Patent Publication Number: US-8992348-B2

Title: Training device, system and method for improving a baseball player&#39;s  swing of a baseball bat

Description:
This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/585,339, filed Jan. 11, 2012. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to devices, systems and methods used to train baseball players. More specifically, this invention relates to a device, as well as to a system and a method, that is used to improve the swing technique of a bat by a baseball player. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The sport of baseball is well known. As used in this description, the term “baseball” is intended by these inventors to include both baseball and softball. During the play of a baseball game, a single offensive player faces off against a pitcher and other defensive players who are strategically located near the bases and in the outfield. The pitcher throws a ball at or near a strike zone above home plate and the offensive player, the batter, attempts to hit the ball with a baseball bat. At any point in the game, the batter may need to use different batting strategies to advance the likelihood of scoring by the batter&#39;s team when it is at bat. The different batting strategies employ different swinging and hitting mechanics. Such swings must be practiced ahead of the game so that the batter learns proper technique and mechanics, thus improving the batter&#39;s skill with those different batting techniques and mechanics. 
     In the experience of the inventors herein, current batting training equipment is insufficient for accomplishing proper swing techniques and mechanics due to limited uses and skills emphasized. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a single device that can aid the batter in his or her training and improve batting techniques and mechanics during swinging practices. Of necessity, the single device should be capable of using interchanging attachments such that it can present a number of swinging options for the batter. Each interchanging attachment should also be easy to set up, employ a minimal number of parts and be easy to use. Further, the device should allow for use by different sized batters. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful training device, as well as a system and a method, for aiding a batter with training and with the practice of various batting swings. It is another object to provide such a training device that can use attachments that are interchangeable such that the batter can change up the swinging modes that are to be practiced. It is still another object to provide such a training device that is relatively compact when not in use, that is easy to assemble and disassemble, and that is easy to use by batters of different physical sizes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The device of the present invention has obtained these objects. It provides for a swing training device that has an upright vertical support which is height-adjustable and that also has multiple training attachments for working on a batter&#39;s different skill sets. Although the names of the attachments are not a limitation of the present invention, the attachments include a regular batting tee, a “cast away” batting tee, an “in and out” batting tee, and a “perfect cut” batting tee. Each tee is interchangeable with the others, each being used with a single support member, and the support member is height-adjustable. 
     The foregoing and other features of the training device of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a front elevational view of the first embodiment of a training device that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a top and side perspective view of the training device illustrated in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  is an enlarged top and front perspective view of the stand support base for the training device illustrated in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIGS. 1D and 1E  are bottom and top views, respectively, of the attachment illustrated in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIGS. 1F and 1G  are enlarged views of the brush support plate used with the training device shown in  FIG. 1A  and the attachment shown in  FIGS. 1F and 1G . 
         FIGS. 1H ,  1 I and  1 J are side elevation, top and front perspective views, respectively, of the brush support plate with brushes inserted into the support plate for the training device shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIGS. 1K through 1M  are greatly enlarged views of the post used with the brush support plate shown in  FIGS. 1H through 1J . 
         FIG. 2A  is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the training device and showing the device with the “cast away” attachment secured to it. 
         FIG. 2B  is a top and side perspective view of the training device and attachment illustrated in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIGS. 2C through 2G  are enlarged front, top and left side perspective views of the “cast away” attachment shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
         FIG. 3A  is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of the training device and showing the device with the “in and out” attachment secured to it. 
         FIG. 3B  is a front and top perspective view of the training device and attachment illustrated in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIGS. 3C through 3G  are enlarged top, front and left side perspective views of the “in and out” attachment illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
         FIG. 4A  is a front elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the training device and showing the device with the “perfect cut” attachment secured to it. 
         FIG. 4B  is a top and front perspective view of the training device and attachment illustrated in  FIG. 4A . 
         FIGS. 4C through 4G  are front, top and left side elevational views of the “perfect cut” attachment illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numbers represent like elements throughout,  FIGS. 1A through 1J  illustrate a preferred embodiment of a training device that is constructed in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 1A  shows that the training device has a stand, generally identified  1 , and a first alternative attachment, generally identified  10 . It is to be understood that the stand  1  is the same stand  1  that will be used with each of the alternative attachments that will be presented in this detailed description. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stand  1  comprises a first tubular support member  2  and a second tubular support member  3 . Each support member  2 ,  3  comprises a vertical axis. The diameter of the first support member  2  is greater than that of the second tubular support member  3  such that the second tubular support member  3  can slide within the first tubular support member  2 . This way, the height of the attachment  10  can be varied depending upon the size of the batter. The relative position between the support members  2 ,  3  can be fixed by using a cam-type lock  4  or other suitable locking device. It should also be appreciated that the support members  2 ,  3  could be round tubular members or be configured in some other cross-sectional shape, such not being a limitation of the present invention. Further, it should be appreciated that the support members could be more than two in number. However, the support member or members should comprise a vertical axis and the support member or members should comprise a top-most portion and a bottom-most portion. 
     The bottom-most portion of the first support member  2  is inserted into a base member  5 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base member  5  has a top aperture  6  for receiving the first support member  2  and three peripheral and outwardly directed bottom apertures  7 . See  FIG. 1C . It is to be understood that the base member  5  could have an alternative number of apertures or no apertures. That is, the base  5  could be a solid structure that provides footing for the support members  2 ,  3 . In the preferred embodiment, however, each bottom aperture  7  is configured to receive a support leg  8  within it. Fastening means of conventional configuration are provided to ensure secure attachment of those structures to one another. 
     The first alternative attachment  10  is intended to support a ball  100  (again, a baseball or a softball) that is positioned atop the attachment  10 . This is accomplished by use of a first attachment base  12  having an upper portion  14  and a bottom portion  16 . See  FIGS. 1D and 1E . The upper portion  14  includes a receiving aperture  15 . The receiving aperture  15  has a diameter. The bottom portion  16  of the attachment base  12  of the first attachment  10  likewise includes a receiving aperture  13 . Insertable within the bottom receiving aperture  13  is the top-most end of the second tubular member  3  of the stand  1 . It is also understood that the top-most end of the second tubular member  3  could include structure to allow the first alternative attachment  10  to “snap-fit” onto the tubular member  3 . Significantly, the first attachment member  10  is substantially aligned with the support member axis, as mentioned above. Insertable within the top receiving aperture  15  of the first attachment  10  is a brush support plate  11  as shown in  FIGS. 1F-1J . The support plate  11  comprises a disk-like member that seats within the receiving aperture  15  of the attachment base  12 . The upper face  11   a  of the support plate  11  includes a plurality of first apertures  18 , the apertures  18  being disposed within a circle defined about the perimeter of the upper face  11   a  and each aperture  18  being adapted to hold a brush portion  19  within it. In this configuration, the ball  100  sits atop a plurality of such brush portions  19 . A secondary aperture  18   a  is centrally disposed within the support plate  11 . See  FIG. 1G . 
     This first embodiment of attachment  10  provides a design which will allow a batter to practice his or her swing without working on any specific skill set. The brush top, or brush-like support portion,  19  will allow the batter to make proper contact with the ball  100  in order to develop back spin which, strategically, results in extra bases. In application, the batter positions the attachment  10  to simulate any pitch he or she chooses to work on, such as an inside pitch, a middle pitch, or an outside pitch. Again, it is important that the brush-like support portion  19  be substantially aligned with the support member axis. 
     It is to be noted that the circular array of brush-like support portions  19  is coupled with a centrally-disposed post  17 . See  FIGS. 1H ,  1 J and  1 L through  1 M. The post  17  is preferably made of soft rubber. The post  17  allows the ring of brush portions  19  to function better than competitive prior art products since it assures that the ball  100  stay on the tips of the bristles  19  and prevents the ball  100  from dropping down between the bristles  19 . In previous products there was always a compromise—the bristles  19  need to be placed around a wide circle under the ball  100  as well to assure stability yet also be very soft so the bat can easily swing thru the matt of bristles  19 . But if the bristles  19  are near the edge of the ball  100  and soft, then they easily spread open and the ball  100  falls in-between them. With the soft rubber post  17  in the center of the brushes  19 , these two requirements can be independently tuned. That is, the center post  17  can be made to just support the weight of the ball  100  but also provide no ability to keep the ball  100  from falling off, and the bristles  19  can be made very soft around the outer perimeter of the ball  100  since all they do is keep the ball  100  in place. With this configuration, the ball  100  can withstand much more random vibration, accidental movement without falling off the attachment  10 , while the assembly still provides a very soft target for the bat to swing through for batting practice. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A through 2C , they illustrate the same stand  1  as discussed above and will not be further mentioned here. The second alternative attachment member, generally identified  20 , comprises a second attachment base  22  having an upper portion  24  and a bottom portion  26 . The upper portion  24  includes a first receiving aperture  25 . The first receiving aperture  25  has a diameter. The upper portion  24  further includes a second receiving aperture  28 . The bottom portion  26  of the second attachment base  22  of the second attachment  20  likewise includes a receiving aperture  27 . Insertable within the bottom receiving aperture  27  is the top-most end of the second tubular member  3  of the stand  1 . Insertable within the first top receiving aperture  25  of the second attachment  20  is the brush support plate  11  which was previously shown in  FIGS. 1F-1J . Insertable within the second receiving aperture  28  is a post  29 . This second attachment member  20  comprises structure whereby the brush-like support portion is substantially aligned with the support member  3  to which it is attached. The post  29 , however, is offset from the support member axis. 
     This second attachment member  20  is identified by these inventors as the “cast away” attachment. As mentioned earlier in this detailed description, the names used with the various attachments are not a limitation of the present invention. These inventors have adopted names for the various attachments but other names can be used without deviating from the scope of the present invention. The structure and functionality of each attachment remains the same without regard to the names adopted and used in this description. This is true for the “cast away” attachment member  20  discussed here and for the other attachments also discussed herein. 
     The cast away attachment member  20  is designed for a batter to drive his or her hands inside the ball  100  while making proper contact with the barrel of the bat. The batter will set the ball  100  on the brush-like support portion  19  and position the post  29  where desired or required. As configured, the post  29  effectively rotates about the brush-like support portion  19  as may be desired or required by the user. The placement of the post  29  will force the batter to keep his or her hands inside the ball  100  in order to make contact with the ball  100  without hitting the post  29 . This provides the instant feedback that the hitter needs in order to know if he or she is having a short, compact swing versus casting the hands creating a long, slow swing. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A through 3C , they include the same stand  1  as discussed above. The third alternative attachment, generally identified  30 , comprises a third attachment base or attachment member  32  having an upper portion  34  and a bottom portion  36 . The upper portion  34  includes a first receiving aperture  35 . The first receiving aperture  35  has a diameter. The upper portion  34  further includes a second receiving aperture  38  and it too has a diameter. These apertures  35 ,  38  are disposed at opposite ends of the third attachment base  32  as shown in  FIG. 3C . That is, each aperture  35 ,  38  places the brush-like support portions in an offset position relative to the axis of the support member  3 . The bottom portion  36  of the third attachment base  32  of the third attachment  30  likewise includes a receiving aperture  37 . Insertable within the bottom receiving aperture  37  is the top-most end of the second tubular member  3  of the stand  1 . Insertable within each of the first and second top receiving apertures  35 ,  38  of the third attachment  30  is the brush support plate  11  which was previously shown in  FIGS. 1F-1J . This third attachment member  30  is identified by these inventors as the “in and out” attachment. Again, the name of this attachment is not a limitation of the present invention. 
     The in and out attachment member  30  is designed to allow the batter to focus on hitting to all fields. The hitter will place two balls  100  on the attachment member  30 , one on top of each brush top  19 . The batter will hit the “inside” pitch first while maintaining proper balance to hit the second ball  100  which simulates the “outside” pitch. The attachment member  30  is approximately the length of home plate in order to provide a realistic approach to the inside and outside pitch. Its mobility around the plate allows hitters to work on all pitches within the strike zone. This attachment member  30  teaches hitters to hit the ball  100  in front of the plate on inside pitches, while also letting the ball “get deep” to the batter&#39;s back leg for the outside pitch. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A through 4C , they also include the same stand  1  as is discussed above. The fourth alternative attachment member, generally identified  40 , comprises a fourth attachment base  42  having an upper portion  44  and a bottom portion  46 . The upper portion  44  includes a single receiving aperture  45 . The receiving aperture  45  has a diameter. The bottom portion  46  of the fourth attachment base  42  of the fourth attachment  40  likewise includes a receiving aperture  47 . Insertable within the bottom receiving aperture  47  is the top-most end of the second tubular member  3  of the stand  1 , as described above and will not be repeated here. Insertable within the top receiving aperture  45  of the fourth attachment  40  is the brush support plate  11  which was previously shown in  FIGS. 1F-1J . This fourth attachment member  40  is identified by these inventors as the “perfect cut” attachment member, which is not a limitation of the present invention. It is to be noted that this fourth attachment member  40  allows the brush top  19  to be offset from the axis of the support member  3 . 
     The perfect cut attachment member  40  is designed to allow the hitter to focus on staying “on top” of the ball  100  to prevent fly balls while creating a short path to the ball  100 . The hitter must maintain the proper path coming down onto the ball  100  to create backspin. If the hitter is to swing in an incorrect motion, he or she will make contact with the level plane  48  of the attachment member  40 , thereby providing instant feedback in order to correct the mistake of dropping his or her hands, dipping, or upper cutting. 
     In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides for a swing training device that has an upright vertical support which is height-adjustable and that also has multiple training attachments for working on a batter&#39;s different skill sets. The attachments include a regular batting tee (or “attachment”), a “cast away” batting tee, an “in and out” batting tee, and a “perfect cut” batting tee. Each tee or attachment is interchangeable with the others, each being used with a single support member, and the support member is height-adjustable. Using these alternative tees improves the batter&#39;s performance and enhances training results.