Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a baseball pitcher training apparatus for training a pitcher in controlling his lower and upper body portions in the movement sequence of the human body associated with throwing a baseball during the pitch preparation phase as well as the delivery and follow-through phase to conserve stress or strain in the arm and leg muscles. The apparatus has a pitching mound and a frame structure comprising two vertical post assemblies connected at the top by a horizontal cross beam assembly. Light bag weights are suspended from the cross beam assembly. The pitcher learns his body mechanics from following a pitching line indicated by the light bag weights and gauging his position by calibration marks on the pitching mound.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is linked to prior U.S. Pat. No. 8,672,781 B2. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     NOT APPLICABLE 
     BACKGROUND 
     All too often promising baseball and other sports careers can be cut short due to injury sustained from improper training methods. There is no good reason why this cannot be prevented from happening. 
     There are several prior art references related to baseball and in particular teaching a pitcher how to improve his pitching abilities. Representative examples of them can be found in the following patents: Williams, U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,883, Williams, U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,078, Hayson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,471 and Hurley U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,395. The Williams patents teach a device that will help a pitcher achieve proper foot alignment as the pitcher delivers the pitch. These patents do not attempt to teach the pitcher how to achieve an efficient, effective and non-stress producing pitching throw. Hayson teaches a method for training and warming up baseball pitchers using a baseball attached to a cord and the pitcher simulating a pitching movement. It does not teach the pitcher how to gauge his body movement within the delivery motion of throwing a baseball. Hurley teaches a device that trains the pitcher in the appropriate alignment of the legs to give them their direct line during the pitching motion to home plate. It does not teach baseball pitchers how to conserve stress or strain to those muscles used in pitching. 
     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an apparatus that can train a pitcher not only in how to pitch a baseball but also in how to do so without incurring injuries as a result of lax and improper training methods. 
     SUMMARY 
     This present apparatus is a training device to teach a baseball pitcher in the proper body mechanics of how to use muscles associated with throwing a baseball so as to conserve stress or strain to those muscles. In addition, it allows measurement and recording of feet positions by the baseball pitcher and reinforces the bio-dynamics of the pitcher throwing motion. This apparatus aims to eliminate recurrent stress and strain to athletes&#39; muscles and body mechanics during training and to reinforce a positive and forceful throwing motion. By using this apparatus the baseball pitcher or other athlete can learn how to recognize his body motion and obtain feedback on the forces and mechanics used in pitching a baseball. The present invention is directed to an apparatus to instruct or train a pitcher in the proper body mechanics of throwing a baseball and has been developed to assist students to maximize their throwing potential that satisfies the need to eliminate the repetitive stress syndrome problem of more conventional throwing methodologies. Proper body mechanics are essential to correct repeated delivery of a pitch, control, velocity, and to prevent injury. The apparatus comprises a collapsible frame structure having two vertical and height adjustable post assemblies connected at the top end of each vertical post assembly by a horizontal cross beam. Two light bag weights are suspended from the crossbeam at defined intervals and can be adjusted for height. The apparatus also comprises a raised pitching mound which can be secured to the ground. The pitching mound comprises a flat pitching plate which is parallel to whatever surface the pitching mound is placed on and a sloping landing platform or inclined plane which slopes to ground level and is contiguous with the raised pitching plate. There are two adjustable position markers which slide along the length of the pitching plate and the landing slope or in another embodiment just one adjustable position marker which can slide unimpeded along the entire length of the pitching mound which includes the pitching plate and the sloping landing platform. The position marker slides by means of a recessed track or rail that runs along the length of the pitching mound and which enables calibration of distance by sliding across notches or markings that are equally spaced and are used for calculating distance travelled and recording the follow-through feet positioning of the baseball pitcher. The apparatus is designed to be manufactured with different materials. In addition, the apparatus provides a method for a baseball pitcher to learn how to pitch a baseball without incurring injury. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  shows an angled view of the pitching mound including pitching plate and landing slope along with adjustable position marker and track or rail for the adjustable position marker. 
         FIG. 2  shows a portion of the track or rail with the adjustable position marker positioned on it. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of the pitching mound. 
         FIG. 4  shows a side view of the apparatus, showing the primary frame structure in an assembled condition, with the light bag weights attached thereto and the pitching mound placed directly underneath. 
         FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment of the apparatus which shows the vertical posts of the apparatus in an exploded view and showing how they can be reconfigured for height and length. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Drawings - Reference Numerals 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 100  
                 Training apparatus 
                 101 
                 lower vertical post member 
               
               
                 102  
                 lower vertical post member 
                 103 
                 upper vertical post member 
               
               
                 104  
                 upper vertical post member 
                 113 
                 light bag weight 
               
               
                 114  
                 light bag weight 
                 116 
                 horizontal cross beam assembly 
               
               
                 117  
                 pitching mound 
                 118 
                 pitching plate 
               
               
                 119  
                 landing slope 
                 123 &amp; 124 
                 base members for  
               
               
                 125 &amp; 126 
                 receptacles at top ends  
                   
                 vertical post assemblies 
               
               
                   
                 of upper vertical post assemblies 
                   
                   
               
               
                 128 &amp; 129 
                 vertical post assemblies 
                 130 
                 distance measurement marker 
               
               
                 131  
                 calibrations or calibrated notches 
                 132 
                 adjustable position marker 
               
               
                 133 
                 rods 
                 134 
                 recessed rail or track 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DESCRIPTION 
     This is an apparatus to teach a pitcher the proper body mechanics when throwing a baseball so as to conserve stress or strain to those muscles used in pitching/throwing the baseball. In addition, it allows measurement and recording of feet positions by the baseball pitcher and reinforces the bio-dynamics of the pitcher throwing motion. Specifically it will teach the pitcher the correct body movement to avoid incurring injuries that could jeopardize a baseball career. It will teach the pitcher to become spatially aware of the pitcher&#39;s position and movement of arms, legs, feet and torso throughout the delivery of the pitch in order to avoid injury to the pitcher that may result from improper body mechanics and to reinforce a positive and forceful throwing motion. 
     This training apparatus  100  has been designed so that it may be used to strengthen and conserve usage of all the muscles associated with throwing a baseball. This training apparatus  100  can be used by the little leaguer, up through the professional athlete. The subject apparatus provides a training device for a baseball pitcher, which is lightweight, portable, easily erected and can be used indoors in a gymnasium or outdoors on a practice field. 
       FIG. 1  shows the pitching mound alone. The pitching mound is comprised of a pitching plate  118  and a landing slope or inclined plane  119  and contains recessed rail or track  134  with calibrations or calibrated notches  131  and adjustable position marker  132 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a close up of the recessed rail or track  134  containing calibrations or calibrated notches  131  and adjustable position marker  132 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a side view of the pitching mound  117 . 
       FIG. 4  generally shows a training apparatus to train a baseball pitcher which comprises a primary frame structure which includes two vertical post assemblies  128  and  129  and a horizontal cross beam assembly  116 . Light bag weights  113  and  114  are suspended from the horizontal cross beam assembly  116 . A pitching mound  117  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  is inserted on the ground at the base of the apparatus and between both the vertical post assemblies and underneath the cross beam member. There are two base members  123  and  124  placed on the ground and into which the vertical post assemblies are inserted which are shown more fully in  FIG. 5 . 
     When a pitcher practices a throw of a baseball, the pitcher stands on the pitching mound  117  that is secured to the ground by a securing means. The purpose of the securing means is to prevent the pitching mound from shifting during use. 
     There are two light bag weights  113  and  114  suspended from the cross beam assembly  116 . One light bag weight  113  is suspended above the pitching plate  118 . The other light bag weight  114  is suspended along the landing slope  119 . The light bag weights drop down from above from the horizontal cross beam member  116  and can be adjusted for height as required. 
     There are calibration notches  131  longitudinally marked both on the pitching plate  118  and on the landing slope permitting the user to check his stride length and the position of his feet on the landing slope area or inclined plane  119 . There is also an adjustable position marker  132  that slides along a recessed rail or track and which can be positioned to record the location of the various feet positions or landing positions of the feet of the pitcher. 
     The horizontal cross beam assembly  116  has a distance measurement marker  130  along the entire length of the horizontal cross beam assembly. 
     The pitcher starts his/her motion on the pitching plate  118 . The pitcher will wind his/her body to throw the baseball and aim to make contact with the light bag weight  113  suspended directly above the pitching plate. In other words, the pitcher will hit the light bag weight  113  behind the pitcher with his throwing hand and then hit the light bag weight  114  suspended at the front of pitcher above the landing slope  119  with the same throwing hand to guide the pitcher as to the target area for releasing the ball. 
       FIG. 5  shows the training apparatus  100  can have an additional embodiment whereby it can also be constructed to have a primary frame structure including a pair of base members  123  and  124 , first and second vertical post assemblies  128  and  129  which are each comprised of one lower vertical post member  101  and  102  and one upper vertical post member  103  and  104  each lower vertical post member  101  and  102  attachable to the respective base member  123  and  124  and an upper vertical post member  103  and  104  telescopically received within the lower vertical post members  101  and  102  and selectively positionable relative thereto to adjust a height of a top end of the upper vertical post members  103  and  104  using rods  133  insertable in holes in the said posts, and a horizontal cross beam assembly including an elongate horizontal cross beam assembly  116  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The top ends of the upper vertical post members are provided with receptacles  125  and  126  for receipt of outboard ends of the horizontal cross beam assembly so that the horizontal cross beam assembly spans between the spaced apart vertical post assemblies at a selected, adjusted height above the floor. The base members  123  and  124  are specifically structured to rest on a flat surface with the extending feet sections providing stability. The frame structure of the training apparatus  100  is fully collapsible and can be reconfigured for height and length. 
     The training apparatus  100  can be made from a variety of materials including wood, plastic and metal. 
     This structure is just one example of elements operable in the training apparatus. 
     The previously described versions of the present apparatus have many advantages, including teaching the mind of the baseball pitcher how to control his body. It corrects for the flawed mechanics inherent in the usual teaching methods used for baseball pitchers. It is an apparatus that allows the user to easily adopt the most efficient, effective and non-stress producing pitching throw based on extensive research of body mechanics and the kinetics of the throwing motion. 
     In addition, this invention relates to the field of exercise and training equipment and more particularly to a collapsible, portable, lightweight training device, which can be used with equal effectiveness by either left or right-handed pitchers and can be used indoors in a gymnasium or outdoors on a practice field. 
     It is not necessary for all embodiments of the invention to have all the advantages of the invention or fulfill all the purposes of the apparatus. 
     While the instant apparatus has been shown and described in accordance with preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures may be made from the instant disclosure. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. 
     In the Summary above and in the Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the apparatus. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the apparatus in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the apparatus, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the apparatus, and in the apparatus generally. 
     The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e. contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also one or more other components. 
     Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).