Abstract:
The disclosure presents an innovative apparatus for use in instructing hitters how to focus one&#39;s field of vision into a preselected angular field; the invention is also a method of providing this instruction. The apparatus includes a helmet and a shroud configured to engage the helmet. An elongate opening is formed on the shroud to restrict a wearer&#39;s field of vision to a preselected angle.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    Hitting a baseball has been deemed to be the most difficult skill in all sports. Accordingly, numerous devices and drills have been developed over the years in order to master this difficult task. Developing sound fundamentals, of course, is a primary focus of trainers and coaches. Teaching a batter to remain visually focused on the approaching pitch is of primary and paramount importance in establishing proper technique for a batter. 
         [0002]    A common problem encountered by many batters is the inability keep one&#39;s head and eyes steady during the swing, which necessarily involves the rhythmic and synchronous movement. The disclosed inventive apparatus and method provides a unique approach to teaching the fundamental importance of maintaining visual focus at all phases of a batter&#39;s swing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention is an apparatus including a batting helmet, and a method of instructing a batter. 
       The Inventive Apparatus 
       [0004]    The inventive apparatus includes a shroud having a first end attachable adjacent a first side of a batting helmet, and a second end attachable adjacent a second side of the helmet. The top edge of the attachment is configured to abut the bill of the batting helmet. Additionally, the shroud is formed of a substantially opaque material that obscures the vision of the wearer, but an elongate opening extends longitudinally along the shroud and generally parallel the bill of the helmet and positioned adjacent eyes of the wearer. The opening is formed to limit the wearer&#39;s field of vision to a preselected angular range. 
         [0005]    Optionally, the lip may be formed on the bill of the helmet, and the attachment may include a grip formed on an upper edge of the shroud. In this embodiment, the grip and lip are cooperatively formed to engage and hold the attachment securely against helmet. 
         [0006]    In a preferred embodiment, the helmet and attachment are removably attachable to one another. In order to accomplish a removable attachment, the invention may include a first connector positioned adjacent the first side of the helmet, and a second connector positioned adjacent the second side of the helmet. Additionally, the invention may include a first mating connector positioned adjacent the first end of the shroud, and a second mating connector positioned adjacent the second end of the shroud. In this embodiment, the attachment is affixed to the helmet by engaging the first connector with the first mating connector, and the second connector within the second mating connector. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the shroud may include a first portion depending from an upper edge; this first portion extends downwardly from the bill and generally orthogonal the bill. In this embodiment, the shroud will also include an angled portion positioned below the first portion, the angled portion extending toward a face of the wearer. 
       The Inventive Method  
       [0008]    The invention is also a method of instructing a batter. The method will include the step of providing the batter with a batting helmet having a bill. Additionally, the method will require one to form an attachment having a shroud with a first end attachable adjacent a first side of the helmet, and a second end attachable adjacent a second side of the helmet. The top edge of the shroud abuts the bill; moreover, the top edge may have a gripping means that fits over the bill and may prevent unwanted relative movement of the shroud relative the helmet. The gripping means may be a lip, for example, or it may include a cooperatively formed ledge. 
         [0009]    The method will also include the step of forming the shroud of a substantially opaque material that obscures the vision of the wearer, except through an elongate opening positioned on the shroud. The opening will extend longitudinally along the shroud and generally parallel the bill of the helmet and positioned adjacent eyes of the wearer. The shroud and opening are cooperatively formed to limit a field of vision of the wearer to a preselected angular range. 
         [0010]    Moreover, the inventive method will include the step of swinging at a ball while the helmet and attachment are in a worn position. 
         [0011]    Optionally, the inventive method may include the step of forming a lip on the bill, and positioning a grip on an upper edge of the shroud and cooperatively configuring the grip to engage the lip and hold the attachment securely against helmet. In this preferred embodiment of the method, the attachment and helmet are removably engageable with one another. However, the attachment and helmet may also be formed as a unitary monolithic one-piece structure. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment of the inventive method, a first connector adjacent the first side of the helmet, and a second connector is adjacent the second side of the helmet. This embodiment will include the positioning of a first mating connector adjacent the first end of the shroud, and a second mating connector adjacent the second end of the shroud. The attachment is affixed to the helmet by engaging the first connector with the first mating connector, and engaging the second connector with the second mating connector. 
         [0013]    Optionally, the shroud may include a first portion depending from an upper edge that depends generally orthogonally from the bill, and a second, angled portion positioned below the first portion, the angled portion extending toward the wearer&#39;s face. 
         [0014]    Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an exploded and perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the apparatus, according to the principles of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an exploded and perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus, according to the principles of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment the inventive apparatus, shown with the shroud engaged with the batting helmet. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the inventive apparatus with the shroud engaged with the batting helmet. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a front view of the apparatus, shown with the shroud engaged onto the helmet. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of the apparatus, as worn by a batter. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an overhead, plan view of the apparatus. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the apparatus in use during a batting drill. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective and exploded view of a first embodiment of the inventive apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  includes a helmet  12  having a forward-extending bill  18 , a first side  14 , and a generally symmetric and opposed second side  16 . As typical with standard batting helmets, the helmet  12  may be equipped with standard connectors  17 , such as snaps for example, positioned on each side  14 ,  16  adjacent an ear hole  19 . 
         [0024]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  also includes a shroud  22  having an upper edge  24  that is configured to engage the bill  18  of the helmet  12 . A grip  27  may be positioned along the upper edge  24  of the shroud  22 ; this grip  27  should be cooperatively configured to snugly and securely engage the bill  18 . In order to increase the security of the attachment, the edge of the bill  18  may be equipped with a lip  20  that mates with the grip  27 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the shroud  22  has a first portion  28  that is depends from the upper edge  24  in a direction generally orthogonal the bill  18 ; the shroud  22  may also include an angled portion  32  positioned adjacent a lower edge of the shroud  22 . The angled portion  32  is angled with respect to the first portion  28  of the shroud  22 , and points inward toward the wearer (not shown in  FIG. 1 , but viewable aft). 
         [0026]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the shroud  22  may be attached to the helmet  12  by any known means of connection, such as hooks, buttons, or snaps. In that regard, connector(s)  17  may be placed on the outer portion of each side  14 ,  16  of the helmet  12 , and configured to engage mating connectors  34  that are strategically placed on the shroud  22 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the shroud  22  will include an elongate opening  30  formed on the first portion  28  of the shroud. The opening  30  should be wide enough to enable a batter to peer through the shroud  22 , but its length should be limited in order to restrict the angular field of vision of the wearer. This restriction and limitation will compel the wearer to focus only on an approaching baseball, and will train a batter to keep one&#39;s head steady and eyes focused within the limited angular field. This restriction will deter the common bad habit of “pulling one&#39;s head” as the ball approaches. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a second preferred embodiment of the apparatus  10 . Most of the parts of this embodiment are identical and/or analogous to the first embodiment of the apparatus  10 , shown above. For the sake of simplicity, analogous parts are given the same reference number. 
         [0029]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the apparatus  10  includes a helmet  12  having a forward-extending bill  18 . The apparatus  10  also includes a generally opaque shroud  22  having an opening  30  formed to restrict the wearer&#39;s angular field of vision. A pair of connecting straps  33  are positioned adjacent the first and second ends of the shroud  22 . These straps  33  assist in keeping the removably connected shroud  22  in engagement with the helmet  12 . 
         [0030]    The embodiment of the apparatus  10  shown in  FIG. 2  may be held together by any known means. For example, the straps  33  may extend behind the wearer&#39;s neck and engage one another. Additionally, the strap  33  from the first side of the shroud  22  may wrap around the helmet  12  or the wearer&#39;s head and engage the connector  17  on the opposing side of the helmet  12 . In yet another embodiment, the shroud  22  may be held in place by looping the strap  33  tautly through the ear hole  19  in the helmet, then snapping the terminus of the strap  33  to the connector  17  formed on the exterior of the helmet  12 . In yet another variation, if the helmet  12  lacks a connector  17 , the shroud  22  may be attached to the helmet  12  by looping the strap  33  through the ear hole  19  of the helmet and lightly knotting the strap  33  so that it holds the shroud  22  in place. 
         [0031]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  will have a ledge  25  extending from an upper edge of the shroud  22 ; the ledge  25  is configured to engage the bill  18  when the shroud  22  is in the attached position. In that regard, the ledge  25  should be cooperatively shaped with the bill  18  so that, when attached to the helmet  12 , the ledge  25  form-fits over the top of the bill  18  to prevent unwanted movement. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the inventive system  10  in the assembled condition. In this embodiment, the ledge  25  extends from the upper edge of the shroud  22  to engage the bill  18  of the helmet  12 , preferably leaving no space therebetween. The shroud  22  is held in place by connectors and mating connectors that are formed on the helmet  12  and shroud  22  respectively. Additionally, unwanted movement of the shroud  22  is restricted by the ledge  25  that form-fits to the shape of the bill  18  on the helmet  12 . 
         [0033]    In an alternate embodiment of the apparatus  10 , the shroud  22  and helmet  12  may be formed as a unitary, monolithic, one-piece structure. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the shroud  22  may be equipped with ear holes that substantially match the ear holes on the side  14  of the helmet  12 . Alternatively, the ear holes on the shroud may form fit into these matching structures on the helmet  12 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the inventive system  10 , shown in the assembled condition. As with the previously-detailed embodiment, the shroud  22  abuts the bill  18  of the helmet  12 . In this embodiment, a strap  22  is positioned adjacent the end of the shroud  22 . The shroud  22  is held in place by looping the strap  33  through the ear hole  19  of the helmet  12 , then engaging a mating connector on the strap  33  with the connector (i.e., a snap) on the helmet  12 . If the helmet  12  lacks a connector, the strap  33  may be looped and tied to keep the shroud  22  firmly engaged against the helmet  12 . Additionally, the strap  33  itself may be equipped with primary and secondary connectors that mate with one another. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows a frontal view of the apparatus  10  in its assembled condition. Note that the shroud  22  engages beneath the bill  18  of the helmet  12  in a substantially sealed engagement. An elongate opening  30  extends across a portion of the shroud  22 . It is important to note that the elongate opening  30  does not traverse the entire length of the bill  18 ; rather, the opening  30  is formed to restrict the angular field of vision of the wearer, requiring her to focus on objects immediately the batter, rather than rely on peripheral vision. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the apparatus  10 , shown as worn by a batter. As depicted before, the bill  18  of the helmet  12  meets engages the shroud  22  at a common edge, and the opening  30  is generally centered about the eyes of the wearer. Note that the opening  30  is shaped so that the wearer can see objects directly before her, but the side of the shroud  22  restricts the wearer&#39;s peripheral view. This configuration of the shroud  22  and opening trains the batter to ‘center’ one&#39;s vision upon the ball, and specifically prohibits the formation of a common bad habit, wherein the batter pulls her head off the ball, then attempts to rely on peripheral vision in order to see the ball strike the bat. 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the apparatus  10 , shown as from above the helmet  12 . In this view, the shroud  22  cannot be seen because it is overshadowed by the bill  18  of the helmet  12 . The opening  30  in the shroud  22  (viewable above) restricts the batter&#39;s angular field of vision to a preselected angle Θ about the line of symmetry £ of the apparatus  10 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  shows the apparatus  10  in use during a batting drill. The bill  18  and shroud  22  cooperate to restrict the batter&#39;s angular field of vision to preselected angle Θ, thereby training the batter to focus upon a limited area, and specifically the approaching ball. 
         [0039]    Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by claims that will precisely define the metes and bounds of the invention.