BASEBALL SWING TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

A baseball swing training device has a base, a support member adjustably connected to the base, and a suction assembly disposed in the base that extends through and out of the support member to hold a ball in a stationary position. The suction assembly includes a coil vacuum hose disposed within the support member, and connected to a vacuum pump assembly, and an elongated hose connected to the coil vacuum hose at one end, and removeably connected to a suction nozzle at an opposite end.

Claims

1. A baseball swing training device, comprising: a support member connected to a base; and a suction assembly disposed within the base, extending through the support member and adapted to hold a ball in a stationary position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the suction assembly has a suction nozzle adapted to hold the ball with a majority of a top portion of the ball uncovered.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein a battery and a vacuum pump assembly are disposed within a housing of the base.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein an activation device is connected to the base.

5. The device of claim 1 where the base has a housing with a groove that extends horizontally at least partially around the outer surface of the housing, and is adapted to receive a plurality of balls.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the support member includes a plurality of hollow tubes connected together.

7. The device of claim 6 with a first tube adjustably connected to a connection tube that extend out of the base.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein one of the plurality of hollow tubes have curved ends that are curved at different angles in relation to a straight section.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the suction assembly includes a coil vacuum hose connected to a vacuum pump assembly.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising an elongated hose connected to the coil vacuum hose at one end and is removeably connected to a suction nozzle at an opposite end.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the suction nozzle has an elongated shaft that terminates in a suction cup.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a baseball swing training assembly;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a baseball swing training device;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan sectional view of a baseball swing training device; and

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a suction assembly for a baseball swing training device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Referring to the Figures, a baseball swing training device 10 has a base 12. The base 12 includes housing 14. While the housing 14 is of any size, shape, and structure, preferred is a housing 14 having a circular bottom section 16 and a generally conical section 18 that form a hollow chamber 19. The cover section 18 has a central opening 20 and a groove 22 that extends horizontally at least partially around the outer surface of the cover section 18. The groove 22 is formed and adapted to receive a plurality of balls such as baseballs, softballs or the like. The cover section 18 is made of any material and preferably a rubber polymer blend.

[0017] Disposed within the housing 14 is a battery 24 connected to a vacuum pump assembly 26. Preferably, the battery 24 is connected to a battery charger barrel plug 28 that extends through the cover section 18 for connection to a power source to recharge the battery 24. A connection tube or collar 30 extends through the central opening 20 of the cover section 18. Also, connected to the battery 24 through the cover section 18 is an activating device 32 such as a switch plate or the like. A battery meter 34 and/or an indicator light are also connected to the battery 24 through the cover section 18. The battery 24 and vacuum pump assembly 26 are disposed within an inner housing 33 having a removable cover plate 35 on the circular bottom section 16 of housing 14.

[0018] Attached to the connection collar 30 is a support member 36. The support member 36 is of any size, shape, and structure, and preferably is comprised by a number of hollow tubes connected together. In one example, a first or bottom tube 38 is connected to the connection collar 30. A bolt 40 and nylon insert nut 42 may be used to secure the connection. A second or middle tube 44 is slidably connected to the first tube 38 and locked into place with a shaft locking collar clamp 48. Finally, a third or top tube 50 is connected to the second tube 44.

[0019] The third tube 50 preferably is made of three pieces including a first curved end piece 54, a second curved end piece 56, and an elongate piece 58 that extends between the two ends 54 and 56. The two ends 54 and 56 are curved at different angles, preferably one at 45 to 60 degrees and the other at approximately 120 degrees, and both can be connected to the middle tube 44. This permits the device to be easily adjusted between a low and a high hitting position.

[0020] Extending through and out of the support member 36 is a suction assembly 59. The suction assembly 59 includes a tube 60 that connects the vacuum pump assembly 26 to a coil vacuum hose 62. The coil vacuum hose 62 is disposed within the first tube 38 and is made of a material and has the necessary diameter to carry a required vacuum pressure when adjusted to prevent the hose 62 from collapsing. The coil vacuum hose 62 is connected to an elongated hose 64 preferably with a push union fitting 66. The elongated hose 64 extends through the support member 36 to the end 54 or 56 of the third tube 50 opposite to the second tube 44 where hose 64 is connected to a suction nozzle 68. The hose 64 preferably is connected to the suction nozzle 68 using an insert plug 46, a hose barb to female, and a push fitting 70. While the suction nozzle 68 is of different shapes and structures, preferred is that the nozzle 68 have an elongated shaft 72 that terminates in a suction cup 74. The suction cup 74 has a diameter that covers only a small portion of the ball leaving the majority of the top portion of a connected ball uncovered. In general the suction cup 74 covers less that twenty-five percent of the surface of the ball and preferably about 2 to 4 percent for a softball (which is available in multiple sizes depending upon how and where used) and about 3 to 5 percent of a standard baseball.

[0021] In operation, the height of the training device is adjusted to a desired height by sliding the middle tube 44 up or down in relation to the first tube 38 and securing the position with shaft locking collar 48 and/or reversing ends 54 and 56 of the third tube 50 as it is connected to the second tube 44. Once positioned, the activating device 32 is engaged and the battery 24 provides electrical power to the vacuum pump assembly 26. The vacuum pump assembly 26 provides suction throughout the suction assembly 59 from the coil vacuum hose 62 to the elongated hose 64 and finally to the suction nozzle 68. The amount of suction provided is enough to hold the ball when one taps on the ball in a stationary position, but release the ball when one slaps the ball. Preferably, the amount of suction is between 12 and 16 inches of mercury per vacuum. Accordingly, a baseball swing training device has been disclosed that at the very least, meets all the stated objectives.

[0022] From the above discussion and accompanying figures and claims it will be appreciated that the baseball swing training device 10 offers many advantages over the prior art. It will be appreciated further by those skilled in the art that various other modifications could be made to the device without parting from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby. It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in the light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included in the spirit and purview of this application.