Abstract:
A baseball training aid includes a hollow tubular member rotatably positioned on an adjustable height stand, for use in practice batting. The hollow tubular member is adjustably positioned to guide a bat during the initial movement of the bat by the batter. The apparatus can be configured as a bat guide, as a ball support, and for aligning the batting swing of a batter. A swing tube is pivotally secured to the base of the powertube apparatus, and may be adjustably positioned in relation to the hollow tubular member. A ball may be placed upon either the swing tube or on the hollow tubular member. The apparatus improves the power developed during a swing, by guiding the initial part of a swing in a forward direction, before the bat is rotated to meet the ball. The apparatus may be adjusted to suit the height and batting stance of the batter, and the hollow tubular member may be rotatably positioned and releasably secured to suit the needs of a variety of batters. The powertube apparatus may be positioned in different ways to improve the batting skills of the batter.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional application 60/203,938 filed on May 12, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to training aids for training a batter to hit a ball. More particularly, the invention relates to a powertube training aid apparatus having a bat guide. For purposes of this disclosure, the term ball is intended to mean either a baseball or a softball. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Instructional devices for use in sports are known. It is a problem in the art to provide batting instruction which is precise, and provides accurate bat positioning during a batter&#39;s swing, in order to improve the batting mechanics, as shown in the following patents. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,276 is directed to a bat swing guide. The guide includes a vertical support and a generally semi-circular arcuate guide attached to the support, so that a path of travel of the bat follows the arcuate guide. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     From the foregoing it is seen that it is a problem in the art to provide a device meeting the above requirements. According to the present invention, a device is provided which meets the aforementioned requirements and needs in the prior art. 
     Specifically, the device according to the present invention is a baseball training aid for use in batting practice. The device is a powertube apparatus having a hollow tubular member, which is adjustably supported to guide a bat during the initial swing movement of the bat by the batter. The batter learns to draw the bat from the tube before beginning rotation of the bat. This trains the batter for proper pulling action to get the most power at contact, and reinforces proper swing technique, by staying inside the baseball during the batter&#39;s swing. 
     The powertube apparatus may also be used to support a ball upon the top portion of the elongated hollow tube member, so that the batter aligns the bat in relation to the ball, and planes the bat in relation to the ball through contact, during his swing. This reinforces proper technique during the swing, and keeps the batter from chopping and looping the ball. 
     The powertube apparatus has further utility, by placing the elongated hollow tube member substantially vertically to train the batter to stay inside the ball by missing the powertube and generating top speed and power at contact. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a powertube apparatus, which is adjustable in height. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a powertube apparatus, which is adjustable in inclination between horizontal and vertical positions. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a powertube apparatus which is sized to slidably receive a bat within an elongated hollow tube member mounted upon the adjustable frame of the powertube apparatus. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a powertube apparatus which provide a pivotal swing guide and resilient ball rest. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a powertube apparatus which substantially vertically aligns the powertube to train the batter to stay inside of the powertube, by missing the post and generating top speed and power at contact with the ball. 
     These and other objects according to the present invention are accomplished by provision of a base, a lower support member, an upper support member telescopically mounted in relation to the lower support member, a releasable securement means for adjustably positioning the height of the upper support member in relation to the lower support member, a tube support member pivotally mounted on the upper support member, and an elongated hollow tubular member mounted upon the tube support member. A at least two resilient expandable ring members, such as O-ring members, connect the hollow tubular member to the tube support member. The tubular support member includes a base with a swing arm releasably secured to the base. The swing arm has a lower member and a resilient upper member adjustably positioned in relation to the lower member. The upper member supports a ball upon the distal end, and is pivotally positioned in relation to the base. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG.  1 A through FIG. 1D show the progressive movement of a bat as the batter swings the bat at a ball using the tubular member to guide the bat to obtain the proper pulling action. 
     FIG. 1A shows the bat inserted into the powertube in preparation for swinging the bat. 
     FIG. 1B shows the bat partially withdrawn from the elongated hollow tubular member as the user shifts weight onto his front foot prior to rotating the bat. The bat&#39;s knob is forward while the barrel of the bat is still inside the tubular member. 
     FIG. 1C shows the rotation of the bat following the release of the bat from the tubular member. 
     FIG. 1D shows the position of the bat following the completion of the swing at the ball. 
     FIG. 2A shows a second use of the powertube apparatus, wherein a ball is placed upon the top portion of the tubular member, as the tubular member guides the bat towards the ball. The bat must be level to the plane of the tubular member to solidly hit the ball. 
     FIG. 2B shows the bat aligned with the substantially horizontal tubular member as the bat strikes the ball on the same plane as the ball for solid contact. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the powertube apparatus, showing the relationship of the component parts. 
     FIG. 4 is an end view of a portion of the powertube shown in FIG. 2B, showing one end of the elongated hollow tubular member. 
     FIG. 5 shows a third use of the powertube apparatus, showing the elongated hollow tubular member substantially vertically aligned, to guide the batter to keep his swing close to his body during the initial portion of the swing. 
     FIG. 6 is a sequential view of a batter hitting a ball off the top portion of the elongated hollow tubular member, which is substantially horizontally positioned. 
     FIG. 7 is a sequential view of a batter hitting a first ball off the swing tee, while avoiding a second ball placed upon the elongated hollow tubular member, in a first embodiment of a double tee drill. 
     FIG. 8 is a sequential view of a batter hitting a ball off the swing tee, with the elongated hollow tubular member positioned behind the swing tee. 
     FIG. 9 is a sequential view of a batter hitting a first ball off the elongated hollow tube member and a second ball off the swing tee, in a second embodiment of a double tee drill. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The powertube apparatus  10  is shown in detail in FIG.  1 A through FIG.  5 . FIG.  1 A through FIG. 1D show the progressive movement of a bat  40  as it is withdrawn from within the tubular member  26  to teach a batter  50  the proper pulling action during the initial movement of the bat  40  to reinforce proper swing technique, while maximizing the ark power of the batter&#39;s  50  swing. 
     For maximum power, the initial part of a batter&#39;s  50  swing should ideally be in an inside pulling action in a forward direction, toward the ball  60  to be batted. In a second part of the batter&#39;s swing, the bat  40  is released from the inside of the tubular member  26 , and then pivoted so that it meets the oncoming ball  60 . It is often difficult for the batter  50  to know whether or not the initial part of the swing is being performed correctly. The powertube apparatus  10 , shown in FIG.  1 A through FIG. 1D, aids the batter  50  in obtaining the desired pulling action to get the most power at contact between the bat  40  and the ball  60 . 
     As best shown in FIG. 3, the powertube apparatus  10  comprises a base portion  12 . The base portion  12  is preferably H-shaped, and includes a pair of spaced parallel legs  12 A and  12 B. The spaced, parallel legs  12 A and  12 B are connected by a cross bar  12 C. A lower support member  14  is releasably secured to the cross bar  12 C. The lower support member  14  can extend through an aperture  12 D, as shown in FIG. 3, and the lower support member  14  is secured to the base portion  12  with suitable fastening means  12 E. The shape of the base  12  is not intended to be limited to an H shape. Other shapes, such as circular, oval or multi-sided shapes may be used. The base portion  12  is sized to support the powertube apparatus  10  during use. 
     The upper support member  16  is telescopically mounted in relation to the lower support member  14  to provide a suitable height adjustment, preferably between waist and shoulder height. It is within the scope of this invention to have the upper support member  16  be slidably received over the lower support member  14 . Alternately, the lower support member  14  may be slidably received over the upper support member  16 . 
     A threaded hole  17  is provided to receive a releasable securement means, such as a threaded T-bar clamp  18 , to adjustably position and releasably secure the upper support member  16  in relation to the lower support member  14 . 
     Alternately, the upper support member  16  and/or the lower support member  14  can be formed of smaller elements, which are stackable in order to adjust the total height thereof. (Not shown). All such embodiments are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure, and the following claims. 
     The upper support member  16  is pivotally connected and releasably secured to a tube support member  22  by a manually tightenable threaded member  20 . A suitable fastening means, such as a nut  19  may be used to further tighten the tube support member  22  to the upper support member  16 . Any known type of releasable securement means may be used, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, or from the appended claims. 
     Preferably, the upper end of the upper support member is a bracket  32  having aligned holes  34  sized to closely receive the threaded member  20  therethrough. The tube support member  22  is sized to fit within the bracket  32 , and also has a hole  36  or aperture extending through the tube support member  22  near the lower end, to closely receive the threaded member  20  within the hole  36 . With the threaded member  20  lightly engaged, the tube support member  22  is positioned to pivot about the threaded member  20 . When the threaded member  20  is tightened, the tube support member  22  is releasably secured at a desired angle in relation to the upper support member  16 . The desired angle may be positioned from substantially horizontal as shown in FIG. 2A to substantially vertical, as shown in FIG.  5 . 
     Alternately, any known type of releasable adjustment mechanism may be used, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, or the following claims. 
     The upper tube support member  22  includes a cross member  23 . Optional opposing struts  24 ,  25  may be added between opposing sides of the upper tube support member  22  and the cross member  23  for additional strength. An elongated hollow tubular member  26  is connected to the tube support member  23 , preferably with one or more resilient O-ring members  28 . The manually tightenable threaded member  20  can be loosened to permit rotational adjustment of the tube support member  22  relative to the upper support member  16 . 
     As further shown in FIG.  1 A through FIG. 1D, the elongated hollow tubular member  26  may be angled slightly downwardly, from five degrees to thirty degrees, and releasably secured with the threaded member  20 , to adjustably position the tilt of the hollow tubular member  26 . 
     The elongated hollow tubular member  26  is preferably secured to the tube support member  23  with resilient, expandable ring members  28 , such as O-rings, as best shown in FIG.  3 . While two expandable ring members  28  are shown in FIG. 3, it will be understood that additional expandable ring members  28  may be used. Additionally, the invention is not limited to the use of expandable ring members  28  to secure the tubular member  26  to the tube support member  23 . Other known connection means may be used, such as screws, bolts, clamps, rivets, etc. Preferably, the tubular member  26  is releasably secured to the tube support member  23  for ease of rotating or replacing the tubular member  26  when worn or damaged. An end view of the tubular member  26  is shown in FIG.  4 . 
     Preferably, the elongated hollow tubular member  26  is formed of a spiral-type corrugated plastic tube, such as commonly used for irrigation or drainage purposes, and widely available in many hardware stores. Alternatively, the tubular member  26  can be a smooth tubular member  26  without any corrugations, and may be non-circular or multisided to suit user preference. The hollow inner portion of the tubular member  26  is sized to slidably receive a bat  40  therein. Different size bats  40  may require a different sized hollow tubular member  26 . Alternately, the tubular member  26  may be integrally formed with the tube support member  22 , to suit manufacturing preference. All such variations are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. 
     The powertube apparatus  10  may be alternately positioned as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In this embodiment, the height of the tubular member  26  is lowered considerably, as compared to the height shown in FIG.  1 A through FIG.  1 D. The tubular member  26  may be tilted to adjust to the desired angle of swing of the bat  40  by the batter  50 . The height is adjusted by telescopically adjusting the upper support member  16  relative to the lower support member  14 , in the manner previously described. 
     A ball  60  is placed on top of the tubular member  26 , either at the end as shown in FIG.  2 A and FIG. 2B, or in the middle (not shown) of the tubular member  26 . One or more tee locations  29  may be provided on the outer wall of the tubular member  26  to more easily position a ball  60  on the hollow tubular member  26 . The tee locations  29  may be in the form of a flat, or aperture located on the top portion of the tubular member  26 . 
     The batter  50  is guided by the position of the tubular member  26  as the bat approaches the ball  60 . When used as shown in FIG.  2 A and FIG. 2B, the powertube apparatus  10  reinforces proper swing technique, and teaches a batter  50  to avoid chopping and looping the ball  60 . The tubular member  26  acts as a flat tee surface, and provides instant feedback when the batter  50  fails to address the ball  60  properly. 
     The power tube apparatus  10  may also be used, as shown in FIG.  5 . In this embodiment, the elongated hollow tubular member  26  is placed substantially vertically, and positioned in relation to the batter  50  to ensure the batter  50  keeps the swing close to the batter&#39;s body during the initial part of the swing. Failure to do so will result in the bat  40  hitting the elongated hollow tubular member  26 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, a swing tee  70  is pivotally secured to the base  12 , and may be adjustably positioned in relation to the base  12 , to support the ball  60  in spaced relation from the elongated hollow tubular member  26 , as best shown in FIG. 6,  7  and  8 . The swing tee  70  includes a pivotal base member  72 , a lower ball support tube  74  and an upper ball support tube  76 . The upper ball support tube  76  is adjustable in height in relation to the lower ball support tube  74 , and may be secured at the desired height with a T-clamp  78 , or by other known releasable securement means. The upper ball support tube  76  is preferably resilient and bendable, such as a rubber support tube  76 , and the distal end o 9 f the support tube  76  is sized to support a ball thereon. 
     FIG. 6 is a sequential view of a batter  50  hitting off the elongated hollow tubular member  26 , with the elongated hollow tubular member  26  positioned in a flat tee orientation. The elongated hollow tubular member  26  is set up so that it is facing in the direction the batter  50  wants to hit the ball  60 . The ball  60  is positioned on one of the tee positions  29  near the forward end of the tubular member  26 . 
     Preferably there are three radially spaced tees  29  located near each end of the tubular member  26 . This allows the player to rotate the tubular member  26  so the tubular member  26  does not become flat on one side from repeated use. 
     The batter  50  hits the ball in the direction the elongated hollow tubular member  26  is pointing. The elongated hollow tubular member  26  may be selectively pointed in the direction of the pitcher, the second baseman, or the shortstop. The batter  50  will get instant feed back on good hits and poor hits on each swing. For advanced drill, the elongated hollow tubular member  26  is pointing up the middle at the pitcher, and the batter  50  hits the ball  60  to the second baseman side of second base. When the ball  60  is hit solidly, the ball  60  will come off the tee  29  on the same line as the height of the tee  29  on the elongated hollow tubular member  26 . If the ball  60  jumps up high or rolls on the ground, the batter  50  knows these are not good hits. There is an unmistakable feel on good hits and bad hits, and the batter  50  will know the difference. 
     FIG. 7 is a sequential view of a double tee drill. With this drill, a first ball  60  is placed on the tee  29  located on the top portion of the elongated hollow tubular member  26 , and the batter  50  is instructed to hit the ball  60  to the second base side of the field. Then a second ball  60  is placed on the swing tee  70  at a location on the inside of the strike zone, and the batter  50  pulls the ball  60  to the shortstop side of the field. Then both balls  60  are positioned on the tee  29  located on the elongated hollow tubular member  26  and on the swing tee  70 , and a player or coach calls out “inside pitch” or “outside pitch”, and the batter  50  hits the ball  60  called. This drill teaches the batter  50  to hit both inside and outside pitches. 
     FIG. 8 is a drill using the elongated hollow tubular member  26  as a loop guide. To setup, the elongated hollow tubular member  26  is placed in a cross-position facing the pitcher. The swing tee  70  is set in front of the elongated hollow tubular member  26 , so the batter  50  must clear the tubular member  26  to hit the ball  60  located on the swing tee  70 . The batter  50  learns to position the plane of the bat  40  on the ball  60 , as the bat  40  moves through the strike zone. 
     FIG. 9 is a second version of the double tee drill. The tubular member tee  29  is placed forward towards the pitcher, with the swing tee  70  positioned in front of the elongated hollow tubular member  26  at the same height as the elongated hollow tubular member  26 . A first ball  60  is placed on the tubular member tee  29 , and a second ball  60  is placed on the swing tee  70 . The batter  50  is instructed to hit the first ball  60  toward second base, and the second ball  60  should be hit towards the shortstop. This teaches the batter  50  to stay on plane with the ball  60  through the strike zone. 
     Thus, the tubular member  26  is adjustably positioned and combined with a swing tee  70 , and the combination may be adjusted to many selected positions, which are helpful in instructing a batter  50  to improve their batting technique during practice. The powertube apparatus  10  being thus described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be evident that the same may be varied in many ways, and such adaptations and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.