Sporting apparatus training aid

Abstract

A sporting apparatus training aid having a central wall with an inner surface, an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the cylindrical central wall, and with one or more plate-like side fin(s) radially extending outwardly from the outer surface of the central wall, the training aid also having a plate-like base fin coupled to the side fin(s) at an angle to create air resistance thereon and in multiple directions when a sporting apparatus and the training aid are swung together.

Claims

1. A sporting apparatus training aid comprising: a unitary and portable body having a proximal end defining an enclosed proximal opening, a distal end opposing the proximal end and defining an enclosed distal opening, a body length separating the proximal and distal ends, a cylindrical central wall having an inner surface, an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the cylindrical central wall, having a plurality of plate-like side fins radially extending outwardly from the outer surface of the cylindrical central wall, and having a plate-like base fin with an upper surface disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the outer surface of the cylindrical central wall and defining the distal end of the body, interposed between each of the plurality of plate-like side fins, the plurality of plate-like side fins and the plate-like base fin each having a length and a width greater than a thickness of said plurality of plate-like side fins and plate-like base fin.

2. The sporting apparatus training aid according to claim 1, wherein: each of the plurality of plate-like side fins are of uniform thickness of approximately 2-10 mm and are disposed at approximately 90 with respect to one another.

3. The sporting apparatus training aid according to claim 1, wherein: each of the plurality of plate-like side fins span at least 70% of the body length.

4. The spoiling apparatus training aid according to claim 1, wherein: the cylindrical central wall of the body defines a central placement channel separating the enclosed proximal opening and the enclosed distal opening.

5. The sporting apparatus training aid according to claim 4, wherein: the central placement channel tapers in diameter from the enclosed distal opening to the enclosed proximal opening.

6. The sporting apparatus training aid according to claim 1, wherein: the lower surface of the plate-like base fin defines a recessed cavity disposed at the distal end of die body.

7. The sporting apparatus training aid according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of plate-like side fins are disposed at equi-distant radial angles to one another and section the plate-like base fin into equal sections.

8. The sporting apparatus training aid according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical central wall extends outwardly passed the lower surface of the plate-like base fin and defines a terminal distal end of the body.

9. The sporting apparatus training aid according to claim 1, wherein: the upper surface of the plate-like base fin extends a length from the outer surface of central wall at least substantially equal to a radial length of the plurality of plate-like side fins.

10. A sporting apparatus training aid comprising: a unitary and portable body having a proximal end defining an enclosed proximal opening, a distal end opposing the proximal end and defining an enclosed distal opening, a body length separating the proximal and distal ends, an enclosed central wall having an inner surface, an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the central wall, having a plurality of plate-like side fins radially extending outwardly from the outer surface of the central wall, and having a plate-like base fin interposed between each of the plurality of plate-like side fins and having an upper surface and a lower surface opposing the upper surface of the plate-like base fin and disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the outer surface of the central wall, the plurality of plate-like side fins and the plate-like base fin each having a length and a width greater than a thickness of said plurality of plate-like side fins and plate-like base fin.

11. The sporting apparatus training aid according to claim 10, wherein: the central wall is cylindrical.

12. The sporting apparatus training aid according to claim 11, wherein: the plate-like base fin also defining the distal end of the body.

13. The sporting apparatus training aid according to claim 12, wherein: the lower surface of the plate-like base fin defines a recessed cavity disposed at the distal end of the body and the plurality of plate-like side fins are disposed at equi-distant radial angles and at approximately 90 with respect to one another to one another and section the plate-like base fin into equal sections.

14. The sporting apparatus training aid according to claim 13, wherein the central wall is cylindrical and extends outwardly passed the lower surface of the plate-like base fin and defines a terminal distal end of the body.

15. The sporting apparatus training aid according to claim 10, further comprising: a proximal end on each of the plurality of plate-like side fins, a distal end on each of the plurality of plate-like side fins opposite the proximal end on the plate-like side fin, and opposing side surfaces on each of the plurality of plate-like side fins each respectively defining an outer side-fin plane; a lower surface, on the plate-like base fin defining the distal end of the body and the upper surface on the plate-like base fin opposite the lower surface, of the plate-like base fin, the upper surface of the plate-like base fin having the distal end of each of the plurality of plate-like side fins directly coupled thereto.

16. The sporting apparatus training aid according to claim 10, wherein: the upper surface of the plate-like base fin extends a length from the outer surface of central wall at least substantially equal to a radial length of the plurality of plate-like side fins.

17. In combination with a handheld sporting apparatus having an elongated shaft for gripping by a user and defining a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal plane oriented in a shaft direction and through a centroid on the longitudinal axis, wherein the improvement comprises: a unitary body coupled to the sporting apparatus and having a proximal end, a distal end opposing the proximal end, a body length separating the proximal and distal ends, a central wall having an inner surface, an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the central wall, having at least one plate-like, side fin radially extending outwardly from the outer surface of the central wall, with a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end of the at least one plate-like side fin, and opposing side surfaces defining outer side-tin planes oriented in the shaft direction, and having a plate-like base fin with a lower surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface of the plate-like base fin, the upper surface of the plate-like base fin having the distal end of the at least one plate-like side fin directly coupled thereto and with the upper surface of the plate-like base fin oriented at an obtuse angle with respect to the outer surface of central wall, the at least one plate-like side fin and the plate-like side fin and plate-like base fin.

18. The improvement according to claim 17, wherein: the unitary body is selectively removably coupled to the sporting apparatus.

19. The improvement according to claim 17, wherein: the upper surface of the plate-like base fin defines a base-fin plane traversing each of the outer side-fin planes, the upper surface of the plate-like base fin extending a length from the outer surface of central wall at least substantially equal to a radial length of the at least one plate-like side fin, the lower surface of the plate-like base fin defining the distal end of the body.

20. The improvement according to claim 19, wherein the body further comprises: a plurality of plate-like side fins radially extending outwardly from the outer surface of the central wall, the plate-like base fin interposed between each of the plurality of plate-like side fins.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a downward-looking perspective view of a sporting apparatus training aid in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an upward-looking perspective view of the sporting apparatus training aid in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the sporting apparatus training aid in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is an upward-looking perspective view of the sporting apparatus training aid in FIG. 1 attached to a baseball bat in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is an elevational side view of the sporting apparatus training aid in FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 is a downward-looking perspective view of a sporting apparatus training aid attached to a golf club in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 is a downward-looking perspective view of the sporting apparatus training aid in FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the sporting apparatus training aid in FIG. 6;

(10) FIG. 9 is an upward-looking perspective view of the sporting apparatus training aid in FIG. 6;

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sporting apparatus training aid attached to a tennis racket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

(12) FIG. 11 is an elevational front view of the sporting apparatus training aid in FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 12 is an elevational rear view of the sporting apparatus training aid in FIG. 10;

(14) FIG. 13 is an elevational side view of the sporting apparatus training aid in FIG. 10;

(15) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the sporting apparatus training aid in FIG. 10; and

(16) FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the sporting apparatus training aid in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(17) While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.

(18) With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the present invention provides a novel and efficient sporting apparatus training aid 100 structurally and operably configured to provide optimal air resistance to a sporting apparatus, e.g., a baseball bat, tennis racket, golf club, hockey stick, etc., opposite to the swinging path of the sporting apparatus when the training aid 100 is coupled thereto. As seen in the figures, the structural configuration of a plurality of fins 112a-n facilitates in sufficiently creating the air resistance. The faster the sporting apparatus is swung, the greater resistance force is created, i.e., the speed of the sporting apparatus is proportional to the air resistance force on the sporting apparatus. Additionally, the sporting apparatus training aid 100 reinforces the proper swing mechanics for a sporting apparatus, in addition to training and strengthening the entire kinetic chain to derive power and head speed for the sporting apparatus.

(19) Referring specifically now to FIGS. 1-2, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in perspective views. FIGS. 1-2, along with the other figures herein, shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The sporting apparatus training aid 100 can be seen having a unitary and portable body 102 with a proximal end 106 defining an enclosed proximal opening 114 and a distal end 108 opposing the proximal end 106 and defining an enclosed distal opening 206 thereon. As depicted in FIGS. 4-6, the proximal and distal openings 114, 206 enable quick and efficient entry and egress of various sporting apparatuses having an elongated shaft, e.g., golf clubs, baseball bats, etc. with two opposing terminal ends.

(20) The body 102 is unitary in that it is operable to move as one unit, e.g., the individual pieces are molded together or joined together to move as a unit. The body 102 portable in that it is movable by a user without the need for any ancillary equipment or machinery. The body 102 is also preferably lightweight, e.g., less than approximately 1.5 lbs. In one embodiment, the body 102 components are of a polymeric material such as ABS plastic or PVC. In other embodiments, the body 102 may be a lightweight metallic material, e.g., aluminum.

(21) The body 102 has a body length 110 separating the proximal and distal ends 106, 108, wherein the body length 110 may be approximately 10-14 inches. In one embodiment, the body 102 may also include cylindrical central wall 104 having an inner surface 200, an outer surface 202 opposing the inner surface 200 of the cylindrical central wall 104. The cylindrical central wall 104 of the body 102 can be seen defining a central placement channel 204 separating the enclosed proximal opening 114 and the enclosed distal opening 206. The central placement channel 204 provides a volume where the elongated shaft of the sporting apparatus is placed. As used herein, the term wall is intended broadly to encompass continuous structures, as well as, separate structures that are coupled together so as to form a substantially continuous external surface. However, in one embodiment, the cylindrical central wall 104 may include one or more slots, e.g., slot 120, formed therein. The one or more slots facilitate in reducing the weight of the body 102 and may also facilitate in removal of the elongated shaft.

(22) When the body 102 is designed to removably couple with an elongated shaft 402, 604 of sporting apparatuses such as a baseball bat or golf club (as depicted in FIGS. 4-6), the proximal and distal openings 114, 206, which are defined by the proximal and distal ends 106, 108, respectively, are sized to completely or partially receive the length of shafts 402, 604. And while FIG. 10 depicts the body 102 selectively removably coupled to the utilization surface 1022 of a tennis racket 1000, as opposed to the shaft 1002, other embodiments of the body 102 may also include sizing of the openings 114, 206 to receive the shaft 1002 of the tennis racket 1000. In one embodiment, the central wall 104 of the body 102 defines a central placement channel 204 separating the enclosed proximal and distal openings 114, 206. In one embodiment, the central placement channel 204 tapers in diameter from the enclosed distal opening 206 to the enclosed proximal opening 114, thereby providing a tighter fit for the shaft of the sporting apparatus. In other embodiments, the enclosed proximal opening 114 may be of a small diameter than the enclosed distal opening 206, while the central placement channel 204 may of a tapered or uniform diameter. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, the ends 106, 108 of the body 102 defining the proximal and distal openings 114, 206 may include a rubber gasket or other polymeric and/or friction-inducing material facilitating in retaining the sporting apparatuses therein while in use. Said another way, in addition to the centrifugal force and sizing of the ends 106, 108, the friction-inducing material may also facilitate in retaining the sporting apparatuses to the body 102 while in use.

(23) In further embodiments, as depicted in FIGS. 10-15, the body 1006 may be selectively removably coupled to the sporting apparatus 1000 with one or more fastener(s) 1302. The fastener(s) exemplified in FIGS. 10-15 is a bolt 1400 and wing nut 1402. More specifically, the body 1006 includes an aperture 1106 formed on the central wall 1014 and extends therethrough for insertion and removal of the bolt 1400, wherein the nut 1402 is selectively removably coupled to the bolt 1400 to retain the body 1006 to the utilization surface 1022 of the racket 1000. In other embodiments, the body 1006 (regardless the embodiment) may be formed on the sporting apparatus, whereby it is not selectively removable with respect to the sporting apparatus. In said embodiment, the body 1006 would, however, still be considered coupled thereto, portable, and unitary. The sporting apparatus may also be utilized in its conventional manner or just for training purposes.

(24) Referring back to FIGS. 1-2, the central wall 104 also has an inner surface 200, an outer surface 202 opposing the inner surface 200 of the central wall 104, wherein each of the one or more plate-like side fins 112a-n radially extend therefrom. In one embodiment, when a plurality of plate-like side fins 112a-n are utilized, they may each be disposed at approximately 90 (+1-15) with respect to one another. In further embodiments, each of the plurality of plate-like side fins 112a-n are of uniform thickness of approximately 2-10 mm and span at least 70% of the body length 110 to effectively provide air resistance to the apparatus while in use with the body 102 attached thereto. In preferred embodiments, each of the plurality of plate-like side fins 112a-n span approximately the entire body length 110, i.e., within 10% of the overall body length 110. The plurality of plate-like side fins 112a-n may also be disposed at equi-distant radial angles to one another and may section the plate-like base fin 116 into equal sections, thereby providing greater capturing of air at the end of the side fins, regardless of the rotational orientation of the body 102 while on the sporting apparatus.

(25) Advantageously, the body 102 includes the plate-like base fin 116 that defines the distal end 108 of the body 102, wherein the plate-like base fin 116 may be interposed between each of the plurality of plate-like side fins 112a-n when more than one plate-like side fin is employed. When a plurality of plate-like side fin(s) 112a-n are utilized, the plate-like base fin 116 may be interposed between each of the plurality of plate-like side fins 112a-n (wherein n represents any number greater than 2). As such, the training aid 100 of the present invention effectively and efficiently provides air resistance at multiple angles and paths of movement for the sporting apparatus. Said another way, the base fin 116 prevents air flowing through the one or more side fins 112a-n to simply flow through, thereby providing air resistance to the user along the longitudinal direction of shaft of the sporting apparatus. To effectuate the same, the plate-like base fin 116 includes an upper surface 118 and a lower surface 208 opposing the upper surface 118 of the plate-like base fin 116, wherein the upper surface 118 of the plate-like base fin 116 is oriented at an angled configuration ranging approximately 5-175, or , with respect to the outer surface 202 of central wall 104. Similarly, and with brief reference to FIG. 10-15, the upper surface 1104 of the plate-like base fin 1020 may also have a distal end 1102 of the one or more plate-like side fin(s) 1018 directly coupled thereto and oriented at an angled configuration ranging approximately 5-175, or , with respect to the outer surface 1016 of the central wall 1014. In some embodiments, regardless the embodiment of the body 102, the upper surface 118 of the plate-like base fin 116 is disposed at an obtuse angle, e.g., approximately 125 (+/10) with respect to the outer surface 202 of the central wall 104. In some embodiments, the slope of the plate-like base fin 116 may be linear, but in other embodiments may be curvilinear. The side fin(s) 112a-n and base fin 116 are plate-like in that they are slender in thickness with respect to other dimensions of the structure, i.e., length and/or width.

(26) Still referring to FIGS. 1-2, in combination with FIG. 5, the lower surface 208 of the plate-like base fin 116 may define a recessed cavity 210 disposed at the distal end 108 of the body 102. In one embodiment, the recessed cavity 210 may be approximately 2-3 inches recessed from the terminal end of the body 102. The recessed cavity 210 enables the distal end of sporting apparatus, such as baseball bats, to be completely recessed within the body 102, thereby providing more surface area for air resistance displaced the greatest distance from the handle of the sporting apparatus. In one embodiment, when utilized with a golf club (as depicted in FIGS. 6-9) or a hockey stick, the cylindrical central wall 104 may extend outwardly passed the lower surface 208 of the plate-like base fin 116 and may define a terminal distal end 108 of the body 102.

(27) As best seen in FIGS. 4-6 and FIG. 10, the specific sporting apparatus 402, 602, 1000 includes an elongated shaft 404, 604, 1002 for gripping by a user and defines a longitudinal axis 406, 606, 1004 and a longitudinal plane oriented in a shaft direction and through a centroid on the longitudinal axis. Using FIGS. 10-15 as an example, the one or more plate-like side fin(s) 1018 may have a proximal end 1100, a distal end 1102 opposite the proximal end 1100 of the plate-like side fin 1018, and have opposing side surfaces 1500, 1502 defining outer side-fin planes 1504, 1506 oriented in the shaft direction. The plate-like base fin 1020 also includes a lower surface 1008 defining the distal end 1012 of the body 1006 and an upper surface 1104 opposite the lower surface 1008 of the plate-like base fin 1020, wherein the upper surface 1104 of the plate-like base fin 1020 has the distal end 1102 of the at least one plate-like side fin 1018 directly coupled thereto and oriented at an angled configuration ranging approximately 5-175 with respect to the outer surface 1016 of central wall 1014. In one embodiment, the plate-like base fin 1020 may be selectively adjustable in angle with respect to the outer surface 1016 of the central wall 1014, thereby modulating the volume of captured air or air resistance experienced by the user. To effectuate the same, the plate-like base fin 1020 may be operably configured to rotate with respect to the central wall 1014, e.g., using a hinge. The one or more side fin(s) 1018 may be operably configured to slide with respect to the outer surface 1016 of the central wall 1014, e.g., using a track or tongue-and-groove configuration.

(28) In other embodiments, the upper surface 1104 of the plate-like base fin 1020 is oriented at an angled configuration ranging approximately 60-120 with respect to the outer surface 1016 of central wall 1014 to effectively capture incoming air through the side fin(s) 1018a-n. Said differently, the upper surface 1104 of the plate-like base fin 1020 may also define a base-fin plane 1300 traversing each of the outer side-fin planes 1504, 1506, wherein the upper surface 1104 of the plate-like base fin 1020 extend a length 1304 from the outer surface 1016 of central wall 1014 at least substantially equal to a radial length, e.g., length 1306, of the at least one plate-like side fin 1018.

(29) As such, to utilize the body 102, the user will selectively removably couple the body 102 the shaft or utilization surface of the sporting apparatus. When utilizing shafts similar to baseball or softball bats, the user will slide the body over the handle portion of the sporting apparatus until it reaches the distal end of the sporting apparatus (shown best in FIG. 4). Then, the user will apply an impetus to the sporting apparatus, thereby generating air resistance when swinging the sporting apparatus in order to condition the user to swing the apparatus faster, and without jeopardizing the motion of the swing. Although a specific order of executing process steps of utilizing the body has been disclosed and can be gleaned from the figures, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more steps shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all of the process steps included can be combined into a single process.

(30) Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.