Dual sport swing training aid and method of using

Abstract

A dual sport swing training aid and method of use is disclosed. The dual sport swing training aid includes an elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft having a first end and a second end, an elongated vertical shaft having an upper end and a lower end, at least one support shaft, and a tee integrated into the upper end of the elongated vertical shaft to accept round balls. The method of using includes placing the dual sport swing training aid parallel to the desired direction of hitting, placing the baseball or golf ball on the tee or ground respectively, standing perpendicular to the horizontal putting alignment shaft and aligned with the ball, and hitting the ball off of the tee.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit to provisional application 60/583,305, filed on Jun. 25, 2004, entitled "Dual Sport Swing Training Aid and Method of Using", which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of sports training aids, and in particular to a device that facilitates in learning swinging techniques for golf and baseball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Proficient hitting in both golfing and baseball requires the continuous practice of correct techniques. Both games require a player to develop excellent eye-hand coordination, form, muscle memory, and a comfort within their swing. Players, therefore, turn to different types of aids to develop and practice their form. As a result, numerous golf and baseball aids have been introduced into the market to assist players in developing and practicing their swings.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,118 is directed towards a golf swing trainer that consists of a support base for supporting a vertical shaft, the shaft having a flexible horizontal shaft extending from it and having at its other end a golf tee upon which a golf ball can rest. The horizontal shaft is capable of moving up and down in a vertical direction on the vertical shaft and remains relatively fixed to the vertical shaft by a suitable means. A player would practice using the golf swing trainer by hitting golf balls placed on the tee, initially when the horizontal shaft is at a high position relative to the support shaft, and when the player become adept at hitting the ball at the high position, the horizontal shaft would gradually be lowered, so that the player would be hitting the ball at lower and lower positions. This promotes the proper swing plane for the golf swing.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,776 is directed to an automated tee device that uses air pressure through a tee to determine whether a ball is rested on the tee or whether a next ball should be supplied. When a ball is in a rest position on the tee, the airflow through a passage within the tee is inhibited. Consequently, by determining the current condition of airflow through the tee, it can be determined whether a ball is rested on the tee or whether a next ball should be supplied. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, the tee can be adjusted to any height within a preselected vertical range. Upper and lower limit switches reverse the adjustment of a tee height in response to determining that the upper or the lower limit of the range has been reached. The automated tee device may be used in sports such as golf, baseball and softball.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,040 is directed towards a device in the general size and shape of a golf tee, which contains sensing circuitry to detect the sound of the contact of the club head with the ball, or with the playing surface. This stimulus activates a timer, which in turn activates illumination device in the forth of a light pulse directed at the face of the golfer. By physical proximity to the target of the club head the golfer will perceive illumination of the device in his/her peripheral vision when the golfer has maintained eye contact with the target at the instant of contact.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,667 is directed to a golf tee comprising a vertical member adapted to be struck into the ground, a transverse member pivotally engaged with the end of the vertical member and adapted to be adjustably moved angularly with respect to the vertical member and to retain its angular position therewith after such movement, and a string engaged at one end with the transverse member and engaged at the other end with a suction cup for engaging and supporting a golf ball above the ground. The transverse member may be pivotally moved to suspend the golf ball at the desired distance above the ground. When the golf ball is then struck with the head of a golf club, it encounters less impedance to true straight flight than a golf ball struck from a conventional tee. Longer driving distances can be achieved than when driving from a conventional tee. Moreover, there is less danger that the golf club will dig up a large divot of top soil than when the golf ball is struck from a conventional tee.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,617 is directed towards a sports trainer by which a user is positioned in front of a full length mirror which reflects the image of the user when performing certain sports activities combined with a television monitor and video cassette player which provides an observable illustration of the same sports activity in the form of a mirror image depicting an optimum of the sports activity involved thereby enabling the user to compare the reflected image in the mirror and the illustrated mirror image in the television monitor in order for the user to closely approach the optimum position and movement illustrated on the television monitor. The disclosure in this application relates to golf but the sports trainer can be used with various types of sports involving positions and movements of individuals and various equipment used in various sports.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,004 is directed to a simple training device to teach a baseball batter to utilize a proper batting position. The training device is a mat marked with a first indicia designating home plate and a plurality of second indicia showing sequential segments for the batter to place his feet. The mat may be used alone to achieve a proper batting stance and proper foot positioning in relation to home plate or with at least one measuring means for measuring a point located in the strike zone of the batter identifying the height of a level swing of the bat. This measured specific distance correlates to a proper distance from home plate the batter should position himself to hit the ball with the "power zone" of the bat with a full arm extension of the leading arm. The training device teaches the novice batter the most advantageous position to consistently hit the ball with the bat.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,374 is directed towards an adjustable practice batting tee comprising a planar base, an elongated slotted horizontal support member adapted to moving over the top of the base and attached thereto by an adjustable lock placed within the slot, an L shaped elongated tubular pedestal having a long tubular arm and a short tubular arm and being pivotedly attached by a lock at the apex of the L to one end of the elongated slotted support member such that the pedestal can be pivoted to have one of the tubular arms in a vertical position and the other in a horizontal position and visa versa, the end of both arms being adapted to holding a baseball or softball.

[0011] U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0207716 is directed to a golf swing, chip, pitch or putt practice and training device is provided which provides people who play golf the means to develop their ability to swing, chip, pitch and putt. The practice and training device comprises a base and a backstop attached to the base. The base is provided with base alignment marks and a golf ball strike box for positioning and aligning a golfer before, during, and after the execution of a swing, chip, pitch shot or putting stroke. The backstop is likewise provided with backstop alignment marks which further assist in maintaining the golfer's alignment through the swing, and which immediately provide the golfer with an indication of his swing performance. The backstop is provided at its upper end with adjustable means for attaching the backstop to a ceiling or structure, at its lower end with means for attaching the backstop to the base, and is generally curved to ensure that the golf ball automatically returns to the golfer after each swing.

[0012] U.S. Patent Application No. 20030186752 is directed to an automated tee device that uses air pressure through a tee to determine whether a ball is rested on the tee or whether a next ball should be supplied. When a ball is in a rest position on the tee, the airflow through a passage within the tee is inhibited. Consequently, by determining the current condition of airflow through the tee, it can be determined whether a ball is rested on the tee or whether a next ball should be supplied. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, the tee can be adjusted to any height within a preselected vertical range. Upper and lower limit switches reverse the adjustment of a tee height in response to determining that the upper or the lower limit of the range has been reached. The automated tee device may be used in sports such as golf, baseball and softball.

[0013] WIPO Patent Application No. 02/051506 is directed towards a golf and other swing training and exercising apparatus including a base platform, a vertical support frame, a rotating swing arm connected between a grip and a resistance source which enables a user to execute a simulated golf or other swing by rotating the arm against the resistance. The structural configuration of the apparatus insures that minimum resistance to the correct swing execution is provided when the swing is executed with the proper body muscle groups and in the proper swing plane.

[0014] British Patent No. GB 2 261 823 is directed to a support that is drilled and slotted to take five lengths of flexible material which are fixed in slots with 25 mm protruding from the top. On these five protrusions five expanded polystyrene flights which incorporate plastics thimbles are placed, thus enabling the golfer to take five practice swings. Any number of supports can be pegged in line. The ease of setting the flights and the advantage of being able to practice several swings without having to set-up between each swing helps to maintain concentration. This aid could also be used indoors if there is room to make a full swing.

[0015] There is a need however, for a single training aid that assists both golfers and baseball players in developing their swing.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a dual sport swing training aid that can be used for swing training by both golfers and baseball players.

[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dual sport swing training aid that can be easily set up.

[0018] It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a method of aiding a golfer and baseball player in improving his or her swinging.

[0019] In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, a novel dual sport swing training aid is disclosed. The novel dual sport swing training aid includes an elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft having a first end and a second end, an elongated vertical shaft having an upper end and a lower end vertically and detachably integrated into said elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft, and a tee detachably integrated into the upper end of said elongated vertical shaft to accept round balls.

[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a novel dual sport swing training aid is disclosed. The novel dual sport swing training aid includes a rigid elongated horizontal main shaft having a first end and second end, a rigid elongated horizontal support shaft having a first end and a second end detachably integrated horizontally perpendicular from the first end of said elongated horizontal main shaft, a rigid elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft having a first end and a second end detachably integrated horizontally perpendicular from the second end of said rigid elongated horizontal main shaft, a rigid elongated vertical shaft having an upper end and a lower end detachably integrated vertically from said rigid elongated horizontal main shaft, and a tee detachably integrated into the upper end of said rigid elongated vertical shaft to accept round balls.

[0021] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a novel dual sport swing training aid is disclosed. The novel dual sport swing training aid includes an elongated plastic horizontal main shaft having a first end, second end, and flexible rubber center to absorb shock, a first elongated plastic horizontal support shaft having a first end and a second end detachably integrated horizontally perpendicular from the first end of said elongated plastic horizontal main shaft, a second elongated plastic horizontal shaft having a first end and a second end detachably integrated horizontally perpendicular from the second end of said elongated plastic horizontal main shaft, an elongated plastic vertical shaft having an upper end and a lower end detachably integrated vertically from said elongated plastic horizontal main shaft, an elongated plastic horizontal putting alignment shaft detachably integrated into the second end of said elongated plastic horizontal main shaft, parallel to said second elongated plastic horizontal shaft, and a tee detachably integrated into the upper end of said elongated plastic vertical shaft through the use a metal coil spring, to accept round balls.

[0022] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a novel method of using a dual sport swing training aid is disclosed. The novel method includes placing the dual sport swing training aid parallel to the desired direction of hitting, placing a baseball on the tee, standing perpendicular to the horizontal putting alignment shaft and aligned with the tee, and hitting the baseball off of the tee.

[0023] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a novel method of using a dual sport swing training aid is disclosed. The novel method includes placing the dual sport swing training aid parallel to the desired putting direction, placing a golf ball a short distance away from the horizontal putting alignment shaft, standing perpendicular to the horizontal putting alignment shaft and aligned with the golf ball, and putting the golf ball to the desired putting direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be better understood when read with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a dual sport swing training aid in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to the same components across the several views, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a dual sport swing training aid 10. The dual sport swing training aid 10 includes an elongated vertical shaft 11 having an upper end and a lower end, detachably integrated vertically perpendicular to the elongated horizontal main shaft 12 having a first end and a second end.

[0027] The elongated vertical shaft 11 includes a flexible center portion 13 detachably integrated to its lower end, which absorbs shock from a struck ball 20. A tee 15 is also detachably integrated into the upper end of the elongated vertical shaft 11, with a small cup 16 capping the tee 15 to accept various sized balls 20. A detachably integrated flexible center portion 14 connects the tee 15 to the upper end of the elongated vertical shaft 11, which also provides an additional means of shock absorption.

[0028] The elongated horizontal main shaft 12 includes a primary elongated horizontal support shaft 17 detachably integrated horizontally perpendicular from the first end of the elongated horizontal main shaft 12. The elongated horizontal main shaft 12 further includes a secondary elongated plastic horizontal shaft 18 detachably integrated horizontally perpendicular from the second end of the elongated plastic horizontal main shaft 12. The elongated horizontal main shaft 12 finally includes an elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft 19 detachably integrated into the second end of the elongated plastic horizontal main shaft 12, parallel to the secondary elongated plastic horizontal shaft 18.

[0029] In an alternate embodiment, the elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft 19 and secondary elongated plastic horizontal shaft 18 would be combined into one integrated member, extending horizontally perpendicular from the second end of the elongated plastic horizontal main shaft 12.

[0030] In an further alternate embodiment, a support shaft would be detachably attached to either the elongated vertical shaft 11 or elongated horizontal main shaft 12, replacing the primary elongated horizontal support shaft 17, secondary elongated plastic horizontal shaft 18, and elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft 19. The elongated horizontal main shaft 12 would then serve as the putting alignment shaft.

[0031] The elongated vertical shaft 11, elongated horizontal main shaft 12, tee 15, small cup 16, primary elongated, horizontal support shaft 17, secondary elongated plastic horizontal shaft 18, and elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft 19 of the preferred embodiment, as well as the support shaft of the alternate embodiment would be constructed from materials including woods, plastics, rubber, metals, and fiberglass. The elongated vertical shaft's 11 flexible center portion 13 and integrated flexible center portion 14 would be constructed from materials including coil springs, rubber tubing, flexible plastics, and elastic polymers.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 1, a preferred method of suing the dual sport swing training aid 10 will be described. First, the dual sport swing training aid 10 is placed parallel to the desired direction of hitting. Next, a baseball is placed onto the tee 15 or a golf ball 21 is placed a small distance away from the elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft 19. The user then stands perpendicular to the elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft 19 and aligned with the tee 15. Finally, the user hits the baseball 20 off of the tee 15 or the golf ball 21 off the ground.

[0033] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dual sport swing training aid, comprising: an elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft having a first end and a second end; an elongated vertical shaft having an upper end and a lower end vertically and detachably integrated into said elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft; and a tee detachably integrated into the upper end of said elongated vertical shaft to accept round balls.

2. The dual sport swing training aid of claim 1, further comprising a support member detachably integrated into either said elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft or said elongated vertical shaft to stabilize said dual sport swing training aid.

3. The dual sport swing training aid of claim 2, wherein said elongated vertical shaft support member extends horizontally perpendicular to said elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft.

4. The dual sport swing training aid of claim 3, wherein said elongated vertical shaft has an integrated flexible center portion to absorb shock.

5. The dual sport swing training aid of claim 4, wherein said tee is flexibly and detachably integrated into said elongated vertical shaft through the use of shock absorbing materials selected from a group including coil springs, rubber tubing, flexible plastics, and elastic polymers.

6. The dual sport swing training aid of claim 5, wherein said elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft, elongated vertical shaft, tee, and support member are constructed from material selected from a group including woods, plastics, rubber, metals, and fiberglass.

7. A dual sport swing training aid, comprising: a rigid elongated horizontal main shaft having a first end and second end; a rigid elongated horizontal support shaft having a first end and a second end detachably integrated horizontally perpendicular from the first end of said elongated horizontal main shaft; a rigid elongated horizontal putting alignment shaft having a first end and a second end detachably integrated horizontally perpendicular from the second end of said rigid elongated horizontal main shaft; a rigid elongated vertical shaft having an upper end and a lower end detachably integrated vertically from said rigid elongated horizontal main shaft; and a tee detachably integrated into the upper end of said rigid elongated vertical shaft to accept round balls.

8. The dual sport swing training aid of claim 7, wherein said elongated vertical shaft has an integrated flexible center portion to absorb shock.

9. The dual sport swing training aid of claim 8, wherein said tee is flexibly and detachably integrated into said elongated vertical shaft through the use of shock absorbing materials selected from a group including coil springs, rubber tubing, flexible plastics, and elastic polymers.

10. A dual sport swing training aid, comprising: an elongated plastic horizontal main shaft having a first end, second end, and flexible rubber center to absorb shock; a first elongated plastic horizontal support shaft having a first end and a second end detachably integrated horizontally perpendicular from the first end of said elongated plastic horizontal main shaft; a second elongated plastic horizontal shaft having a first end and a second end detachably integrated horizontally perpendicular from the second end of said elongated plastic horizontal main shaft; an elongated plastic vertical shaft having an upper end and a lower end detachably integrated vertically from said elongated plastic horizontal main shaft; an elongated plastic horizontal putting alignment shaft detachably integrated into the second end of said elongated plastic horizontal main shaft, parallel to said second elongated plastic horizontal shaft; and a tee detachably integrated into the upper end of said elongated plastic vertical shaft through the use a metal coil spring, to accept round balls.

11. A method of training a baseball player in hitting with a dual sport swing training aid, comprising the steps of: placing the dual sport swing training aid parallel to the desired direction of hitting; placing a baseball on the tee; standing perpendicular to the horizontal putting alignment shaft and aligned with the tee; and hitting the baseball off of the tee.

12. A method of training a golfer in putting with a dual sport swing training aid, comprising the steps of: placing the dual sport swing training aid parallel to the desired putting direction; placing a golf ball a short distance away from the horizontal putting alignment shaft; standing perpendicular to the horizontal putting alignment shaft and aligned with the golf ball; and putting the golf ball to the desired putting direction.