Abstract:
It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a batting training apparatus for simulation ball trajectory prior to, during, and after the ball is impacted by a piece of sporting equipment such as a baseball bat. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a ball connected to a rotating tab wherein the tab is secured to a bearing configured to rotate within a bearing housing. The bearing housing may be mounted to a vertical support structure such as a pole or post.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is a U.S non-provisional patent application which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/775,582 filed Mar. 9, 2013 and entitled “BATTING TRAINING APPARATUS” the entire contents of the above-referenced patent application are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of ball sports training apparatuses. More specifically, the invention relates to tethered ball hitting and training apparatuses for ball sports including baseball, softball, tennis, and the like. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Learning how to impact or contact a ball is a fundamental skill needed for success in ball hitting sports such as baseball, softball, tennis, and the like. Many ball hitting and training devices have been developed but are unable to individually provide all of the key skill concepts and device characteristics including demonstrating the length of time the ball is in and out of the strike zone, the ability to practice switch hitting, demonstration of ball trajectory after being hit, and durability for sustained use. 
         [0004]    It is beneficial for the ball to remain in play for as long as possible after being hit to provide feedback to the hitter and improve their hitting skills. Training devices that do not allow the ball to remain in motion, or in play, after being hit will prove inadequate for training the batter to determine the best ball position, correct batter stance, and timing for proper swinging. 
         [0005]    A device that allows for switch hitting will improve a batter&#39;s skills and also allows for a multiple players to train or play a game. And, when the ball is hit, it is important for the batter to see the trajectory of the ball in order to make changes to as to how high or low the balls flight is going to be. Finally it is important for the device to withstand the jarring forces frequently put upon the mechanism. 
         [0006]    Most tethered ball batting training devices consist of a ball attached to a horizontal bar, either directly or with a rope or string. Then the bar is connected to a vertical bar to supply height. 
         [0007]    Tethering to a horizontal bar such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,561 filed on May 20, 1994 and issued to Smith prevents the ball from demonstrating the true trajectory. The ball will only travel up and over the bar, not at an angle that demonstrates actual flight. 
         [0008]    One method of tethering a ball to a vertical post is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,438 filed Oct. 23, 1994 and issued to Corley which uses a thimble around a bolt to allow rotation, but the friction created in rotation and centrifugal force will limit the number of cycles that the ball will complete and thus the amount of time the ball will be in play after being hit. 
         [0009]    Therefore, a need exists for a novel batting training apparatuses configured to demonstrating the length of time the ball is in and out of the strike zone. A further need exists for batting training apparatuses configured to allow the practice of switch hitting. Another need exists for batting training apparatuses able to demonstrate of ball trajectory of a ball after being hit by allowing the ball to remain in play for extended periods of time. Finally, there exists a need for batting training apparatuses configured for extended durability and sustained use. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is one aspect of the present invention to provide novel batting training apparatuses configured to demonstrating the length of time the ball is in and out of the strike zone. 
         [0011]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide batting training apparatuses configured to allow the practice of switch hitting. 
         [0012]    It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide batting training apparatuses able to demonstrate the ball trajectory of a ball after being hit by allowing the ball to remain in play for extended periods of time. 
         [0013]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide batting training apparatuses configured for extended durability and sustained use. 
         [0014]    In preferred embodiments, the apparatus comprises: an improved batting apparatus having a ball attached to a rope. The rope is attached to a bearing assembly that allows the rope to rotate easily. The bearing assembly is inserted in a vertical pipe that provides height. The pipe is then secured to either a base, in the ground, or in a sleeve set in the ground. 
         [0015]    Accordingly several advantages are to provide an improved batting apparatus to allow a batter to improve hand eye coordination and batting skills, to provide input to the batter on how well the ball was hit, to provide a durable and stable batting device, and to provide a more user-friendly, yet economical batting device. Still further advantages will become apparent from the study of the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts an exploded perspective view of an example of a batting training apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a batting training apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of a batting training apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of a batting training apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4A  depicts an elevation view of an example of a mounting batting training apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4B  depicts an elevation view of an example of a mounting batting training apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4C  depicts an elevation view of an example of a mounting batting training apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a perspective view of a method of using a batting training apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a perspective view of a method of using a batting training apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  shows perspective view of an example of a bearing housing according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  depicts a sectional view of an example of a bearing housing according to various embodiments described herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0029]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0030]    In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims. 
         [0031]    New batting training apparatuses and methods of using the apparatuses are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0032]    The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. 
         [0033]    The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments.  FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example of a batting training apparatus (“the apparatus”)  100  according to various embodiments described herein. In this example, the apparatus  100  comprises a tether  18  secured at a first end to a ball  19  and rotationally secured at a second end to a vertical support  21 . In preferred embodiments, tether  19  is operably connected to a bearing  15  configured to rotate or spin within a bearing housing  16 . As used herein the term “operably connected” shall generally mean that one item is connected either directly or through one or more intermediate pieces to another item. By way of non-limiting example, if a metal chain had three links labeled link  1  on the left side, link  2  in the center, and link  3  at the right side then, links  1  and  3  would be operably connected to each other because link  2  in between them secures both link  1  and  3  so causing an action onto link  1  (e.g. pulling link  1 ) would have an effect on link  3  since they are operably connected. Along this same line of reasoning, link  1  and link  2  as well as link  2  and link  3  would also be operably connected to each other. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the tether  18  may be a rope, cord, chain, flexible plastic, flexible metal, or other suitable tethering device. In preferred embodiments, the tether  18  is a rope or cord. The tether  18  may be made from nylon, braided steel cable fibrous materials, or any other similar material. One skilled in the art will immediately recognize that many different tether  18  lengths and types are contemplated, and that the relative dimensions of the tether  18  in the figures is not intended to limit the actual dimensions of the tether in any way. In some embodiments, the vertical support  21  may comprise a pole, a post, or a tube. The vertical support  21  may be made from metal, plastic, or any other suitable durable and substantially rigid material. 
         [0035]    In preferred embodiments, the apparatus  100  comprises a quick link  17  which may be used to temporarily attach the tether  18  to a tab  13  which is rotationally attached to the vertical support  21 . The quick link  17  may be a carbiner, hook, or other suitable attachment means configured for the quick attachment and detachment of two items. The tab  13  may be rotationally attached to the vertical support  21  by a male threaded fastener  11  that may be inserted through an aperture  13 A on the tab  13  and through a bearing housing  16  inserted into the vertical support  21  and optionally held in place by one or more set screws  22  or similar fasteners. The tab  13  may be a metal elongate article with apertures  13 A at opposing ends as shown by example in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the male threaded fastener  11  may comprise a bolt, screw, rod, or other suitable type fastener. 
         [0036]    The bearing housing  16  is configured to rotatably secure a bearing  15  allowing it to spin within the housing  16 . In preferred embodiments, bearing housing  16  is configured to rotatably secure two bearings  15  with each bearing  15  housed in bearing seats  16 A ( FIG. 7 ) slightly apart from each other. Bearing  15  is preferably a wheel bearing of a round or wheel shape with an aperture in the center. Bearing  15  may be made from plastics such as urethane, polyurethane, nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, rubber, metals alloys such as aluminum, or any other suitable durable and substantially rigid material. One or more female threaded fasteners  14  may be positioned adjacent to the two or more sets of bearings  15  and be threadedly attached to the male threaded fastener  11 . In some embodiments, the female threaded fastener  14  may comprise a nut, locking nut, or other suitable female type threaded fastener. 
         [0037]    The male threaded fastener  11  and the female threaded fasteners  14  secure and attach the tab  13  to the bearings  15  within the bearing housing  16  allowing the tab  13  to freely rotate while the bearing housing  16  and vertical support  21  remain stationary. In some embodiments, one or more washers  12  may be positioned on the male threaded fastener  11  to facilitate positioning and securing of elements on the male threaded fastener  11 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a batting training apparatus  100  according to various embodiments. In this embodiment, the rotational movement of the tab  13  and therefore the optional quick link  17 , tether  18 , and ball  19  is aptly illustrated. The tab  13  is able to freely rotate in a horizontal plane which is substantially perpendicular to the vertical support  21  allowing the ball  19  to freely rotate around the vertical support  21  thereby remaining in play for extended periods of time while limiting the vertical rotational movement of the ball  19 . In preferred embodiments, the tab  13  has minimal contact to the quick link  17  decreasing the amount of friction. In this embodiment, the male threaded fastener  11  rotationally secures a washer  12 , tab  13 , and female threaded fastener  14  to the bearing housing  16 . The bearing housing  16  may also be attached to the vertical support  21  by an optional set screw  21 . In other embodiments, the bearing housing  16  may be press fit, adhesively bonded, heat bonded, or joined by any other suitable method to the vertical support  21 . 
         [0039]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of two examples of batting training apparatuses  100  according to various embodiments is shown. In the example shown in FIG.  3 A, the vertical support  21  comprises a fixed length post so that the distance of the tab  13  from the base of the vertical support  21  my not be altered. 
         [0040]    In other embodiments and as shown in  FIG. 3B , the vertical support  21  may comprise one or more collapsible vertical support extensions  23  with may be expanded to increase the distance of the tab  13  from the base of the vertical support  21  and conversely collapsed to decrease the distance of the tab  13  from the base of the vertical support  21  for example in a telescoping manner. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  depicts an elevation view of three examples of mounting batting training apparatuses  100  according to various embodiments. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4A , the vertical support  21  may be mounted into a ground surface by encasing it with a rigid material, such as concrete, dirt, stones, or other suitable material. 
         [0042]    As depicted in  FIG. 4B , in some embodiments, the vertical support  21  may be movably mounted to a ground surface such as a tire, a form, or other suitable base, then secured using a rigid material, concrete, dirt, stones, or other suitable material. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 4C  in some embodiments, the vertical support  21  may be mounted on a sleeve. The vertical support  21  may be attached to a short vertical support  31  of smaller diameter that is already secure to the ground or other suitable base. 
         [0044]    As perhaps best shown by  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of two examples of a method of ball sport training according to various embodiments is shown. In  FIG. 5A , the method may comprise a user  400  practicing batting skills whether right handed or left handed and stopping the ball after each hit, or switch hitting and keeping the ball in continual motion. 
         [0045]    In other embodiments and referring to  FIG. 5B , a method of ball sport training may comprise two users  400  one batting right handed and one batting left handed keeping the ball in continual motion while using the apparatus  100 . Or two users  400  can hit in the same direction attempting to hit the ball before their opponent. 
         [0046]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of an example of a bearing housing  16  according to various embodiments described herein. In this view the cylindrical shape of the bearing housing can be seen. In preferred embodiments, the bearing housing comprises one or more bearing seats  16 A ( FIG. 7 ) located within the bearing housing  16  wherein bearing seats  16 A are preferably separated from each other by one or more bearing spacers  16 B ( FIG. 7 ). The bearing housing  16  may be made from plastics such as urethane, polyurethane, nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, rubber, metals alloys such as aluminum, or any other suitable durable and substantially rigid material. In preferred embodiments, the bearing housing  16  is comprised of a material that will absorb shock from the ball being hit, increasing stability and durability of the entire apparatus  100 . The plane  7  for which the section view of  FIG. 7  is based is shown as a broken line. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , a sectional view is provided of an example of a bearing housing  16  according to various embodiments described herein. In this embodiment, two bearing seats  16 A, also called a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat are separated by a bearing spacer  16 B. The bearing seats  16 A are complementarily shaped accept and secure one or more sets of bearings  15  ( FIG. 1 ). The bearing spacer  16 B prevents one or more bearings  15  ( FIG. 1 ) from contacting each other and as such prevents the bearings  15  ( FIG. 1 ) from traveling within the bearing housing  16 . Bearing spacer  16 B also facilitates better balance in the rotation of the male threaded fastener  11 . In preferred embodiments, bearing seats  16 A and bearing spacer  16 B are cavities formed within the body of bearing housing  16  and surrounded by radial sidewalls on all lateral sides. Bearing seats  16 A are substantially open on at least one side (either top or bottom side) to removably accept bearings  15  ( FIG. 1 ). In preferred embodiments, bearing seats  16 A have a diameter larger than bearing spacer  16 B as bearing spacer side wall  16 C preferably forms a protrusion into the hollow core of bearing housing  16 . In this regard, a first bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) may be placed into the top cavity of a first bearing seat  16 A and the protruding bearing spacer sidewall  16 C makes contact with the bottom facing portion of said first bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) preventing the first bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) from dropping further into the bearing housing  16 . In some embodiments, a second bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) may be placed into the bottom cavity of a second bearing seat  16 A and the protruding bearing spacer sidewall  16 C makes contact with the upper facing portion of said second bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) preventing the second bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) from entering further into the bearing housing  16 , thereby maintaining a distance between a first bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) and a second bearing  15  ( FIG. 1 ) secured within the bearing housing  16 . 
         [0048]    Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.