Sports swing training apparatus and method

Abstract

A training apparatus with a main body, a first member securable to the main body, the position of which is adjustable relative to the main body, a brace connected to the first member that has a substantially planar top surface inclined at an angle relative to the surface when the apparatus is being used, and a means of securing and unsecuring the first member from the main body so that the position of the brace may be adjusted. The apparatus substantially improves batting skills and pitching and throwing skills with emphasis on control of lower body movement. The apparatus builds on muscle memory by requiring the user to properly distribute his/her weight to the rear leg and foot while in a batting stance or a pitching position and forcing the user into the correct hitting position and the proper throwing or pitching motion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional application relates to the content of, and claims priority to, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/758,970, filed Jan. 13, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a training apparatus for sports swings, and, more particularly, to a training device designed to assist with improving one's batting skills and pitching and throwing skills, thereby reducing frustration for the user while simultaneously increasing his or her confidence level. This device substantially improves skills by emphasizing control of the lower body movements in order to obtain the correct hitting position and the proper throwing or pitching motion. This invention is also applicable in training golfers with their swing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Athletes constantly need to improve the fundamental skills of their sport. Baseball is no exception. However, it is often difficult to explain the proper turn technique and correct hitting position, not only to young players, but also to older, more experienced players. Game play is an inefficient way of improving one's skills. Moreover, without the proper training, a baseball player may never realize his or her full potential. In particular, there may be hitting problems associated with improper weight distribution of which the user is unaware. Additionally, users that improperly turn while hitting a baseball tend not to hit the ball with maximum power. There is also an increased chance of injury associated with improper batting techniques.

There exist in the art various training devices relating to baseball, golf, and other swing-reliant sports. Several patents relate to this field. U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,967 to Timmins discloses a support device for use by leg amputees in maintaining balance when not wearing a prosthetic. The device comprises a base portion comprised of three legs which form the feet for the base. The legs extend in an upwardly direction and are affixed to a plate at their upper ends. An elongated screw traverses through the plate and allows the supporting member to be vertically adjustable. The supporting member that is the portion on which the leg amputee rests his knee may be padded for greater comfort. This patent device is not used as an aid to teach the proper turn while hitting or aids with muscle memory.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,767,204 to Bryson discloses a device for teaching, learning or practicing a correct golf swing. A horizontally elongated member is affixed to a sliding member where the sliding member can slide along the horizontally elongated member in the direction of the golfer's target. The device includes a pair of thigh rests in which the golfer rests his thighs during his golf swing and is extremely cumbersome and relatively complicated. This device is not used to assist a baseball hitter with the proper turn while batting.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,055 to Richie discloses a baseball and golf hitter's training device comprised of a base assembly, a height adjustable stanchion with spring built in, and an adjustable seat. The baseball hitter sits on the seat which automatically adjusts to the user's rotative movement through the use of a ball joint and forces the user to maintain a proper stance. The base assembly is of a tri-foot configuration, having two longer feet extending rearwardly and one shorter foot extending forwardly, and must be secured to the ground. This device requires that the hitter sit on the assembly with thighs secured in order to properly use this device. Further, although the adjustable seat is used to steady the hitter so as to help the hitter to perform a proper weight shift through the execution of a swing, both feet need to be on the ground.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,090 to Kauffman, Jr. discloses a golf training device consisting of a platform for the golfer to stand on and an upright with a footing mounted on the platform. The upright has an upper rest overhanging the footing to provide foot clearance and upper rest engages the golfer's leg to prevent swaying during a golf swing. The upright is telescopically fitted inside a post allowing for the adjustment of the elevation of the upper arm by sliding the arm inside the post. To fix the upper arm position, a plurality of selectable bolt holes in the arms allow for a bolt to pass completely through this upper arm, forming a locking device to fix the upper arm position. This does not disclose aiding with muscle memory or assisting one to keep their weight on their rear foot while hitting. Both legs of the user remain in contact with the ground.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,741 to Richie discloses a sport swing training device. This patent is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,055 to Richie as described above. Essentially, this patent extends the previous '055 patent to include the use of device for use in practicing a tennis serve.

The prior art discloses training devices that are bulky and expensive and do not contemplate a baseball hitter maintaining only one foot on the ground as a proper stance. In fact, all these devices require that the user have both feet on the ground as a proper stance. None of the prior art teach a training device where the user rests one knee on a device while hitting.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. Through the use of muscle memory, users reinforce the proper maneuvers necessary to consistently hit and throw a baseball. The lower body is an essential part of batting or pitching. A user who keeps his weight back and distributed over the rear foot has better contact with the ball while hitting pitches that move, such as a curve ball. This is because the user no longer needs to concentrate on his or her lower body, thereby being able to focus concentration on other aspects of the game, such as hand-eye coordination. An additional benefit of keeping one knee on the training device during batting practice is that it teaches the user to be cognizant of the position that the resting knee should be in when hitting a baseball without the use of the training device. Another benefit is that the present invention naturally places the hands in the proper hitting position while swinging, and thus benefits the user with better and more powerful hitting.

Accordingly, there is a need for a light-weight, simple-to-use, yet highly effective and inexpensive, portable training device which assists baseball players of all ages in keeping their weight on their rear foot while hitting and throwing baseballs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention substantially improves and solves the problems discussed above. In this era of an “instant gratification” mindset, users will be extremely surprised at how fast they can see positive results using the present invention. Moreover, because of the reduced time period from which users begin seeing positive results from the present invention, dramatic results can often be seen in less than one month and, at times, in as little as half an hour. A user will increase his or her batting average and have a more enjoyable experience with the game. The final result is a dramatically improved batter or pitcher with increased levels of confidence and self-esteem.

The present invention includes a training apparatus for teaching a sports swing comprising a main body having a bottom for placement upon a surface, a first member securable to the main body, a brace connected to the first member, and a means of securing and unsecuring the first member. The position of the first member is adjustable relative to said main body so that the brace connected thereto may be appropriately positioned relative to the user. The brace has a substantially planar top surface inclined at a first angle relative to said surface. The apparatus may be manufactured out of any strong, rigid material, including stainless steel, aluminum, hard plastic, fiberglass, and the like. The present invention also contemplates a method of teaching a sport swing comprising providing a training apparatus and positioning said training apparatus relative to a user's leg such that during the course of the sports swing the user's leg contacts the brace, thus requiring the preferred weight distribution.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to assist both children and adult players with improving batting skills by making better contact with the baseball and hitting the baseball with more power.

It is another object of the present invention to assist the user in developing sound pitching and throwing skills.

It is yet another object of the present invention to improve the user's balance while the user is hitting or throwing a baseball.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide consistency and muscle control throughout the lower body and to allow a user to develop a feel for the proper swing or throw through the use of muscle memory.

It is another object of the present invention to teach the proper turn while hitting by teaching the user to distribute his or her weight on his or her rear leg and foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention, as well as further objects and features thereof, are more clearly and fully set forth in the following description of the preferred embodiment, which should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in use by a baseball player;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are elevation views of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment along line 7-7 of FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate a baseball swing using the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A proper swing must be initiated by the lower body. The most important part of a baseball swing is the turning of the hips, and a batter with superior hand-eye coordination can suffer at the plate because of improperly turning the hips. If a batter does not properly turn his or her hips, an otherwise fundamentally-sound swing does not help. In a proper turn, the batter's weight transfers into the ball in the hitting zone at contact.

Many players incorrectly use their shoulders to drag the hips through the strike zone. This, in turn, pulls everything else out of the strike zone, including the head, and this fundamental misalignment decreases the likelihood of contacting the ball as it moves through the strike zone. If the hitter does make contact, he or she will do so without creating maximum power to drive the ball. Indeed, learning not to let the shoulders drag the hips through the strike zone is the most difficult aspect of learning to hit.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in use by a baseball player 10. The player 10 is contacting a knee 15 against the training apparatus 18 while maintaining weight distribution on his rear hip 14 and rear foot 16. While this illustration describes a right-handed batter, the present invention can be used by both right and left-handed individuals, and thus either falls within the contemplation of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of the training device 18 is composed of a main body 20 attached to two support legs 22. A first member 26 is secured to the main body 20 by a ball lock pin 24 that protrudes through two main body apertures 44 (see FIG. 3) and through two member apertures 28 coaxially aligned with the main body apertures 44. A brace 30 with an overlaying cover 40 is connected to the first member 26. Padding (not shown) is placed between the cover 40 and the brace 30 so that contact by the player's knee (not shown) with the apparatus 18 is not uncomfortable.

While in the preferred embodiment the support legs 22 and brace 30 are permanently attached to the main body 20 and first member 26 respectively, in alternative embodiments the support legs 22 and brace 30 are temporarily attached so that the apparatus 18 may be easily stored and transported. Additionally, the support legs 22 may collapse toward and lie adjacent to the main body 20 so as to minimize space required for storage. The main body 20, first member 26, support legs 22 and brace 30 are preferably aluminum, but may be made from any strong, rigid material, including stainless steel, plastic, fiberglass, and the like.

The position of the first member 26 relative to the main body 20 is adjustable and, until secured, may move freely within the main body 20 so that the height of the brace 30 can be positioned according to the height of the player's knee (not shown). The first member 26 is secured with a ball lock pin 24, which passes through main body apertures 44 in the main body 20 and through member apertures 28 disposed in the first member 26 and coaxially aligned with the main body apertures. The pin 24 resists unintentional removal from the main body apertures 44 and member apertures 28 because of a securing ball 32 (see FIG. 3) located at the distal end of the ball lock pin 24. Moreover, while the present invention discloses the ball lock pin 24 to secure the position of the first member 26 relative to the main body 20, other adjustment means fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, a nut-and-bolt or a knob and screw assembly may secure the position of the first member 26 relative to the main body 20.

FIG. 3 is an assembly view of the training apparatus 18. The main body 20 is a section of square aluminum tubing that receives the first member 26. Two support legs 22 are connected to the main body 20. The two coaxial main body apertures 44 are disposed opposite each other to receive the pin 24 therethrough. The pin 24 is sized to slightly resist insertion through the main body apertures 44 due to the securing ball 32, but is insertable with application of sufficient force. Similarly, the securing ball 32 serves to resist unintentional extrusion from the main body apertures 44, which could be harmful to the player 10 (see FIG. 1) if he were to place his weight on the apparatus 18 when the first member 26 is not properly secured to the main body 20.

The brace 30, which is connected to the first member 26, has a substantially planer top surface 50, and two beveled sides 48 for guiding the leg of the player 10 to contact the cover 40 over the area of top surface 50. Padding 42 is placed between the cover 40 and the brace 30 so that contact with the apparatus 18 is not uncomfortable to the player. Any form of padding 42, such as foam, rubber, leather or the like, is permissible, although such padding 42 is preferably water resistant.

FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 show elevations of the apparatus 18 placed upon a surface 46. The bottom 27 of the main body 20 is angled relative to the surface 46, which allows the main body 20 to dig into the surface 46 to firmly secure the training apparatus 18 and eliminate the need to tie down the apparatus 18 with other elements such as spikes or stakes. In addition, the support legs 22 are also angled to “bite” into the surface 46 and resist movement relative thereto.

The first member 26 contains a plurality of apertures 28 from which the player 10 (not shown) may select in order to adjust the height of the brace 30 relative to the surface 46. The first member 26 slides freely within the tubular main body 20 until secured to the main body 20 through the use of the ball lock pin 24. To secure the first member 26 to the main body 20, a pair of corresponding member apertures 28 are selected and aligned coaxially with the main body apertures 44. The pin 24 is then inserted through the main body apertures 44 and the member apertures 28 coaxially aligned therewith. The inserted pin 24 thus restricts any further movement of the first member 26 relative to the main body 20.

The brace 30 has a substantially planar top surface 50, and two beveled sides 48 for guiding the leg of a player to contact the cover 40 over the top surface 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the top surface 50 of the brace 30 is inclined at a first angle a relative to the surface 46. The first angle a is preferably thirty degrees, but in any case is between fifteen and seventy-five degrees (inclusive). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first angle a is adjustable so that the player may move the brace to the most comfortable angle.

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the apparatus along section line 7-7 of FIG. 4, and more specifically illustrates the brace 30, padding 42, and the overlaying cover 40. The padding 42 contacts the top surface 50 of the brace 30 and is held thereon by the cover 40. While the present invention discloses padding 42 and a soft cover 40 generally, forms of padding such as foam, rubber, leather or the like are also contemplated and fall within the scope of this invention.

While there are many aspects of a batting swing that must be mastered to properly turn on a ball (e.g., bat position, hand alignment on the bat, foot position), the most important aspect of hitting a baseball swing is the movement of the lower body during the swing. If a batter does not have sound fundamentals concerning the lower body, that the batter has mastered the other elements of batting will not matter.

To use the present invention to teach a batting swing, the height of the brace 30 should be adjusted so that as the batter 10 turns his or her hips so that the rear leg turns into and contacts the apparatus 18 just below the knee at the batter's shin. If the apparatus 18 is positioned too low, the batter 10 will try to bend to the apparatus 18. Initial weight distribution should be about 60%/40%, with most of the weight being distributed over the rear foot 16. In effect, the apparatus should “catch” the batter 10 as he turns his hips through the strike zone. The hips should “pop” through the strike zone. During the swing, the batter's rear thigh should be substantially perpendicular with the ground. The front leg should remain stiff through the swing to avoid the batter's weight shifting too far forward, and as the hips move through the strike zone, the weight should shift to roll over the batter's front ankle.

As shown in FIG. 8, the training apparatus 18 properly used will provide a point of reference for the lower body during the swing and at ball contact. As shown in FIG. 8A, the batter 10 initiates the swing by turning the hips toward the ball. This “popping” of the hips causes the rear knee 15 to contact the apparatus 18. The batter 10, however, has not yet begun to swing the bat. Illustrated in FIG. 8B, as the rear hip 14 moves through the hitting zone, this movement pulls the shoulders (and thus the bat) through the hitting zone. The rear thigh remains perpendicular to the ground and the front leg stiff throughout the swing. The apparatus 18 maintains contact with the batter's leg just below the rear knee 15 to ensure proper position of the lower body. Finally, as shown in FIG. 8C, the batter 10 completes his swing while maintaining contact with the training apparatus 18. Thus, after the lower body turn, the lower body remains in substantially the same position throughout the remainder of the swing.

Many types of drills have been used to convey to baseball players and hitters how to turn on the ball and get into the proper hitting position. The present invention provides a point of reference during these drills to the position of the lower body during the swing and at ball contact, resulting in a short, powerful, and productive swing. The present invention therefore allows a batter to learn and retain the muscle memory necessary to accomplish this solid lower-body turn.

At least two drills may be used with the present invention to learn the proper turning technique, thus teaching the batter to avoid forward motion with the body and head, also known as “sliding” through the strike zone. In the T Drill, the player hits a ball off a tee to allow the player to feel where the position of the hips should be when the bat contacts the ball. The tee should be high enough to stop the batter from dropping the bat. The batter's upper hand should be above the ball as the bat through the strike zone, thus forcing the batter not to swing under the ball. The player performs the drill by turning the hips toward the ball and allowing the apparatus to contact, or “catch,” the batters rear leg. Only then does the batter swing the bat through the strike zone, keeping the upper hand higher than the ball on the tee. The two motions should first be practiced as distinct motions, and then gradually faster. With repetition the batter's hips will pull the shoulders through the strike zone, making for a compact, powerful swing.

Another drill involves having a batter grasp the bat with both palms downward and holding the bat parallel to the ground and parallel to the line between home plate and the pitcher's mound. A person other than the batter also holds the bat while the batter initiates the lower body turn of “popping” the hips through the strike zone and allowing the apparatus to “catch” the rear leg just below the knee. After the lower body turn, the bat should still be in the original position. This allows the batter to analyze his or her shoulder and head position. If the lead shoulder, rather than the hips, has initiated the swing, the head will also be out of position, and the batter will not be looking at the ball. Instead, the shoulders should remain closed, and the hips should be dragging everything through the hitting zone.

The present invention is described above in terms of a preferred illustrative embodiment of a specifically described training apparatus, as well as alternative embodiments of the present invention. A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that alternative constructions of such an apparatus can be used in carrying out the present invention. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure and the drawings, along with the appended claims.

Claims

1. A training apparatus for teaching a sports swing comprising:

a main body having a bottom for placement upon a surface;

a first member securable to said main body, the position of said first member being adjustable relative to said main body;

a brace connected to said first member, said brace having a substantially planar top surface inclined at a first angle relative to said surface when said bottom of said main body is positioned on said surface; and

adjustment means for securing and unsecuring said first member from said main body.

2. The training apparatus of claim 1 wherein said main body is tubing and said first member is insertable into and extendable from said main body.

3. The training apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of member apertures disposed in said first member, each of said member apertures being coaxially alignable with at least one main body aperture for receiving said adjustment means.

4. The training apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first angle is between fifteen and seventy-five degrees (inclusive).

5. The training apparatus of claim 1 wherein said brace further comprises at least one beveled side for guiding a leg to contact said top surface during a sports swing.

6. The training apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one support leg connected to said main body.

7. The training apparatus of claim 6 wherein said at least one support leg is removably attached to said main body.

8. The training apparatus of claim 6 wherein said at least one support leg is collapsible toward said main body.

9. The training apparatus of claim 1 further comprising padding overlaying said brace.

10. The training apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a cover overlaying said padding.

11. The training apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adjustment means comprise a ball lock pin; and two coaxial main body apertures disposed in said main body for receiving said ball lock pin.

12. A method of teaching a sport swing comprising:

providing a training apparatus for teaching a sports swing comprising: a main body having a bottom for placement upon a surface; a first member securable to said main body, the position of said first member being adjustable relative to said main body; a brace connected to said first member, said brace having a substantially planar top surface inclined at a first angle relative to said surface when said bottom of said main body is positioned on said surface; and adjustment means for securing and unsecuring said first member from said main body;

positioning said training apparatus relative to a user's leg such that during the course of the swing said user's leg will contact said brace; and

adjusting said first member to a height wherein during the course of the swing the leg of the user will contact the apparatus below the rear knee.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising engaging in a sports swing.