Patent Publication Number: US-6988966-B1

Title: Method for controlling a batter&#39;s foot

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to batting technique teaching devices and more particularly pertains to a new batting technique teaching device for teaching a baseball batter proper foot movement or restraint thereof. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of batting technique teaching devices is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,643 shows an analogous device used for golfing which provides a shoe device that that golfer steps into with their forward foot. The shoe is staked to the ground to prevent improper rotation of the forward foot. Another type of batting technique teaching device is U.S. Patent No. Application 2003/0130072 A1 that describes a device for limiting the stride of a forward foot of a batter to keep the batter&#39;s weight properly balanced during a swing. Yet another such device is U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,772 that again aids a batter in practicing proper striding of their front foot while swinging a bat. 
   While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that is adapted for retaining the rear foot of a batter in a planted position through a swing. Such device would keep a batter more stable through the swing and would prevent unnecessary movement within a batter&#39;s box. These features would improve the batting average and the overall technique of the batter by “quieting” their body movements. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention meets the needs presented above by comprising a flexible panel has a top side, a bottom side and a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge including a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The front edge has an arcuate notch therein that is substantially centered between the first and second side edges. The panel has a pair of apertures extending therethrough. Each of the apertures is positioned generally adjacent to one of the first and second side edges and between the front and back edges. Each of a pair of reinforcement rings is attached to a peripheral edge of one of the openings. A pair of elongated rods is provided that each has a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends are pointed. Each of a pair of handles is attached to one of the second ends of the rods. The rods are each extended through one of the rings such that each of the first ends of the rods extends away from the bottom side of the panel. A rear foot of a batter is positioned beneath the panel such that the ankle of the rear foot is positioned in the notch. The first ends of the rods are extended into a ground surface so that lifting of the rear foot from the ground surface is restricted when the batter swings at a pitch. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective in-use view of a method for controlling a batter&#39;s foot according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of  FIG. 3  of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 4  thereof, a new batting technique teaching device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the device  10  and method for controlling a batter&#39;s foot generally includes providing a flexible panel  12  that has a top side  14 , a bottom side  16  and a peripheral edge  18 . The peripheral edge  18  includes a front edge  20 , a back edge  22 , a first side edge  24  and a second side edge  26 . The panel  12  has a width from the first side edge  24  to the second side edge  26  generally between about 8 inches and 16 inches and a depth from the front edge  20  to the back edge  22  generally between about 3 inches and 7 inches. The front edge  22  has an arcuate notch  28  therein that is substantially centered between the first  24  and second  26  side edges. The panel  12  has a pair of apertures  30  extending therethrough. Each of the apertures  30  is positioned generally adjacent to one of the first  24  and second  26  side edges and between the front  20  and back  22  edges. The notch  28  has a depth generally between about 2 inches and 4 inches and a width generally between 4 inches and 7 inches. The panel  12  comprises a resiliently elastic material which is preferably an elastomer. 
   Each of a pair of reinforcement rings  32  is attached to a peripheral edge of one of the openings  30 . The rings  32  each have an inner surface that is threaded. A pair of elongated rods  34  is provided. Each of the rods  34  has a first end  36  and a second end  38 . The first ends  36  are each pointed and an outer surface  40  of each of the rods  34  is threaded. The rods  34  each have a diameter adapted for threadably engaging with one of the rings  32 . The rods  34  each have a height from the first end  36  to the second end  38  greater than 4 inches, preferably greater than 5 inches and more preferably greater than 6 inches. Each of a pair of handles  42  is attached to one of the second ends  38  of the rods  34 . The handles  42  each include bars attached to the rods  34  at generally perpendicular angles so that the handles  42  provide sufficient leverage for the turning of the rods  34  in the rings  32 . 
   In use, each of the rods  34  is extended through one of the rings  32  such that each of the first ends  36  of the rods  34  extends away from the bottom side  16  of the panel  12 . The rods  34  are rotated so that they are threadably coupled to the rings  32 . A rear foot  6  of a batter  5  is positioned beneath the panel  12  so that the ankle of the rear foot  6  is positioned in the notch  28 . Each of the rods  34  is extended into a ground surface  7 , on either side of the rear foot  6 , so that lifting of the rear foot  6  from the ground surface  7  is restricted when the batter  5  swings at a pitch. The rings  32  allow the rods  34  to be selectively adjustable in terms of distance of extension away from the panel  12 . This allows for variation of ground surfaces  7  into which the rods  34  are to be extended. Loose soil may require a greater distance from the first ends to the bottom surface while compact soil would require less distance. Aside from varying how firmly the panel  12  is to be attached to the ground surface, this also aids a user of the device  10  in ensuring that the bottom surface  16  is adjacent to the ground surface  7 . By restricting the lifting of the rear foot  6  of a batter&#39;s stance, proper batting technique is taught, as the batter  5  will properly retain their rear foot  6  in a planted state. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.