FORMS FOR CONSTRUCTING A FOUNDATION FOR BATTER'S AND CATCHER'S BOXES, AND SUPPORTING A HOME PLATE
A form for constructing a foundation for batter’s and catcher’s boxes and supporting a home plate in a support structure of a synthetic turf field for playing baseball or softball includes a hollow frame comprising an open upper surface and an open lower surface, the hollow frame sized to extend under the batter’s and catcher’s boxes, and a home plate frame supportable by the hollow frame, the home plate frame having a cavity for receiving the home plate.
Latest Sportsfield Intellectual, LLC Patents:
- Forms and methods for constructing a foundation for supporting a home plate
- FORMS AND METHODS FOR CONSTRUCTING A PITCHING MOUND FOR USE ON A SYNTHETIC TURF FIELD
- FORMS AND METHODS FOR CONSTRUCTING A FOUNDATION FOR SUPPORTING A HOME PLATE
- SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SECURING BASES, HOME PLATES, PITCHER'S RUBBERS, AND DOUBLE BASES TO SYNTHETIC TURF
- Shelter
This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/273,264, filed Oct. 29, 2021, entitled “Forms For Constructing A Foundation For Batter’s And Catcher’s Boxes, And Supporting A Home Plate,” which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/923,448, filed Jul. 8, 2020, and entitled “Forms And Methods For Constructing A Foundation For Supporting A Home Plate,” which application is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to batter’s and catcher’s boxes and home plates, and more particularly to forms and methods for constructing a foundation for batter’s and catcher’s boxes, and supporting a home plate.
BACKGROUNDTraditionally, supports for securing a home plate in synthetic turf require custom designs and fabrications. One example includes providing a wood frame formed from, e.g., 2 inch by 4 inch wood boards, having sides cut and assembled for receiving a home plate in the wood frame. The assembled wood frame is installed in and even with the surface of the ground.
Batter’s boxes are the place where batters stand when ready to receive a pitch from the pitcher. Typically, the batter’s boxes are drawn in chalk on the dirt surrounding home plate. Batter’s boxes, one on each side of home plate, are centered lengthwise at the center of home plate with the inside line of each batter’s box 6 inches from the near edge of home plate.
SUMMARYShortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a form for constructing a foundation for batter’s and catcher’s boxes and supporting a home plate in a support structure of a synthetic turf field for playing baseball or softball. The form includes, for example, a hollow frame a peripheral side defining an open lower surface and an open lower surface. The hollow frame is sized to extend under the batter’s and catcher’s boxes, and a home plate frame is supportable by the hollow frame. A home plate frame is spaced within the peripheral side and supportable by the hollow frame. The home plate frame includes a cavity for receiving the home plate.
In another embodiment, a method includes, for example, locating the above form on the support structure relative to a location of a baseball diamond, and providing uncured concrete in the form. Thereafter, synthetic turf may be provided over the cured concrete in the form, and a home plate installed in the cavity of the home plate form.
In another embodiment, a method includes, for example, providing a plurality of prefabricated frame sections, each of the plurality of prefabricated frame sections defining a hollow frame section, positioning and assembling the plurality of prefabricated frame sections on a support structure of a field for playing baseball or softball, the plurality of assembled prefabricated frame sections sized to extend under batter’s and catcher’s boxes and support a home plate frame, providing uncured concrete in the assembled prefabricated frame sections and around the home plate frame, forming an upper surface of the uncured concrete, providing synthetic turf over the cured concrete filled assembled prefabricated frame sections, and installing a home plate in the home plate frame.
The subject matter which is regarded as the disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The disclosure, however, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of various embodiments and the accompanying drawings in which:
The present disclosure is directed to batter’s and catcher’s boxes and home plates for playing baseball and softball on a synthetic turf field. For example, batter’s and catcher’s boxes and home plate foundation form, once installed, may allow for readily securing a synthetic turf and a home plate for playing baseball and softball. The home plate foundation form may be prefabricated under manufacturing conditions and quality control thereby assuring accuracy and economy.
The prefabricated frame sections and components of the batter’s and catcher’s boxes and home plate foundation form can be readily transported and installed to produce an accurate foundation form that is permanent and economical. In some embodiments, the home plate portion of the form may include an adjustable tray for adjusting the position and/or orientation of the home plate so that it be evenly disposed relative to the upper surface of the field such as a synthetic turf field. The home plate may also be easily replaceable. As will be appreciated from the present description, the present disclosure may provide batter’s and catcher’s boxes and home plate foundation forms along with a synthetic turf interface to create a seamless playing surface. In some embodiments, a separate replaceable synthetic turf material and/or a rubber layer be disposed over the installed foundation form for the batter’s and catcher’s boxes and around the home plate. The assembly of the foundation forms may include provisions for rebar and stakes. The foundation form may include foundation guides for screeding the concrete. In some embodiments, the cavity in the home plate form for receiving the home plate may be provided with one or more prefabricated and preassembled drainage tubes or pipes.
With reference to
In this illustrated embodiment, as shown in
With reference to
As shown in
Center frame section 100 may also include a first plurality of cross-members 150 and a second plurality of cross-members 160 extending between major side member 110 and major side member 120, and parallel to minor side members 130 and 140. The first cross-members 150 may have a C-shaped configuration having lower horizontal web portions 155, first upwardly-extending flange portions 156, and second upwardly-extending flange portions 157. Second cross-members 160 may have a C-shaped configuration having vertical web portions 165, top flange portions 166, and bottom flange portions (not shown). A plurality of apertures may be provided along the length of the webs of the second cross-members 160. The side members of center frame section 100 may generally define an open bottom and an open top. Cross-members 160 may have a height less than the height of major side members 110 and 120, and minor side members 130 and 140. Home plate form 500 may be disposed and located on second cross-members 160 for receiving a home plate. In some embodiments, home plate form 500 may rest on and be operably fixedly attached to top flange portions 166 of second cross-members 160.
With reference to
As shown in
Peripheral sidewall 620 may include a first side 631, a second side 632, a third side 633, a fourth side 634 opposite second side 632, and a fifth side 635. The sides 631, 632, 633, 634, and 635 may be vertical sides. Bottom 610 may be a five-sided bottom having a planar irregular pentagon shape and the adjacent sides may be disposed at ninety degrees from bottom 610. Adjacent sides 632, 633, and 634 may be disposed at ninety degrees from each other. Adjacent sides 631 and 635 may be disposed at ninety degrees from each other. Home plate frame 600 may form chamber 650 therein. Bottom 610 may be sized slightly larger than a home place so that the home plate may be received in the chamber of home plate frame 600 as described in greater detail below. For example, bottom 610 may have a length of slightly larger than 17 inches adjacent to side 633, a length slightly larger than 8.5 inches adjacent to sides 632 and 634, and a length slightly larger than 12 inches adjacent to sides 631 and 635. For example, the size of the bottom may provide a ½ inch spacing around a conventional home plate.
With reference to
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, support 800 may be employed to adjustably position tray 700 (
As shown in
Right-handed batter’s box frame section 200 may also include a plurality of cross-members 250 extending between major side member 210 and major side member 220, and parallel to minor side members 230 and 240. The cross-members 250 may have a C-shaped configuration having lower horizontal web portions 255, first upwardly-extending flange portions 256, and second upwardly-extending flange portions 257. The side members of right-handed batter’s box frame section 200 may generally define an open bottom and an open top. Cross-members 250 may have a height less than the height of major side members 210 and 220, and minor side members 230 and 240. Left-handed batter’s box frame section 200 may be the same or essentially the same as right-handed batter’s box frame section 200. As described below, the top flange portions of the major and minor sides of the right-handed and left-handed batter’s box frame sections 200 and 300 allow for screeding and forming a portion of the top surface of the uncured concrete.
As shown in
Catcher’s box frame section 400 may also include a plurality of cross-members 450 extending between major side member 410 and major side member 420, and parallel to minor side members 430 and 440. The cross-members 450 may have a C-shaped configuration having lower horizontal web portions 455, a first upwardly-extending flange portions 456, and a second upwardly-extending flange portion 457. The side members of catcher’s box frame section 400 may generally define an open bottom and an open top. Cross-members 450 may have a height less than the height of major side members 410 and 420, and minor side members 430 and 440. As described below, the top flange portions of the major and minor sides of catcher’s box frame section 400 allow for screeding and forming a portion of the top surface of the uncured concrete. In some embodiment, the catcher’s box frame section may be sized to extend under the typical location for the home plate umpire.
Initially, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Outwardly-extending ledge or lip 660 of home plate frame 600 may be disposed at an elevation higher than the rest of foundation form 10. For example, upper surfaces of top flange portions 116, 126, 136, and 146 of the side members of center frame section 100 may allow installation personnel to screed or pass a leveling device over the uncured concrete to provide a level and/or even uncured concrete surface below the upper surface of outwardly-extending ledge or lip 600 of home plate frame 600. As described below, a rubber layer may be disposed on the cured concrete with a top surface of the rubber layer aligned with the upper surface of outwardly-extending ledge or lip 660 of home plate frame 600.
The space around the outside of the assembled frame sections may be back filled with stone 40 to the top of the foundation for 10. In some embodiments, the backfilling with stone around the perimeter of the assembled foundation form may be performed before the concrete is poured and cured.
With reference to
As shown in
By securing the synthetic turf inside the inner frame, a friction fit may be achieved with a home plate 1000. In other embodiments, the synthetic turf may include a horizontal lip that borders the cavity for the home plate, such that the synthetic turf will be fastened to the upper flanges surrounding the cavity using an adhesive and/or fasteners such as self-tapping screws.
With reference to
With reference to
In this illustrated embodiment, as shown in
Prefabricated first frame section 1100 may include a first major side member 1110, a second major side member 1120, a first minor side member 1130, and a second minor side member 1140. The first and second major side members may be parallel to each other, and the first and second minor side members may be parallel to each other. Ends of first minor side member 1110 may be operably connected to first ends of major side members 1130 and 1140, respectively. Ends of second minor side member 1120 may be operably connected to second ends of second major side members 1130 and 1140, respectively. The major side members may be disposed at right angles to the minor side members to define a generally rectangular frame. Major and minor side members 1110, 1120, 1130, 1140 may have a C-shaped configuration having vertical web portions, top flange portions, and bottom flange portions, respectively . A plurality of apertures may be provided along the length of the web of major side members 1130.
Prefabricated first frame section 1100 may also include a first plurality of cross-members 1150 and a second plurality of cross-members 1155 extending between major side member 1130 and major side member 1140, and parallel to minor side members 1110 and 1120. The first cross-members 1150 may have a C-shaped configuration having lower horizontal web portions, first upwardly-extending flange portions, and second upwardly-extending flange portions. Second cross-members 1155 may have a C-shaped configuration having vertical web portions, top flange portions, and bottom flange portions. A third plurality of cross-members 1160 may extend between cross-member 1155. Third cross-members 1160 may have a C-shaped configuration having vertical web portions, top flange portions, and bottom flange portions. Cross-members 1160 may have a height less than the height of minor side members 1110 and 1120, major side members 1130 and 1140, and cross-members 1155. Home plate form 1500 may be disposed and located on second cross-members 1160 for receiving a home plate. In some embodiments, home plate form 1500 may rest on and be operably fixedly attached to top flange portions of second cross-members 160. A plurality of apertures may be provided along the length of the webs of the cross-members 1160, and major side 1130. The side members of first frame section 1100 may generally define an open bottom and an open top.
In this illustrated embodiment, home plate form 1500 may be essentially the same as home plate form 1500 (
With reference still to
Prefabricated second frame section 1200 may also include a plurality of cross-members 1250 extending between major side member 1230 and major side member 1240, and parallel to minor side members 1210 and 1220. The cross-members 1250 may have a C-shaped configuration having lower horizontal web portions, first upwardly-extending flange portions, and second upwardly-extending flange portions. The side members of prefabricated second frame section 1200 may generally define an open bottom and an open top. Cross-members 1250 may have a height less than the height of major side members 1230 and 1240, and minor side members 1210 and 1220. The webs of cross-members 1250 may include holes for stakes, and the upwardly-extending flange portions may include notches for locating and supporting rebar.
Prefabricated third frame section 1300 may be the same or essentially the same as prefabricated second frame section 1200, with the exception that the major side member 1340 may include a plurality of apertures along the length of the web of major side members 1340, and the web of major side member 1330 may not include the plurality of apertures along the length of the web. As described below, the top flange portions of the major and minor sides of frame sections 1100, 1200, and 1300 allow for screeding and forming a portion of the top surface of the uncured concrete. In some embodiment, the third frame section may be sized to extend under the typical location for the home plate umpire.
For example. initially project specific drawings may be checked to determine the field location for the prefabricated first frame section 1100 on a support structure 20 such as the ground or a layer of stone 30. As shown in
Prefabricated second frame section 1200 is aligned and secured to prefabricated first frame section 1100, and prefabricated third frame section 1300 is aligned with prefabricated second frame section 1200. For example, the frame sections may be operably attached together at the various hole locations using connection hardware such as bolts and nuts. The assembled foundation form 1010 may be staked in place by driving ½-inch rebar through provided holes in the plurality of the cross-members of the prefabricated frame sections, as described above. In some embodiments, horizontal rebar (not shown) may be positioned across and laid on top of or in notches in the cross-members of the assembled frame sections 1100, 1200, and 1300. In other embodiments, a mesh may be disposed on top of the cross-members.
Uncured concrete 1050 is poured into or placed in the assembled prefabricated frame sections of assembled foundation form 1010. Upper surfaces of top flange portions of the side members of frame sections allow for installation personnel to screed or pass a leveling device over the uncured concrete to provide a level and/or even uncured concrete surface across assembled foundation form 1010. The concrete is allowed to cure and harden so that the assembled frame sections are anchored to the ground. It will be appreciated that the assembled foundation form is configured to have sufficient strength to maintain it shape when filled with the uncured concrete.
Outwardly-extending ledge or lip 1660 of home plate frame 1600 may be disposed at an elevation higher than the rest of foundation form 1010 and the leveled uncured concrete. The space around the outside of the assembled frame sections may be back filled with stone 1040 to the top of the foundation for 1010. In some embodiments, the backfilling with stone around the perimeter of the assembled foundation form may be performed before the concrete is poured and cured.
Once the concrete 1050 has been placed and cured, a rubber layer 1060 may be cut and secured over the foundation form 1010 with the cured concrete 1050. For example, the rubber layer may be a ¼ inch rubber layer. Thereafter, a synthetic turf 1070 may disposed over the field and the rubber layer 1060. As described above, the incorporation of the rubber layer between the cured concrete and synthetic turf creates a resilient buffer to players that dig into the turf with their cleats and may reduce the likelihood of wearing through the synthetic turf backing and contacting the cured concrete underneath. Synthetic turf 1070 may be disposed over and secured to the upper surfaces of flanges of home plate frame 1600, and/or tucked into home plate frame 1600 recess such as disposed over and secured to the inner surface of the sides of home plate frame 1600, as described above regarding home plate frame 600 (
From the present disclosure certain configured frame sections are described, however it will be appreciated that other frame sections may be configured which when assembled cover the areas of the home plate, batter’s and catcher’s boxes.
In other embodiments, a home plate foundation form may not include a tray. For example, shims may be used for adjusting the position and orientation of the supported home plate on the bottom of the inner frame.
It will be appreciated from the present description that the technique of present disclosure may provide a simplified or streamlined installation and quality control. The ability to adjust the height of the home plate allows adjustment due to fluctuations of the synthetic turf elevation over time, due to compaction, displacement, or replenishment of infill materials, to maintain the home plate even or flush with the surrounding synthetic turf surface for safe sliding. Other benefits of the present disclosure include synthetic turf attachment provisions, integral drainage, integral screed flanges or lips for leveling the uncured concrete, and replaceability of a home plate or use with a reversible home plate.
As may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the teachings herein, numerous changes and modifications may be made to the above-described and other embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The components of the home plate foundation forms as disclosed in the specification, including the accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative component(s) or feature(s), such as those disclosed in another embodiment, which serve the same, equivalent or similar purpose as known by those skilled in the art to achieve the same, equivalent or similar results by such alternative component(s) or feature(s) to provide a similar function for the intended purpose. In addition, the home plate foundation forms may include more or fewer components or features than the embodiments as described and illustrated herein. Accordingly, this detailed description of the currently-preferred embodiments is to be taken in an illustrative, as opposed to limiting of the disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has”, and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”), and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more steps or elements possesses those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of a device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.
The disclosure has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are exemplary of a plurality of possible arrangements to provide the same general features, characteristics, and general system operation. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.
Claims
1. A form for constructing a foundation for batter’s and catcher’s boxes and supporting a home plate in a support structure on a synthetic turf field for playing baseball or softball, the form comprising:
- a hollow frame comprising a peripheral side defining an open upper surface and an open lower surface, the hollow frame sized to extend under the batter’s and catcher’s boxes; and
- a home plate frame spaced within the peripheral side and supportable by the hollow frame, the home plate frame having a cavity for receiving the home plate.
2. The form of claim 1 wherein the peripheral side is sized to correspond with the peripheral edge of the striping or line markers for the batter’s and catcher’s boxes.
3. The form of claim 1 wherein the hollow frame comprises a plurality of prefabricated hollow frame sections.
4. The form of claim 3 wherein the plurality of prefabricated hollow frame sections comprises a plurality of side members and a plurality of cross-members, and wherein the home plate frame is supportable on at least one of the cross-members.
5. The form of claim 1 further comprising at least one drain tube having a passageway opening into the cavity of the home plate frame, and a lower end disposed adjacent to a bottom of the hollow frame.
6. The form of claim 1 wherein the home plate frame comprises:
- a bottom of having an irregular pentagon shape; and
- a surrounding sidewall comprising a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, and a fifth side.
7. The form of claim 1 wherein the home plate frame comprises an outwardly-extending lip, the outwardly-extending lip disposed at an elevation higher than the elevation of the hollow frame.
8. The form of claim 1 wherein the hollow frame comprises a constant peripheral height.
9. The form of claim 1 wherein the hollow frame comprises:
- a prefabricated central frame section, a prefabricated right-handed batter’s box section, a prefabricated left-handed batter’s box section, and a prefabricated catcher’s box section;
- the home plate frame fixedly attached to the prefabricated central frame section;
- the plurality of prefabricated hollow frame sections comprising prefabricated features for aligning the plurality of prefabricated frame sections for assembly; and
- wherein the assembled hollow frame comprises a planar T-shaped configuration.
10. The form of claim 1 wherein the hollow frame comprises:
- a prefabricated first frame section, a prefabricated second frame section, and a prefabricated third frame section;
- the home plate frame fixedly attached to the prefabricated first frame section;
- the plurality of prefabricated hollow frame section comprising prefabricated features for aligning the plurality of prefabricated hollow frame sections for assembly; and
- wherein the assembled hollow frame comprises a planar rectangular-shaped configuration.
11. The form of claim 1 further comprising a tray supportable in the cavity of the home plate frame for use in adjustably positioning the home plate in the home plate frame.
12. The form of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of members for adjustably orientating the tray in the home plate frame.
13. The form of claim 1 wherein:
- the hollow frame comprises a plurality of prefabricated hollow frame sections comprising first alignable apertures for receiving fasteners therethrough for assembling the plurality of prefabricated hollow frame sections;
- the plurality of prefabricated hollow frame sections comprises notches for locating and supporting rebar; and
- the plurality of prefabricated hollow frame sections comprises holes for locating stakes for anchoring the assembled plurality of prefabricated hollow frame sections to the support structure.
14. The form of claim 1 wherein the hollow frame and the home plate frame comprise metal.
15. The form of claim 1 further comprising:
- concrete disposed in the hollow frame; and
- synthetic turf disposed over the cured concrete and a portion of the home plate frame.
16. A method comprising:
- supporting the form of claim 1 on the support structure relative to a location of a baseball diamond;
- providing uncured concrete in the form;
- providing synthetic turf over the cured concrete in the form; and
- installing the home plate in the cavity of the home plate frame.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
- providing a rubber layer between the synthetic turf and the cured concrete in the form.
18. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
- removing a replaceable synthetic turf portion sized to extend over the cured concrete in the form; and
- providing a replacement synthetic turf portion over the cured concrete in the form.
19. A method comprising:
- providing a plurality of prefabricated frame sections, each of the plurality of prefabricated frame sections defining a hollow frame section having an open upper surface and an open lower surface, and one of the plurality of prefabricated frame sections comprising a home plate frame;
- positioning and assembling the plurality of prefabricated frame sections on a support structure of a field for playing baseball or softball, the plurality of assembled prefabricated frame sections sized to extend under batter’s and catcher’s boxes and support the home plate frame;
- providing uncured concrete in the assembled prefabricated hollow frame sections and around the home plate frame;
- forming an upper surface of the uncured concrete;
- providing synthetic turf over the cured concrete filled assembled prefabricated frame sections; and
- installing a home plate in the home plate frame.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein:
- the forming comprises forming an upper surface of the uncured concrete using upper portions of the plurality of prefabricated frame sections.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein:
- the providing synthetic turf over the cured concrete filled assembled prefabricated frame sections comprises providing a rubber layer between the synthetic turf and the surface of the cured concrete.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein the providing comprises providing a replaceable synthetic turf portion extending over and corresponding to the surface of the cured concrete filled prefabricated frame sections.
23. The method of claim 19 wherein the positioning and assembling comprises aligning predetermined positioning features of adjacent prefabricated frame sections.
24. The method of claim 19 wherein the positioning and assembling comprises:
- positioning rebar in notches in the plurality of prefabricated sections; and
- installing stakes through predetermined holes in at least some of the prefabricated sections and into the support structure.
25. The method of claim 19 wherein the providing comprises:
- providing the uncured concrete around at least one drain tube having an upper end opening into a cavity of the home plate form and a lower end disposed adjacent to the support structure.
26. The method of claim 19 wherein the prefabricated hollow frame sections comprise metal.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 21, 2022
Publication Date: Mar 30, 2023
Applicant: Sportsfield Intellectual, LLC (Delhi, NY)
Inventors: Sean CLARK (Delhi, NY), Eric HULBERT (Delhi, NY), Andrew HANNIGAN (Delhi, NY), Brian JAEGER (Peachtree City, GA), Michael MERCADANTE (Simpsonville, SC)
Application Number: 18/048,601