Batting Skills Development Device

Abstract

A batting skills development device for use with a bat, the bat generally having a proximal handle portion and a distal barrel portion with a tapered section extending therebetween. The device comprises, in an exemplary embodiment, a weighted sleeve having a tapered inner surface configured for approximating the tapered section of the bat, with a first end of the sleeve having a first inner diameter larger than a second inner diameter of an opposing second end of the sleeve, the first inner diameter being less than or equal to a barrel diameter of the barrel portion. Thus, during use, the sleeve is slipped over the handle portion of the bat and wedged against the tapered section proximal the barrel portion, thereby maintaining a balanced distribution of weight along the bat while allowing the barrel portion to remain substantially unobstructed.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and is entitled to the filing date of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/146,933 filed Jan. 23, 2009, and entitled “Batting Skills Development Device.” The contents of the aforementioned application are incorporated by reference herein.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference any and all patents and patent applications cited or referred to in this application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of this invention relate generally to devices used to enhance the performance of a batter's swing, and more particularly to a batting skills development device configured for appropriately weighting a bat in order to improve not only the batter's swing strength and bat speed, but form and accuracy as well; the device also capable of being used for both warming up and for live batting practice.

BACKGROUND ART

The sports of baseball and softball, among other games, involve hitting a ball with a hand-held bat. In these sports, the batters often use training devices for improving their batting skills. The typical bat for baseball, softball or similar games comprises an implement made of wood or aluminum, having a handle portion, a generally cylindrical barrel portion opposite the handle portion, and a taper defined along an outer surface between the handle portion and the barrel portion. Many current training devices are available as aids for batting improvement; however, each of the prior art devices has significant shortcomings which are overcome by the present invention.

The following art defines the present state of this field:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,877 to Wales discloses a warm-up weight for softball bats that includes an open-ended cylindrical, tubular section integrally connected to a conical, tubular section. The conical section may be wedged against a tapering portion of a softball bat while the cylindrical section extends over a hitting, cylindrical, barrel portion of the softball bat. The cylindrical section includes an inner leaf spring cantilevered toward the open end of the cylindrical section.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,685 to Otten et al. discloses a bat weight and protector which is a removable soft-sided weight and protector for the attachment to a baseball or softball bat for the purpose of warming up a batter in the on-deck circle, prior to entering the batter's box and facing the pitcher. The bat weight and protector is comprised of a soft weighted cylindrical portion made of rubber or other suitable material, a retainer ring and webbing straps, which at one end are equally spaced around a retainer ring and stitched thereto, and at the opposite end are looped around the cylindrical portion and stitched thereto. A knob end of a bat is passed through the cylindrical portion of the bat weight and protector and further through the retainer ring until the tapered portion of the bat prevents further travel. In this position, the cylindrical portion of the bat weight and protector is over and about a barrel of the bat. This position maximizes the batter's swing resistance during warm-ups and protects the striking surface of the bat.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0063519 to Liberatore discloses a weighting device for use on an athletic ball striker as during swinging of the striker, the striker having a handle, comprising in combination: a receptacle having an opening via which the striker ball striking portion is receivable into the receptacle, with the handle projecting from the receptacle; a retainer positioned for retaining the receptacle to the striker ball striking portion; and weighting structure carried by the receptacle to add substantial weight to the striker, for use as in striker practice swinging, the retainer including a holder that is applied in a retaining position proximate a local portion of the receptacle, to effect retention of the receptacle to the striker during practice swinging.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,667 to Nolan discloses an adjustable weight training belt for use with a baseball bat comprising a first layer of flexible material and a hook and loop fastening system. The hook portion of the fastening system connected to one face and the loop portion of the fastening system on the other face, the fastening system being adjustable to adjust the area encircled by the belt. A second layer of flexible material connected to the first layer forming a plurality of pockets between the a face of the first layer and a face of the second layer. A face of the second layer has a high coefficient of friction to resist movement of the belt when placed about the barrel of a baseball bat. A plurality of malleable weights engaged in the pockets, the weights formed to the curved surface of the barrel creating a substantially similar surface profile contributing to the resistance of movement.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,457 to Liberatore discloses an apparatus to add weight to an athletic ball striking bat, having a taper along the bat length, comprising in combination a sleeve sized to extend about the bat at the taper location, the sleeve having associated retention means to engage the bat at a zone along said taper to resist lengthwise removal of the sleeve off the bat during bat swinging, a weight or weights carried by the sleeve.

The prior art described above teaches various types of batting practice devices. Most of these prior art devices are designed to slip over the handle portion of the bat and fit tightly about the cylindrical barrel section. However, such a design is deficient in at least two respects.

First, the practice device, when slipped over the bat, is designed only for warming up, such as in the on-deck circle during a game, and is unsuited for live batting practice. Additionally, these prior art devices function by temporarily adding weight specifically at the larger cylindrical barrel portion of the bat. When swinging a bat weighted by one of these prior art batting practice devices, the angular acceleration and centrifugal force imparted by the swinging action tends to fully extend the batter's arms prematurely, commonly referred to as a “casting swing,” due to the distance between the batter's hands and the weight. While such swinging practice followed by removal of the weight will undoubtedly provide the batter with the sense of having a lighter bat, there will be little or no permanent improvement in the batter's bat speed. In a proper bat swing motion, bat speed is largely determined by the speed and efficiency of wrist rotation and the conjoined motion occurring through the batter's wrists. To increase bat speed, the wrists must remain closer to the twisting batter's body than would be permitted when the arms are fully elongated and expended. While weighted devices such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,667 by Nolan recognize this effect and contemplate a more appropriate weight placement, none of these prior art weighted devices are of a construction suitable for use in live batting practice, as they would likely be damaged if contacted by an incoming thrown ball. Furthermore, even if the prior art devices are capable of withstanding the impact of the batter hitting a thrown ball, the dimensions, positioning, and/or materials of the prior art devices would likely cause the hit ball to travel on an unpredictable, and potentially dangerous, path.

Therefore, the prior art described above does not teach a batting skills development device that is capable of being used for both warming up before batting in a game as well as for live batting practice. Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention teach certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the exemplary advantages described below.

The present invention solves the above described problems by providing a batting skills development device for use with a bat, the bat generally having a proximal handle portion and a distal barrel portion with a tapered section extending therebetween. The device comprises, in an exemplary embodiment, a weighted sleeve having a tapered inner surface configured for approximating the tapered section of the bat, with a first end of the sleeve having a first inner diameter larger than a second inner diameter of an opposing second end of the sleeve, the first inner diameter being less than or equal to a barrel diameter of the barrel portion. Thus, during use, the sleeve is slipped over the handle portion of the bat and wedged against the tapered section proximal the barrel portion, thereby maintaining a balanced distribution of weight along the bat while allowing the barrel portion to remain substantially unobstructed. Other features of the present invention may include a lengthwise opening extending between the opposing first and second ends of the sleeve and configured for allowing the handle portion of the bat to pass therethrough.

A primary objective inherent in the above described device and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide such a device that is configured for appropriately weighting a bat, or similar object, in order to improve not only the user's swing strength and speed, but form and accuracy as well.

A still further objective is to provide such a device that is removably engagable with a bat, or similar object, at the appropriate location on the bat to maintain a proper weight distribution.

A still further objective is to provide such a device that is capable of being used for both warming up as well as for live practice.

Other features and advantages of aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the present invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention removably engaged on a baseball bat; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The above described drawing figures illustrate aspects of the invention in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are further defined in detail in the following description.

Described now in detail is a batting skills development device for improving a batter's swing. It should be noted that the present invention is essentially a device configured for improving the skills of a user participating in a sport that requires the striking of a moving object with a hand-held implement. Thus, while the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is configured for use in connection with a baseball or softball bat, alternate embodiments of the present invention may be configured for use in connection with other activities, such as tennis or racquetball, where the speed and accuracy with which a participant strikes a moving object is a component of the activity. As is known in the art, and as shown best in FIG. 7, a bat 10 typically comprises a proximal handle portion 12 and a distal barrel portion 14 with a tapered section 16 extending therebetween. Additionally, the handle portion 12 terminates proximally with an integral knob end 18.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-6, the present invention comprises, in an exemplary embodiment, an elongate weighted sleeve 20 configured for removable engagement with the tapered section 16 of the bat 10. The sleeve 20 is preferably constructed of a relatively dense, rigid material, such as metal, lead, or the like. In alternate embodiments, the sleeve 20 may be constructed of any other type of material, now know or later developed, that allows the sleeve 20 to provide the appropriate amount of desired weight to the present invention.

Preferably, the sleeve 20 has a relatively C-shaped cross section and provides a tapered, frusto-conical structure, with a first end 22 of the sleeve 20 having a first inner diameter 24 (FIG. 6) larger than that of a second inner diameter 26 (FIG. 5) of an opposing second end 28 of the sleeve 20. Additionally, an inner surface 30 of the sleeve 20 is dimensioned and configured for approximating the tapered section 16 of the bat 10, with the first inner diameter 24 being less than or equal to a barrel diameter 32 (FIG. 7) of the barrel portion 14; the importance of this is discussed further below. In the exemplary embodiment, an outer surface 34 of the sleeve 20 is also tapered, similar to the inner surface 30, so as to substantially match the tapered section 16 of the bat 10. The benefits of having such a tapered outer surface 34 is also discussed further below. In an alternate embodiment, not shown, the inner surface 30 of the sleeve 20 is tapered while the outer surface 34 is not. In such an embodiment, the outer surface 34 may be of any shape (i.e., cylindrical, square, triangular, etc.) or configuration (i.e., tapered, straight, etc.) now known or later developed.

In the exemplary embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve 20 defines a lengthwise opening 36 extending between the opposing first and second ends 22 and 28 of the sleeve 20. The opening 36 is configured for allowing the handle portion 12 of the bat 10 to pass therethrough, thus assisting the sleeve 20 in both engagement with and removal from the bat 10. The opening 36 also enables the present invention to be more easily engaged on different types of bats 10 having a wide range of diameters. With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the opening 36 is preferably tapered, such that a first opening width 38 at the first end 22 of the sleeve 20 is relatively narrower than a second opening width 40 at the second end 28 of the sleeve 20, the first opening width 38 still being relatively larger than a handle diameter 42 of the handle portion 12. With the opening 36 essentially having a reverse taper (i.e., a taper in the opposite direction as compared to the taper of the sleeve 20), the sleeve 20 is able to be more easily engaged with, and removed from, the bat 10. In an alternate embodiment, the opening 36 has a uniform width, such that the first opening width 38 is equal to the second opening width 40. Preferably, the structure of the sleeve 20 is such that the opening 36 is permanently defined. However, in alternate embodiments, not shown, the opening 36 may be selectively closable and/or adjustable using means now known or later developed, such as hinges, semi-resilient sleeve material, straps, etc.

During use of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the sleeve 20 is first positioned onto the handle portion 12 of the bat 10. Where the knob end 18 of the bat 10 has a knob diameter 44 greater than at least the second inner diameter 26 of the sleeve 20, the sleeve 20 may be engaged with the bat 10 by passing the opening 36 over the handle portion 12 of the bat 10, given the fact that the opening 36 is wider than the handle diameter 42. Alternatively, where the knob diameter 44 is smaller than both the first and second inner diameters 24 and 26, the knob end 18 may be inserted through the first and second ends 22 and 28; or the opening 36 may still simply be passed over the handle portion 12. Thus, the present invention may be engagable with a wide range of different bats 10, regardless of the size of their respective knob ends 18.

After being positioned onto the handle portion 12, the sleeve 20 is then slid along the bat 10 and wedged against the tapered section 16, such that the first end 22 of the sleeve 20 is toward the barrel portion 14. Because the first inner diameter 24 of the first end 22 is less than or equal to the barrel diameter 32, the barrel portion 14 prevents further travel of the sleeve 20 along the bat 10. Thus, when the sleeve 20 is engaged with the bat 10, it is substantially confined to the tapered section 16 and the barrel portion 14 (i.e., the hitting surface of the bat 10) is left substantially unobstructed. This is highly beneficial, as it allows a batter 46 to use the present invention not only during warm-ups, but also during live batting practice, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Furthermore, with the sleeve 20 engaged and positioned proximal the barrel portion 14, the present invention provides an additional amount of weight to the bat 10 while maintaining a substantially balanced distribution of that weight along the bat 10. Thus, the batter 46 is able to develop their batting strength and speed, and also swing the bat 10 properly, given the absence of improperly distributed weight that would tend to cause an undesirable casting swing.

The sleeve 20 is frictionally engaged with the bat, substantially on the tapered section 16, and is further held in place by centrifugal force each time the batter 46 swings the bat 10. Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment, the inner surface 30 of the sleeve 20 preferably provides a high friction material, such as rubber or the like, configured for further resisting movement of the sleeve 20 on the bat 10 during use. It should be noted that any other type of high friction material, now known or later developed, may be substituted. In the exemplary embodiment, the entire sleeve 20 is coated with a resilient rubber material.

With continued reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the sleeve 20 defines a relatively low, uniform profile when engaged with the bat 10. As mentioned above, the outer surface 34 of the sleeve 20 is preferably tapered, similar to the inner surface 30, so as to substantially match the tapered section 16 of the bat 10. While the exact dimensions of the present invention may vary, depending in large part on the desired amount of weight that the batter 46 wishes to add to the bat 10, the sleeve 20 typically has a uniform cross-sectional sleeve thickness 48 (FIG. 6) of less than half an inch. Additionally, the sleeve typically has a sleeve length 50 (FIG. 2) of no more than three inches. It will be appreciated that, in further embodiments, the sleeve thickness 48 may be greater than half an inch, and the sleeve length 50 may be greater than three inches, depending on the desired amount of weight to be provided by the sleeve 20. In any case, the sleeve thickness 48 and sleeve length 50 are appropriately configured, based on the desired amount of weight to be provided by the present invention, such that the sleeve 20 defines as low of a profile as possible while still maintaining a substantially even distribution of weight along the bat 10.

Not only does the low profile configuration of the sleeve 20 assist in providing a substantially even distribution of weight along the bat 10, but it also aids in the ability for the batter 46 to use the present invention during live batting practice, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Because the position of the sleeve 20 allows the barrel portion 14 (i.e., the hitting surface of the bat 10) to remain substantially unobstructed, a thrown ball 52 should rarely come into contact with the sleeve 20 if the batter 46 is swinging at the ball 52 properly. However, because the exemplary embodiment of the sleeve 20 substantially hugs the contours of the tapered section 16 of the bat 10, in the event a ball 52 does come into contact with the sleeve 20, its relatively low profile, combined with the relatively dense material from which the sleeve 20 is constructed, reduces the likelihood that the contacted ball 52 will travel on an unpredictable and/or dangerous path. It should be noted that while the opening 36 of the sleeve 20 is shown facing the direction of the incoming ball 52 in FIG. 8, this is only to illustrate the relative positioning of the present invention on the bat 10 during use. During actual use of the present invention, it is preferable, though not required, for the batter 46 to hold the bat 10 such that the opening 36 of the sleeve 20 is facing substantially away from the incoming ball 52, which even further reduces the likelihood that the contacted ball 52 will travel on an unpredictable and/or dangerous path.

While aspects of the invention have been described with reference to at least one exemplary embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention.

Claims

1. A batting skills development device for use with a bat, the bat having a proximal handle portion and a distal barrel portion with a tapered section extending therebetween, the device comprising:

a weighted sleeve having a tapered inner surface configured for approximating the tapered section of the bat, with a first end of the sleeve having a first inner diameter larger than a second inner diameter of an opposing second end of the sleeve, the first inner diameter being less than or equal to a barrel diameter of the barrel portion;

whereby, during use, the sleeve is slipped over the handle portion of the bat and wedged against the tapered section proximal the barrel portion, thereby maintaining a balanced distribution of weight along the bat.

2. The batting skills development device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve further defines a lengthwise opening extending between opposing first and second ends of the sleeve and configured for allowing the handle portion of the bat to pass therethrough.

3. The batting skills development device of claim 2 wherein the width of the opening is tapered, with a first opening width at the first end of the sleeve being relatively narrower than a second opening width at the second end of the sleeve.

4. The batting skills development device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is made of a relatively dense material.

5. The batting skills development device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has a frusto-conical shape.

6. The batting skills development device of claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the sleeve provides a high friction material configured for resisting movement of the sleeve on the bat during use.

7. The batting skills development device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve defines a relatively low profile when engaged with the bat.

8. The batting skills development device of claim 7 wherein the sleeve has a uniform cross-sectional thickness of less than half an inch.

9. A batting skills development device for use with a bat, the bat having a proximal handle portion and a distal barrel portion with a tapered section extending therebetween, the device comprising:

a tapered, weighted sleeve configured for approximating the tapered section of the bat; and

the sleeve defining a lengthwise opening extending between opposing first and second ends of the sleeve, the opening configured for allowing the handle portion of the bat to pass therethrough;

whereby, during use, the sleeve is slipped over the handle portion of the bat and wedged against the tapered section proximal the barrel portion, thereby maintaining a balanced distribution of weight along the bat.

10. A batting skills development device for use with bat, the bat having a proximal handle portion and a distal barrel portion with a tapered section extending therebetween, the device comprising a tapered, weighted sleeve having a relatively C-shaped cross section and configured for approximating the tapered section of the bat, whereby, during use, the sleeve is slipped over the handle portion of the bat and wedged against the tapered section proximal the barrel portion, thereby maintaining a balanced distribution of weight along the bat while allowing the barrel portion to remain substantially unobstructed.