U.S. patent application number 13/770116 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-21 for batting ball on a cable having a low friction surface to provide proper swing technique and muscle memory.
The applicant listed for this patent is Charles Steven Palardis. Invention is credited to Charles Steven Palardis.
Application Number | 20140235373 13/770116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51351590 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140235373 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Palardis; Charles Steven |
August 21, 2014 |
Batting Ball On A Cable Having A Low Friction Surface To Provide
Proper Swing Technique and Muscle Memory
Abstract
A batting ball is slidably mounted on a line having a low
friction surface to provide proper swing technique and muscle
memory. A hook and eye turnbuckle is connected to an end of the
cable by a thimble and clamp set. A swivel snap hook is connected
to an end of the cable by a thimble and clamp set located opposite
the hook and eye turn buckle. A bushing with a central opening is
inserted and affixed into the ball opening. The bushing has a
threaded end connected to an outer wall of the bushing. The central
opening of the bushing will receive the cable. The balls are
mounted onto the cable with a washer located at each end between
the attaching elements and the balls. The washers act as a barrier
to prevent the balls from being penetrated by the thimble and clamp
set upon impact.
Inventors: |
Palardis; Charles Steven;
(Tampa, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Palardis; Charles Steven |
Tampa |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51351590 |
Appl. No.: |
13/770116 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/022 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 69/0002 20130101; A63B 69/0084
20130101; A63B 2069/0008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/428 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A batting system, comprising: a line having a first distal end
located opposite of a second distal end; said first distal end
having a first attaching element; said second distal end having a
second attaching element; said first attaching element connected to
a first stationary object; said second attaching element connected
to a second stationary object; a ball having an opening, said
opening located through a central axis of said ball; a support
structure having a length great enough to substantially span the
width of said ball; said support structure having a helical portion
connected to an outer wall of said support structure, whereby said
helical portion rotatably engages said opening fixedly attaching
said support structure to said ball, said support structure having
a central opening, said central opening receiving said line,
whereby said line penetrates said central opening allowing said
support structure to slidably traverse said line; a first plate
having an aperture to receive said line, said first plate located
between said ball and said first distal end of said line; and, a
second plate having an aperture to receive said line, said second
plate located between said ball and said second distal end of said
line.
2. The batting device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of balls are
slidably mounted on said line.
3. The batting device of claim 1, having a tensioning device
connected between said first or second stationary object and a
portion of said line.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application, entitled,
"Batting Ball On A Cable Having A Low Friction Surface To Provide
Proper Swing Technique and Muscle Memory," which claims priority to
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/605/623 filed Mar. 1,
2012, entitled, "Baseballs or softballs on a steel cable to provide
proper swing technic and muscle memory."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates, generally, to a baseball practice
device. More particularly, it relates to a batting system having a
ball slidably mounted on a line.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Conventional batting practices require more time, people,
and equipment such as batting tees, balls, and a collection net to
hit the same amount of balls. Current batting practices do not
enforce proper muscle memory and hand-eye coordination.
[0006] More particularly, current batting systems require complex
set-up on a field. Additionally, they do not allow for continual
batting of balls with little delay in between each swing. Often a
batter is dependent on other individuals to pitch the ball, to set
the balls on a batting tee, to collect the balls, and to retrieve
the balls.
[0007] Thus, there is a need for a batting system that allows for
easy set-up at any field, is compact and easy to transport,
promotes continual batting of balls with little delay in between
each swing, and allows for a batter to practice independently
without requiring anyone to pitch the balls, to set balls on
batting tees, to retrieve the balls, and to collect the balls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a
batting system that is adapted for a ball to be slidably mounted on
a line which also includes improvements that overcome the
limitations of prior art baseball practice devices is now met by a
new, useful, and non-obvious invention.
[0009] The novel batting device includes a cable having a low
friction surface including, but not limited to, nylon, teflon,
rubber, vinyl, or plastic. A hook and eye turnbuckle is connected
to an end of the cable by a fastener including, but not limited to,
a thimble and clamp set. A swivel snap hook is connected to an end
of the cable located opposite the hook and eye turn buckle. The
swivel snap hook is connected to the end of the cable by a fastener
including, but not limited to, a thimble and clamp set. At least
one ball is slidably mounted to the cable. The ball includes, but
is not limited to, a baseball, a softball, or a whiffle ball. More
particularly, the preferred configuration is a plurality of balls
slidably mounted on the cable.
[0010] This novel invention also includes an improved bushing with
a central opening that is inserted and affixed into the hole that
has been drilled into the center of the balls. The bushing
includes, but is not limited to, metal or plastic. More
particularly, the preferred bushing has a threaded portion
connected to an outer wall of the bushing. The threaded portion is
screwed into a hole through the center of the ball and can be
adhered.
[0011] This improved bushing is fixedly attached to the ball. The
central opening of the bushing will receive the cable, allowing the
bushing to slidably traverse the cable.
[0012] Fender washers are slidably mounted onto the cable located
towards each of the fasteners, including but not limited to, a
thimble and clamp set. It is also within the scope of this
invention to use any type of plate with a hole located thereon. The
balls are mounted onto the cable with a washer located at each end
between the hook and eye turnbuckle and the balls as well as
between the swivel snap hook and the balls. The cable has the hook
and eye turnbuckle and swivel snap hook connected to either end by
the thimble and clamp set. The washers act as a barrier to prevent
the balls from being penetrated by the thimble and clamp set upon
impact.
[0013] The improved batting system is adapted for a batter to
continuously swing at a ball independently while executing a proper
swinging technique. An attaching element including, but not limited
to, a swivel snap hook or a hook and eye turnbuckle are attached at
the corner of a stationary object including, but not limited to, a
chain link fence or a wooden fence, to form a triangle. At least
one ball with an opening engages the improved bushing having a
central opening that is fixedly attached to the opening of at least
one ball. The central opening of the bushing receives the cable,
thereby suspending the balls on the cable located between the
washers and the fasteners. This improved bushing allows the balls
to move with a low coefficient of friction along the cable. The
cable is tightened with the use of the hook and eye turnbuckle
until the cable is taut.
[0014] All the balls are pushed to one end of the cable towards the
hook and eye turnbuckle or the swivel snap hook dependent on
whether the batter is left handed or right handed. A ball can be
separated by a user from the group of balls so the hitter can swing
and hit the ball with a bat. The ball slides along the cable to the
opposing end of the fence where the cable is fastened. This process
is repeated until all the balls have been hit and have slidably
traversed the cable. To begin the process at the beginning again,
the balls are pulled back to where the hitter originally started.
Alternatively, the balls are hit by a bat to the opposing end of
the cable. The cable forces the hitter to develop proper swing
technique and muscle memory. The cable does not allow the batter to
swing under the ball, but forces a hitter to hit through the ball
by making contact with the top of the ball.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the
invention, reference should be made to the following detailed
description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the batting system;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the batting system; and,
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of the batting system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which
form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of
illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be
practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from
the scope of the invention.
[0020] Each embodiment of the illustrative embodiments will
accommodate novel bushing 3, regardless of the type of ball 4 that
is slidably mounted on cable 2. Novel bushing 3 has a length great
enough to substantially span the width of ball 4. Bushing 3 has a
threaded portion connected to the outer wall of bushing 3. The
threaded portion rotatably engages opening 9 fixedly attaching
bushing 3 to ball 4. In an alternate embodiment, outer wall of
bushing 4 can be adhered to opening 9 securing bushing 3 to ball 4.
Bushing 3 has central opening 10 receiving cable 2, whereby cable 2
penetrates central opening 10 allowing bushing 3 to slidably
traverse cable 2.
[0021] For instance, FIG. 2 shows batting system 8 with ball 4
being a baseball. The ball includes, but is not limited to a
baseball, a softball, or a whiffle ball.
[0022] These embodiments are illustrative of the invention and are
not exhaustive thereof. As batting system manufacturers add
additional or different stationary objects, still further attaching
elements may be required in future embodiments of the invention but
all such future embodiments are within the scope of this
invention.
[0023] For example, in a preferred embodiment as illustrated in
FIG. 1, batting system 8 may be attached to an L-shaped chain link
fence 11. Thus, the attaching elements including, but not limited
to, hook and eye turnbuckle 1 and swivel snap hook 5 would connect
both ends of cable 2 to chain link fence 11 to form a triangle.
Alternatively, batting system 8 may be attached between two poles
(not shown). Hook and eye turnbuckle 1 and swivel snap hook 5
connect both ends of cable 2 between two poles (not shown) to
suspended cable 2.
[0024] Thus, attaching elements 1 and 5 will connect with all
currently known stationary objects and in view of this disclosure
any future changes in attaching elements 1 and 5 can be met.
[0025] In addition to the aforesaid embodiments of batting system
8, ball 4 includes multiple additional improvements as well.
[0026] A first improvement as shown in FIG. 2 is of ball 4 having
opening 9. Opening 9 receives bushing 3 having a helical portion
connected to an outer wall of bushing 3. The helical portion
rotatably engages opening 9 fixedly attaching bushing 3 to ball 4.
Alternatively, an adhesive can be used to secure bushing 3 to ball
4. Bushing 3 has a central opening 10 which receives cable 2. Cable
2 penetrates central opening 10 allowing bushing 3 to slide across
cable 2 with ease.
[0027] A second improvement of batting device 8 includes washer 7
having an aperture receiving cable 2. Washer 7 is located between
ball 4 and hook and eye turnbuckle 1. Additionally, batting device
8 includes washer 12 having an aperture receiving cable 2. Washer
12 is located between ball 4 and swivel snap hook 5. Washers 7 and
12 are configured to separate ball 4 from coming into contact with
fastener 6 which secures attaching elements 1 and 5 to cable 2.
This separation prevents damage to ball 4, to fasteners 6, and to
batting system 8 as a whole upon impact.
[0028] Additional objects include, but are not limited to, the
provision of batting system 8 having cable 2 suspending a plurality
of balls 4, ball 4 having an improved bushing 3 with a helical
portion to attach bushing 3 to ball 4, washers 7 and 12 separating
ball 4 from attaching elements 1 and 5, and attaching elements 1
and 5 configured to be connected to stationary object 11.
[0029] These and other important objects, advantages, and features
of the invention will become clear as this description
proceeds.
[0030] The invention accordingly comprises the features of
construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts
that will be exemplified in the description set fourth hereinafter
and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
[0031] Construction of the Novel Batting System
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 show batting system 8 having
cable 2 suspended from stationary object 11. Cable 2 has an end
connected to hook and eye turnbuckle 1 and an opposite end
connected to swivel snap hook 5. Hook and eye turnbuckle 1 and
swivel snap hook 5 are connected to cable 2 with a fastener
including, but not limited to, a thimble and clamp set 6. Hook and
eye turnbuckle 1 is attached to stationary object 11. Swivel snap
hook 5 is attached to stationary object 11. Primary washer 7
receives cable 2 and is located between ball 4 and hook and eye
turnbuckle 1. Secondary washer 12 is located between ball 4 and
swivel snap hook 5.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows batting system 8 having ball 4 with opening 9
located through a central axis of ball 4. Bushing 3 spans the width
of ball 4 and has opening 10 receiving cable 2.
[0034] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and
those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently
attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above
construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description
or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0035] It is also to be understood that the following claims are
intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the
invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the
invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
therebetween.
[0036] Now that the invention has been described,
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