TODAY’S PATENT – DUGOUT LOCKER

This Dugout locker was invented by John Meil (Jarretsville, MD), LeeAnn Staples (Lafayette, CO), and Herbert Riehl (Lafayette, CO). It was patented by the USPTO on March 11, 2014 bearing patent number US8668083B1.

This invention is a mechanism designed to support baseball or softball equipment from vertical surfaces, such as chain-link fences. In particular, but not exclusively, to a support system that comprises two essentially parallel panels with external pockets mounted on at least one of them that are used to hold objects in between when not in use and that can be folded up and extended to hang from a vertical surface.

The present invention relates to a versatile storage solution that is especially well-suited for usage in dugouts to store sporting goods like baseball and softball. One application for the device is as a centre pocket that can be used for decoration or storage between the front and back surfaces. Its elastic bat retainer is designed to keep bats in place, and it can be quickly and easily rolled up for transportation. Furthermore, an arrangement is revealed that eliminates the need for a rigid construction by allowing the weight of the objects being held to balance, with the sunglasses pocket, helmet, mitt, and bats on the sides.