BASEBALL SWING TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a baseball swing training device, and more particularly to a heavily-weighted training bat for promoting a proper and powerful baseball swing. The swing training device includes an elongated body portion, a handle cap connected to a proximal portion of the body portion, a grip, and an end cap connected to a distal end of the body portion. The weight of the end cap is equal to or greater than a substantial percentage of the weight of the body portion.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application No. 61/446,271, entitled “Baseball Swing Training Device,” filed Feb. 24, 2011, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a baseball swing training device, and more particularly to a heavily-weighted training bat for promoting a proper and powerful baseball swing.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ARTS

Various baseball swing training devices have been devised, including bats, harnesses, braces, cages, tees, and the like. There remains, however, a need for a swing training device that promotes a proper and powerful swing through a full range of motion and that is practical, durable, and convenient to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a swing training device for promoting a proper and powerful swing.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a swing training device comprising an elongated body portion, a handle cap connected to a proximal portion of the body portion, a grip covering part of the length of the body portion adjacent to the handle cap, and an end cap connected to a distal end of the body portion. The weight of the end cap may be equal to or greater than a substantial percentage of the weight of the body portion, or of the combined weight of the body portion, handle cap, and end cap.

DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates three different sized swing training devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial view of a swing training device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates three different sized body portions of swing training devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a handle cap for a swing training device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a handle cap for a swing training device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an end cap for a swing training device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an end cap for a swing training device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates three different sized baseball swing training devices 1, 2, and 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a partial view of the device 1 that, in one embodiment, comprises an end cap 10, a body portion 20, a handle cap 30, and a grip 40. The device 1 may be assembled by screwing the end cap 10 and handle cap 30 onto opposite ends of the body portion 20. A baseball bat style grip 40 covers the end of the body portion 20 nearest the handle cap 30, and may be provided in different lengths to accommodate a single-handed grip or standard double-handed grip. The grip 40 may comprise a wrap or unitary sleeve of rubber, leather, synthetic leather, or other suitable grip material. The grip 40 may be placed over an inner wrap or sleeve of cushioning material. The weight of the grip 40 is not a significant component of the overall weight of the swing training device.

FIG. 3 illustrates three different sized body portions of swing training devices according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the body portion 20 may comprise a steel pipe 21 that is threaded on each end 22, 23 to receive the end cap 10 and handle cap 30, respectively. The steel pipe 21 may be configured in a variety of lengths, widths, and weights, such as the following

Length	Diameter	Pipe	Total Device Weight
28″	0.5″	schedule 40 steel pipe	2 lbs, 8.8 oz
30″	0.5″	schedule 40 steel pipe	2 lbs, 10.3 oz
32″	0.5″	schedule 40 steel pipe	2 lbs, 12.5 oz
33″	0.5″	schedule 40 steel pipe	2 lbs, 13.2 oz
33″	0.5″	schedule 80 steel pipe	3 lbs, 9 oz
34″	0.5″	schedule 80 steel pipe	3 lbs, 10 oz
34″	0.75″	schedule 40 steel pipe	3 lbs, 10 oz
35″	0.75″	schedule 40 steel pipe	3 lbs, 11.1 oz

Other lengths, diameters, and pipe types may be used to make baseball swing training devices 1 of other lengths, widths and weights. For example, in other embodiments the body portion 20, end cap 10, handle cap 30 may be provided in a variety of lengths, diameters (outer diameter (“OD”) and inner diameter (“ID)), weights, and types as follows:

Body	Body	Body		End	Total
Portion	Portion	Portion		Cap	Device
Length	Diameter	Weight	Pipe	Weight	Weight
26″	0.813″ OD	1 lb,	1020 DOM SRA	7 oz	2 lbs, 6 oz
	0.572″ ID	12 oz
28″	0.813″ OD	1 lb,	1020 DOM SRA	7 oz	2 lbs, 8 oz
	0.572″ ID	14 oz
30″	0.813″ OD	2 lbs	1020 DOM SRA	7 oz	2 lbs,
	0.572″ ID				10 oz
32″	0.813″ OD	2 lbs,	1020 DOM SRA	7 oz	2 lbs,
	0.572″ ID	2 oz			12 oz
33″	0.813″ OD	2 lbs,	1020 DOM SRA	7 oz	2 lbs,
	0.572″ ID	4 oz			14 oz
34″	0.813″ OD	2 lbs,	1020 DOM SRA	7 oz	3 lbs
	0.572″ ID	6 oz
35″	0.813″ OD	2 lbs,	1020 DOM SRA	7 oz	3 lbs, 2 oz
	0.572″ ID	8 oz
28″	1.063″ OD	2 lbs,	1020 DOM SRA	9 oz	3 lbs, 4 oz
	0.845″ ID	8 oz
30″	1.063″ OD	2 lbs,	1020 DOM SRA	9 oz	3 lbs, 6 oz
	0.845″ ID	10 oz
34″	1.063″ OD	2 lbs,	1020 DOM SRA	9 oz	3 lbs,
	0.845″ ID	14 oz			10 oz
35″	1.063″ OD	3 lbs	1020 DOM SRA	9 oz	3 lbs,
	0.845″ ID				12 oz
36″	1.063″ OD	3 lbs,	1020 DOM SRA	9 oz	3 lbs,
	0.845″ ID	2 oz			14 oz

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate two difference sized handle caps 30 for a swing training device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The handle cap 30 shown in FIG. 4 may be used with body portions 20 comprising a 0.75″ diameter pipe. The handle cap 30 shown in FIG. 5 may be used with body portions 20 comprising a 0.5″ diameter pipe. The handle cap 30 includes female pipe threads 31 to receive the body portion 20. The handle cap 30 may comprise aluminum, have an outer diameter of approximately 2.25″, and weight approximately 3 oz. Other sizes of handle caps 10 with different inner and outer dimensions and diameters may be used with body portions 20 having different diameters, for example, body portions with outer diameters of 0.813″ and 1.063″.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two different sized end caps 10 for a swing training device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The end cap 10 shown in FIG. 6 may be used with body portions 20 comprising a 0.75″ diameter pipe. The end cap 10 shown in FIG. 7 may be used with body portions 20 comprising a 0.5″ diameter pipe. Other sizes of end caps 10 with different inner and outer dimensions and diameters may be used with body portions 20 having different diameters, for example, body portions with outer diameters of 0.813″ and 1.063″. The end cap 10 includes female pipe threads 11 to receive the body portion 20. The end cap 30 may comprise aluminum.

The body portion 20, the handle cap 30, and the end cap 10 may be painted or coated. For example, the body portion 20, the handle cap 30, and the end cap 10 may be sprayed with a dry electrostatic powder and baked.

Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.

While the present invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A swing training device comprising:

a body portion having a length, a diameter and a body weight;

a handle cap connected to a proximal end of the body portion; and

an end cap connected to a distal end of the body portion and having an end cap weight, wherein the end cap weight is greater than 10% of the body weight.

2. The swing training device of claim 1 wherein the end cap weight is greater than 15% of the body weight.

3. The swing training device of claim 1 wherein the end cap weight is greater than 20% of the body weight.

4. The swing training device of claim 1 wherein the body portion comprises a 1020 DOM SRA pipe.

5. The swing training device of claim 4 wherein the length of the body portion is approximately 26 inches to approximately 36 inches.

6. The swing training device of claim 4 wherein the outer diameter of the body portion is approximately 0.813 inches to approximately 1.063 inches.

7. The swing training device of claim 4 wherein the combined weight of the body portion, the handle cap, and the end cap is approximately 2 lbs, 6 oz. to 3 lbs., 14 oz.

8. The swing training device of claim 1 wherein the body portion comprises a schedule 40 steel pipe.

9. The swing training device of claim 1 wherein the body portion comprises a schedule 80 steel pipe.

10. The swing training device of claim 1 wherein the length of the body portion is approximately 28 inches to approximately 35 inches.

11. The swing training device of claim 6 wherein the diameter of the body portion is approximately 0.5 inches to approximately 0.75 inches.

12. The swing training device of claim 1 wherein the combined weight of the body portion, the handle cap, and the end cap is approximately 2 lbs, 8 oz. to 3 lbs., 11 oz.

13. The swing training device of claim 1 further comprising a grip covering part of the length of the body portion adjacent to the handle cap.

14. The swing training device of claim 1 wherein the body portion, the handle cap, and the end cap are coated with a powder coating.

15. The swing training device of claim 1 wherein distal end of the body portion is threaded and the end cap includes female threads to receive the distal end of the body portion.