Abstract:
A practice batting training apparatus is disclosed, which can accurately and consistently deliver balls to a desired location at a desired speed. The apparatus includes a base with a removable a post, and at least one feeder hingedly attached to the post for delivering various size balls to a desired location at a desired speed. The feeder can be adjusted to achieve different heights and speeds helping batters develop timing and hitting skills.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The invention relates, generally, to a practice batting training apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to a baseball or softball training apparatus, which can accurately and consistently deliver balls to a desired location at a desired speed.  
         [0004]     It is said that hitting is one of the most difficult skills to master in all of sports. To hit a ball well, a hitter must be able to coordinate the swing of the bat with the various positions of the ball at which it may cross home plate, from an inside pitch to an outside pitch, and from a high pitch to a low pitch, and various combinations in between. A hitter must also be able to coordinate the timing of the swing of the bat with the various speeds of the ball, from a fastball to a changeup. Generally, a good swing is one where the batter contacts the ball when it is at a position in front of home plate, thus allowing the batter&#39;s wrist to roll or snap as the ball is hit, thereby producing increased momentum of the bat for hitting power. Moreover, it is better to hit ground balls or line drives, rather than pop-ups or fly balls. To hit grounders or line drives, the batter must hit the upper half of the ball. To accomplish this, batters must be able to swing the bat along a proper plane or angle.  
         [0005]     To develop these skills, trainers or coaches often use conventional batting tees. Batting tees are well known for use in improving the hitting of baseball and softball players. Typically, batting tees have a base shaped like home plate with a pipe or post extending upwardly from the center of the plate and terminating in a tee element. Usually, the tee element is a flexible piece of rubber upon which a baseball or softball to be hit may be supported. The height of the ball upon the tee is usually adjustable to simulate high and low pitches, as well as for use by different size players. However, such conventional batting tees lack the ability to develop timing skills because the ball remains stationary. In addition, conventional tees do not simulate inside and outside pitches for the hitter because the post is fixed in the center of the plate.  
         [0006]     To develop timing and location skills, trainers and coaches often soft-toss to hitters. In other words, someone will toss a ball, usually underhanded, to a batter. This method can be especially helpful for younger players. However, it is difficult for a coach or trainer to accurately and consistently soft-toss a baseball or softball to the same location at the same speed. Similarly, automated pitching machines do not deliver balls consistently to the same location at the same speed. Automated pitching machines are also large, expensive, and not very portable. Therefore, there is a need for an inexpensive and portable batting training apparatus that can accurately and consistently deliver a baseball or softball to the same location at the same speed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Briefly stated, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a batting training apparatus is provided, which includes a base, a post removeably attached to the base, and at least one feeder attached to the post for delivering various size balls to a desired location at a desired speed. Preferably, the feeder is pivotally attached to the post, or to a telescoping member that is adjustably mounted to the post. Preferably the post is removably mounted to the base.  
         [0008]     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a batting training apparatus is provided, which includes a base, a post removeably attached to the base, a telescoping member coupled with the post which extends and retracts, a tee element coupled with the telescoping member for supporting various size balls, and at least one feeder hingedly attached to the telescoping member for delivering various size balls to a desired location at a desired speed.  
         [0009]     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a batting training apparatus is provided, which includes a ring that secures to a standard batting tee, a shank attached to the ring, the shank comprising two segments connected by a pivoting joint, and at least two arms attached to the shank spaced to accommodate various size balls for delivering the balls to a desired location at a desired speed.  
         [0010]     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a batting training apparatus is provided, which includes a means for attaching to a standard batting tee, and a means for delivering various size balls to a desired location at a desired speed.  
         [0011]     The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention as well as embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an overhead view of a first embodiment of a feeder.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the feeder.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the feeder.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the feeder.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view is a fifth embodiment of the feeder.  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is an overhead view of a sixth embodiment of the feeder.  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the sixth embodiment of the feeder.  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
       [0025]     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention.  
         [0027]     The present invention can be embodied in the apparatus  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  comprising a post  110 , a telescoping member  112 , a base  120 , and feeders  130 . The post  110  is a cylindrical tube with a threaded end  111  for coupling with the base  120  and vertical dovetail slots  116  for coupling with the feeders  130 . Opposite the threaded end  111  is a bore  115  for receiving the telescoping member  112 . The telescoping member  112  comprises a cylindrical tube with an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the bore  115  and a tee element  113  attached to a top end of the cylindrical tube. The telescoping member  112  inserts into the bore  115  of the post  110  so that the telescoping member  112  extends and retracts for adjusting the height of the tee element  113  to a desired height. The telescoping member  112  is secured with a locking pin  114 , such as a wingnut or other appropriate means. The tee element  113  is a flexible tapered cup, which can support various size balls, such as a baseball or softball, for use as a standard batting tee. For durability, the telescoping member  112  and tee element  113  should be made from a material flexible enough so as to absorb the forces generated by a batter hitting the ball.  
         [0028]     The base  120  is a convex disc with a threaded bore  121  for coupling with the post  110 . To provide adequate stability and prevent the apparatus  100  from tipping over during use, the base  120  should be weighted appropriately. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the base can be any appropriate shape, size, or weight, such as a flat plate or the shape of home plate, which provides adequate stability to the apparatus  100 .  
         [0029]     In  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  100  includes two feeders  130 , one on a left side and one on a right side to accommodate left-handed and right-handed hitters. As shown in  FIG. 3 , each feeder  130  comprises a shank  131  with two arms  132  attached for accurately delivering balls  101  to a batter. The shank  131  is separated into two segments connected by the pivoting joint  133 , such as a ball and socket joint, which allows the arms  132  of the feeder  130  to be positioned at various angles. In this embodiment, the ball and socket pivoting joint  133  is a friction fit so that the pivoting joint  133  is stiff enough to maintain the arms  132  of the feeder  130  in any desired position during use, but loose enough to allow manual adjustment of the arms  132  by hand.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the shank  131  terminates in a unitary dovetail lug  134  shaped to engage within the dovetail post slots  116 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 , lug  134  has a truncated pyramid shape. The lug  134  should be sized for a friction fit with the dovetail slots  116  so that the lugs  134  are loose enough within slot  116  to slide up and down by hand, but tight enough to maintain the lug  134  and feeder  130  in any desired position during use. In this way, the heights of the feeders  130  are adjustable by sliding up and down within the slots  116 . To install a feeder  130 , the lug  134  is aligned with the slot  116  in the top thereof, then slid downwardly by hand to the desired position. The feeders  130  can be removed from the post  110  by hand by sliding the lug  134  through the slot  116  all the way up the post and out of the slot  116 .  
         [0031]     The arms  132  of the feeders  130  are spaced at a distance that allows the feeder  130  to accommodate multiple sizes of balls, including a baseball, softball, or soccer ball. In this embodiment, the both arms  132  are spaced at 2½″ which accommodates both a baseball and a softball. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, the arms  132  of each feeder  130  can be spaced differently to accommodate multiple sizes of balls. For example, the  132  arms of the feeder  130  on the left side can be spaced to accommodate a baseball, while the  132  arms of the feeder  130  on the right side can be spaced to accommodate a softball. To deliver balls at different speeds, feeders  130  of different lengths can be attached, such as, 12″, 18″, and 24″ long. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, each feeder  130  can be of a different length to achieve different speeds. For example, the feeder  130  on the left side can be 12″ in length, while the feeder  130  on the right can be 18″ in length. Therefore, by utilizing feeders  130  with different lengths, arm spacing, heights, and angles, the feeder  130  can accurately deliver balls to a batter at an infinite number of positions and speeds.  
         [0032]     In operation, the apparatus  100  can be used either as a training apparatus that delivers balls to a desired location and speed or as a standard batting tee. As a training apparatus, the trainer adjusts the feeders  130  to deliver a ball  102  to a desired location at a desired speed, by pointing the feeders  130  directly at the desired location whether it is inside, outside, high or low. To adjust the height of the location, the lugs  134  of the feeder  130  are slid up and down within the slots  116 , as heretofore discussed. To adjust the angle of the arms  132  of the feeder  130 , the trainer manually tilts the arms  132  at the pivoting joint  133 . To increase the speed of the ball, the feeder  130  is adjusted downward to a steeper angle. Oppositely, to decrease the speed of the ball  102 , the feeder  130  is adjusted upward to a less steep angle. In addition, the speed of the ball  102  can be adjusted be varying the length of the feeder  130 . Longer feeders  130  will provide a faster speed, while shorter feeders  130  will provide a slower speed. Once the feeder is adjusted for the desired location and speed, the trainer places the ball  102  on the feeder  130  end nearest the shank  131  and releases. Consequently, the ball  102  rolls down the arms  132  of the feeder  130  and is delivered to the desired location for the batter to hit at a desired speed. Without any further adjustment, the trainer can repeatedly release balls  102  on the feeder to consistently deliver balls  102  to the batter at the same location and at the same speed.  
         [0033]     Thus, a trainer can use the apparatus  100  to improve a batters timing and coordination. In addition, the apparatus can improve the batters swing plane by discouraging an upward swing. Due to the location of the feeder  130 , an upward swing will cause the bat to strike the feeder  130 , thus, discouraging the batter from an upward swing and encouraging a more desirable level swing. With a feeder  130  on both the left and right side of the post  110 , left-handed and right-handed hitters can use the apparatus  100  separately or simultaneously.  
         [0034]     When using the apparatus as a standard batting tee, the telescoping element  112  is adjusted to an appropriate height for the batter and secured with the locking pin  114 . A ball  102  is placed on the tee element  113  and the batter hits the ball of the tee element  113 .  
         [0035]     When not in use, the apparatus  100  has the ability to be folded up and disassembled for storage. The feeders  130  can be either tilted downward at the pivoting joint  134  until the arms  132  of the feeder  130  are parallel with the post  110 . As mentioned above, the feeders  130  can be disconnected from the post  110  altogether by sliding the lug  134  out of the slots  116 . The base can be disconnected from the post  110  by unscrewing the threaded end  111  from the base  120 . As a result, the apparatus  100  takes up very little space and can be stored or transported very easily.  
         [0036]     Those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, any number and length of feeder  130  can be used in the present invention.  FIGS. 4-6  illustrate alternate embodiments of the feeder  130 .  FIG. 4  shows a feeder  140  with the shank  141  separated into two segments connected by the pivoting joint  133 . Instead of two arms  132 , the feeder  140  includes a chute  142 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a feeder  150  that also has a shank  151  separated into two segments connected by the pivoting joint  133 . However, a tube  152  is connected to the shank  151  defining a properly sized hole  153  sized to receive a ball for input and an output hole  154  for delivering the ball  102  to the batter.  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  illustrates a self-serve feeder  160  which can be used unassisted by a batter. The feeder  160  is v-shaped with a shank  161  extending from the base of the v. A joint  133  is positioned on shank  161 , as previously discussed. The feeder  160  includes a top portion  162  that is a cylindrical tube defining a ball input hole  163  and a bottom portion  164  that is a cylindrical chute. In operation, the batter places a ball  102  into the input hole  163  and the top portion  162  delivers the ball  102  to the bottom portion  164 , which delivers the ball  102  to the desired location at the desired speed.  
         [0039]     The present invention can also be embodied in the apparatus  200  shown in  FIG. 7 . Many of the elements in apparatus  200  are similar to the elements in apparatus  100 . To aid in understanding, similar parts will use the same number as in apparatus  100 . In place of slots  116 , apparatus  200  includes a plurality of holes  202  vertically aligned along the post  110 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the shank  171  of the feeder  170  includes an elbow  172  for coupling with the holes  202 . The elbow  172  inserts into a desired hole  202  and is secured by resting against the inner diameter of the post  110 . The weight of the feeder  130  provides enough friction between the elbow and the inner diameter of the post  110  to adequately secure the elbow  172  and feeder  130 . In operation, the height of the feeder  170  is adjusted by inserting the elbow  172  in the appropriate hole  202 . In all other aspects, apparatus  200  operates similar to apparatus  100  and will not be described again here.  
         [0040]     The present invention can also be embodied in the apparatus  300  shown in  FIG. 9 . Many of the elements in apparatus  300  are similar to the elements in apparatus  100 . To aid in understanding, similar parts will use the same number as in apparatus  100 . Apparatus  300  does not contain any slots  116  for vertical adjustment of a feeder  180 . Instead, the feeder  180  shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  provides for vertical adjustment. The shank  181  of feeder  180  terminates in a ring  182 . The inner diameter of the ring  182  should be larger than the outer diameter of the post  110  so that there is adequate clearance, such as ¼″. In operation, the ring  182  slides over the post  110  and secures to the post by resting against the post  110  at an angle. The weight of the feeder  180  provides enough friction between the ring  182  and the post  110  to adequately secure the feeder  180 . In all other aspects, apparatus  200  operates similar to apparatus  100  and will not be described again here. It is important to note that the feeder  180  can be also be used with any standard batting tee, and thus can easily be sold separately from the rest of the apparatus.  
         [0041]     The present invention can also be embodied in the apparatus  400  shown in  FIG. 12 . Many of the elements in apparatus  400  are similar to the elements in apparatus  100 . To aid in understanding, similar parts will use the same number as in apparatus  100 . In place of the circular base  120 , apparatus  400  includes a tripod  402 . The tripod  402  allows the user to quickly fold up the apparatus  400  for storage. The shank  131  of the feeder  130  is fixedly attached to the telescoping member  112  by an appropriate means, such as welding, rather than the post  110 . In this way, the height of the feeder  130  is adjusted by adjusting the height of the telescoping member  112 . In all other aspects, apparatus  200  operates similar to apparatus  100  and will not be described again here. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the feeder  130  may also be removably attached to the telescoping member by an appropriate means, such as dovetail means of corresponding holes and elbows as previously described above.  
         [0042]     In another embodiment (not shown), of the feeder  130  has telescoping arms to allow the length of the feeder  130  to be varied, thus, eliminating the need for multiple lengths of feeders  130 . In yet another embodiment (not shown), the feeders  130  are removeably attached with appropriate means, such as dovetail slots or elbows, to the telescoping member  112 , instead of to the post  110 , thus, allowing vertical adjustment of the feeders  130  through the adjustment of member  112 . Therefore, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.