Abstract:
Described is a swing training device comprising a first foot plate, a second of foot plate, a connector connecting the first foot plate to the second foot plate, a first foot pad pivotably mounted on the first foot plate, and a second foot pad pivotably mounted on the second foot plate. The swing training device may be useful for teaching balance and developing core muscles used while swinging a sporting device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/268,257 filed on Jun. 10, 2009. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various sports require the use of core muscles (e.g., the lower and upper back, abdomen and hips) to swing an apparatus during play. For example, in golf and hockey, a player swings an apparatus in a pendulum-type motion. In baseball, softball and tennis, a player swings an apparatus across his body. Each swing motion utilizes the core muscles to generate speed and power to drive an object at a desired velocity and toward a desired direction. 
     Balance is also a critical factor in developing and refining the swing, because shifting weight from front-to-back and/or pivoting on the front and/or back foot significantly affects the velocity and direction of the object struck. 
     Training the core muscles through exercises may not provide corresponding results in developing the swing, because such exercises may not incorporate the balance training that is required to achieve the desired result. Thus, there is a need for a means to train an individual on the proper swing technique, which incorporates core muscle development and balance training. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention describes a swing training device and system. In an exemplary embodiment, a swing training device comprises a first foot plate, a second of foot plate, a connector connecting the first foot plate to the second foot plate, a first foot pad pivotably mounted on the first foot plate, and a second foot pad pivotably mounted on the second foot plate. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a system for swing training comprises a swing training device that comprises a first foot plate, a second of foot plate, a connector connecting the first foot plate to the second foot plate, a first foot pad pivotably mounted on the first foot plate, and a second foot pad pivotably mounted on the second foot plate, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the swing training device. The computing device may receive signals indicative of movement of at least one component of the swing training device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the apparatus and system of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top-view of an exemplary embodiment of a swing training device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side-view of an exemplary embodiment of a swing training device according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary embodiment of a system for swing training according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. The present invention describes a device and system for swing training for one or more activity types including, but not limited to, golf, hockey, baseball, softball and tennis. Those of skill in the art will understand that the same device may be utilized for all (or a subset) of activity types, or the swing training device may be specifically designed for each activity type. 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a swing training device  100  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a first foot plate  105  is connected to a second foot plate  110  via a connector  115 . On a top surface of the first foot plate is a first foot pad  120 , and on a top surface of the second foot plate is a second foot pad  125 . The first and second foot pads  120 ,  125  may be sized and shaped to receive a user&#39;s feet (with or without shoes or sneakers on). For example, each foot plate may have a length y, which may be selected based on the type of user (child or adult, or by height or weight), the activity type and/or the skill level of the user. In one exemplary embodiment, the length y may be about 17-20 inches. The device  100  may have a width x which indicates a distance between outer edges of the foot plates  105 ,  110  with the connector  115  therebetween. In one exemplary embodiment, the width x may be about 25-30 inches. 
     Each foot pad may have a top surface which is formed from (or coated with) a material which prevents slippage of the user&#39;s foot during use of the device  100 . 
     Each of the first and second foot pads  120 ,  125  may be pivotably connected to the first and second foot plates  105 ,  110 , respectively. A pivoting arrangement  150 ,  155  (e.g., ball bearings, rotatable disc, etc.) may be formed at a midpoint of each of the first and second foot pads  120 ,  125  or offset from the midpoint. The pivoting arrangement  150 ,  155  may further include at least one stopping member  160 ,  165  restricting rotation of the foot pad relative to the foot plate to a predefined angular range. The predefined angular range may be the same or different for the first and second foot pads  120 ,  125 . In one exemplary embodiment, each of the first and second foot pads  120 ,  125  may be slidably coupled to the pivoting arrangement, such that a user may move each foot pad relative to the pivoting arrangement and change a location of an axis of rotation of the foot pads relative to the foot plates. Each foot pad may then be secured to the pivoting arrangements to ensure that the foot pads do not slide relative to the foot plates during use. This may be useful when a user desires to train with, for example, an “open” or “closed” stance in baseball. 
     The connector  115  may detachably engage the first and second foot plates  105 ,  110 . For example, different size foot plates may be used for children and adults, for different activity types, and/or for different skill levels. 
     At least one handle  130  may be formed in or attached to the device  100 . For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , three handles  130  may be formed (e.g., as cut-outs) in the first foot plate  105  and three handles  130  may be formed in the second foot plate  110 . The handles  130  may allow the user to carry the entire device  100  or the foot plates  105 ,  110  separately (e.g., when detached from the connector  115 ). In another exemplary embodiment, the handles  130  may be straps or grips attached to the foot plates  105 ,  110 . Those of skill in the art will understand that the location and number of the handles  130  may vary. 
     At least one adjustable strap may be fixed to each of the first and second foot pads  120 ,  125 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a pair of adjustable straps  135 ,  140  may be fixed to each of the first and second foot pads  120 ,  125 . The adjustable straps  135 ,  140  may be loosened to allow the user to slide his foot onto the foot pad and tightened when the foot is properly in place. The foot pads may include indicia (e.g., a foot outline) indicating the proper placement of a foot on the foot pad. The adjustable straps  135 ,  140  may be tightened and secured by Velcro, buckles, ties, etc. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a logo  145  may be printed on the device  100 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the logo  145  may be printed on a surface of the connector  115 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the device  100 . The connector  115 , as shown in this exemplary embodiment, is symmetrically concave and U-shaped. A height h indicates a distance from a midpoint  205  of the connector  105  to a plane of the foot plates  105 ,  110 . The height h may be selected based on, for example, the type of user (child or adult, or by height or weight), the activity type and/or the skill level of the user. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the height h is about 5 inches if the user is a beginner and about 8 inches if the user is an advanced user. Those of skill in the art will understand that the shape of the connector  115  may vary and that it may be asymmetrical. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, a point at which the connector  115  contacts a surface (e.g., the ground or playing surface) may be shifted closer to either of the first or second foot plates  105 ,  110 . In this exemplary embodiment, maintaining balance on the device  100  may require the user to shift his weight toward the opposite foot plate. In another exemplary embodiment, the connector  115  may be conical. 
     In use, a user may place his feet in the foot pads  120 ,  125  and secure his feet thereto using the adjustable straps  135 , 140 . The user may shift his weight until neither of the foot plates  105 ,  110  contacts the ground, and the user is required to maintain the distribution of his weight on the device  100  to keep the foot plates  105 ,  110  from contacting the ground. The user may then practice swinging a sporting apparatus (e.g., golf club, hockey stick, baseball/softball bat, tennis racquet, etc.) while standing on the device  100 . The pivoting arrangement on each of the foot pads  120 ,  125  allows the user to pivot relative to the foot plates  105 ,  110 , which teaches balance and strengthens core muscles. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of a system  300  according to the present invention. The system  300  may comprise the device  100  and a computing device  305  communicatively coupled thereto. The computing device  305  may receive signals from the device  100  which indicate movement of one or more components of the device  100 . For example, sensors  305  may be placed on the connector  105  and send signals to the computing device indicative of a tilt angle of the connector  105 . Sensors may also be placed on the foot pads  120 ,  125  to generate signals indicative of rotation thereof. The computing device  105  may receive the signals from a wired or wireless connection with the device  100 . Those of skill in the art will understand that the device  100  may include or be coupled to the appropriate hardware for transmitting (and, optionally, receiving) data signals. 
     The computing device  305  may utilize the signals from the device  100  to provide feedback data to the user regarding his swing. For example, the feedback data may include information regarding the user&#39;s balance, projected velocity of object struck, projected direction of object struck, a speed of the user&#39;s swing, a force of the user&#39;s swing, etc. The feedback data may also include one or more instructions for correcting or enhancing the user&#39;s swing. For example, the computing device  305  may include a display device which displays an image of the user&#39;s swing and displays one or more corrective actions (e.g., weight distribution, swing speed, etc.) which the user should take to correct or enhance his swing. The instructions and/or corrective actions may be generated by comparing the feedback data to reference data indicative of desired swing characteristics or a range thereof. The desired swing characteristics may be input by the user or downloaded from a remote location, device and/or medium. 
     Those of skill in the art will understand that various modifications may be made to, for example, the dimensions of the device  100 . Additionally, the device  100  and/or any of its components may be made from the same or different materials including, but not limited to, plastic, wood, and rubber. 
     The previous description is of a preferred embodiment for implementing the invention, and the scope of the invention should not necessarily be limited by this description. The scope of the present invention is instead defined by the following claims.