Pro-trainer

Abstract

A hand held baseball or Softball training device for assisting a batter in learning proper swing mechanics which include a light weight 1″ hallow aluminum tube having two ends, a hand grip defining sleeve with a rubber stop disposed about the first end of the tube and a rubber cap on the second end, a light weight aluminum oval sweet spot simulation component which is movable along the 1″ hallow aluminum tube so as to proved a visual indication to the batter as to the flight of the ball after contact which determines the position that the wrist are when contact is made with the ball.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/429,258 entitled “Perfect Swing” having a filing date of Jan. 3, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a training tool for baseball or softball. In particular, it is directed a training bat that is beneficial for improving palm up palm down at contact and is an excellent muscle memory tool giving instant results by the flight of the ball. The tool can be adjusted quickly for one arm drills or full swing drills. The tool is light weight therefore the player can train longer with out getting fatigued which causes wrong muscle memory. The sweet spot can be adjusted to the bat length the player uses during games to get the correct feel. This is the only tool on the market with this feature. The grip is designed to keep the hands in the correct position during the swing.

BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

It is important for a hitter in baseball or softball to hit the ball with the “sweet spot” portion of the bat. Generally, the sweet spot is typically considered the center percussion of the bat or the location that produces the greatest batted ball speed. While the exact location of the sweet spot depends on the characteristics of the bat, it is in general approximately six inches from the end of the barrel of the bat. The sweet spot is recognized by batters as the location that produces the least swing resistance and bat vibration, as well as the greatest power and control, when hitting the ball. Therefore, is important for the batter to recognize the sweet spot on the bat and have a consistent swing.

To learn to recognize the sweet spot, a player needs to continually practice his/her swing. Said practice creates a muscle memory which will enable the player to recreate this swing when actually batting during a game. Additionally, such practice is also necessary if a batter has a flaw in his/her swing or needs to improve his/her swing. It is important when doing drills and practicing swings, the batter becomes trained in identifying the sweet spot of the bat.

There are a variety of known training bats which aim to teach a sweet swing. Many training bats such a the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 187,033 are weighted to assist the batter with a consistant swing, however it does not have a positional sweet spot to customize for the batter's physique. The training device under U.S. Pat. No. 3,351,346 is a tool used to train golfers to perfect an “inside-out” swing in order to obtain maximum range. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,935, a training bat is a tool used for training ball games however the structure has an adjustable weighted training and is used as a warm up device and not used to recognize the sweet spot. The Batting Apparatus for U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,984 is an invention relating to simulate a baseball bat in order to manipulate in-swinging to increase the batting potential. There is also a Baseball Batting Training Aid with U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,511 that is used to control where and how hard the ball is to be hit and is built to teach the batter's hands how to control speed, hand positioning and a better swing. The U.S. Pat. No. 7,041,017, Swing Master, is also a training device which helps instruct batters in the proper method of a swing of a bat.

Additionally, there is U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,240 B2 that utilizes a moveable internal weight method to assist batters hits. This training device is geared towards assisting the batter with more successful swings. The U.S. Pat. No. 7,351,167 B1 is a Baseball Bat Training Aid for batters to develop proper anatomical grip of the bat which aligns one's knuckles in a manner to provide a proper grip. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 7,794,340 B2 is an Adjustable Length Training Bat to improve hand-eye coordination when hitting a baseball or softball.

Some of the advantages of the Pro-Trainer are the adjustable batting plate which shows the batter the sweet spot. This adjustable batting plate can be adjusted according to the batters preference, thus, making it suitable for users of all ages and heights to practice on this invention. In addition, the Pro-Trainer is the only tool used for one handed and two handed drills. The Pro Trainer is very light weight which improves training drills which are sometimes cut short due to fatigue. Other tools on the market are too heavy which causes fatigue and wrong muscle memory.

The Pro-Trainer has neoprene or grip tape which no others use. The tape helps the batter grip their hands when training with the tool. Additionally, the Pro-Trainer is the only angled training tool. The angle of the shaft helps train the batter to keep their hands in front of the ball. Other tools are typically tubular or bat shaped with no angles.

Lastly, the Pro-Trainer is the only tool with an angle bracket on the handle. This angle bracket on the handle is critical in training proper batter hand placement. Other tools are tubular like a bat with nothing to correct hands if they are in the wrong position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described is related generally to batting training devices. More specifically, the invention is a softball/baseball swing training device that allows both one hand and two hand drills. The device is a bar that includes a handle at one end thereof and a sliding “sweet spot” on it's distal end. Between the handle and the sweet spot are two bends in the bar, one bend of 15 degree is adjacent the handle and a second bend of 33 degree is located between the first bend and the sweet spot. The handle includes a ridge to assist in proper gripping of the handle. The sweet spot includes a sliding mechanism with locking pin to maintain the sweet spot in the selected location along the length of the bar. In this manner, the training device can simulate different length bats and their corresponding sweet spots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Illustrates a front view of the pro trainer according to this invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front and back view of the shaft according to this invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the batting plate assembly according to this invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front and side view of the soft rubber end cap according to this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration of specific embodiments utilizing the sliding mechanism and grip in which the invention may be practiced. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the direction terminology is used for purposes of illustration is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

With reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new ball hitting training device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view and all components of the pro trainer device which is the base shaft 1 that is 32 inches in length, which is a curved round tube that is one bend of 15 degree is adjacent the handle 5 and a second bend of 33 degree. Welded to the shaft 1 is a angle bracket 7 which aides the batter in correct hand placement. The angle bracket 7 is approximately 9.0 inches in length and is covered with a neoprene or grip tape 5, which helps the batter grip the tool when used. The angle bracket trains the batter in proper hand placement when batting. At the end of the pro trainer device is a tubular end cap 9 which is covered by a soft rubber cap 6. At the top of the base shaft is a 1.375 inch plastic cap 3. A front view of the adjustable batting plate illustrating the batting plate 2 and the ⅜ inch long thumbscrew 4. The thumbscrew 4 can be loosened and tightened moving the batting plate up and down the shaft, according to the batters preference, thus, making it suitable for users of all ages and heights to practice on this invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front, back and side view with the critical dimensions of the shaft 1 which is 32 inches in length which is a curved round tube that is one bend of 15 degree is adjacent the handle 5 and a second bend of 33 degree. The illustration also shows the angle bracket 7 which is 9 inches long and is welded to the shaft. The angle bracket 7 on the handle is cut at an angle 13 and welded closed. There is a 9.375 inches cut out 10 on the back of the shaft 1 where the batting plate assembly is attached and can be adjusted according to the batters preference, thus, making it suitable for users of all ages and heights to practice on this invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front, back, side, top view and the critical dimensions of the adjustable batting plate assembly. This consists of a round metal plate 2, which is 6 inches long and 2 inches tall. There is a 1 inch round tube 12 which is welded 11 to the back of the metal plate 2. The tube 12 has a ⅜ hole 8 for the 1.25 long thumbscrew 4 which is inserted and can be adjusted by tightening and loosening to the batting plate. This batting plate assembly is easily adjusted on the shaft according to the batters preference, thus, making it suitable for users of all ages and heights to practice on this invention. The batting plate is critical in training for proper ball contact and hitting the sweet spot when batting.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front and side view of the rubber end cap 6. It is soft rubber and fits 1.375 inches long snug over the shaft and end cap with dimensions of 1.375 inches expanding to 2.2 inches round at the end.

The end cap 6 is formed to fit over the enlarged end so the hitting tool will not come loose from the batters hands when the user is using the ball hitting training device.

Claims

1. A baseball or softball hitting training device compromising of:

A hollow aluminum core extending threw the shaft from the first end to the second end; and wherein a rubber cap at the first end of said device; and a rubber stop device which is on the second end; and the adjustable batting plate assembly held on by a 1″ round clamp which is welded to the back of the adjustable sweet spot plate; and

the handle comprises of an angle bracket on the handle of the training device wherein the handle is covered by a neoprene grip.

2. The baseball or softball hitting training device of claim 1, consists of a built in angle on the handle portion helping the knuckles stay in the correct palm up, palm down hand position at ball contact.

3. The baseball or softball hitting training device of claim 1, has a neoprene grip to keep the hands secure on the handle.

4. The baseball or softball hitting training device of claim 1, has an adjustable batting plate that locks into sweet spot positions in order to accommodate any bat length the player uses.

5. The baseball or softball hitting training device of claim 1, has a rubber stop at the end of the device that helps prevent the bat slipping out of that batter's hands.