Ball speed measuring device

Abstract

A ball speed measuring device comprises a ball pitching target having an electronic compression sensor in the ball target area, and having a digital readout display unit connected to the compression sensor through a solid state unit which converts the compression force, measured when a ball strikes the target area, to the speed of the ball, and displays the impact speed. The ball speed measuring device may be incorporated into a modified ball catching mitt, wherein the ball pitching target is the ball catching area of the mitt, or into a unit which may be attached to vertical supports including backstops and baseball rebound nets.

1 . A ball speed measuring device comprising in combination: 
 a ball pitching target having one or more compression sensors located in the ball target area of said device;    a solid state control unit, said control unit being connected to said sensor or sensors by one input signal conductor from each sensor; said control unit having a signal conversion element; said conversion element being designed to convert the sensor signal produced by the impact of a baseball on said target area into a digital output signal corresponding to the impact speed of the baseball; said control unit also having a reset function initiated by reset means, said reset function producing a digital output signal corresponding to zero and said reset means including a reset control switch and off/on power;    a digital readout display unit, said display unit being connected to said control unit by an output signal conductor, said display unit presenting the ball impact speed to the user, and presenting a readout of zero after resetting;    an optional connector on said control unit, said connector being connected to said output signal conductor, and providing said output signal to a self-powered external digital readout display unit;    an optional calibration element of said control unit, to adjust the accuracy of the force to speed conversion of the signal conversion element, said calibration element having adjustment means, said adjustment means preferably having a rotating control knob;    a source of electrical current, preferably a replaceable battery, said source providing power for operation of said control unit and said display unit, said source being connected to said control unit and said display unit by first and second electrical conductors;    an off/on switch, preferably a button switch, between said source and said first and second electrical conductors;    an optional self-turnoff element of said control unit, which interrupts power to the control unit and display unit after a predetermined time period of inactivity of all sensors and controls.    
     
     
         2 . A device of  claim 1 , wherein the components of the device are incorporated into a ball catching mitt, and the ball target area is the ball catching area of said mitt.  
     
     
         3 . A device of  claim 2 , wherein the number of sensors and input signal conductors is one.  
     
     
         4 . A device of  claim 3 , wherein said optional connector on said control unit is not present.  
     
     
         5 . A device of  claim 3 , wherein said optional calibration element is not present.  
     
     
         6 . A device of  claim 4 , wherein said optional calibration element is not present.  
     
     
         7 . A device of  claim 6 , wherein said optional self-turnoff element is not present.  
     
     
         8 . A device of  claim 2 , wherein the number of sensors and input signal conductors is more than one.  
     
     
         9 . A device of  claim 8 , wherein said optional connector on said control unit is not present.  
     
     
         10 . A device of  claim 8 , wherein said optional calibration element is not present.  
     
     
         11 . A device of  claim 9 , wherein said optional calibration element is not present.  
     
     
         12 . A device of  claim 11 , wherein said optional self-turnoff element is not present.  
     
     
         13 . A device of  claim 1 , wherein the components of the device are incorporated into a target unit which may be attached to a vertical or near-vertical surface.  
     
     
         14 . A device of  claim 13 , wherein the number of sensors and input signal conductors is one.  
     
     
         15 . A device of  claim 14 , wherein said optional connector on said control unit is not present.  
     
     
         16 . A device of  claim 14 , wherein said optional calibration element is not present.  
     
     
         17 . A device of  claim 15 , wherein said optional calibration element is not present.  
     
     
         18 . A device of  claim 17 , wherein said optional self-turnoff element is not present.  
     
     
         19 . A device of  claim 13 , wherein the number of sensors and input signal conductors is more than one.  
     
     
         20 . A device of  claim 19 , wherein said optional connector on said control unit is not present.  
     
     
         21 . A device of  claim 19 , wherein said optional calibration element is not present.  
     
     
         22 . A device of  claim 20 , wherein said optional calibration element is not present.  
     
     
         23 . A device of  claim 22 , wherein said optional self-turnoff element is not present.