U.S. patent application number 10/036276 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-17 for batter swing training apparatus.
Invention is credited to Buster, Benjamin D., Coody, Bruce F..
Application Number | 20020151388 10/036276 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27365003 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020151388 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buster, Benjamin D. ; et
al. |
October 17, 2002 |
Batter swing training apparatus
Abstract
A baseball swing training apparatus includes a ground frame
section with a forward motion restraint attached to the ground
frame section. The forward motion restraint will be adjustable such
that the forward motion restraint is positionable at various levels
on the body of a user. The training apparatus will further include
a ball launcher, a foot plate and a trigger attached to the foot
plate for activating the ball launcher.
Inventors: |
Buster, Benjamin D.; (Selma,
AL) ; Coody, Bruce F.; (Hoover, AL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent
Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P.
5th Floor Four United Plaza
8555 United Plaza Boulevard
Baton Rouge
LA
70809
US
|
Family ID: |
27365003 |
Appl. No.: |
10/036276 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60243422 |
Oct 25, 2000 |
|
|
|
60248800 |
Nov 15, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/451 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2069/401 20130101;
A63B 2069/0008 20130101; A63B 69/0057 20130101; A63B 69/0062
20200801; A63B 69/407 20130101; A63B 69/0002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/451 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A batter training apparatus comprising: a. a ground frame
section; b. a forward motion restraint attached to said ground
frame section, said forward motion restraint being adjustable such
that said forward motion restraint is positionable at various
levels on a body of a user positioned to use said training
apparatus; c. a ball launcher; and d. a trigger for activating said
ball launcher.
2. The batter training apparatus according to claim 1, further
including a foot plate attached to said ground frame section.
3. The batter training apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said
foot plate is pivotally mounted on said ground frame section.
4. The batter training apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said
foot plate is biased at an upward angle relative to said ground
frame section.
5. The batter training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
ball launcher is connected to said ground frame section.
6. The batter training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
trigger is operatively connected to said foot plate.
7. The batter training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
forward motion restraint is pivotally mounted on said ground frame
section.
8. The batter training apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said
forward motion restraint is radially adjustable relative to said
ground frame section.
9. The batter training apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
position of said ball launcher relative to said ground frame
section is adjustable.
10. The batter training apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
said ball launcher is radially adjustable relative to said ground
frame section.
11. The batter training apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
said ball launcher is pivotally adjustable relative to said ground
frame section.
12. The batter training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said ball launcher maybe adjusted to vary the force used to launch
a ball.
13. The batter training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said ground frame section is configured such that said forward
motion restraint and said ball launcher are reversible to
accommodate either a left-handed or a right-handed batter.
14. The batter training apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
said trigger includes a cord attached to said foot plate and
extending to a release pin on said ball launcher.
15. The batter training apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
said ball launcher includes a spring slot in which said release pin
travels and a cocking notch at a bottom portion of said release
pin.
16. The batter training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said ground frame section is generally U-shaped.
17. A batter training apparatus comprising: a. a support tube
having a diameter approximate to that of a bat at said bat's
striking surface; and b. three substantially flat striking surfaces
connected to and surrounding said support tube, thereby forming a
triangle structure around said support tube.
18. The batter training apparatus according to claim 16, wherein
each angle in said triangle structure is approximately equal.
19. The batter training apparatus according to claim 16, wherein
said triangle structure is integrally formed with said support
tube.
20. The batter training apparatus according to claim 16, wherein
said support tube has an end extending beyond said triangle
structure.
21. The batter training apparatus according to claim 19, wherein
said end of said support tube has a series threads and a collar
with a corresponding series threads engages said end.
22. The batter training apparatus according to claim 20, wherein
said end of said support tube includes at least one split channel
formed in said threads.
23. The batter training apparatus according to claim 2, further
including an attachment for a baseball bat comprising: a. a support
tube having a diameter approximate to that of a bat at said bat's
striking surface; and b. three substantially flat striking surfaces
connected to and surrounding said support tube, thereby forming a
triangle structure around said support tube.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Serial No. 60/243,422 filed Oct. 25, 2000 and U.S.
Provisional Application Serial No. 60/248,800 filed Nov. 15, 2000,
both of which are incorporate herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to sports training devices and
more particularly, to a device for training baseball players to
maintain the most advantageous stance, body position, and weight
distribution while batting.
[0003] Proper body position, balance, and weight distribution prior
to beginning (and during) a swing of the baseball bat is a key
element to a baseball player or batter developing the most
effective and powerful swing possible. While waiting for a pitch,
the batter should maintain a 55/45 weight distribution with the
rear foot carrying the higher weight. As the batter strides to hit
the ball, this ratio should not change, and thus the swing should
be executed with little or no weight transfer onto the front leg.
This will assist the batter in using to the muscles of the hips and
legs to turn the torso during the swing and not to "step into" the
oncoming ball which takes the head and shoulders forward and
reduces the ability to make contact the ball and reduces the power
of the swing. However, the prior art has not provided a swing
training system which reinforces the need to turn into the ball and
not step into the ball. All of the prior art allows the batter to
incorrectly move forward as the swing is executed, thereby reducing
the force that can be applied to the baseball. Most swing training
devices do little more than launch a ball into the strike zone in
order for the batter to swing at the ball. Pitching machines which
launch balls at realistic pitching speeds are well known in the
art. However, these machines do nothing to improve a batter's
stance. Similarly, "soft toss" devices which are position on the
ground within the strike zone and launch the ball vertically to
allow the batter to swing at the ball, also provide no assistance
with the batter's stance.
[0004] What is needed in the art is a swing training system which
encourages the batter to maintain weight more centered rather than
stepping into the ball. The training system should be inexpensive
to manufacture, be easily portable, and be readily adjustable for
players of all different ages and heights.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a batter training apparatus.
The training apparatus includes a ground frame section with a
forward motion restraint attached to the ground frame section. The
forward motion restraint will be adjustable such that the forward
motion restraint is positionable at various levels against the body
of a user. The training apparatus will further include a ball
launcher and a trigger for activating the ball launcher.
[0006] The present invention also includes a training apparatus
having a support tube with a diameter approximate to that of a bat
at the bat's striking surface and three substantially flat striking
surfaces connected to and surrounding the support tube, thereby
forming a triangle structure around the support tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the batter training
apparatus of the present invention.
[0008] FIGS. 2A-2C are different views of the ball launcher
utilized in the present invention.
[0009] FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views of the ball launcher with
FIG. 3A being a sectional view taken along the line BB seen in FIG.
3B.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the hinges of the foot plate in
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a section view showing the embodiment of FIG. 5
positioned upon a bat.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates the batter training apparatus 1 of the
present invention. The embodiment seen in FIG. 1 shows how the
training apparatus 1 will generally comprise a ground frame section
2, a forward motion restraint device 10, a ball launcher 20 and a
foot plate 50. The embodiment of ground frame section 2 seen in
FIG. 1 will be constructed of a generally U-shaped tubular frame
member 3. Tubular frame member 3 generally has a square shaped
cross-section and may be constructed of a metal such as steel or
high strength aluminum. However, frame member 3 need not have a
square cross-section, nor necessarily be tubular. Additionally,
frame member 3 could be constructed of materials other than metals
such as high strength polymers. Frame member 3 may also include a
series of apertures 5 (explained below) and feet 6.
[0014] Forward motion restraint 10 will be positioned on frame
member 3 and will include bracket 13 with flanges 18a and 18b
engaging two sides of frame member 3. A bolt 19a will extend
through one of the apertures 5 and secure bracket 13 to frame
member 3. While hidden from view, it will be understood that bolt
19a will have a knob (similar to the other knobs seen in FIG. 1)
which allows for easy attachment and detachment of bracket 13.
Bracket 13 will also include adjusting channels 14. An outer bar
16, generally formed of a square tubular member, will be pivotally
connected to bracket 13 by way of bolt 19b. Another bolt, bolt 11
will extend from knob 15, through an aperture in outer bar 16, and
engage channel 14. The end of bolt 11 engaging channel 14 will have
a cap fixed thereon whose diameter is larger than the width of
channel 14, thus preventing bolt 11 from being withdrawn from
channel 14. The end of bolt 11 connected to knob 15 will be
threaded. Bolt 11 will be fixed within outer bar 16 such that bolt
11 cannot rotate with respect to outer bar 16. It can be understood
how tightening the knob 15 will press flanges 18a and 18b against
outer bar 16 and fix it in place. Likewise, loosening knob 15 will
allow outer bar 16 to rotate freely in channel 14. In this manner,
the angle of outer bar 16 in bracket 13 may be readily adjusted and
then locked into place.
[0015] An inner bar 17 will be form of a similar, but slightly
smaller cross-section than outer bar 18, such that a subsection of
inner bar 17 (subsection 17a) may slide within outer bar 18 in a
telescoping manner. While hidden from view in FIG. 1, it will be
understood that inner bar 17 and outer bar 18 will have
corresponding side apertures. An adjusting pin (also hidden from
view) will engage the apertures in both bars to adjustably fix the
length of inner bar subsection 17a which extends from outer bar 18.
It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that inner bar 17 is generally
L-shaped having a second subsection 17b. Subsection 17b will form
the frame for the part of forward motion restraint 10 which
actually contacts the batter. To prevent the rigid metal subsection
17b from contacting the batter's body, subsection 17b will have a
padding tube 12 fixed thereto.
[0016] Positioned opposite of forward motion restraint 10 will be
ball launching assembly 20. Ball launching assembly 20 generally
comprises adjustable bracket 29, outer bar 21, inner bar 22, main
spring tube 26, and scallop piece 28 upon which a ball is intended
rest. Adjustable bracket 29 is substantially identical to bracket
13 discussed above. Knob 30 will be attached to a bolt (not shown)
which will extend through a bolt aperture to secure bracket 29 to
frame member 3. Outer bar 21 will be pivotally attached to bracket
29 and may be fixed at a given angle by way of tightening knob 31.
Inner bar 22 (best seen in FIGS. 2A-2C) will have a plurality of
apertures and be sized to slide within outer bar 21. Outer bar 21
will have an aperture through which spring pin 23 (see FIG. 1) may
be inserted to fix the relative positions of inner bar 22 and outer
bar 21. Spring pin 26 will be a conventional biased retaining pin
fixed to outer bar 21. It will be possible to pull the retaining
pin upward out of an aperture 9 (see FIG. 2A), to adjust inner bar
22 inward or outward, and then to release the retaining pin to
re-engage another aperture 9. Therefore, inner bar 22 is readily
adjustable in a radial direction relative to bracket 29.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, spring tube 26 will be attached to
and extend upwards from inner bar 22. As suggested in the figures,
spring tube 26 will be hollow and will have an elongated spring
slot 38 formed on both the front side (FIG. 2A) and the rear side
(FIG. 2B). Spring slot 38 will include cocking notch 39 whose
function will be described below. FIG. 3A best shows how spring
tube 26 will house spring rod 32 which is formed of a threaded
upper rod 35 and a lower rod 46. Spring rod 32 will be connected at
its bottom to tension adjustment knob 24 such that the turning of
knob 24 will also rotate spring rod 32. A spring collar 36 will be
threaded onto upper spring rod 35. Spring collar 36 will be engaged
by guide screw 44 (see FIG. 2C) which rides in guide slot 43. While
guide screw 44 engages spring collar 36, guide screw 44 does not
penetrate through spring collar 36 to engage upper rod 35. Rather,
upper rod 35 is allowed to rotate relatively to spring collar 36.
Guide screw 44 will serve two purposes. First, because guide screw
44 is constrained by the sides of slot 38, guide screw 44 will
prevent rotation of spring collar 36 as knob 24 (and thus spring
rod 32) is rotated. Therefore, the rotation of knob 24 will result
in the movement of spring collar 36 up or down along the threads of
upper spring rod 35. As explained below, this will serve as an
indicator of the tension in spring 37. FIG. 2B shows the aperture
42 which guide screw 44 will engage. Second, guide screw 44 will
act as an indicator of where spring collar 36 is located along the
length of upper spring rod 35.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2A, spring 37 will be positioned over
upper spring rod 35 and will rest upon spring collar 36. Retaining
ring 34 (hidden from view by spring 37) will engage a groove on the
top end of upper spring rod 35 and retaining ring 34 will prevent
spring collar 36 from sliding over the top of upper spring rod 35.
Positioned on top of upper spring rod 35 will be end cap 33 which
has a diameter just under the inside diameter of spring tube 26.
Positioned on top of end cap 33 will be scallop tube 27 which is
connected to scallop piece 28. Both end cap 33 and scallop tube 27
will have an aperture 45 formed there through. As suggested in FIG.
3A, eye bolt 41 will be inserted through apertures 45 and be fixed
in place by nut 40.
[0019] Again viewing FIG. 1, another major element of training
apparatus 1 is foot plate 50. Foot plate 50 is generally a flat,
rectangular plate of metal, wood, plastic, or any other suitable
material. Foot plate 50 will be pivotally attached to frame member
3 by way of spring hinges 52. FIG. 4 more clearly shows how spring
hinges 52 are composed of hinge bracket 55, hinge spring 63 and
hinge pin 53. As is well known in the art, hinge bracket 55 will be
fixed to foot plate 50 and pivotally mounted on hinge pin 53. Hinge
spring 63 will be connected between hinge pins 53 and hinge bracket
55. This will cause foot plate 50 to rotate upward until foot plate
50 contacts stops 54. It will be understood that foot plate 50 is
biased in the upward direction by spring hinges 52. As shown in
FIG. 1, foot plate 50 will also include a foot print outline 51.
Foot print outline 51 will serve as a reminder of the proper foot
position with the toes pointed slightly downward and the heal
lifted slightly upward.
[0020] Another element of training apparatus 1 is the trigger
mechanism. In the embodiment shown, the trigger mechanism generally
consists of cord 56 connected to foot plate 50, extending through
eyelet post 57, and connecting to eyelet bolt 40 on ball launcher
assembly 20. It can be seen that cord 54 is connected to foot plate
50 byway of tie apertures 58, one of which is formed on each side
of foot plate 50. Additionally, eyelet post 57 will be connected to
frame member 3 by being inserted into post slot 48, one of which is
also formed on each side of frame member 3. The operation of the
trigger mechanism will be explained below.
[0021] The ball launching assembly 20 will be assembled by aligning
the elements as seen in FIG. 2B and then pressing down on scallop
piece 28 until end cap 33 is within spring tube 26 and scallop tube
27 has slid over spring tube 26 as suggested by FIG. 3A. When
apertures 45 in scallop tube 27 and end cap 33 are at the level of
spring slot 38, eye bolt 40 may be inserted through spring slot 38
and apertures 45 and nut 41 threaded onto the end of eye bolt 40
which has extended through to the other side of spring tube 26. It
will be understood that at this point launching assembly 20 is
complete and moving eye bolt 40 downward will compress spring 37.
To place ball launching assembly 20 in the firing position, it is
only necessary to move eye bolt 40 to the level of cocking notch 39
and rotate eye bolt 40 into notch 39. Thus, when eye bolt 40 is
forced out of notch 39, spring 37 will accelerate scallop piece 28
upward, launching any ball which is resting on scallop piece 28.
Viewing FIG. 3A, it will be clear how turning knob 24 one direction
will cause spring collar 36 to move upward, compressing spring 37.
This will cause spring 37 to launch a ball with greater force than
when spring collar 36 is positioned further down upper spring rod
35. Similarly, turning knob 24 the other direction will move spring
collar 36 downward, decrease compression of spring 37, and reduce
the force accelerating the ball upward. In this manner, the height
to which a ball on scallop piece 28 will be launched is fully
adjustable. It will also be understood that springs with different
spring constants could be used for baseballs, softballs, and
plastic "wiffle" balls. In such a case, the raising or lowering of
spring collar 36 will act as a "fine" adjustment of the height to
which the ball is launched.
[0022] The use and operation of the present invention may be
understood by first viewing FIG. 1. The training apparatus as shown
in FIG. 1 is configured for a right-handed batter. The batter will
stand in a batting position in front of training apparatus 1 with
the lead foot against foot plate 50. The batter or a coach will
then adjust forward motion restraint 10 such that it will press
against the batter anywhere between the shin and hip of the lead
leg. Exactly where the pad 12 will be adjusted to contact the
batter (e.g., shin, thigh or hip), is a matter of preference for
the batter or coach. However, it is believed preferable to have the
pad 12 be resting against the batter's hip. It will be readily
apparent how the necessary adjustments of forward motion restraint
10 may be made by pulling inner bar 17 out of outer bar 16 and
fixing the relative position of those bars with a spring pin (which
is hidden from view in FIG. 1, but is identical to spring pin 23 on
ball launching assembly 20). Also, the angle of forward motion
restraint 10 may be easily adjusted by moving channel guide 11 at
the desired position on channel 14 and securing channel guide 11 in
place by tightening knob 15. The forward motion restraint 10 should
be adjusted such that when the batter places the lead foot on foot
decal 51, substantially all the batter's weight is on the rear foot
and pad 12 is against the batter's hip, preventing him or her from
being able to inadvertently transfer weight to the front foot
during the swing. To launch the ball, the batter will place a
slight downward pressure on foot plate 50 with the lead foot. This
will cause foot plate 50 to place tension on cord 56 which will
then pull on eye bolt 40 and move it out of cocking notch 39,
thereby launching the ball as described above. The batter will then
swing at the ball while being forced to maintain a proper stance
since forward motion restraint 10 prevents the batter from stepping
forward. This forces the batter to hit against a stiff front leg
and not on top of it.
[0023] While the configuration of training apparatus 1 seen in FIG.
1 is for a right-handed batter, training apparatus 1 is easily
modified to accommodate a left-handed batter. This modification
begins with both brackets 13 and 29 being disconnected from frame
member 3. Bracket 13 may then be placed in the position where
bracket 29 appears in FIG. 1. Additionally, inner bar subsection
17a will be withdrawn from outer bar 16, rotated such that inner
bar subsection 17b points inward, and then be reinserted into outer
bar 16. In a similar manner, bracket 29 may be positioned where
bracket 13 is shown positioned in FIG. 1. It then is only necessary
to rotate outer bar 21 to the other end of guide channel 14 and
launching assembly 20 will be in the proper position for a
left-handed batter. Cord 56 will be untied from the aperture 58
shown on the right side of foot plate 50 and retied in the aperture
58 on the left side of foot plate 50. Also, eyelet post 57 will be
moved to the slot 48 on the left side of frame member 3. At this
point, training apparatus 1 has been reconfigured for a left-handed
batter.
[0024] Training apparatus 1 may also be easily transformed to a
compact configuration for transportation. Outer bar 21 may be
rotated against frame member section 3a and knob 31 tightened in
that position. Then inner bar 22 is withdrawn from outer bar 21,
rotated 90 degrees, and reinserted into outer bar 21 such that
spring tube extends across the front of foot plate 50. Outer bar 16
will then be rotated downward until it contacts frame member
section 3b and knob 15 is tightened in that position. Finally, foot
plate 50 may be pushed downward until it is below the level of
aperture 5a. The straight end of eye post 57 is then inserted into
aperture 5a and the eye of eye post 57 will hold foot plate 50 in
the same plane as frame member 3. This configuration creates a very
flat and convenient package for carrying or transportation.
[0025] An alternate embodiment of the present invention is seen in
FIGS. 5 and 6. Bat attachment 70 will be formed of a support tube
73 having a triangle or prism structure formed thereon. FIG. 6
illustrates how support tube 73 will be of a diameter approximate
to bat 80. Formed on support tube 73 is a triangle having three
flat sides 71 and three peaks 72. The embodiment seen in the
Figures shows portions 78 of the triangle as being hollow to reduce
the weight of bat attachment 70 and to reduce the amount of
materials needed to produce the bat attachment 70. FIG. 5 also
shows how support tube 73 may extend beyond flat sides 71. The end
of this extended portion of support tube 73 will include male
threaded section 74. The diameter of support tube 73 may be
slightly tapered along threaded section 74, and such the diameter
of support tube 73 is the smallest at the end of threaded section
74. Formed through threaded section 74 will be a series of split
channels 75. Additionally, bat attachment 70 will include a
tightening collar 76 which has female threaded section 77 formed
therein. It will be apparent from viewing FIGS. 5 and 6 that when
support tube 73 slides over the knob end of the bat 80 and is moved
up the striking portion of bat 80, the spit channels 75 make it
possible for threaded section 74 to spread apart slightly. When
tightening collar 76 is threaded onto threaded section 74,
tightening collar 76 will constrict threaded section 74 and cause
it to firmly grip bat 80, thereby securely retaining bat attachment
70 to bat 80.
[0026] In operation, bat attachment 70 will be used to teach the
batter not to twist or pronate his or her hands prior to striking
the ball. The batter will grip the bat such that a flat surface 71
is perpendicular to the path an oncoming ball would take. If the
batter twists his or her hands downward, the surface 71 will not be
level and will direct the ball sharply downward upon striking the
ball. If the batter twists his or her hands upward, the surface 71
will again not be level and will direct the ball sharply upward
upon striking the ball. Thus, bat attachment 70 greatly exaggerates
the misdirection of the ball caused by twisting the hands and bat
prior to contacting the ball. Therefore, it will be immediately
apparent to the batter after striking the ball whether he or she
kept the hands level (in the "hammer" position) or rotated the
hands up or down. This will aid the batter to recognize and correct
any tendency to twist the hands during the swing.
[0027] Although certain preferred embodiments have been described
above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which
the present invention pertains that modifications, changes, and
improvements may be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention defined by the claims. For example, it will be apparent
that the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 and that of FIGS. 5-6 will tend to
complement one another in use. The first embodiment limits forward
motion while the triangular bat attachment reinforces a square
wrist. Thus, the hips turn the hands through the ball and the hips
must bring the bat around as opposed to rolling the wrist to do so.
Both embodiments work together to optimize the batter's swing. All
such modifications, changes, and improvements are intended to come
within the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *