Abstract:
The swing mat sports training aid which will hereafter be referred to as a foot positioning training aid. It is for preparation and instructing individuals in the proper positioning of their feet when engaged in various activities in which the position and movement of the feet are critical to accurate execution of desired functions. The training aid includes a generally rectangular panel which can be sustained on various supporting surfaces and is provided with a non-centered raised feature to position the feet and forms a barrier to movement in the direction required for the execution of desired functions. This raised feature does not fully restrict movement however.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    (Not Applicable) 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]    (Not Applicable) 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX  
       [0003]    (Not Applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention generally relates to a foot positioning training aid for preparation and instructing individuals in the proper positioning of their feet when engaged in various activities in which the position and movement of the feet are critical to accurate execution of desired functions. The invention has particular usefulness for training individuals engaged in athletic activities such as moving or positioning a bat to engage a thrown ball, positioning and swinging a golf club to strike a fixed golf ball, positioning an individual to engage in throwing a ball to a desired location or any other activity in which foot positioning is critical to achieve a desired result. 
         [0005]    The training aid includes a generally rectangular panel which can be sustained on various supporting surfaces and is provided with a non-centered raised feature to position the feet and forms a barrier to movement in the direction required for the execution of desired functions. This raised feature does not fully restrict movement however. The disclosure in this application relates to training a batter in striking a ball with a bat. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An object of the present invention is to provide a foot positioning training aid for use in training individuals to properly position their feet when engaged in various activities. The invention is a one-piece flat panel with integrated features whereas the feet of a person being trained are engaged. 
         [0007]    A further object of the invention is the raised element on the surface of which the individual aligns the feet and is especially useful regarding instructing individuals in proper foot position when using a bat to hit a baseball, softball and the like with the training aid also being useful in training individuals in other sports, athletic endeavors or other endeavors in which foot position and foot movement are critical to achieve favorable performance of such activities. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the foot positioning training aid of the present invention when used in training an individual in batting a thrown ball. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the training aid. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a section view, on an enlarged scale, of the raised surface of which the feet align with. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Referring now specifically to the drawings, the foot positioning training aid of the present invention is generally designated by reference  10  of the embodiment disclosed, it is associated with a conventional home plate  24  used in baseball or softball and is used to train an individual batter  12  in various phases of using a baseball bat to hit a baseball that is thrown over home plate  24 . 
         [0012]    The training aid  10  includes a rectangular panel  14  constructed of rubber, plastic or other material that can be positioned on a sustaining surface such as the ground surface, a gymnasium floor or any other surface that is generally flat. In addition, the construction of the generally rectangular training aid can be positioned on slightly non-flat supporting surfaces. 
         [0013]    The panel  14  is provided with surface area  20  that which is integrated with the panel  10  and is cleat proof so that the individual  12  wearing cleated baseball shoes may effectively stand on the panel  14 . While dimensions may vary to some extent, the panel  14  may have dimensions of 3/16″ thickness, 28″ width and 46″ length with the device being somewhat flexible but still capable of being self supporting. The panel  14  can be formed in any color but black is preferred and the surface  20  can be grained or smooth but grained is preferred. 
         [0014]    Off center of the panel  14  is a raised element  16  which is integrated with the panel  14  having inclined side walls  16  at approximately 45 degrees to the surface of the panel  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 3  which forms a positioning device for the rear feet  22  and  23  of an individual batter  12  when batting right handed illustrated in  FIG. 1  and when batting left handed not illustrated. While dimensions may vary to some extent, the raised element  18  may have dimensions of 4″ in width and 3.5″ in height with the element being somewhat flexible so that when an individual  12  places weight on the element  18  it shall collapse as a safety feature. 
         [0015]    Another feature of the panel  14  is an aperture  26  for use as a carrying handle and is centered and positioned behind the raised element  18  and the individual  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . While dimensions may vary to some extent the aperture  26  is 2.5″ deep and 5″ wide. 
         [0016]    The present invention is a one piece baseball, softball and golf swing training aid regarding instructing individuals in proper foot position when using a bat to bat a baseball, softball and the like with the training aid also being useful in training individuals in other sports, athletic endeavors or other endeavors in which foot position and foot movement are critical to optimum performance of such activities. The training aid  10  is constructed of rubber, plastic or other materials and includes a panel  14  having a flat but somewhat flexible surface and large enough to allow an individual  12  of any height or weight to stand upon and remain throughout the swing process; a raised element  18  which is perpendicular to the surface  20  and runs parallel to the panel&#39;s  14  width, which keeps the feet, hips and shoulders of the individual  12  parallel to home plate  24  until after making contact with the ball. 
         [0017]    A key factor in hitting is the individual&#39;s  12  feet alignment relative to home plate  24  at the moment the individual  12  makes contact with the ball being struck. The present invention aligns the individual&#39;s  12  feet with the heels slightly touching the raised element  18  and toes pointing forward towards home plate  24 . The placement of the feet  22  and  23  is the key to hitting to all areas of the playing field. If the toes are placed perpendicular to the plate, the hitter will hit through the middle of the playing field most of the time but if the toes are pointed towards the catcher, the ball will be hit to the opposite field most of the time and if the toes are pointed towards the pitcher, the ball will be pulled most of the time. The raised element  18  will make the hitter aware of his rear feet placement each time he steps into the batter&#39;s box. The hitter should gait directly toward the pitcher. The training aid of this invention prevents an incorrect stride since the hitter is discouraged from stepping backwards by the raised element  18  and out of the desired stance. Moreover, the invention enables the hitter to discipline himself, otherwise known as developing muscle memory, so that the striding foot remains closed (toward home plate  24 ), until the swing or hit is complete. The stride remains the same whether the pitch is an inside pitch, outside pitch or over the plate with the hip turn and movement of the hands differing with each pitch. 
         [0018]    Prior to entering the batter&#39;s box during a game, the hitter is allowed to take preliminary swings at the designated on-deck circle which enables the hitter to get his timing with respect to the pitcher. The present invention can be used as an on-deck circle during regulation games. 
         [0019]    While the invention has been specifically described with respect to baseball, it also can be used with softball and may also be used with golf and other athletic activities in which the initial position and subsequent movement of the feet are important. 
         [0020]    In addition, the present invention enables a hitter to practice hitting a ball off a tee, practice in any outside or inside area, enable a hitter to align himself with home plate with his center of gravity in alignment with the plate, and which will serve both right-handed and left-handed hitters. Essentially, this device can be used in training all aspects of developing proper techniques for the most favorable contact with a ball by hand maneuvered execution. 
         [0021]    The preceding 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 so for that reason, all fitting modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 
       INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT 
       [0022]    Many devices have been offered to assist in training individuals in hitting a baseball, softball or the like, properly striking a golf ball or the like. Although these devices have accomplished favorable results, none of the previously known devices utilize the structural arrangement of this invention and none of the devices utilize the same technique as this invention. The present invention does what no other invention does as it discourages the batter from stepping backwards and out of feet position relative to home plate during the cycle of hitting and encourages the batter to make his first move toward the pitcher, regardless if the batter is right-handed or left-handed. 
       REFERENCES CITED 
     U.S. Patent Documents 
       [0000]    
       
         U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,656 June 1990 Pierce 
         U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,375 April 1985 Tetreault 
         U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,176 August 1992 Cagney, Jr. 
       
     
         [0026]    A foot positioning training aid consisting of a generally rectangular panel constructed of rubber, plastic or other material to be positioned on a supporting surface and including a raised feature wherein the feet align with, parallel with the plate.