Hitting Training Device

Abstract

A hitting training device is provided. The device is comprised of a body that can be held by a first user. The body is comprised of a tether, wherein at least one baseball and/or softball is suspended from the tether. As a result, a first user holding the body can swing the ball towards a second user, wherein the second user can then attempt to hit the ball with a bat.

Claims

1. A hitting training device comprising: a body; a tether attached to the body; and a ball attached to the tether.

2. The hitting training device of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of a grip area.

3. The hitting training device of claim 2, wherein the grip area is comprised of a raised texture or a recessed texture.

4. The hitting training device of claim 1, wherein the tether is comprised of a rope material.

5. The hitting training device of claim 1, wherein the ball is comprised of a baseball.

6. The hitting training device of claim 1, wherein the ball is comprised of a softball.

7. A hitting training device comprising: a body comprised of a first end and a second end; a tether removably attached to the second end, the tether comprised of a third end and a fourth end; and a ball removably attached to the fourth end.

8. The hitting training device of claim 7, wherein the body is comprised of a telescopic body.

9. The hitting training device of claim 8, wherein the body is comprised of a locking member.

10. The hitting training device of claim 7, wherein the body is comprised of a grip area.

11. The hitting training device of claim 10, wherein the grip area is comprised of a raised texture or a recessed texture.

12. The hitting training device of claim 10, wherein the grip area is comprised of a rubber material.

13. The hitting training device of claim 7, wherein the tether is comprised of a rope material.

14. The hitting training device of claim 7, wherein the ball is comprised of a baseball.

15. The hitting training device of claim 7, wherein the ball is comprised of a softball.

16. The hitting training device of claim 7, wherein the second end of the body is comprised of a first fastener.

17. The hitting training device of claim 7, wherein a third end of the tether is comprised of a second fastener.

18. The hitting training device of claim 7, wherein a fourth end of the tether is comprised of a third fastener.

19. The hitting training device of claim 7, wherein the ball is comprised of a fourth fastener.

20. A method of using a hitting training device, the method comprising the following steps: providing a hitting training device comprised of a body comprised of a tether and a ball attached to the tether; and grabbing the body and swinging the ball towards a second user, wherein the second user attempts to hit the ball with a bat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a hitting training device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of a hitting training device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of a hitting training device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0020] As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved hitting tool for baseball and/or softball players. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a hitting training device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a hitting training device that can be used by baseball and/or softball players to improve hand-eye coordination while hitting. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a hitting training device that can be used by baseball and/or softball players to improve hand-eye coordination while hitting wherein the device provides a ball that does not need to be collected/retrieved after each use.

[0021] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a hitting training device comprised of a body with at least one tether that attaches to at least one ball. More specifically, at least one tether attaches to a second end of the body. In one embodiment, the tether is fixedly attached to the second end or may be removably attached to/tied around at least one fastener of the second end. In another embodiment, a first end of the tether may be comprised of at least one fastener. In this embodiment, the fastener of the tether and the fastener of the second end are reciprocating fasteners.

[0022] A second end of the tether may be comprised of at least one ball. The ball may be comprised of a baseball, a softball, or any other size and type of ball made from any material. In one embodiment, the ball is fixedly attached to the second end. In another embodiment, the second end is comprised of at least one fastener that removably attaches to at least one fastener of the ball.

[0023] The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a body comprised of a tether and a ball attached to the tether. Then, a first user can grab the body and attempt to swing the ball towards a second user via the body and tether. Finally, a second user can attempt to hit the ball as it moves towards them using a bat.

[0024] The present invention is also comprised of a second method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a body comprised of a tether and a ball attached to the tether. Then, a user can attach the tether to the body. Next, a user can attach the ball to the tether. Then, a first user can grab the body and attempt to swing the ball towards a second user via the body and tether. Finally, a second user can attempt to hit the ball as it moves towards them using a bat.

[0025] Accordingly, the hitting training device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved hitting tool for baseball and/or softball players. The device can be used by baseball and/or softball players to improve hand-eye coordination while hitting. While doing so, the device provides a ball that does not need to be collected/retrieved after each use. In this manner, the hitting training device overcomes the limitations of existing baseball hitting training tools and methods known in the art.

[0026] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a hitting training device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is comprised of a body 110 with at least one tether 140 that attaches to at least one ball 170. The body 110 may be any size, shape, and configuration. However, in the preferred embodiment the body 110 is generally cylindrical. The body 110 may be any length and may be made of any material. In one embodiment, the body 110 has a fixed length. In another embodiment, the body 110 is telescopic to allow for easy transport storage. In this embodiment the length of the body 110 can be secured at a desired length via at least one locking member 112 such as but not limited to a button, a twist lock, etc.

[0027] In one embodiment, the first end 120 is comprised of at least one grip area 122. The grip area 122 may be made from a non-slip material such as but not limited to rubber. In one embodiment, the grip area 122 is comprised of a raised and/or recessed texture that may improve grip.

[0028] At least one tether 140 attaches to a second end 130 of the body 110. The tether 140 may be comprised of any rope material. In one embodiment, the tether 140 is fixedly attached to the second end 130. In another embodiment, the tether 140 can be removably attached to/tied around at least one fastener 132 of the second end 130. The fastener 132 may include but is not limited to an eyelet, a clip, a male fastener, a female fastener, an opening, etc. In another embodiment, a first end 150 of the tether 140 may be comprised of at least one fastener 152. In this embodiment, the fastener 152 of the tether 140 and the fastener 132 of the second end 130 are reciprocating fasteners such as but not limited to male and female, magnet, loop and clip, etc.

[0029] A second end 160 of the tether 140 may be comprised of at least one ball 170. The ball 170 may be comprised of a baseball, a softball, or any other size and type of ball made from any material. In one embodiment, the ball 170 is fixedly attached to the second end 160. In another embodiment, the second end 160 is comprised of at least one fastener 162 that removably attaches to at least one fastener 172 of the ball 170. The fasteners 162,172 are reciprocating fasteners such as but not limited to male and female, magnet, loop and clip, etc.

[0030] As a result, the ball 170 is suspended in the air by the tether 140 while a first user grabs the body 110. The first user can then swing/move the ball 170 towards a second user who can attempt to hit the ball 170 with a bat. After being hit, the ball 170 is retained by the tether 140 and need not be retrieved.

[0031] The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 200 the device 100, as seen in FIG. 2. First, a device 100 is provided comprised of a body 110 comprised of a tether 140 and a ball 170 attached to the tether 140 [Step 202]. Then, a first user can grab the body 110 and attempt to swing the ball 170 towards a second user via the body 110 and tether 140 [Step 204]. Finally, a second user can attempt to hit the ball as it moves towards them using a bat [Step 206].

[0032] The present invention is also comprised of a second method of using 300 the device 100, as seen in FIG. 3. First, a device 100 is provided comprised of a body 110 comprised of a tether 140 and a ball 170 attached to the tether 140 [Step 302]. Then, a user can attach the tether 140 to the body 110 [Step 304]. Next, a user can attach the ball 170 to the tether 140 [Step 304]. Then, a first user can grab the body 110 and attempt to swing the ball 170 towards a second user via the body 110 and tether 140 [Step 306]. Finally, a second user can attempt to hit the ball as it moves towards them using a bat [Step 308].

[0033] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein hitting training device and device are interchangeable and refer to the hitting training device 100 of the present invention.

[0034] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the hitting training device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the hitting training device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the hitting training device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the hitting training device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the hitting training device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0035] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0036] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.