U.S. patent application number 10/067729 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-07 for fast-pitch softball pitching tutor.
Invention is credited to O'Hara, Brian Patrick.
Application Number | 20030148833 10/067729 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27658907 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030148833 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'Hara, Brian Patrick |
August 7, 2003 |
Fast-pitch softball pitching tutor
Abstract
The "Fast-Pitch Softball Pitching Tutor" is a new and useful
device for pitchers in the game of softball. The "Pitching Tutor"
is effective in correcting and perfecting the daily problems a
pitcher may encounter. The "Pitching Tutor's" audience relates to
the many people who strive to learn and improve the basic skills of
pitching.
Inventors: |
O'Hara, Brian Patrick;
(Laplata, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Brian Patrick O'Hara
11796 Adrian Lane
Laplata
MD
20646
US
|
Family ID: |
27658907 |
Appl. No.: |
10/067729 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/458 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2069/0006 20130101;
A63B 69/0059 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/458 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/00 |
Claims
1. What I claim as my invention is the protruding arm (plastic
siding) which protrudes away from the body to provide a blocking
point for the pitcher's forearm.
2. What I claim as my invention is the unique design of the
protruding arm (plastic siding) which enables right and left
handers to use the "Pitching Tutor".
3. What I claim as my invention is the design of the "Pitching
Tutor". The "L" shaped backing and siding The manner of how the
device is secured on the hip
4. What I claim as my invention is the structure of the "Pitching
Tutor" which enables durability.
5. What I claim as my invention is the purpose of the "Pitching
Tutor"To release the ball at the hip To have accurate wrist snap To
control the bending of the arm
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The field of endeavor in which the "Pitching Tutor" pertains
to is softball. The subject matter of the "Pitching Tutor" is used
for softball pitchers to correct systematic errors and to teach
pitchers the basic fundamentals of pitching. This device helps the
accuracy of a pitch and to help conquer the every day struggles a
pitcher encounters.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
[0002] There are basic steps a pitcher learns as he/she begins
pitching; these steps are the foundation of being an elite softball
pitcher. The basic fundamentals of pitching consists of a straight
arm circle (no bending of the elbow), release by the hip, and--most
importantly--wrist snap that is released against the body. These
necessary steps are a daily struggle to perfect throughout a
pitcher's softball career. The "Pitching Tutor" will enhance a
pitcher's ability to correct and master these necessary
fundamentals in his/her pitching career. This device will correct a
pitchers straight arm; the "Pitching Tutor" will contact the
forearm, stopping the elbow from bending. Secondly, the pitching
tutor will correct the release point. The release point should be
at the hip and so close to the body that it skims the clothes of
the pitcher; many pitchers find this hard to do and will release in
front of their hip and far away from their body; the result is a
wild pitch. Thirdly, the device focuses on wrist snap. The hardest
achievement in softball is the correct wrist snap, with this device
the pitcher will learn to snap the wrist correctly due to the
blocking of the forearm, which forces a pitcher to snap the wrist
to get movement on the ball. The importance of a fast wrist snap is
to increase the speed of a pitch; the faster and harder the wrist
snap the more spin and the faster the ball goes. By using the
"Pitching Tutor" these basic fundamentals can be mastered, this
device will open up a window of opportunity for a pitcher to rise
above the rest.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The "Pitching Tutor" is an advanced tool for softball
pitchers. The function of this tool is to teach beginner pitchers
the basic fundamentals of pitching and also to correct common
pitching errors. There are several existing problems that occur
when pitching which can be solved by using the "Pitching Tutor".
The most common error in pitching is where to release the ball. For
instance, a pitcher releases the ball past her hips, the ball will
go high above the strike zone, but if the ball is released behind
his/her hips it will hit the dirt before it reaches the plate.
Also, a pitcher often releases the ball away from his/her hip,
which the ball will move far to the right or to the left and most
likely hit the batter. Another problem that can be solved using
this device is the tendency to bend the elbow when releasing the
ball. For example, the main part of pitching is the wrist snap. If
the elbow bends when a pitcher's wrist snaps, the ball will have
the tendency to be high because the whole arm is lined up above the
hip and not at the hip. The advantage of using the "Pitching Tutor"
is a softball pitcher will have the correct form a pitcher needs to
be a dominant player on the diamond. This invention will guarantee
that the pitcher will have correct wrist snap as he/ she releases
the ball and that the elbow will not bend due to the forearm
contacting the "Pitching Tutor" which prevents the natural bending
of the arm. The "Pitching Tutor" will force a pitcher to release
close to the body and at the hip; these are basic fundamentals that
have to be taught and mastered to excel as a pitcher in
softball.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIEMENT
[0004] The "Pitching Tutor" is an advanced tool for softball
pitchers. The function of the "Pitching Tutor" is to teach beginner
pitchers the basic fundamentals of pitching and also to correct
common pitching errors. The "Tutor" is one size, which fits all
players. A description of the "Pitching Tutor's" design illustrates
its function.
[0005] The four main materials used to create the "Pitching Tutor"
are as followed: An "L" shaped plastic piece, which consists of the
plastic backing and the plastic siding. The plastic backing, 1
cm.times.8 cm.times.16 cm, rests on the hip. The plastic siding, 1
cm.times.13.5-cm.times.16 cm, is the part that protrudes away from
the plastic backing. The second material is the belt, 0.5
cm.times.9 cm-.times.90 cm, which connects to the plastic "L"
shaped piece. The velcro which connects to the belt is 1/4
cm.times.6 cm.times.47 cm. The third part is the foam padding glued
to the plastic backing. This is 3 cm.times.10 cm.times.18 cm. The
foam padding for the plastic siding is 10 cm.times.15.5
cm.times.18.5 cm. The last major material is the leather cover, 1/4
cm.times.36 cm.times.46 cm, which is wrapped around the entire
project for completion.
[0006] The "Pitching Tutor" consists of four main parts (See
diagram). The first and most important part of the invention is the
Plastic. The plastic, which is "L" shaped, has a rectangular cut
out at the crease of the "L" shape. The "L" shaped plastic is
broken down into 2 parts, the plastic backing and the plastic
siding. The plastic backing is the horizontal part of "L". The
plastic backing is the back of the "Tutor" which rests on the hip
of the pitcher. The second part is the plastic siding, which is the
vertical part of "L". This piece extends out from the backing at
approximately sixteen centimeters long. The plastic siding's
purpose is to maintain the pitcher's release of the ball close to
the hip. The two parts of the "L" shaped plastic serve to maintain
the shape and durability of the invention.
[0007] Attached to the "L" shaped plastic is the belt; Velcro is
sewed around the belt to ensure the tightness of the belt around
the hip. The belt, slightly smaller in width than the plastic
piece, is approximately ninety centimeters long. The belt slides
through the rectangular cut out, on the inside of the "L" shaped
plastic backing. The belt securely fastens the "Pitching Tutor" to
the hip.
[0008] After the belt and the plastic are securely together the
next step in the process is to add two pieces of foam padding over
the main plastic parts. In doing this process there are two steps.
The first step is to glue the foam pad on the interior and exterior
parts of the plastic backing. The second step is to glue the foam
pad on the interior of the plastic siding. The foam's purpose is to
guarantee safety and comfort when the pitcher is releasing the ball
into the pitching tutor. The final touch to add to the pitching
tutor is the leather cover. The leather cover is wrapped completely
around the plastic pieces. The leather cover ties in the whole
product as one. It secures the main pieces together for a long
lasting "Pitching Tutor".
[0009] The Pitching Tutor is an all around problem solver in the
pitcher's world. It solves the major imperfections and difficulties
of releasing at the hip and right to the hip.
DECRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0010] 1. Plastic Backing--to insure durability and to guarantee a
long lasting "Pitching Tutor".
[0011] 2. Plastic Siding--insures durability while being flexible
to guarantee a long lasting "Pitching Tutor".
[0012] 3. Belt--to help provide a snug fit for any player.
[0013] 4. Foam Pad--to provide comfort when used and to insure the
users safety.
[0014] 5. Velcro Landing--where the Velcro Strap is connected to
provide a more convenient hold.
[0015] 6. Velcro Strap--connected to Velcro Landing to provide a
more convenient hold. Leather Cover--is placed around the Foam and
connected to the Plastic with glue to insure the foam not to move
on impact.
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