Pitch training device

Abstract

A pitch training device used to improve the throwing technique of balls used in sports. The device includes a core and a substantially disk-shaped body that provides immediate visual feedback as to whether the device was properly thrown. The core exhibits a density greater than the density of the body, thereby mimicking the moment of inertia of many sports balls. This, in turn, allows the user of the device to improve the training techniques used to increase spin efficiency of a ball while also helping train and improve other throwing techniques.

Claims

1. A device for training a person to throw a ball with proper technique, the device comprising: a core, the core being substantially solid and spherical; and a body, the body being substantially disk-shaped, the body comprising: a first planar surface and a second planar surface, the first planar surface and the second planar surface lying substantially parallel to each other, the first planar surface and the second planar surface having substantially equal diameters; a circular outer surface lying between the first planar surface and second planar surface; a thickness defined by the distance between the first planar surface and the second planar surface; and an enveloping scaffolded interior, the enveloping scaffolded interior surrounding the core and being distributed throughout the volume of the device outside the core; wherein the core is comprised of a material that is denser than the density of the body.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is comprised of two half-bodies, the two half-bodies encapsulating the core, each half-body comprising one half of the enveloping scaffolded interior, each half-body defining a hemispherical void for the receipt and encapsulation of the core.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a mass between 113 g and 141 g.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a mass between 149 g and 454 g.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the core has a density between 2.72 g/cm cubed and 8.80 g/cm cubed.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the thickness is between 30 mm and 55 mm.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the core material is comprised of stainless steel or aluminum, copper, nickel, titanium, or an alloy thereof.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the half-bodies are joined via ultrasonic welding.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the half-bodies are created by injection-molding.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein each half-body defines at least one raised interlocking member and defines at least one interlocking void, allowing the insertion of the raised interlocking member of one half-body into the interlocking void of the other half-body.

11. The device of claim 2, wherein the half-bodies are comprised of thermoplastic material.

12. The device of claim 2, wherein the device has an enveloping scaffolded interior substantially in the form of a three-dimensional lattice.

13. The device of claim 2, further comprising two half-capsules encapsulating a core to create an encapsulated core that is encapsulated by the two half-bodies.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of the device, according to an embodiment.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device, according to an embodiment.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the device with a one of its planar sides visible according to an embodiment.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the device with a planar side visible according to an embodiment, that planar side being the one opposite of that shown in FIG. 3.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional and exploded view of the device according to an embodiment.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional and exploded view of an encapsulated smaller core according to one embodiment, as well as an assembled encapsulated smaller core according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment, which includes two half-bodies (40, 40) and a core (14). Each half-body (40, 40) may be manufactured from an injection-molded thermoplastic material that exhibits a hardness greater than the hardness of leather. Each half-body (40, 40) resembles a hemisphere with a spherical cap removed, creating a first planar surface (18) and a second planar surface (22), with each planar surface (18, 22) having substantially equal diameters. One half-body (40) defines a hemispherical void (12), and the second half-body (40) also defines a hemispherical void (not depicted). The hemispherical void (12, not depicted) of each half-body (40, 40) is oriented so that each void's circular opening is centered within its respective half-body (40, 40), and the plane of each circular opening is aligned to be substantially parallel with its respective planar surface (18, 22). Each hemispherical void (12, not depicted) is designed for the receipt and encapsulation of the core (14). One half-body (40) contains scaffolding (10) extending and connecting between the hemispherical void (12) and both the first planar surface (18) and the respective half of the circular outer surface (16). The scaffolding (10) of each half-body (40, 40) contributes one half of an enveloping scaffolded interior that surrounds the core (14) and is distributed throughout the volume of the device outside the core (14). The second half-body (40) also contains substantially identical scaffolding (not depicted). The scaffolding (10) may include a variety of designs, including, but not limited to, the form of straight ribs or studs extending radially from the hemispherical void (12) or as a type of three-dimensional lattice as shown in FIG. 5, with such lattice defining the edges of substantially rhomboidal openings. One half-body (40) presents a substantially planar interior side with at least one raised interlocking member (24) and defines at least one interlocking void (26). The second half-body (40) presents an identical number of interlocking members (not depicted) and interlocking voids (not depicted) so that each half-body (40, 40) may interlock with each other.

(8) The core (14) is substantially solid and spherical, thereby mimicking the moments of inertia exhibited by a ball with a core denser than the density found in the remainder of the ball, such as in a baseball or softball. The core (14) is comprised of a material that is denser than the density of a half-body (40, 40). The core (14) in its preferred embodiment, has a diameter of between 10 percent and 50 percent of the greatest diameter found within the device (38).

(9) In assembling the device, the raised interlocking members (24) and interlocking voids (26) of one half-body (40) insert into the raised interlocking members (not depicted) and interlocking voids (not depicted) of the other half-body (40), with the core (14) or encapsulated smaller core (32) situated snugly in the center. The half-bodies (40, 40) are joined together via an adhesive or ultrasonic welding, which creates a substantially smooth surface on the circular outer surface (36) that is defined as the surface lying between the first planar surface (18) and second planar surface (22). The circular outer surface (36) exhibits a curve that is substantially convex. A substantially smooth surface also exists at the interface (34) as shown FIGS. 3-4. The joined half-bodies (40, 40) create the substantially disk-shaped body of the device (38). The body of the device (38) exhibits a thickness defined by the distance between the first planar surface (18) and the second planar surface (22), with the thickness measuring between 30 mm and 76 mm in an embodiment. The first planar surface (18) and second planar surface (22) lie substantially parallel to each other. The device (38) contains no openings or undesirable raised elements that would inappropriately disturb its flight path.

(10) In another embodiment, an enveloping interior surrounding the core is not scaffolded. The enveloping interior is evenly distributed throughout the volume of the device outside the core and may be comprised of thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be injection-molded. In a further embodiment, the thermoplastic material may be comprised of thermoplastic foam.

(11) For purposes of training baseball pitchers, the device (38) is configured to have an overall mass between 141 g and 454 g, with a circular outer surface (36) thickness of between 30 mm and 51 mm, a core (14) with a density between 2.72 g/cm cubed and 8.80 g/cm cubed. As an example, the core may be comprised of stainless steel or aluminum, copper, nickel, titanium, or an alloy thereof. The range of overall masses accommodate weighted-ball training. In another embodiment for training baseball pitchers, the device (38) is configured to have an overall mass between 113 g and 141 g. In another embodiment for training baseball pitchers, the device (38) is configured to have an overall mass between 149 g and 454 g. Embodiments for training baseball pitchers have planar surfaces (18, 22) that have a diameter of between 50 mm and 76 mm.

(12) For purposes of training softball pitchers, the device (38) is developed to have an overall mass between 113 g and 454 g, with a circular outer surface (36) thickness between 30 mm and 76 mm, a core (14) with a density between 2.72 g/cm cubed and 8.80 g/cm cubed. As an example, the core may be comprised of stainless steel or aluminum, copper, nickel, titanium, or an alloy thereof. The range of overall masses accommodate weighted-ball training. In another embodiment for training softball pitchers, the device (38) is configured to have an overall mass between 113 g and 170 g. In another embodiment for training softball pitchers, the device (38) is configured to have an overall mass between 198 g and 454 g. Embodiments for training softball pitchers have planar surfaces (18, 22) that have a diameter of between 73 mm and 102 mm.

(13) For purposes of training cricket bowlers, the device (38) is configured to have an overall mass between 141 g and 454 g, with a circular outer surface (36) thickness of between 30 mm and 51 mm, a core (14) with a density between 2.72 g/cm cubed and 8.80 g/cm cubed. As an example, the core may be comprised of stainless steel or aluminum, copper, nickel, titanium, or an alloy thereof. The range of overall masses accommodate weighted-ball training. In another embodiment for training cricket bowlers, the device (38) is configured to have an overall mass between 113 g and 156 g. In another embodiment for training cricket bowlers, the device (38) is configured to have an overall mass between 163 g and 454 g. Embodiments for training cricket bowlers have planar surfaces (18, 22) that have a diameter of between 68 mm and 73 mm.

(14) As shown in FIG. 6, an embodiment of the device may accommodate a smaller core (26) by utilizing two half-capsules (28, 30), each substantially in the form of hemispheres that define two smaller hemispherical voids, with said smaller hemispherical voids oriented to encapsulate the smaller core (26). The two half-capsules (28, 30), once joined and encapsulating the smaller core (26), create an encapsulated smaller core (32) that fits snugly into the middle of the two half-bodies (40, 40). This presents a simple and efficient way to vary the overall mass of the device during manufacture.

(15) In another embodiment (not shown), the core (14) may take on a shape as needed in order to mimic the properties of the type of ball the thrower is practicing to throw.

(16) FIGS. 1-5 show an embodiment that includes raised surface elements (20), that mimic the raised stitching of a baseball or softball and can be oriented in a variety of positions in order to facilitate the practicing of specific pitches that require different grips. The raised surface elements (20) may be marked in a color that contrasts from the color of the remainder of the device (38) in order to provide immediate and apparent visual feedback regarding the angular speed centered around the axis of rotation.

(17) FIGS. 1-4 show the exterior of the device (38) from multiple perspectives. They are capable of representing multiple embodiments of the device. The perimeter of the circular outer surface (36) meets the circumference of the first and second planar surfaces (18, 22) cleanly, creating a flush and smooth corner, with no raised elements that would interfere with fingers that grip the device. This flush and smooth corner may be accomplished by manufacturing the entirety of each half-body (40, 40) as one injection-molded piece.

(18) In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-4, the interior (not depicted) of the device (38) contains an enveloping interior surrounding the core (14) and contains no scaffolding (10) apparent to the naked eye. The interior (not depicted) of the device (38) is a substantially solid material that is evenly distributed throughout the volume of the device outside the core (14). The solid material may be comprised of a material such as a thermoplastic material. The core (14) is comprised of a material that is denser than the density of the body.

(19) The description herein of certain examples of the technology should not be used to limit its scope. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description herein, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the technology. As will be realized, the technology described herein is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the technology. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

(20) It is further understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples etc. that are described herein. The herein described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

(21) In the description herein, references to one embodiment, an embodiment, or embodiments mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to one embodiment, an embodiment, or embodiments in the description herein do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments but is not necessarily included. Thus, the present technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.