Pitching Training Device

Abstract

A pitching training device includes a connecting element and a pocket. The connecting element alternatively attached to the wrist of a throwing hand of a thrower. The pocket includes open and closed ends disposed at two opposite ends thereof. The open end of the pocket is connected with the connecting element and allowing the throwing hand and a ball gripped in the palm of the throwing hand into the pocket. The closed end of the pocket limits the thrown ball that cannot move to outside of the pocket.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a training device and, more particularly, to a pitching training device for use in learning, practicing, and perfecting the act of throwing a ball.

2. Description of the Related Art

The ability to throw a ball is a basic skill in many sports, including baseball and softball, and practice pitches are essential not only to improve a player's basic skill but also to keep a healthy and strong arm in shape and to rehabilitate an arm that has been injured. Traditionally, throwing a ball repeatedly has required a partner to return the ball for another throw. Further, substantial space and rainless weather are required.

The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, the main purpose is to provide a pitching training device includes a connecting element and a pocket. The connecting element alternatively attached to the wrist of a throwing hand of a thrower. The pocket includes open and closed ends disposed at two opposite ends thereof. The open end of the pocket is connected with the connecting element and allowing the throwing hand and a ball gripped in the palm of the throwing hand into the pocket. The closed end of the pocket limits the thrown ball that cannot move to outside of the pocket.

An advantage of the pitching training device according to the present invention is that the thrown ball will be limited by the closed end of the pocket so that the thrower can throw the ball in the pocket repeatedly himself and does not require a partner to return the ball for another throw.

Another advantage of the pitching training device according to the present invention is that the pitching training device can be used in both indoors and out, even in a narrow space, and is not affected by the weather.

Other objects, advantages, and new features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanied drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiment may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a pitching training device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the pitching training device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the pitching training device of FIG. 1 illustrating the operation of dropping a ball to be gripped previously in the palm of a throwing hand reaching into a pocket.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the pitching training device illustrating the ball gripped in the palm of the throwing hand received in the pocket and a connecting element attached to the wrist of the throwing hand.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view illustrating the ball released from the palm and limited in the pocket.

All Figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

Where used in the various Figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “inner”, “outer”, “side”, “end”, “portion”, “section”, “longitudinal”, “clockwise”, “counterclockwise”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A pitching training device according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is shown in the drawings. In the preferred forms shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the pitching training device includes a connecting element 10 and a pocket 20 securely connected with the connecting element 10 therein. The connecting element 10 is adapted to be attached to the wrist of a throwing hand of a thrower (as shown in Fig.4). The pocket 20 is adapted to receive a ball gripped in the palm of the throwing hand.

The connecting element 10 is desirably of a flexible material such as rubber, nylon, cotton, or elastic fiber, which is configured to enclose the wrist of the throwing hand. Desirably, the connecting element 10 is formed in a belt shape. Additionally, an area of the connecting element 10 adapted to abut against the wrist of a throwing hand may be mounted soft foam padding to improve thrower wearing comfort. Further, the connecting element 10 defines bottom and top surfaces 11 and 12 arranged at two opposite ends thereof. Moreover, inner and outer side surfaces 13 and 14 are respectively extended between bottom and top surfaces 11 and 12, and first and second coupling portions 15 and 16 are respectively mounted on the inner and outer side surfaces 13 and 14. The first and second coupling portions 15 and 16 can be selectively coupled with each other. In this embodiment, the first and second coupling portions 15 and 16 are constructed of VELCRO.

The pocket 20 is desirably of a relatively lightweight and flexible material such as nylon mesh or PVC mesh and should be sufficiently strong to withstand the force exerted by the thrown ball without breaking. Desirably, the pocket 20 is substantially non-stretchable so that it does not snap the ball back toward the thrower after the ball is released from the thrower's throwing hand. In the perfected form, the appearance of the pocket 20 is generally formed in a strip type bag. The pocket 20 includes open and closed ends 21 and 22 disposed at two opposite ends thereof Furthermore, a length is extended longitudinally from the open end 21 to the closed end 22 of the pocket 20 to reduce the air resistance when the thrower swings his arm and the pitching training device. A width defined at the open end 21 is narrower than a width defined at the closed end 22 in a non-use state (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).

The open end 21 of the pocket 20 is securely connected with the bottom surface 11 of the connecting element 10, and allows the thrower's throwing hand and the ball into the pocket 20. The closed end 22 of the pocket 20 limits the thrown ball that cannot move to outside of the pocket 20. An aperture 23 is extended from the open end 21 to a side edge of the pocket 20, wherein a length defined from the open end 21 to the side edge of the pocket 20 is smaller than 2 inches.

The ball is gripped in the palm of the thrower's throwing hand reaching into the pocket 20 through the open end 21. The connecting element 10 is curved so that the inner side surface 13 encloses the wrist of the throwing hand. Furthermore, the first and second coupling portions 15 and 16 are coupled with each other, so that the connecting element 10 is attached to the wrist of the throwing hand in a desired position, and the top surface 12 faces to the thrower. When the thrower swings his arm and the pitching training device, and releases the ball at a release point, the thrown ball will be limited by the closed end 22 of the pocket 20, so that the thrower can throw the ball in the pocket 20 repeatedly himself and does not require a partner to return the ball for another throw. Additionally, the pitching training device can be used in both indoors and out, even in a narrow space, and is not affected by the weather.

In view of the foregoing, an advantage of the pitching training device according to the present invention is that the thrown ball will be limited by the closed end 22 of the pocket 20 so that the thrower can throw the ball in the pocket 20 repeatedly himself and does not require a partner to return the ball for another throw.

Another advantage of the pitching training device according to the present invention is that the pitching training device can be used in both indoors and outdoors, even in a narrow space, and is not affected by the weather.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiment described herein is to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A pitching training device comprising:

a connecting element alternatively attached to the wrist of a throwing hand of a thrower; and

a pocket including open and closed ends disposed at two opposite ends thereof, with the open end of the pocket connected with the connecting element and allowing the throwing hand and a ball gripped in the palm of the throwing hand into the pocket, with the closed end of the pocket limiting the ball.

2. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting element defines bottom and top surfaces arranged at two opposite ends thereof, with the bottom surface connected with the open end of the pocket.

3. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 2, wherein inner and outer side surfaces are respectively extended between bottom and top surfaces, wherein first and second coupling portions are respectively mounted on the inner and outer side surfaces, wherein the first and second coupling portions are alternatively coupled with each other.

4. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inner side surface encloses the wrist of the throwing hand, wherein the top surface faces to the thrower.

5. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second coupling portions are constructed of VELCRO.

6. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 3, wherein an aperture is extended from the open end to a side edge of the pocket.

7. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a length is extended longitudinally from the open end to the closed end of the pocket to reduce the air resistance.

8. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pocket is made of mesh.

9. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pocket is made of nylon mesh.

10. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pocket is made of PVC mesh.

11. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting element is made of flexible material.

12. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an area of the connecting element abutted against the wrist of the throwing hand is mounted a soft foam padding to improve thrower wearing comfort.

13. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pocket is formed in a strip type bag.

14. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an aperture is extended from the open end to a side edge of the pocket, wherein a length defined from the open end to the side edge of the pocket is smaller than 2 inches.

15. The pitching training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a width defined at the open end is narrower than a width defined at the closed end.