Patent Publication Number: US-2011077109-A1

Title: Ball swinging training device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a training device and, more particularly, to a ball swinging and hitting practice and training device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the game of baseball, one of the most difficult skills to master is hitting. A hitter must be able to coordinate the swing of a bat with the location of a ball so that good contact with the ball can be made while swinging the bat. Once this is mastered, the hitter must next learn to make good contact with the ball at the various positions at which it may cross home plate, from an inside pitch to an outside pitch, and from a high pitch to a low pitch, and various combinations of these two variables. 
     In development of these skills, the trainer or coach uses a baseball tee to support a ball at a selected height above a representation of the baseball home plate. The player then hits the ball out to the field, the ball is retrieved and placed on the tee for another swing. In this manner, the player can practice swinging and improve the coordination of his hands and eyes and develop his wrist and arm muscles. 
     Various practice batting tees have been developed in the past for this purpose. The practice tees developed to date, however, have had various limitations which have discouraged their overall acceptance in the baseball world. In most cases, the ball is positioned on the tee and hit out into the field. This requires someone to retrieve the ball for the next hit. This has become very tiring work and discouraging to some players. In other cases, the tees have not been adjustable or have limited adjustability and different tees must be used for different hitting zones. 
     In combination with the use of a tee, it is advantageous to provide an additional means of encouraging the batter to exercise proper swing techniques. A mistake common in developing batter is a tendency to swing upwards through the strike zone, resulting in either a strike or an unfavorable batted ball trajectory. Rather, it is desirably for a player&#39;s swing path to be substantially level, or even slightly downward as the bat travels through the strike zone and over the plate. 
     Multiple solutions have been proposed to combine a means for training a particular swing with a traditional tee. U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,384 to Hardison and U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,781 to Illis both proposed a curved guide supported on framework in order to define the parameters of a good swing. But these lack certain aspects found in one or more of the embodiments provided. There is thus a continual need to improve upon the prior art devices, which are provided for in one or more of the attached embodiments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To perfect the baseball/softball batting swing, two foundational elements need to be constantly implemented, proper mechanics and continuous repetition of those mechanics. One or more of the embodiments presented, addresses these needs and also simplifies them so that the need for parental supervision becomes optional. Once the basic concept of using the device is understood children can master the mechanics and practice forever, anytime, anywhere, with or without supervision. The device was developed for use with softballs and baseballs and has many easy to adjust features to accommodate different age levels and skill levels. The device is also portable. The device requires no assembly by the end user. The device is easy to transport and can be used anywhere by anyone at anytime, indoor and outdoor. 
     Accomplishing one or more of these goals, a device provided by one or more of the embodiments provided herein includes: i) a base plate, ii) an adjustable ball and spring unit having one end secured to the base plate and having another end with a ball secured thereto, iii) an adjustable height guard support unit having one end secured to the base plate, iv) a stride guard laterally movably attached to an upper portion of the adjustable height guard support unit, and v) a pivotal and rotational swing path guard unit movably attached to the upper portion of the adjustable height guard support unit. 
     In other embodiments, the device may also include a tee support unit secured at one end to the base plate and secured at another end to the upper portion of the adjustable height guard support unit. The tee support unit is preferably positioned at an angle with respect to the adjustable height guard support unit. 
     The device may also pivotally attach the end of the adjustable ball and spring unit to the base plate and pivotally attach the end of the adjustable height guard support unit to the base. This would permit the device to be collapsible. To further the needs of a collapsible device, the base plate may include a carrying handle defined as bored grips sized to receive fingers defined by a user. Once on the ground the base plate may be stationed by having apertures sized to receive ends of a ground stake or having cleats on an underside thereof. 
     Further defining the adjustable ball and spring unit, the device may include a mounting plate fastened to the base plate. A lower rod and an upper rod are provided and have diametrically opposed ends and adjacent ends. One of the adjacent ends is insertable into the other adjacent end for providing height adjustable rods. A spring is secured at one end to the mounting plate and has another end secured to the lower rod. A ball is mounted to the upper rod. Thus contact with the ball causes the upper and lower rods to bend the spring away from the impact of the ball and the spring having a tendency to return the lower and upper rods back to an upright position. In other aspects of the embodiments, the adjustable ball and spring unit may include a safety cord with one end secured to the upper rod and another end secured to the lower rod. Preferably one or more embodiments provide for the ball to be removably secured to the upper rod. 
     Further defining the adjustable height guard support unit, it may be provided with a mounting member secured to the base plate. A two piece adjustable support pole is provided and includes an upper support pole and a lower support pole with diametrically opposed ends and with adjacent ends. One of the adjacent ends being insertable into the other adjacent end for providing both height adjustable support poles and providing an upper support pole rotatably with respect to the lower support pole, the lower support pole having a lower end pivotally secured to the mounting member. The upper support pole further has an upper end secured to both the stride guard and the swing path guard unit. 
     In this aspect, the upper end of the support pole would include a means for connecting to both the stride guard and the swing path guard unit. In one aspect, the connection means is defined by having a T-shaped cross member secured to the upper end of the upper support pole. The T-shaped cross member has a hollow head with opened ends diametrically opposed on sides of the hollow head. The stride guard has an elongated rod movable within the hollow head such that one end of the elongated rod is capable of extending out of one or more ends of the hollow head. 
     In another aspect, the connection means is defined by having a T-shaped cross member having a head with ends diametrically opposed on sides of the hollow head. The adjustable swing path guard being defined by having a shoulder connector rotatably secured about each side of the hollow head. A guide arm extends outwardly from each shoulder connector and a lateral connection arm is secured to ends of each guide arm. Therefore the shoulder connectors allow the adjustable swing path guard to be pivotally movable about the upper support pole and the upper support pole is rotatably movable with respect to the lower support pole. In other aspects the guide arms and the lateral connection arm include form padding. 
     Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a batting training device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a batting training device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a batting training device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of a batting training device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a batting training device illustrated in a collapsed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a batting training device illustrating the height adjustment of the ball, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a partial exploded view of the adjustable ball and spring unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a close view of the connection for the adjustment of the ball from the ball and spring unit from  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is a partial view of the safety cord for the adjustable ball and sprint unit; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of a batting training device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of a batting training device illustrating the adjustable stride guide in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of a batting training device illustrating the adjustable swing guide in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a batting training device illustrated in an upright position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a batting training device showing the tee support unit collapsed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of a batting training device showing the swing guide collapsed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a close perspective view of a base plate illustrating the mounting plate used to secure the adjustable height guard support unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a close perspective view of a base plate illustrating the collapse of the adjustable ball and spring unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is side view of a batting training device illustrated in a collapsed configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a rear perspective view of a batting training device illustrating a user training in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of a batting training device illustrating a user training in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a batting training device illustrating a user training with the swing path guide unit twisting to the side of the base plate. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or the embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is shown a batting training device  100  in accordance to one or more of the embodiments presented herein. The device  100  includes one or more of the following components: a base plate  110 , an adjustable ball and spring unit  120 , an adjustable height guard support unit  130 ; an adjustable stride guard  140 ; an adjustable swing path guard  150 ; an interchangeable ball unit  160 ; tee support unit  170 ; carrying handle  180 , and ground stake support apertures  190 . 
     The base plate  110  is preferably weighted to provide a strong foundation for the other components. It is also preferably shaped as a home plate as illustrated but could have other shapes or sizes. Material used for the base plate  110  could be a strong hard rubber, plastic, wood, metal or composite. The base plate  110  as illustrated includes the carrying handle  180  by having finger grips  182  bored through the base plate  110 , which as shown in  FIG. 5  illustrates how a user would place their fingers f through the finger grips  182  to hold and carry the device  100 .  FIG. 2  also illustrates the device in its fully collapsed position, discussed in greater detail below. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1-4 , the base plate  110  may further include ground stake support apertures  190  also bored through the base plate  110 . The number of apertures may be different but is illustrated as three holes. Stakes not shown can be placed through the apertures  190  to secure the device to the ground, aiding it from being moved when in use. Alternatively, the bottom of the base plate  110  could include cleat(s) to dig into and grip the ground to help reduce or eliminate unwanted movement of the device during use. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the device  100  includes an adjustable ball and spring unit  120  having one end  122  secured to a mounting plate  200  that is fastened to the base plate  110 . It is preferably positioned near the back side  112  of the base plate  110 . The other end  124  of the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  is secured to the interchangeable ball unit  160 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  includes a spring  202  which is fastened at its bottom end  204  to the mounting plate  200 . The fastening is accomplished by having a bolt  206  positioned through the mounting plate  200  and a locking nut  208  and washer  209  positioned within the bottom end  204  of the spring  202 . Twisting the spring  202  will lock the bottom end  204  against the mounting plate  200 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The top end  210  of the spring  202  is secured through a locking nut  208  to a lower pole  212 . The lower pole  212  is fitted within an end of an upper pole  214 . A knobbed screw collar  216  is used to join the lower pole  212  and the upper pole  214 . When loosened, the knobbed screw collar  216  will allow the upper pole  214  to slide about the lower pole  212 , thereby permitting the interchangeable ball unit  160  to raise or lower. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 7   c , a safety cord  218  can be connected to both the upper pole  214  and the lower pole  212 . If by accident the knobbed screw collar  216  was not secured, it may be possible that the force of impact on the interchangeable ball unit  160  could cause the upper pole  214  to slide completely out of contact with the lower pole  212  and become airborne. To prevent the upper pole  214  from injuring anybody the safety cord  218  would prevent the upper pole  214  from traveling any great distance. 
     The adjustable ball and spring unit  120  serves two purposes. One, is to adjust the height of the an interchangeable ball unit  160  and to allow the an interchangeable ball unit  160  to spring back to its original position when hit by the user. The adjustable ball and spring unit  120  can be hit in multiple directions for visual swing path directional results. 
     The interchangeable ball unit  160  is defined by having a ball  162  positioned on a rod  164  that is secured at one end  165  to the upper end  215  of the upper pole  214 . The rod  164  may also simply be the upper end of the upper pole  214 . An adjustment knob (illustrated in  7 B)  166  is positioned along the rod  164  to permit the user to adjust the ball  162  along the rod  164 . Turning a pin  167  in the adjustment knob  166  will loosen or tighten the knob and if loosened will allow the user to slide the knob along the rod  164 . A cap  168  can be secured to the upper end of the rod  164  by a threaded engagement, thereby removably securing the ball  162  within the interchangeable ball unit  160 . This allows the user to switch the ball at their own convenience, such as to switch from a baseball to softball. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 8 , the adjustable height guard support unit  130  will be further discussed. The adjustable height guard support unit  130  is a two piece adjustable support pole having an upper support pole  220  fitted within a lower support pole  222 . The bottom end  134  of the lower support pole  222  is secured to a portion  224  of the mounting plate  200  (also illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). The bottom end  134  is preferably pivotally secured to the portion  224 , to permit the support pole  132  to be collapsible for storage purposes and carrying purposes. The two piece support pole includes an adjustment knob  135  that threads through an opening  226  on the lower support pole  222  and tightens against an outside portion of the upper support pole  220  (which is positioned within the lower support pole  222 ). An important aspect of the upper support pole  220  (as discussed below) is its ability to rotate within the lower support pole  220 . Variants of the adjustable height guard support unit  130  would further permit the entire unit  130  to rotate with respect to the mounting plate  200 . 
     Having a portion of one of the support poles placed within the other pole, allows for a height adjustment needed for different users. The adjustment knob  135  further allows for a quick and simply adjustment that can be done moments before a user begins practicing with the device. In addition, one of the main purposes of the adjustable height guard support unit  130  is to stop the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  and the interchangeable ball unit  160  after the ball  162  has been hit. During use, the ball  162  is hit by a batter causing the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  to bend downwardly and away from the batter. The spring  202  returns the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  back to an upright position. However, the spring  202  does not have a upright control so the spring  202  will have a tendency to move the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  back further then its upright position. The adjustable height guard support unit  130  is in the path of its travel and will stop the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  as soon as it returns to the upright position. 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 8 , the top portion of the adjustable height guard support unit  130  and mainly the top portion  230  of the upper support pole  220  connects to both the adjustable stride guard  140  and the adjustable swing path guard  150 . This is accomplished by including a connection means  235  defined by mounting a T-shaped cross member  240  to the top portion  230  thereof. The T-shaped cross member  240  includes a hollow head  242  with opened ends  244  diametrically opposed on the sides of the head. The adjustable stride guard  140  is secured within the hollow head  242  by having a stride guard rod  142  inserted through the hollow head  242 . An adjustment knob  246  can be placed adjacent each of the opened ends  244  to secure the stride guard rod  142  in position. When loosened, the adjustment knob  246  allows the stride guard rod  142  to slide within the hollow head  242  (illustrated in  FIG. 9 ). This allows the stride guard rod  142  to be positioned for right handed and left handed batters. 
     Simply defined, the adjustable stride guard an adjustable tube or rod that can be extended from the right or left side of the main unit. When extended it is used to keep the user from “over striding” during the swing sequence. Over striding or excessive forward movement can cause many problems in the hitting sequence. When extended the stride guard is held in place by a tension device although many other devices are available including the use of friction. 
     Movably secured to the T-shaped cross member  240  is also the adjustable swing path guard  150 . The adjustable swing path guard  150  is defined by having positioned around either opened end  244  of the hollow head  242  shoulder connectors  250 . The shoulder connectors  250  secure guide arms  252  that extend outwardly therefrom to the T-shaped cross member  240 . The shoulder connectors  250  are preferably frictionally fit onto the opened ends  244  but may include adjustment knobs to secure them in position. In any event, it is important that the shoulder connectors  250  are movably (in a rotational manner) over the opened ends  244  (illustrated in  FIG. 10 ). The ends of the guide arms  252  are attached to one another by a lateral connection arm  254 . The lateral connection arm  254  helps keeps the arms along a single plane (whether the plane is flat or angled).  FIG. 10  shows that the adjustable swing path guard  150  can rotate upwardly and downwardly and as shown is twisted (by twisting the upper support pole  220  with respect to the lower support pole  222 ) such that adjustable swing path guard  150  is not centered with the tip  114  of the base plate  110  but is centered to a side  116  of the base plate  110 . In addition, form padding  258  can be used over the arms to help reduce impact damage from the bat. 
     The swig path guard is used as a physical and visual guide to promote a proper swing plane when the user attempts to hit the ball. Swing plane is the angle at which the bat travels when the batter attempts to hit the ball. Depending on where the ball is located, (high, low, inside, outside) determines the different swing plane. The swing guard arms can be raised or lowered to create a visual path for the bat to travel. Using a double bar system instead of a single bar system also give the user a visual training tool for where the hand should be in respects to the swing. Keep you hands inside the ball helps create the proper swing path. The swing guard is held in place through friction and thus will “give” if improperly hit by the user reducing the chance of damage to the bat and injury to the user. The swing guard can be rotated 360 degrees in order to view the swing path from different angles an used for different hitting drills. It also can be place completely down so the apparatus can be used as a normal batting tee. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 to 12 , the adjustable swing path guard  150  is further supported by the tee support unit  170 . The tee support unit  170  may be a bendable or collapsible support rod or as illustrated a two piece rod construction having a first piece  172  removably attached to a second piece  174 . A holder  176  is positioned on one of the pieces for the receipt of an end of the other pieces. When assembled ( FIG. 11 ) the tee support unit  170  acts to support and hold the adjustable height guard support unit  130  in an upright position, but when collapsed ( FIG. 12 ), the adjustable height guard support unit  130  may be folded downwardly. Both pieces are pivotally secured at the opposite ends, one being pivotally connected  177  to the base plate  110  and the other pivotally connected  179  to the adjustable height guard support unit  130 . 
     Continuing to refer to  FIGS. 5 ,  11  and  12  and to  FIGS. 13-16 , the device  100  is shown being moved from an upright and usable configuration to its storage or collapsed configuration. In  FIG. 13 , the adjustable swing path guard  150  is rotated downwardly until it rests against the adjustable height guard support unit  130 . The adjustable stride guard  140  is also typically centered, so it is not sticking too far out on either side. 
       FIG. 14  shows the adjustable height guard support unit  130  bent or pivotally downwardly until it is resting along the base plate  110 . One unique aspect of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 14  is a channel region  260  in the portion  224  of the mounting plate  200 . (In fact, the portion  224  of the mounting plate  200  that pivotally mounts the adjustable height guard support unit  130  to the base plate  110  may be a separate piece from the mounting plate  200 . The sides  262  along the channel region  260  act as a brace for the bottom end  134  of the adjustable height guard support unit  130 , when it is in an upright position. The channel region  260  itself, serves as an opening for the spring  202  when the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  is bent towards the downwardly positioned adjustable height guard support unit  130  ( FIG. 15 ). Illustrated in  FIG. 16 , once the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  is bent downwardly and resting through the channel region  260  straps  270  are secured together to hold the units in the collapsed configuration. A first set of straps  272  extend from the base plate  110  and secure ends of the adjustable swing path guard  150 , the adjustable height guard support unit  130 , and the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  together. A second set of straps  274  extend from around the adjustable height guard support unit  130  to secure the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  thereto. 
       FIGS. 17 through 19  show the device  100  in use.  FIGS. 17 and 18  show the user swinging a bat along the path of the arm guards  252  to make contact with the ball. The adjustable swing path guard  150  can be angled to give the user either a downwardly swing trajectory, an upwardly swing trajectory or a level trajectory. The adjustable stride guard  140  is extends ( FIG. 18 ) to help prevent the user from overstepping into their stride when swinging.  FIG. 19  shows the adjustable swing path guard  150  twisted to the side for a different training mechanism. When contact with the ball is made, the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  is forced downwardly bending the spring  202  and forcing the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  towards the ground (or surface), the spring  202  having a tendency to be upwardly straight, forces the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  back horizontally. The adjustable ball and spring unit  120  will then come into contact with the adjustable height guard support unit  130 , which stops the adjustable ball and spring unit  120  in its original starting position. And thus allows the user to continue to hit the ball without having to re-position a tee, place the ball on a tee, or wait until the ball stop swinging back and forth as in some of the prior art devices that do not have a means to stop the ball. 
     From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.