U.S. patent application number 11/675383 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for training bat and method.
Invention is credited to Brian Gallagher.
Application Number | 20070173358 11/675383 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38286256 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070173358 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gallagher; Brian |
July 26, 2007 |
TRAINING BAT AND METHOD
Abstract
The training bat of the present invention has a length and
weight substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat. It
furthermore has vibration-dampening properties to reduce vibration
resulting from swinging motion of the bat and especially from
contact between the bat and ball. The training bat is comprised of
a barrel section, a handle, and a transition section intermediate
to the barrel section and the handle section. The barrel section
has a diameter, which is smaller than that of a conventional bat.
However, the barrel section also includes a weighted member such
that the training bat has a weight, which is substantially
equivalent to that of a conventional bat. In addition, the training
bat of the present invention provides true ball compression/ball
flight and game-like exit speeds.
Inventors: |
Gallagher; Brian; (Loveland,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, HERRON & EVANS, LLP
2700 CAREW TOWER
441 VINE STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Family ID: |
38286256 |
Appl. No.: |
11/675383 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11000278 |
Nov 30, 2004 |
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11675383 |
Feb 15, 2007 |
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10780805 |
Feb 18, 2004 |
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11000278 |
Nov 30, 2004 |
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09817863 |
Mar 26, 2001 |
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10780805 |
Feb 18, 2004 |
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60192287 |
Mar 27, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/457 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/0002 20130101;
A63B 2102/18 20151001; A63B 60/54 20151001; A63B 59/50 20151001;
A63B 2209/00 20130101; A63B 2069/0008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/457 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A training bat comprising: a barrel section having a diameter,
said diameter being smaller than that of a conventional bat; and a
handle section operatively connected to said barrel section;
wherein said training bat has a length and a weight which are
substantially equivalent to the length and weight of a conventional
bat; and wherein said barrel and handle sections are adapted to
dampen vibration, provide true ball compression, and game-like ball
exit speeds.
2. The training bat of claim 1, further wherein said barrel section
includes a weighted member such that the weight of the training bat
is substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat having a
length substantially equivalent to the length of said training
bat.
3. The training bat of claim 1, said barrel section made from a
material selected from the group consisting of wood, aluminum,
aluminum-titanium alloys, beryllium, scandium and plastic
composite.
4. A training bat comprising: a barrel section having a diameter,
said diameter being smaller than the diameters of the barrel
sections of respective conventional Little League, baseball, and
softball bats, where the diameters of said respective conventional
bats range between about 21/4 inches and about 23/4 inches; and a
handle section operatively connected to said barrel section;
wherein said training bat has a length and a weight which are
substantially equivalent to the length and weight of said
respective conventional bats; and wherein said barrel and handle
sections are adapted to dampen vibration, provide true ball
compression, and game-like ball exit speeds.
5. The training bat of claim 4, further wherein said barrel section
includes a weighted member such that the weight of the training bat
is substantially equivalent to that of said respective conventional
bats having a length substantially equivalent to the length of said
training bat.
6. The training bat of claim 4, said barrel section made from a
material selected from the group consisting of wood, aluminum,
aluminum-titanium alloys, beryllium, scandium and plastic
composite.
7. A training bat comprising: a barrel section having a diameter in
the range between about 11/2 inches and about 13/4 inches; and a
handle section operatively connected to said barrel section;
wherein said training bat has a length and a weight which are
substantially equivalent to the length and weight of a respective
conventional Little League, baseball, or softball bat; and wherein
at least one of said barrel and handle sections is adapted to
dampen vibration, provide true ball compression, and game-like ball
exit speeds.
8. The training bar of claim 1, wherein said barrel section
diameter is about 15/8 inches.
9. The training bat of claim 7, further wherein said barrel section
includes a weighted member such that the weight of the training bat
is substantially equivalent to that of said respective conventional
bats having a length substantially equivalent to the length of said
training bat.
10. The training bat of claim 7, said barrel section made from a
material selected from the group consisting of wood, aluminum,
aluminum-titanium alloys, beryllium, scandium and plastic
composite.
11. The training bat of claim 1, wherein a filler material in one
of said barrel section and said handle section is rubber.
12. The training bat of claim 11, wherein said filler material is
two-ply rubber.
13. The training bat of claim 11, wherein said filler material has
a density of 17 grams per linear inch.
14. The training bat of claim 1, wherein a silicone-based hot melt
is a filler material in said handle section.
15. The training bat of claim 1, wherein an end section in said
barrel section contains a silicone-based hot melt in an amount
ranging from about 1 ounce to about 2 ounces.
16. The training bat of claim 1, wherein said handle section
includes a rubber grip.
17. The training bat of claim 16, wherein said said handle section
includes a two-ply rubber grip.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. .sctn. 1.78, this is a
continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 11/000,278, filed Nov. 30, 2004,
which is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/1080,805, filed Feb. 18,
2004, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No.
09/817,863, filed Mar. 26, 2001, now abandoned, which is a
continuation of, claims the benefit of and priority to prior filed
Provisional Application No. 60/192,287, filed Mar. 27, 2000, which
are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a training bat and
method for baseball/softball, especially a training bat having a
reduced diameter barrel section yet still retaining the length,
weight, swing weight, ball compression and vibration dampening
characteristics of a conventional bat. The training bat and method
of this invention are intended to break performance barriers and
enhance the performance of baseball/softball players at all levels,
from experienced pros down to beginners, including children.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the field of athletic performance enhancement, raw
strength and explosive power may be sufficient to succeed in some
sports. Baseball, however, is a sport which requires explosive
power coupled with pinpoint accuracy. An explosive swing, poorly
timed, may result in a mis-hit in the wrong direction or a failed
attempt to make contact.
[0004] A batter's swing is basically comprised of three components:
power/velocity, accuracy, and timing. A deficiency in any of these
components diminishes the effectiveness of the batter's swing. One
approach to improving the batter's swing entails focusing on one
component of the swing at a time. For example, a batter may train
with a bat which is heavier than a conventional bat. The use of the
heavier bat focuses on improving the power/velocity component of
the batter's swing. That is, the heavier bat does little to enhance
the accuracy and timing of a batter's swing. In contrast, bats
which are lighter than conventional bats focus the batter's
attention only on swing accuracy and not timing. In essence,
training bats that change the weight of the conventional bat focus
on only one component of the batter's swing. What is needed,
therefore, is a training bat that is configured to enhance at least
two of the swing components simultaneously.
[0005] Another important feature of the batter's swing is the
batter's entire visual system, including the eyes, brain, and body.
In sports, the purpose of the visual system is to gather
information about what is going on around the athlete and guide the
appropriate movement pattern. A batter can improve the
effectiveness of his swing if he also trains his visual system to
move the bat at the proper time and location.
[0006] By way of background, the following description relates to
the visual aspects of athletics in general and baseball in
particular. Many so-called physical mistakes may be attributed to
visual deficits. Some academic weaknesses may also be a function of
poor visual skills or undue fatigue. According to Dr. Paul Planer,
an optometrist and on the board of The International Academy of
Sports Vision, too often the only concern of coaches, trainers, and
some athletes with the visual system is with static visual ability
(SVA). This statistical measurement is the ability of the athlete
to resolve (identify) a certain sized letter/number on the highest
contrast target available (black letters on a white background) on
your standard eye chart (i.e., 20/20, etc.). The ability to discern
detail in an object is called visual acuity. There are many factors
that affect visual discrimination including contrast, lighting,
motion, time, color, age, attention ability.
[0007] There are a variety of visual abilities utilized by athletes
and non-athletes alike whenever there is a decision to be made
involving the coordinated efforts of hand and eye. The following is
a synopsis of some of these visual abilities, a couple of easy to
administer assessments, visual enhancement exercises to train the
athlete's eyes, and how the training bat and method of the present
invention address some of these particular visual abilities.
[0008] Static Visual Acuity--the ability to resolve various sizes
of letters/numbers from a standard distance. Although the
importance of this stationary ability is minimal in other sports,
for baseball it is desirable that the athlete have at least 20/15
to 20/10 acuity for resolving the size of the baseball from a
standard distance (length of bat), and determining spatial
relationships.
[0009] Dynamic Visual Acuity--the ability to maintain clarity of an
object while either the object or the athlete, or both, are in
motion (as in a pitched baseball). Deficits in this ability can
cause perceptions of the viewed object to vary. Deficits in
clearness can affect timing during a swing.
[0010] Contrast sensitivity--this is the ability of the visual
system to discriminate variations in color of the object looked at
in comparison with the color of the background the object may be
against. In baseball, a white baseball against a dark outfield wall
such as when the baseball is pitched provides for a sharp contrast
and allows the batter to more readily see the pitched baseball. As
the brightness and color of background merge closer (as in tracking
a baseball against a light colored outfield wall), the contrast of
the baseball becomes less. In baseball, the ability to track the
baseball in flight or on the ground is of significant value as the
player attempts to intercept the baseball. This sensitivity is the
smallest amount of distinction between object and background that
can exist while still being distinguishable by the athlete. It may
be possible to enhance the ability to see a pitched white baseball
by taking batting practice in front of a light colored
background.
[0011] Eye Movement (Ocular Motility)--this is the ability of the
athlete to physically shift his eyes from place to place in space
rapidly, and accurately without hesitation or fatigue. Athletes
keen in this ability can quickly make decisions such as whether to
swing at a particular pitch. An athlete deficient in this ability
may commit to swinging at a bad pitch without time to change the
decision. Thus, eye movement is a key element in baseball.
[0012] Fusion--the eyes send information to the brain where the
information is integrated and interpreted as a three-dimension
(3-D) phenomenon. The integration of visual information from both
eyes into a 3-D image is called fusion. The integration of visual
information is termed fixation. Typically, a person's focusing
ability is limited to 3 degrees. To get an idea of the size of this
visual field, one can extend his arm straight and forward with his
thumb pointing vertically. The width of the thumb in this position
is an approximation of the size and focus of your visual field.
[0013] Focus Flexibility (Accommodation)--the ability that allows
the athlete to change focus from one point in space to another and
to maintain precise clarity such as shifting from home plate to the
pitching mound during a pitch.
[0014] Fusion Flexibility (Binocularity)--this is the ability to
accurately "team" the two eyes together so they perform as one as
the athlete glances around, shifts focus, and follows the ball.
[0015] Depth Perception--the ability of the athlete to rapidly and
accurately utilize fused images from the eyes to judge distance
from the ball. Obviously this is closely related to the former
three abilities.
[0016] Visual Reaction Time--the time required to perceive and
respond to visual stimulation. Involved in this ability is the
effectiveness of the athlete to utilize auditory (sound)
information to assist in any visual stimulation.
[0017] Central Peripheral Awareness--sometimes referred to as side
vision. This is the ability of the athlete to maintain a "hard
focus" on the central task such as striking the ball while
screening out the activity to the side such as movement in the
surrounding stands. Other sports rely on the athlete's ability to
maintain an awareness or soft focus on "side" activity, baseball
demands that this activity is eliminated from the only task at
hand--focusing on the ball.
[0018] Eye-Hand-Body Coordination--this ability is related to
proprioception, or the ability to have a sense of where limbs are
in space without looking at them. This ability is key when swinging
at a pitched baseball. The batter must "feel" where the hands and
feet are without looking. Eye-hand-body then is an integration of
the eyes, the hands, and the body as a unit. While the eyes must
lead and guide the motor (movement) system, sense of limb awareness
is paramount.
[0019] Visual Adjustability--this relates to the athlete's ability
to have a visual system flexible enough to rapidly adjust and guide
the body's motor responses quickly and accurately as the
surrounding environment changes. A lack of being "tuned into" the
body's responses is exemplified in an inability to adjust to
unfamiliar ballparks, surfaces, brightness, time zones, etc. A
batter plays at opponents' fields for nominally half of the season,
which is why batting practice before an "away" game is so
important.
[0020] Visualization--familiar to many coaches, the ability to
mentally imagine and rehearse situations, actions, and responses
that can occur during play, and modify them to be more efficient
and correct. As anything, the exercise gets better with practice,
and therefore should be done year-round, during games and
practices, and away from games and practices. If an athlete cannot
visualize, they may be deficient in the ability to learn from
mistakes.
[0021] Eye (Sighting) Dominance--everyone has a dominant eye that
sends information to the brain slightly faster than the other. This
dominant eye directs the movement and fixation of the other eye.
Therefore it is prudent for the batter to stand in the batter's box
so his head has an unobstructed and aligned view of the baseball
with the dominant eye. In order to test which eye is dominant, one
may extend his arms straight and forward and form about a 1''
diameter triangular hole by connecting both thumbs and index
fingers. That person should pick a distant object on a wall, and
center it between the triangle. Without moving head or hands, the
person should close one eye, then the other. The eye that has the
object lined up closest to the hole is the dominant eye.
[0022] Visual Search Patterns (Saccades)--how an athlete watches
the motion of an object being tracked may help determine what is
seen and not seen by an athlete. The types of eye movements used in
tracking an object are actually a very complex process. Sports like
volleyball rely on Saccadic eye movements in order to observe
action. Eyes can follow an object smoothly up to visual angular
velocities of about 70 degrees per second. Volleyball, for example,
requires visual angular velocities in excess of 500 degrees per
second in order to follow the trajectory of a spike. While saccades
can reposition eyes to track an object at angular velocities
exceeding 700 degrees per second, the eyes "turn off" briefly as
they saccade or move to the next fixation. In other words, the eyes
move in frames perhaps exemplified in baseball when a batter's eyes
attempt to track a 95 MPH fastball coming from the pitcher's
mound.
[0023] The athlete should be tested in order to probe for visual
deficits and to provide a baseline set of measures to integrate
into a visual enhancement program. Tests and measures from a
strength, conditioning, movement, or sport standpoint should
reflect the movement, energy system, and task-specific demands of
the sport. Visual assessments which do not take a dynamic
environment into consideration are inadequate to assess visual
abilities.
[0024] It is important now to introduce the concept of Divided
Attention. During assessments and drills the athlete should be
required to perform an additional task (balancing, solving math
problems, game situations, etc.) known as the "soft focus" while
maintaining a "hard focus" on the central task (in this case the
visual assessment or exercise).
[0025] The following description relates to various test probes,
which may be utilized to assess visual acuity.
[0026] SVA or Static Visual Acuity--although the testing only
begins here, it is still important. This can be done by a team
physician, usually monocularly first, then binocularly at a
distance of 20 feet with moderate lighting.
[0027] Ocular Motility Near (Testing "oneness" of eyes).
[0028] Pursuits (Near Vision)--goal: to test and train visual
accuracy for tasks occurring in a close visual hemisphere such as
blocking and setting [0029] 1. Target: small bell on a clear string
of nylon or thin black thread. [0030] 2. Technique: move the target
in front of the athlete in a random motion in various positions of
gaze from arm's reach distance to his forehead. [0031] 3. Observe:
watch for loss of fixation on the bell (hint: eyes will wander),
head movement, crossing or closing one or both eyes. [0032] 4.
Divided Attention: have the athlete solve math problems, game
situational tactics, balance on two tennis balls or one leg, etc.
on top of the requirement and record the effects.
[0033] Saccades (Near Vision) [0034] 1. Target: same as pursuits
except use at least two of them requiring the athlete to shift eyes
on command back and forth to each bell. [0035] 2. Observe: same as
pursuits, but look at eyes to determine if they "overlook" or
"underlook" the target and how quickly they get back to the central
target bell. Does it just take a glance (through visualizing the
previous position, or is there time spent looking)? [0036] 3.
Divided Attention: same as above.
[0037] Near To Far [0038] 1. Target: Use the dangled bell as the
near target. The far target can be any small target at least 10
feet away such as a snellen chart (typical eye chart), clock's
hand, person holding fingers or juggling numbered/colored balls,
people on the street and the clothes they are wearing, other
miscellaneous targets, etc. Upon direction, the athlete is to shift
his visual attention from the bell to the distant target, etc. The
goal is to train the athlete to obtain more information from a
glance as in lining up a putt. [0039] 2. Divided Attention: same as
above and use your imagination. Just reproduce when re-testing.
[0040] Binocularity--Near Point of Convergence (Eye Teaming) [0041]
1. Target: Block on a string [0042] 2. Technique: the athlete holds
the end of a string with two colored beads on the tip of his or her
nose. The athlete should focus on one of the beads. Record how many
strings the athlete reports and if possible where the strings meet
(if at all) within the field of vision. The athlete should see two
strings at all times, in all distances, in all directions of the
string, and for them to meet each other at the bead as opposed to
in front or beyond the bead. At times one of the strings may cross
the other further/closer or above/below the other or one string may
disappear or crossing points may fluctuate. Start with the string
attached in a straight line to a fixed location then proceed
downward, which is more specific to the game of golf. [0043] 3.
Evaluate: record if the strings cross beyond where the bead is
located, in front where the bead is located. If the string seen by
the athlete coming from the left side appears above the plane,
record this as right hyper. If the string appearing above the plane
appears above the plane of the bead, record as left hyper. Note if
the string disappears; record when and where. [0044] 4. Distances:
distance bead is at 20 feet, the intermediate bead is at 10 feet,
and the near bead is at 3 feet from the athlete's face.
[0045] The next category, visualization, will include not only an
assessment, but how the "assessment" can then be used as a
task-specific visual training aid for a batter.
[0046] Visualization--the ability to mentally rehearse and perform
an athletic situation. In this situation, the athlete will quickly
process information and physically perform a movement. Since the
athlete may have to perform a different action than what he or she
sees--they must--in a matter of milliseconds, mentally rehearse
that movement. The batter mentally rehearses swinging at pitches of
various styles, such as fastballs, sliders, curve balls, and the
like. The batter should make a mental note on the feel of a
properly struck baseball.
[0047] Central Peripheral Awareness--maintaining focus on a central
task while screening out information to the sides is especially
good for batters.
[0048] It is also important for any athlete to practice in order to
mimic game-like situations such as movement patterns in a very
focused and controlled environment. Training by design is done to
show the mind and body that they are capable of operating at higher
levels.
[0049] It is also important, especially during live batting
practice, to eliminate or significantly reduce the amount of
vibration resulting from the high speed contact made between the
bat and the ball, so as to minimize the level of discomfort and
shock transmission to the athlete's hands and body. The practice
bat invention addresses this by positioning an extruded rubber tube
into the hitting chamber (barrel) to absorb vibration at the moment
of impact. Additionally, this vibration dampening system allows the
manufacturer to control not only the length and weight of the
practice bat, but also the "swing weight" of the practice bat. By
controlling the tube length and position of the internal rubber
tube, the manufacturer can control not only the length and "static
weight" variable, but also the length, static weight, and "swing
weight" variable to ensure an absolute identical replica of an
athlete's game bat regardless of the age demographic.
Notwithstanding the vibration dampening positioned inside the
barrel of the invention, there are two more vibration dampening
components included in the invention to ensure user safety and
satisfaction. A rubberized component is positioned inside the
handle of the invention to catch any vibration not immediately
absorbed by the internal rubber barrel tube. The invention also
comes with a two-ply external vibration dampening grip as a third
tier of vibration dampening protection.
[0050] Lastly, it is important and highly desirable to simulate the
trajectory and ball flight achieved with a conventional bat but
during Live batting practice using a power and accuracy-enhancing
training bat. The practice bat invention uses optimal variable wall
thickness in order to produce a "game-like" ball and wall
compression, which produces the near identical ball flight as a
conventional bat. In a training environment it is vital that ball
flight with a practice bat be comparable to a conventional bat,
because "ball flight" provides immediate feedback to the athlete
and allows the athlete to make immediate associations relative to
the "feel" of a swing movement in direct correlation to ball
striking, swing release and ultimately ball flight. Repeating this
process of movement feel, ball striking and desired ball flight,
over and over again, feeds the bio-mechanics of an athlete swing
and allows performance barriers to be broken.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0051] The training bat of the present invention has a length and
weight substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat. The
training bat is comprised of a barrel section, a handle, and a
transition section intermediate to the barrel section and the
handle section. The barrel section has a diameter, which is smaller
than that of a conventional bat. However, the barrel section also
includes a weighted member such that the training bat has a weight,
which is substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bat.
The training bat, furthermore, contains one or more
vibration-dampening materials throughout its length, and
particularly in the barrel section, to reduce the amount of
vibration usually observed during and after the swinging motion and
specifically when ball contact is made.
[0052] The training bat of the present invention may include one or
more of the following features: customizable length/weight/swing
weight combinations; optimal barrel reduction for true ball
compression/ball flight; variable, optimal barrel wall thickness
for game-like ball exit speeds; three tier vibration dampening
system, which may include an internal extruded rubber tube for the
barrel, an internal rubber insert for the handle, and a two-ply
rubber grip; and static weight/swing weight customization. By
positioning the extruded rubber tube in one of multiple positions
within the barrel hitting chamber (e.g., low near the end cap,
middle, or high near the taper), different "swing weights" are
produced for a given length/weight combination. Thus, nearly
identical customization of a practice bat to a game bat is
achievable in terms of length, weight, swing weight, ball
compression and vibration dampening.
[0053] The present invention also provides a swing training method
that utilizes the training bat described above. The method involves
a batter swinging at a baseball with the training bat having the
reduced diameter barrel section. Next, the batter swings at the
baseball with a conventional bat. That step is followed by the
batter swinging at a ball having a smaller diameter such as a golf
ball using the training bat and then using the conventional
bat.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0054] FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the training bat
according to the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 2 is a cross section of the training bat of FIG. 1
taken along line 2-2 thereof.
[0056] FIG. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of the training
bat of the present invention.
[0057] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the training bat of FIG.
3 taken along line 3-3 thereof.
[0058] FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention
showing a training bat similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 4 but with a
rubber grip in the handle section.
[0059] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the training bat of FIG.
5 taken along line 4-4 thereof.
[0060] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the invention showing a training bat similar to that of FIGS. 5 and
6 but with a different position of a rubber tube in the barrel
section.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0061] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a training bat 10 in
accordance with the principles of the present invention has a
barrel section 12, a transition section 14, and a handle section
16. The barrel section 12 has a diameter D which is substantially
constant along the entire length of the barrel section 12. The
handle section 16 has a diameter d which is substantially constant
over the length of the handle section 16. Transition section 14 has
a non-constant diameter to accommodate the change in diameter
between diameter D of the barrel section 12 and diameter d of the
handle section 16. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, barrel section
12, transition section 14, and handle section 16 are constructed of
wood. It will be appreciated that these sections could be
constructed of any suitable material having the necessary weight
and strength requirements. For example, these sections could be
constructed of plastic composite, aluminum and its alloys,
aluminum-titanium alloys, beryllium, scandium and the like.
[0062] The training bat 10 of this embodiment of the present
invention is constructed to have a weight and length substantially
equivalent to those of a conventional bat. However, the diameter D
of barrel section 12 is reduced in size relative to the barrel
section of a conventional bat. The typical diameter of the barrel
section of a conventional baseball bat is 23/4 inches and 21/2
inches for the barrel of a softball bat. Youth bats such as those
used in Little League typically have a barrel diameter of 21/4
inches. In contrast, the diameter D of the barrel section 12 of the
training bat 10 ranges between about 11/2 inches and about 13/4
inches, and is preferably 15/8 inches.
[0063] Because the diameter D of the barrel section 12 is smaller
relative to that of a conventional baseball or softball bat, the
training bat must be augmented with additional weight so that its
weight is substantially equivalent to that of a conventional
baseball or softball bat. To that end, the end of the training bat
10 is drilled out and an elongated rod 18 is inserted into the
drilled out portion of the barrel section 12. The size, i.e.,
length and diameter, of rod 18 should be chosen such that it
replaces both the weight of wood eliminated because of the reduced
diameter D of barrel section 12 and the weight of wood removed when
the barrel section 12 is drilled out. Using the elongated rod 18
helps to maintain the proper weight distribution along the length
of the training bat 10 relative to a conventional bat. The rod 18
may be constructed of any suitable material having the appropriate
weight, and strength such as steel, for example. Table 1 shows
representative length/weight combinations of conventional bats.
Because the training bat 10 of the present invention will match the
weight/length combinations of conventional bats, Table 1 also
applies to the training bat 10. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1
Length/Weight Combinations LENGTH (inches) WEIGHT (ounces) 25 13 14
15 16 26 14 15 16 17 27 15 16 17 18 28 16 17 18 19 29 17 18 19 20
30 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 31 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 32 32 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 33 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 34 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
32 33 34 35 36 35 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 30 31 32 33 34 35
36
[0064] The length/weight combinations of Table 1 would be used in
order to size rod 18 so that the weight of training bat 10 can be
modified to meet the batter's preference.
[0065] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, another embodiment of a
training bat 20 according to this invention is shown. Like the bat
10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the training bat 20 has a barrel section 22 of
substantially constant diameter D2, a handle section 26 of
substantially constant diameter d2 and a transition section 24 of
non-constant diameter. The non-constant diameter of transition
section 24 accommodates the change in diameter between the diameter
D2 of barrel section 22 and the diameter d2 of handle section
26.
[0066] Moreover, the training bat 20 according to this embodiment
is constructed to have a weight and length substantially equivalent
to those of a conventional bat. However, the diameter D2 of barrel
section 22 is reduced in size relative to the barrel section of a
conventional bat. The diameter D2 of the barrel section 22 of the
training bat 20 ranges between about 11/2 inches and about 13/4
inches, and is preferably 15/8 inches.
[0067] The barrel section 22, handle section 26 and transition
section 24 of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 are
furthermore made of ultra light aluminum, although other suitable
materials may be substituted without deviating from the scope of
this invention. Because the diameter D2 of the barrel section 22 is
smaller relative to that of a conventional baseball or softball
bat, the training bat must be augmented with additional weight so
that its weight is substantially equivalent to that of a
conventional baseball or softball bat. To that end, and to dampen
and absorb the vibration induced by the impact of the ball when it
makes contact with the bat, the barrel section 22 is filled a
two-ply rubber tube 28. This rubber tube, in one embodiment, may
have a linear density of about 17 grams per inch. The rubber tube
may similarly have varied lengths, depending on the desired static
weight, swing weight distribution, ball compression and amount of
vibration dampening. Furthermore, an end cap 30 attached to or
integrally formed with the barrel section 22 may also be filled
with hot melt material 32, in an amount, for example, in the range
of about 1 ounce to about 2 ounces, in order to accommodate heavier
swing weight configurations.
[0068] The handle section 26 of the training bat 20 contains, in
accordance with this embodiment, vibration-dampening materials 32,
such as two-ply rubber and a silicone-based hot melt, which absorb
vibration internally and the relative and absolute amounts of which
determine the static bat weight. The amount of hot melt and rubber
used in the handle section varies according to the size of the bat
as well as the swing weight required for a specific bat design.
[0069] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, another embodiment according
to this invention is shown. For purposes of illustration, parts
that are similar to those of previous embodiments will retain the
same numbers as in the figures depicting such embodiments. The
training hat 40 of this embodiment is identical in all respects to
the training bat 20 of FIGS. 3 and 4, except for the addition of a
two-ply rubber grip 43, applied over to the outside surface of the
handle section 26 and located proximate the distal end 49 of the
handle section 26. This rubber grip 43 further dampens vibration of
the bat during the swinging motion and especially after contact
between the ball and the bat 40.
[0070] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the bat 40 of FIG. 5,
taken along line 4-4. It can be appreciated that the axial position
of the rubber tube 48 in the barrel section 22 of bat 40 is such
that the inside end 45 of the rubber tube 48 is proximate the
transition section 24 of the bat 40. In comparison, FIG. 7 shows
another embodiment of a bat 50, very similar to the bat 40 of FIG.
5, but with a different axial position of the rubber tube 58 in
barrel section 22. In this embodiment, the interior end 55 of the
rubber tube 58 is not as close to the transition section 24 as was
the case with the embodiment of the bat 40 of FIGS. 5 and 6. Also,
unlike the rubber tube 48 of bat 40 in FIGS. 5 and 6, the distal
end 57 of the rubber tube 58 of training bat 50 is proximate the
end cap 30 of the bat 50.
[0071] FIG. 7 furthermore shows the addition of a weight-increasing
material such as silicone-based hot melt to the end section 60 of
barrel section 22 of training bat 50. This end section 60 may be
attached to or integrally formed with the end cap 30 of the bat
50.
[0072] The versatility in axial position of the rubber tube 48, 58
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrates a key aspect of this invention.
As pointed out earlier, the length of the rubber tube 48, 58 can be
varied to accommodate different training bat design requirements.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show that the axial position of the rubber tube 48,
58 can also be varied to obtain a desired combination of static
weight, swing weight distribution, ball compression and amount of
vibration dampening.
[0073] The training bat 10, 20, 40, 50 is most effective if used in
conjunction with a structured training program. The training bat
10, 20, 40, 50 of the present invention teaches the batter to hit
the optimal sweet spot of the training bat 10, 20, 40, 50 as well
as establish an exact swing tempo. By isolating the sweet spot of
the training bat 10, 20, 40, 50 and forcing precise accuracy and
concentration, while maintaining swing weight integrity, the
training bat 10, 20, 40, 50 teaches the batter how to carry out a
very accurate and timely swing.
[0074] Tables 2-5 provide a representative structured training
program for batters. The training can be accomplished using tee
work, ball toss, cage work or batting practice and combinations
thereof. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Tee Work # of Hits w/ # of Hits w/
Acuity Bat: Game Bat: Start: Baseballs 5 Followed by 15 Move to:
Golf balls 5 Followed by 15 Finish: Baseballs 5 Followed by 15
[0075] TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Ball Toss # of Hits w/ # of Hits w/
Acuity Bat: Game Bat: Start: Baseballs 5 Followed by 15 Move to:
Golf balls 5 Followed by 15 Finish: Baseballs 5 Followed by 15
[0076] TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Cage Work # of Hits w/ # of Hits w/
Acuity Bat: Game Bat: Start: Baseballs 5 Followed by 15 Move to:
Golf Balls 5 Followed by 15 Finish: Baseballs 5 Followed by 15
[0077] TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Batting Practice # of Hits w/ # of
Hits w/ Acuity Bat: GameBat: Baseballs 5 Followed by 15
[0078] The structure of the training program is similar regardless
of the type of batting practice. For example, for cage work (Table
4) the batter starts the training session by swinging the training
bat 10, 20, 40, 50 five times at baseballs. This step is followed
by fifteen swings at baseballs using a conventional bat. Following
that, the batter swings the training bat 10, 20, 40, 50 five times
at golf balls. The batter then swings a conventional bat fifteen
times at golf balls. The next phase repeats the first phase of the
training. A similar methodology is used for each of the different
methods of batting practice: tee work, ball toss, cage work, or
batting practice. With the cage work and batting practice, the
pitches are thrown initially at moderate speeds with the speed
increasing as the batter's hitting improves.
[0079] The above-mentioned training program consists of exercises
that improve the athlete's vision by systematically teaching the
entire visual system (eyes to brain to body) how to operate at
higher levels. The training bat 10, 20, 40, 50 takes visual
training into the highest realm of "integrated specificity" where
the athlete combines visual training and specific skill
development. Integrated specificity selectively controls the amount
of information received during training to force the athlete to
execute a sport specific movement with precise form, focus, and
accuracy. Typically the athlete starts with a very small and
controlled movement pattern and then gradually increases the
movement along a series of progressions. At any time which form,
focus or accuracy is lost the movement is reduced until they are
regained. In short, integrated specificity recreates game
situations in a highly stressful but controlled environment. The
training bat 10, 20, 40, 50 combines visual training designed to
improve visual skills such as eye teaming, binocular coordination,
depth perception, focus flexibility, acuity (clarity of sight),
"hand-eye" or "visual-body" coordination with actual hitting skills
such as swing, tempo, and timing.
[0080] While the invention has been described with specific
examples in reference to specific dimensions, persons skilled in
the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may
be made to the invention as described herein without departing from
the spirit and scope thereof which are defined by the appended
claims.
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