U.S. patent application number 12/730069 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-21 for sports training aid.
Invention is credited to Michael Bard.
Application Number | 20100267498 12/730069 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42981402 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100267498 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bard; Michael |
October 21, 2010 |
SPORTS TRAINING AID
Abstract
A sports training aid for improving the mechanics of a sports
player conducting a sports movement is disclosed. The sports
training aid may comprise a foot placement surface or area that is
simultaneously inclined in two directions. The sports training aid
may be inclined from both the front to the back of the sports
training aid and from one side of the sports training aid to the
other side of the training aid. When positioning a player's foot on
the sports training aid, the toes of the player's foot are raised
above the heel of the player's foot and the outsole of the player's
foot is raised above the insole of the player's foot. A method for
training a sports player using the sports training aid is also
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Bard; Michael; (Parker,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOLLAND & HART, LLP
P.O BOX 8749
DENVER
CO
80201
US
|
Family ID: |
42981402 |
Appl. No.: |
12/730069 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12144348 |
Jun 23, 2008 |
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12730069 |
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61011206 |
Jan 15, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/452 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/0002 20130101;
A63B 2069/0008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/452 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A baseball or softball training aid for attaching to a shoe
comprising: a foot-shaped foot support having a foot placement
surface and a ground-contacting surface generally opposite the foot
placement surface, wherein the foot placement surface includes a
first incline and a second incline, the first incline extending
from a heel region of the foot-shaped support up to a toe region of
the foot-shaped support and the second incline extends from an
insole region of the foot-shaped support up to an outsole region of
the foot-shaped support; and a mound indicator located on the
periphery of the baseball or softball training aid and generally in
the area between the toe region of the foot-shaped foot support and
the outsole region of the foot-shaped foot support; wherein the
ground-contacting surface is generally parallel to the ground.
2. The baseball or softball training aid of claim 1, wherein the
mound indicator comprises a column protruding away from the
baseball or softball training aid and extending substantially the
length between the foot placement surface and the ground contacting
surface.
3. The baseball or softball training aid of claim 1, wherein the
foot-shaped foot support further comprises a toe restraint located
at the toe region of the foot placement surface.
4. The baseball or softball training aid of claim 3, wherein the
toe restraint comprises one or more straps secured at one end to a
first portion of the toe region and detachably secured at a second
end to a second portion of the toe region.
5. The baseball or softball training aid of claim 3, wherein the
toe restraint comprises a toe shield extending upwardly away from
the toe region and rearwardly towards the heel region.
6. The baseball or softball training aid of claim 1, wherein the
first incline has an angle of inclination in the range of from
greater than zero degrees to about 30 degrees and the second
incline has an angle of inclination in the range of from greater
than zero degrees to about 30 degrees.
7. The baseball or softball training aid of claim 1, wherein the
first incline has an angle of inclination of from about 16 degrees
to about 26 degrees and the second incline has an angle of from
about 12 degrees to about 22 degrees.
8. The baseball or softball training aid of claim 1, further
comprising a third incline extending from an area between the heel
region of the foot-shaped support and the inner sole region of the
foot-shaped support up to an area between the toe region of the
foot-shaped support and the outer sole region of the foot-shaped
support, and wherein the third incline is about 20 degrees.
9. The baseball or softball training aid of claim 1, further
comprising a plurality of stud receptacles located along a
periphery of the baseball or softball training aid and opposite the
ground contacting surface.
10. The baseball or softball training aid of claim 1, wherein the
foot placement surface comprises a plurality of stud pockets or
stud holes for receiving a plurality of studs extending downwardly
from the sole of the shoe disposed on the foot placement
surface.
11. A method for training a baseball or softball player, the method
comprising: providing a baseball or softball training aid
comprising: a foot-shaped foot support having a foot placement
surface and a ground-contacting surface generally opposite the foot
placement surface, wherein the foot placement surface includes a
first incline and a second incline, the first incline extending
from a heel region of the foot-shaped support up to a toe region of
the foot-shaped support and the second incline extends from an
insole region of the foot-shaped support up to an outsole region of
the foot-shaped support; and a mound indicator located on the
periphery of the baseball or softball training aid and generally in
the area between the toe region of the foot-shaped foot support and
the outsole region of the foot-shaped foot support; positioning a
front foot of the baseball or softball player in a batting stance
on the foot placement area such that the baseball or softball
player's heel is positioned in the heel region, the baseball or
softball player's toes are positioned in the toe region, the
baseball or softball player's insole is positioned in the insole
region, and the baseball or softball player's outsole is positioned
in the outsole region; securing the baseball or softball training
aid to the baseball or softball player's front foot; and performing
a bat swinging motion, wherein the bat swinging motion includes
striding forward with the front foot and orienting the front foot
such that, at the end of the bat swinging motion, the mound
indicator points in a direction generally perpendicular to the
direction the baseball or softball player is facing prior to
performing the bat swinging motion.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the bat swinging motion is
performed one or more times.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the bat swing motion includes
rotating the foot.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/144,348, filed Jun. 23, 2008, which claims
priority to U.S. Provisional. Patent Application Ser. No.
61/011,206, filed Jan. 15, 2008 and hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many sports training aids designed to help a player improve
his or her playing abilities have been developed in the past. For
example, in the sport of baseball, many training aids exist which
purport to improve the mechanics of a batter's swing. For baseball
training aids that are worn on the front or back foot of the batter
in his or her batting stance, the main objective of the sports
training aid is often to teach the batter the proper movement of
his or her feet when swinging a bat. For example, baseball training
aids worn on a foot of a batter in his or her batting stance may
attempt to teach a batter how to keep his or her back foot on the
ground while swinging a bat (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,638,176, 6,432,001,
and 6,988,966); correctly pivot his or her back foot while swinging
a bat (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,372,930, 3,466,040, 5,318,290, and
7,335,117); or take a proper stride with his or her front foot
while swinging a bat (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,926,625 and 6,955,616 and
U.S. Published Pat. App. No. 2003/0130072).
[0003] Because each of the above described previously known
training aids aim to improve the movement of a batter's feet during
a swing, the aids allow the batter's feet to remain in generally
standard batting positions (e.g., oriented parallel to the ground)
while focusing on ensuring proper movement of the normally oriented
feet during a swing. Such normal feet positions imposed by the
traditional training aids do not generally have any significant
impact on the position of other parts of the batter's body that are
also important to the mechanics of a batter's swing, such as the
batter's hips or shoulders. Thus, traditional training aids worn on
the feet of a batter, such as those described above, are limited to
only training proper foot movement and do not help improve swing
movement of other portions of the batter's body.
[0004] Typical training aids that affect the upper portions of a
batter's body (e.g., hips, waist, shoulders, etc.) to improve a
batter's swing normally consist of an apparatus worn on the torso.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,581 discloses a vest worn on the
torso of a batter during a swing. The vest includes a stretchable
strap extending across the torso of the batter from one shoulder to
the opposite hip. The stretchable strap includes a buzzer which
makes noise when the stretchable strap moves in the proper manner
due to a proper swing by the batter.
[0005] While such apparatus may be more useful for improving the
mechanics of a batter's swing with respect to his or her torso than
the training aids for a foot described above, the apparatus is
likely to be more distracting and interfering to the batter than
the foot training aids.
[0006] Accordingly, a need exists for a minimally interfering
sports training aid that properly positions upper portions of a
batter's body to thereby teach improved swing mechanics.
SUMMARY
[0007] The instant disclosure relates generally to a sports
training aid and, more specifically, to sports training aid for a
foot of a player. Generally speaking, the sports training aid is
simultaneously inclined in two directions. The sports training aid
may be inclined from both the front to the back of the sports
training aid and from one side of the sports training aid to the
other side of the training aid. When positioning a player's foot on
the sports training aid, the toes of the player's foot are raised
above the heel of the player's foot and the outsole of the player's
foot is raised above the insole of the player's foot.
[0008] Some embodiments of the instant disclosure relate to a
sports training aid for attaching to a shoe of a baseball or
softball player. Particularly, the training aid may comprise a
foot-shaped foot support. The foot-shaped foot support may include
a foot placement surface and a ground-contacting surface generally
opposite the foot placement surface. The foot placement surface may
comprise a toe region, a heel region opposite the toe region, an
insole region, and an outsole region opposite the insole region.
The foot placement surface may include two inclines. The first
incline may be from the heel region up to the toe region. The
second incline may be from the insole region up to the outsole
region.
[0009] The sports training aid can also include a mound indicator.
The mound indicator can be located on the periphery of the training
aid and generally in the area between the toe region of the
foot-shaped foot support and the outsole region of the foot-shaped
foot support.
[0010] Some embodiments of the instant disclosure relate a method
for training a sports player. The method may comprise a first step
of providing a sports training aid. The sports training aid can
include a foot-shaped foot support having a foot placement surface
and a ground-contacting surface generally opposite the foot
placement surface. The foot placement surface may comprise a toe
region, a heel region opposite the toe region, an insole region,
and an outsole region opposite the insole region. The foot
placement surface may include two inclines. The first incline may
be from the heel region up to the toe region. The second incline
may be from the insole region up to the outsole region. The
training aid can also include a mound indicator located on the
periphery of the training aid and generally between the toe region
and the outsole region.
[0011] In another step, a front foot of the baseball or softball
player in a batting stance can be positioned on the foot placement
area such that the baseball or softball player's heel is positioned
in the heel region, the baseball or softball player's toes are
positioned in the toe region, the baseball or softball player's
insole is positioned in the insole region, and the baseball or
softball player's outsole is positioned in the outsole region.
Another step can include securing the baseball or softball training
aid to the baseball or softball player's front foot. Still another
step can include performing a bat swinging motion. The bat swinging
motion can include striding forward with the front foot and
rotating the front foot such that, at the end of the bat swinging
motion, the mound indicator points in a direction generally
perpendicular to the direction the baseball or softball player is
facing prior to performing the bat swinging motion.
[0012] Features from any of the above mentioned embodiments may be
used in combination with one another, without limitation. In
addition, other features and advantages of the instant disclosure
will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through
consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying
drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of exemplary
embodiments and are a part of the specification. Together with the
following description, these drawings demonstrate and explain
various principles of the instant disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a sports training aid
according to one embodiment of the instant disclosure.
[0015] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a perspective view of alternate
embodiments of the sports training aid shown in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a sports training aid for
attaching to a shoe according to another embodiment of the instant
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a right side view of the sports training aid
shown in FIG. 3.
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a left side perspective view of the sports
training aid shown in FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a front view of the sports training aid shown
in FIG. 3.
[0020] FIG. 6 shows a back view of the sports training aid shown in
FIG. 3.
[0021] FIG. 7 shows a top view of the sports training aid shown in
FIG. 3.
[0022] FIG. 8 shows a top view of an alternate embodiment of the
sports training aid shown in FIG. 3.
[0023] FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of the sports training aid shown
in FIG. 3
[0024] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a sports training aid
including a mound indicator.
[0025] FIG. 11 shows a top view of a sports training aid including
a mound indicator.
[0026] FIGS. 12A and 12B show a top view of a batter utilizing a
sports training aid as disclosed herein before and after properly
performing a bat swinging motion.
[0027] Throughout the drawings, identical reference characters and
descriptions indicate similar, but not necessarily identical,
elements. While the exemplary embodiments described herein are
susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the
drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the
exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be
limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant
disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives
falling within the scope of the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The instant disclosure relates generally to sports training
aids including a foot placement area or surface that is
simultaneously inclined in two directions. The first incline may
extend from a front of the sports training aid to the rear of the
sports training aid. The second incline may extend from one side of
the sports training aid to the opposite side of the sports training
aid. In one embodiment, the sports player's foot may be positioned
on the foot placement area or surface such that the sports player's
toes are positioned higher than the sports player's heel and the
sports player's outsole is positioned higher than the sports
player's insole. Described differently, when the sports player's
foot is positioned on the foot placement area or surface, the
sports player's pinky toe is higher than any other portion of the
sports player's foot and the corner of the sports player's foot
where the heel meets the insole is lower than any other portion of
the sports player's foot.
[0029] In the context of improving a baseball player's batting
swing, the sports training aid is used by the batter placing his or
her forward foot in a batting stance on the sports training aid as
described above (i.e., pinky toe in the highest position,
heel/insole corner at the lowest position), while positioning his
or her back foot in the normal manner (i.e., back foot is parallel
with the ground). The orientation of the front foot caused by the
dual inclination of the sports training aid results in several
other portions of the batter's body being forced into a more
favorable position for taking a swing at a pitch.
[0030] Referring back to the baseball example, a front foot
oriented in the position created by the sports training aid will
hold the batter's front hip bone back and underneath the batter,
thereby creating a more balanced batting stance. In a more balanced
batting stance, the batter's hands and arms are provided with
greater opportunity to adjust during a swing in all three planes
that a pitched ball may be moving in, thereby increasing the
likelihood of making contact with the ball. For example, the batter
may keep his or her hands in the hitting zone longer and may more
freely move his or her hands in and out (i.e., towards the body and
away from the body) and up and down while in the hitting zone.
[0031] Keeping the front hip bone back and underneath the body also
prevents the initiation of a series of movements that result in a
batter's hands moving in and out of the hitting zone in a manner
not allowing for in-swing adjustment of the position of the hands
(and the bat being held by the hands). When a batter does not keep
his or her front hip back and underneath his or her body, his or
her front hip slides forward at the initiation of the swing.
Following this movement, the batter's back shoulder may rotate
towards the pitcher and, as the hands begin to move in the swing,
fly out towards the 3rd base dugout (or the 1st base dugout if the
batter is left handed). Additionally, the sliding forward of the
hip may cause the back shoulder to drop below the front shoulder.
When the back shoulder drops down and rotates towards the pitcher
and towards a dugout in this manner, the hands holding the bat face
two disadvantages.
[0032] Firstly, the hands drop with the back shoulder, forcing the
hands to work against the force of gravity through the hitting
zone. Secondly, the rotation forward of the back shoulder towards
the pitcher and through to the dugout causes the batter to move his
or her hands towards his or her body as the hands move forward
through the hitting zone. This tends to lock the batter's hands
into a single plane of movement inhibiting the ability to adjust
the swing to compensate for ball movement and to draw the bat
across the hitting zone instead of through the hitting zone. As
compared to when the batter is able to keep his or her hands in a
line parallel to his or her stance as it moves through the hitting
zone, the batter's hands moving towards his or her body enter and
exit the hitting zone in such a manner to decrease the opportunity
to make contact with a pitch.
[0033] Control over direction of the body also is lost when the
shoulders move in this manner, further limiting the ability of the
batter to control the movement of the hands and bat. Essentially,
the hands holding the bat become locked into one plane, further
decreasing the chances of adjusting to a pitch moving in multiple
planes during a swing of the bat.
[0034] The position of the front foot imposed by the training aid
also causes the batter to have flexion in the knee of the front
leg, which in turn creates flexion in the front arm elbow. Flexion
in the front arm elbow provides a batter with better speed and
control that increases the likelihood of contacting the ball. A
stiff arm and elbow creates a long swing that is all in the
shoulders. The swing will, therefore, likely go around the ball and
stay in one plane, making it very unlikely that contact will be
made with any pitch moving in three planes. To the contrary, an
elbow with flexion allows the batter to get his or her hands to the
hitting zone quickly, yet stay in the hitting zone longer.
Additionally, the hands are not locked in one place and can adjust
to the location of a pitch.
[0035] By repeatedly practicing his or her swing while using the
training aid disclosed herein, a batter's muscle memory is
programmed to keep the front hip back during swing initiation.
Additionally, because the movements of other parts of the body are
tied to keeping the front hip bone back, the body also commits to
memory the movement of these parts of the body. Eventually, even
without use of the training aid, a batter begins to keep his or her
front hip back and swing mechanics are thereby improved.
[0036] Before turning to FIGS. 1-9, it is noted that each of the
sports training aids illustrated in the instant application are
designed for the front foot of a right-handed batter (i.e., for the
left foot). The sports training aid disclosed herein may also be
used by a left-handed batter (i.e., for the right foot). In order
for a sports training aid to be used by a left-footed batter, the
direction of incline from side to side shown in FIGS. 1-9 would
need to be reversed. However, the front foot of the left-handed
batter will still be aligned on the sports training aid such that
the batter's insole will be placed at the lowest point of the side
to side incline and the batter's outsole will be placed at the
highest point of the side to side incline. The incline from the
front to back of the sports training aid will remain the same
(i.e., the same as shown in FIGS. 1-9).
[0037] Turning now to a first embodiment of the instant
application, and referring to FIG. 1, a sports training aid 10
comprising a foot placement area 12 is disclosed. Foot placement
area 12 may be divided into four regions: toe placement region 14,
heel placement region 16, insole placement region 18, and outsole
placement region 20. Toe placement region 14, heel placement region
16, insole placement region 18, and outsole placement region 20 may
be oriented with respect to each other so as to mimic the general
layout of a foot of a sports player using sports training aid 10.
That is to say, toe placement region 14 may be located at an
opposite end of foot placement area 12 from the end of foot
placement area 12 where heel placement region 16 is located.
Similarly, insole placement region 18 may be located at an opposite
side of foot placement area 12 from the side of foot placement area
12 where outsole placement region 20 is located. Ultimately, when a
foot of a sports player is disposed in foot placement area 12 of
sports training aid 10, the user's toes may be in toe placement
region 12, the user's heel may be in heel placement region 14, the
user's insole may be in insole placement region 18, and the user's
outsole may be in outsole placement region 20.
[0038] Foot placement area 12 may be inclined in two directions. A
first incline 22 may be in the direction from heel placement region
16 to toe placement region 14. A second incline 24 may exist
between insole placement region 18 and outsole placement region 20.
First incline 22 may be up from heel placement region 16 to toe
placement region 14 and second incline may be up from insole
placement region 18 to outsole placement region 20, such as has
been found to be useful for the front foot placement of a baseball
swing. Other incline directions may be desirable depending on
whether the sport training aid is associated with the front or back
foot and the sport of concern.
[0039] Inclines 22, 24 may be consistent along the length and width
of sports training aid 10. In other words, inclines 22, 24 may
maintain a constant angle and do not increase or decrease as toe
placement region 14 and/or outsole placement region 20 are
approached. Additionally, incline 22 between heel placement region
16 and toe placement region 14 may apply across the width of sports
training aid 10 and incline 24 between insole placement region 18
and outsole placement region 20 may apply across the depth of
sports training aid 10.
[0040] Inclines 22, 24 may have an angle of inclination ranging
from greater than 0 degrees to about 80 degrees. In one aspect
disclosed herein, inclines 22 and 24 may have an angle of
inclination ranging from greater than 0 degrees to about 30
degrees. Inclines 22, 24 may have the same or different angles of
inclination. In one aspect disclosed herein, incline 22 may have an
angle of inclination of from about 16 to 26 degrees (preferably 21
degrees), while incline 24 may have an angle of inclination of from
about 12 to 22 degrees (preferably 17 degrees). In still another
aspect, the angle of inclination for inclines 22, 24 may be
adjusted within a range of angles of inclination.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, sports training aid 10 may
further comprise a toe restrainer 30 in order to maintain a sports
player's foot on foot placement area 12. Toe restrainer 30 may be
located in toe placement area 14 so as to secure a sports player's
foot to foot placement area 12 by means of securing a sports
player's toes to toe placement region 14 of foot placement area 12.
Toe restrainer 30 is not limited and may be any type of device that
may secure a foot to foot placement area 12 of sports training aid
10. As shown in FIG. 1A, toe restrainer 30 may be a quarter sphere
that extends upwardly from foot placement area 12 and rearwardly
towards heel placement region 16. A sports player's toes may
thereby be inserted into and under toe restrainer 30 to maintain a
sports player's foot on foot placement area 12. The toe restrainer
30 in this embodiment may be called a toe shield or the like, as it
may provide some protection depending on the material used. As
shown in FIG. 1B, toe restrainer 30 may comprise one or more straps
secured at one end to foot placement area 12 and having an opposite
end that may be detachably secured to foot placement area 12. Any
manner for detachably securing one end of toe restrainer 30 to foot
placement area 12 may be used. A sports player's foot may be
secured to foot placement area 12 by passing the toe restrainer 30
over the toes of a sports player's foot in position on foot
placement area 12 and securing the detachable end to foot placement
area 12.
[0042] In an alternate embodiment, the sports training aid may be
configured for attaching to a shoe of a sports player. As shown in
FIGS. 2-9, a sports training aid 100 adapted for the left foot of a
right-handed batter for attaching to a shoe may comprise a
foot-shaped support 110. The foot-shaped support 110 may be larger
than a foot of a sports player disposed thereon, such that the
entire foot of a sports player is supported by foot-shaped support
110. Due to sports players having different sized feet, the overall
size of foot-shaped support 110 is not limited and may come in many
different sizes. Foot-shaped support 110 may comprise a foot
placement surface 120 and a ground-contacting surface 130 located
generally opposite foot placement surface 120. Both foot placement
surface 120 and ground-contacting surface 130 may have a generally
foot shape. Ground-contacting surface 130 may be oriented generally
parallel with the ground, while foot placement surface 120 is
inclined, as discussed in greater detail below.
[0043] Foot placement surface 120 may be divided up into four
regions: heel region 140, toe region 150, insole region 160 and
outsole region 170. When foot placement surface 120 has a foot
shape, each of regions 140, 150, 160, 170 may correspond to the
appropriate location on foot-shaped foot placement surface 120.
That is to say, heel region 140 may be located at the heel portion
of foot-shaped foot placement surface 120, toe region 150 may be
located opposite heel region 140 and at the toe portion of
foot-shaped foot placement surface 120, insole region 160 may be
located at the insole portion of foot-shaped foot placement surface
120, and outsole region 170 may be located opposite insole region
160 and at the outsole portion of foot-shaped foot placement
surface 120.
[0044] As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, foot placement surface 120
may have a first incline 180. First incline 180 extends from heel
region 140 to toe region 150. The angle of inclination of first
incline 180 may be constant along the length of foot placement
surface 120 and first incline 180 may apply across the width of
foot placement area 120. The angle of inclination for first incline
180 may be within the range of from greater than 0 degrees to about
80 degrees. In one aspect, the angle of inclination for first
incline 180 may be within the range of from greater than 0 degrees
to about 30 degrees. In still another aspect, the angle of
inclination for first incline 180 may be from 16 to 26 degrees, and
preferably about 21 degrees.
[0045] As shown most clearly in FIG. 6, foot placement surface 120
may also have a second incline 190. Second incline 190 extends from
insole region 160 to outsole region 170. The angle of inclination
of second incline 190 may be constant along the width of foot
placement surface 120 and second incline 190 may apply across the
length of foot placement area 120. The angle of inclination for
second incline 190 may be within the range of from greater than 0
degrees to about 80 degrees. In one aspect, the angle of
inclination for second incline 190 may be within the range of from
greater than 0 degrees to about 30 degrees. In still another
aspect, the angle of inclination for second incline 190 may be from
12 to 22 degrees, and preferably about 17 degrees. The angle of
inclination for second incline 190 may be the same as or different
from the angle of inclination for first incline 180.
[0046] The sports training aid 100 can also include a third angle
of inclination that runs from the intersection of the heel region
140 and the insole region 160 up to the intersection of the toe
region 150 and the outsole region 170. This angle of inclination
can be considered the compound angle of the first and second angle
of inclination. In some embodiments, this third angle is preferably
about 20 degrees.
[0047] Foot-shaped support 110 may further comprise a toe restraint
200. Any toe restraint which secures a sports player's foot to foot
placement surface 120 of foot-shaped support 100 may be used. As
shown in FIGS. 2-8, a quarter sphere toe restraint 200 may be used
to secure the sports player's toes to foot placement surface 120.
Toe restraint 200 may extend upwardly away from foot placement
surface 120 and rearwardly towards heel region 140.
[0048] Alternative to or in combination with toe restraint 200,
foot-shaped support 110 may also comprise a side wall that extends
around a portion of or the entire periphery of foot-shaped support
110. The side wall may rise above foot placement surface 120 such
that when a foot is placed on foot placement surface 120, the side
wall extending around the periphery of foot-shaped support 110 (or
portions thereof) is capable of keeping the foot from sliding off
foot placement surface 120 in any direction. The height of the side
wall above foot placement surface 120 may be constant about the
periphery of foot-shaped support 110, or the height of the side
wall may vary about the periphery of foot-shaped surface 110.
[0049] As shown most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 7, foot-shaped support
110 may further comprise a plurality of stud receptacles 210. Stud
receptacles may be located about the periphery of foot-shaped
support 110. Stud receptacles 210 are capable of receiving and
holding studs of, for example, a baseball cleat having screw-on and
screw-off studs. Alternatively, stud receptacles may be configured
to receive and hold studs used on ground-contacting surface 130 of
foot-shaped support 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 9,
ground-contacting surface 130 may further comprise stud sockets 230
for receiving studs stored in stud receptacles 210. Stud sockets
230 may receive studs such that when sports training aid 100 is in
use, sports training aid 100 is more likely to stay in place by
virtue of the studs inserted in stud sockets 230 engaging the
ground. When not in use, studs may be removed from stud sockets 230
of sports training aid 100 and stored in stud receptacles 210 such
that sports training aid 100 is easier to transport. Alternatively,
ground-contacting surface 130 may comprise studs molded to ground
contacting surface 130 at about the same location where stud
pockets are located as shown in FIG. 9. In this alternate
embodiment to having removable studs and stud sockets, the studs
molded to ground contacting surface 130 are not removable.
[0050] As shown most clearly in FIG. 8, foot placement surface 120
may further comprise stud pockets 220 (or stud holes 220) for
receiving studs of a cleat worn while using sports training aid
110. To most closely mimic actual batting conditions, a user of
sports training aid 100 should wear the same shoes as would be worn
during an actual attempt at bat. However, sports players normally
wear cleats when batting, which include studs that will not mate
cleanly with a flat foot placement surface 120 having no pockets or
holes for receiving studs of a cleat. Therefore, in order to
accommodate the cleat with studs, foot placement surface 120 may
includes stud pockets 220 (or stud holes 220) which receive the
studs of a cleat when a sports player uses sports training aid 100
while wearing cleats. Stud pockets 220 (or stud holes 220) thereby
create a better fit between the cleat and sports training aid 100.
Stud pockets 220 (or stud holes 220) may have any number of
configurations and/or shapes in order to accommodate the many
different stud shapes and configurations found on different
cleats.
[0051] Alternative to or in combination with stud pockets 220, foot
placement surface 120 may have one or more indentations cut out
from the sides of foot placement surface 120 to receive studs of a
cleat worn by a user of sports training aid 100. In other words, in
order to receive studs of a cleat worn by a user of sports training
aid 100 that are, for example, located along the periphery of the
cleat, the edges of foot placement surface 100 may cut in at
certain intervals such that studs of a cleat fit into the cut out
sections. In this manner, sports training aid 100 allows the sole
of the cleat to directly contact foot placement surface 120, rather
than being propped above foot placement surface 120 by virtue of
the downwardly facing studs of the cleat contacting foot placement
surface 120.
[0052] Sports training aid 100 may also comprise an upper. The
upper may extend upwardly from foot placement surface 120 along the
periphery of foot-shaped support 110 and encapsulate foot placement
surface 120. When the upper encapsulates foot placement surface
120, the area under the upper is preferably large enough to
accommodate a foot of a user of sports training aid 100.
Additionally, the upper may include an opening to allow a user of
sports training aid 100 to insert his or her foot under the upper.
In essence, when sports training aid 100 comprises an upper,
foot-shaped support 110 becomes the sole of sports training aid
100.
[0053] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the sports training aid 100 can
also include a mound indicator 240. Mound indicator 240 can be
located on the periphery of sports training aid 100 in a region
generally corresponding to the pinky toe of a player and the ball
of the foot of the player having his or her foot properly disposed
on the training aid 100. The mound indicator 240 should form a line
generally parallel to the batter's box towards the pitcher's mound.
Notice, mound indication may be located only proximate the pinky
toe or ball of the foot, but it would be more difficult to tell if
the foot was properly oriented. The mound indicator 240 can be
considered to be located, at least in part, at the intersection of
(or between) the toe region 150 and the outsole region 170. As
shown in FIG. 11 in phantom, mound indicator may have indicia
across sports training aid 100.
[0054] Mound indicator 240 can be any general shape or size. In
some embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 and 11,
mound indicator 240 can have a generally column shape that
protrudes away from the sports training aid 100. Mound indicator
240 need not be a three dimensional object. For example, mound
indicator 240 may be a line printed on the exterior surface of the
training aid 100.
[0055] Mound indicator 240 can extend substantially the entire
length between the ground-contacting surface 130 and the foot
placement area 120, and as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, can extend
substantially the entire length between the ground-contacting
surface 130 and the top of the toe shield 200. However, it is also
contemplated that the mound indicator 240 can be substantially
shorter than these lengths, and also need not begin or terminate at
the ground-contacting surface 130, the foot placement area 120, or
the top of the toe shield 200.
[0056] Mound indicator 240 can be used by a softball or baseball
player wearing the sports training aid 100 to ensure proper
orientation of the front foot when swinging a bat, which may or may
not include rotation of the foot. In a proper swing, the front foot
in a batting stance should orient towards the pitcher's mound as
part of the stride forward with the front foot. The proper
orientation after the stride is approximately 45 degrees. Thus, by
placing a mound indicator 240 on the sports training aid 100 in the
area of the pinky toe placed on the sports training aid 100, the
batter can see whether they have properly placed their foot by
looking at the direction the mound indicator 240 points after
completion of the swing. Having a line from the ball of the foot to
the pinky toe area facilitates the visual indication. When a swing
is properly performed, the mound indicator 240 should point towards
the pitching mound due to an approximate 45 degree orientation of
the front foot.
[0057] Also disclosed herein is a method for training a sports
player. The method may generally comprise four steps. In the first
step, a sports training aid, such as sports training aids described
above, is provided. Generally, the sports training aid may include
a foot placement surface that inclines from the heel up to the toe,
and from the insole up to the outsole. The sports training aid may
also include the mound indicator described in greater detail
above.
[0058] In a second step, the front foot of a sports player in a
batting stance is positioned on the foot placement surface of the
sports training aid. The front foot may be positioned on the foot
placement area or surface such that the appropriate portions of a
sports player's foot correspond to the regions of the foot
placement area or surface. In other words, the sports player's toes
are positioned in the toe region; the sports player's heel is
positioned in the heel region; the sports player's insole is
positioned in the insole region; and the sports player's outsole is
positioned in the outsole region. When positioned in this manner,
the pinky toe of the sports player's foot may be in the highest
position and the corner of the sports player's foot where the heel
meets the insole may be in the lowest position.
[0059] In a third step, the sports training aid is secured to the
front foot of the baseball or softball player. The manner of
securing the sports training aid to the front foot is not limited,
and can include use of the toe restraint described herein. Thus,
for example, the training aid may be secured to the front foot by
using the straps in the toe region (and optionally additional
straps in the heel region that will secure the batter's ankle to
the sports training aid) or the toe restraint that comes up and
over the player's toes. By securing the sports training aid to the
front foot, the batter is able to pick the front foot up off the
ground and step forward as part of the proper stride used in a
baseball swing without stepping off of the training aid. Because
the batter should be able to step forward while wearing the
training aid, the training aid should be free of any restraints
that prevent movement of the sports training aid, such as anchors
that secure the training aid to the ground.
[0060] After securing the sports training aid to the front foot of
the batter, the method can include a step of performing a bat
swinging motion. As discussed in detail above, the training aid
will position the front foot of the batter in a manner that helps
the batter to have a more effective swing. Additionally, the mound
indicator located on the sports training aid can help the batter to
practice the proper front foot orientation when striding as part of
swinging a bat.
[0061] FIGS. 12A and 12B demonstrate how the mound indicator helps
a batter with properly orienting the front foot as part of the
swing. In FIG. 12A, a batter 300 is standing in a traditional
batting stance. The traditional batting stance is shown with the
toes of the player forming a line parallel to the batter's box and
a line from the heel to toe being perpendicular to the batter's box
to facilitate understanding of the technology, but one of ordinary
skill in the art would understand the technology, would be useful
for other stances, such as, for example, an open stance, a closed
stance, etc. The sports training aid is worn on the front foot 310
of the batter 300 and includes the mound indicator 240 located on
the periphery of the sports training aid and generally in the area
as described above. When in this pre-swing position, the mound
indicator generally points towards first base, or at about a 45
degree angle to a line X that runs parallel to the direction the
batter's body is facing in the pre-swing position. In FIG. 12B, the
batter 300 has executed the proper swinging motion, which includes
stepping forward with the front foot 310 and rotating the front
foot 310 about 45 degrees from its initial position in the
pre-swing stance. The batter 300 can check to see if they have
properly rotated their front foot 310 during the swing by observing
which direction the mound indicator 240 faces after the swing. In
FIG. 12B, the batter 300 has properly rotated his or her front foot
310 because the mound indicator 240 now points towards the
pitcher's mound or at a 90 degree angle to the line X. Notice, some
stances start with the front foot pivoted as required prior to
stepping into the swing. Therefore, the mound indicator would be
sued to confirm the foot did not rotate out of orientation.
[0062] By repeatedly swinging the bat using the sports training
aid, the sports player's muscle memory will commit the overall
positioning to memory. Thus, even when not using the sports
training aid (e.g., when taking an actual at-bat during a game),
the body will still position itself in the improved stance and
increase the likelihood of hitting the ball.
[0063] While the above described embodiments are discussed
primarily in the context of use by a baseball player practicing his
or her batting swing, the sports training aid described herein may
be adapted for use in practicing sports movements of other sports,
for example, golf. The sports training aid may be inclined from the
heel up to the toe or from the toe up to the heel, depending on how
the body needs to be positioned to improve the sports movement.
Similarly, the sports training aid may be worn on either foot or on
both feet in a particular sports stance, depending on which foot
impacts the positioning of the rest of the sports player's
body.
[0064] The general concept of the sports training aid disclosed
herein may be applied to any sport which involves a swinging sports
movement. Exemplary sports which the sports training aid disclosed
herein may be applied, with or without minor modifications, include
golf, tennis, hockey, lacrosse, and badminton.
[0065] The preceding description has been provided to enable others
skilled in the art to best utilize various aspects of the exemplary
embodiments disclosed herein. This exemplary description is not
intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to any precise form
disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible without
departing from the spirit and scope of the instant disclosure. The
embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects
illustrative and not restrictive. Reference should be made to the
appended claims and their equivalents in determining the scope of
the instant disclosure.
[0066] Unless otherwise noted, the terms "a" or "an," as used in
the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning "at
least one of." In addition, for ease of use, the words "including"
and "having," as used in the specification and claims, are
interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word
"comprising."
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