Baseball Swing Training Device

Abstract

A baseball swing training device for improving a user's swing speed. The baseball swing training device includes a handle having a first end and a second end, wherein a flexible, elongated strap extends outwardly from the second end thereof. The handle of the baseball swing training device resembles the handle of a traditional baseball bat. In operation, the user can swing the baseball swing training device in the conventional manner, wherein the elongated strap will whip around if the user properly rolls or rotates his or her wrists. Thus, the device helps to encourage players to incorporate wrist rotation into their swing in order to cause the baseball swing training device to have a whipping motion.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/138,668 filed on Mar. 26, 2015. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to baseball swing training devices.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention provides a baseball swing training device for teaching a player to roll his wrists while swinging so as to create a whipping motion of the bat through the strike zone. The baseball swing training device comprises a rigid handle having a flexible, elongated strap extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the user may hold the device by the handle and swing in the conventional manner.

[0005] It is important for young baseball players to learn proper technique when batting. The player's ability to consistently hit the ball is affected by his or her form, including his or her stance, hand positioning, and swinging mechanics. The player cannot simply swing using his or her arms alone, and must also roll his or her wrists so as to increase the swing speed through the strike zone. However, it can be difficult for young players to learn to increase their swing speed and involve their wrists in the swing.

[0006] While various baseball swing training devices are available, many of such devices are too heavy for young players to utilize effectively. If the bat or training device is too heavy, it may be difficult for the player to swing using proper technique and it may also be difficult to swing the bat quickly. Thus, a lightweight baseball swing training device is desired that helps to teach a player to increase his or her swing speed by generating a whipping action throughout the swing.

[0007] Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to baseball swing training devices. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to baseball swing training devices resembling baseball bats and having weighted portions, such as U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2012/0220396, U.S. Pat. No. 7,985,147, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2006/0199678, U.S. Pat. No. 8,517,866, and U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2014/0080639.

[0008] These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The devices in the prior art fail to provide a baseball swing training device comprising a handle having an elongated flexible member on an end thereof. The devices in the prior art provide weighted swing training aids, and such aids may be too heavy or difficult to swing using proper technique, particularly for younger players. The devices in the prior art are not adapted for use in training the user to rotate his or her wrists through the swing in order to generate increased swing speeds.

[0009] In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing baseball swing training devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of baseball swing training devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new baseball swing training device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when teaching a user to swing a baseball bat.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved baseball swing training device comprising a handle having a flexible, elongated strap secured thereto, wherein the user can hold the device via the handle and can swing so as to cause the elongated strap to whip around the user's body.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a baseball swing training device having a flexible, elongated strap that is composed of a fabric material.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a baseball swing training device having a flexible, elongated strap with a weighted element on an end thereof for facilitating swinging the elongated strap.

[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a baseball swing training device having a handle similar to a conventional baseball bat so that the user can swing in the conventional manner.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a baseball swing training device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

[0016] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the baseball swing training device.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the baseball swing training device.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the baseball swing training device in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the baseball swing training device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for teaching a user to swing a baseball bat in the correct manner. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the baseball swing training device. The baseball swing training device 11 comprises a handle 12 having an elongated strap 15 affixed thereto. The handle 12 comprises a first end 13 and a second end 14. The elongated strap 15 extends outwardly from the second end 14 of the handle 12 and extends along the longitudinal axis of said handle 12. In this way, the handle 12 and elongated strap 15 are preferably collinear such that the device is similar in configuration to a traditional baseball bat.

[0023] The handle 12 preferably comprises a cylindrical configuration similar to conventional baseball bats. The handle 12 is composed wood, aluminum, a composite material, or any other material traditionally utilized in manufacturing baseball bats. The handle 12 is lightweight so that the baseball swing training device 11 can be easily swung by a user of any age. In some embodiments, the handle 12 further includes padding or cushioning thereon so as to improve comfort to the user and so as to better resemble the handle 12 of a baseball bat.

[0024] The elongated strap 15 is flexible so that it can move freely while the baseball swing training device 11 is being swung. The elongated strap 15 is preferably composed of a fabric material, such as cotton. The elongated strap 15 has sufficient weight so that the elongated strap 15 can be more easily whipped around while the user is swinging the baseball swing training device 11.

[0025] A first end of the elongated strap 15 is permanently affixed to the second end 14 of the handle 12. The elongated strap 15 can be affixed via any suitable means such as by use of fasteners or adhesives, among others. In this way, the elongated strap will not detach or separate from the handle 12 of the baseball swing training device 11 while the user is swinging the same.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the baseball swing training device. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated strap 15 further comprises a weighted element 16 on an end thereof. The weighted element 16 may comprise a rigid material, such as wood, or may include additional fabric. The weighted element 16 is permanently affixed to the free end of the elongated strap 15 using any suitable fastening method, such as by means an adhesive or stitching. The weighted element 16 helps to promote that the elongated strap 15 be whipped around the body of the user as the user is swinging. This helps the user to practice swinging with increased speed.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the baseball swing training device in use. In operation, the user can hold the handle 12 of the baseball swing training device 11 in the conventional manner, as if the user was batting during a game. The user can practice swinging so as to cause the elongated strap 15 to be whipped around during the swing. If the elongated strap 15 does not whip around during the swing, the user will know to increase rotation or movement of his or her wrists so as to promote the whipping action of the elongated strap 15. This helps to teach the player to swing with increased speed, as well as to incorporate wrist rotation into his or her swing. Further, the lightweight construction of the baseball swing training device 11 also promotes increased swing speed.

[0028] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0029] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A baseball swing training device, comprising: a handle having a first end and a second end, wherein said handle comprises a cylindrical construction so as to resemble a handle of a baseball bat; an elongated strap extending outward from said second end of said handle, wherein said elongated strap is composed of a flexible material.

2) The baseball swing training device of claim 1, wherein said handle comprises padding thereon.

3) The baseball swing training device of claim 1, wherein said elongated strap extends along a longitudinal axis of said handle.

4) The baseball swing training device of claim 1, wherein said elongated strap is composed of cotton.

5) The baseball swing training device of claim 1, wherein said elongated strap comprises a weighted element thereon.