Batting training device

Abstract

A batting training device is disclosed that incorporates a ball arranged secured in an aerial position in order to be batted; has a column, wherein a tube is incorporated, arranged vertically with axial freedom of movement, an elastic cord passing through the tube, the lower end of which is fastened to the lower end of the tube, while the ball is fastened at the upper end of the elastic cord. The ball rests on the upper end of the tube. The tube is made up of segments, each segment provided on the outside with a guide slot with respect to a rod, has a bend that communicates with the slot of the adjacent segment, except for in the last lower segment, wherein the bend in the corresponding slot communicates with a return channel running along the entire length of the tube and communicates with the slot of the upper segment.

Claims

1. A batting training device, incorporating a ball which is arranged secured in an aerial position to be batted, comprising a column comprising a tube incorporated in the column and arranged vertically with axial freedom of movement, an elastic cord passing through said tube, a lower end of said elastic cord is fastened to a lower end of the tube, while at an upper end of said elastic cord the ball is fastened, the ball resting on an upper end of the tube, and the tube comprising a plurality of segments, each segment comprising a longitudinal guide slot with respect to a rod, the longitudinal guide slot having a bend which communicates with the longitudinal guide slot of an adjacent segment, wherein in a last lower segment, the bend in the corresponding longitudinal guide slot communicates with a return channel which runs along an entire length of the plurality of segments of the tube and which communicates with the longitudinal guide slot of an upper segment.

2. The batting training device, according to claim 1, wherein the tube passes through a ring wherein the ring incorporates the rod arranged protruding towards an inner cavity of the ring in order to run through the longitudinal guide slot of the segments and through the return channel in axial movements of the tube when the ball is batted.

3. The batting training device, according to claim 1, wherein the column is secured at a the lower portion by means of a flexible anchoring.

4. The batting training device, according claim 1, wherein the segments of the tube are independent parts provided with structures by means of which said parts are joined and positioned in relation to each other in forming the tube.

5. The batting training device, according to claim 1, wherein the column is securely arranged on a sustaining base, wherein several fasteners are used in said sustaining base in order to secure different batting training devices positioned in different orientations.

6. The batting training device, according to claim 1, wherein the ball is arranged in a support made of elastic material which rests on the upper end of the tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a practical exemplary embodiment of the batting training device object of the invention, with the tube of the device in the lowest position.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same device of the previous figure, with the tube of the device in an intermediate position.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device with the column collapsed in a horizontal position.

(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the tube of the device with the ball secured therein.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tube of the device with the ball in an assembled position of all the component assembly.

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a partial upper portion of the tube of the device with the ring surrounding the tube in a diametrical cross section.

(7) FIGS. 7A to 7D are four perspective views from different observation angles of the upper segment of the composition of the tube of the device of the invention.

(8) FIGS. 8A to 8D are four perspective views from different observation angles of an intermediate segment of the composition of the tube of the device of the invention.

(9) FIGS. 9A to 9D are four perspective views from different observation angles of the lower segment of the composition of the tube of the device of the invention.

(10) FIG. 10 shows a diagram of the path for the rod of the ring surrounding the tube of the device through the slot and the return channel of the component segments of the tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) The object of the invention refers to a device for training the batting practiced in baseball and other similar games, comprising a column (1) which is secured at the lower portion with a flexible anchoring (2), said column (1) being formed by vertical bars (3) wherein a ring (4) is secured on top, through which a tube (5) passes with axial freedom of movement whereon a ball (6) is arranged.

(12) In this assembly, the ball (6) is fastened to an elastic cord (7) which extends longitudinally through the inside of the tube (5), the lower end of said elastic cord (7) being fastened to the lower end of the tube (5), while at the upper end a ball (6) is fastened, which rests on the upper end of the tube (5), whereon it is secured by the tension of the elastic cord (7).

(13) The tube (5) is longitudinally made up of a series of segments (5.1), each one provided longitudinally on the outside with a slot (8), which has a bend (9), as seen in FIGS. 8A to 8D, such that, as seen in FIG. 5, in the assembly of the tube (5), the bend (9) in the slot (8) of each segment (5.1) communicates with the slot (8) of the next segment (5.1) beneath it, except in the last lower segment (5.1), wherein, as seen in FIGS. 9A to 9D, the bend (9) in the respective slot (8) communicates with a return channel (10) which extends longitudinally in a continuous manner along the entire tube (5), until reaching the upper segment (5.1), wherein said return channel (10) communicates with the slot (8) of the aforementioned upper segment (5.1), as seen in FIGS. 7A to 7D.

(14) Moreover, the ring (4) incorporates a rod (11) which radially protrudes towards the inside, such that said rod (11) penetrates the outer slot (8) of the segments (5.1) of the tube (5), being able to run, like a guide, through the assembly of the slots (8) of all the segments (5.1) and through the return channel (10) which links them from end to end of the tube (5).

(15) It is foreseen that inside the tube (5) there is an inner tube (17) which houses the elastic cord (7) therein. See FIG. 4. Said inner tube (17) is fastened to the tube (5). To do so, the tube (5) has, in the upper and lower segments (5.1), tightening structures (15) which fasten the inner tube (17).

(16) The ball (6) is arranged on a support (16) made of elastic material which rests on the upper end of the tube (5). Said support (16) has a dual function, on the one hand, it enables the ball (6) to be separated from the upper end of the tube (5) in order to facilitate the hitting thereof and to prevent the tube (5) from being hit accidentally, and, on the other hand, it dampens the return of the ball (6) such that the tube (5) is not affected.

(17) Specifically, as seen in FIGS. 8A to 8D, the intermediate segments (5.1) have a first path to guide the tube (5) upwards and a second path to guide the tube (5) downwards. The first path is made up of a straight segment arranged in continuity with a V-shaped segment, which corresponds to the slot (8) and the bend (9), while the second path is made up of a curved segment which corresponds to the return channel (10).

(18) As seen in FIGS. 7A to 7D, in the upper segment (5.1), the first path formed by the slot (8) and the bend (9) meet the return channel (10), and exactly the same thing happens in the lower segment (5.1) shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D.

(19) Thus, when the ball (6) is batted, the force of the hit causes the elastic cord (7) to extend, enabling the tube (5) to move axially one space following the ball (6), with which, as seen in FIG. 10, the rod (11) of the ring (4) runs through the slot (8) of a segment (5.1) of the tube (5), until the corresponding lower bend (9), wherein said rod (11) stays locked, thus producing, in each batting, a movement of the tube (5) in a length equivalent to one segment (5.1), such that the ball (6) is located for the next batting in a different, higher position; said change in position of the height of the ball (6) being made each time batting is performed, until the rod (11) of the ring (4) reaches the lower segment (5.1) of the tube (5), in which situation the ball (6) stays in the highest position, since in the next batting, the rod (11) is introduced into the return channel (10), through which it runs until the upper segment (5.1) of the tube (5), the tube (5) thus moving downwards as far as the entire length thereof, with which the ball (6) stays in the lowest position, in order to once again start, with the successive batting, the sequence of movements upwards as far as the length of each of the segments (5.1).

(20) Therefore, with this device object of the invention, each time batting is performed, the ball (6) is automatically placed in a position with a different height for the next batting, enabling batting to be trained in different positions, without the user having to worry about anything except for batting.

(21) The anchoring (2) is foreseen to be formed by springs or other elements with similar features providing flexibility, in order to favour the function of the device and prevent a rigidity that can cause damage due to the impact of batting on the ball (6); however, a rigidity of said anchoring (2) is provided so that the column (1) immediately recovers the vertical position thereof after each batting, without continuing to oscillate for a prolonged time in said recovery. However, the flexibility of the anchoring (2) enables the column (1) to be collapsed to a horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 3.

(22) The assembly of the column (1) of the device is foreseen, furthermore, to be secured, by means of a fastening (13), on a sustaining base (12), with which the device can be used practically anywhere without needing securing fasteners in the ground, the sustaining base (12) being foreseen to have several fasteners (13) in order to secure different devices, with the aim of the user being able to train batting actions in different contact positions with the ball (6) without changing the position of the user.

(23) According to a practical embodiment, which favours manufacturing, the component segments (5.1) of the tube (5) are made up of independent parts, provided with structures (14) for joining and positioning between said parts in the formation of the tube (5). However, the component segments (5.1) of the tube (5) can be made in a single part wherein the slot (8) and the return channel (10) are defined, connecting the slot (8) and the channel (10) both at the upper portion and at the lower portion of the tube (5).