Folding support device for ball striking training device

Abstract

A support device for ball striking practice is disclosed, which includes a pole to which a ball for striking practice can be tethered. The device is sufficiently stable to withstand the torque and other forces produced in the pole by such striking, but is also completely portable and can be easily transported from place to place and readily set up for use and taken down following such use. The pole of this invention folds easily into a compact package which can be stored, transported in a car or other vehicle, and subsequently can easily be unfolded and rapidly set up and locked into position for use.

1 . Apparatus for supporting a tethered ball for ball striking practice which comprises: 
 an elongated pole;    a baseplate attached to an end of said pole;    a collar slidably mounted on said pole;    a plurality of legs hingedly attached to said baseplate;    a like plurality of braces hingedly connecting said plurality of legs to said collar; and    locking means for releasably securing said collar to said pole at a position which will enable said pole to be disposed in a vertical position;    whereby when said collar is so positioned said braces bias said legs outwardly from said baseplate to form an open configuration supporting said apparatus with said pole in said vertical position such that said ball may be repeatedly struck as part of said practice.    
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said locking means comprises at least one bracket mounted on said collar comprising a movable pin which removably engages a first aperture on said pole.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as in  claim 2  wherein said first aperture is disposed at a position on said pole such that when said pin is engaged with said first aperture said legs are disposed radially from said baseplate at an angle of at least 90° to said pole.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein said legs are disposed at an angle greater than 90° to said pole.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as in  claim 4  wherein said legs are disposed at an angle in the range of 90° to about 100° to said pole.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein disposition of said legs causes said baseplate to be elevated above a surface upon which said legs rest.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein release of said locking means permits said legs to become disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to said pole.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising a tether for securing said ball to said pole.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising at least one wheel attached to said baseplate.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus as in  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of wheels attached to said baseplate.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein disposition of said legs causes said baseplate and said at least one wheel to be elevated above a surface upon which said legs rest.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said pole comprises a plurality of axially interfitting pole sections.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of legs comprises at least three legs.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus as in  claim 13  wherein said plurality of legs comprises four or five legs.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said locking device further locks said apparatus in a closed configuration wherein said legs are disposed adjacent and parallel to said pole.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus as in  claim 15  wherein said locking means comprises at least one bracket mounted on said collar comprising a movable pin which removably engages a second aperture on said pole.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus as in  claim 16  wherein said second aperture is disposed at a position on said pole such that when said pin is engaged with said second aperture said legs are disposed adjacent and parallel to said pole.