Abstract:
This present invention is a baseball training device for practicing hitting, comprising a swing member supporting either a static and dynamic balanced arm member having a ball at one end or a ball holder member freely supporting a ball. The swing member is supported by a base member and is restored to its equilibrium position in hitting practice mode by gravity. The rotation of the static and dynamic balanced arm member and oscillation of the swing member aid in the dissipation of force imparted to the device in hitting practice mode, making the device stable and stationary, portable and lightweight.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    There are many types of baseball training devices with which practicing hitting involves hitting a ball with extreme force. The present invention is one of them. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. With baseball, beginners seek to learn to swing; non-beginners strive to perfect their swings. For beginners, it is very desired if they can maximise the number of swings in a given period of time. For serious players, they would like to maintain their swings. When practicing hitting with a training device, some players prefer to have the ball attached to the device; others prefer not to have the ball attached to the device so as to see the trajectory the ball will take after it is hit. Many baseball training devices for practicing hitting have been developed over the years. Baseball prior art relevant to the present invention are U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,494 to Kelly; U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,367 to Oyarzabal; U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,419 to Incaudo et al; U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,582 to Minniear; U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,050 to Holder; U.S. Pat. No. 1,962,087 to Cone; U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,039 to Tsai et al. The commonality of the present invention with a sub-set of prior art is they seek to allow the player to practice in a small space. The commonality of the present invention with another sub-set of prior art is they seek to allow the player to see the trajectory of the ball after it is hit. The present invention diverges from all such prior art most importantly in the way it deals with the force imparted to the device when the ball is hit. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a baseball training device for practicing hitting without the need for a net. 
         [0006]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a baseball training device that is lightweight and portable and can withstand the extreme force applied when practicing hitting. 
         [0007]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a baseball training device that can be used equally indoors and outdoors, by both right handed and left handed players, for practicing hitting. 
         [0008]    Another objective of the present invention is for it to be used as a Tee. 
         [0009]    Another objective of the present invention is for it to be used to practice a level swing. 
         [0010]    The design of the present invention achieves these objectives by incorporating a number of features from prior art, namely having a ball affixed at the end of an arm, having a ball holder member, and lastly having a horizontal guide to practice a level swing. However, it departs from prior art in the manner it achieves these objectives. With the present device, in one configuration the ball is affixed to the end of a static and dynamic balanced arm member. When the ball is hit, force is imparted to the device forcing it to move forward, upward or downward, and sideways. To minimise or prevent such movement, prior art devices have been made heavy and/or staked to the ground. To minimise forward and upward or downward movement of the base member of the present device, the base member supports a swing member which supports the static and dynamic balanced arm member with a ball at one end. When the ball is hit, the swing member oscillates, allowing the base member to be substantially stationary. Secondly, the static and dynamic balanced arm member can rotate completely, clockwise and counter-clockwise. When the ball is hit, the static and dynamic balanced arm member rotates which minimises movement, sideways and forward, of the present invention. In a second configuration, the base member supports a swing member which supports a ball holder member. When the ball is hit, it flies off the ball holder member leaving the device stationary. However, if the ball holder member itself is hit the swing member oscillates, preventing the collapse of the device as in traditional Tees. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, the aim of this application is to illustrate the preferred embodiments and to broadly state the methodologies that may be used with this baseball training device to practice hitting. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Referring to the attached drawings which form part of this original disclosure: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1   a  is a Perspective view of the components that comprise the embodiment of the present invention having a static and dynamic balanced arm member,  FIG. 1   b  is a Perspective view of the components that comprise the embodiment of the present invention having a ball holder member; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2   a  is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the static and dynamic balanced arm member,  FIG. 2   b  is a Perspective view of the second embodiment of the static and dynamic balanced arm member,  FIG. 2   c  is a Perspective view of the ball holder member; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3   a  is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the swing member,  FIG. 3   b  is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of one of the plurality of the suspension members of the swing member,  FIG. 3   c  is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the cradle member of the swing member,  FIG. 3   d  is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the receptacle member of the swing member,  FIG. 3   e  is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the tower member of the swing member,  FIG. 3   f  is a Perspective view of the second embodiment of the tower member of the swing member; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the base member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1   a,  therein is shown in hitting practice mode, a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the baseball training device  10  for practicing hitting, the baseball training device  10  comprising of a static and dynamic balanced arm member  20  mounted on a swing member  30 , which is supported by a base member  60 ; referring to  FIG. 1   b,  therein is shown in hitting practice mode, a Perspective view of a second embodiment of the baseball training device  10  for practicing hitting, the baseball training device  10  now having a ball holder member  26  mounted on the swing member  30 , which is supported by the base member  60 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 2   a , therein is shown the Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the static and dynamic balanced arm member  20 , the preferred embodiment comprising a shaft member  22 . The longitudinal axis of the shaft member  22  is substantially straight. At one end of the shaft member  22  is over-moulded a ball  21 ; at the other end, a counter-weight member  23  is secured to the shaft member  22  by the fastener member  25 . Thru the hole  24 , the static and dynamic balanced arm member  20  is mounted on the swing member  30 . Referring to  FIG. 2   b , therein is shown the Perspective view of the second embodiment of the static and dynamic balanced arm member  20 , the second embodiment comprising a shaft member  22 . The longitudinal axis of the shaft member  22  is substantially straight. At each end of the shaft member  22  is over-moulded a ball  21 . Thru the hole  24 , the static and dynamic balanced arm member  20  is mounted on the swing member  30 . Each of the embodiments of the static and dynamic balanced arm member  20  is in static balance as its axis of rotation passes thru its centre of gravity which is located at the hole  24 . Each of the embodiments of the static and dynamic balanced arm member  20  is in dynamic balance when rotating as its axis of rotation passes thru its centre of gravity which is located at the hole  24 , is vertical to the shaft member  22  and is a principal axis of inertia. Referring to  FIG. 2   c , therein is shown the Perspective view of the ball holder member  26 . The ball holder member  26  is comprised of a flexible tubing member  27  having an upper end  28  which is recessed to freely support a ball. A threaded channel  29  opens into the lower end  28 ′ of the flexible tubing member  27 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 3   a , therein is shown the Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the swing member  30 . The swing member  30  is comprised of a plurality of suspension members  31 , a shoulder member  32  and a tower member  50 . The plurality of suspension members  31  is rotatably connected to the shoulder member  32 . The shoulder member  32  is comprised of a cradle member  38  and a receptacle member  44 . The receptacle member  44  receives the tower member  50  which supports the static and dynamic balanced arm member  20 . As shown in  FIG. 3   b , the preferred embodiment of each of the suspension member  31  is rigid and has a front and back longitudinal face  33  and  33 ′, and a first and a second lateral face  34  and  34 ′, and an upper face  35  and a lower face  35 ′. The front and back longitudinal faces  33  and  33 ′ are parallel to each other. The hole  36  thru and perpendicular to the front and back longitudinal faces  33  and  33 ′ and located in the proximity of the upper face  35  of each of the suspension member  31  allows for each of the suspension member  31  to be rotatably connected to the base member  60 . The hole  37  thru and perpendicular to the front and back longitudinal faces  33  and  33 ′ and located in the proximity of the lower face  35 ′ of each of the suspension member  31  allows for each of the suspension member  31  to be rotatably connected to the shoulder member  32 . The holes  36  and  37  are mirror images of each other. Referring to  FIG. 3   c , therein is shown the Perspective view of the cradle member  38  of the shoulder member  32  of the preferred embodiment of the swing member  30 . The cradle member  38  has a front and back longitudinal face  39  and  39 ′, and an upper and a lower lateral face  40  and  40 ′, and side faces  41  and  41 ′. The front and back longitudinal face  39  and  39 ′ faces are parallel to each other.  42   a  and  42   b  are holes located in the proximity of the side faces  41 ′ and  41 , thru and perpendicular to the front and back longitudinal faces  39  and  39 ′. The holes  42   a  and  42   b  are mirror images of each other. Thru the holes  42   a  and  42   b  fasteners  43  attach the cradle member  38  to the suspension members  31  with the front longitudinal face  33  of the suspension member  31  contiguous to back longitudinal face  39 ′ of the cradle member  38 , with each of the holes  37  aligned with the holes  42   a  and  42   b.  As shown in  FIG. 3   d , the preferred embodiment of the receptacle member  44  has a front and a back longitudinal face  45  and  45 ′, and side lateral faces  46  and  46 ′, and an upper opening  47  and a lower opening  47 ′. The front and back longitudinal faces  45  and  45 ′ are parallel to each other as are the side lateral faces  46  and  46 ′. A gusset plate  48 , forming part of the back longitudinal face  45 ′, is affixed to the upper lateral face  40  of the cradle member  38 . The receptacle member  44  is perpendicular to the cradle member  38 , with its back longitudinal face  45 ′ affixed to the front longitudinal face  39  of the cradle member  38  from the lower lateral face  40 ′ to the upper lateral face  40 . Referring to  FIG. 3   e , therein is shown the Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the tower member  50  which is comprised of a tubing member  51  whose cross section is non-circular. At the upper end of tubing member  51  is a platform  52 . A threaded shaft  53  is affixed to the platform  52 , the threaded shaft  53  projecting away from the tubing member  51 .  54  is a restraining member which prevents the static and dynamic balanced arm member  20  from coming loose from the tower member  50  in rotation, and allows the static and dynamic balanced arm member  20  to be detached from the tower member  50 .  55  is a locking member around the tubing member  51 . Referring to  FIG. 3   f , therein is shown the Perspective view of the second embodiment of the tower member  50  which is comprised of a tubing member  51  whose cross section is circular. At the upper end of tubing member  51  is a platform  52 . A threaded shaft  53  is affixed to the platform  52 , the threaded shaft  53  projecting away from the tubing member  51 .  54  is a restraining member which prevents the static and dynamic balanced arm member  20  from coming loose from the tower member  50  in rotation and allows the static and dynamic balanced arm member  20  to be detached from the tower member  50 .  55  is a locking member around the tubing member  51 . In hitting practice mode using the static and dynamic balanced arm member  20 , it is mounted on the platform  52  with the shaft  53  thru the hole  24  of the static and dynamic balanced arm member  20 . In hitting practice mode using the ball holder member  26 , it is mounted on the platform  52  with the threaded channel  29  screwed onto the threaded shaft  53 . In both embodiments of the tower member  50 , the height of the ball  21  is adjusted by unlocking the locking member  55 , sliding the shaft member  53  within the receptacle member  44  to the desired height, then tightening the locking member  55  which then sits on the upper opening  47  of the receptacle member  44 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , therein is shown the Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the base member  60  comprising of a bridge member  61 , a plurality of arch members  62  and a plurality of legs  63  of substantially the same length detachable from said arch members  62 . The bridge member  61  has a top and bottom longitudinal face  64  and  64 ′, a front and back lateral face  65  and  65 ′, and side faces  66  and  66 ′. Each of the plurality of arch members  62  is affixed to a side face of the bridge member  61  in a mirror image of each other, at an obtuse angle to the bottom longitudinal face  64 ′ of the bridge member  61 . The bridge member  61  is in an off-centre position relative to the centres of the arch members  62 . The swing member  30  is supported by fasteners  67   a  and  67   b  thru the hole  36  of each of the suspension members  31  and thru and perpendicular to the front lateral face  65  of the bridge member  61  and. Each of the fasteners  67   a  and  67   b  is equidistant from the centre of the bridge member  61 . The spacing between the fasteners  67   a  and  67   b  of the bridge member  61  and fasteners  42   a  and  42   b  of the cradle member  38  are the substantially the same. Each of the plurality of arch members  62  has open ends  68   a  and  68   b.  Into the open ends  68   a  and  68   b  of the arch members  61  are inserted the plurality of legs  63  in hitting practice mode. Parallel to and on each side of the bridge member  61  strut members  69  are affixed to the arch members  62 , substantially close to the open ends of the arch member  62 . 
         [0021]    Nylon as well as rubber is a suitable material for the shaft member  22  to be made of as they are flexible and have great tensile strength. A suitable material for the ball  21  to be made of is polyurethane which has rubber-like properties. However, there are other materials that will equally fit the specification. The suspension members  31  are made of a hard plastic such as UHMW or nylon. The locking member  55  is a worm gear clamp. The rest of the device is constructed of metal and the preferred manner of affixing the parts permanently is welding. 
         [0022]    This invention has been disclosed and described in its preferred embodiment with a certain degree of peculiarity; it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred embodiment is only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 
       Method of Use 
       [0023]    There are three ways of practicing hitting with the present device—(a) with the static and dynamic balanced arm member, (b) with the tee, and (c) with a combination of the tee and the bridge member. With the static and dynamic balanced arm member, there are two ways of practicing hitting—stationary and simulated. When practicing stationary hitting, the ball is motionless and can be positioned so that the pitch is early, late or right over the plate. With simulated pitching, the arm is rotated counter-clockwise into the hitter if right-handed or clockwise if left-handed. Hitting with the tee is self-explanatory. When hitting with a combination of the tee and the bridge member, the tee is lowered so that the ball is just higher than the bridge member. This forces the player to swing level with the bridge member when hitting the ball. If the player swings up he/she would hit the front legs of the device.