Abstract:
A grip training device is used to teach a person the proper grip of a ball in usage. More specifically, the grip training device may take the form of a baseball having finger position indicia on it. The finger position indicia may be constituted in several different ways, including by depressions sized and arranged to receive the fingers. The arrangement of the indicia shows how to grip the baseball for throwing different pitches.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is the non-provisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 60/824,867, filed Sep. 7, 2006. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Balls are thrown by hand in many sporting events, including baseball, softball, wiffle ball, American football, and cricket, among others. Both the grip of the thrower&#39;s hand and the way the ball is thrown can have a significant impact upon the ball&#39;s path, speed, and movement during its flight through the air. With baseball, for example, a pitcher can use these different hand grips and different ways to throw the ball to execute different kinds of pitches. By varying the grip and throwing motion, the rotation of the baseball and the movement of the seams of the baseball can be manipulated to pass through the air differently as the baseball spins, thereby providing different affects on ball trajectory, speed, and movement. Common pitches may include a two-seam fastball, a four-seam fastball, a slider, a fork ball (split finger), a sinker, a cutter, a curveball, a screwball, a changeup, and a knuckleball, among others. Other sports requiring the throwing of balls by hand may also include their own set of different pitches. 
         [0003]    Learning a variety of pitches is the goal of many young athletes, but the task can be difficult because there is much to learn, including pitch-specific grips and pitch-specific throwing dynamics. The present invention aims to facilitate this learning process by developing balls that are specifically shaped and sized for teaching the grip associated with a particular pitch. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective from a rear and right side vantage of a grip training device of a first embodiment for a two seam fastball grip and showing a hand in phantom gripping the device; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is right side elevation of the grip training device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a left side elevation thereof; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view thereof, 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a front elevation thereof; 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a rear elevation thereof; 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a perspective from a front and right side vantage of a grip training device of a second embodiment for a split finger grip and showing a hand gripping the device in phantom; 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is a front elevation of the grip training device of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a rear elevation thereof; 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  is a left side elevation thereof; 
           [0017]      FIG. 14  is a right side elevation thereof; 
           [0018]      FIG. 15  is perspective from a front and right side vantage of a grip training device of a third embodiment for a slider grip and showing a hand gripping the device in phantom; 
           [0019]      FIG. 16  is a front elevation of the grip training device of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 17  is a rear elevation thereof; 
           [0021]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0022]      FIG. 19  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0023]      FIG. 20  is a left side elevation thereof; 
           [0024]      FIG. 21  is a right side elevation thereof; 
           [0025]      FIG. 22  is a perspective seen from the front and left side of a grip training device of a fourth embodiment for a four seam fastball grip and showing a hand gripping the device in phantom; 
           [0026]      FIG. 23  is a right side elevation of the grip training device of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 24  is a left side elevation thereof; 
           [0028]      FIG. 25  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0029]      FIG. 26  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0030]      FIG. 27  is a front elevation thereof; 
           [0031]      FIG. 28  is a rear elevation thereof; 
           [0032]      FIG. 29  is a perspective seen from the front and right side of a grip training device of a fifth embodiment for a beginner&#39;s curveball grip and showing a hand gripping the device in phantom; 
           [0033]      FIG. 30  is a front elevation of the grip training device of  FIG. 29 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 31  is a rear elevation thereof; 
           [0035]      FIG. 32  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0036]      FIG. 33  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0037]      FIG. 34  is a left side elevation thereof; 
           [0038]      FIG. 35  is a right side elevation thereof; 
           [0039]      FIG. 36  is a perspective seen from the front and right side of a grip training device of a sixth embodiment for a standard curveball grip and showing a hand gripping the device in phantom; 
           [0040]      FIG. 37  is a front elevation of the grip training device of  FIG. 36 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 38  is a rear elevation thereof; 
           [0042]      FIG. 39  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0043]      FIG. 40  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0044]      FIG. 41  is a left side elevation thereof; 
           [0045]      FIG. 42  is a right side elevation thereof; 
           [0046]      FIG. 43  is a perspective seen from the front and right side of a grip training device of a seventh embodiment for a four knuckle curveball grip and showing a hand gripping the device in phantom; 
           [0047]      FIG. 44  is front elevation of the grip training device of  FIG. 43 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 45  is a rear elevation thereof; 
           [0049]      FIG. 46  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0050]      FIG. 47  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0051]      FIG. 48  is a left side elevation thereof; 
           [0052]      FIG. 49  is a right side elevation thereof; 
           [0053]      FIG. 50  is a perspective seen from the rear and right side of a grip training device of a eighth embodiment for a three finger changeup grip and showing a hand gripping the device in phantom; 
           [0054]      FIG. 51  is right side elevation of the grip training device of  FIG. 50 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 52  is a left side elevation thereof; 
           [0056]      FIG. 53  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0057]      FIG. 54  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0058]      FIG. 55  is a front elevation thereof; 
           [0059]      FIG. 56  is a rear elevation thereof; 
           [0060]      FIG. 57  is a perspective seen from the rear and right side of a grip training device of a ninth embodiment for a circle changeup grip and showing a hand gripping the device in phantom; 
           [0061]      FIG. 58  is right side elevation of the grip training device of  FIG. 57 ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 59  is a left side elevation thereof; 
           [0063]      FIG. 60  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0064]      FIG. 61  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0065]      FIG. 62  is a front elevation thereof; 
           [0066]      FIG. 63  is a rear elevation thereof; 
           [0067]      FIG. 64  is a perspective seen from the rear and right side of a grip training device of a tenth embodiment for a palmball grip and showing a hand gripping the device in phantom; 
           [0068]      FIG. 65  is right side elevation of the grip training device of  FIG. 64 ; 
           [0069]      FIG. 66  is a left side elevation thereof; 
           [0070]      FIG. 67  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0071]      FIG. 68  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0072]      FIG. 69  is a front elevation thereof; 
           [0073]      FIG. 70  is a rear elevation thereof; 
           [0074]      FIG. 71  is a section taken in the plane including line  71 - 71  of  FIG. 65 ; 
           [0075]      FIG. 72  is a section taken in the plane including line  72 - 72  of  FIG. 65 ; 
           [0076]      FIG. 73  is a perspective similar to  FIG. 64 , but showing finger position indicia of another version. 
       
    
    
       [0077]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0078]    Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1-7 , a grip training device is shown to comprise in a first embodiment a baseball, generally indicated at  101  (broadly, “a body”), having a cover portion  103  and a seam  105 . The grip training device further comprises finger position indicia generally indicated at  107 . The cover portion  103  and the seam portion  105  may be formed like a conventional baseball, but may be formed as a single piece of material with the baseball  101 . The seam portion  105  may be, for example, a raised part of the baseball  101  made to simulate the appearance of sewn on seams. Seams (not shown) could be illustrated by printed markings on the surface of the ball that are not raised. Moreover, the seams could be entirely omitted within the scope of the present invention. The cover portion  103  is considered in the illustrated embodiment to be the outer surface of the baseball  101  away from the seam portion. It should also be noted that the balls and grip positions depicted herein and throughout the application are for a right-handed thrower. As would be readily understood by one skilled in the art, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be readily applied to left-handed throwers, such as by producing balls having a mirror image of the balls depicted herein. 
         [0079]    The baseball  101  of the first embodiment is adapted for training a user to grip a baseball for properly throwing a two-seam fastball pitch. A hand H on the baseball  101  in the proper grip position using the finger position indicia  107 . The grip for throwing a two-seam fastball requires that the user place his index and middle finger on respective baseball seams at the point where the seams are closest to one another, such as is depicted in  FIG. 1 . To aid the user in developing the proper grip, the baseball of the first exemplary embodiment includes the finger position indicia  107  specifically demonstrating where the user should place his fingers. In this example, the finger position indicia take the form of surface depressions of sufficient depth, width, and length to be easily felt and seen by the user. These depressions  107  are sized and shaped to receive and guide the fingers of the user to the correct position and orientation on the ball. In the exemplary first embodiment shown, surface depressions are included for the index finger  107 I, the middle finger  107 M, the thumb  107 T, and the ring finger  107 R (see  FIG. 5 ) of the user. Generally, any portion of the hand that touches the baseball  101  as part of the grip, including any digit and any portion of the palm of the hand touching the ball, may be included as a feature on the surface of the ball. The corresponding parts of all embodiments of the grip training device will be given the same base reference numerals for all of the embodiments illustrated herein, but will be increased by “100” for each successive embodiment. 
         [0080]    The depth, width, and length of the depressions  107  may be varied to compensate for the size of the user&#39;s hands. For example, different baseballs for users with small, medium, or large hands may be provided without departing from the scope of embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, as a user becomes more skilled in selecting the correct grip, the relative prominence of the surface features may be lessened, whereby the user is encouraged to rely upon his own knowledge of the grip, rather than the features included on the ball. For example, a grip training device for a beginner may include deep, channel-like depressions for receiving substantial portions of the fingers, while a grip training device for a more advanced user may include shallow, minimal depressions that serve only as a gentle reminder of the proper finger positioning for the given grip. 
         [0081]    Other surface features may be used alone or in combination with such depressions to demonstrate where the user should place his fingers. For example, the surface of the ball may include finger outlines depicting visually where each finger should lie upon the surface of the ball. The user can readily place his fingers on the ball within the finger outlines to establish a proper grip. Additional surface features may include labels noting the location of each finger with appropriate text for instructing the user regarding finger placement. Other surface features may include color-coding, such as each finger position indicated by a particular color (e.g., thumb blue, index finger yellow, middle finger green, etc.). Varying surface textures may also be included to demonstrate finger position. For example, the surface of the ball may be substantially rough, having smooth portions for placement of the fingers, or vice-versa. As noted above, each of these surface features may be used alone or in combination with other features to further demonstrate finger location on the ball. Other surface features not listed here are also contemplated as within the scope of embodiments of the invention. 
         [0082]    As would be readily understood by one skilled in the art, the grip training devices described herein may be utilized to learn grip in two manners. First, the devices may be gripped by the user, without throwing the device, in order to learn the grip. Gripping the device without throwing provides a useful memory aid to the user. Second, the user may also grip and throw the devices as with a regular ball, thereby using the grip training during throwing. Gripping the device while throwing provides a useful throwing training tool to the user. 
         [0083]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8-14 , a baseball  201  of a second exemplary embodiment is depicted. The baseball  201  of the second embodiment is adapted for training a user to grip a baseball for properly throwing a fork ball, or split finger pitch. Again, to aid the user in developing the proper grip, the baseball  201  of the second exemplary embodiment includes surface features specifically demonstrating where the user should place his fingers. Such features can include one or more of surface depressions, finger outlines, descriptive labels, color-coding, and surface textures, among others. In the exemplary second embodiment shown, surface depressions  207  are included for the index finger ( 207 I), the middle finger ( 207 M), the thumb ( 207 T), and the ring finger ( 207 R) of the user. 
         [0084]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15-21 , a baseball  301  of a third exemplary embodiment is depicted. The baseball  301  of the third embodiment is adapted for training a user to grip a baseball for properly throwing a slider. Again, to aid the user in developing the proper grip, the baseball  301  of the third exemplary embodiment includes finger position indicia  307  specifically demonstrating where the user should place his fingers. The indicia can include one or more of surface depressions, finger outlines, descriptive labels, color-coding, and surface textures, among others. In the exemplary third embodiment shown, the finger position indicia comprise surface depressions  307  are included for the index finger  307 I, the middle finger  307 M, the thumb  307 T, and the ring finger  307 R of the user. 
         [0085]    Referring now to  FIGS. 22-28 , a baseball  401  of a fourth exemplary embodiment is depicted. The baseball  401  of the fourth embodiment is adapted for training a user to grip a baseball for properly throwing a four-seam fastball. Again, to aid the user in developing the proper grip, the baseball  401  includes finger position indicia  407  specifically demonstrating where the user should place his fingers. The finger position indicia may include one or more of surface depressions, finger outlines, descriptive labels, color-coding, and surface textures, among others. In the exemplary fourth embodiment shown, the finger position indicia  407  take the form of surface depressions are included for the index finger  407 I, the middle finger  407 M, the thumb  407 T, and the ring finger  407 R of the user. 
         [0086]    Referring now to  FIGS. 29-35 , a baseball  501  of a fifth exemplary embodiment is depicted. The baseball  501  of the fifth embodiment is adapted for training a user to grip a baseball for properly throwing a beginner&#39;s curveball. Again, to aid the user in developing the proper grip, the baseball  501  includes finger position indicia  507  specifically demonstrating where the user should place his fingers. The finger position indicia may include one or more of surface depressions, finger outlines, descriptive labels, color-coding, and surface textures, among others. In the exemplary fifth embodiment shown, the finger position indicia  507  take the form of surface depressions are included for the middle finger  507 M, the thumb  507 T, and the ring finger  507 R of the user. The beginner&#39;s curveball does not have a surface depression for the index finger, showing that the index finger should be left off of the ball as illustrated in  FIG. 29 . 
         [0087]    Referring now to  FIGS. 36-42 , a baseball  601  of a sixth exemplary embodiment is depicted. The baseball  601  of the sixth embodiment is adapted for training a user to grip a baseball for properly throwing a standard curveball. Again, to aid the user in developing the proper grip, the baseball  601  includes finger position indicia  607  specifically demonstrating where the user should place his fingers. The finger position indicia may include one or more of surface depressions, finger outlines, descriptive labels, color-coding, and surface textures, among others. In the exemplary sixth embodiment shown, the finger position indicia  607  take the form of surface depressions are included for the index finger  607 I, middle finger  607 M, the thumb  607 T, and the ring finger  607 R of the user. The difference from the baseball  501  of the fifth embodiment is that a surface depression  607 I for the index finger is provided in the baseball  601 . 
         [0088]    Referring now to  FIGS. 43-49 , a baseball  701  of a seventh exemplary embodiment is depicted. The baseball  701  is adapted for training a user to grip a baseball for properly throwing a knuckle curveball. Again, to aid the user in developing the proper grip, the baseball  701  includes finger position indicia  707  specifically demonstrating where the user should place his fingers. The finger position indicia may include one or more of surface depressions, finger outlines, descriptive labels, color-coding, and surface textures, among others. In the exemplary seventh embodiment shown, the finger position indicia  707  take the form of surface depressions are included for the index finger  707 I, middle finger  707 M, the thumb  707 T, and the ring finger  707 R of the user. The depression  707 I for the index finger is preferably shortened and deepened to demonstrate a bending of the index finger at the knuckle characteristic of this pitch. 
         [0089]    Referring now to  FIGS. 50-56 , a baseball  801  of a eighth exemplary embodiment is depicted. The baseball  801  is adapted for training a user to grip a baseball for properly throwing a three finger changeup. Again, to aid the user in developing the proper grip, the baseball  801  includes finger position indicia  807  specifically demonstrating where the user should place his fingers. The finger position indicia may include one or more of surface depressions, finger outlines, descriptive labels, color-coding, and surface textures, among others. In the exemplary eighth embodiment shown, the finger position indicia  807  take the form of surface depressions are included for the index finger  807 I, middle finger  807 M, the thumb  807 T, and the ring finger  807 R of the user. In addition, a depression  807 P for the pinky finger is provided for the three finger changeup. 
         [0090]    Referring now to  FIGS. 57-63 , a baseball  901  of a ninth exemplary embodiment is depicted. The baseball  901  is adapted for training a user to grip a baseball for properly throwing a circle changeup. Again, to aid the user in developing the proper grip, the baseball  901  includes finger position indicia  907  specifically demonstrating where the user should place his fingers. The finger position indicia may include one or more of surface depressions, finger outlines, descriptive labels, color-coding, and surface textures, among others. In the exemplary ninth embodiment shown, the finger position indicia  907  take the form of surface depressions are included for the index finger  907 I, middle finger  907 M, the thumb  907 T, and the ring finger  907 R of the user. In addition (and like the three finger changeup baseball  801 ), a depression  907 P for the pinky finger is provided. 
         [0091]    Referring now to  FIGS. 64-72 , a baseball  1001  of a tenth exemplary embodiment is depicted. The baseball  1001  is adapted for training a user to grip a baseball for properly throwing a palmball. Again, to aid the user in developing the proper grip, the baseball  1001  includes finger position indicia  1007  specifically demonstrating where the user should place his fingers. The finger position indicia may include one or more of surface depressions, finger outlines, descriptive labels, color-coding, and surface textures, among others. In the exemplary tenth embodiment shown, the finger position indicia  1007  take the form of surface depressions are included for the index finger  1007 I, middle finger  1007 M, the thumb  1007 T, and the ring finger  1007 R of the user. In addition, a depression  1007 P for the pinky finger is provided for the palmball. 
         [0092]      FIGS. 71 and 72  are sections of the palmball  1001  to show the general shape of a portion of surface depressions on the palmball. The surface depressions would be similar in shape as for other pitches illustrated herein. 
         [0093]      FIG. 73  is similar to  FIG. 64  in that the baseball  1101  has finger positioning indicia  1107  arranged to show where to position the fingers for throwing a palmball. However, in this embodiment, the finger positioning indicia takes the form of markings on the surface of the baseball  1101 . The markings are not depressed into the surface of the baseball  1101 , and outline at least a portion of the finger to be received in a particular position. The markings including an outline of a portion of the index finger  1107 I, an outline of a portion of the middle finger  1107 M and an outline of a portion of the ring finger  1107 R. Other markings (e.g., for the thumb and pinky) could be used, but are not visible in  FIG. 73 . Moreover, alphanumeric characters (in this case letters “I”, “M”, “R”) are provided to indicate which fingers are to be positioned at which location. The letters could be used instead of the markings  1107  within the scope of the present invention. As discussed elsewhere, the marking and characters may take on other configurations within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0094]    As would be readily understood by one skilled in the art, a single ball, such as a baseball, may be adapted to serve as a grip training device for several different pitches. For example, where the surface features are finger outlines, descriptive labels, and/or color-coding, multiple finger positions corresponding to two or more grip positions may be included on a single ball. This combination of surface features allows a single ball to function as a grip training device for multiple pitch types, depending upon which surface features are utilized by the user. 
         [0095]    The grip training devices may also include other features for enhancing movement, or action, of the ball during flight. Such movement-enhancing features will allow the user to see exaggerated movement of the ball in the air, as compared with a conventional baseball, for example, thereby providing feedback regarding whether the ball was properly gripped and/or thrown. Such movement-enhancing features may be incorporated into any type of ball, including solid balls and hollow balls (i.e., wiffle balls). For example, a ball may include exaggerated stitching to enhance movement of the ball. The exaggerated stitching can include wider stitching, taller stitching, and/or thicker stitching string, among others. Moreover, the enhanced stitching may not be stitched at all, but may instead be surface enhancements to a molded ball, for example. Other surface features can include openings in the ball for hollow balls, surface ridges and channels, surface grooving, and surface dimpling, among others. In another example, the depressions discussed above for grip training can also be designed as movement-enhancing features. Controlling the depth and width of such depressions can have an impact upon ball movement. Generally speaking, these movement-enhancing features may be included over select portions of the ball or over the entire surface of the ball. Other movement-enhancing features not specifically discussed here are also contemplated as within the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         [0096]    When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Moreover, the use of “up”, “down”, “top” and “bottom” and variations of these terms is made for convenience, but does not require any particular orientation of the components. 
         [0097]    As various changes could be made in the above without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.