Baseball Swing Training Device

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility conversion application is based upon pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/570,643, filed Mar. 27, 2024, by Walter Blackfox II et. al., that was entitled “Baseball Swing Training Device,” and priority therefrom is claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to sports training devices and related methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to baseball or softball training, and to practice devices enabling players to learn a proper swing for hitting while “at bat.”

II. Prior Art

It has been recognized by players skilled in the games of baseball and softball, and by fans, that a proper swing is advantageous. In baseball, once the pitcher releases his pitch to the hitter, the ball descends at an angle that ranges between eight degrees to a maximum of around fifteen degrees, depending on the pitch type. In a perfect world the hitters objective is to intersect the pitch for as long as possible, leading the most elite hitters to swing at an angle of approximately ten degrees-a measurement known as the attack angle. Maintaining this angle increases the chances of success by influencing the ball's trajectory and spin upon contact.

The interaction between the swing angle and the pitch angle is crucial. Swinging downwardly too low, below ten degrees, can result in hitting high fly balls. A swing with an attack angle exceeding fifteen degrees often results in excessive top spin, contributing to the roll of ground balls.

A common flaw that most hitters is initiating their swing with the front side of their body, which causes the front shoulder to fly open and spin. This can and will become hugely detrimental to the development of a hitter's potential. This movement flaw limits the hitters opportunity to fight for that perfect angle at contact and drive the ball to their ultimate potential.

No known prior device addresses the latter problem. However, many forms of swing training devices have evolved over the years.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,772 discloses a baseball bat swing training device enabling a user to enhance his or her batting skills. The disclosed apparatus comprises a base adapted to sit on the ground that supports an upwardly, extending vertical post that mounts a bat swing guide. The vertical post telescopes, so height adjustments are facilitated. A ball holding cup is attached to a lower arm and a ball holder is attached to an upper arm. However, there is no separated stabilizer post with a handle for the user his or her form to maintain a proper shoulder stance.

Published application US2023/0330501 shows another swing trainer. This one has an adjustable base assembly connecting to a support, and a rotating carrier connected to the support. The device comprises an elongated guiding rail, one end of which defines a positioner for the rear foot of a batter, there being a moving foot guide which slides along the rail while controlling the straddling movement of the front foot. A stop positioned on the rail at a certain point defines the furthermost position that the batter's front foot should assume before the swing. A rear stop behind the front foot guide defines the position of the front foot before the straddling movement starts. Both stops are adjustable to accommodate the styles of different batters.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,276 discloses a bat swing guide with a vertical support holding an arcuate guide. The guide is generally semi-circular and may be positioned to accommodate either a right-handed or left-handed hitter. A pivoting tee is attached to the vertical support member for supporting a ball. An adjustable bat stop is attached to the distal end of the arcuate guide.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,402 shows a swing training machine for developing muscular strength and coordination to perform athletic swings typical of baseball. A drive arm pivotally carried on a frame is engaged and forcibly driven in rotation by a partially guided, hand-held swing implement, against a variable resistance developed by a resistance element and imparted through a linkage. Optimum training resistance is gradually maximized through the acceleration zone of the swing and tapers off during the follow-through, being effective for the full forward swing.

U.S. Pat. No. 11,311,785 shows a baseball and softball swing trainer that can be adjusted for height, for angular relationship with ground and batter, and to selected angular relationships accommodating strike zones for different batters.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,147,357 discloses a training device with a swing guide disposed at a selected height above the ground, and a swing implement comprising a handle for gripping by a user.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,755 discloses a stretch training device with a seat on which the athlete sits. An axle extends in an upwardly vertical direction from the area between the athlete's thighs. The athlete then grips a handle which is located at the end of a “swing” arm of the stretching device, which extends outwardly from the upright axle frame, away from the athlete, at approximately chest-level. Spring mechanisms enable tension to be varied.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,512,171 reveals another batter training apparatus for attaining optimal bio-mechanics for most effectively hitting a ball, with a proper rotation of a batter's hips and proper follow-through with a batter's arms, wrists and shoulders. The training apparatus includes a belt worn over the hips that has a cable extending behind and between the hips. A tether connects the belt to a support post, preventing forward motion of the batter's body, but allowing the hips to rotate. The support post sits at the rear of a platform that is about the size of a batter's box. An elastic cord connected to a forward arm and attached to the front of the platform, pulls a batter's wrists, arms and shoulders forward during proper follow through, conditioning the batter to swing the bat efficiently.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,870,317 discloses an athletic swing trainer consisting of a belt to be worn by the athlete having a tangentially attached elastomeric web section. The web section is attached to the belt tangentially opposite the swing of the athlete; in the case of a right-handed athlete, the attachment would be physically at the left hip opposite the swing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,243 a training device for training an athlete, such as a baseball pitcher, to accurately repeat a sequence of coordinated leg, arm and torso movements.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,731,925 discloses a batting practice device for coaching and training a youngster how to stand at home plate, how to keep his eyes on a real baseball which is caused to sweep in varying paths (high, low, and otherwise) across the plate, how to time his batting swing and, also how to acquire the feel of batting the ball. It comprises a suitably elongated hollow barrel through which a flexible nylon or similar tethering line is slidingly threaded. This barrel provides a line stabilizing and whirling holder designated as a control stick. A regular baseball is captively mounted on the outward end of the line. A first hand-grip is provided on the inward end. A second spring biased hand grip is slidingly mounted on the flanged inner end of the barrel. These hand-grips, when properly grasped and used, will enable the user to swing the tethered ball in a circular path and to deliver the ball to the wary but eager batter.

There is a need for a machine that completely eliminates the opportunity for the hitter to open the front shoulder while swinging, which forces the initiation of the swing to come from the backside of the body (back hip). This allows hitter to have a better chance to adjust to where the pitch is going. therefore giving the hitter a better chance of creating and maintaining a great angle for ball contact.

Despite the many features and variations within the prior art, no known device requires that a batter-trainee swing with one hand. The instant invention requires a user to hold onto a mounted grip with one hand while standing properly and swinging the bat with the user's other hand. This forces a player to keep their shoulders square at the beginning of the swing which, in turn, ensures that a proper swing path and stance are executed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have invented a baseball and softball swing training apparatus for correctly learning a proper baseball or softball swing along with a proper stance during batting.

The preferred swing training apparatus disclosed herein includes a base resting upon the ground supporting an adjustable, vertically upright post secured to the base. The post supports an outwardly extending horizontal bar that is preferably telescopically adjustable. A barrel path guard arm accessory may be attached to the horizontal bar so “bat path guard sensors” may be hung at varying intervals to reinforce the “Knob to the Ball” swing style and keep the barrel of the bat in the proper swing circumference. The device may be adjusted to accommodate either a right-handed or left handed hitter.

Thus a fundamental object of our invention is to provide a training machine for enhancing athletic movements encountered in baseball, softball and other physical sports.

It is also an important object to provide a swing-training device that requires one of the batter's hands to grip a handle, while the other hand holds and swings a bat.

Another basic object is to provide a training machine of the character described that helps batters develop a proper stance and swing.

A related object is to help stabilize the batter and ensure proper shoulder positioning.

Still another object is to provide a swing training device of the character described that helps develop proper muscle memory.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever reasonably possible to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a right frontal isometric view of our new Baseball Swing Training Device;

FIG. 2 is a left frontal isometric view thereof, showing a portion of the stand bottom;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a front plan view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a rear plan view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a view of a batter executing a traditional two-handed swing; and,

FIG. 10 is a view showing the swing path executed by a one-handed batter using the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With initial reference directed to FIGS. 1-8 of the appended drawings, a baseball swing training device constructed in accordance with the best mode of the invention has been generally identified by the reference numeral 10. The training device 10 is adapted to facilitate one-armed or “single handed” swing training by allowing the preferred batter's arm (i.e., left arm or right arm) to swing while the user's opposite arm is maintained stationary, while his or her free hand firmly grasps by a rigid handle disposed in a spaced-apart, out of the way location on the frame structure.

The preferred training device 10 comprises an upright rigid frame, comprising several elements that define a strike zone through or into which balls travel. The frame comprises rigid, detachable lower base assembly 11 comprising a rigid, horizontal base plate 12 adapted to be disposed upon a preferably flat supporting surface 14 (FIG. 1). Base assembly 11 comprises a rigid, elongated hollow stanchion 13 extending upwardly from base plate 12 to support structure described hereinafter. Stanchion 13 is supported and reinforced at its bottom by a pair of spaced apart, angled wings 14, 15 that are all welded in place. Wings 14 and 15 respectively support a pair of rear transport wheels 16, 17 (FIG. 3) mounted to the frame wings by rigid brackets 16A and 17A respectively. These wheels enable and simplify machine transportation when, for example, a swing trainee (i.e., the user) grabs the stanchion 13 and tilts the machine towards the left (i.e., as viewed in FIG. 1) over the wheels 16, 17, removing ground contact of the base plate 12.

The frame comprises an upright stanchion 13 telescopically, adjustably receives a rigid elbow 21 (FIGS. 1-4), comprising a lower vertical portion 23 and an integral, normally horizontal portion 24. Elbow portion 23 is coaxially and slidingly received within base stanchion 13 to enable vertical adjustments. Adjustments to the elbow vis-a-vis the stanchion 13 are enabled by tightening or loosening a threaded stanchion lock 28 that frictionally secures the elbow 21 and stanchion 13 together. Locking orifices 29 are optional. The preferred lock mechanisms comprise retractable, bolt style levers that may penetrate and engage one of the several optional locking orifices 29 drilled into the lower vertical portion 23 of elbow 21.

The outwardly projecting elbow portion 24 is normally horizontally disposed in operation, and it slidably, telescopically receives and stabilizes an accessory mounting tube 40. Selected adjustable positions of the mounting tube 40 can be secured with another lever lock 44, that may penetrate and engage optional locking orifices 45 (FIG. 1). Thus the accessory mounting tube 40 can slide towards or away from stanchion 13 for preferred adjustment.

Importantly, there is a user-grasped handle assembly 50 that is removably supported at the end of mounting tube 40. This handle assembly 50 preferably comprises a foot portion 56 (FIG. 4) that is integral with a right-angled vertical portion 57 supporting an arched portion 58 that terminates in a preferably rotatable handle 59 supporting a knob 60. Training handle 59 can be tightly grasped by a free hand of the swing trainee. The handle 59 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis to facilitate movement of the hitters palm as the palm would actually rotate, from vertical to horizontal, during a swing. Multiple sizes and shapes of the hitter's handle apparatus may be accommodated.

Referencing FIG. 10, a right-handed trainee batter 60 standing by our swing training device 10 upon support surface 14 has his left hand 63 affixed to the machine handle 59 while his right hand 64 grasps a baseball bat 66 for a practice swing. The swing typically commences somewhat behind the back of the batter 60, and moves counter-clockwise along a path 67 which occurs within a strike zone volume 59 defined generally between stanchion 30, above surface 14 and below mounting tube 40 and handle 59. It is important to note that the swing arc 67 pictured in FIG. 10 defines a generally circular, hypothetical plane 70 whose longitudinal axis 57 that forms an angle of approximately thirty degrees relative to the horizontal (i.e., surface 14). Additionally, because the training device 10 enables the batter 60 to keep his “unused” shoulder 71 substantially stationary during the swing, the hitters batting hand 64 is encouraged to enter the strike zone 59 with the knob of the bat facing towards an in-flight ball presumably entering the strike zone.

Training device 10 also enables hitter 60, by keeping their leading shoulder stationary 71 during the swing to facilitate a proper “barrel path” angle entry of the bat into the strike zone 59, ensuring the swing makes contact with regular “middle” and “outer 3rd” portion of strike zone pitches. This also encourages bat swing “deceleration” on pitches that reach the outer 3rd of the strike zone 59 with the intent of hitting balls to the opposite side of the field.

For comparison purposes, batter 60B is seen in FIG. 10 making a conventional right-handed swing. The swing traces an arc 80 that circumscribes a hypothetical planar, substantially elliptical surface 82. The longitudinal axis 83 of surface 82

is angled at approximately forty-five degrees relative to the playing surface 14B. The oval-shaped or elliptical hypothetical somewhat planar surface 82 that has been twisted about its major axis 83; as a result the bat end assumes an end position well above the batters head, whereas it is positioned beneath the batters left arm in FIG. 10.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.