Adapter for Anchor-Engaging Post for Base

Abstract

A post adapter is proved to enable baseball or softball bases of varying sizes to be configured to engage and be aligned with a ground anchor. The adapter is engaged with the post and includes a first member including a first base plate and a first sleeve extending outwardly from the first base plate and a second member engaged with the first member, the second member including a second base plate and a second sleeve extending outwardly from the second base plate, wherein the first member is disposed in an offset position relative to the second member. The effective position of the post can be altered or reconfigured by engaging one of the first sleeve or the second sleeve with the post and engaging the second sleeve with the ground anchor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A post adapter for a base, the post adapter comprising:
 a. a first member including a first base plate and a first sleeve extending outwardly from the first base plate; and   b. a second member engaged with the first member, the second member including a second base plate and a second sleeve extending outwardly from the second base plate,   
       wherein the first member is disposed in an offset position relative to the second member. 
     
     
         2 . The post adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the second sleeve has a length greater than the first sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The post adapter of  claim 2 , wherein the post is insertable within either of the first sleeve or the second sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The post adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the first base plate is secured to the second base plate in an offset position relative to the second member. 
     
     
         5 . The post adapter of the  4 , wherein the first base plate is fixed to the second base plate. 
     
     
         6 . The post adapter of  claim 4 , wherein the first base plate is integrally formed with the second base plate. 
     
     
         7 . The post adapter of  claim 4 , wherein the first base plate and the second base plate are formed from a plastic or metal. 
     
     
         8 . A base comprising:
 a. a bottom surface including an alignment post extending outwardly from the bottom surface; and   b. a post adapter engaged with the post, the adapter comprising:
 i. a first member including a first base plate and a first sleeve extending outwardly from the first base plate; and 
 ii. a second member engaged with the first member, the second member including a second base plate and a second sleeve 
 extending outwardly from the second base plate, 
   
       wherein the first member is disposed in an offset position relative to the second member. 
     
     
         9 . The base of  claim 8 , wherein the bottom surface defines a recess therein, and wherein the post is retained entirely within the recess. 
     
     
         10 . The base of  claim 9 , wherein the first sleeve has a length less than or equal to the post. 
     
     
         11 . The base of  claim 9 , wherein the second sleeve has a length greater than the first sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The base of  claim 9 , wherein the post is insertable within either of the first sleeve or the second sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The base of  claim 8 , wherein the first base plate is secured to the second base plate in an offset position relative to the second member. 
     
     
         14 . The base of  claim 13 , wherein the first base plate is fixed to the second base plate. 
     
     
         15 . The base of  claim 14 , wherein the first base plate is integrally formed with the second base plate. 
     
     
         16 . The base of  claim 8 , further comprising a number of mounting holes in each of the first base plate and the second base plate, and a number of bores in the bottom surface of the base. 
     
     
         17 . The base of  claim 8 , wherein the first member and the second member are formed from a plastic or a metal. 
     
     
         18 . A method for adapting the configuration of a base for engagement with a ground anchor, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a base comprising a bottom surface including an alignment post extending outwardly from the bottom surface;   b. providing an adapter comprising:
 1. a first member including a first base plate and a first sleeve extending outwardly from the first base plate; and 
 2. a second member engaged with the first member, the second member including a second base plate and a second sleeve extending outwardly from the second base plate, 
 wherein the first member is disposed in an offset position relative to the second member; 
   c. engaging one of the first sleeve or the second sleeve with the alignment post; and   d. engaging the second sleeve with the ground anchor.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising a number of mounting holes in each of the first base plate and the second base plate, and a number of bores in the bottom surface of the base,
 wherein the step of engaging one of the first sleeve or the second sleeve with the alignment post comprises:   a. inserting the alignment post into one of the first sleeve or the second sleeve to align the number of mounting openings in the associated first base plate or second base plate with the number of bores in the bottom surface; and   b. engaging one or more fasteners with the number of bores through the umber of mounting openings.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the steps of:
 a. disengaging the second sleeve from the ground anchor;   b. disengaging the one of the first sleeve or the second sleeve from the alignment post;   c. engaging the other of the first sleeve or the second sleeve with the alignment post; and   d. engaging the second sleeve with the ground anchor.