Granted Patent B2

US 12,623,137 · App. 16/572,374 · Granted May 12, 2026

Inventors: Andrew Kerr (Kirkwood, MO); John Robert Pieritz, Jr. (Moline, IL); Michael Lee Sampson (Davenport, IA); Douglas Michael Kratz (Bettendorf, IA)

Assignee: One Corporation

A63C19/12A63B69/0002A63B2069/0006

Abstract

Claims (37)

1 . A portable pitching lane comprising:

a front edge;

a back edge;

a rigid foundation layer extending from the front edge to the back edge, wherein the foundation layer is configured to be flush to ground during use, wherein the foundation layer includes two sets of at least two receptacles each set being provided at a different position between the front edge and the back edge, such that the pitching rubber can be positioned at two different distances from home plate without moving the portable pitching lane;

a housing provided in each of the receptacles;

a surface layer positioned over the foundation layer and configured to be parallel to the ground during use, wherein the surface layer comprises a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion is configured for removal and replacement without requiring removal of the second portion; and

a pitching rubber having at least two studs, each for receipt by one of the housings of the foundation layer for removably affixing the pitching rubber to the portable pitching lane, wherein the pitching rubber can be positioned at two different distances from home plate without moving the portable pitching lane, wherein when the pitching rubber is in position on the surface layer, the pitching rubber extends upwardly from the surface layer, and wherein the pitching rubber may be removed from the portable pitching lane;

wherein the portable pitching lane weighs at least about 120 pounds such that it resists movement when in use.

2 . The portable pitching lane of claim 1 , wherein the surface layer comprises artificial turf.

3 . The portable pitching lane of claim 1 , further comprising ribs on a bottom surface of the foundation layer, the ribs being configured for assisting distributing weight.

4 . The portable pitching lane of claim 1 , wherein the surface layer comprises a plurality of component pieces, wherein one of the plurality of component pieces is affixed to the foundation layer in a manner such that the one of the plurality of component pieces can be replaced without requiring replacement of other component pieces.

5 . The portable pitching lane of claim 4 , wherein one of the plurality of component pieces is fixed to the foundation layer using a hook and loop fastener and can be replaced without requiring replacement of other component pieces.

6 . The portable pitching lane of claim 1 , wherein the portable pitching lane has a length of between about 6.5 feet and about 8.5 feet and a width between about 2.5 feet and 4.5 feet.

7 . The portable pitching lane of claim 1 , further comprising a rubber pad between the foundation layer and the surface layer.

8 . The portable pitching lane of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a bore for receiving the stud of the pitching rubber.

9 . The portable pitching lane of claim 1 , wherein the portable pitching lane is positioned at a distance from a home plate and wherein the foundation layer includes a plurality of sets of two receptacles, each of the sets being at a different position between the front edge and the back edge, such that the pitching rubber can be positioned at a plurality different distances from home plate without moving the portable pitching lane.

10 . A portable pitching lane comprising:

a front edge;

a back edge;

a rigid foundation layer having ribs on a bottom surface thereof, the ribs being provided on a bottom surface of the foundation layer spaced such that weight from landing on the pitching lane is dispersed and shock is absorbed;

a receptacle provided in the foundation layer;

a housing provided in the receptacle;

a surface layer positioned over the foundation layer and configured to be parallel to the ground during use, the surface layer comprising first and second portions, each of the first and second portions comprising artificial turf, wherein the first portion is configured for removal and replacement without requiring removal of the second portion;

a pitching rubber having a stud for receipt by the housing for removably affixing the pitching rubber to the pitching lane, wherein the pitching rubber extends upwardly from the surface layer when in position, wherein the pitching rubber may be removed from the portable pitching lane; and

one or more removable spikes extending downwardly from the foundation layer.

11 . The portable pitching lane of claim 10 , wherein the portable pitching lane is positioned at a distance from a home plate and wherein the foundation layer includes three sets of receptacles for receiving the pitching rubber, each set being provided at a different position between the front edge and the back edge, such that the pitching rubber can be positioned at 3 different distances from home plate without moving the portable pitching lane.

12 . The portable pitching lane of claim 10 , further comprising a granulated strip for positioning on a bottom surface of the foundation layer.

13 . The portable pitching lane of claim 10 , wherein the foundation layer includes an insertion hole correlating to each removable spike for receiving the removable spike.

14 . A portable pitching lane comprising:

a front edge;

a back edge;

a rigid foundation layer extending from the front edge to the back edge, wherein the foundation layer is configured to be flush to ground during use, wherein the foundation layer includes two sets of at least two receptacles each set being provided at a different position between the front edge and the back edge, such that the pitching rubber can be positioned at two different distances from home plate without moving the portable pitching lane;

ribs on a bottom surface of the foundation layer, the ribs being configured for assisting distributing weight;

a housing provided in each of the receptacles;

a surface layer positioned over the foundation layer and configured to be parallel to the ground during use; and

a pitching rubber having at least two studs, each for receipt by one of the housings of the foundation layer for removably affixing the pitching rubber to the portable pitching lane, wherein the pitching rubber can be positioned at two different distances from home plate without moving the portable pitching lane, wherein when the pitching rubber is in position on the surface layer, the pitching rubber extends upwardly from the surface layer, and wherein the pitching rubber may be removed from the portable pitching lane;

wherein the portable pitching lane weighs at least about 120 pounds such that it resists movement when in use.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (86)