Baseball and softball bat swing training device

Abstract

A swing training device for improving the batting mechanics of baseball players includes a device handle for gripping by a player in the manner of a baseball bat handle and a device barrel having a ball striking surface. The device barrel is interfaced at an angle from about 20 to about 40 to the device handle. At least the ball striking surface of the device barrel is formed in the size and circular shape of a baseball bat barrel. A joint maybe provided for interfacing the device barrel to the device handle at the desired angle of interface, in which case threaded bolts are utilized to attach the device handle and the device barrel to the joint. Longitudinally oriented threaded bores are provided on substantially planar faces of the device handle and the device barrel to matingly receive the bolts.

Claims

1. A swing training device for improving the batting mechanics of baseball players, said swing training device comprising: a device handle formed in the size and circular shape of a baseball bat handle and thereby adapted for ordinary, two-handed gripping by a player in the manner of a baseball bat handle; a device barrel, said device barrel having a ball striking surface; a joint interfacing said device barrel at an angle to said device handle, said angle being from about 20 to about 40; and wherein: said ball striking surface of said device barrel is formed in the size and circular shape of a baseball bat barrel; said joint comprises a first threaded bolt for attaching said device handle to said joint and a second threaded bolt for attaching said device barrel to said joint; said device handle comprises a longitudinally oriented threaded bore centrally disposed on a substantially planar face of said device handle, said threaded bore of said device handle being adapted to matingly receive said first threaded bolt; said device barrel comprises a longitudinally oriented threaded bore centrally disposed on a substantially planar face of said device barrel, said threaded bore of said device barrel being adapted to matingly receive said second threaded bolt; and wherein said angle is defined by the relative orientation of said first threaded bolt and said second threaded bolt.

2. The swing training device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device handle comprises a knob provided at an end of said device handle opposite said planar face of said device handle.

3. The swing training device as recited in claim 1, wherein said angle is about 35.

4. The swing training device as recited in claim 3 wherein said device handle comprises a knob provided at an end of said device handle opposite said planar face of said device handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Although the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, a detailed description of the preferred embodiment follows together with illustrative figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows, in a front elevational view, a first preferred implementation of the swing training device of present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows, in a right side elevational view, the swing training device of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows, in a rear elevational view, the swing training device of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 shows, in a front elevational view, a second preferred implementation of the swing training device of present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 shows, in a right side elevational view, the swing training device of FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 shows, in a rear elevational view, the swing training device of FIG. 4;

(8) FIG. 7 shows, in a right side view, the preferred implementation of a joint as utilized in the swing training device of FIG. 4;

(9) FIG. 8 shows, in an end view, details of a substantially planar surface provided on an end of a device handle as utilized in the swing training device of FIG. 4;

(10) FIG. 9 shows, in an end view, details of a substantially planar surface provided on an end of a device barrel as utilized in the swing training device of FIG. 4;

(11) FIG. 10 shows, in a right side view corresponding to the view of FIG. 7, details of the interface of the joint of FIG. 7 with the device handle of FIG. 8 and the device barrel of FIG. 9; and

(12) FIG. 11 shows, in a front perspective view, utilization by a batter of the swing training device of either FIG. 1 or FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(13) Although those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize many alternative embodiments, especially in light of the illustrations provided herein, this detailed description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scope of which is limited only by the claims appended hereto.

EXPRESS DEFINITIONS

(14) Informed by and with the foregoing and following discussions clearly in mind, Applicant now expressly defines the following terms, and variants thereof, wherein the provided definitions are unequivocally intended to prevail over any and all other tenants of construction, including ordinary meaning and implied definition, and shall govern in the construction of the claims drawn hereto as well as in the further understanding of the foregoing and following disclosure:

(15) Baseball. The term baseball is expressly defined to refer to and include the sports of softball and wiffle ball, as well as baseball, and similar variants of baseball.

(16) Baseball ball. The term baseball ball, or simply ball, is expressly defined to refer to and include any ball permitted by any regulation for use in a baseball (as expressly defined herein) game.

(17) Baseball bat. The term baseball bat, or simply bat, is expressly defined to refer to and include any bat permitted by any regulation for use in a baseball (as expressly defined herein) game.

DESCRIPTION

(18) Referring now to the figures, and to FIGS. 1 through 3 in particular, a first preferred implementation of the swing training device 20 for improving the batting mechanics of baseball players 42 is shown to generally comprise a device handle 21 adapted for gripping by a player 42 in the manner of a baseball bat handle and a device barrel 26 having a ball striking surface 28 (analogous to the sweet spot of a baseball bat barrel). The device barrel 26 is formed unitary with or otherwise connected to the device handle 21 through an angled interface 32, which is formed to produce an interface angle of from about 20 to about 40 between the longitudinal axis through the device handle 21 and the longitudinal axis through the device barrel 26. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, however, Applicant has found it suitable and effective to implement the angled interface 32 such that an interface angle of about 35 is provided.

(19) As also depicted in FIGS. 1 through 3, the device handle 21 is most preferably formed in the general size and circular shape of an ordinary regulation baseball bat handle. In this manner, when the player 42 grasps the grip 23 of the handle 21, the swing training device 20 will provide a feel in the hands 43 of the player 42 substantially similar to the feel given by an ordinary baseball bat. As a result, this important feature of the present invention, if implemented, serves to greatly enhance the development of muscle memory in connection with the utilization of the swing training device 20. In furtherance of this end, it is also most preferred that the device handle 21 is provided at its end with a knob 22 of the general size and shape of a conventional knob utilized on an ordinary regulation baseball bat handle.

(20) In a critical aspect of the present invention, however, at least the ball striking surface 28 of the device barrel 26, but most preferably the entire device barrel 26, is formed in the size and circular cross-sectional shape 29 of an ordinary regulation baseball bat barrel. In this manner, the swing training device 20 of the present invention more comprehensively develops the swing mechanics of a training player 42 than does the prior art, which is wholly devoid of means for development of swing accuracy (i.e., alignment of the vertical center of the ball striking surface 28 with the center of the ball 46) in combination with development of proper hand path, such combination being taught only by the present invention.

(21) As will in light of this exemplary discussion be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the swing training device 20 as herein described with respect to FIGS. 1 through 3 may be, and preferably is, manufactured in generally the manner of an ordinary metal baseball bat. As exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,044 issued Jul. 19, 1977 to Yoshimura; U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,850 issued Aug. 2, 1977 to Sakagami; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,412 issued Aug. 1, 1978 to Krieger, such appropriate manufacturing techniques are readily within the ordinary skill in the art. In any case, the full disclosure of each of U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,044 issued Jul. 19, 1977 to Yoshimura; U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,850 issued Aug. 2, 1977 to Sakagami; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,412 issued Aug. 1, 1978 to Krieger is incorporated herein as though now set forth in its respective entirety.

(22) Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 6, an alternatively preferred implementation of the swing training device 20 for improving the batting mechanics of baseball players 42 is shown to generally comprise each of the features of the implementation of FIGS. 1 through 3, but also including a joint 33 interfacing the device barrel 26 to the device handle 21 at the desired interface angle . In the most preferred implementation of this feature, as particularly depicted in FIGS. 7 through 10, the joint 33 comprises body 34 having formed or otherwise provided thereon a handle face 35 and a barrel face 39. A first threaded bolt 36 for attaching the device handle 21 to the joint 33 is provided extending from handle face 35. Likewise, a second threaded bolt 40 for attaching the device barrel 26 to the joint 33 is provided extending from barrel face 40.

(23) In order that the device handle 21 may in this implementation be attached to the provided joint 33, the device handle 21 comprises a longitudinally oriented threaded bore 25 centrally disposed on a substantially planar face 24 of the device handle 21 and being sized and otherwise adapted to matingly receive the first threaded bolt 36. Likewise, the device barrel 26 for such an implementation comprises a longitudinally oriented threaded bore 31 centrally disposed on a substantially planar face 30 of the device barrel 26 and sized and otherwise adapted to matingly receive the second threaded bolt 40. In any case, as particularly depicted in FIGS. 7 and 10, it is noted that in this implementation the interface angle between the device handle 21 and the device barrel 26 is defined by the relative orientation of the first threaded bolt 36 (which defines the longitudinal axis through the device handle 21) and the second threaded bolt 40 (which defines the longitudinal axis through the device barrel 26).

(24) As will in light of this exemplary discussion be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, implementation of the swing training device 20 as herein described with respect to FIGS. 4 through 10 provides additional substantial advantages over the prior art. In the first instance, implementation of the joint 33 enables the device handle 21 and/or the device barrel 26 to be manufactured from wood, thereby ensuring that a player 42 may have maximum choice in configuration of the swing training device 20. Likewise, such an implementation enables a player 42 to selectively choose the size, weight, balance and the like for either the device handle 21 or the device barrel 26, thereby ensuring that training more closely approximates actual play, which in turn results in better development of muscle memory.

(25) Referring then to FIG. 11, the swing training device 20 of the present invention is shown as operably employed by a player 42. In particular, it is shown that the swing training device 20 of the present invention is used to teach the player 42 to swing with the hands 43 leading the knob 22 of the swing training device 20 while the end 27 (also referred to as the tip) of the device barrel 26 first trails the hands 43 and then, during the launch phase of the swing, snaps into the hitting zone. As shown in the figure, this training encourages good swing form, to with the hands 43 lead the swing training device 20 while the player's arms 44 remain tight to the player's body with elbows 45 bent, thereby staying inside the ball 46. Additionally, however, as also depicted in the figure, the critical implementation of the device barrel 26 in the general form of an ordinary regulation baseball bat barrel serves to simultaneously address striking accuracy while provision of the device handle 21 in the general form of an ordinary regulation baseball bat handle further serves to simultaneously ensure maximum development of muscle memory for the improved swing mechanics.

(26) While the foregoing description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize the many variations, alterations, modifications, substitutions and the like as are readily possible, especially in light of this description, the accompanying drawings and claims drawn thereto. For example, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize in light of this exemplary description that an annular recess 37 may be formed in the joint 33 about the first bolt 36 and, likewise, an annular recess 41 may be formed in the joint 33 about the second bolt 40, each provided annular recess 36, 41 thus facilitating use of a lock washer to more securely affix the device handle 21 and the device barrel 26, respectively. In any case, because the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, the foregoing detailed description should not be construed as a limitation of the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims appended hereto.