Training Bat Assembly

Abstract

A training bat assembly for improving a user's swing of a baseball bat is provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a bat portion and a plug or cap portion, where the plug or cap portion is configured to mate with a distal end of the bat portion. For example, the bat may include a circular opening, and the plug may include a circular rod that is configured to fit within the opening. Alternatively, a cap with a circular opening can be used, where the cap is configured to fit over a distal end of the bat. By mating the plug or cap with the bat, and swinging the bat from a first position to a second position, the plug or cap is propelled from the bat, where the resulting location of the plug or cap can be used to determine the correctness of the user's swing was.

Claims

1. A training bat assembly, comprising: a first cylindrical portion comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end is configured to be gripped by at least one hand of a user and said distal end comprises a first mating portion; and a second cylindrical portion comprising at least in a second mating portion, wherein said second mating portion is configured to mate with said first mating portion; wherein said first and second mating portions are configured to remain in close contact with one another when said user holds said first cylindrical portion in a first position, and to separate from one another when said user swings said first cylindrical portion from said first position to a second position, said first position comprising said distal end of said first cylindrical portion being behind said user and at a first elevation, and said second position comprising said distal end of said first cylindrical portion being in front of said user and at a second elevation, said second elevation being lower than said first elevation; and wherein said separation of said second mating portion from said first mating portion results in said second cylindrical portion being thrown away from said first cylindrical portion, at least one of a direction and a distance of said thrown second cylindrical portion being indicative of said user's swing of said first cylindrical portion from said first position to said second position.

2. The training bat assembly of claim 1, wherein an outer circumference of said distal end of said first cylindrical portion is larger than an outer circumference of said proximal end of said first cylindrical portion.

3. The training bat assembly of claim 1, wherein said distal end of said first cylindrical portion comprises an aperture having an inner circumference, said first mating portion comprising said aperture, and said second mating portion having an outer circumference substantially the same as said inner circumference of said aperture.

4. The training bat assembly of claim 3, wherein said second cylindrical portion further comprises at least two outer circumferences, a first outer circumference followed by a second larger outer circumference, wherein said second mating portion comprises said first outer circumference.

5. The training bat assembly of claim 4, wherein said second larger outer circumference is a circumference of a baseball, said baseball being attached to said second mating portion.

6. The training bat assembly of claim 4, wherein an outer circumference of said distal end of said first cylindrical portion is substantially the same as said second larger outer circumference.

7. The training bat assembly of claim 1, wherein said second mating portion comprises an aperture within said second cylindrical portion, an inner circumference of said aperture being substantially the same as an outer circumference of said first mating portion.

8. The training bat assembly of claim 1, wherein said distal end of said first cylindrical portion comprises at least two outer circumferences, a first outer circumference followed by a second smaller outer circumference, wherein said first mating portion comprises said second smaller outer circumference.

9. The training bat assembly of claim 8, wherein said second mating portion comprises an aperture within said second cylindrical portion, an inner circumference of said aperture being substantially the same as said second smaller outer circumference.

10. The training bat assembly of claim 1, further comprising a layout having a plurality of markings, wherein a resulting location of said second cylindrical portion at least partially within a first one of said plurality of markings indicates that said user's swing was improper, and said resulting location of said second cylindrical portion at least partially within a second one of said plurality of markings indicates that said user's swing was proper.

11. A method for improving a user's swing of a training bat, comprising: mating a second cylindrical portion with a distal end of a first cylindrical portion, said training bat comprising at least said first and second cylindrical portions; gripping a proximal end of said first cylindrical portion, said second cylindrical portion being mated to said distal end of said first cylindrical portion; moving said first cylindrical portion to a first position, said first position comprising at least said distal end of said first cylindrical portion being behind said user and at a first elevation; unmating said second cylindrical portion from said first cylindrical portion by swinging said first cylindrical portion from said first position to a second position, said second position comprising at least said distal end of said first cylindrical portion being in front of said user and at a second elevation, said second elevation being lower than said first elevation; determining at least one of a distance and a direction of said second cylindrical portion with respect to at least one of said user and said first cylindrical portion, said at least one of said distance and said direction being indicative of said user's swing of said first cylindrical portion from said first position to said second position.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of mating said second cylindrical portion to said distal end of said first cylindrical portion further comprises placing an aperture in said second cylindrical portion over said distal end of said first cylindrical portion.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of mating said second cylindrical portion to said distal end of said first cylindrical portion further comprises placing at least a portion of said second cylindrical portion inside an aperture in said distal end of said first cylindrical portion.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of mating said second cylindrical portion to said distal end of said first cylindrical portion further comprises placing a first portion of said second cylindrical portion inside said aperture in said distal end of said first cylindrical portion until a second portion of said second cylindrical portion comes into contact with an outer surface of said distal end of said first cylindrical portion.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of determining at least one of a distance and a direction of said second cylindrical portion with respect to at least one of said user and said first cylindrical portion, further comprises determining whether a resulting location of said second cylindrical portion is at least partially within one of a plurality of markings on a layout, at least one of said plurality of markings indicating that said user's swing was improper and at least one other one of said plurality of markings indicating that said user's swing was proper.

16. A system for improving a user's swing of a baseball bat, comprising: a bat portion having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end is configured to be held by both hands of said user and said distal end comprises a first mating portion; and a plug portion having a second mating portion, wherein said second mating portion is configured to mate with said first mating portion; wherein said first and second mating portions are configured to remain in contact with one another when said user holds said bat portion in a first position, and to separate from one another when said user swings said bat portion from said first position to a second position, said first position comprising said distal end of said bat portion being at least behind said user and said second position comprising said distal end of said bat portion being at least in front of said user; and wherein said separation of said second mating portion from said first mating portion results in said plug portion being propelled from said distal end of said bat portion to a resulting location, said resulting location of said plug portion being indicative of said user's swing of said bat portion from said first position to said second position.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said first mating portion comprises an aperture within said distal end of said bat portion and said second mating portion comprises a rod configured to fit inside said aperture.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said plug portion includes a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end of said plug portion comprising said second mating portion, and said distal end of said plug portion comprising a plug having an outer circumference that is larger than an inner circumference of said aperture.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein said first mating portion comprises said distal end of said bat portion and said second mating portion comprises an aperture within said plug portion, said distal end of said bat portion being configured to fit inside said aperture.

20. The system of claim 16, further comprising a layout having a plurality of markings, wherein said resulting location of said plug portion within at least a first one of said plurality of markings indicates that said user's swing was improper, and said resulting location of said plug portion within at least a second one of said plurality of markings indicates that said user's swing was at least in part proper.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1a depicts a training bat assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 1b shows an unassembled view the training bat assembly depicted in FIG. 1a;

[0019] FIG. 2a illustrates a distal-end-view of the bat portion of the training bat assembly depicted in FIG. 1b;

[0020] FIG. 2b illustrate a proximal-end-view of the plug portion of the training bat assembly depicted in FIG. 1b;

[0021] FIGS. 3a-f are alternate embodiments of the present invention, wherein each embodiment comprises a bat portion (e.g., a solid bat portion, a bat portion having a distal end that includes an aperture, or a bat portion having a distal end with a reduced diameter) and either a plug portion (e.g., a rod portion or a rod portion connected to a top portion (e.g., a flat top portion, a baseball portion, etc.)) or a cap portion;

[0022] FIG. 4a illustrates a user holding the training bat apparatus (or distal end thereof) in a first position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 4b illustrates a user holding the training bat apparatus (or a distal end thereof) in a second position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a layout in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the layout including a plurality of standard and non-standard baseball diamond markings (e.g., home plate, a circle around home plate, a circle to the side of home plate, etc.).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] The present invention is directed toward a system and method for improving a user's swing of an apparatus. While the apparatus is described herein in terms of a training (or baseball) bat, the present invention is not so limited. For example, the present invention could also be used to improve a user's swing of an instrument used in any sporting event, such as softball, t-ball, tennis, racquetball, table-tennis, badminton, golf, lacrosse, polo, and the like. The invention could also be used, in and of itself, as a game or a source of entertainment for at least one user.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system involves a bat portion and a plug or cap portion, wherein the plug or cap portion is configured to mate with a distal end of the bat portion. By mating the plug or cap with the bat, and swinging the bat from a first position (e.g., a load position) to a second position (e.g., a contact or extend position), the plug or cap is separated (or thrown) from the bat. The resulting location of the plug or cap (or it relationship to the user and/or bat) can then be used to determine whether the user's swing was correct (or proper) or incorrect (or improper). Before discussing the invention in further detail, a brief discussion of different types of swings will first be provided.

[0027] The most common incorrect swings are (1) the arm bar (this occurs when the batter swings with a stiff straight front arm with a locked elbow), (2) long arms (this occurs when the batter swings but his arms are reaching too far away from his body but not totally straight), (3) the dropped-hands upper cut swing (this occurs when the first motion the batter does is to drop his hands low then swing up), (4) the dropped-hands flat swing (this is a swing where the first motion the batter does is to drop his hands and then swing flat), and (5) too much chest rotation (this occurs when the batter's chest opens up first and he drags his hands though the strike zone).

[0028] By use of the present invention, the user can determine not only whether his/her swing is incorrect, but if it is, why it's incorrect. For example, if an arm bar occurs, the plug or cap will fly out straight away from the batter, or toward the first base dugout for a right-handed batter, or toward the third base dugout for a left-handed batter. If a long arm occurs, the plug or cap will fly out straight away from the batter, or toward first base for a right-handed batter, or toward third base for a left-handed batter. If the batter drops his/her hands with an upper cut, the plug or cap will fall out right next to or behind the batter. If batter drop his/her hands and then swing flat, the plug or cap will fall out behind them. If a batter swings with too much chest rotation, the rod plug will fly out away from a right-handed batter in the 1st base direction, or away from a left-handed batter in the 3rd base direction.

[0029] FIG. 1a shows a training bat assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with this embodiment, the assembly 10 includes a first cylindrical portion 110 (e.g., a bat portion) and a second cylindrical portion 120 (e.g., a plug portion), wherein the two portions are loosely mated together. As shown in FIG. 1b, the first cylindrical portion 110 has a proximal end 112 and a distal end 114, where the distal end 114 includes a first mating portion, such as an aperture 116 (e.g., a circular shaft or opening). The second cylindrical portion 120 includes a second mating portion, such as a circular rod 122, and a top 124, wherein the second mating portion 122 is configured to loosely mate with the first mating portion 116. This allows the second cylindrical portion 120 to remain mated the first cylindrical portion 110 when the first cylindrical portion 110 is in a first position (e.g., a load position), and to separate from the first cylindrical portion 110 when the first cylindrical portion 110 is swung from the first position to a second position (e.g., a contact or extend position).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1a, the first cylindrical portion 110 may resemble a baseball bat having a handle, a throat, and/or a barrel, wherein the barrel has a circumference (or diameter) that is larger than the circumference (or diameter) of the handle and/or throat; the handle being the portion of the bat held by the user (e.g., via the user's hands), the barrel being the portion of the bat that comes into contact with the ball, and the throat being the portion of the bat between the handle and the barrel. As shown in FIG. 2a, the distal end 114 of the first cylindrical portion 110 includes an aperture 116, wherein the circumference (or diameter) of the aperture 116 is smaller than the circumference (or diameter) of the distal end 114 of the first cylindrical portion 110. As shown in FIG. 2b, the second cylindrical portion 120 includes a rod 122 and a top 124, wherein the circumference (or diameter) of the rod 122 is smaller than the circumference (or diameter) of the top 124, and is substantially the same as (e.g., slightly smaller than) the circumference (or diameter) of the aperture 116. By making the rod 122 slightly smaller than the aperture 116, the rod 122 can be placed within the aperture 116, will stay within the aperture 116 when the first cylindrical portion 110 (or its distal end) is in a first position, and will leave (or be propelled out of) the aperture 116 when the first cylindrical portion 110 (or its distal end) is swung from the first position to a second position.

[0031] It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the bat and/or plug portions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In fact, other exemplary embodiments are shown in FIGS. 3a-f, and are described herein. For example, the bat and/or plug portions do not have to be cylindrical, and the plug portion does not need to include a rod and/or top as depicted in FIG. 1b. Those skilled in the art will appreciated, however, that an extended rod (as opposed to a short rod) may improve operation of the apparatus, and the top can be used to add weight to the plug portion (allowing it to travel further when it becomes separated from the bat portion) and/or to limit a distance the rod can travel within the aperture. Those skilled in the art will also appreciated that the rod, itself, can be used to limited the distance the rod can travel within the aperture (e.g., by using a rod that is substantially the same length as the aperture). Finally, those skilled in the art should appreciated that the present invention does not need to be constructed in any particular manner, or using any particular material. For example, bat and plug portions made out of metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, lead, etc.), wood, plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, and/or foam are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, an apparatus for use outdoors may me made out of metal or wood, whereas an apparatus made for indoor use or by young children may be made out of foam material. A bat portion made out of a first material, and a plug portion made out of a second material, is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention. If the intent is for the plug portion to travel far, the plug portion should be relatively heavy (e.g., made from wood, metal, solid, etc.). If, however, the intent is for the plug portion to not travel far, the plug portion should be relatively light (e.g., made from plastic, foam, hollow, etc.) and/or connected to the bat portion (e.g., via a short string, a short cord, etc.).

[0032] A training bat assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 3a. In this embodiment, the bat portion 110 includes an aperture 116 and the plug portion includes a rod portion 122 and a top portion 124, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a. However, unlike the above embodiment, the bat portion 110 includes a circumference (or diameter) that is relatively uniform throughout. In other words, while the bat portion 110 includes a handle at the proximal end, and an aperture 116 at the distal end, the bat portion 110 is stick-like, in that it's circumference (or diameter) is substantially the same throughout (e.g., substantially the same at the handle as it is at the barrel, as it is at the throat). It should be appreciated, however, that certain variations within the bat's circumference is within the sprit and scope of the present invention. For example, a bat that includes grooves or a different material at the handle (e.g., to provide a better grip) is within the sprit and scope of the present invention.

[0033] A training bat assembly in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 3b. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3a except the plug portion does not include a top (i.e., only includes a rod 122). In this embodiment, the length of the rod 122 is substantially the same length as the aperture 116, and may be made out of a different material than the bat portion 110. For example, a bat portion 110 that is made out of wood, and a rod 122 that is made out of metal (or plastic covered metal) (to increase the rod's weight) is within the sprit and scope of the present invention. While the rod 122 is preferably cylindrical, other shapes are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, a round plug (e.g., a ball) that can be placed within the aperture 116 is within the sprit and scope of the present invention.

[0034] A training bat assembly in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 3c. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3a except, instead of a generic (or flat) top 124, a baseball 126 (or an item that resembles a baseball) is attached to the rod 122. Such an embodiment may appeal to users who are trying to improve their baseball bat swing by providing a visual of a baseball (or something that resembles a baseball) being propelled from the bat in response to the user swinging the bat.

[0035] A training bat assembly in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 3d. In this embodiment, no aperture is needed within the bat portion 110, and instead of a plug portion, a cap portion 310 is used, where the cap portion includes an aperture 316 whose inner circumference (or diameter) is slightly larger than the outer circumference (or diameter) of the distal end of the bat portion 110. It should be appreciated that while this embodiment includes a cap portion instead of a plug portion, both embodiments require two portions that mate together (regardless of which portion includes the aperture), and one skilled in the art would understand that modification made to the plug embodiments, as describe herein, could also be made to the cap embodiments.

[0036] A training bat assembly in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 3e. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3d, except the bat portion 110 further includes a distal end 118 having a reduced circumference (or diameter). By sizing the aperture 326 of the cap to be slightly larger than the circumference (or diameter) of the distal end 118 of the bat portion 110, the outer circumference (or diameter) of the cap 320 can be substantially the same as the outer circumference (or diameter) of the non-distal portion of the bat portion 110 (i.e., resulting in an assembled training bat that has a relatively uniform circumference or diameter).

[0037] A training bat assembly in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 3f. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3e, except the cap 320 is a baseball 330 (or something that resembles a baseball) having an aperture 326. As with the prior embodiment, the aperture 326 should be sized to be slightly larger than the outer circumference (or diameter) of the distal end 118 of the bat portion 110. As with the fourth embodiment, this embodiment may appeal to users who are trying to improve their baseball bat swing by providing a visual of a baseball (or something that resembles a baseball) being propelled from the bat in response to user swinging the bat.

[0038] It should be appreciated that while different embodiments have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to any particular embodiment, and may include, for example, features from one embodiment, or a combination of features from different embodiments. It should also be appreciated that in all embodiments, the loose mating between the first and second cylindrical portions could be provided by merely sizing the first and second mating portions accordingly (e.g., sizing the second mating portion slightly smaller than the first mating portion) or could be enhanced through the use of other materials (e.g., materials that increase or decrease friction between the two mating portions) and/or other features (e.g., placing hook and loop fasteners on the distal end of the rod and the bottom of the shaft to help retain the plug within the aperture, placing a permanent magnet and a metal insert on the distal end of the rod and the bottom of the shaft, respectively (or visa versa), to help retain the plug within the aperture, using ball-bearings (e.g., on the side of the shaft) to reduce friction between the plug and the shaft, etc.). It should further be appreciated that the first and second mating portions can be sized so that second cylindrical portion separates from the first cylindrical portion when a distal end of the first cylindrical portion is angled downward (i.e., gravity is sufficient to separate the first and second cylindrical portions) or only when a distal end of the first cylindrical portion is swung from a first position to at least a second position (i.e., force generated by swinging the distal end of the first cylindrical portion from a first position to at least a second position is needed to overcome static friction between the first and second mating portions) (e.g., force>coefficient of static friction). It should also be appreciated that while the apparatus (bat and plug/cap portions) can be of any size, an apparatus or bat portion that is shorter, placing the plug/cap portion closer to the user's hands, provides more accurate results. Thus, an apparatus or bat portion that is roughly twelve inches in length (or thereabout, e.g., between eight and eighteen inches, less than twenty-four inches, etc.) is preferred. However, an apparatus that is the length of a regulation baseball bat (e.g., between thirty-two and forty-two inches) is within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0039] As discussed above, the present invention may be used to improve the swing of a batter (i.e., a baseball player). FIG. 4a illustrates a batter 400 holding a bat portion 110 in a first position, where the distal end of the bat 114 is vertically above the user's head and shoulders, and horizontally at (or behind) the user's body. FIG. 4b illustrates the batter 400 holding a bat portion 110 in a second position, where the distal end of the bat 114 is vertically below the user's head and shoulders, and horizontally in front of the user's body. In a typical baseball swing, the batter will hold the bat in the first position (e.g., the load position) (see FIG. 4a), and swing the bat through a series of positions, ending in the second position (e.g., the contact or extend position) (see FIG. 4b). It is this swing (i.e., from the first to the second position) that results in the plug/cap portion being separated from the bat portion of the assembly. As the batter swings the bat from the first position to the second position, the plug/cap portion will be propelled away from the batter and/or bat, where the resulting direction and distance of the plug/cap is indicative of the user's swing. For example, the direction the plug/cap travels is indicative of the correctness of the batter's swing, the distance the plug/cap travels is indicative of the power of the batter's swing, and so forth.

[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates a layout that may be used in one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the layout 500 includes a plurality of markings, some of which are standard markings (i.e., markings that may be found on a typically baseball diamond), and some of which are non-standard markings (i.e., markings that are generally not found on a baseball diamond). For example, the layout 500 may include an outfield 510, first base 512, second base 514, third base 516, home plate 532 and a pitcher's plate 522 (i.e., standard markings). Such markings add realism, thereby enhancing the experience for the user. The layout 500 may also include a circle around home plate 530, a circle toward the first base dugout 540, and/or a circle around the pitcher's plate 520 (i.e., non-standard markings). These markings help the user determine whether their swing is correct (or close to being correct), and if not, what the user is doing wrong.

[0041] For example, in the case of a right-handed batter, if the batter swings with an arm bar, i.e., with a stiff straight front arm with a locked elbow, or with long arms, i.e., with his/her arms reaching too far away from his/her body, but not totally straight, then the plug/cap will be propelled from the bat and fall into the area defined by circle 540. Likewise, if the batter swings with too much chest rotation, i.e., first opens up his/her chest and then drags his/her hands though the strike zone, the plug/cap will also be propelled into the area defined by circle 540. If the batter drops his/her hands low and then swings up, or drops his/her hands and then swings flat, then the plug/cap will fall from the training bat and fall next to or behind the batter, i.e., in the area defined by the circle 530. In contrast, if the batter swings correctly, then the plug/cap will fly towards the pitcher's mound, and fall within the area defined by the circle 520. By noting where the plug/cap falls, the batter is able to adjust and correct his/her swing until all of his/her swings result in the plug/cap being directed toward the pitcher's mound (e.g., toward 520 or 522).

[0042] It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the layout shown in FIG. 5. For example, the training bat assembly may be used on an actual field, with or without markings. Further, the layout may include additional or different markings (e.g., circles associated with other swinging problems, circles for left-handed batters, circles within circles (e.g., where the inner circle indicates perfection, the next circle out indicates slight imperfection, where the inner circle indicates a first problem, the next circle out indicates a different problem, etc.), etc.). Also, the layout may be configured for placement on a vertical substrate (e.g., a wall), and having the same or different markings (e.g., a left circle, a center circle, a right circle, etc.). It should be appreciated that the layout can be made using any material, including, but not limited to plastic, vinyl, AstroTurf, or any other artificial grass or grass-like material, and any size (e.g., large for outdoor use or for use with adults, small for indoor use or for use with children, etc.). If the layout is configured for placement on a vertical substrate, the layout may be made of a material that allows a user to record (or identify) where the interaction between the layout and the plug/cap. This may be accomplished, for example, using a plug/cap that sticks to the layout using hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro).

[0043] While the present invention has been described herein in terms of a system and method for improving a user's swing of an apparatus, the present invention could also be used as a toy, a form of exercise, or a game. For example, markings could be placed on the layout, where the objective is to hit each marking (once or multiple times), or to accumulate a certain number of point (e.g., reaching or exceed a certain value or reaching zero, with different markings having different point values), similar to games that are played with darts (e.g., cricket, baseball, 501, 301, etc.).

[0044] Having thus described several embodiments of a system and method for improving a user's swing of an apparatus, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the system and method have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is solely defined by the following claims.