U.S. patent application number 11/702255 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-07 for swing training device.
Invention is credited to William E. Maginn, Cameron C. Shimizu, Donald T. Shimizu, Kyle Smith.
Application Number | 20080188331 11/702255 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39676658 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080188331 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shimizu; Donald T. ; et
al. |
August 7, 2008 |
Swing training device
Abstract
The present invention relates to training aids to promote well
balanced swing technique for any sport that requires a swinging
motion related but not limited to baseball, softball, golf, tennis,
racquetball, squash and cricket, including a rotating foot pad
connected to a portable balance platform.
Inventors: |
Shimizu; Donald T.; (San
Diego, CA) ; Shimizu; Cameron C.; (San Diego, CA)
; Maginn; William E.; (San Diego, CA) ; Smith;
Kyle; (Vista, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Donald T. Shimizu
4920 Almondwood Way
San Diego
CA
92130
US
|
Family ID: |
39676658 |
Appl. No.: |
11/702255 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/451 ;
473/452 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/14 20130101;
A63B 69/0062 20200801; A63B 2069/367 20130101; A63B 2220/56
20130101; A63B 2230/01 20130101; A63B 24/0003 20130101; A63B 69/38
20130101; A63B 2220/806 20130101; A63B 2102/06 20151001; A63B
69/0015 20130101; A63B 2220/05 20130101; A63B 69/0002 20130101;
A63B 26/003 20130101; A63B 2220/80 20130101; A63B 2220/807
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/451 ;
473/452 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A baseball training device to assist with proper swing balance,
comprising: a) A balance platform that can support the weight of
one standing adult or child, having a proximal end and a distal
end, and b) A rotating foot pad consisting of a pad and a swivel
connected near the proximity of the distal end.
2. The device in claim 1 wherein the rotating foot pad has a
limited and controlled rotation.
3. The device in claim 2 wherein the rotation of the rotating foot
pad is adjustable or free spinning.
4. The device in claim 1 wherein the balance platform has angled
support legs to prevent the device from sliding or slipping from
side to side on a dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor
practice or game surfaces.
5. The device in claim 1 wherein the support legs are angled from
90 to 180 degrees in relationship to the top horizontal
surface.
6. The device in claim 1 that includes feet with beveled or pointed
ends to the angled support legs to further prevent sliding or
slipping from side to side on a dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or
outdoor practice or game surfaces.
7. The device in claim 1 utilizing a non-slip material that can be
applied to the beveled/pointed ends to further prevent sliding or
slipping from side to side on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or
outdoor practice or game surfaces.
8. The device in claim 1 utilizing a non-slip surface on the top
horizontal surface to prevent slipping of the user's front foot
when in use.
9. The device in claim 1 utilizing a non-slip surface on the
rotating foot pad to firmly position the back foot of the user
correctly on the rotating foot pad.
10. The device in claim 1 whereas the balance platform varies in
length from 2 feet to 8 feet.
11. The device in claim 1 whereas the balance platform varies in
width from 2 inches to 12 inches.
12. The device in claim 1 whereas the balance platform varies in
height from 0.5 inches to 12 inches.
13. The device in claim 1 including weight sensor pads attached to
the balance platform and the rotating foot pad, connected to an
electronic processing device interfaced to a display to show the
distribution of weight on each leg through the swing.
14. The device in claim 1 including a high speed camera system is
used to tape the batter on the swing training device with the
weight sensor pads attached to the balance platform and the
rotating foot pad, and is connected to a processing device which is
interfaced to a display.
15. A method of training to hit a tossed baseball or softball
utilizing a bat and a baseball training device comprising of a
balance platform with a rotating foot pad comprising the following
steps: a) Positioning the balance platform on dirt, clay, turf or
other indoor or outdoor practice or game surface, b) Mounting the
balance platform with the back foot on the rotating foot pad
towards the distal end and with a bat in hand, on or near the
shoulder closest to the distal end, in a ready-to-swing position,
c) Making eye contact with the baseball or softball as it
approaches the area of contact by a batter standing on the baseball
training device, d) Commencing the swing while rotating the back
foot facilitated by the rotating foot pad, e) Continuing the swing
of the bat and making contact with the baseball or softball, f)
Continuing the swing until the bat reaches the shoulder opposite
the starting point of the swing while maintaining balance on the
baseball training device.
16. A method of training to hit a baseball or softball placed on a
batting tee utilizing a bat, ball and batting tee using a baseball
training device comprising of a balance platform and a rotating
foot pad comprising the following steps: a) Obtaining a balance
platform, b) Positioning the balance platform on dirt, clay, turf
or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surface, c) Mounting
the balance platform with the back foot on the rotating foot pad
with a bat in hand, on or near the shoulder closest to the distal
end, in a ready-to-swing position, d) Making eye contact with the
baseball or softball that has been placed on a batting tee, e)
Commencing the swing while rotating the back foot facilitated by
the rotating foot pad, f) Continuing the swing of the bat to the
baseball or softball, g) Continuing the swing until the bat reaches
the shoulder opposite the starting point of the swing while
maintaining balance on the baseball training device.
17. A ball training device to assist with proper swing balance,
comprising: a) A balance platform that can support the weight of
one standing adult or child, having a proximal end and a distal
end, and b) A rotating foot pad consisting of a pad and a swivel
connected near the proximity of the distal end.
18. The device in claim 15 wherein the rotating foot pad has a
limited and controlled rotation,
19. The device in claim 16 wherein the rotation of the rotating
foot pad is adjustable or free spinning.
20. The device in claim 15 wherein the balance platform has angled
support legs to prevent the device from sliding or slipping from
side to side on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor
practice or game surfaces.
21. The device in claim 15 wherein the support legs are angled from
90 to 180 degrees in relationship to the top horizontal
surface.
22. A sporting device comprising of a balance platform and a
rotating foot pad wherein the device is used to train athletes from
a group consisting of baseball, golf, racket ball, tennis, squash
and field hockey.
23. The device in claim 15 that includes feet with beveled or
pointed ends to the angled support legs to further prevent sliding
or slipping from side to side on a dirt, clay, turf or other indoor
or outdoor practice or game surfaces.
24. The device in claim 15 utilizing a non-slip material that can
be applied to the beveled or pointed ends to further prevent
sliding or slipping from side to side on dirt, clay, turf or other
indoor or outdoor practice or game surfaces.
25. The invention of claim 1 including a distal weight sensor pad
and a proximal weight sensor pad connected to a display showing the
weight distribution of the batter.
26. The invention of claim 23 additionally including a video camera
also connected to a display to record the batter's swing.
27. The device in claim 15 utilizing a non-slip surface on the top
horizontal surface to prevent slipping of the user's front foot
when in use.
28. The device in claim 15 utilizing a non-slip surface on the
rotating foot pad to firmly position the back foot of the user
correctly on the rotating foot pad.
29. The device in claim 15 whereas the beam varies in length from 2
feet to 8 feet.
30. The device in claim 15 whereas the beam varies in width from 2
inches to 12 inches.
31. The device in claim 15 whereas the beam varies in height from
0.5 inches to 12 inches.
32. A method of training to hit a ball, whereby the ball could be a
golf ball, tennis ball, racquet ball, squash ball or cricket ball,
utilizing a racquet or club and a swing training device comprising
of a balance platform and a rotating foot pad comprising the
following steps: a) Obtaining a balance platform, b) Positioning
the balance platform on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor
practice or game surface, c) Mounting the balance platform with the
back foot on the rotating foot pad or close to the distal end and
with a bat in hand, on or near the shoulder closest to the distal
end, in a ready to swing position, d) Making eye contact with the
ball as it approaches if it is tossed or set up on a tee, e)
Commencing the swing while rotating the back foot facilitated by
the rotating foot pad, f) Continuing the swing of the racquet or
club until contact is made with the ball, g) Continuing the swing
until the racquet or club reaches the shoulder opposite the
starting point of the swing while maintaining balance on the
balance platform.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to training aids to develop a
well balanced swing technique including a balance platform and an
adjustable, rotating foot pad attached to the top horizontal
surface of the balance platform so that standing on the platform
while swinging helps develop a balanced, correctly aligned, and
well controlled swing technique when hitting various types of
sports balls with a bat, club, racquet or similar means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In any sport that requires a swinging motion, i.e., Golf,
Baseball, Softball, Cricket, Tennis, Racquetball, and Squash, it is
understood that the art or science of an optimal swing requires
balance. Balance throughout the swing ensures minimal eye movement
and proper body mechanics prior to and during the moment of impact
with the ball. In baseball, it's been said that the hardest thing
in sports is to hit a moving round ball with a round bat. Without a
balanced swing, consistently hitting a baseball is nearly
impossible.
[0003] When swinging a bat, club or racquet during a game or match,
it is imperative prior to impact that the player is completely
focused on making contact with the ball without worrying about
swing mechanics or body balance. Using a training aid to train the
body and in turn muscle memory to swing consistently with balance
will help athletes during the pressures of a game or competition to
maximize their chances for success of consistently hitting the
ball.
[0004] The present invention makes it difficult or impossible to
complete an unbalanced, incorrectly aligned, and/or uncontrolled
swing without losing balance and falling off the platform.
Additionally, a rotating foot pad is used to encourage the back
foot to pivot correctly during a balanced, controlled swing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided a swing training device having a first portion
attached to a second portion. The first portion is a rotating foot
pad which is connected by spring, nut, bolt, or any resilient
member to the second portion which consists of a balance
platform.
[0006] The rotating foot pad can be any shape and can be free
spinning or have a limited and controlled rotation. The rotation of
the rotating foot pad can be adjusted by use of a spring and metal
plate clutch or other spring-like or rotational control mechanism.
The rotation of the rotating foot pad may be controlled by use of
disks, springs, ball bearings or similar type mechanism. The
rotating foot pad may consist of multiple disks, a shaft, a tension
adjusting mechanism, fasteners, a handle to adjust the rotation and
a non-slip material on the top portion of the rotating platform to
prevent the user's foot from slippage during usage.
[0007] Accordingly, there is described herein, a swing training
device to promote a balanced swing comprised of a first portion
having a rotating foot pad attached to the top horizontal surface
of the second portion. In the preferred embodiment, the second
portion has a proximal and distal end, elevated from the ground by
angled legs to prevent sliding or slippage of the device during
use, a horizontal surface to allow a person to stand on and to
swing a bat, club or racquet while remaining on the horizontal
surface. A non-slip material can be placed on the horizontal
surface to prevent the user's foot from slipping while standing or
swinging a bat, club or racquet. A non-slip material or mechanism
attached to or embedded on the feet of the angled legs can be used
to further prevent sliding or slippage of the device during
use.
[0008] The invention also includes a method of training to hit a
tossed or stationary baseball or softball utilizing a bat and a
baseball training device comprising of a balance platform with a
rotating foot pad where the balance platform is positioned on dirt,
clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surface, the
player mounts the balance platform with the back foot on the
rotating foot pad towards the distal end and with a bat in hand, on
or near the shoulder closest to the distal end, in a ready-to-swing
position, the player then makes eye contact with the baseball or
softball as it approaches the area of contact by a batter standing
on the baseball training device, the player commences the swing
while rotating the back foot facilitated by the rotating foot pad,
then continues the swing of the bat and making contact with the
baseball or softball, until the bat reaches the shoulder opposite
the starting point of the swing while maintaining balance on the
baseball training device.
[0009] The device can also be used by either left or right-handed
batters or swingers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of the swing training device with the
first portion (foot pad) attached to the second portion (balance
platform) in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of the swing training device shown in
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a distal view of the invention shown in FIG. 2 and
shows one embodiment of the assembly of the rotating platform and
the attachment to the balance platform.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an illustration showing a batter standing on the
swing training device and exhibiting a balanced swing.
[0014] FIG. 5 through FIG. 8a is a view from either the distal or
proximal end of the balance platform without the rotating foot pad
and shows the different options for the shape of the balance
platform.
[0015] FIG. 9 through FIG. 11 is the same view shown in FIG. 5 and
includes the rotating foot pad assembly.
[0016] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are the same view shown in FIG. 9 and
shows the anti-slide feet attached to the legs of the balance
platform. Two options to prevent sliding of the training device are
shown.
[0017] FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 is a top and side view of the balance
platform with weight detection sensors pads attached connected to
an electronic device communicating either through wire or
wirelessly to a display.
[0018] FIG. 16 shows a video camera to show swing sequence in
relation to weight distribution.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the swing
training device includes a first portion 30 and a second portion
50, where the first portion is connected to the second portion by a
mechanical assembly near the distal end 12. The second portion
includes an anti-slip material 20 attached starting at the proximal
end 14 and terminating near the first portion and an anti-slide
material 19 or a beveled edge or nail-like pieces attached to the
feet of the legs 17 of the first portion.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the swing
training device and shows both sides of the second portion. This
drawing shows the top horizontal surface 10 of the second portion,
the left leg 17 and right leg 16 of the second portion, the left
foot with anti-slide material 19 and the right foot with anti-slide
material 18, and the stride measuring marks 21 on the anti-slide
surface.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a view of the swing training device from the
distal end. This view shows the details of the first portion
including the shaft 31 which can be threaded 39 or non-threaded,
the anti-slip pad 32, two discs 33 and 35 used to adjust the
rotational tension, a spring 36 to further help adjust the
rotational tension, a knob or handle to grab and adjust the
rotational tension, and a material 34 to cushion the interaction
between the two discs 33 and 35.
[0022] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a balanced swing using the
swing training device. In this illustration, a baseball player is
swinging a bat hitting a pitched ball and using his back foot to
rotate on the first portion 30 located near the distal end and
striding with his front foot toward the pitched ball landing his
front foot on the anti-slip pad 20, and also possibly making use of
the stride measuring mark 21.
[0023] FIG. 5 through FIG. 8a is the same view as FIG. 3 with
different options for the balance platform structure. Option 1
(FIG. 5) is an inverted 3-sided beam with angled legs. Option 2
(FIG. 6) is a solid beam in a rectangle or square shape. Option 3
(FIG. 7) is a hollow beam in a rectangle or square shape. Option 4
(FIG. 8) is an inverted 3-sided beam in a U shape. Option 5 (FIG.
9) is an inverted 3-sided beam in a U shape with an option for
extendable legs.
[0024] FIG. 9 through FIG. 11 is the same view as FIG. 5 through 8a
and shows three options to connect the first portion to the second
portion. Option A (FIG. 5) has multiple discs, a threaded shaft, a
spring and a knob all used to connect the first portion to the
second portion and to adjust the rotation tension of the first
portion. Option B (FIG. 10) has a shaft connecting the first
portion to the second portion with a simple termination part like a
knob or a nut. Option C (FIG. 11) uses a shaft and multiple discs,
one or more of which use ball bearings or mechanical teeth to
control the rotation.
[0025] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are the same view as FIGS. 9 through 11
and shows two options to prevent the second portion from sliding.
Option D has a material such as rubber acting as the feet which is
connected to the legs of the second portion. Option E uses knobs,
ridges or nails connected to the legs of the second portion.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a top view of the balance platform showing a
front foot weight sensor pad 60 and a back foot weight sensor pad
80. FIG. 15 is a side view showing the front foot weight sensor
pad, the back foot weight sensor pad, the electronic processing
device 82, the display connection 85 and the weight distribution
display 90. FIG. 16 is showing a high speed camera system 91
connected to a processing device 92 which is connected by a wire 93
or a wireless connection to a display 90.
[0027] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used
specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the
invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art
that the specific details are not required in order to practice the
invention. In other instances, well known circuits and devices are
shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessary
distraction from the underlying invention. Thus, the foregoing
descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are
presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise forms disclosed, obviously many modifications and
variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The
embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the
principles of the invention and its practical applications, to
thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the
invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the
scope of the invention be defined by the following Claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *