Forms and methods for constructing a pitching mound for use on a synthetic turf field

Abstract

A pitching mound form for constructing a pitching mound for playing baseball and softball includes, for example, a plurality of prefabricated frame sections. Each of the plurality of prefabricated frame sections defines a hollow frame having an open upper surface and an open lower surface. One of the plurality of prefabricated frame sections includes a pitcher's rubber frame for receiving the pitcher's rubber. Disclosed are pitching mound forms for forming baseball pitching mounds, single and multiple baseball bullpen pitching mounds, and softball pitching mounds.

1 . A method for forming a pitching mound for supporting a pitcher's rubber for playing baseball or softball on a synthetic turf field, the method comprising:
 assembling a first pitching mound form from a plurality of prefabricated frame sections, each of the plurality of prefabricated frame sections defining a hollow frame and one of the plurality of prefabricated frame sections comprising a pitcher's rubber frame for receiving the pitcher's rubber;   positioning the first assembled pitching mound form on a support structure for the synthetic turf;   placing uncured concrete in the hollow frames of the first assembled pitching mound form and around the pitcher's rubber frame;   forming an upper surface of the uncured concrete in the first assembled pitching mound form around the pitcher's rubber frame; and   placing synthetic turf over the cured concrete filled first assembled pitching mound form.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the pitcher's rubber frame comprises a U-shaped cross-section having a cavity for receiving the pitcher's rubber. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the pitcher's rubber frame comprises a pair of spaced-apart vertical hollow sleeves for receiving a pair of stanchions of the pitcher's rubber. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of prefabricated frame sections comprises a prefabricated center frame section comprising the pitcher's rubber frame and a plurality of surrounding prefabricated peripheral frame sections. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising:
 attaching a plurality of elongated members at an angle from the prefabricated center frame section to the plurality of surrounding prefabricated peripheral frame sections, the plurality of elongated members having a first end attachable to the prefabricated center frame section and a second end attached to a different one of the plurality of prefabricated peripheral frame sections; and 
 wherein the forming comprises guiding the forming of the surface using upper surfaces of the plurality of angled elongated members. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of prefabricated frame sections comprise metal, and wherein the assembled first pitching mound form defines a peripheral side member defining a circular wall. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the plurality of prefabricated frame sections comprises a first frame section comprising the pitcher's rubber frame, a second frame section attachable to said first frame section, and a third frame section attachable to said second frame section; and 
 the assembled first pitching mound form comprises peripheral side members defining a rectangular configuration. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the first frame section, the second frame section, the third frame section comprise side members having the same height. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the third frame section comprise a curved side member. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein:
 the first prefabricated frame section comprises a constant peripheral height, the second prefabricated frame section comprises a prefabricated tapered frame section, and the third prefabricated frame section comprises a prefabricated tapered frame section; and 
 the assembled first pitching mound form defines peripheral side members defining a tapered rectangular configuration. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein:
 the positioning further comprises:
 positioning an assembled second pitching mound form having a pitcher's rubber frame and peripheral side members defining a tapered rectangular configuration adjacent to the assembled first pitching mound form; 
 connecting the assembled first pitching mound form to the assembled second pitching mound form; and 
 
 the placing further comprises:
 placing the uncured concrete in the hollow frames of the assembled second pitching mound form and around the pitcher's rubber frame, and between the assembled first pitching mound form and the assembled second pitching mound form; 
 
 the forming further comprises:
 forming an upper surface of the uncured concrete in the assembled second pitching mound form around the pitcher's rubber frame, and between the fabricated assembled first pitching mound form and the assembled second pitching mound form; and 
 
 the placing further comprises:
 placing the synthetic turf over the cured concrete filled second assembled pitching mound form, and between the assembled first pitching mound form and the assembled second pitching mound form. 
 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 removing knockout holes in the adjacent facing side members in the assembled first pitching mound form and the assembled second pitching mound form prior to the placing the uncured concrete. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the connecting comprising:
 attaching a first connecting side member between the assembled first pitching mound form and the assembled second pitching mound form; and 
 attaching a second connecting side member between the assembled first pitching mound form and the assembled second pitching mound form. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the first connecting side member comprises a pair of slidably adjustable connecting side members; and the second connecting side member comprises a pair of slidably adjustable connecting side members. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the placing comprises:
 placing the uncured concrete around at least one drain tube having an upper end opening into the cavity in the pitcher's rubber frame and a lower end disposed adjacent to the support structure. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the assembling the pitching mound form comprises:
 aligning predetermined positioning features of adjacent prefabricated frame sections; 
 
 the positioning comprises:
 positioning stakes through predetermined holes in at least some of the prefabricated frame sections and into the support structure; and 
 positioning rebar in predetermined notches in at least some of the prefabricated frame sections. 
 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 installing a pitcher's rubber in the cavity of the center portion for receiving the pitcher's rubber; and 
 adjusting a height of the pitcher's rubber in the cavity. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the placing comprises placing a replaceable synthetic turf sized to cover the cured concrete filled pitching mound form. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising placing a rubber layer between the synthetic turf and the cured concrete filled pitching mound form. 
     
     
         20 . A pitching mound form fillable with concrete for constructing a pitching mound for supporting a pitcher's rubber, said pitching mound form comprising:
 a plurality of prefabricated frame sections;   each of said plurality of prefabricated frame sections comprising a hollow frame having an open upper surface and an open lower surface; and   one of said plurality of prefabricated frame sections comprises a pitcher's rubber frame for receiving the pitcher's rubber.   
     
     
         21 . The pitching mound form of  claim 20  wherein the pitcher's rubber frame comprises a U-shaped cross-section having a cavity for receiving the pitcher's rubber. 
     
     
         22 . The pitching mound form of  claim 20  wherein the pitcher's rubber frame comprises a pair of spaced-apart vertical hollow sleeves for receiving a pair of stanchions of the pitcher's rubber. 
     
     
         23 . The pitching mound form of  claim 20  wherein said plurality of prefabricated frame sections comprises:
 a prefabricated center frame section comprising said pitcher's rubber frame, and said center frame having a first height; 
 a plurality of prefabricated peripherally-extending frame sections, each of said plurality of prefabricated frame sections having an outer arcuate side, said outer arcuate sides having a second height less than said first height; and 
 wherein when said plurality of prefabricated frame sections are assembled, said outer arcuate sides form a full circle. 
 
     
     
         24 . The pitching mound form of  claim 20  wherein:
 said prefabricated center frame comprises four peripheral sides defining four right angle corners; and 
 each of said peripherally-extending frame sections comprises an inverted corner defining a first inner side and a second inner side. 
 
     
     
         25 . The pitching mound form of  claim 20  wherein:
 said plurality of prefabricated frame sections comprises a first frame section comprising the pitcher's rubber frame, a second frame section attachable to said first frame section, and a third frame section attachable to said second frame section; and 
 said assembled pitching mound form comprises peripheral side members defining a rectangular configuration. 
 
     
     
         26 . The pitching mound form of  claim 25  wherein said first frame section, said second frame section, said third frame section comprise peripheral side members having the same height. 
     
     
         27 . The pitching mound form of  claim 25  wherein said third frame section comprise a curved side member. 
     
     
         28 . The pitching mound form of  claim 25  wherein said first frame section comprises a constant peripheral height, said second frame section comprises a tapered frame section, said third frame section comprise a tapered frame section, and said assembled pitching mound form comprises peripheral side members defining a tapered rectangular configuration. 
     
     
         29 . The pitching mound form of  claim 26  wherein said first frame section, said second frame section, and said third frame section comprise side member having knockout holes. 
     
     
         30 . The pitching mound form of  claim 26  further comprising a plurality of connecting side member for attaching said pitching mound form to an adjacent second pitching mound form. 
     
     
         31 . The pitching mound form of  claim 21  further comprising at least one tube operable for draining fluid from said cavity for receiving the pitcher's rubber. 
     
     
         32 . The pitching mound form of  claim 20  wherein said plurality of prefabricated frame section comprises:
 prefabricated features for aligning said plurality of prefabricated frame sections for assembly; 
 prefabricated features for locating and positioning stakes into the support structure; and 
 prefabricated features for locating and supporting rebar in at least some of said prefabricated frame sections. 
 
     
     
         33 . The pitching mound form of  claim 20  wherein said plurality of prefabricated frame sections comprises metal. 
     
     
         34 . The pitching mound form of  claim 20  further comprising:
 concrete disposed in said assembled pitching mound form; and 
 synthetic turf disposed over said cured concrete in said assembled pitching mound form. 
 
     
     
         35 . The pitching mound form of  claim 32  further comprising:
 a rubber layer extending over and between said cured concrete in said assembled pitching mound form and said synthetic turf; and 
 wherein said synthetic turf comprises a replaceable synthetic turf portion disposed and extending over said rubber layer.