Abstract:
A weight training apparatus which develops strength, suppleness and memory in the muscles used for swinging of a sports implement which may be a baseball bat, tennis racquet, golf club or other sporting implement or equipment. More specifically, the trainer provides for normal use of the sport implement by a user to swing and hit an object such as a golf ball while providing shock absorption to reduce vibration and twisting of the implement upon impact with the object.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a weight training apparatus which develops strength, suppleness and memory in the muscles used for swinging of a sports implement which may be a baseball bat, tennis racquet, golf club or other sporting implement or equipment. More specifically, the trainer provides for normal use of the sport implement by a user to swing and hit an object such as a golf ball while providing shock absorption to reduce vibration and twisting of the implement upon impact with the object. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Muscle development and muscle memory are important training techniques to improve strength and speed in the swinging of a sports implement and equipment. Many training devices exist for such sport implements for example baseball bats, lacrosse sticks, tennis racquets and golf clubs. After swinging a sport implement with a weighted device, and then removing the device a bat, racquet or club will feel lighter and quicker improving the speed of the club and providing for a ball to be hit more smoothly and for a longer distance. By employing weight resistance training methods using the weighted training device with a sport implement, muscle development, conditioning and timing of the user is often improved. 
         [0003]    Among the available training devices are trainers using wind resistance as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,592 to Gitre. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,386 to Brundage a specially made baseball bat or golf club having a hollow cavity that accepts one or more nested weights is described. As a further example a weighted fixture that mounts along the barrel or shaft of a sport implement is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. U.S.2006/0122000 to Paredes et al. 
         [0004]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,599,201 to Grant a portable weight training apparatus that is attached along the shaft near to the head of a golf club is described. The device holds one or more weights and has a front clamp, a rear clamp, an adjustable hand knob, and a threaded shaft with other components to secure the device to the shaft. A user may adjust the weight of the device by selecting the appropriate number of weights to mount and secure along the shaft. 
         [0005]    Each of these training devices has significant limitations. For example, the wind resistance trainer of Gitre provides minimal weight resistance, needed to improve muscle tone. The specially designed club of Brundage requires a batter or golfer to use a completely different sport implement than would be normally used. Additionally, the weight device systems of Paredes et al. and Grant require significant preparation and adjustment to affix the apparatus to the sport implement. Further, a majority of these and other devices do not allow the sport implement to be used normally where the bat, racquet or club with the apparatus attached can for example be swung and used to hit a baseball, tennis ball or golf ball. 
         [0006]    Normal use of the sport implement with the training attachment may be prevented due to the device covering a section of the implement used to contact the ball such as a donut used on a baseball bat. Using the implement normally may also be prevented where the additional weight of the training device twists the implement out of balance affecting the quality of the swing and the eye hand coordination necessary to properly contact a ball. Additionally, an added metallic device attached to the barrel or shaft of a sport implement may cause excessive vibration in the shaft of the implement resulting in a loss of grip and possibly pain in the hands of the user. What is needed is a weight training apparatus that is easy to attach to and remove from a sport implement and a device that provides for the sport implement to be used normally with the device attached without excessive twisting or vibration due to the added weight or material of the training device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention relates to a weight training device or trainer for a sport implement that adheres to a barrel, frame or shaft of for example a baseball bat, tennis racquet, or golf club. The device is of an elastomeric material that is positioned along a shaft or frame of the sports implement, and is easily affixed and removed from the implement. An internal compartment of the sport implement is filled with shock absorbing material to absorb vibrations of the barrel or shaft as the sport implement hits an object such as for example the head of a golf club contacts a golf ball. The trainer may be tubular in shape with a portion removed, providing for the elastomeric properties of the material to flex open and grip the training device around a barrel, frame or shaft of a sport implement. 
         [0008]    An object of the invention is to increase muscle development and improve muscle memory through the use of a weighted training device that adheres to a barrel, frame or shaft of for example a baseball bat, tennis racquet, or golf club. 
         [0009]    Another object of the invention is to increase the swinging speed of a sport implement through attachment and removal of the weight training device during an active sports regimen. 
         [0010]    Another object of the invention is to provide for normal use of the sport implement in making contact with and hitting for example a baseball, tennis ball or golf ball with the weight training device attached. 
         [0011]    Another object of the invention is to minimize the extension of the device out from a barrel, frame or shaft thereby maintaining proper balance of the sport implement reducing twisting of the sport implement while swinging. 
         [0012]    Another object of the invention is to provide shock absorbing material within the weight training device in order to dissipate vibration. 
         [0013]    A further object of the invention is the easy attachment and removal of the weight training device from the sport implement without the use of tools. 
         [0014]    The present invention is directed to a training apparatus for sports equipment comprising a tube having an axial length defined about a main axis, the tube comprising a central passage extending the length of the tube, an inner wall and an outer wall, the outer wall having a greater diameter than the inner wall defining a space therebetween, a first radial wall connecting the inner and outer walls and extending the axial length of the tube, and a second radial wall spaced from the first axial wall also connecting the inner and outer walls and extending the axial length of the tube, an opening defined between the first and second radial walls and the opening communicating with the central passage, and a filling material provided in the space between the inner and outer walls of the tube. 
         [0015]    The present invention also relates to a training device for a manually operated implement comprising a tube having an inner wall and an outer wall defined about a central passage, vibration dampening material contained within a compartment defined between the inner and outer wall, and a second passage communicating with the central passage through the inner and outer walls of the tube, the second passage extends along a length of the tube to allow passage of one of a shaft, barrel or frame of the manually operated implement into the central passage. 
         [0016]    The present invention further relates to a method of modifying sports equipment to beneficially alter the weight of the equipment comprising the steps of providing a tube having an axial length defined about a main axis, the tube comprising, defining a central passage extending the length of the tube, forming an inner wall and an outer wall, the outer wall having a greater diameter than the inner wall defining a space therebetween, extending a first radial wall connecting the inner and outer walls and extending the axial length of the tube, and a second radial wall spaced from the first axial wall also connecting the inner and outer walls and extending the axial length of the tube, defining an opening between the first and second radial walls and the opening communicating with the central passage, and providing a filling material in the space between the inner and outer walls of the tube. 
         [0017]    These and other features, advantages and improvements according to this invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Several embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a weight training apparatus for a sports implement; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective of a first embodiment of the weight training apparatus with fill material; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a first embodiment of the weight training apparatus; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is planar view of a first embodiment of the weight training apparatus; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the weight training apparatus in a normally closed position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the weight training apparatus in an open position being affixed to a golf club; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the weight training apparatus in a normally closed position affixed to a golf club; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 6A-6E  is perspective view of a first embodiment of the weight training apparatus in use with a golf club to propel a golf ball; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a further embodiment of the weight training apparatus affixed to a baseball bat; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a still further embodiment of the weight training apparatus affixed to a tennis racquet. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    A first embodiment of the weight training apparatus  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The apparatus or trainer  10  is a small, flexible crescent shaped tube  2  having an inner compartment  4  filled with a material or materials which has the effect of being shock absorbing. The trainer tube  2  is formed generally from a polymer material such as a substantially rigid, but slightly flexible material such as plastic or elastomeric material. Some types of plastics which may be used to make the tube include but are not limited to PET (PETE), polyethylene terephthalate, HDPE, high-density polyethylene, PVC, polyvinyl chloride, LDPE, low-density polyethylene, PP, polypropylene, and PS, polystyrene. 
         [0030]    The tube  2  includes a sidewall defined by an outer wall  12  and an inner wall  14  being radially spaced apart and defined substantially concentric about a main axis A. The inner wall  14  has a diameter which defines a central passage  6  through the tube  2  about the axis A. The outer and inner walls  12 ,  14  have an axial length L extending between opposing ends of the tube  2 . The axial length L between the ends of the tube  2  may be between 6.3 cm (2.5 in.) and 8.9 cm (3.5 in.) and is preferably about 7.6 cm (3.0 in.) in length. Through the sidewall and along the length L of the tube  2  between the opposing ends of the tube  2  is an axial opening  16  which also extends radially entirely through the sidewall defined by the spaced apart outer and inner walls  12 ,  14 . The axial opening  16  provides a radial passage through the tube  2  that communicates with the central passage  6 . On either side of the axial opening  16  are endwalls  8  which extend radially between the inner and outer walls  12 ,  14  on either side of the axial opening, essentially defining the axial opening  16 , and also extend the length L of the tube  2  to the ends of the tube  2 . 
         [0031]    The substantially circumferential space defined between the outer and inner walls  12 ,  14  as well as the end walls  8  forms an inner compartment  4  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Where a desired material is to be maintained within the inner compartment  4  of the tube  2  a first sealed cap or stopper  20  is secured to one end of the tube  2  using glue or adhesive or a mechanical securing means such as threads or an engaging snap fit as known in the art. The end cap or stopper  20  may be of a similar elastomeric material as the trainer  10  with an axial opening  22 , and extension walls  24  to insert into the inner compartment  4  to secure the stopper  20  to the tube  2 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the inner compartment  4  may be filled with a desired solid or semi-solid material such as a shock absorbing material  18  including but not limited to rubber, foam, plastic or metal beads or other elastically resilient polymers or materials that facilitate the absorption of any vibration of the sports implement on contact with the hitting of a ball or other sports object. It is to be appreciated that the desired material in the compartment  4  may even be a fluid such as oil or gel or some other fluid having a desired viscosity to facilitate the absorption of force transmitted through the tube  2 . A second cap or stopper  21  is provided at the opposing end of the tube  2  to entirely enclose and seal the desired material within the compartment  4 . The second stopper  21  may be glued, threaded or attached to the end of the tube  2  in any known manner. Alternatively, the tube  2  may be formed through a mold or other manufacturing process having a first end sealed, thereby forming a tubular container. The inner compartment  4  may be filled and sealed using a single stopper  20  or end cap. 
         [0033]    A top plane view of the trainer  10  is shown in  FIG. 3  and a front elevation view is shown in  FIG. 4 . The outer wall  12  of the tube  2  has an outer diameter D that is greater than an inner diameter d of the inner wall  14  to define the compartment  4 . The outer diameter D in a preferred embodiment having a length of 2.89 cm (1.14 in) but may be at a dimension of for example from 2.54 cm (1.0 in.) to 3.81 cm(1.5 in.) with the overall dimension of the length L of the tube and the diameter D dependent upon the desired weight of the apparatus. As an example, for an outer diameter of 2.89 cm (1.14 in.) and the appropriate inner diameter to accommodate for example a golf club, a length L of 7.6 cm (3 in.) would provide a weight with a filled cavity of approximately 4.5 oz., roughly 1.5 oz. for every inch of length. 
         [0034]    The inner diameter d is generally sized to frictionally engage with a desired size of sports implement on which the apparatus  10  is to be supported. In a first embodiment of the present invention the inner diameter d is further sized to define the central passage  6  which accommodates the tubular dimensions of a golf club as shown in  FIG. 5 . Standard golf club shaft diameters are 1.5 cm (0.600 in.)″ at butt and 0.85 cm (0.335″) at tip for woods and 0.94 cm (0.370″) at tip for irons. A preferred dimension for the inner diameter d of the inner wall  14  in this embodiment would be approximately the same or slightly smaller than the above noted shaft tip diameters so that there is a slight frictional gripping of the inner wall  14  about the club shaft to facilitate the trainer  10  being maintained on the club shaft. Other sports implements can of course have different diameters leading to different inner diameters d for various embodiments of the invention. 
         [0035]    The axial opening  16  which as discussed above extends the length L of the trainer  10  and has a width w which is generally sized to be slightly smaller than the shaft diameter of for instance a golf club. Because the tube  2  has some inherent flexibility in the plastic or elastomeric nature of the tube material, the tube  2  including the outer and inner sidewalls  12 ,  14  are permitted some slight flex in a radial manner about the main axis A which allows the width w of the axial opening  16  to be biased into a slightly enlarged width w to allow for passage of for example the golf club shaft through the axial opening  16 . In other words, the flexible nature and relatively loose material in the compartment  4  of the trainer  10  allows for the width w of the cutout portion  16  to expand from a first closed position as shown in  FIG. 5A  to an open position due to a force on the endwalls  8  by for example the shaft  28  of a golf club  30 , or by a user manually forcing the endwalls  8  slightly farther apart, as sown in  FIG. 5B  and a return to the closed position adhering around the shaft  28  of a golf club  30  in  FIG. 5C . 
         [0036]    In this manner the trainer  10  is attached to the golf club  30  by simply aligning the axial opening  16  of the trainer  10  along the shaft  28  of the club at a point above the golf head  32  and applying pressure on the trainer  10  to force the axial opening  16  to open until the shaft  28  of the golf club  30  slips through the axial opening and into axial alignment with the trainer  10  inside the central passage  6 . The inner wall  14  may be dimpled, ridged or have a plurality of protrusions  26  creating frictional points to better adhere the trainer  10  to the smooth metallic surface of a golf club  30  or other sports implement and prevent the trainer  10  from sliding up or down the shaft  28 . The trainer  10  is also easily removed by grasping around the trainer  10  and the shaft  28  and pulling the trainer  10  away from the shaft  28 . The cutout portion  16  separates and the shaft  28  is pulled away from the inner wall  14  and out through the cutout portion  16 . No tools or external devices are necessary to attach or remove the trainer  10  from a sports implement. 
         [0037]    The inner cavity  4  is substantially filled with a desired material such as a loose, uncompacted shock dampening or absorbing material  18  providing weight and force dissipating effects to the trainer  10 . The trainer  10  may be of different length and dimensions to accommodate a larger amount of desired material  18  and thereby increase the overall weight of the trainer  10 . A series of trainers may be provided at different weights to assist in a training program of lighter to heavier weights in order to gradually train and build muscle strength and memory. The desired material  18  may be for example loose metal shot or bearings that dampen vibrations by dissipating and damping the torsional and axial shaft forces caused by the impact of the club head  34  hitting the ball. 
         [0038]    The position of the weight training apparatus  10  may be at different intermediate positions along the shaft  28  of the golf club  30  and with a very tight tolerance between the outer surface of the shaft  28  and the inner wall  14  of the trainer  10 , essentially having no space or play therebetween, providing for swinging of the club  30  in a balanced manner thereby allowing for a normal swing as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6E . Muscle acuity and tone is built up as the club is swung back normally as shown in  FIG. 6A . The club  30  even with the additional weight of the trainer  10  can still be held and aligned over the golf ball  34  as shown in  FIG. 6B  without a drag or pull on the club  30  that may be caused by an extension of a weight training device away from the shaft as shown in some examples of the prior art. Contact with the golf ball  34  is made in a smooth even manner with any vibrations caused from the impact of club head  32  to the ball dissipated by the trainer  10  and the desired material  18 . In examples of the prior art, a club cannot be swung in a normal even manner and the weight training device vibrates unevenly to the shaft causing pain within the palms of the golfer&#39;s hands as the club head  32  contacts a golf ball. With the weight training device  10  of the present invention the ball may be contacted and follow through of swing is completed in a smooth even manner as shown in  FIG. 6D  and  FIG. 6E . The smoothness and normalcy of swinging the club with the training device  10  builds muscle memory and repetitive practice builds strength. By removing the weight training device  10 , the club speed is increased as the club is still swung with the same smoothness but is lighter without the increased weight of the trainer  10 . 
         [0039]    The dimensions of the weight trainer  10 , outer and inner walls  12 ,  14  and the compartment  4  may be modified to accommodate the attachment of the trainer  10  on a baseball bat  36  or tennis racquet  38  where a baseball  40  or tennis ball  42  may be hit normally with the trainer  10  attached as shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . 
         [0040]    While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.