TRAINING DEVICE FOR BALL HITTING SPORTS SUCH AS BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL
Embodiments included in this disclosure are used to support two baseballs, two softballs or other hitting objects on a batting tee. Two embodiments may also be used in order to stack three balls. The embodiments are not limited to training in only softball and baseball, but may be used in any sport that involves striking an object with a striking device including, but not limited to, the games of cricket, field hockey, and hurling. Also two soccer balls may be stacked on a ground tee that would be struck by the foot. Other embodiments include a crowned insert and a short double crowned training device.
This application claims priority of the provisional application with Ser. No. 60/851,329 titled “‘The Double Tee Cup’ serves as a Training Devise for Softball and Baseball Hitters” filed on Oct. 13, 2006.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTSThe field of the embodiments described below in general includes training in any sport that involves the striking of an object with a bat, pole, stick, or other striking device. By way of example, the embodiments provide a device to train players in effective baseball and softball hitting techniques by providing immediate feedback on how well the ball was struck on plane at contact.
BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTSThe offensive portion of the hitting games, such as baseball and softball, is deceptively subtle and is part art, but mostly involves the science of biomechanics. The embodiments described below allow a student of hitting to practice their craft by increasing the biomechanical awareness of their swing plane technique at contact. By stacking two balls it also creates two separate hitting planes that enhance visual training as well, in a logical manner. Also, the stacking of the balls creates a more sensitive balance of the balls, thereby giving more feedback on his/her quality of swing. The intention is quite simply that if the hitter uses the embodiments described below and swings on plane through the ball at contact the embodiments described will leave with the struck ball, leaving the next ball available to hit. However, if the hitter is mechanically off plane when striking the ball then the embodiment is disturbed and the remaining ball will fall. In addition, the embodiments allow a batter to hit two stationary balls without resorting to setting an additional ball on the batting tee thereby saving time. It also saves wear and tear on the hitting tee itself because the embodiment is struck and not the tee on most swings.
SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTSAs shown in
As shown in
The biomechanics of a good swing in baseball and softball can be complex. However, quite simply it is the necessary sequential body movements and weight shifts that occur once movement is initiated in the swing, to deliver the maximum amount of force directly to the ball or target at contact. Maximum force cannot occur if, at the point of contact, the swing is not on plane, through the ball. Being on plane is not necessarily always being level since contact occurs at different heights and/or farther inside or outside to a hitter. Being on plane is delivering the bat to and through the ball at the optimal point of contact. In particular, while hitting a round object (ball) with another round object (barrel of a bat) this point of contact is particularly sensitive. Hence, the bat must be correctly on plane through the ball long enough to impart the maximum desired force to the ball. When this is accomplished then the ball will achieve the greatest possible distance when struck. The training aid described herein addresses the need for simple feedback to the hitter on the quality or correctness of his/her swing at contact during repetitive practice on a stationary tee.
Referring to
The raised 201 and lowered supports 202 are formed by the crowned ends 204. The alternating raised 201 and the lowered 202 supports allow two important features of the embodiment 100 to occur. First, they allow two embodiments to “fit together” to double the height between the balls, thus giving beginner hitters more margin of error in their swing. When two embodiments are joined, the alternating raised supports 201 and lower supports 202 interlock and form a friction fit to hold two or more embodiments together. Second, the plurality of small points of contact created allow for less surface contact on the ball thereby allowing the embodiment to leave the ball surface cleanly, when struck correctly, without causing undue friction that would cause the bottom ball to fall inadvertently. This embodiment is designed to have one end crown sit on top of one softball or baseball and then have another softball or baseball placed on top of the other end crown. When in place, two balls are ready to be struck, one at a time, from a batting tee.
All of the embodiments are manufactured from any high impact-resistant material including, but not limited to, polyurethane, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or a synthetic polymeric material. The embodiments are manufactured as an integral molded unit. All of the embodiments can be manufactured in various sizes depending on the application. One embodiment will measure approximately 1 to 2″ across at the widest point of each crown and will be approximately 1¾ to 2½ inches tall and approximately 1½ inches wide. In this embodiment, the mid-section diameter of the center cylinder will be approximately ½ inches.
Referring to
Another embodiment, shown in
In a mode of operation of the embodiments, a hitting object is placed on the ground tee to secure the object or on a hitting tee. The double crowned training device is placed on top of the hitting object and a second hitting object is placed on top of the double crowned training device. Now the hitter can strike at the hitting object as required. If striking is done in a level plane, the top hitting object is driven away from the hitting location along with the double crowned training device. The remaining hitting object can now be struck. In another mode of operation, the short double crowned baseball training device can be used between the two hitting objects in place of the double crowned baseball training device as described above to provide a more challenging hitting task for the advanced hitter.
In another mode of operation, the crowned insert embodiment can be used in combination with a one or more double crowned baseball training devices, one or more short double crowned baseball training device, or a combination of short double crowned baseball training devices and double crowned baseball training devices. See 0015 for explanation. In addition, the crowned insert embodiment can be used to provide a level surface on a damaged or unlevel batting tee. By using the insert with a tee it also provides less wear and tear on the tee itself.
In this respect, it is to be understood that the embodiments in this application are not limited to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments described in this application. Additional benefits and advantages of the present embodiments will become apparent in those skilled in the art to which the embodiments relate from the description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the embodiments of the application which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the embodiments in any way.
Claims
1. A target hitting training device comprising
- a main center cylinder, where the main center cylinder can vary in length from 0.05 inch to 8 inches;
- one or two identical crowned ends;
- a smooth support surface or a plurality alternating raised and lower supports formed by the crowned ends;
- where the main cylinder, crowned ends and plurality of alternating and raised and lower supports are integrally formed from the same material of construction.
2. The target hitting training device described in claim 1 wherein the main center cylinder and one or two crowned end cylinders are formed on the two ends of the main center cylinder from a high-impact resistant material.
3. The target hitting training device described in claim 2 wherein the high-impact resistant material is polyurethane, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or a synthetic polymeric material.
4. The target hitting training device described in claim 1 where one crowned end cylinder is formed on one end of the main center cylinder and a cylinder insert surface is formed on the other end of the main that can be inserted into another instance of a target hitting training device to create a level surface or more stable surface for the target devise to rest upon.
5. The target hitting training device described in claim 4 wherein the main center cylinder, the one crowned end cylinders, and the cylinder insert surface are formed from a high-impact resistant material.
6. The target hitting training device described in claim 5 wherein the high-impact resistant material is polyurethane, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or a synthetic polymeric material.
7. A target hitting training device comprising two identical crowned end cylinders where the crowned end cylinders form a plurality of alternating raised and lower supports.
8. The target hitting training device described in claim 7 wherein the two identical crowned end cylinders are formed from a high-impact resistant material.
9. The target hitting training device described in claim 8 wherein the high-impact resistant material is polyurethane, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or a synthetic polymeric material.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 15, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 16, 2008
Inventor: Sandra Kay Fischer (Stillwater, OK)
Application Number: 11/872,070
International Classification: A63B 69/00 (20060101);