Multidimensional Manually Operated Batting Practice Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention and method of use enable a batter to practice and increase skills related to following the path and speed of a ball with their eyes, swinging at the right moment in time in relation to ball-speed, making best contact with a moving ball relative to path location, and further developing swinging techniques when qualified instructor is present. The present invention provides a manually operated batting simulation device for simulating various speeds, irregular or three-dimensional travel toward the batter providing a more realistic ball movement, and is engineered to absorb likely practical potential disturbing and uncomfortable vibration and shock-waves generated by the player striking the fast moving ball. The present invention includes at least one rigid portion, at least one flexible portion and at least one ball portion. The present invention is constructed to have the flexible portion between the ball portion and the rigid portion.

Claims

1. A ball hitting training device, the device comprising: at least one rigid portion; at least one flexible portion; and a ball portion; wherein said at least one flexible portion is connected between said at least one rigid portion and said ball portion.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one rigid portion is made from wood, aluminum, polyvinylchloride (PVC), fiberglass, hard plastic, composites, carbon fiber, polystyrene plastics, phenolic resins, or equivalent or combinations thereof.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the rigid portion is constructed from hose, tubing, piping, rod, strips or combinations thereof.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said flexible portion is made from a semi-flexible, flexible, highly flexible or extremely flexible materials or any combinations of materials allowing flexible motion wherein said flexible materials or flexible devices includes, reinforced or non-reinforced, latex, silicone, neoprene, leather, rope, chord, bungee-cord elastic, rubber (synthetic or natural), nylon, flexible conduit, lower density polyethylene and polypropylene plastics and incorporating flexible mechanical devices such as swivel hinges/joints, spring hinges/joints, ball and socket swivel hinges/joints and chain or hook-links.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said flexible portion is semi-flexible at the end proximal to the said rigid portion and increasingly more flexible toward the end proximal to the ball portion.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of flexible portions.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said plurality of flexible portions is at least three flexible portions.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said flexible portions each have varying flexibility, with the most flexible portion proximal to the ball portion and the least flexible portion proximal to said rigid portion.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said rigid portion further comprises of one or more hand grips.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said ball portion further comprises a ball attachment apparatus for connecting said ball portion to the flexible portion.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said ball portion is removable and exchangeable from said ball attachment apparatus.

12. The device of claim 1 further comprising an elastic portion encased in said flexible portion or between the flexible portion and the ball portion.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein said flexible portion has a curved shape, or connected to cause a curl.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein said rigid portion and said ball portion are not in line or on the same plane with one another.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein said ball portion includes a ball feedback mechanism.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein said rigid portion further comprises a flexible tube internal to the flexible portion and connected within or at the end of the rigid portion.

17. The device of claim 1 further comprising a hollow guide sleeve locate proximate to the interface between the said rigid portion and said flexible portion.

18. The device of claim 1 wherein said rigid portion further comprises a strap located at the proximal end of the rigid portion for facilitating one-hand operation of the device.

19-28. (canceled)

29. A ball hitting training device, the device comprising: at least one rigid portion having a proximal end and a distal end, said rigid portion having a spring or a linear flexible element running internally through all or a portion of said rigid portion or optionally attached to the distal end of said rigid portion wherein said rigid portion is made from an rigid material; at least one flexible portion made from an extruded material that is semi-flexible, flexible, highly flexible or extremely flexible material; and a ball portion comprising a simulated ball and an attachment apparatus; wherein said at least one flexible portion is connected between said at least one rigid portion and said ball portion; wherein said spring or the linear flexible element of the rigid portion optionally extends internally through all or part of the flexible portion; wherein said spring or the linear flexible element of the rigid portion optionally is directly or indirectly attached to the ball portion;

30. A ball hitting training device, the device comprising: at least one rigid portion made from an rigid material, said rigid portion having a proximal end and a distal end, having a flexible linear portion running though all or a portion of the interior and/or attached to the distal end of said rigid portion; at least one flexible portion made from an extruded material that is semi-flexible, flexible, highly flexible or extremely flexible material; and a ball portion comprising a simulated ball and an attachment apparatus; wherein said at least one flexible portion is connected between said at least one rigid portion and said ball portion.

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of the 100 inventive batting training device illustrating the 1 rigid portion, the 3 flexible portion and the 6 ball portion. The embodiment illustrated provides that the 6 ball portion includes a 5 simulated ball and a 4 attachment apparatus. In addition, the illustrated embodiment illustrates a curve in the 3 flexible portion and illustrates the optional 2 hand grips on the 1 rigid portion to assist a batting coach in operating the device toward a batter.

[0014] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the inventive 100 batting training device illustrating the 1 rigid portion, the 7 flexible element running internally through the rigid portion, a 8 hollow guide sleeve covering a portion of said 1 rigid portion for sliding the 8 hollow guide sleeve over the 13 interface between said 1 rigid portion and the 3A first flexible portion, a 3B second flexible portion of a higher degree of flexibility than the 3A first flexible portion, a 4A protective cover over the 3B second flexible portion, and a 5 simulated ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention contains the features of a batting training device and methods of use as herein described. The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses, which may vary. The invention is described with relation to the non-limiting definitions and terminology included herein. These definitions and terminology are not designed to function as a limitation on the scope or practice of the invention, but are presented for illustrative and descriptive purposes only.

[0016] It is to be understood that in instances where a range of values are provided that the range is intended to encompass not only the end point values of the range but also intermediate values of the range as explicitly being included within the range and varying by the last significant figure of the range. By way of example, a recited range of from 1 to 4 is intended to include 1-2, 1-3, 2-4, 3-4, and 1-4

Generally

[0017] In order to accomplish the task of overcoming the unmet needs, the present ball hitting training device includes, at least one rigid portion, at least one flexible portion; and a ball portion, wherein the at least one flexible portion is connected between the one rigid portion and the ball portion. The present invention overcomes many shortcomings of the existing batting training devices. It provides for more realistic, challenging and less predictable ball-flight arc trajectory-paths due to the irregular effect caused by the combined variable centrifugal vertical lift created by the whipping action of the simulated-ball and the varying controlled measure or degree of lateral extension of the shaft connected to the extension-arm whip. This result is in stark contrast to a relatively immobile ball target presented by other hand-held batting practice inventions.

The Rigid Portion

[0018] The rigid portion is intended to provide the batting coach or operator a solid non-flexible portion that will allow them to easily and effectively swing a simulated ball at a batter. Many materials may be used for the rigid portion, with the limitation that the rigid portion is intended to be made from a relatively stiff and non-flexible fabricated material thus allowing to translate the forces and movements from the device operator to the ball being moved toward the batter. In at least one embodiment, the rigid section further includes at least one handle or grip to assist the coach or device operator to provide them the means to effectively hold the rigid portion through the swinging motion while maintaining positive control of the training device upon being struck by a batter. In at least one embodiment, that rigid portion is a light-weight rigid pole.

[0019] The rigid portion is intended to have various lengths and thicknesses in order to be adapted to the varying sizes, skill levels, and age group of batters. The rigid portion can be of any length or thickness, but preferable the rigid portion should be between 12 inches and 48 inches with a thickness of a half (½) of an inch to three (3) inches in thickness. In at least one embodiment, the rigid portion is thirty six (36) inches in length and one (1) inch in diameter. It is appreciated that many materials may be used for the rigid portion. It is appreciated that some rigid materials do have some amount of flexibility, and nothing herein is intended to limit the rigid portion to a fully rigid material. Some materials that are used to make the rigid portion include wood, aluminum, PVC, fiberglass, hard plastic, composites, carbon fiber, polystyrene plastics, phenolic resins, or equivalent or combinations thereof.

[0020] In at least one embodiment an inner semi-flexible tube extends inside the rigid portion for all or a portion of the length of the rigid portion. The inner semi-flexible tube may be either connected to the rigid portion at some position along the rigid portion, or may be connected at the end of the rigid handle. Without being bound by any particular theory, the inner semi-flexible tube is intended to absorb the rotational forces imparted upon the rigid portion upon the inventive ball hitting training device when in use. The inner semi-flexible tube also functions to absorb the outward forces imparted on the ball portion when being struck with a bat, thus reducing the overall forces imparted to the user through the rigid portion. In at least one embodiment, the inner semi-flexible tube may be attached to the rigid portion through the use of a spring or an elastic material.

[0021] In some embodiments, an optional neck or shoulder strap may be used at the proximal end of the rigid portion for providing support and pivotal motion allowing for one-handed operation of the ball hitting training device.

The Flexible Portion

[0022] The flexible portion of the inventive device is intended to be made from a semi-flexible, flexible, highly flexible or extremely flexible material. The purpose of the flexible portion is to introduce non-linear/non-planar movement of the simulated ball toward the batter when in operation, and to assist in absorbing the shock of the bat hitting the ball, thus reducing the stresses and discomfort on the device operator, while providing a realistic ball movement and trajectory of the simulated ball for the benefit of the batter. The flexible portion is intended to be connected between the rigid portion and the ball portion and may be connected to those portions in any way as may be known in the art. In at least one embodiment, the rigid portion and the flexible portion may be adapted for one portion to connect within the other portion. In some embodiments the connections are further supported by elastic or a bungee material to provide breakaway options for both storage and absorption of forces introduced by the batter.

[0023] The flexible portion may be made from a single fabricated or extruded piece or a plurality of fabricated or extruded sections. In at least one embodiment, the flexible portion made from a graduated flexible materials being semi-flexible at the end proximal to the said rigid portion and increasingly more flexible toward the end proximal to the ball portion providing a flexibility gradient of the flexible portion. It is appreciated that the flexibility gradient may be introduced in the flexible portion by including a plurality of flexible portions with varying degrees of flexibility, in any combination or order of flexibility and also in varying relative degrees of straightness of curvature. The plurality of flexible portions may have varying or the same degrees of flexibility.

[0024] In at least one embodiment a flexibility gradient is provided, it is intended that the most flexible portion is used proximal to the ball portion and the least flexible portion proximal to said rigid portion. This flexibility gradient provides both graduated energy absorption while providing a means to realistically move the simulated ball three dimensionally during use.

[0025] Similar to the connection mechanisms for the rigid portion to the flexible portion, many connection types are known in the art. Without intending to limit the invention, one particular method known in the art, and as previously discussed, allows for one section or portion to be partially slid into the other, and may optionally include being connected by a piece of elastic material or bungee to allow for ease in breaking down the inventive device for storage, while also providing a break-away to assist in absorbing forces imparted by a batter upon the device.

[0026] In some embodiments a curve or curl is introduced into the flexible portion between the end that connects to the rigid portion and the end that connects to the ball portion. This may be accomplished in any method known in the art. In some embodiments the curve or curl may be engineered into the extruded or fabricated portion, or the curl or curved shape may be formed in other embodiments by the choices of the varying flexible materials used to construct the plurality of flexible portions. The curved portion is intended to ensure that the rigid portion and the ball portion do not travel on the same plane toward the batter, thus causing the batter/swing hitter to focus on the ball as opposed to the stick or operator when the device is in use as a batting trainer. The curvature or curve in the flexible portion allows the operator to choose to produce different possible pitch simulated flight-paths by way of twisting the staff in various positions in preparation before or actively during the swing approach to the batter. The staff portion, flexible portions and ball or simulated ball portion of the device has the capability to be switched out and changed on demand or permanently incorporated into the device. Different versions or types of the relatively rigid staff including length, girth, shape, and weight, degree of relative rigidity, hand-grip dimensions and quality can be designed and fabricated for different applications and user preference.

[0027] The flexible portion can incorporate a variety of flexibilities and sequential orders, gradients and combinations thereof, weight in ounces, types and placement of shock-absorbing or elastic components and connectors, types and degrees of relative straightness or curvature as well as the type and measure of resistance and weight of the target ball or simulated ball all to be designed and fabricated for different applications and user preference. Without intending to limit the invention, some examples of flexible materials, each which may be reinforced or non-reinforced, include latex, silicone, leather, rubber (synthetic or natural), nylon, low density polyethylene and polypropylene plastics. At least one graduated flexible portion would include an extruded piece of material of varying thickness or density which would be semi-flexible on one end, and very flexible on the other end.

[0028] In certain embodiments, an elastic, shock-absorbing or spring-like portion is implemented to provide additional energy absorption for when a ball is struck. It is appreciated that elastic or bungee can be used as part of the connection means of each section. In some embodiments, an elastic portion is further encased in the flexible portion or between the flexible portion and the ball portion which provides additional trajectory variability and energy absorption.

[0029] The flexible portion may by means of hinges, spring-hinges, swivels, chain, links, ball joint, or ball and socket joint, achieve a simulated flexibility and create a whipping action of the ball and flexible portion, and nothing herein is intended to exclude such simulated flexibility from the flexible portion.

[0030] In at least one embodiment a hollow guide sleeve may be positioned about the connection point between the flexible portion and the rigid portion. The hollow guide sleeve is intended to be contained proximate to the connection point of the flexible portion and the rigid portion, and is intended to be able to be adjusted by a user, such that the curve or arc of the flexible portion is increased or decreased. It is appreciated that where the hollow guide sleeve is positioned at its lowest point on the rigid portion, that all or substantially all of the flexible portion is exposed. This position causes the highest amount of arc or curve in the flexible portion. As the hollow guide sleeve travels away from the user, and over more of the flexible portion, the arc of the guide sleeve is decreased as a result of the hollow guide sleeve acting to effectively extend the rigid portion. In some embodiments, the hollow guide sleeve may also be used as a locking or stabilizing feature of the flexible portion. When included in certain embodiments, the hollow guide sleeve is used primarily when the ball hitting trainer is rotated 180 degrees such that the curve of the flexible portion is straightened.

[0031] In at least one embodiment, the flexible portion further includes a protective cover over the flexible portion located about the interface between the flexible portion and the ball portion. The protective non-curl catch cover is intended to prevent a bat from catching on the ball hitting trainer in the event that a batter misses the ball and makes direct contact with the flexible portion. In some embodiments, the protective cover further includes a missed ball feedback indicator which alerts a batter and a batting coach when the bat has made contact with the protective cover. The feedback indicator may be a sound, a light, or other forms of audible or visual feedback that will alert a coach or batter that the batter has struck the protective cover.

The Ball portion

[0032] The ball portion is optionally any type of ball or simulated ball-portion and either is intended to provide a target for a batter to aim at for swinging practice. It is appreciated that the ball or simulated ball may be or simulate a tennis ball, a racquetball, a golf ball, a whiffle ball, a baseball, a tennis ball, a croquet ball, or other balls known in the art. In some embodiments, the ball portion includes both a ball or simulated ball and a ball or simulated ball attachment apparatus for connecting said ball portion to the flexible portion. In some embodiments the attachment apparatus further provides a means for removing and exchanging the ball to accommodate for different hardness, weight, size, or energy absorption.

[0033] In some embodiments the ball portion further includes a cone shaped interface piece which is located at the interface of the ball portion and the flexible portion. The cone shaped interface may provide the interface between the ball portion and the flexible portion, may be part of the ball portion, or may be an independent piece located at the interface of the ball portion and the flexible portion. The advantage of the cone shaped interface is that it prevents the ball portion from snapping back and hitting the holder of the inventive ball hitting trainer in the event that a bat or other object catches the back of the ball portion. In some embodiments, the cone shaped interface eliminates a control surface on the backside of the ball redirecting the bat and the force of the bat such that it will not catch the back of the ball portion.

[0034] Certain embodiments the ball portion further includes a ball feedback mechanism which provides an audio or visual indication of contact, or a preferred contact, with the ball portion. The ball feedback mechanism may be a light or a sound. The ball feedback mechanism may provide its indication based on the output of at least one pressure sensor, at least one accelerometer, at least one electronic contact switch, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the density of a portion of the ball portion may be modified to provide a different sound when that portion of the ball portion is hit as opposed to other ball portions. The use of the ball feedback mechanism enables coaches and players immediate feedback for fine tuning their swing while using the ball hitting trainer.

[0035] In some embodiments the ball, the ball portion or the interface is fixed to the most distal portion of the flexible tubing by different methods such as elastic bungee cord etc. or by passing the most distal portion of the flexible tubing through the proximal and distal sides/ends/surfaces of the ball and fixing a cap or ring at the distal point of the tube holding the ball—but allowing the flexible ball proximal surface to contract in a distal direction when hit along the axis of the tube—thus allowing for maximum flexibility and absorption of vibration.

Method of Use

[0036] The present invention further provides a method to use the batting training device. The device may require one or two people to be used for providing batting/swing hitting practice, however, optimally the device is intended to be used by two people, an operator and a batter. The device can optionally be used by only a batter, by either mounting or attaching the device to a fixed object such as a pole. Optionally, the device can be attached to an apparatus with the capability for a spring-like rotary action to return the device when hit by the batter. Generally, it is intended that an operator handle the device so that the operator may vary speed and position of the ball in the swinging motion toward a matter. In at least one embodiment, at least one person holds the rigid portion, swings or rotates the rigid portion toward a batter wherein said batter swings toward the ball portion. The built-in flexibility of the flexible portion varies the balls trajectory toward the batter. In some embodiments, an operator may rotate the rigid portion in some amount to enhance the three dimensional movement of the ball portion relative to the rigid portion. The device and method of use enable a batter to practice and increase skills related to following the path of a fast moving ball with their eyes, swinging at the right moment in time in relation to ball-speed, making best contact with a moving ball relative to path location, and further developing swinging techniques when qualified instructor is present.

EXAMPLES

[0037] It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.

Example 1

[0038] A batting training device is provided for use by a batting coach to be used with a batter. The device is illustrated in FIG. 1. The device includes a rigid portion having hand grips for the batting coach to hold. The distal end of the rigid portion is connected to the proximal end of a highly flexible portion. The distal end of the highly flexible portion is connected to the ball portion. In this embodiment the ball portion includes a simulated ball and an attachment apparatus.

Example 2

[0039] The batting training device of Example 1 is provided. An operator grips the handle of the device, choosing to use either one or two hands and proceeds to swing the device to maneuver the simulated-ball in a arcing trajectory and pass the ball through the practicing player strike-zone at various desired realistic simulated speeds and locations. If the player swings and makes contact with the ball, there will be no uncomfortable transfer of energy or vibration experienced by either the swinging party or operator and the ball will remain firmly attached to the device, safely and conveniently within the control of the operator and immediately ready for repeated simulations without producing a harmful uncomfortable vibration. A friend, parent, fellow player, volunteer or instructional coach can operate the device on-demand without any set-up. A coach can simultaneously provide swinging instruction while operating the device.

Example 3

[0040] A batting training device is provided for use by a batting coach to be used with a batter. The device is illustrated in FIG. 2. The device includes a 1 rigid portion. Without limiting the invention and particular to this embodiment, the 1 rigid portion has an outer diameter of approximately one inch, with an approximate length of two and one half (2.5) feet. Internal to the 1 rigid portion and a portion of the 3A first flexible portion is a 7 flexible element. Without limiting the invention and particular to this embodiment, the 7 flexible element is a length of rubber tube with an approximate outer diameter of one half (½) inch. The device further includes a 8 hollow guide sleeve covering a portion of said 1 rigid portion for sliding the 8 hollow guide sleeve over the 13 interface between said 1 rigid portion and the 3A first flexible portion. Without limiting the invention and particular to this embodiment, the 8 hollow guide sleeve has an outer diameter of one and one half (1.5) inches and approximately ten (10) inches in length. In this embodiment, the flexible portion includes a 3B second flexible portion which is connected within the 3A first flexible portion and is of a higher degree of flexibility than the 3A first flexible portion. The 3B second flexible portion is covered by a 4A protective cover to prevent a bat being swung from connecting directly with the 3B second flexible portion becoming a hazard to the operator of the device. Attached at the distal end of the 3B second flexible portion is a 5 simulated ball. In this particular embodiment, the 4A protective cover and the 5 simulated ball each provide a sound by virtue of their material selection to indicate when either is struck by the bat, providing immediate feedback to the batting coach, batter, or operator of the device.

Other Embodiments

[0041] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the described embodiments in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.

[0042] Exemplary inventive apparatus and methods are further provided in the attached materials provided herewith as Appendix A—totaling 6 pages, incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if the appendix was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in their entirety for text, figures, and all other information.