Apparatus for providing aural indications of the flight of a ball when the ball disposed on the T-ball stand is hit by a batter

Abstract

A weighted base fixedly supports a stanchion. The stanchion supports a slide fixed vertically at any desired height in the stanchion by a locking member movable into a track in the slide. An aural unit disposed on the slide has an externally disposed switch which is operable to prepare the aural unit for operation. A tube extending upwardly form the aural unit has a cup for holding a ball. A string extending from the ball to an annular opening in the aural unit engages a resiliently disposed conductive chain in the opening. Conductors are disposed at annularly spaced positions in the opening. When the ball or the cup is hit, the conductive chain engages one of the conductors dependent upon the direction of the ball's flight. This causes the aural unit to indicate the ball's flight dependent upon the positioning of the activated conductor in the opening.

We claim:  
     
         1 . In combination for providing indications of the flight of a ball hit by a batter in a T-ball apparatus, 
 a structure for holding the ball at a position upwardly displaced from a support surface,    an aural unit disposed in the holding structure, the aural unit including an opening and a plurality of first electrical conductors spaced around the periphery of the opening,    a second electrical conductor extending through the opening in normally space relationship to the first electrical conductor,    a string attached at opposite ends to the ball and the second electrical conductor to provide for the disposition of the second electrical conductor against an individual one of the first electrical conductors in accordance with the direction of the flight of the ball when the ball is hit by the batter, and    a message provider responsive to the disposition of the second electrical conductor against the individual one of the first electrical conductors for broadcasting a message indicating the flight path and flight characteristics of the ball in accordance with the individual one of the first electrical conductors disposed against the second electrical conductor.    
     
     
         2 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 the second electrical conductor is disposed in the aural unit in a constrainable relationship and wherein the second electrical conductor becomes constrained with the ball is hit by the batter.  
 
     
     
         3 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 the structure is adjustable in height in accordance with the height of the batter and the hitting stroke of the batter.  
 
     
     
         4 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 3  wherein 
 the structure for holding the ball includes a cup at the top of the structure for holding the ball.  
 
     
     
         5 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 2  wherein 
 the arrangement is adjustable in height in accordance with the height of the batter and the hitting stroke of the batter and wherein  
 the structure includes a cup at the top of the structure for holding the ball.  
 
     
     
         6 . In combination for providing an indication of the flight of a ball hit by a child batter in a T-ball apparatus. 
 a structure for holding ball the ball at a height comfortable to the batter,    an aural unit disposed in the structure for broadcasting the flight characteristics of the ball when hit by the batter,    the aural unit including an opening and a plurality of first electrical conductors disposed in a spaced relationship to one another around the periphery of the opening and including a second electrical conductor normally spaced in the opening from the first electrical conductors,    the ball being operatively coupled to the second electrical conductor to provide for an engagement between the second electrical conductor and an individual one of the first electrical conductors in accordance with the direction and characteristics of the flight of the ball when the ball is hit by the batter, and    a message provider for broadcasting a plurality of messages each associated with an individual one of the first electrical conductors and each providing a message indicating the direction and flight path of the ball hit by the batter.    
     
     
         7 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 6  wherein 
 the second electrical conductor is disposed in a constrainable relationship in the aural unit to become constrained when the ball is hit by the batter and wherein a member having  
 characteristics of extending in any direction is attached at opposite ends to the ball and the  
 second electrical conductor to provide for the movement of the ball in any direction when the ball is hit by the child batter.  
 
     
     
         8 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 6  wherein 
 a switch is operative to provide for a selective broadcast of each of the messages from the message provider in the English language or in a foreign language.  
 
     
     
         9 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 6  wherein 
 the structure includes a stanchion and a slide movable upwardly and downwardly in the stanchion and wherein the stanchion includes a locking member operative to provide for a  
 movement of the slide in the stanchion and to provide for locking the slide in the stanchion at any desired height of the slide in the stanchion.  
 
     
     
         10 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 6  wherein 
 a cup is provided at the upper end of the structure for holding the ball in a position to be hit by the child batter.  
 
     
     
         11 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 7  wherein 
 a switch is operative to provide for a selective broadcast of each of the messages from the message provider in the English language or in a foreign language and wherein  
 the structure includes a stanchion and a slide movable upwardly and downwardly in the stanchion and wherein the stanchion includes a locking member operative to provide for a movement of the slide in the stanchion and to provide for locking the slide in the stanchion at any desired height of the slide in the stanchion and wherein  
 a cup is provided at the upper end of the structure for holding the ball in a position to be hit by the batter.  
 
     
     
         12 . In combination for indicating the flight of a ball hit by a batter on a T-ball apparatus, 
 a base member,    a stanchion removably supported on the base member and extending upwardly form the base member,    a slide disposed in the stanchion and slidable upwardly and downwardly in the stanchion,    a locking member disposed on the stanchion and operable between first and second operative relationships and operable in the first relationship to provide for an adjustable positioning upwardly and downwardly of the slide in the stanchion and operable in the second relationship to fixedly position the slide in the stanchion,    an aural unit disposed on the slide and constructed to provide aural messages pertaining to the flight of the ball when the ball is hit by the batter,    a tube extending upwardly form the aural unit and having a cup at its upper end for holding the ball, and    a switch disposed on the aural unit and having first and second operative relationships and operable in the first relationship to provide for broadcasts from the aural unit of the flight characteristics of the ball in a practice mode when the ball is hit by the batter and operable in the second relationship to provide for aural messages from the aural unit of the flight characteristics of the ball in a game mode when the ball is hit by the batter.    
     
     
         13 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 12 , including 
 a string extending at one end from the aural unit and holding the ball at the other end for activating the aural unit for the delivery of a message by the aural unit when the ball on the cup is hit by the batter.    
     
     
         14 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 12  wherein 
 the base member is provided with a cap removable to provide for insertion of a fluid or sand into the base member to fix the disposition of the base member on a support surface.  
 
     
     
         15 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 12  wherein 
 the base member has a first detent and  
 the stanchion has a second detent removably disposed in the first detent  
 
     
     
         16 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 12  wherein 
 a chain extends on a resilient basis from an opening in the aural unit and wherein  
 the string is attached to the chain at one end and to the ball at the other end to  
 provide for an extension of the chain from the opening in the aural unit upon a propulsion of the ball from the cup when the ball is hit by a batter.  
 
     
     
         17 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 12  wherein 
 an opening is provided in the aural unit and a plurality of first electrical  
 conductors are disposed in the opening in a spaced relationship to one another and wherein a second electrical conductor is operatively coupled to the ball to be directed by the ball to engage an individual one of the first electrical conductors in accordance with the flight path and characteristics of the ball when the ball is hit by the batter.  
 
     
     
         18 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 12  wherein 
 the aural unit has a plurality of messages and wherein  
 an individual one of the messages is selected to be broadcast in accordance with the direction and flight characteristics of the ball when the ball is hit by the batter.  
 
     
     
         19 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 17  wherein 
 the aural unit has a plurality of messages and wherein each of the messages is associated with an individual one of the first electrical conductors and wherein each of the messages is activated to be broadcast dependent upon the direction and flight characteristics of the ball when the ball is hit by the batter.  
 
     
     
         20 . In a combination as set forth in the  claim 19  wherein 
 a string extends at one end from the aural unit and holds the ball at the other end for impinging on the switch upon the hitting of the ball on the cup to activate the aural unit for the delivery of a message by the aural unit and wherein  
 the base member is provided with a cap removable to provide for the insertion of a  
 fluid or sand into the base member to fix the disposition of the base member on a support surface and wherein  
 the base member has a first detent and wherein  
 the stanchion has a second detent removably disposed in the first detent and wherein  
 the second electrical conductor extends on a resilient basis from the opening in the aural unit and wherein  
 the string is attached to the second electrical conductor at one end and to the ball at the other end to provide for an extension of the chain from the opening in the aural unit upon a propulsion of the ball form the cup when the ball is struck by a batter.  
 
     
     
         21 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 18  wherein 
 a string extends at one end from the aural unit and holds the ball at the other end for impinging on the switch to activate the aural unit for the delivery of a message by the aural unit when the ball is hit by the batter and wherein.  
 the base member is provided with a cap removable to provide for the insertion of a fluid or sand into the base member to fix the disposition of the base member on a support surface and wherein  
 an electrically conductive chain extends on a resilient basis from an opening in the aural unit and wherein  
 the string is attached to the chain at one end and to the ball at the other end to provide for an extension of the chain from the opening in the aural unit upon a propulsion of the ball from the cup when the ball is struck by a batter and wherein  
 an opening is provided in the aural unit and a plurality of electrical conductors are disposed in the opening in a spaced relationship to one another and wherein the electrically conductive chain is operatively coupled to the ball to be directed by the ball to an individual one of the electrical conductors in accordance with the flight path and characteristics of the ball when the ball is hit by the batter and wherein  
 the aural unit has a plurality of messages and wherein each of the messages is associated with an individual one of the electrical conductors and wherein each of the messages is activated to be broadcast dependent upon the direction and flight characteristics of the ball when the ball is hit by the batter.  
 
     
     
         22 . In a combination for indicating the flight of a ball hit by a batter on a T-ball apparatus, 
 a base member,    a stanchion removably coupled to the base member and extending upwardly form the base member upon coupling to the base member,    an aural unit removably disposed in the stanchion and provided with electrical circuitry constructed to provide aural indications, the aural unit having an opening and including a plurality of message providers,    an electrically conductive chain disposed in the opening in the aural unit,    a tube extending upwardly from the aural unit and having a cup at its upper end for receiving the ball,    a string attached at one end to the ball and at the other end to the electrically conductive chain in the aural unit, and    means including an arrangement of electrical conductors in the opening of the aural unit for providing an activation of an individual one of the electrical conductors by the electrically conductive chain accordance with the flight direction and flight characteristics of the ball when the ball is hit by the batter, each of the electrical conductors being associated with an individual one of the message providers to activate the individual one of the message providers when the electrical conductor is activated..    
     
     
         23 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 22  wherein 
 each of the electrical conductors is disposed in the opening to become activated by the electrically conductive chain when the flight direction and flight characteristics of the ball are different from the flight direction and flight characteristics activating the other ones of the electrical conductors.  
 
     
     
         24 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 23  wherein 
 each of the electrical conductors is disposed in the opening in an annularly spaced relationship to the other ones of the electrical conductors and wherein each of the message providers is constructed to provide an aural message indicating the flight direction and flight characteristics of the ball when the ball is hit by the batter.  
 
     
     
         25 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 22  wherein 
 a slide is operatively coupled to the stanchion for movement upwardly and downwardly relative to the stanchion and wherein  
 a locking member is disposed on the stanchion and is operatively coupled to the slide to fixedly position the slide relative to the stanchion in any desired position of the stanchion and wherein  
 the aural unit is disposed on the slide.  
 
     
     
         26 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 24  wherein 
 a slide is operatively coupled to the stanchion for movement upwardly and downwardly relative to the stanchion and wherein  
 a locking member is disposed on the stanchion and is operatively coupled to the slide to fixedly position the slide relative to the stanchion in any desired position of the stanchion and wherein  
 the aural unit is disposed on the slide.  
 
     
     
         27 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 25  wherein 
 an electrical circuit is provided including a switch, the individual one of the electrical conductors, the electrically conductive chain and the individual one of the message providers associated with the individual one of the electrical conductors and wherein  
 the switch is closed to activate the individual one of the electrical conductors when the ball is hit by the batter and the electrical conductor is engaged by the electrically conductive chain.  
 
     
     
         28 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 26  wherein 
 an electrical circuit is provided including a switch, the individual one of the electrical conductors, the electrically conductive chain and the individual one of the message providers associated with the individual one of the electrical conductors and wherein  
 the switch is closed to activate the individual one of the electrical conductors when the ball is hit by the batter and the electrical conductor is engaged by the electrically conductive chain.  
 
     
     
         29 . In combination for providing indications of the flight of a ball hit by a batter in a T-ball 
 apparatus,    a structure for holding the ball,    an aural unit included in the structure,    an opening in the aural unit,    a plurality of first electrical conductors disposed in an annularly spaced relationship in the opening,    a second electrical conductor disposed in the opening in a normally spaced relationship to the first electrical conductors, and    a string attached at one end to the ball and at the other end to the second electrical conductor to move the second electrical conductor into an engagement with an individual one of the first electrical conductors in accordance with the flight path and flight characteristics of the ball when the ball on the structure is hit by the batter.    
     
     
         30 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 29  wherein 
 the first electrical conductors are disposed in quadrants and wherein  
 the first electrical conductors in the upper and lower quadrants on one side respectively indicate fly balls and ground balls to one side of a playing field and the first electrical conductors in the upper and lower quadrants on the other side respectively indicate fly balls and ground balls on the other side of the playing field.  
 
     
     
         31 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 27  wherein 
 a switch becomes closed when the ball is hit by the batter and the switch is included in a circuit with the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductor and a  
 source of electrical energy to establish a closed circuit for activating the individual one of the first electrical conductors engaged by the second electrical conductor when the ball is hit by the batter.  
 
     
     
         32 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 27  wherein 
 a plurality of message providers are provided and wherein  
 each of the message providers is associated with an individual one of the first electrical conductors to become activated when the individual one of the first electrical conductors is engaged by the second electrical conductor.  
 
     
     
         33 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 28  wherein 
 a switch becomes closed when the ball is hit by the batter and the switch is included in a circuit with the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductor and a source of electrical energy to establish a closed circuit for activating the individual one of the first electrical conductors engaged by the second electrical conductor when the ball is hit by the batter and wherein a plurality of message providers are provided and wherein  
 each of the message providers is associated with an individual one of the first electrical conductors to become activated when the individual one of the first electrical conductors is engaged by the second electrical conductor.