Abstract:
The invention disclosed herein is a bunt training device including a handle shaped like the handle of a regulation baseball bat connected to a frame shaped to mimic the general outline of a baseball bat barrel. The frame includes two parallel members between which is suspended a ball contact surface. The ball contact surface is constructed so that the ball contact surface stretches or gives when it contacts a pitched baseball. In the preferred embodiment, the ball contact surface is a sleeve of neoprene which is placed over the frame.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 61/321,977 filed on Apr. 8, 2010, which is incorporated here by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the invention is baseball training devices, more specifically, devices relating to bunting a baseball. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    Bunting of a baseball requires that the batter deaden the ball so it falls to the ground with limited or very little momentum. This skill is different than the batter&#39;s usual desire when hitting the baseball, where the intention is to impart as much force as possible to hit the ball out of the park. In teaching young players how to bunt, it is beneficial to instruct them on how to manipulate the bat so that the bat gives at the point of contact with the ball and absorbs some of the energy of the pitched ball. 
         [0004]    The manipulation of the bat during a bunt requires that the batter use correct hand placement and use both hands in conjunction with each other to allow the bat to give at the appropriate time and give in the appropriate amount in order to deaden the action of the ball coming off the bat. In order to make the training device feel similar to a real baseball bat and allow the batter to learn the correct feel and action, it is beneficial to have the training device mimic a baseball bat in size, shape, and weight distribution. 
         [0005]    In learning to absorb the energy of the ball and give with the bat, it is beneficial to provide the batter a bat with a flat profile at the hitting surface. It is further beneficial to have a surface that gives to absorb some of the energy of the baseball. This allows the batter to have more control and maintain contact with the ball for a longer amount of time. With a longer time of contact and a flat surface that gives to at least partially conform to the shape of the ball, the batter can be taught to “catch” the pitched ball and direct the ball in a desired direction, such as down the third base line. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention disclosed herein is a bunt training device. The device includes a baseball bat handle connected to a frame shaped similar to an outline of an axial cross section of a baseball bat barrel. The frame is of a length so that the length of the training device is similar to that of a real baseball bat. The training device handle is generally cylindrical as is a standard baseball or softball bat. The handle tapers from an area of narrower circumference where the batter places his hands when batting to an area of wider circumference where the handle meets the frame. 
         [0007]    A suspended surface or panel of material is suspended between the members of the frame. The frame and suspended surface replace the barrel of the bat. The surface is suspended from the frame so that the surface will flex, give, or otherwise cushion the impact of the ball and allow the batter to better get the feel of absorbing the energy of the pitched ball. The suspended surface can be made of leather, netting, fabric, neoprene, rubber, foam, or any other material that can be fixed between or about the frame. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the tension of the suspended surface can be adjusted. For instance, the surface can be a piece of leather having small holes or eyelets about the perimeter. The leather is sized slightly smaller than the area between the members of the frame. The leather can then be laced to the frame using a length of string going through the eyelets and around the frame. The tension can be adjusted by lacing the string tighter or looser. Similarly, the leather can include straps that extend away from the perimeter of the leather. The straps wrap around the frame and the free end attached to another strap from the opposing end of the leather, or attach to the back of the leather. It is preferable if the attachment is adjustable, for instance utilizing hook and loop fasteners, so that the tension of the leather can be adjusted. 
         [0009]    The method of training a player using the device of the invention involves a progression of steps. Step one has the suspended material slack. The person bunting can now use the material within the outlined barrel or frame to simulate a deadening of the ball by ‘catching’ it in the slacked area. This promotes a proper feel of the ‘catch’ or ‘deadening’ of the ball similar to the way a ball is caught and cushioned in the webbing of a baseball glove. 
         [0010]    The handle of the training device is the same size as the handle of a regulation baseball bat and allows for actual bat handling and correct placement of the hands for bunting. 
         [0011]    Once the trainee gets the feel for the bunt, the material suspended from the frame is adjusted to be tight. This tightness has multiple uses and reasons. By using the material when tight, it provides the feel of a bunt for both hands, front and back. Simulating a bunt needs both hands to work in conjunction with each other, both allowing the bat to ‘give’, or ‘move, to allow for minimal action of the bunted ball. The tightness will also allow for the trainee to place the ball purposefully, in the game that would mean either down the first baseline, third baseline, towards the pitcher, or anywhere in the area of play that is allowed, or where the actual placement is called for. While tight, the material can still have an amount of give, but will not allow the batter to “catch” the ball. 
         [0012]    The successful use of this training devices&#39; method should allow the player to apply the skills learned with the training device to bunting with a regulation baseball bat. This device can be used to teach every type of Bunt, sacrifice, drag, squeeze, or bunt for a hit. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment of the invention, the material is suspended by creating a sleeve or cover that fits over the outer dimension of the frame. By judicious selection of the material and the diameter of the sleeve, the give of the device can be controlled. For instance, the sleeve can be made of neoprene, which by its nature has some elasticity. The characteristics of the give can be varied by making the sleeve smaller in diameter so that the sleeve is stretched to place it on the frame. Such stretching achieves the same result as tightening the lacing of the previously discussed example. Similarly, making the sleeve with a larger diameter, will result in the material suspended between the frame members to be looser. The device can be provided with multiple sleeves of varying diameters to provide a range of tightness when the selected sleeve is placed on the frame. In other embodiments, the thickness of the neoprene or other material can be varied to achieve the desired elasticity or give. 
         [0014]    This training device can be made into different sizes, lengths, and weights to better reflect age groups and skill levels. It can also be adapted for use in baseball as well as softball for training purposes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the bunt training device without a ball contact surface; 
           [0016]      FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view of the frame; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the frame; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the bunt training device without a ball contact surface; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the bunt training device without a ball contact surface; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the bunt training device without a ball contact surface; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the bunt training device without a ball contact surface; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the bunt training device with a ball contact surface; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the bunt training device with a ball contact surface; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the bunt training device with a ball contact surface; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a sleeve of material for placement over the frame of the bunt training device to provide a ball contact surface; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a sleeve of material to place over the frame of the bunt training device to provide a ball contact surface; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a front view of a sleeve of material to place over the frame of the bunt training device to provide a ball contact surface; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is an end view of a sleeve of material to place over the frame of the bunt training device to provide a ball contact surface. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0029]    With reference to the figures, the bunt training device  10  includes a handle  12  connected to a frame  20 . The handle  12  includes a proximal end  14  and a distal end  16 . The proximal end terminates in a knob  18  and the distal end  16  is connected to the frame  20 . The distal end  16  includes a transition area  17  wherein the diameter of the handle  12  gradually increases, much like a regulation baseball bat. One skilled in the art will recognize that this transition area is optional but better simulates a regulation baseball bat. 
         [0030]    The frame  20  includes a first member  21 , a second member  22 , and a third member  23 . The first and third members are arranged generally parallel approximately 2¼ inches apart. The width of the spacing may vary and it is preferable that this spacing be approximately the size of a regulation baseball bat. One skilled in the art will recognize that the bunt training device can be used for other games, such as softball, in which case it is preferable that the spacing between the first frame member  21  and the third frame member  23  be approximately the diameter of a softball. It is also preferable that the first member  21  and the third member  23  lie in a common plane. 
         [0031]    The first member  21  and third member  23  are connected by a second member  22  at the frame distal end  25 . At the frame proximal end  26 , the first member  21  and third member  23  are each connected to a Y-member  30 . The Y-member  30  is connected to the distal end  16  of the handle  12 . One skilled in the art will recognize that the frame  20  can be connected to the handle  12  in a number of ways. For instance, if the handle  12  is metal, and the frame  20  is metal, the frame  20  can be welded to the handle  12 . In other embodiment, the handle  12  and frame  20  can be formed as one piece by forging, die casting, or stamping, or any other known metal-working technology. In embodiments where the handle is made of wood and the frame  20  is made of metal, the handle  12  and frame  20  may be connected by mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or any other means commonly used to join wood and metal. In other embodiments, the bunt training device  10  can be formed of wood, composites, or plastic. 
         [0032]    In other embodiments, the frame distal end  25  may include a T-shaped member to join the first member  21  and the third member  23  to the distal end  16  of the handle  12 . One skilled in the art will recognize that the frame  20  may be constructed with many different types of members, so long as the frame  20  allows a surface to be suspended there between. 
         [0033]    The bunt training device  10  includes a ball contact surface  60  placed on the frame  20 . The ball contact surface  60  is preferably suspended between the first frame member  21  and the third frame member  23 . It is preferable that the surface provide some give, cushion, or stretch so that the ball contact surface  60  cushions or absorbs energy from a pitched baseball. 
         [0034]    In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6-11 , the ball contact surface  60  is a sleeve of material  50 . When the sleeve is used, the result is that two panels of material are suspended between the first frame member  21  and the third frame member  23 . The ball contact surface  60  should be of a material that allows the time of contact with a pitched ball to be greater than the time of contact between a pitched ball and regulation bat. 
         [0035]    In the preferred embodiment, the sleeve of material is constructed of neoprene having a thickness of between 0.5 mm and 5.5 mm. The sleeve of material  50  is sized so that it stretches when placed onto the frame  20  of the bunt training device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 9-12 , the unmounted sleeve is generally a tube of material, the interior of which has a diameter or width. As shown in the generally flattened state in  FIG. 12 , the sleeve has a maximum inner width in the horizontal direction. In the preferred embodiment where the distance between the first member  21  and third member  23  is 2.25 inches, the maximum inner width of the sleeve  50  should be approximately two inches. One skilled in the art will recognize that the inner maximum width can be increased to reduce tension in the ball contact surface  60 , or decreased to increase tension in the ball contact surface  60 . 
         [0036]    One skilled in the art will recognize that other ball contact surfaces can be suspended about or between the frame  20  members. For instance, the sheet of material can be suspended between the members of the frame  20  by tacking or fastening the perimeter of the sheet of material to the frame members. Similarly, a sheet of material could be laced to the frame members. 
         [0037]    When a sleeve  50  is used as the ball contact surface, the bunt training device presents a first suspended surface  60  and a second suspended surface  62  because two panels of material are suspended between the frame members. The second suspended surface  62  backs up the first suspended surface  60  and provides additional energy absorption when the bunt training device is in use. As the ball contacts the first suspended surface  60  and deforms the panel towards the second suspended surface  62  or panel, the second suspended surface  62  will be contacted by the back side of the first suspended surface  60 . The second suspended surface  62  will then deform while providing added support and resistance to the ball. 
         [0038]    The embodiments described herein are merely examples and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention claimed.