Collapsible L-screen for protecting a baseball pitcher

Abstract

An L-screen for protecting a baseball pitcher includes a plurality of screen sections pivotally connected to one another. The screen sections are pivotable, relative to one another, from a collapsed configuration in which the screen sections at least partially overlap one another, to a deployed configuration in which the screen sections optionally form an L-shape.

1 . An L-screen for protecting a baseball pitcher, comprising: 
 a first screen section;    a second screen section pivotally connected to a first side of the first screen section;    a third screen section pivotally connected to a second side of the first screen section;    wherein the second and third screen sections are pivotable from a deployed configuration to a collapsed configuration in which the first, second, and third screen sections at least partially overlap one another.    
     
     
         2 . The L-screen of  claim 1  wherein the first, second, and third screen sections at least substantially form an L-shape in the deployed configuration.  
     
     
         3 . The L-screen of  claim 1  wherein the first, second, and third screen sections are substantially coplanar in the deployed configuration.  
     
     
         4 . The L-screen of  claim 1  wherein the first, second, and third screen sections rest against one another in the collapsed configuration.  
     
     
         5 . The L-screen of  claim 4  wherein, in the collapsed configuration, each side of an outer frame of the first screen section rests against a corresponding side of an outer frame of each of the second and third screen sections.  
     
     
         6 . The L-screen of  claim 1  wherein, in the collapsed configuration, an outer frame of the first screen section is located between an outer frame of each of the second and third screen sections.  
     
     
         7 . The L-screen of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of locking mechanisms located in at least one of the first, second, and third screen sections for locking the L-screen into the deployed configuration.  
     
     
         8 . The L-screen of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the locking mechanisms comprises a locking pin and a locking insert that is slidable into a frame of one of the first, second, and third screen sections.  
     
     
         9 . The L-screen of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of detachable legs attached to at least one of the first and third screen sections for maintaining the L-screen in an upright deployed position.  
     
     
         10 . The L-screen of  claim 1  further comprising at least one foldable leg attached to at least one of the first and third screen sections for maintaining the L-screen in an upright deployed position, with the foldable leg pivotable to a position near or against the L-screen.  
     
     
         11 . The L-screen of  claim 1  further comprising at least one detachable wheel mechanism attached to one of the first, second, and third screen sections when the L-screen is in the collapsed configuration.  
     
     
         12 . The L-screen of  claim 1  wherein the first and second sides of the first screen section are substantially perpendicular to each other.  
     
     
         13 . The L-screen of  claim 1  wherein an outer frame of each of the first, second, and third screen sections is rectangular.  
     
     
         14 . The L-screen of  claim 1  wherein the second and third screen sections are pivotally connected to the first screen section via a plurality of hinges.  
     
     
         15 . The L-screen of  claim 14  wherein the hinges are welded to frames of the first, second, and third screen sections.  
     
     
         16 . An L-screen for protecting a baseball pitcher, comprising: 
 a plurality of screen sections pivotally connected to one another;    wherein the screen sections are pivotable, relative to one another, from a collapsed configuration in which the screen sections at least partially overlap one another, to a deployed configuration in which the screen sections at least substantially form an L-shape.    
     
     
         17 . The L-screen of  claim 16  further comprising a plurality of locking mechanisms located in or on at least one of the screen sections for locking the L-screen into the deployed configuration.  
     
     
         18 . A method for collapsing an L-screen that includes a plurality of screen sections, comprising: 
 disengaging locking mechanisms on the L-screen; and    pivoting the screen sections, relative to one another, until the screen sections at least partially overlap one another.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising removing legs from the L-screen.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising attaching a wheel mechanism to at least one of the screen sections after the pivoting step.  
     
     
         21 . An L-screen for protecting a baseball pitcher, comprising: 
 a plurality of means for preventing a ball from passing therethrough pivotally connected to one another;    wherein the plurality of means are pivotable, relative to one another, from a collapsed configuration in which the plurality of means at least partially overlap one another, to a deployed configuration in which the plurality of means at least substantially form an L-shape.