Folding Baseball Base with Attachable Batting Tee

Abstract

A folding plate for baseball that can be used either independently or as part of a batting tee assembly. The base has a center panel and two flap panels that are attached to opposite sides of the center panel with hinged connections. The hinged connections enable the flap panels to be selectively folded against the center panel in a folded configuration and unfolded into a common plane with the center panel in an open configuration. The folding base can be used in conjunction with a tee stand that selectively connects to the base. The base supports the tee stand in an upright position. The tee stand can be selectively detached from the base. The tee stand can then be strapped against the base for convenient transportation and storage.

1 . A batting tee assembly, comprising:
 a center panel having a forward edge and two parallel sides that are perpendicular to said forward edge;   flap panels that attach to said parallel sides of said center panel, wherein said center panel and said flap panels have a molded construction;   hinges integrated into said molded construction of said center panel and said flap panels forming hinged connections between said center panel and said flap panels, wherein said hinged connections enable said flap panels to be selectively folded against said center panel in a folded configuration and unfolded into a common plane with said center panel in an open configuration; and   a tee stand that selectively connects to, and disconnects from, said center panel.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said tee stand has a first end, an opposite second end and a length between said first and said second end. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said length of said tee stand between said first end and said second end is selectively adjustable. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a receptacle formed on said center panel for selectively receiving said first end of said tee stand and supporting said tee stand in a vertical orientation from said center panel. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further including at least one strap extending from said center panel for strapping said tee stand to said center panel. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further including slots formed in said center panel, wherein said slots are parallel to one another and perpendicular to said forward edge of said center panel, and wherein said at least one strap extends through said slots. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said hinges are stop hinges and said hinged connections have a 180 degree range of rotational motion. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a handle opening formed in said center panel. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said center panel and said flap panels form a shape of a baseball home plate when in said open configuration. 
     
     
         11 . A folding baseball base assembly, comprising:
 a center panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, a forward edge, and two opposite side edges;   flap panels that are attached to said side edges of said center panel, wherein said center panel and said flap panels have a molded construction;   hinges integrated into said molded construction of said center panel and said flap panels forming hinged connections between said center panel and said flap panels, wherein said hinged connections enable said flap panels to be selectively folded against said bottom surface of said center panel in a folded configuration and unfolded into a common plane with said center panel in an open configuration.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , further including a receptacle formed on said center panel for selectively receiving a tee stand. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , further including at least one strap extending from said center panel for strapping an object to said top surface of said center panel. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly according to  claim 13 , further including slots form in said center panel of said base, wherein said slots are parallel to each other and perpendicular to said forward edge of said center panel, and wherein said at least one strap extends through said center panel. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said hinged connections have a limited 180 degree range of motion. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , further including a handle opening formed in said center panel.