U.S. patent number 3,921,976 [Application Number 05/495,398] was granted by the patent office on 1975-11-25 for batting practice device.
Invention is credited to Charlie W. Lane.
United States Patent |
3,921,976 |
Lane |
November 25, 1975 |
Batting practice device
Abstract
A batting aid device comprises an elongated handle and a
resilient head member integrally secured to one end of the handle
and which head is preferably composed of natural rubber or a
synthetic elastomer having a Durometer Shore Hardness between about
55 and about 65. The device is utilized in batting practice or
training by holding the handle and directing the head toward the
batter while the batter swings the bat to make contact with the
resilient head.
Inventors: |
Lane; Charlie W. (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Family
ID: |
27000129 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/495,398 |
Filed: |
August 7, 1974 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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358616 |
May 9, 1973 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/458 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
69/0002 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
69/00 (20060101); A63B 069/40 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/26R,26B,26E,67R,84,DIG.4,DIG.10,DIG.29,82 ;43/18R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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554 |
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Jan 1898 |
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UK |
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1,287,775 |
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Feb 1962 |
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FR |
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Primary Examiner: Apley; Richard J.
Assistant Examiner: Brown; T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Seiler; Jerry R.
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 358,616, filed May
9, 1973 and since abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. A batting aid device for being hit by a baseball bat for batting
practice comprising an elongated handle for being manually held and
a resilient head member for being hit by a batting implement, both
said handle and head member being solid and formed of an
elastomeric material, said head member having a Durometer Shore
Hardness of between 50 and 70 and said handle member having a
Durometer Shore Hardness of between 70 and 90 and wherein the
hardness of said handle is greater than the hardness of said head
member.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said handle is cylindrical and
said head is elongated and extends outwardly from said handle along
the axis thereof.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said head member has a cavity
formed in one end thereof and wherein one end of said handle is
received and secured in said cavity.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said head and handle are a
synthetic rubber polymer selected from the group consisting of
styrene-butadiene, polybutadiene, neoprene, butyl, polyisoprene,
nitrile, ethylene-propylene and silicone rubber.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein said head has a density of between
about 1.25 and about 1.35 grams/per cubic centimeter.
6. The device of claim 4 wherein said head has a Durometer Shore
Hardness of between 55 and 65.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein said handle has a Durometer Shore
Hardness of between 80 and 90.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A number of batting aids have been proposed including automatic
pitching devices and the like. However, few of such devices afford
the opportunity for the batting coach or instructor to extensively
observe the form and posture of the batter. Such instruction is
especially important for young or beginning ball players, and often
the balls are pitched rather rapidly so as to interfere somewhat
with the instruction. Moreover, such devices are inconvenient to
use since they are often not readily available or in the proximity
of the practice session. Further, such devices are rather expensive
and thus are simply not practical for home use or daily practice
sessions at playgrounds or parks where young ballplayers normally
practice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The device of the invention is a useful batting practice aid for
ballplayers of all ages. However, it is especially adaptable to
young or beginning ballplayers whereby a batting coach or even
another player can hold the device while a batter practices his
swing. The device comprises an elongated handle and a resilient
head member which is to be struck by the bat as the batter swings
during practice. Because of the resiliency of the head, it gives a
feel very much like hitting an actual baseball and yet offers none
of the disadvantages of requiring a pitcher as well as a fielder to
chase the ball. The specific detail of the construction as well as
its use will be more fully explained hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the batting practice aid of
the invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial side sectional elevation illustrating the
integral attachment of the head to the handle of the device;
and
FIG. 3 illustrates the use of the device in batting practice.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, the batting aid device 10 of the invention
includes an elongated handle 12 to which is attached at one end
thereof a resilient head member 14. The opposite end of the handle
from the head, preferably terminates in a flange 18 which assists
in holding the device and preventing it from slipping out or away
from the hands of the person holding it, much like the end of a
baseball bat handle.
The handle is preferably cylindrical so that it may be conveniently
held, like a baseball bat, in either or both hands of the user or
batting instructor. However, the handle may also be tapered
somewhat as desired and may also include outer corrugated surface
features or indentations for placing the fingers to assist in
better grasping the device if desired. The handle may also be
constructed of any material including wood or metal although
preferably it comprises a natural rubber or elastomer so that it is
somewhat flexible. Material of this latter type is preferred
because it will absorb shock when the head is hit with a bat
thereby being much safer to use. The material will not crack or
break during use and will not cause injuries such as bruising the
user's hands when the device is hit with a baseball bat. Further,
such a material will be more easily molded in preparing the device
and will also be conveniently attached or secured to the resilient
head to achieve an integral device as will be more fully explained
hereinafter.
Referring also to FIG. 2, the device includes a resilient head
member 14 secured to the end of the handle as shown. The shape of
the head is not particularly critical but is preferably elongated
and cylindrical and has at least a slightly greater diameter than
that of the handle. Thus, the head member will have a shoulder
portion 15 at its end adjacent the handle end. The resiliency of
the head is critical so as to achieve the desired feel to the
batter when struck by the baseball bat during use. For this
purpose, the head comprises natural rubber or a synthetic
elastomer. Preferred synthetic materials include styrenebutadiene
copolymers, polybutadiene, neoprene, butyl rubber, polyisoprene,
nitrile rubbers and ethylene-propylene copolymers. Since such
resilient elastomers are well known to those skilled in the art and
are readily available commercially, they need not be further
described herein except by way of their preferred and critical
physical properties. In addition to synthetic elastomers set forth,
silicone rubber may also be used which is understood to comprise
silicone or siloxane structure of sufficient molecular weight to
achieve the properties and characteristics of rubber as appreciated
by those skilled in the art.
The necessary physical characteristics of the head, composed of a
material selected from the above-named elastomers has a resiliency
which is conveniently determined using a Durometer hardness test.
This test indicates the indentation hardness and is inversely
related to the penetration and is dependent on the elastic modulus
and viscoelastic properties of the material. Accordingly, the
indentation hardness, using a Durometer, type A-2, manufactured by
the Shore Instrument and Manufacturing Company, and referred to
hereinafter as the Durometer Shore Hardness, is between about 50
and about 70 and preferably between about 55 and about 65 and most
preferably about 60.+-.2. The Durometer Shore Hardness defined
herein is determined with indentation pressure maintained on the
material for 10 seconds. The head member also has a density or
specific gravity of between about 1.25 and about 1.35 grams per
cubic centimeter. Moreover, the composition of the head comprises
solid natural rubber or elastomer so that it is substantially
homogeneous throughout.
Although, as previously mentioned, the handle may comprise any
suitable material, it is preferably of the type used in the head
with the advantages as previously noted. However, the handle
resiliency as determined by Durometer Shore Hardness is not
critical as it is in the head. A preferred device is molded from
the described materials with the head having a cavity for receiving
the end of the handle. Thus, if the handle is made of a different
material or of a same or similar elastomer but separately molded
the two components can be joined while the material is soft at
elevated temperature and under pressure so that they will form a
substantially unitary device. The common or adjacent surfaces
between the handle and the head cavity may also be sealed together
with glue or other coupling agent so that they are substantially
permanently joined and will not be pulled or forced apart even
during extensive use. Such techniques are well known to those
skilled in the art and it will be appreciated that any method of
joining the handle to the head may be utilized so long as the
components are secured. It will also be understood that the device
can be molded from a single material so that the step of joining
the two components during manufacturing is not necessary. However,
the preferred device is illustrated in FIG. 2 with the end 16 and
handle 12 being inserted into the cavity at the base of head 14
adjacent shoulder 15.
By way of example, a suitable device is one wherein the head member
is between about 4 and about 6 inches long and has a diameter of
between about 11/2 and 2 inches with the handle being approximately
15-20 inches long although it may be longer or shorter as desired,
having a diameter of between about 1 and about 11/2 inches. In a
preferred device, a handle comprising an elastomer as previously
set forth may have a Durometer Shore Hardness of between about 70
and about 90 and preferably between about 80 and 90. With a density
of both handle and head of between about 1.25 and about 1.35, such
a device is lightweight and conveniently handled by a young
ballpayer and yet is strong enough to withstand impact by even a
strong batter without causing injury to the person holding the
batting aid.
The use of the device is illustrated in FIG. 3 with a coach or
other person holding the device by handle 12 so that the head is
directed toward the batter as shown. The person holding the device
should of course be standing back far enough to avoid getting hit
with the swinging bat. The batter then observes the position of the
head and swings at it as if it were a ball. With the device having
the properties as described hereinabove, upon impact of the bat
with the head, it will give the feel of hitting an actual baseball
with the bat being similarly deflected upon impact. At the same
time, the coach or person holding the device can observe the
batter's swing and make on the spot corrections and give advice.
Accordingly, it will be evident that the device of the invention
provides a very effective means for instructing ballplayers, and
especially youth, is convenient to use and handle, and thus offers
significant advantages for such instruction.
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