Baseball swing training device

A baseball swing training device has a base, a support member adjustably connected to the base, and a suction assembly disposed in the base that extends through and out of the support member to hold a ball in a stationary position. The suction assembly includes a coil vacuum hose disposed within the support member, and connected to a vacuum pump assembly, and an elongated hose connected to the coil vacuum hose at one end, and removeably connected to a suction nozzle at an opposite end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a baseball swing training device. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a baseball swing training device that assists in developing proper swing mechanics.

Devices for developing baseball swings are known in the art. Most common is a baseball tee having a base, a vertical shaft that extends vertically from the base, and a support connected to the top of the shaft to receive and support a ball. These batting tees encourage poor swing mechanics. Because the ball sits on top of the tee, a proper swing, where the ball is struck on a lower portion, is impeded by the bat making contact with the shaft of the tee.

Other devices, where the ball is hung from above do not solve this problem. In one example, in order to hold the ball, the device has a retaining member that covers at least half the ball, restricting visibility of the upper portion of the ball. Another device that uses vacuum pressure is designed to move the ball through a hitting zone to develop hand eye coordination and not swing mechanics.

Ideal swing mechanics involve hitting the ball on the bottom third portion with a range of an approximately seventeen to thirty-five degree launch angle. Needed in the art is a swing training device where the ball is almost completely visible to encourage proper swing mechanics where the bottom of the ball is unimpeded by the tee and allows the ball to be cleanly hit, driving through the ball with a more mechanically sound swing by providing an almost completely visible stationary target. Through repetition, one develops muscle training and muscle memory for proper swing mechanics.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a baseball swing training device where the ball is stationary and almost completely visible.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a baseball swing training device that develops proper swing mechanics.

These and other objectives will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art based on the following written description, drawings and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A baseball swing training device achieves the stated objectives by suspending a ball with vacuum pressure in a near completely visible manner, naturally encouraging better batting swing mechanics where a batter is more likely to cleanly hit the bottom of the ball, driving through it in a more mechanically sound swing.

Visibly found in other training devices are solved via a self-contained system that provides a constant source of vacuum suction to suspend the ball. The constant source of optimal amount of vacuum pressure permits use of a minimal contact patch or suction cup to connect the ball to the suction assembly. This arrangement permits the ball to be almost completely visible to the user giving them a more realistic view of the ball.

The device is also portable having a base having a housing that enclose a battery and a vacuum pump assembly. An adjustable support member is connected to the base and a suction assembly extends from the base through the support member. The suction assembly includes a coil vacuum hose connected to the vacuum pump assembly at one end and an elongated vacuum hose at the opposite end. The elongated vacuum hose is connected to a suction nozzle that extends out of the support member and holds a ball with suction pressure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, a baseball swing training device10has a base12. The base12includes housing14. While the housing14is of any size, shape, and structure, preferred is a housing14having a circular bottom section16and a generally conical section18that form a hollow chamber19. The cover section18has a central opening20and a groove22that extends horizontally at least partially around the outer surface of the cover section18. The groove22is formed and adapted to receive a plurality of balls such as baseballs, softballs or the like. The cover section18is made of any material and preferably a rubber polymer blend.

Disposed within the housing14is a battery24connected to a vacuum pump assembly26. Preferably, the battery24is connected to a battery charger barrel plug28that extends through the cover section18for connection to a power source to recharge the battery24. A connection tube or collar30extends through the central opening20of the cover section18. Also, connected to the battery24through the cover section18is an activating device32such as a switch plate or the like. A battery meter34and/or an indicator light are also connected to the battery24through the cover section18. The battery24and vacuum pump assembly26are disposed within an inner housing33having a removable cover plate35on the circular bottom section16of housing14.

Attached to the connection collar30is a support member36. The support member36is of any size, shape, and structure, and preferably is comprised by a number of hollow tubes connected together. In one example, a first or bottom tube38is connected to the connection collar30. A bolt40and nylon insert nut42may be used to secure the connection. A second or middle tube44is slidably connected to the first tube38and locked into place with a shaft locking collar clamp48. Finally, a third or top tube50is connected to the second tube44.

The third tube50preferably is made of three pieces including a first curved end piece54, a second curved end piece56, and an elongate piece58that extends between the two ends54and56. The two ends54and56are curved at different angles, preferably one at 45 to 60 degrees and the other at approximately 120 degrees, and both can be connected to the middle tube44. This permits the device to be easily adjusted between a low and a high hitting position.

Extending through and out of the support member36is a suction assembly59. The suction assembly59includes a tube60that connects the vacuum pump assembly26to a coil vacuum hose62. The coil vacuum hose62is disposed within the first tube38and is made of a material and has the necessary diameter to carry a required vacuum pressure when adjusted to prevent the hose62from collapsing. The coil vacuum hose62is connected to an elongated hose64preferably with a push union fitting66. The elongated hose64extends through the support member36to the end54or56of the third tube50opposite to the second tube44where hose64is connected to a suction nozzle68. The hose64preferably is connected to the suction nozzle68using an insert plug46, a hose barb to female, and a push fitting70. While the suction nozzle68is of different shapes and structures, preferred is that the nozzle68have an elongated shaft72that terminates in a suction cup74. The suction cup74has a diameter that covers only a small portion of the ball leaving the majority of the top portion of a connected ball uncovered. In general the suction cup74covers less that twenty-five percent of the surface of the ball and preferably about 2 to 4 percent for a softball (which is available in multiple sizes depending upon how and where used) and about 3 to 5 percent of a standard baseball.

In operation, the height of the training device is adjusted to a desired height by sliding the middle tube44up or down in relation to the first tube38and securing the position with shaft locking collar48and/or reversing ends54and56of the third tube50as it is connected to the second tube44. Once positioned, the activating device32is engaged and the battery24provides electrical power to the vacuum pump assembly26. The vacuum pump assembly26provides suction throughout the suction assembly59from the coil vacuum hose62to the elongated hose64and finally to the suction nozzle68. The amount of suction provided is enough to hold the ball when one taps on the ball in a stationary position, but release the ball when one slaps the ball. Preferably, the amount of suction is between 12 and 16 inches of mercury per vacuum. Accordingly, a baseball swing training device has been disclosed that at the very least, meets all the stated objectives.

From the above discussion and accompanying figures and claims it will be appreciated that the baseball swing training device10offers many advantages over the prior art. It will be appreciated further by those skilled in the art that various other modifications could be made to the device without parting from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby. It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in the light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included in the spirit and purview of this application.