A baseball training aid includes a hollow tubular member rotatably positioned on an adjustable height stand, for use in practice batting. The hollow tubular member is adjustably positioned to guide a bat during the initial movement of the bat by the batter. The apparatus can be configured as a bat guide, as a ball support, and for aligning the batting swing of a batter. A swing tube is pivotally secured to the base of the powertube apparatus, and may be adjustably positioned in relation to the hollow tubular member. A ball may be placed upon either the swing tube or on the hollow tubular member. The apparatus improves the power developed during a swing, by guiding the initial part of a swing in a forward direction, before the bat is rotated to meet the ball. The apparatus may be adjusted to suit the height and batting stance of the batter, and the hollow tubular member may be rotatably positioned and releasably secured to suit the needs of a variety of batters. The powertube apparatus may be positioned in different ways to improve the batting skills of the batter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to training aids for training a batter to hit a ball. More particularly, the invention relates to a powertube training aid apparatus having a bat guide. For purposes of this disclosure, the term ball is intended to mean either a baseball or a softball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Instructional devices for use in sports are known. It is a problem in the art to provide batting instruction which is precise, and provides accurate bat positioning during a batter's swing, in order to improve the batting mechanics, as shown in the following patents.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,276 is directed to a bat swing guide. The guide includes a vertical support and a generally semi-circular arcuate guide attached to the support, so that a path of travel of the bat follows the arcuate guide.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing it is seen that it is a problem in the art to provide a device meeting the above requirements. According to the present invention, a device is provided which meets the aforementioned requirements and needs in the prior art.

Specifically, the device according to the present invention is a baseball training aid for use in batting practice. The device is a powertube apparatus having a hollow tubular member, which is adjustably supported to guide a bat during the initial swing movement of the bat by the batter. The batter learns to draw the bat from the tube before beginning rotation of the bat. This trains the batter for proper pulling action to get the most power at contact, and reinforces proper swing technique, by staying inside the baseball during the batter's swing.

The powertube apparatus may also be used to support a ball upon the top portion of the elongated hollow tube member, so that the batter aligns the bat in relation to the ball, and planes the bat in relation to the ball through contact, during his swing. This reinforces proper technique during the swing, and keeps the batter from chopping and looping the ball.

The powertube apparatus has further utility, by placing the elongated hollow tube member substantially vertically to train the batter to stay inside the ball by missing the powertube and generating top speed and power at contact.

An object of the present invention is to provide a powertube apparatus, which is adjustable in height.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a powertube apparatus, which is adjustable in inclination between horizontal and vertical positions.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a powertube apparatus which is sized to slidably receive a bat within an elongated hollow tube member mounted upon the adjustable frame of the powertube apparatus.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a powertube apparatus which provide a pivotal swing guide and resilient ball rest.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a powertube apparatus which substantially vertically aligns the powertube to train the batter to stay inside of the powertube, by missing the post and generating top speed and power at contact with the ball.

These and other objects according to the present invention are accomplished by provision of a base, a lower support member, an upper support member telescopically mounted in relation to the lower support member, a releasable securement means for adjustably positioning the height of the upper support member in relation to the lower support member, a tube support member pivotally mounted on the upper support member, and an elongated hollow tubular member mounted upon the tube support member. A at least two resilient expandable ring members, such as O-ring members, connect the hollow tubular member to the tube support member. The tubular support member includes a base with a swing arm releasably secured to the base. The swing arm has a lower member and a resilient upper member adjustably positioned in relation to the lower member. The upper member supports a ball upon the distal end, and is pivotally positioned in relation to the base.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The powertube apparatus 10 is shown in detail in FIG. 1 A through FIG. 5 . FIG. 1 A through FIG. 1D show the progressive movement of a bat 40 as it is withdrawn from within the tubular member 26 to teach a batter 50 the proper pulling action during the initial movement of the bat 40 to reinforce proper swing technique, while maximizing the ark power of the batter's 50 swing.

For maximum power, the initial part of a batter's 50 swing should ideally be in an inside pulling action in a forward direction, toward the ball 60 to be batted. In a second part of the batter's swing, the bat 40 is released from the inside of the tubular member 26 , and then pivoted so that it meets the oncoming ball 60 . It is often difficult for the batter 50 to know whether or not the initial part of the swing is being performed correctly. The powertube apparatus 10 , shown in FIG. 1 A through FIG. 1D , aids the batter 50 in obtaining the desired pulling action to get the most power at contact between the bat 40 and the ball 60 .

As best shown in FIG. 3 , the powertube apparatus 10 comprises a base portion 12 . The base portion 12 is preferably H-shaped, and includes a pair of spaced parallel legs 12 A and 12 B. The spaced, parallel legs 12 A and 12 B are connected by a cross bar 12 C. A lower support member 14 is releasably secured to the cross bar 12 C. The lower support member 14 can extend through an aperture 12 D, as shown in FIG. 3 , and the lower support member 14 is secured to the base portion 12 with suitable fastening means 12 E. The shape of the base 12 is not intended to be limited to an H shape. Other shapes, such as circular, oval or multi-sided shapes may be used. The base portion 12 is sized to support the powertube apparatus 10 during use.

The upper support member 16 is telescopically mounted in relation to the lower support member 14 to provide a suitable height adjustment, preferably between waist and shoulder height. It is within the scope of this invention to have the upper support member 16 be slidably received over the lower support member 14 . Alternately, the lower support member 14 may be slidably received over the upper support member 16 .

A threaded hole 17 is provided to receive a releasable securement means, such as a threaded T-bar clamp 18 , to adjustably position and releasably secure the upper support member 16 in relation to the lower support member 14 .

Alternately, the upper support member 16 and/or the lower support member 14 can be formed of smaller elements, which are stackable in order to adjust the total height thereof. (Not shown). All such embodiments are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure, and the following claims.

The upper support member 16 is pivotally connected and releasably secured to a tube support member 22 by a manually tightenable threaded member 20 . A suitable fastening means, such as a nut 19 may be used to further tighten the tube support member 22 to the upper support member 16 . Any known type of releasable securement means may be used, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, or from the appended claims.

Preferably, the upper end of the upper support member is a bracket 32 having aligned holes 34 sized to closely receive the threaded member 20 therethrough. The tube support member 22 is sized to fit within the bracket 32 , and also has a hole 36 or aperture extending through the tube support member 22 near the lower end, to closely receive the threaded member 20 within the hole 36 . With the threaded member 20 lightly engaged, the tube support member 22 is positioned to pivot about the threaded member 20 . When the threaded member 20 is tightened, the tube support member 22 is releasably secured at a desired angle in relation to the upper support member 16 . The desired angle may be positioned from substantially horizontal as shown in FIG. 2A to substantially vertical, as shown in FIG. 5 .

Alternately, any known type of releasable adjustment mechanism may be used, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, or the following claims.

The upper tube support member 22 includes a cross member 23 . Optional opposing struts 24 , 25 may be added between opposing sides of the upper tube support member 22 and the cross member 23 for additional strength. An elongated hollow tubular member 26 is connected to the tube support member 23 , preferably with one or more resilient O-ring members 28 . The manually tightenable threaded member 20 can be loosened to permit rotational adjustment of the tube support member 22 relative to the upper support member 16 .

As further shown in FIG. 1 A through FIG. 1D , the elongated hollow tubular member 26 may be angled slightly downwardly, from five degrees to thirty degrees, and releasably secured with the threaded member 20 , to adjustably position the tilt of the hollow tubular member 26 .

The elongated hollow tubular member 26 is preferably secured to the tube support member 23 with resilient, expandable ring members 28 , such as O-rings, as best shown in FIG. 3 . While two expandable ring members 28 are shown in FIG. 3 , it will be understood that additional expandable ring members 28 may be used. Additionally, the invention is not limited to the use of expandable ring members 28 to secure the tubular member 26 to the tube support member 23 . Other known connection means may be used, such as screws, bolts, clamps, rivets, etc. Preferably, the tubular member 26 is releasably secured to the tube support member 23 for ease of rotating or replacing the tubular member 26 when worn or damaged. An end view of the tubular member 26 is shown in FIG. 4 .

Preferably, the elongated hollow tubular member 26 is formed of a spiral-type corrugated plastic tube, such as commonly used for irrigation or drainage purposes, and widely available in many hardware stores. Alternatively, the tubular member 26 can be a smooth tubular member 26 without any corrugations, and may be non-circular or multisided to suit user preference. The hollow inner portion of the tubular member 26 is sized to slidably receive a bat 40 therein. Different size bats 40 may require a different sized hollow tubular member 26 . Alternately, the tubular member 26 may be integrally formed with the tube support member 22 , to suit manufacturing preference. All such variations are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

The powertube apparatus 10 may be alternately positioned as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B . In this embodiment, the height of the tubular member 26 is lowered considerably, as compared to the height shown in FIG. 1 A through FIG. 1 D. The tubular member 26 may be tilted to adjust to the desired angle of swing of the bat 40 by the batter 50 . The height is adjusted by telescopically adjusting the upper support member 16 relative to the lower support member 14 , in the manner previously described.

A ball 60 is placed on top of the tubular member 26 , either at the end as shown in FIG. 2 A and FIG. 2B , or in the middle (not shown) of the tubular member 26 . One or more tee locations 29 may be provided on the outer wall of the tubular member 26 to more easily position a ball 60 on the hollow tubular member 26 . The tee locations 29 may be in the form of a flat, or aperture located on the top portion of the tubular member 26 .

The batter 50 is guided by the position of the tubular member 26 as the bat approaches the ball 60 . When used as shown in FIG. 2 A and FIG. 2B , the powertube apparatus 10 reinforces proper swing technique, and teaches a batter 50 to avoid chopping and looping the ball 60 . The tubular member 26 acts as a flat tee surface, and provides instant feedback when the batter 50 fails to address the ball 60 properly.

The power tube apparatus 10 may also be used, as shown in FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the elongated hollow tubular member 26 is placed substantially vertically, and positioned in relation to the batter 50 to ensure the batter 50 keeps the swing close to the batter's body during the initial part of the swing. Failure to do so will result in the bat 40 hitting the elongated hollow tubular member 26 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , a swing tee 70 is pivotally secured to the base 12 , and may be adjustably positioned in relation to the base 12 , to support the ball 60 in spaced relation from the elongated hollow tubular member 26 , as best shown in FIG. 6 , 7 and 8 . The swing tee 70 includes a pivotal base member 72 , a lower ball support tube 74 and an upper ball support tube 76 . The upper ball support tube 76 is adjustable in height in relation to the lower ball support tube 74 , and may be secured at the desired height with a T-clamp 78 , or by other known releasable securement means. The upper ball support tube 76 is preferably resilient and bendable, such as a rubber support tube 76 , and the distal end o 9 f the support tube 76 is sized to support a ball thereon.

FIG. 6 is a sequential view of a batter 50 hitting off the elongated hollow tubular member 26 , with the elongated hollow tubular member 26 positioned in a flat tee orientation. The elongated hollow tubular member 26 is set up so that it is facing in the direction the batter 50 wants to hit the ball 60 . The ball 60 is positioned on one of the tee positions 29 near the forward end of the tubular member 26 .

Preferably there are three radially spaced tees 29 located near each end of the tubular member 26 . This allows the player to rotate the tubular member 26 so the tubular member 26 does not become flat on one side from repeated use.

The batter 50 hits the ball in the direction the elongated hollow tubular member 26 is pointing. The elongated hollow tubular member 26 may be selectively pointed in the direction of the pitcher, the second baseman, or the shortstop. The batter 50 will get instant feed back on good hits and poor hits on each swing. For advanced drill, the elongated hollow tubular member 26 is pointing up the middle at the pitcher, and the batter 50 hits the ball 60 to the second baseman side of second base. When the ball 60 is hit solidly, the ball 60 will come off the tee 29 on the same line as the height of the tee 29 on the elongated hollow tubular member 26 . If the ball 60 jumps up high or rolls on the ground, the batter 50 knows these are not good hits. There is an unmistakable feel on good hits and bad hits, and the batter 50 will know the difference.

FIG. 7 is a sequential view of a double tee drill. With this drill, a first ball 60 is placed on the tee 29 located on the top portion of the elongated hollow tubular member 26 , and the batter 50 is instructed to hit the ball 60 to the second base side of the field. Then a second ball 60 is placed on the swing tee 70 at a location on the inside of the strike zone, and the batter 50 pulls the ball 60 to the shortstop side of the field. Then both balls 60 are positioned on the tee 29 located on the elongated hollow tubular member 26 and on the swing tee 70 , and a player or coach calls out inside pitch or outside pitch , and the batter 50 hits the ball 60 called. This drill teaches the batter 50 to hit both inside and outside pitches.

FIG. 8 is a drill using the elongated hollow tubular member 26 as a loop guide. To setup, the elongated hollow tubular member 26 is placed in a cross-position facing the pitcher. The swing tee 70 is set in front of the elongated hollow tubular member 26 , so the batter 50 must clear the tubular member 26 to hit the ball 60 located on the swing tee 70 . The batter 50 learns to position the plane of the bat 40 on the ball 60 , as the bat 40 moves through the strike zone.

FIG. 9 is a second version of the double tee drill. The tubular member tee 29 is placed forward towards the pitcher, with the swing tee 70 positioned in front of the elongated hollow tubular member 26 at the same height as the elongated hollow tubular member 26 . A first ball 60 is placed on the tubular member tee 29 , and a second ball 60 is placed on the swing tee 70 . The batter 50 is instructed to hit the first ball 60 toward second base, and the second ball 60 should be hit towards the shortstop. This teaches the batter 50 to stay on plane with the ball 60 through the strike zone.

Thus, the tubular member 26 is adjustably positioned and combined with a swing tee 70 , and the combination may be adjusted to many selected positions, which are helpful in instructing a batter 50 to improve their batting technique during practice. The powertube apparatus 10 being thus described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be evident that the same may be varied in many ways, and such adaptations and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.