U.S. patent application number 11/030553 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-06 for practice, exercise, and strengthening device for batting and similar swinging motions.
Invention is credited to Forrest Bacon, Lawrence K. Pope.
Application Number | 20060148597 11/030553 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36641298 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060148597 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pope; Lawrence K. ; et
al. |
July 6, 2006 |
Practice, exercise, and strengthening device for batting and
similar swinging motions
Abstract
A device is disclosed for batting practice, by baseball players
in batting practice; it can also be adapted for use by golfers,
tennis players, etc., for practice and exercise in swinging other
types of clubs, racquets, etc. It comprises a horizontal base, a
vertical neck assembly that allows height adjustment, and a "head"
component that encloses a set of "flaps" made of a
stiff-but-yielding material, such as rubberized materials commonly
used to make conveyor belts. Roughly a dozen to twenty rectangular
segments of resistive material are mounted within the head in a
generally vertical direction, from the top and bottom surfaces in
the head, spaced apart from each other a suitable distance. As the
end of a bat is swung through the head assembly, it encounters
substantial resistance from the flaps, which generate a level of
resistive force that provides good exercise.
Inventors: |
Pope; Lawrence K.;
(McDonough, GA) ; Bacon; Forrest; (Conyers,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patrick D. Kelly
11939 Manchester #403
St. Louis
MO
63131
US
|
Family ID: |
36641298 |
Appl. No.: |
11/030553 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/453 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2069/0008 20130101;
A63B 15/00 20130101; A63B 2208/12 20130101; A63B 2071/0694
20130101; A63B 21/02 20130101; A63B 2225/093 20130101; A63B 69/0002
20130101; A63B 69/3623 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/453 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A device for improving strength and skill in swinging motions,
comprising: a. a plurality of flexible components, each flexible
component having at least one fixed portion and at least one
movable portion, said flexible components made of material that
will yield but that will resist displacement when a solid movable
object is swung, by a person using the device, in a manner that
contacts and displaces said flexible components; b. a frame
assembly that supports said flexible components in a manner that
holds said fixed portions of said flexible components in a secure
and non-moving manner while allowing displacement of said movable
portions of said flexible components; and, c. means for positioning
said frame assembly and said flexible components at a height and
orientation that enables a person to swing a solid movable object
through a swing pathway that causes displacement of said flexible
components, wherein the device has sufficient mass, weight,
strength, and stiffness to minimize motion and travel of said frame
assembly when a person using the device swings a solid movable
object in a manner that contacts and displaces said movable
portions of said flexible components.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said flexible components comprise
flexible flaps.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein said flexible flaps are made of
rubberized material.
4. The device of claim 4, wherein the rubberized material is of a
type normally used to make conveyor belts.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said frame assembly establishes
an upper row of flaps and a lower row of flaps, and wherein said
upper row extends downward from said frame assembly and said lower
row extends upward from said frame assembly in a manner that causes
portions of the flexible components in said upper row to closely
approach portions of the flexible components in said lower row,
thereby creating a pathway, between said upper row and said lower
row, that will generate a desirable level of resistance when a
person using the device swings a solid movable object through said
pathway.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein said frame assembly allows (i)
worn flexible components to be removed from the frame assembly, and
(ii) unworn flexible components to be installed in the frame
assembly.
7. The device of claim 1, sized and designed for use by a person
holding a baseball bat.
8. The device of claim 1, sized and designed for use by a person
practicing a tennis swing using a swingable device comprising (i) a
handle portion with a size and shape used in a tennis racquet, and
(ii) a striking component with a size and shape designed to pass
through the device of claim 1 with a desirable level of
resistance.
9. The device of claim 1, sized and designed for a person
practicing a golf swing using a device comprising (i) handle and
shaft components as used in a golf club, and (ii) a striking
component having a size and shape that are designed to pass through
the device with a desirable level of resistance.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein said frame assembly is designed
to be affixed directly to a ground surface.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is in the field of mechanical devices and
sporting equipment, and relates to devices that baseball players,
golfers, tennis and racquetball players, and others can use to
strengthen muscles and develop skills in batting or in swinging
other types of clubs, rackets, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various types of mechanical devices have been developed to
help people exercise and strengthen specific muscle groups, and to
practice various repetitive skills, that are useful in various
types of sporting and/or leisure activities.
[0003] For purposes of describing and illustrating this invention,
the discussion below will focus on baseball, and on baseball
players who wish to develop, practice, and enhance their batting
skills. However, this description and illustration is not intended
to be limiting, and those skilled in the art will recognize that
the device described herein can be adapted to helping golfers,
tennis and racquetball players, and others develop muscles and
skills that are used in swinging golf clubs, tennis racquets, and
similar sporting devices. In addition, similar devices can be
adapted and provided that will help people develop strength and
skills in bowling, underhand pitching, or other activities that
involve releasing a ball or other device. Accordingly, any
references herein to baseball, or to batting or batting practice
(and any references to any particular sport or sporting activity)
are intended to be merely illustrative, and not limiting.
[0004] Terms such as "practice" and "exercise" are used
interchangeably herein, since the activities described herein
involve physical motion which, if practiced and repeated with
sufficient frequency, will lead to both (i) strengthening of
various muscles and muscle groups, and (ii) higher levels of
coordination and skill. As an example, batting practice using the
machines disclosed herein will help develop and strengthen numerous
muscles in the arms, shoulders, chest, and neck, and will also help
develop and strengthen, to an extent that would surprise many
people, the coordination of those upper body muscles with
additional muscles in the legs and lower abdomen that contribute
substantially to power and success in skilled batters.
[0005] In addition, any references herein to any sport or sporting
activity includes activities either by professional athletes, or by
amateurs who play at any level, including levels that would be
regarded as leisure rather than as a serious pursuit. There is no
dividing line between competition and leisure, when it comes to
activities such as softball, golf, tennis, bowling, or any other
sport, and indeed, one of the most enjoyable aspects of all of
those activities, at any level of seriousness, is the role and
presence of "friendly competition", in which any player is welcome,
invited, and encouraged to practice as much as he or she wants, to
buy the best equipment, to get lessons or coaching if desired, and
to try to beat any and all competitors, whether friends and
adversaries. Accordingly, the devices described herein are
well-suited to be purchased and used in homes (such as in the homes
of young athletes who aspire to collegiate or professional
competition), by professional clubs or athletes, at that offer
fields or other facilities to teams or leagues, at gyms, exercise
clubs, and similar facilities, and in any other suitable venue or
location.
[0006] With regard to batting practice for baseball players, the
most widely used types of exercise and practice devices that have
been developed to date fall into two main categories. One category
includes pitching machines, which typically hurl a ball in a
relatively consistent pathway over a plate, while the batter stands
next to the plate and attempts to hit the balls that are being
hurled by the machine. For both safety and convenience, this type
of activity is most commonly done in a "batting cage" that uses
chain-link fence and/or nets to prevent the balls that are hit from
leaving an enclosed area. The other category of exercise device
includes abnormally heavy bats, and weighted rings that fit around
the striking portion of a bat, which are often used by batters to
loosen up their muscles while they are "on deck" and waiting for
their turn to bat.
[0007] Those are the only known exercise or practice devices that
have been widely adopted and used by baseball players, to practice
their batting skills. However, various other devices, methods, or
systems are known, and merit attention. One such system, the
so-called "Shortswing" system illustrated and advertised at
www.shortswing, is a relatively lightweight system that apparently
is used to teach young players how to swing a bat in an efficient
arc, so it will reach the impact point as quickly as possible. That
type of system can be regarded as intended mainly for teaching
style and form; even though the swinging of any bat will offer at
least some exercise, is is not the type of "high quality" exercise
that can rapidly strengthen muscles.
[0008] In addition, some coaches have younger players use their
bats to hit a is hanging from a tree or other support by a rope or
chain. That approach also can provide some amount of exercise, but
it is not "high quality" exercise that can rapidly strengthen
muscles, and the impacts that are created when a bat actually hits
a tire and bounces off can causes harmful stresses and even
injuries to the wrists and forearms of young players.
[0009] Complicated cable-and-pulley systems also have been
developed, to allow professional baseball players to practice and
exercise swinging motions against controlled resistive forces.
These can indeed provide good strengthening exercise, but they
suffer from several limitations, including: (i) they typically
require an exercise area that is roughly the size of an entire
room; (ii) they do not allow a baseball player to move the bat at a
high speed, and instead require the player to swing the bat at an
artificially slow speed, which impedes the development of an
overall coordinated approach that heavily involves the legs and
lower abdomen; and, (iii) they are expensive, and typically can be
afforded only by athletes who play in the major leagues, or by
collegiate or minor league teams that must divide and allocate any
practice time on such equipment among roughly 30 players.
[0010] Accordingly, one object of this invention is to disclose and
provide an improved batting practice device for baseball players,
which is more convenient, less expensive, and less combersome than
previously available exercise devices.
[0011] Another object of this invention is to disclose and provide
an improved batting practice device for baseball players, which
allows players to swing the bat at high speed, in a manner that
exercises not just the arms, shoulders, and chest muscles, but also
the leg and abdominal muscles in a coordinated manner that can help
develop and enhance the complete set of strength and skills used in
swinging a bat.
[0012] Another object of this invention is to disclose and provide
an improved practice device that can be adapted for use by golfers,
tennis players, and others who swing various types of clubs,
racquets, or other devices in their sports.
[0013] These and other objects of the invention will become more
apparent through the following summary, drawings, and detailed
description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] A device is disclosed for use by baseball players in batting
practice (and which can be adapted to enable use by golfers, tennis
players, etc., for practice and exercise in swinging various other
types of clubs, racquets, etc.). This device comprises: (i) a
horizontal base, which preferably should be provided with wheels,
skids, or other components that will enable it to be moved
conveniently by one person without requiring any special equipment,
but which will also provide stability during use; (ii) a vertical
neck (strut, support, etc.) assembly that is adjustable, to allow
any user to adjust the height of the device to any desired
location; and, (iii) a "head" component that encloses a set of
"flaps", which are rectangular segments made of a
stiff-but-yielding "resistive" material, such as fiber-reinforced
rubberized materials commonly used to make conveyor belts. Roughly
a dozen to twenty rectangular segments of resistive material are
mounted within the head in a generally vertical direction, from
each of the top and bottom surfaces in the head, spaced apart from
each other a suitable distance. As the end of a bat is swung
through the head assembly, it encounters substantial resistance
from the flaps, which generate a level of resistive force that
provides good exercise for a batter. A design is disclosed that
ensures proper spacing of the flaps, and that allows flaps to be
conveniently replaced when they become worn. Similar devices are
disclosed for practicing swinging motions used in activities such
as golf, tennis, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front (elevation) view of a batting practice
device, showing a "head" assembly with an array of vertical flaps,
mounted on top of an adjustable neck assembly, supported by a
horizontal base assembly.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side (elevation) view of the batting practice
device, showing the curved "C-frame" that supports and encloses
stiff-but-flexible rectangular flaps affixed to the top and bottom
surfaces of the C-frame.
[0017] FIG. 3 is top (plan) view of the horizontal base, showing
the width of the "front" supports (which will provide stability for
the device, as a bat swings through the resistive flaps in the head
assembly, from right-to-left or vice-versa), and showing wheels
mounted at the ends of the "back" supports, to enable the device to
be conveniently tilted and wheeled to a different location whenever
desired.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a top (plan) view of the head assembly, showing
the C-frame extending in the top-to-bottom direction in the
drawing, and showing a "clamping bar" that extends in the left and
right directions beyond the main body of the C-frame, to provide a
longer resistive travel path for the head of a bat that is being
swung through the device.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side (elevation) view of a clamping bar that
will clamp and secure a lower flap, showing: (i) supporting
brackets affixed to the C-frame; (ii) a center hole through the
clamping bar, to allow a threaded rod to pass through an entire
series of clamping bars; and, (iii) flanking pins on both sides of
the center hole, which will pass through holes punched through the
flaps.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side (elevation) view of several clamping bars,
which clamp together a series of flaps while spacing the flaps
apart from each other.
[0021] FIG. 7 depicts a similar practice device mounted in a low
and angled orientation, to allow golfers to practice golf
swings.
[0022] FIG. 8 depicts a practice device having a tubular or
spherical head affixed to a grip used in a golf club.
[0023] FIG. 9 depicts a practice device having a tubular head
affixed to a grip used in a tennis racquet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring to the drawings, callout number 100 in FIG. 1
refers to a batting practice device according to the present
invention. Device 100 can be regarded as comprising three main
subassemblies, referred to herein as base 200, neck 300, and head
400. The head 400 is also referred to in the claims as a "frame
assembly", since it provides a frame that holds the movable flaps,
and since some practice devices (such as the practice device for
golfers, shown in FIG. 7) will not sit on top of a neck or other
vertical component.
[0025] Any of various terms can be used to describe various
components and subassemblies herein. As examples, base 200 can also
be called a foundation, support, or similar terms, neck 300 can
also be called a strut, tube, riser, or similar terms, and head 400
can also be called a box, enclosure, actuator, etc., and the base
200 and neck 300 can be collectively referred to as a stand,
support, etc. The choice of specific terms for such components or
subassemblies is not important, so long as the reader or user
understands the design of the system, and the roles and
interactions of its components.
[0026] The elevation view in FIG. 1 is regarded as the front view,
since it depicts the front of the device, as seen by a batter
standing in front of it (in other words, a batter would be standing
at the bottom of the picture, if the device is oriented as shown in
the plan view drawings of FIGS. 3 and 4). The arrows near left end
402 and right end 404 of head assembly 400 indicate the directions
a bat will travel, when swung by left-handed and right-handed
batters. The elevation view of device 100 shown in FIG. 2 is from
the left side, and shows left end 402 of the head assembly 400. It
should be noted that FIG. 1 shows the head assembly at a lowered
(or retracted) height, for storage or for a batter who wishes to
practice a low swing, while FIG. 2 shows the head assembly at a
raised (or extended, elevated, etc.) height.
[0027] In the system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the height of a
"strike line" 498 (i.e., the horizontal line or region where the
tips of the lower flaps 482 and upper flaps 484 closely approach)
can be adjusted from a minimum of about 36 inches, to a maximum of
about 54 inches. If desired, a player or team can purchase
additional units having different height ranges, to help batters
practice swinging at lower pitches. If units that provide
relatively low "strike line" heights are used, they generally
should be angled in a manner that places the front of the box
higher up than the back of the box, to accommodate for the downward
angle of a bat being swing in a lower arc. This can be done by
either permanently affixing the head at such an angle, or by
providing a tilt adjustment mechanism that operates about an axis
that travels between the left and right ends of the head assembly
400.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, base 200 comprises two front legs 210
and 220, and two rear legs 230 and 240 (other numbers or
arrangements can be used, if desired). Those legs (given that name
because they rest on the ground) can also be called arms (since
they are generally horizontal), bars, or other terms. All four legs
can be made of steel or any other selected material with a suitable
combination of substantial weight, strength, and stability. Any and
all steel components other than bolts, screws, nuts, etc.,
preferably should be painted, and any bolts, screws, nuts etc.
preferably should be made of galvanized, stainless, or similar
grades of steel, to protect against corrosion, since these devices
are likely to be left outside on at least some occasions. The legs
presumably should having a tubular, square, or rectangular
cross-sectional shape, because those shapes are readily available
and inexpensive, and because they are enclosed and generally will
not collect or hold water (which can cause rusting) if the device
is left outside and is rained on or becomes wet from dew,
sprinklers, etc.
[0029] Left front leg 210 is provided with an optional hinge 212
and locking mechanism 214, which enables end 216 of leg 210 to be
unlocked and then rotated into the position shown by dotted lines
218. In a similar manner, right front leg 220 uses hinge 222 and
locking mechanism 224 to enable rotation of end 226 into the
position shown by dotted lines 228. This or similar means for
retracting the two front legs 210 and 220 can render it more
convenient to roll the device through a doorway or gate.
[0030] It must be understood that substantial lateral stresses and
forces will be imposed on the head 300, each time a relatively
strong athlete swings a bat at high speed, through the resistive
lower flaps 482 and upper flaps 484 that are mounted in the head
assembly 400. Accordingly, the device preferably should be movable
by one person without assistance, yet it must also have sufficient
mass, weight, strength, and stiffness to minimize motion and travel
of the device (and in particular the head assembly 400) when a
person uses the device, by swinging a solid movable object through
the flaps in a way that will exert substantial and even large
forces on the flaps. Accordingly, testing of prototypes has
indicated that stand components made of steel having a
cross-sectional thickness of about 1/8 inch can provide a stand
that has sufficient strength and weight to give it stability, while
also allowing it to be conveniently moved and used without damaging
grass, gym floors, etc.
[0031] The ends 216 and 226 of the front legs 210 and 200 should be
at least several feet apart from each other, when both legs are
fully extended as illustrated in FIG. 3, and they can be provided
with either or both of two types of components that can help
stabilize the device 100 during use: (i) soft rubber pads 202, as
shown in FIG. 2, which will help minimize any movement either
outdoors or indoors, and/or (ii) holes 214 that will allow spikes
to be driven through the front legs 210, if desired, when the
device is resting on grass or dirt. Various other means can also be
used to prevent the device from jumping, shifting, drifting, or
otherwise traveling during use; as one example, various types of
rubberized mats (such as the types of mats that are often used to
prevent a washing machine from traveling across a floor during a
high-speed spin cycle) can be placed beneath a practice device, and
such mats can be large enough to allow the batter to stand on the
mat as well.
[0032] Unless a device 100 is going to be permanently affixed to
the ground, rear legs 220 preferably should be provided with wheels
222 (or casters, ball rollers, etc.), to allow the device to be
conveniently moved without requiring special equipment or an entire
crew or team. Such wheels can be made from a rubberized material
that will act in a manner similar to the rubber pads 212, to help
minimize any motion and travel of the device during use. If
desired, wheels with locking devices can be provided.
[0033] Transport of the device from one location to another can be
facilitated by placing a handle 406 (such as a rod, a short segment
of pipe, etc.) near the top and back of the "C-frame" 410. As
indicated in FIG. 2, C-frame 410 was given that name because it
generally has the shape of a letter "C" when looked at from the
end; alternately, it can be referred to as a U-frame, since it has
the shape of a letter U that is lying on its side, with straight
horizontal segments (rather than rounded end segments, as occur in
a letter C) flanking the opening. Regardless, handle 406 can either
pass between two flat plates 412 and 414 that form the left and
right sides or ends of C-frame 410, or it can extend outwardly,
beyond the flat plates 412 and 414, if desired.
[0034] Within base 200, front legs 210 and rear legs 220 can be
welded or otherwise securely affixed to a vertical pipe 310 that
forms the lower component of neck assembly 300. Vertical pipe 310
(also called lower pipe 310, since it provides the lower component
of neck assembly 300) is shown by a circular cross-section in the
plan (top) views of FIGS. 3 and 4, and in a side view in FIGS. 1
and 2. It receives and encloses a smaller (upper) pipe 320, in a
manner that allows the height of the head assembly 400 to be
adjusted. A suitable height-adjusting mechanism can be provided by
any or all of several mechanisms. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a
threaded rod 330 that is affixed to the base 200 and the lower pipe
310; this rod passes through a large internally-threaded nut or
plate 332 which is welded to the bottom of smaller (upper) pipe
320. Therefore, rotation of the upper (smaller) pipe 320 causes the
threaded nut or plate 332 to travel upward or downward on the
threaded rod 330, thereby adjusting the height of the upper
(smaller) pipe 320 and of the entire head assembly 400. Pin 340 is
inserted into aligned holes in pipes 310 and 320, after the head
400 has been adjusted to a desired height, to prevent any
subsequent rotation during use.
[0035] The height-adjusting mechanism using threaded rod 330 and
nut 332 requires the entire head assembly 400 to be rotated in a
complete circle, multiple times, to alter its height between fully
retracted and fully extended positions. This adjustment means will
be preferred by some users, since it provides a simple and
inexpensive mechanism that enables a person to adjust the height of
a relatively heavy head assembly without requiring assistance, and
without having to lay the entire device down on the ground and then
lift it up again. If a widely-spaced threading is used for rod 330
and nut 332, and if the rod and nut are kept properly greased (such
as once each year), height adjustment can be carried out quickly by
using a rapid twirling motion for the head assembly. However,
alternate systems can be provided if desired, such as a lever-type
"jack" mechanism, pins that will pass through aligned holes,
etc.
[0036] At the top of neck assembly 300, a securing mechanism is
provided that allows both: (i) detachment of the head assembly 400,
for storage, transportation, or other handling; and, (ii) tilting
of the head assembly, if desired. This can be accomplished in
various ways, such as: (i) providing a first (or main) attachment
pin 422 that will engage accomodating holes that pass through the
C-frame 410 and the upper end of upper pipe 320, and (ii) providing
a second (or tilt-adjustment) pin 424 that will pass through a hole
in the upper end of upper pipe 320, and through a semi-circular
plate 426 that has been welded to the bottom of the C-frame 410 and
that is provided with a series of closely-spaced holes, arranged in
an arc that allows tilting of the head assembly, as
illustrated.
[0037] C-frame 410 is shown in a side (end) view in FIG. 2, and in
a plan view in FIG. 4. It can be fabricated in any suitable manner
that satisfies its operating requirements. One preferred mode of
construction uses a steel plate, which can be a simple rectangle,
or which can be cut (while still flat) into a shape that provides
wider segments at the two ends of the plate, to provide longer and
more secure support for support brackets 452-458 (which will be
used to secure the multiple clamping bars 460). Any suitable means
(such as stamping, laser cutting, etc.) can be used for shaping the
plate that is used to make C-frame 410 or any other metal
plate.
[0038] After it has been laser-cut or otherwise shaped, plate 430
is formed into a semi-rounded shape. Heat can be used, if desired,
but cold-forming machines known as "press brake" machines can also
be used, usually with lower energy and overall costs, if multiple
units are being manufactured. The rounded plate can be referred to
as having a C-shape (since the opening will be horizontal rather
than vertical) or a U-shape (sunce the two ends at the opening will
be straight rather than rounded). This semi-rounded plate is welded
to left and right vertical flanking plates 412 and 414.
[0039] Testing of prototypes that were designed for adults has
indicated that, to provide adequate strength and stability without
making the device too top-heavy, most of the steel parts in a
device 100 generally should have thicknesses of about 1/8 inch.
However, any plate thickness can be altered, if desired, especially
in practice devices being built for children or young teenagers,
females, etc., provided that the goals and operating requirements
of these practice devices are properly understood and met.
[0040] A suitable design and arrangement for a mechanism that can
hold stiff-but-flexible flaps is shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6. In
this arrangement, which is illustrative rather than limiting, the
four support brackets are designated as top front bracket 452, top
rear bracket 454, lower front bracket 456, and lower rear bracket
458, all shown in FIG. 2. Alternately, a single top bracket and a
single lower bracket could be used, if front and rear engagement
means (such as rectangular channels, as shown) are provided on each
of the top and bottom brackets.
[0041] A closer side (elevation) view of a clamping bar 460 mounted
on the lower end of the C-frame 410 is provided in FIG. 6, which
also shows a lower flap 482, lower front bracket 456, and lower
rear bracket 458. To reduce manufacturing costs, and to minimize
any risk of confusion when a set of flaps is being replaced, all
upper and lower clamping bars preferably should use identical
designs, and should be interchangeable, with the exception of two
clamping bars that will be positioned in the upper center and lower
center locations, which can have holes drilled through them so they
can be securely and permanently afficed to C-frame 410.
[0042] Clamping bar 460 (which has a square cross-section, as shown
in FIG. 6) has a center hole or orifice 462 that has been drilled,
laser-cut, or otherwise created through both of its side walls, as
indicated in FIG. 5. These holes, which will be aligned in all
clamping bars used in a head assembly, will allow a lower threaded
rod 472 (shown in FIG. 1) to pass through all of the lower clamping
bars. An upper threaded rod 474 is also shown in FIG. 1, passing
through all of the upper clamping bars.
[0043] FIG. 6 depicts a side (elevation) view of a series of lower
clamping bars, showing a lower flap 482 that are held in place by
two identical clamping bars 460. Each clamping bar has two
protruding pins 464 (which can be provided by rivets, by welding,
by threaded bolts that engage threaded holes that are created in
the side walls of the clamping bars, etc.) in one side wall 465,
and two holes or orifices 466 that pass through opposing side wall
467. Therefore, when a series of clamping bars 460 are lined up and
secured to each other, the two pins that protrude from one clamping
bar will fit into the two accommodating holes of the adjacent
clamping bar. As indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, this allows each set
of two pins to pass through two aligned holes that have been
punched, stamped, or drilled through each flap (a third hole which
passes through each flap will also allow an upper or lower threaded
rod 472 or 474 to also pass through the flap.
[0044] Accordingly, since two pins and a threaded rod (all in a
linear alignment, with the pins flanking the threaded rod, as shown
in FIG. 5) will pass through each flap, these three affixing and
securing components will securely hold the flap in position and
prevent it from rotating or otherwise drifting or traveling, even
though each flap will be subjected to repeated blows and
deflections, wherever the batting practice device is being used.
Accordingly, each flap will have both a fixed portion (i.e., the
portion of the flap that is immobilized between two clamping bars,
indicated by callout number 482F in FIG. 6), and at least one
movable portion (indicated by callout number 482M in FIG. 6).
Accordingly, the claims refer to a plurality of "flexible
components" (exemplified by rubberized flaps made of conveyor belt
material, in the embodiment disclosed herein), with each flexible
component "having at least one fixed portion and at least one
movable portion, said flexible components made of material that
will yield but that will resist displacement when a solid movable
object is swung, by a person using the device, in a manner that
contacts and displaces said flexible components".
[0045] At one end of the head assembly 400, each threaded rod
(lower rod 472 or upper rod 474) will pass cleanly and without
obstruction through a slightly enlarged smooth hole. At the opposed
end of the head assembly 400, each threaded rod will engage a
threaded nut (which can be provided by a non-affixed wingnut, which
can be easily replaced if it becomes worn, or by a threaded
machined hole or any other internally-threaded engagement means).
This will allow each threaded rod to be used as a reversible
clamping mechanism, during initial installation of a set of flaps,
or during replacement of a set of worn flaps.
[0046] Installation and/or replacement of the flaps can be
facilitated by securely affixing (by welding or bolting) a single
upper clamping bar, and a single lower clamping bar, to its
mounting brackets. For convenience and to make installation easier,
the center clamping bar in each of the lower and upper arrays
preferably should be affixed to the mounting brackets, while the
other clamping bars in both arrays are allowed to move. In
mechanical systems, this ability to move, when an installation or
replacement procedure is being carried out, is often called
"floating". However, this "floating" movement occurs only for a
brief period, during an installation or replacement procedure. At
all other times, the clamping bars that "float" are held in a fixed
position (with respect to the head assembly) by clamping pressure
that is exerted by a threaded rod. When the threaded rod is
tightened, to complete the installation or replacement of a set of
flaps, the tightening of the rod will secure all of the "floating"
clamping bars to the center clamping bar. The center clamping bar
can be referred to as an "anchoring" bar, since it will not move
(with respect to the head assembly), because it has been bolted or
welded to front and rear support brackets, which in turn have been
bolted or welded to the upper and lower ends of the C-frame
410.
[0047] When conventional conveyor belt material (as seen in a
typical grocery store) is used, good results have been provided by
using flaps having total heights of about 8.5 inches (with about
3/4 inch of that height held tightly between clamping bars and the
remaining 7/75'' exposed), and with widths (this dimension can also
be referred to as their depth) of about 6''.
[0048] The upper and lower flaps can be punched, stamped,
laser-cut, or otherwise formed from a selected material having a
desired balance of stiffness, flexibility, and resiliency. In tests
done to date, entirely suitable flaps have been created from
material that was manufactured for conveyor belts. A variety of
materials made for different types and grades of conveyor belts are
commercially available, and any such materials can be tested and
evaluated, to determine their suitability for use as described
herein. Conveyor belt materials made entirely of steel or other
metallic links (as commonly used in manufacturing and industrial
operations) are not preferred for use herein, since they would
exert high levels of abrasion that would rapidly damage a practice
bat. Instead, preferred materials that will cause lower levels of
abrasion and wear are offered by conveyor belt materials that are
commonly used in retail and similar settings, comprising a coating
and/or impregnating layer made of a pliable rubber-type material
(usually made of a synthetic polymer), which covers a layer or
matrix of woven or knitted fibers (usually made of nylon,
polyester, or similar synthetic materials).
[0049] It also should be noted that conveyor belt materials having
different thicknesses are available, and their stiffness varies
substantially, based on thickness as well as materials.
Accordingly, if desired, thinner flaps with less resistance can be
used on either or both of the ends of an array of flaps, while
thick flaps with maximum stiffness can be used in the middle. Still
more variations in stiffness can be provided by various means such
as, for example: (1) by varying the widths (depths) of one or more
flaps, since a wider flap will be stiffer and create more
resistance than a thinner flap; (2) by making one or more types of
cuts or grooves in a flap, such as by using a sawblade (which will
remove material) or knife blade (which will not remove material) to
cut a resistive flap lengthwise into two halves, or into three or
more "fingers"; and, (3) by creating flaps that have tapered,
angled, or other "reduced" shapes (rather than "full" rectangular
shapes) in their movable portions.
[0050] It should also be noted that: (i) flaps can be installed as
double or even triple sets, between any two adjacent clamping bars,
and (ii) they can be provided with varying lengths, to create a
curved or arced strike line.
[0051] The arrays of upper and lower flaps will not be directly
connected to each other; instead, in one preferred arrangement,
their upper tips of the lower flaps, and the lower tips of the
upper flaps, preferably should approach each other, as closely as
practial but without overlapping, since overlapping ends would
generate additional abrasion and wear within the flaps themselves.
This arrangement will create a "swing path" that will allow a bat
head to travel through the head assembly 400, at any speed the
batter can generate, and in a manner that generates the least
resistance when the batter successfully aims and directs the bat
into the exact vertical center of the head assembly 400.
[0052] However, even when the resistive pressure is minimized, by
the batter successfully "hitting" the exact vertical center of the
head assembly 400, that resistive pressure will still be very
substantial, and it will provide a good and useful form of
exercise, practice, and development not just for specific muscle
groups, but also for the proper coordination of numerous different
muscle groups that must all work together to provide a truly
powerful and effective swing.
[0053] If desired, the tips of some or all of the flaps can be
painted, dipped into a white or colored dye, or otherwise treated
to provide a better visual target for the batter to swing at. The
exact spot the batter will try to hit can be referred to by terms
such as "the sweet spot". If the batter misses "the sweet spot"
only slightly, the flaps will offer somewhat greater resistance; if
the batter misses it by a larger distance, he or she will hit the
upper or lower flaps closer to their rigidly clamped bases, which
will cause an unpleasant and in some cases even painful jolting of
the handle. Accordingly, this "feedback" mechanism will offer a
powerful incentive for anyone using this type of practice machine
to concentrate and focus on controlling the vertical position of
the bat's swing path.
[0054] In addition, since pitchers deliberately vary the heights of
their pitches, to cover the entire strike zone (and to "nibble"
around the outer edges of the strike zone, hoping batters will
swing at pitches out of the strike zone), a control mechanism can
be provided if desired, which will alter the height of the head
assembly 400 between swings. This type of control system, which can
cause the "sweet spot" to move up and down unpredictably between
swings, can help a batter practice the skill of carefully focusing
on adjusting the height of his or her swing, in response to where
the head assembly has moved, before each swing. This type of
control system can be provided by, for example, a small electric
motor that controls rotation of a rotary gear (the "pinion" gear)
in a "rack and pinion" gear system, which will place a linear gear
(the "rack") on either the upper or lower component of a
telescoping vertical neck. The electric motor that causes the head
assembly to move up and down can be under the control of either:
(i) an automatic detector, which can cause the head assembly to
move up or down, each time a bat swings through the head assembly
and causes a detector to be triggered, or (ii) a foot switch, which
can be operated by a batter who is practicing, or by a coach who is
watching the batter and offering guidance.
[0055] If desired, either or both of the two "sides" (or "ends") of
a head assembly 400 can be provided with surfaces or replaceable
fixtures that are made of, or covered by, a rubberized or other
non-rigid material. Such surfaces or fixtures also can be angled
and/or curved, in a manner that provides a funnel-type entryway
that will help direct a poorly-aimed bat into the desired path.
These devices can help minimize damage to practice bats, and to
practice devices; they also can help these devices be used with
greater confidence and frequency by people with beginning levels of
skill, and by batters who wish to become switch hitters, who can
bat from either side of the plate depending on whether a pitcher
they are facing is left-handed or right-handed.
[0056] FIG. 7 depicts a practice device 600 for golfers, having a
head assembly 610 mounted on a low base 620. Since golf device 600
needs to be as close to the ground as possible, it does not contain
a vertical neck assembly or component, and base 620 is provided
with stakes 622 that can be driven directly into grass or soft
ground. Base 620 can also provided with a height adjustment
mechanism on one side, to allow the angle of the device 600 to be
adjusted, to accommodate golfers of different heights and clubs
with different lengths.
[0057] If this type of device is used for practicing golf swings, a
modified practice club should be provided, as illustrated by
practice club 900, in FIG. 9. Practice club 900 has a cylindrical
or spherical head 902, affixed to a conventional golf club shaft
904, which has a golf grip 904 at the end that is held by the user.
Head 902 is mounted on shaft 904 in a centered position, rather
than in an offset manner as used in actual golf clubs, to ensure
that head 902 will pass smoothly and properly through the flaps in
device 600 without generating unwanted torque and twisting motions
in shaft 904 or grip 906.
[0058] As known by any golfer, the "sweet spot" of a golf club sits
roughly 1 to 2 inches "above" the center of the shaft. If the shaft
of a gold club is swung directly at a golf ball, the "foot" or
"heel" of the club (or the "hozzle", which is the interface where
the shaft attaches to the club) would strike the ball, causing a
bad hit often referred to as "shanking" the ball.
[0059] To accommodate that "offset" factor, a circle of paint or
dye can be painted on the exposed surfaces of the "upper" flaps of
the golf practice head assembly 610, or a white plastic ball 612
having the same diameter as a golf ball can be affixed just above
the upper flaps of the head assembly, by means of a clip or
extension, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Either means can be used to
depict a golf ball sitting roughly 1 to 2 inches "above" the ideal
travel path for the shaft 904 and head 902 of practice club 900.
This will allow a golfer to practice a proper swing, which will
cause shaft 904 to pass about 1 to 2 inches "below" golf ball
612.
[0060] Alternately or additionally, a single row of flaps, rather
than two rows of flaps, can be used in a golf practice device. If a
single row of flaps is used, various orientations of the flaps can
be provided, if desired, for use with either (i) normal golf clubs
having conventional striking heads, or (ii) practice clubs having
modified heads designed for interacting with such flaps rather than
for striking golf balls. As examples, a single row of flaps that
are secured along their bottom edges (causing them to point in a
generally upward but angled orientation), or along their back edges
(causes them to point generally toward the golfer's hands and
chest), can be evaluated for such use with either conventional golf
clubs, or modified practice clubs.
[0061] FIG. 9 illustrates a "practice racquet" 940 for a tennis
player. Practice racquet 940 comprises a cylindrical, spherical, or
otherwise rounded head 942, affixed to a shaft or neck 944 that has
a conventional 946 grip as found on tennis racquets (this type of
grip typically uses a generally rectangular shape, with the four
corners beveled to an extent that creates a semi-octagonal
cross-section, which is then wrapped with a helical strap of
leather or synthetic material). This type of practice racquet 940
can allow a tennis player use the same type of exercise device 100
used by batters (as shown in FIGS. 1-5) to exercise: (i) specific
arm, shoulder, and chest muscles that are used in forehand and/or
backhand strokes, and (ii) larger coordinated interactions that
enable the feet, legs, and abdomen, when properly positioned and
used, to add more power and speed to forehand and backhand
swings.
Single-Row Flaps; Bowling Practice Devices
[0062] Similar devices can be developed and adapted for other
similar uses. As one example, this type of device can be used to
help bowlers exercise and practice their handling of bowling balls.
Such devices can be sized and adapted for use with standard bowling
balls, having conventional finger holes, so bowlers can practice
with actual balls, in ways that exercise their hands and fingers.
Alternately or additionally, practice devices can also be used with
modified practice balls, having a rod-type, molded, or other type
of hand grip that can provide a tighter and more secure grip,
enabling a bowler to exercise and practice longer (developing more
strength and coordination in arm, shoulder, chest, and abdominal
and leg muscles) without being limited by excessive tiring and
fatigue of the hand and fingers. Such practice balls can be
provided with any desired diameter.
[0063] The use of such devices in bowling exercises and practice
also points out another option that deserves mention, involving
C-frames or other types of head assemblies that contain only one
row of flaps, rather than two. This can enable a bowler to move a
practice ball through a swing path that is closer to the bowler's
hip and leg than could be provided by a head assembly having two
symmetric rows of flaps; this can enable a bowler to practice a
normal and natural swing that closely emulates the normal and
comfortable arc of a bowling ball during use.
[0064] If desired, a row of narrow-diameter cylindrical rollers
with rubberized surfaces (or other comparable devices) can be
positioned inside the head assembly, to help establish and define
the swing path that a bowling ball or practice ball will travel
through. Such rollers can be freely rotating, if desired, or they
can be designed to resist rotation, either to a fixed desired
level, or to an adjustable level (such as by using a wingnut or
similar device to tighten or loosen a bar or plate that can press
against a surface of each roller, thereby hindering free rotation
of the roller in a manner that can be quickly and conveniently
adjusted as desired). In this manner, resistive rollers can provide
a useful and balanced accompaniment for a row of flaps.
[0065] Thus, there has been shown and described a new and useful
class of devices for allowing skilled athletes, new beginners, and
anyone at any level of skill between those two ends of the
continuum, to practice various types of athletic skills that
involve swinging a device (including but not limited to baseball
bats, golf clubs, and tennis racquets). Although this invention has
been exemplified for purposes of illustration and description by
reference to certain specific embodiments, it will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that various modifications, alterations,
and equivalents of the illustrated examples are possible. Any such
changes which derive directly from the teachings herein, and which
do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention, are
deemed to be covered by this invention.
* * * * *
References