Adjustable base for ball throwing machine

Abstract

A base is provided for a ball throwing machine having a T-shaped frame. The base includes: a lower frame; an upper frame pivotally connected to the lower frame so as to be moveable through a range of elevation angles relative to the lower frame, and including one or more brackets configured to receive the T-shaped frame of the throwing machine; and an adjustment mechanism configured to releasably secure the upper frame at a selected elevation angle within the range.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A base for a ball throwing machine having a T-shaped frame, the base comprising:
 a lower frame;   an upper frame pivotally connected to the lower frame so as to be moveable through a range of elevation angles relative to the lower frame, and including one or more brackets configured to receive the T-shaped frame of the throwing machine; and   an adjustment mechanism configured to releasably secure the upper frame at a selected elevation angle within the range.   
     
     
         2 . The base of  claim 1  wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises:
 an adjustment post mounted to the lower frame; 
 an elevation bracket carried by the upper frame which engages the adjustment post; and 
 a fastener engaged with the adjustment post and the elevation bracket. 
 
     
     
         3 . The base of  claim 2  wherein the adjustment post has a plurality of spaced-apart adjustment holes formed therein. 
     
     
         4 . The base of  claim 2  wherein the adjustment post is pivotally mounted to the lower frame. 
     
     
         5 . The base of  claim 1  wherein the lower frame includes at least one wheel mounted on a wheel support arm extending at an acute angle from the lower frame. 
     
     
         6 . The base of  claim 1  wherein the upper frame includes:
 a transverse upper forward cross rail disposed at a front end of the upper frame, with two-spaced apart front mounting holes formed therein; and 
 an aft bracket disposed at a rear end of the upper frame, the aft bracket defining a forward-facing pocket. 
 
     
     
         7 . The base of  claim 6  wherein the upper frame includes a pair of laterally spaced- apart forward brackets disposed at a front end thereof 
     
     
         8 . The base of  claim 1  wherein the upper frame includes:
 a pair of laterally spaced-apart forward brackets disposed at a front end thereof; and 
 an aft bracket disposed at a rear end of the upper frame, the aft bracket defining a forward-facing pocket. 
 
     
     
         9 . The base of  claim 1  wherein the upper frame includes:
 a transverse upper forward cross rail disposed at a front end of the upper frame, with two-spaced apart front mounting holes formed therein; 
 an elastic retaining strap having opposed first and second ends, the first end attached to the upper forward cross rail; and 
 an aft bracket disposed at a rear end of the upper frame, the aft bracket defining a forward-facing pocket. 
 
     
     
         10 . The base of  claim 1  wherein the upper frame includes:
 a transverse upper forward cross rail disposed at a front end of the upper frame, with two-spaced apart front mounting holes formed therein, the upper forward cross rail having a threaded fastener fixedly attached thereto; and 
 an aft bracket disposed at a rear end of the upper frame, the aft bracket defining a forward-facing pocket. 
 
     
     
         11 . A ball throwing apparatus, comprising:
 a ball throwing machine comprising a T-shaped frame, with means for throwing a ball mounted thereon; and   a base, comprising:
 a lower frame; 
 an upper frame pivotally connected to the lower frame so as to be moveable through a range of elevation angles relative to the lower frame, and including one or more brackets that secure the T-shaped frame of the throwing machine to the upper frame; and 
 an adjustment mechanism configured to releasably secure the upper frame at a selected elevation angle within the range. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises:
 an adjustment post mounted to the lower frame; 
 an elevation bracket carried by the upper frame which engages the adjustment post; and 
 a fastener engaged with the adjustment post and the elevation bracket. 
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the adjustment post has a plurality of spaced-apart adjustment holes formed therein. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the adjustment post is pivotally mounted to the lower frame. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the lower frame includes at least one wheel mounted on a wheel support arm extending at an acute angle from the lower frame. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein:
 the frame of the ball throwing machine includes a pair of spaced-apart spikes extending downward from a front end of the frame, and a rear foot disposed at a rear end of the frame; and 
 the upper frame includes:
 a transverse upper forward cross rail disposed at a front end of the upper frame, with two-spaced apart front mounting holes formed therein that receive the spikes; and 
 an aft bracket disposed at a rear end of the upper frame, the aft bracket defining a forward-facing pocket which receives the rear foot. 
 
 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein:
 the frame of the ball throwing machine includes a pair of spaced-apart front feet disposed at a front end of the frame; and 
 the upper frame includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart forward brackets disposed at a front end thereof which bear against the front feet. 
 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein:
 the frame of the ball throwing machine includes a pair of spaced-apart front feet disposed at a front end of the frame, and a rear foot disposed at a rear end of the frame; and 
 the upper frame includes:
 a pair of laterally spaced-apart forward brackets disposed at a front end thereof which bear against the front feet; and 
 an aft bracket disposed at a rear end of the upper frame, the aft bracket defining a forward-facing pocket which receives the rear foot. 
 
 
     
     
         19 . A ball throwing apparatus, comprising:
 a ball throwing machine comprising a beam including forward and aft ends, the beam having with means for throwing a ball mounted thereon; and   a base, comprising:
 a lower frame; 
 an upper frame pivotally connected to the lower frame so as to be moveable through a range of elevation angles relative to the lower frame, wherein the upper frame includes: 
 a transverse upper forward cross rail disposed at a front end of the upper frame, the upper forward cross rail having a threaded first fastener fixedly attached thereto; 
 an aft bracket disposed at a rear end of the upper frame, the aft bracket defining a forward-facing pocket which receives the aft end of the frame; 
 a threaded second fastener engaging the first fastener and the forward end of the beam, thereby holding the forward end of the beam against the upper forward cross rail; and 
   an adjustment mechanism configured to releasably secure the upper frame at a selected elevation angle within the range.