Portable baseball pitching mound for training

Abstract

A device ( 10 ) includes a top portion ( 14 ); side portions ( 28, 28 ′) extending from the top portion, the side portions and the top portion forming a hollow area ( 46 ); and a bottom portion ( 48 ) comprising a bottom surface ( 34, 34 ′) of each of the side portions, each bottom surface being covered with an anti-slip member ( 44, 44 ′).

1 . A device ( 10 ), comprising:
 a top portion ( 14 );   side portions ( 28 ,  28 ′) extending from the top portion, the side portions and the top portion forming a hollow area ( 46 ); and   a bottom portion ( 48 ) comprising a bottom surface ( 34 ,  34 ′) of each of the side portions, each bottom surface being covered with an anti-slip member ( 44 ,  44 ′).   
     
     
         2 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-slip members ( 44 ,  44 ′) comprise a rubber material. 
     
     
         3 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-slip members ( 44 ,  44 ′) comprise Styrene-Butadiene Rubber. 
     
     
         4 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-slip members ( 44 ,  44 ′) each have a coefficient of friction of less than 1.0. 
     
     
         5 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the side portions ( 28 ,  28 ′) comprise two side portions that both include a plurality of side sections ( 27 ,  29 ,  31 ,  33 ,  35 );
 wherein a selected one of the side sections ( 33 ) is configured to absorb a force generated by a user of the device. 
 
     
     
         6 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , having a weight between approximately 15 pounds and approximately 20 pounds. 
     
     
         7 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , having a weight of approximately 18.2 pounds. 
     
     
         8 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , having a length of approximately 38 inches, a width of approximately 18 inches, and a height of approximately 5.5 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , having a length of approximately 40 inches, a width of approximately 18 inches, and a height of approximately 5.5 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion ( 14 ) and the side portions ( 28 ,  28 ′) comprise wood. 
     
     
         11 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein one of the side portions ( 28 ) includes a gripping mechanism ( 36 ) configured to allow a user to carry the device. 
     
     
         12 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , further including a ring ( 38 ) secured to one of the side portions ( 30 ) to receive an associated measuring device ( 40 ). 
     
     
         13 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 12 , further including a measuring device ( 40 ) securable to the ring ( 38 ). 
     
     
         14 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , further including a closing device ( 50 ) configured to enclose the hollow area ( 46 ). 
     
     
         15 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 14 , wherein the closing device ( 50 ) is free from engagement with a surface on which the bottom portion ( 48 ) contacts. 
     
     
         16 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 14 , wherein the side portions ( 28 ,  28 ′) each include a slot portion ( 54 ) sized and dimensioned to receive a portion of the closing device ( 50 ). 
     
     
         17 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 14 , wherein, when the closing device ( 50 ) encloses the hollow area ( 46 ), the hollow area has an area sized and dimensioned to hold one or more associated articles. 
     
     
         18 . The device ( 10 ) of  claim 14 , wherein the closing device ( 50 ) includes a locking mechanism ( 58 ) configured to engage with a portion of one of the side portions ( 28 ,  28 ′). 
     
     
         19 . A portable pitching mound ( 10 ), comprising:
 a top portion ( 14 );   a pair of side portions ( 28 ,  28 ′) extending from the top portion, the side portions and the top portion forming a hollow area ( 46 ); and   a bottom portion ( 48 ) comprising a bottom surface ( 34 ,  34 ′) of the side portions, each bottom surface being covered with an anti-slip member ( 44 ,  44 ′) comprising a rubber material having a coefficient of friction of less than 1.0.   
     
     
         20 . A portable pitching mound ( 10 ), comprising:
 a top portion ( 14 );   two side portions ( 28 ,  28 ′) extending from the top portion, the two side portions and the top portion forming a hollow area ( 46 ), wherein both of the side portions include a plurality of side sections, and a selected one of the side sections is configured to absorb a force generated by a user of the device; and   a bottom portion ( 48 ) comprising a bottom surface ( 34 ,  34 ′) of the side portions, each bottom surface being covered with an anti-slip member ( 44 ,  44 ′) comprising Styrene-Butadiene Rubber.