Elevation-adjustable baseball batting-training apparatus

Abstract

A baseball batting-training apparatus includes a base plate having a plurality of upright stub tubes, a telescopic stick selectively inserted into one of the upright stub tubes and adapted to hold a ball for batting, and a lock nut threaded onto the selected upright stub tube to lock the telescopic stick in position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a baseball batting-training apparatus for use to practice baseball batting and, more particularly, to an elevation-adjustable baseball batting-training apparatus that can be conveniently adjusted to hold the ball in one of a series of elevation positions to fit the batter.

[0002] FIG. 1 shows a prior art design of baseball batting-training apparatus. This design of baseball batting-training apparatus comprises a base plate A, and a stick B fixedly fastened to the top sidewall of the base plate A. The stick B has a top end terminating in a ball cup BI adapted to hold a ball for batting. This design of baseball batting-training apparatus is still not satisfactory in function. Because the stick B is fixedly fastened to the base plate A and the elevation of the ball cup B1 is not adjustable, the position of the ball cup B1 is not adjustable to fit different batting angles. Further, because the stick B is fixedly fastened to the base plate A, the baseball batting-training apparatus occupies much storage space when not used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention has been accomplished to provide a baseball batting-training apparatus, which eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks. It is one object of the present invention to provide a baseball batting-training apparatus, which can be conveniently adjusted to different elevations and angular positions to fit different batting angles. It is another object of the present invention to provide a baseball batting-training apparatus, which is detachable. To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the baseball batting-training apparatus comprises a base plate, said base plate comprising a plurality of upright stub tubes, said upright stub tubes each having an axially extended center hole and an externally threaded split top neck around said center hole; a telescopic stick selectively fastened to one of the upright stub tubes of the base plate, the telescopic stick having a top end terminating in a ball cup adapted to hold a ball for batting; and a lock nut coupled to the telescopic stick and threaded onto the externally threaded split top neck of the selected upright stub tube of the base plate to lock the telescopic stick.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a baseball batting-training apparatus according to the prior art.

[0005] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an elevation-adjustable baseball batting-training apparatus according to the present invention.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a sectional view in an enlarged scale of a part of the present invention showing the internal structure of the telescopic stick.

[0007] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing an installation example of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing an application example of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0009] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a baseball batting-training apparatus in accordance with the present invention is shown comprised of a base plate 1, and a telescopic stick 2. The telescopic stick 2 is comprised of a sleeve 21, and a sliding tube 22. The sliding tube 22 is axially slidably inserted into the sleeve 21, having one end, namely, the top end fixedly mounted with a ball cup 20 adapted to hold a ball for hitting. The base plate 1 comprises a plurality of upright stub tubes 11 adapted to selectively receive the stick 2. Each upright stub tube 11 has an axially extended center hole 110, an externally threaded split top neck 12. The top neck 12 has longitudinal splits 121. The outer diameter of the sleeve 21 fits the axially extended center hole 110 of each of the upright stub tubes 11. After insertion of the sleeve 21 into the axially extended center hole 110 of one upright stub tube 11, a lock nut 211 is threaded onto the top neck 12 of the upright stub tube 11 to lock the sleeve 21. When fastening tight the lock nut 211, the top neck 12 of the upright stub tube 11 is radially inwardly compressed against the periphery of the sleeve 21, and therefore the sleeve 21 is locked. The sleeve 21 has a longitudinal row of retaining holes 215, and one end, namely, the top end terminating in an externally threaded split neck 212. The externally threaded split neck 212 has longitudinally extended splits 213. The sliding tube 22 is inserted through a lock nut 214 into the sleeve 21 to the desired depth, and then the lock nut 214 is threaded onto the split neck 212 to lock the sliding tube 22. When fastening tight the lock nut 214, the externally threaded split neck 212 is radially inwardly compressed against the periphery of the sliding tube 22, and therefore the sliding tube 22 is locked in the desired position.

[0010] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIGS. 2 and 3 again, the sliding tube 22 has a spring element 222 mounted on the inside near one end, namely, the bottom end, and a retaining rod 221 extended from the spring element 222 and projecting out of (a hole through) the peripheral wall. When inserting the sliding tube 22 into the sleeve 21, the retaining rod 221 is selectively engaged into one of the retaining holes 215 of the sleeve 21 to hold the sliding tube 22 in position. By means of changing the engagement between the retaining rod 221 of the sliding tube 22 and the retaining holes 215 of the sleeve 21, the elevation of the ball cup 20 is relatively adjusted. According to the present preferred embodiment, the retaining rod 221 is formed integral with the spring element 222. Further, the spring element 222 can be a compression spring, spring leaf, or any of a variety of rubber or metallic spring means.

[0011] Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 4 again, when in use, the sleeve 21 of the stick 2 is selectively fastened to one of the upright stub tube 11 of the base plate 1, and then the lock nut 211 is fastened tight to lock the sleeve 21, and then the sliding tube 22 is moved in the sleeve 21 to the desired elevation to force the retaining rod 221 into engagement with one of the retaining holes 215 of the sleeve 21, and then the lock nut 214 is fastened tight to lock the sliding tube 22. Thus, the user can than put the ball in the ball cup 20, and then whip the bat to bat the ball.

[0012] A prototype of baseball batting-training apparatus has been constructed with the features of FIGS. 2.about.4. The baseball batting-training apparatus functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.

[0013] Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

What the invention claimed is:

1. A baseball batting-training apparatus comprising: a base plate, said base plate comprising a plurality of upright stub tubes, said upright stub tubes each having an axially extended center hole and an externally threaded split top neck around said center hole; a telescopic stick selectively fastened to one of said upright stub tubes of said base plate, said telescopic stick having a top end terminating in a ball cup adapted to hold a ball for batting; and a lock nut coupled to said telescopic stick and threaded onto the externally threaded split top neck of the selected upright stub tube of said base plate to lock said telescopic stick.

2. The baseball batting-training apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said telescopic stick comprises a sleeve fitting the axially extended center hole of said upright stub tubes, said sleeve having an externally threaded split neck at one end thereof, a sliding tube inserted into said sleeve, and a lock nut threaded onto the externally threaded split neck of said sleeve to lock said sliding tube in said sleeve at the desired elevation.

3. The baseball batting-training apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sleeve has a longitudinal row of retaining holes, and said sliding tube has a spring element mounted on the inside near a bottom end thereof, said spring element having a retaining rod extended out of said sliding tube for engagement into one of the retaining holes of said sleeve.

4. The baseball batting-training apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said spring element is a compression spring.

5. The baseball batting-training apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said spring element is a plate spring.

6. The baseball batting-training apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said spring element is made of rubber.