Pitching Screen Assembly

Abstract

A pitching screen assembly adapted to be readily converted between a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration including: first and second ground-engaging support members each having first ends, second ends, and midpoints, wherein the first and second ends define lengths therebetween; a frame sub-assembly associated with the first and second ground-engaging support members, wherein the frame sub-assembly includes an internal aperture contained therein; a protective screen, wherein the protective screen is displaceable within the frame sub-assembly between a non-deployed position and a deployed position along a first axis (X); and wherein when in the non-deployed position the internal aperture of the frame sub-assembly remains substantially open to allow a pitcher to pitch a ball with a normal throwing motion, and wherein when in the deployed position the internal aperture of the frame sub-assembly is closed to protect a pitcher from a batted ball.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . A pitching screen assembly adapted to be readily converted between a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration, comprising:
 a first ground-engaging support member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint, wherein the first end and the second end define a length therebetween;   a second ground-engaging support member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint, wherein the first end and the second end define a length therebetween;   a frame sub-assembly associated with the first and second ground-engaging support members, wherein the frame sub-assembly includes an internal aperture contained therein;   a protective screen, wherein the protective screen is linearly displaceable within the frame sub-assembly between a non-deployed position and a deployed position along a first axis (X); and   wherein when in the non-deployed position the internal aperture of the frame sub-assembly remains substantially open to allow a pitcher to pitch a ball with a normal throwing motion, and wherein when in the deployed position the internal aperture of the frame sub-assembly is closed to protect a pitcher from a batted ball.   
     
     
         2 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first axis (X) is generally orthogonal to the length of the first ground-engaging support member and the length of the second ground-engaging support member. 
     
     
         3 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame sub-assembly comprises a left frame member, a right frame member, a top frame member, and a bottom frame member. 
     
     
         4 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the top frame member of the frame sub-assembly includes a guide rail. 
     
     
         5 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the guide rail comprises a pair of channels for retaining guide wheels therein. 
     
     
         6 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the pair of channels include wheels that are connected via a rod. 
     
     
         7 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein a portion of the protective screen is attached to the rod. 
     
     
         8 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein a compression spring is associated with the top frame member of the frame sub-assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein a releasable stop member regulates displacement of the protective screen. 
     
     
         10 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame sub-assembly is rotatably displaceable from an upright position to a non-upright position along the first axis (X). 
     
     
         11 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 10 , further comprising a strike pad associated with the protective screen. 
     
     
         12 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the protective screen further comprises a handle member. 
     
     
         13 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the frame sub-assembly further comprises a handle member. 
     
     
         14 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end of the first ground-engaging support member each comprise an aperture for receiving a securement stake. 
     
     
         15 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end of the first ground-engaging support member and the first end and the second end of the second ground-engaging support member each comprise a pair of apertures for receiving a generally U-shaped securement stake. 
     
     
         16 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a remote control sub-assembly which comprises a housing, an actuating mechanism, an energy source, a receiver, and a transmitter. 
     
     
         17 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 16 , further comprising an inertia charger. 
     
     
         18 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 17 , further comprising a rectifier. 
     
     
         19 . A pitching screen assembly adapted to be readily converted between a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration, comprising:
 a first ground-engaging support member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint, wherein the first end and the second end define a length therebetween;   a second ground-engaging support member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint, wherein the first end and the second end define a length therebetween;   a frame sub-assembly associated with the first and second ground-engaging support members, wherein the frame sub-assembly includes an internal aperture contained therein, and wherein the frame sub-assembly is rotatably displaceable from an upright position to a non-upright position along a first axis (X);   a protective screen, wherein the protective screen is linearly displaceable within the frame sub-assembly between a non-deployed position and a deployed position along the first axis (X); and   wherein when in the non-deployed position the internal aperture of the frame sub-assembly remains substantially open to allow a pitcher to pitch a ball with a normal throwing motion, and wherein when in the deployed position the internal aperture of the frame sub-assembly is closed to protect a pitcher from a batted ball.   
     
     
         20 . A pitching screen assembly adapted to be readily converted between a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration, comprising:
 a first ground-engaging support member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint, wherein the first end and the second end define a length therebetween;   a second ground-engaging support member having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint, wherein the first end and the second end define a length therebetween;   a frame sub-assembly associated with the first and second ground-engaging support members, wherein the frame sub-assembly includes an internal aperture contained therein;   a protective screen, wherein the protective screen is linearly displaceable within the frame sub-assembly between a non-deployed position and a deployed position along a first axis (X), wherein the first axis (X) is generally orthogonal to the length of the first ground-engaging support member and the length of the second ground-engaging support member;   wherein when in the non-deployed position the internal aperture of the frame sub-assembly remains substantially open to allow a pitcher to pitch a ball with a normal throwing motion, and wherein when in the deployed position the internal aperture of the frame sub-assembly is closed to protect a pitcher from a batted ball; and   a remote control sub-assembly which comprises a housing, an actuating mechanism, an energy source, a receiver, and a transmitter.