U.S. patent application number 10/973489 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-27 for baseball batting training device.
Invention is credited to Stephen Lewis Marchel.
Application Number | 20060089212 10/973489 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36206839 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060089212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marchel; Stephen Lewis |
April 27, 2006 |
Baseball batting training device
Abstract
A training device for baseball batting is described. The
training device includes an upper rail and a lower rail supported
in fixed relationship to each other by a plurality of rail
supports. A plurality of legs support the rails and rail supports
at a height above the ground that allows a batter to swing a bat
between the rails using a natural batting swing. A plurality of
resistance members are disposed between the rails to provide
resistance as a batter swings the bat along a swing path between
the rails.
Inventors: |
Marchel; Stephen Lewis;
(Margate, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IP GROUP OF DLA PIPER RUDNICK GRAY CARY US LLP
1650 MARKET ST
SUITE 4900
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
36206839 |
Appl. No.: |
10/973489 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/422 ;
473/451; 473/453 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/0057 20130101;
A63B 69/0002 20130101; A63B 21/026 20130101; A63B 2225/093
20130101; A63B 2069/0008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/422 ;
473/451; 473/453 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A training device for baseball batting comprising: an upper rail
and a lower rail supported in selected relationship to each other
by a plurality of rail supports; a plurality of legs supporting at
least one rail or rail support at a height above the ground that
allows a batter to swing a bat between the rails using a natural
swing; and a plurality of resistance members between the rails,
each resistance member being engaged with at least one of the
rails.
2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the resistance members
comprise gates, each gate comprising a resiliently flexible upper
portion engaged with the upper rail, and a resiliently flexible
lower portion engaged with the lower rail.
3. The training device of claim 2, wherein the rails are
substantially parallel to each other.
4. The training device of claim 3, wherein the rails are flexible
in a horizontal plane so that the rails can form arcs having
infinitely selectable centers of curvature.
5. The training device of claim 4, further comprising a locking
band in association with one of the rails, the locking band
preventing the rail with which it is associated from flexing when
fixed relative to the rail at two or more of the rail supports.
6. The training device of claim 2, wherein the gates comprise an
overlapping region where part of the upper portion extends
downwardly past the top of the lower portion.
7. The training device of claim 6, wherein one of the upper or
lower portions comprises a semicircular or semioval-shaped
protrusion extending into the overlapping region.
8. The training device of claim 7, wherein the semicircular or
semioval-shaped protrusion has a radius approximating the radius of
a baseball.
9. The training device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
plurality of legs is telescoping.
10. The training device of claim 9, wherein the rail supports are
each pivotally attached to one of the legs at a pivot point.
11. A baseball batter training device comprising: an arcuate upper
rail disposed above an arcuate lower rail; a plurality of rail
supports, each having an open aspect that includes rail receiving
members, the rail receiving members supporting the upper and lower
rails in substantially parallel relationship; a plurality of gates
extending between the upper and lower rails, the gates comprising a
resiliently flexible upper portion engaged with the upper rail and
a resiliently flexible lower portion engaged with the lower rail;
and a plurality of legs, each leg supporting at least one rail or
rail support at a pre-selected height above the ground.
12. The baseball batter training device of claim 11, wherein at
least one of the legs is telescoping such that the substantially
parallel rails can be inclined with respect to the ground.
13. The baseball batter training device of claim 12, wherein the
rail supports are pivotally supported by the legs.
14. The baseball batter training device of claim 11, wherein the
rails are flexible in a horizontal plane so that the rails can form
arcs having infinitely selectable centers of curvature.
15. The baseball batter training device of claim 14, further
comprising a locking band received by the rail receiving members,
the locking band being concentrically arranged with one of the
upper or lower rails and preventing the associated rail from
flexing when fixed relative to the associated rail at two or more
of the rail receiving members.
16. The baseball batter training device of claim 11, wherein the
gates comprise an overlapping region where part of the upper
portion extends downwardly past the top of the lower portion.
17. The baseball batter training device of claim 16, wherein one of
the upper or lower portions comprises a semicircular or
semioval-shaped protrusion extending into the overlapping
region.
18. The baseball batter training device of claim 17, wherein the
semicircular or semioval-shaped protrusion has a radius
approximating the radius of a baseball.
19. The baseball batter training device of claim 11, wherein each
of the gates urges a bat being swung between the rails to a
position about midway between the rails.
20. A method of training a baseball batter comprising: swinging a
baseball bat along a path between a pair of spaced apart rails;
impinging the bat upon a resistance member as the bat is swung
along the path; flexing the resistance member to create an opening
for the bat as the bat is swung along the path; repeating the steps
of impinging and flexing until the bat has proceeded through a
plurality of resistance members along the path.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to the training of athletes, and
particularly to the training of baseball batters.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Baseball batting is a skill that requires agility, hand-eye
coordination and strength. A player's ability to contact the ball
and put it in play depends in large part on agility and hand-eye
coordination. Conventionally, a player improves his or her skills
by participating in batting practice or by performing dedicated
agility exercises. Such activities can help the player develop the
ability to hit the ball squarely and with the "sweet" part of the
bat.
[0003] Once a batter has successfully put a ball into play, what
becomes of the play often depends on the strength of the batter.
For example, when a ball is hit squarely, strength can mean the
difference between a home run and a fly-out or between a line drive
base hit and a weak ground ball. Therefore, baseball batters often
strive to become stronger.
[0004] In the past, baseball players engaged in traditional weight
training to build strength. Such training could involve free
weights, bench pressing machines or other gym equipment. However,
traditional weight training does not specifically target the
muscles or body tissues used in batting. Nor does it provide much
help in developing agility or hand-eye coordination.
[0005] What is needed is a training device that will enable
baseball players to develop the specific muscles using in batting.
Such a device that would, at the same time, also help develop the
agility and hand-eye coordination a batter requires is also
needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] This invention relates to a device for baseball batting
training. The training device includes an upper rail and a lower
rail supported in fixed relationship to each other by a plurality
of rail supports. A plurality of legs support the rails and rail
supports at a height above the ground that allows a batter to swing
a bat between the rails using a natural batting swing. A plurality
of resistance members are disposed between the rails to provide
resistance as the batter swings the bat through the swing path
between the rails.
[0007] In some embodiments, the rail supports maintain a pair of
arcuate rails in substantially parallel relationship. The
resistance members can be in the form of a plurality of gates
extending between the substantially parallel rails, where the gates
include a resiliently flexible upper portion engaged with the upper
rail and a resiliently flexible lower portion engaged with the
lower rail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being
understood, that this invention is not limited to the precise
arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the outside and top of a
baseball batting training device according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front view of a resistance member of the device
of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of the outside of the device of FIG. 1
in an inclined position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] It will be appreciated that the following description is
intended to refer to specific embodiments of the invention selected
for illustration in the drawings and is not intended to define or
limit the invention, other than in the appended claim.
[0014] In the figures, in which like reference numerals indicate
like elements, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a training
device 10. The training device 10 can include a pair of
substantially parallel rails, shown as an upper rail 12 and a lower
rail 14. As used herein, the term substantially parallel rails
means two or more elongated members, whether straight or curved,
that are substantially the same distance apart along most of their
lengths. The distance between the rails can be selected so that a
batter can swing a bat through the device, as described in more
detail below, without fear of striking the rails, and to establish
an appropriate space to install resistance member, also described
below. It is contemplated that a distance between the rails of
about 55 cm (about 22 inches) is suitable. The upper rail 12 and
the lower rail 14 can be flexible in a horizontal plane so that the
rails can be adjusted from a straight configuration to arcuate
configurations having infinitely selectable centers of
curvature.
[0015] The rails 12, 14 can be supported in substantially parallel
arrangement by two or more rail supports. The rail supports can be
open rail supports, such as C-shaped brackets 16A, 16B and 16C. The
C-shaped brackets can be arranged such that they have open aspects
oriented toward the center of curvature of the rails when the rails
are arranged arcuately. The open aspects of the C-shaped brackets
(or other open support) define the inside of the training device
10, while the closed aspects of the C-shaped brackets define the
outside of the training device 10. The C-shaped brackets can be
adequately deep to swing a bat through the open bracket without
fear of striking the bracket. It is contemplated that a bracket
opening depth of about 60 cm (about 24 inches) is suitable.
[0016] A plurality of resistance members are disposed between the
upper rail 12 and the lower rail 14. Each resistance member can be
in the form of a gate 18 having a resiliently flexible upper
portion 20 engaged with the upper rail 12 and a resiliently
flexible lower portion 22 engaged with the lower rail 14. The upper
portions 20 and lower portions 22 can include rail engaging
members, such as posts 24. The posts 24 can extend through orifices
in the upper or lower rails 12, 14. The ends of the posts 24 can be
threaded so as to receive a nut (not shown) to securely engage the
gates 18 with the rails 12, 14. Alternatively, the posts 24 can
include grooves, orifices or other structures for receiving clips,
pins or the like. In another alternative form, the posts 24 are
smooth, to facilitate easy molding of the portions. In that case,
self tapping nuts, clamps or the like can engage the posts 24 to
securely engage the gates 20. The configuration and operation of
the gates 18 are described in more detail below with respect to
FIG. 3.
[0017] The open rail supports can be supported above the ground by
vertical supports. The vertical supports can support the open rail
supports directly or indirectly, such as by a connection with one
or more of the rails. The vertical supports can be telescoping legs
26A, 26B and 26C and can include stabilizing feet. The telescoping
legs can be uniformly adjusted so as to position the open rail
supports, rails and associated resistance members at a height above
the ground that allows a batter to swing a bat between the rails
using a natural swing. The distance can be selected based on the
height of the batter to be trained and the characteristics of the
batter's swing. A typical batter to be trained may desire to have
the lower rail 14 of the device about 90 cm (about 3 feet) above
the ground. The telescoping legs can also be adjusted in a
non-uniform manner to incline the substantially parallel rails, as
discussed below with respect to FIG. 4.
[0018] The open rail supports include rail receiving members
adjacent the open aspects for securely receiving the pair of
substantially parallel rails. The rail receiving members at the top
of the open rail supports can be clamps 28 hingedly engaged with
the ends of the C-shaped brackets 16. Each clamp 28 can rotate
about a horizontal hinge pin 30 (obscured from view by rail 12 at
the top of the open rail support, but shown adjacent the bottom of
the open rail support where rail 14 is received). The hinge pin
permits the clamp 28 to swing into engagement with a clamp
receiving tab 32 disposed at the end of the C-shaped supports 16. A
fastener, such as a bolt and nut, can be placed through orifices in
the hinged clamp 28 and clamp receiving tab 32 and tightened to
retain the rail 12 once engaged with the rail receiving members.
Other fasteners, such as clamps, pins, straps, mating tabs and
slots, or other known fastening or locking devices can also be
used. Alternatively, the rail receiving members can be made of
unitary construction with the C-shaped clamps 16. Embodiments of
unitary construction can be flexed to engage the rails 12, 14 and
then tightened using any of the means described above to securely
retain the rails. Each clamp 28 can instead be a distinct part that
can be independently fastened to the end of the C-shaped bracket 16
above and below each rail.
[0019] The rail receiving members at the bottom of the open rail
support can be similar to that at the top. If a hinged clamp is
used, the clamp and clamp receiving tab can be offset from the
vertical plane of the open rail support so as not interfere with
the portion of the open rail support adjacent the vertical leg 26.
Otherwise, a threaded or smooth orifice can be provided through the
adjacent portion, through which a fastener can be inserted and
tightened to retain the rail 14.
[0020] In use, a batter to be trained can stand facing the inside
of the training device 10 and can swing a bat 34 through the device
10. For a right handed batter, the path of the head of the bat 34
can proceed through the C-shaped support 16A, and impinge upon and
proceed through the resistance members sequentially, ultimately
passing through the C-shaped supports 16B and 16C and all of the
resistance members. As shown in FIG. 1, the bat 34 has passed
through three of the gates 18 and is impinging upon a fourth. As
the bat 34 strikes each gate 18, the upper portion 20 and lower
portion 22 each flex in the direction of the swing under the
influence of the bat. The flexing of the gate portions separates
the gate portions until an opening is created through the gate to
allow the bat to proceed therethrough. Once the bat has passed
through the gate, the upper 20 and lower 22 portions each can
resiliently flex back to the closed position.
[0021] As noted above, the substantially parallel rails can be
adjustable so as to form arcs having infinitely selectable centers
of curvature. As shown in FIG. 2, the rail 12 can be provided with
slots 36 along the inside edge to facilitate flexation. The slots
36 can include expanded inner portions to further enhance the
flexibility of the rail 12. The lower rail 14 can be the same or
similar. The flexibility of the rails 12, 14 allow the device 10 to
be adjusted based on the individual swing of the batter to be
trained. For example, a batter with short arms may have a swing
that passes the bat head through an arc of greater curvature than
that of a batter with longer arms. The length of the bat can also
be a factor in determining the path of the bat head. The curvature
of the rails 12, 14 can be adjusted infinitely to accommodate a
swing of almost any batter.
[0022] A locking band 38 can be provided in association with one or
both of the rails 12, 14. The locking band 38 can be a thin
flexible band of, for example, steel, and can be of the same height
or different height as the rail with which it is associated. The
locking band 38 can be juxtaposed with the inside or outside
surface of the rail, or can be adjacent the inside or outside
surface in a groove provided in the rail. In any of these
configurations, the locking band 38 can be received by the rail
receiving members of the open supports along with the rails. When
the rails 12, 14 have been adjusted to the desired curvature, the
clamps 28 can be tightened to fix the locking band 38 with respect
to the rail 12. With the locking band 38 fixed relative to the rail
12 adjacent the open aspects of the open rail supports, the locking
band resists any tendency of the rail 12 to return to an unflexed
position or assume a more flexed position, thereby locking the rail
12 in the shape of an arc having the selected center of curvature.
The rail 14 can be provided with a similar locking band.
[0023] An embodiment of a resistance gate 18 is shown in more
detail in FIG. 3. The resistance gate 18 can be formed by injection
molding a resiliently flexible plastic material, such as high
density polyethylene or polypropylene. The upper portion 20 and
lower portion 22 of the resistance gate can include thinned regions
40, 42, respectively, for facilitating flexing of the gate portions
when the bat is swung through the device 10. The thinned regions
40, 42 can be provided in areas of the gate where the bat is not
expected to frequently strike. The thinned regions 40, 42 can be
narrower in width than the rest of the gate, as shown in FIG. 3,
narrower in depth, both, or omitted entirely.
[0024] The interface between the upper and lower gate portions can
be straight or can be of an irregular shape. The interface can
include contact between the upper and lower portions or can include
a gap in between the portions. The center of the gate 18 can
include an overlapping region 44 where part of the upper portion 20
extends downwardly past the top of the lower portion 22. In the
embodiment shown, the overlapping region is characterized by a
semicircular protrusion 46 extending from the lower portion 22, and
complimentary fingers 48 extending from the upper portion 20. Other
shapes, such as a semioval-shaped, triangular or rectangular
protrusion, can also be used. The semicircular protrusion 46 can
have a radius that approximates the radius of a baseball, which is
approximately 4 cm (about 11/2 inches).
[0025] The overlapping region helps to ensure that the bat impinges
upon and flexes both the upper portion 20 and lower portion 22 of
the gate, thereby helping to prevent the bat from striking and
over-flexing just one of the portions, which could result in
premature wear or breakage of the portion struck. It is
contemplated, however, that the gate portions 20, 22 may eventually
break or wear. At such time, it is possible to install new gates or
gate portions between the rails.
[0026] It should be noted that the two portion configuration of the
gates 18 can help guide the bat as it is swung through the device
10. In this respect, the device 10 can be at least partially
self-guiding. For example, if a batter swings the bat too high, the
bat could initially strike only the upper portion 20 of the first
gate. As the upper portion 20 flexes, it assumes an average angle
with respect to vertical. The angle from vertical generally is
greater for the part of the upper portion 20 that is farthest from
the upper rail 12. This condition tends to urge the bat downwardly
toward the lower portion 22 as the bat is swung through the gate.
Each gate encountered throughout the swing can have a similar
affect on the bat. The self-guiding effect can help the batter
develop a level swing.
[0027] Because training with the device 10 can emulate a natural
batting swing, a batter can develop the specific muscles and body
tissues that are used when batting. If all of the gates installed
between rails 12 and 14 offer the same resistance and are spaced
evenly along the swing path, the batter can experience
substantially constant resistance through the duration of the
swing. Constant resistance training may be desirable to help the
batter develop a consistent swing with good follow-through.
However, the gates 18 need not be of uniform resistance. If
desired, gates of different resistance or resistance members of
different types can be installed along the swing path.
[0028] The gates 18 can be provided in a variety of different sizes
and shapes for different levels and types of hitters. A power
hitter may desire to train using gates that offer greater
resistance. A finesse hitter, on the other hand, may desire to
install gates that offer less resistance in the training device 10.
Gates offering even less resistance may be well suited for little
league players or beginners. Gates with thicker widths and/or
depths will generally provide greater resistance than those with
narrower widths and/or depths. The resistance of any particular
gate will also be dependent upon the elasticity and other
characteristics of the material from which it is formed. Gates of
different amounts of resistance can be color coded so that they can
be easily identified. For example, red, yellow and green could be
indicative of high, medium and low resistance, respectively.
[0029] The gates can be of uniform length so as to fit
appropriately between the rails 12, 14 if the rails are arranged in
a substantially parallel configuration. If the rails 12, 14 are
about 55 cm apart, the combined length of the upper portion 20,
lower portion 22 and any gap therebetween can, excluding the posts
24, be about 55 cm. If it is desired to use rails in a non-parallel
configuration, such as if a track of decreasing width is desired,
open rail supports of different sizes and resistance gates of
different lengths can be used.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the device 10 can be inclined to allow a
batter to train using an angled or inclined swing. For a right
handed batter, the device 10 can be inclined to train using an
upwardly moving swing by extending the telescoping leg 26C further
than leg 26A. Telescoping leg 26B and any other intermediate legs
can be extended to the appropriate intermediate degree. When
positioned in the selected inclined position, the telescoping legs
can be locked in place by screws, a rotational locking mechanism or
any other known method of locking telescoping devices.
[0031] When the device 10 is inclined, the open rail supports can
be angled from vertical or the substantially parallel rails can be
angled from the normal of the open rail supports. In the embodiment
shown, the C-shaped brackets 16 are pivotally attached to the
telescoping legs 26 at pivot point 50. A ball pivot, an interleaf
pivot, hinge or any other type of pivotal attachment can be
provided at the pivot point 50 so that each C-shaped bracket 16 can
pivot with respect to the associated telescoping leg 26 and remain
normal to the inclined rails 12, 14.
[0032] A variety of modifications to the embodiments described will
be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure
provided herein. Thus, the invention may be embodied in other
specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential
attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to
the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as
indicating the scope of the invention.
* * * * *