U.S. patent application number 10/640316 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-24 for training device for batting and pitching.
Invention is credited to Socci, Roger D..
Application Number | 20040121862 10/640316 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32599803 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040121862 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Socci, Roger D. |
June 24, 2004 |
Training device for batting and pitching
Abstract
A baseball training device for use in improving batting and/or
pitching skills, particularly launching skills while batting and
avoid rushing while pitching, the device comprising an elongated
member of at least a length to extend about the knee of a wearer
and forming a loop, and a signaling device secured to the elongated
member, the signaling device adapted to generate a signal when the
knee of the wearer with the training device bends that knee toward
the other knee of the wearer.
Inventors: |
Socci, Roger D.; (Reston,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARMSTRONG, KRATZ, QUINTOS, HANSON & BROOKS, LLP
1725 K STREET, NW
SUITE 1000
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
32599803 |
Appl. No.: |
10/640316 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60403431 |
Aug 15, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/458 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/0625 20130101;
A63B 2069/0008 20130101; A63B 69/0002 20130101; A63B 2069/0006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/458 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/00 |
Claims
It is claimed:
1. A baseball training device for use in improving batting and/or
pitching skills, the device comprising an elongated member of at
least a length to extend about the knee of a wearer and forming a
loop, and a signaling device secured to the elongated member, the
signaling device adapted to generate a signal when the knee of the
wearer with the training device bends that knee toward the other
knee of the wearer.
2. A baseball training device according to claim 1, wherein the
device includes upper band adapted to be about the thigh portion of
the leg just above the knee of a wearer and lower band adapted to
be about the calf portion of the leg just below the knee of a
wearer.
3. A baseball training device according to claim 2, wherein the
device includes a flange extending from upper band and a flange
extending from lower band and, an extension adjustably secured to
each flange, each extension carrying an angle sensor, the
extensions arranged to contact each other at desired angles of the
knee.
4. A baseball training device according to claim 3, wherein the
angle sensor includes an electrical contact.
5. A baseball training device according to claim 1, wherein contact
of the angle sensor carried by one extension with the angle sensor
of the other extension completes an electrical circuit and thereby
generates a signal.
6. A baseball training device according to claim 1, wherein the
angle sensor includes a projection.
7. A baseball training device according to claim 6, wherein contact
of the angle sensor carried by one extension with the angle sensor
of the other extension mechanically generates an audible sound.
8. A baseball training device according to claim 1, wherein the
device includes a step device comprising a generally planar pad
and, secured to the pad, a sensor device adapted to generate a
signal when impacted by a user.
9. A baseball training step device for use in improving batting
skills and/or pitching skills, the step device comprising a
generally planar pad and, secured to the pad, a sensor device
adapted to generate a signal when impacted by a user.
10. A baseball training step device according to claim 9, wherein
the sensor device includes a sound generator and a foot-actuated
pressure switch for activating the sound generator.
11. A baseball training step device according to claim 10, wherein
the pad is a resilient pad and includes recesses containing the
sound generator and pressure switch.
12. A baseball training step device according to claim 11, further
including a power source interconnected with the pressure switch
and the sound generator.
13. A baseball training step device according to claim 11, further
including a layer of wear resistant material overlying and covering
the recess.
14. A baseball training method for use in improving baseball
skills, the method comprising providing a knee sensor device about
the knee of a wearer and a pad device adjacent to the wearer,
engaging in baseball activities while wearing the knee sensor
device set to provide a signal when the knee of the wearer is in a
particular position and stepping on the pad device while engaging
in the baseball activities.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates generally to devices for
assisting persons to learn sports skills and, more particularly, to
devices for assisting persons to learn or improve both batting and
pitching skills for playing the game of baseball.
[0002] A baseball swinging motion consists of two parts, (1) the
launch position which comprises the stride and (2) the actual swing
of the bat itself. The actual bat swing or second part to the
swinging motion does not take place until the front stride foot has
moved forward three to eight inches and then stopped. Further, the
hands are held back in the launch position until the front foot
lands and begins to straighten from a flexed landing position. The
hands move forward to swing the bat only after the front stride leg
and foot have landed and begun to straighten out. If a batter
swings the bat at the same time as striding, he will be off balance
to hit and be vulnerable to all sorts of other mechanical problems
in the swinging motion.
[0003] In pitching a baseball, a baseball pitcher ideally should
only throw or pitch the ball after his leg foot has landed at
approximately a 90-105 degree angle ensuring that his throwing arm
has reached its apex in the wind-up. If a pitcher is able to do
this, he will ensure that he is not throwing before his arm has
reached its highest point in the wind-up confirming he can deliver
the ball with more force and minimize rushing. Rushing is anathema
to a pitcher because he is throwing or delivering the ball before
his arm and body are in the correct position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It therefore is a feature of the subject invention to
provide a device for assisting persons to learn and/or improve
batting skills for playing the game of baseball.
[0005] It also is a feature of the subject invention to provide a
device for assisting persons to learn and/or improve "launching"
skills when batting in the game of baseball.
[0006] It therefore is a feature of the subject invention to
provide a device for assisting persons to learn and/or improve
pitching skills for playing the game of baseball.
[0007] It also is a feature of the subject invention to provide a
device for assisting persons to avoid "rushing" when pitching in
the game of baseball.
[0008] Briefly, the present invention comprehends in its broader
aspects a baseball training device for use in improving batting
and/or pitching skills, particularly launching skills while batting
and avoid rushing while pitching, the device comprising an
elongated member of at least a length to extend about the knee of a
wearer and forming a loop, and a signaling device secured to the
elongated member, the signaling device adapted to generate a signal
when the knee of the wearer with the training device bends that
knee toward the other knee of the wearer.
[0009] The present invention also comprehends a baseball training
step device for use in improving batting skills and/or pitching
skills, particularly launching skills while batting and avoid
rushing while pitching, the step device comprising a generally
planar pad and, secured to the pad, a sensor device adapted to
generate a signal when impacted by a user. The subject invention
additionally comprehends a combination of the above knee sensor
device and the above step device together as a baseball training
device for use in improving batting skills, particularly launching
skills while batting, and/or for use in improving pitching skills,
particularly avoiding rushing while pitching.
[0010] The present invention further comprehends a baseball
training method for use in improving baseball activities such as
batting or pitching skills, particularly launching skills while
batting or avoiding rushing while pitching, the method comprising
providing a knee sensor device about the knee of a wearer and a pad
device adjacent to the wearer, engaging in baseball activities
while wearing the knee sensor device set to provide a signal when
the knee of the wearer is in a particular position and stepping on
the pad device while engaging in the baseball activities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] In the drawings,
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baseball player using an
embodiment of the training device for batting in accordance with
the present invention,
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates in another perspective view a baseball
player using the embodiment of the training device for batting as
shown in FIG. 1,
[0014] FIG. 3 is a further perspective view of a baseball player
using the embodiment of the training device of the invention and as
shown in FIG. 1,
[0015] FIG. 4 is a detailed top view of a pad device in accordance
with the present invention,
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 4,
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a knee angle sensor device
in accordance with the present invention,
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a baseball player using an
embodiment of the training device for pitching in accordance with
the present invention, and
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates in another perspective view a baseball
player using the embodiment of the training device for pitching as
shown in FIG. 1, and
[0020] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a knee device in accordance
with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] As mentioned above, the training devices according to the
present invention be used interchangeably for both pitchers and
hitters. The devices include at least one of a knee angle sensor
device which can be used by both the pitchers and hitters use to
facilitate correct knee positioning during their respective
movements. The knee angle sensor device is adjustable so as to work
for the different front landing requirements of pitchers and
hitters. The second device is a pad device containing a
foot-actuated switch that activates a voice or sound generator.
[0022] Referring first to the use of the devices to train a batter,
FIGS. 1-3 show the sequence E of a batter in generating a swing in
order to hit a baseball. In the initial position shown in FIG. 1,
the batter is in the ready position with his front foot placed
several inches behind pad device 10 relative to the pitcher. As the
batter strides as shown in FIG. 2, the front foot 12 contacts pad
device 10 and generates an audible sound and the swing commences.
The swing then continues as shown in FIG. 3.
[0023] The batter further wears knee sensor device 30 as shown in
FIGS. 1-3. The knee device 30 is a knee angle sensor device which
is used by batters to facilitate correct knee positioning during
swinging. More particularly, it is desired that the knee of the
front leg (the leg nearest the pitcher) be straight as the bat
impacts the ball, that is, roughly the position shown in FIG. 3.
The details of the knee angle sensor device 30 are detailed
later.
[0024] As mentioned above, pad device 10 creates an audible sound
when the front foot of the batter lands on the pad device. This
sound from pad device 10 will direct the hitter to swing the bat.
The correct placement of the pad device 10 will also insure that
batters do not either understride or overstride.
[0025] One embodiment of pad device 10 is shown in detail in FIGS.
4 and 5. Device 10 includes a relatively thin planar resilient pad
16 of a size somewhat larger than the size of the adult human foot
although the size may vary considerably. Pad 16 may be rubber or
foam polymeric material and includes recesses containing
foot-activated pressure switch 18, interconnected power source 20
such as a battery and sound generator 22 such as a buzzer, horn,
alarm or the like. The recess 24 for foot-activated pressure switch
18 is shown in FIG. 5.
[0026] Overlying and covering the recesses such as recess 24 is
layer 26 which may be of wear resistant material such as cloth,
polymeric films, rubber and the like.
[0027] One embodiment of knee angle sensor device 30 is shown in
detail in FIG. 6. Device 30 includes upper band 32 adapted to be
about the thigh portion of the leg just above the knee of a wearer
and lower band 34 adapted to be about the calf portion of the leg
just below the knee of a wearer. Interconnecting upper band 32 and
lower band 34 is skirt 36 of flexible material such as cloth,
particularly stretch-type cloth so as to provide a better fit.
Preferably, bands 32 and 34 are secured together by two elongated
members 37 (only one being shown) which are pivotly attached at
each end to a band.
[0028] Extending from upper band 32 is flange 38 and extending from
lower band is flange 40.
[0029] Adjustably secured to each flange 38 and 40 is extension 42,
each adapted to carry an angle sensor such an electrical contact, a
projection or the like. Extensions 42 are arranged to contact each
other at desired angles of the knee. Contact of the angle sensor
carried by one extension with the angle sensor of the other
extension may complete an electrical circuit and generate a signal,
may generate an audible sound, or otherwise create a signal that
the knee is in a particular angular configuration. For example, the
signal may be generated mechanically such as by a biased projection
passing over another projection, ridge, depression or the like.
[0030] Referring now to the use of the subject devices to train a
pitcher, FIGS. 7-8 show a pitcher in the motion of pitching a
baseball. Pad device 10 is provided to give the pitcher an
indication when the front foot has landed. Knee device 30 provides
an indication when the knee of the front leg is in the proper or
optimal angular position for release of the ball from the pitcher's
hand. Further, the correct placement of the pad device 10 also
insures that a pitcher does not either understride or
overstride.
[0031] While there has been shown and described what are considered
to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention
pertains that various changes and modifications may be made therein
without departing from the invention as defined in the appended
claims.
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