made up of a vertical tee, a reciprocating, horizontally disposed rod supporting the vertical tee, and a drive assembly or mechanism that is coupled to horizontally disposed rod to move the vertical tee towards the player. A moveable sled or carriage assembly movably supports the horizontally disposed rod. In one embodiment, a motor and pulley assembly is used for rotating a drive belt, which in turn moves the sled, the rod and the vertical tee. In another embodiment, a chain drive is used for moving the sled, the rod and the vertical tee. In another embodiment, a lead screw is used for moving the sled, the rod and the vertical tee. The particular structure that moves the vertical tee is not critical to the basic concept of the present invention. Rather, it will be apparent from this disclosure that various drive mechanisms can be made used to move the vertical tee towards the player. The vertical tee may include a rather rigid lower segment and a somewhat flexible upper segment made of memory-retentive material, which will bend but not be damaged when struck accidentally by a bat. The upper end of vertical tee upper segment may be flared to support a baseball or softball. In one embodiment, the tee support includes a coil spring as a shock absorber. A removable motor assembly and remote control devices may also be included.

Powered movable hitting tee

The powered, movable hitting tee made up of a vertical tee, a reciprocating, horizontally-disposed rod supporting the vertical tee, a movable sled or carriage assembly within which the reciprocating rod is mounted, a drive belt or, in the alternative, a chain and sprocket assembly arranged parallel to and in operable contact with the rod, thus engaging the rod and driving the same, a motor for rotating the drive belt or chain, thus to move the sled, rod and vertical tee, and a box enclosure for all the components of the invention, save for a portion of the reciprocating rod and the vertical tee. The rod free-end and the base of the vertical tee are, in a first embodiment, only loosely, frictionally interfitted together so that, should the vertical tee be accidentally struck, then it will simply fall off of the rod, without damage to any of the parts of the invention. The vertical tee may include a rather rigid lower segment and a somewhat flexible upper segment made of memory-retentive material (e.g., rubber), which will bend but not be damaged when struck accidentally by a bat. The upper end of vertical tee upper segment may be flared to support a baseball or softball. In a second embodiment, the tee support includes a coil spring as a shock absorber for misaimed hitting. A removable motor assembly and remote control devices may also be included.

Growing community of inventors

La Habra Heights, CA, United States of America

Dillon Glenn Lee