Pitching Screen Assembly

Abstract

A pitching screen assembly adapted to be readily converted between a deployed configuration and a non-deployed configuration including: 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 having an internal aperture contained therein; a protective screen, wherein the protective screen covers at least a portion of the internal aperture of the frame sub-assembly; wherein the frame sub-assembly is associated with the first ground-engaging support member and the second ground-engaging support member; and wherein the frame sub-assembly is rotatably displaceable along a first axis (X) that is generally orthogonal to the length of the first ground-engaging support member and the length of the second ground-engaging support member.

1 . A pitching screen assembly adapted to be readily converted between a deployed configuration and a non-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, and wherein a first securement bracket is positioned proximate the midpoint of the first ground-engaging support member;   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, and wherein a second securement bracket is positioned proximate the midpoint of the second ground-engaging support member;   a frame sub-assembly having an internal aperture contained therein, wherein the frame sub-assembly includes a left frame member having a lower end hingedly associated with the midpoint of the first securement bracket and a right frame member having a lower end hingedly associated with the midpoint of the second securement bracket, and wherein the frame sub-assembly comprises a handle member;   a protective screen, wherein the protective screen covers at least a portion of the internal aperture of the frame sub-assembly; and   a strike pad associated with the protective screen, wherein the strike pad is substantially transparent and facilitates rapid deployment from a deployed configuration to a non-deployed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . A pitching screen assembly adapted to be readily converted between a deployed configuration and a non-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 having an internal aperture contained therein;   a protective screen, wherein the protective screen covers at least a portion of the internal aperture of the frame sub-assembly;   wherein the frame sub-assembly is hingedly associated with the midpoint of the first ground-engaging support member and hingedly associated with the midpoint of the second ground-engaging support member;   wherein the frame sub-assembly is rotatably displaceable along a first axis (X) that is generally orthogonal to the length of the first ground-engaging support member and the length of the second ground-engaging support member; and   a strike pad associated with the protective screen, wherein the strike pad facilitates rapid deployment from a deployed configuration to a non-deployed configuration.   
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the strike pad is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         5 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the frame sub-assembly further comprises a handle member. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the frame sub-assembly further comprises a handle member. 
     
     
         8 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the first end and the second end of the first ground-engaging support member each comprise an aperture for receiving a securement stake. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the first end and the second end of the first ground-engaging support member each comprise an aperture for receiving a securement stake. 
     
     
         14 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 2 , 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. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 5 , 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. 
     
     
         17 . A pitching screen assembly adapted to be readily converted between a deployed configuration and a non-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 frame sub-assembly having an internal aperture contained therein;   a protective screen, wherein the protective screen covers at least a portion of the internal aperture of the frame sub-assembly;   wherein the frame sub-assembly is hingedly associated with the first ground-engaging support member;   wherein the frame sub-assembly is rotatably displaceable along a first axis (X) that is generally orthogonal to the length of the first ground-engaging support member; and   a strike pad associated with the protective screen, wherein the strike pad facilitates rapid deployment from a deployed configuration to a non-deployed configuration.   
     
     
         18 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 17 , further comprising a remote control sub-assembly which comprises a housing, an actuating mechanism, an energy source, a receiver, and a transmitter. 
     
     
         19 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 18 , further comprising an inertia charger. 
     
     
         20 . The pitching screen assembly according to  claim 19 , further comprising a rectifier.