Baseball Training Device for Practicing Hitting

Abstract

This present invention is a baseball training device for practicing hitting, comprising a swing member supporting either a static and dynamic balanced arm member having a ball at one end or a ball holder member freely supporting a ball. The swing member is supported by a base member and is restored to its equilibrium position in hitting practice mode by gravity. The rotation of the static and dynamic balanced arm member and oscillation of the swing member aid in the dissipation of force imparted to the device in hitting practice mode, making the device stable and stationary, portable and lightweight.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

There are many types of baseball training devices with which practicing hitting involves hitting a ball with extreme force. The present invention is one of them.

2. Description of Prior Art

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. With baseball, beginners seek to learn to swing; non-beginners strive to perfect their swings. For beginners, it is very desired if they can maximise the number of swings in a given period of time. For serious players, they would like to maintain their swings. When practicing hitting with a training device, some players prefer to have the ball attached to the device; others prefer not to have the ball attached to the device so as to see the trajectory the ball will take after it is hit. Many baseball training devices for practicing hitting have been developed over the years. Baseball prior art relevant to the present invention are U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,494 to Kelly; U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,367 to Oyarzabal; U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,419 to Incaudo et al; U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,582 to Minniear; U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,050 to Holder; U.S. Pat. No. 1,962,087 to Cone; U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,039 to Tsai et al. The commonality of the present invention with a sub-set of prior art is they seek to allow the player to practice in a small space. The commonality of the present invention with another sub-set of prior art is they seek to allow the player to see the trajectory of the ball after it is hit. The present invention diverges from all such prior art most importantly in the way it deals with the force imparted to the device when the ball is hit.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a baseball training device for practicing hitting without the need for a net.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a baseball training device that is lightweight and portable and can withstand the extreme force applied when practicing hitting.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a baseball training device that can be used equally indoors and outdoors, by both right handed and left handed players, for practicing hitting.

Another objective of the present invention is for it to be used as a Tee.

Another objective of the present invention is for it to be used to practice a level swing.

The design of the present invention achieves these objectives by incorporating a number of features from prior art, namely having a ball affixed at the end of an arm, having a ball holder member, and lastly having a horizontal guide to practice a level swing. However, it departs from prior art in the manner it achieves these objectives. With the present device, in one configuration the ball is affixed to the end of a static and dynamic balanced arm member. When the ball is hit, force is imparted to the device forcing it to move forward, upward or downward, and sideways. To minimise or prevent such movement, prior art devices have been made heavy and/or staked to the ground. To minimise forward and upward or downward movement of the base member of the present device, the base member supports a swing member which supports the static and dynamic balanced arm member with a ball at one end. When the ball is hit, the swing member oscillates, allowing the base member to be substantially stationary. Secondly, the static and dynamic balanced arm member can rotate completely, clockwise and counter-clockwise. When the ball is hit, the static and dynamic balanced arm member rotates which minimises movement, sideways and forward, of the present invention. In a second configuration, the base member supports a swing member which supports a ball holder member. When the ball is hit, it flies off the ball holder member leaving the device stationary. However, if the ball holder member itself is hit the swing member oscillates, preventing the collapse of the device as in traditional Tees.

Furthermore, the aim of this application is to illustrate the preferred embodiments and to broadly state the methodologies that may be used with this baseball training device to practice hitting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the attached drawings which form part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1a is a Perspective view of the components that comprise the embodiment of the present invention having a static and dynamic balanced arm member, FIG. 1b is a Perspective view of the components that comprise the embodiment of the present invention having a ball holder member;

FIG. 2a is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the static and dynamic balanced arm member, FIG. 2b is a Perspective view of the second embodiment of the static and dynamic balanced arm member, FIG. 2c is a Perspective view of the ball holder member;

FIG. 3a is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the swing member, FIG. 3b is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of one of the plurality of the suspension members of the swing member, FIG. 3c is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the cradle member of the swing member, FIG. 3d is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the receptacle member of the swing member, FIG. 3e is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the tower member of the swing member, FIG. 3f is a Perspective view of the second embodiment of the tower member of the swing member; and

FIG. 4 is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the base member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1a, therein is shown in hitting practice mode, a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the baseball training device 10 for practicing hitting, the baseball training device 10 comprising of a static and dynamic balanced arm member 20 mounted on a swing member 30, which is supported by a base member 60; referring to FIG. 1b, therein is shown in hitting practice mode, a Perspective view of a second embodiment of the baseball training device 10 for practicing hitting, the baseball training device 10 now having a ball holder member 26 mounted on the swing member 30, which is supported by the base member 60.

Referring to FIG. 2a, therein is shown the Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the static and dynamic balanced arm member 20, the preferred embodiment comprising a shaft member 22. The longitudinal axis of the shaft member 22 is substantially straight. At one end of the shaft member 22 is over-moulded a ball 21; at the other end, a counter-weight member 23 is secured to the shaft member 22 by the fastener member 25. Thru the hole 24, the static and dynamic balanced arm member 20 is mounted on the swing member 30. Referring to FIG. 2b, therein is shown the Perspective view of the second embodiment of the static and dynamic balanced arm member 20, the second embodiment comprising a shaft member 22. The longitudinal axis of the shaft member 22 is substantially straight. At each end of the shaft member 22 is over-moulded a ball 21. Thru the hole 24, the static and dynamic balanced arm member 20 is mounted on the swing member 30. Each of the embodiments of the static and dynamic balanced arm member 20 is in static balance as its axis of rotation passes thru its centre of gravity which is located at the hole 24. Each of the embodiments of the static and dynamic balanced arm member 20 is in dynamic balance when rotating as its axis of rotation passes thru its centre of gravity which is located at the hole 24, is vertical to the shaft member 22 and is a principal axis of inertia. Referring to FIG. 2c, therein is shown the Perspective view of the ball holder member 26. The ball holder member 26 is comprised of a flexible tubing member 27 having an upper end 28 which is recessed to freely support a ball. A threaded channel 29 opens into the lower end 28′ of the flexible tubing member 27.

Referring to FIG. 3a, therein is shown the Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the swing member 30. The swing member 30 is comprised of a plurality of suspension members 31, a shoulder member 32 and a tower member 50. The plurality of suspension members 31 is rotatably connected to the shoulder member 32. The shoulder member 32 is comprised of a cradle member 38 and a receptacle member 44. The receptacle member 44 receives the tower member 50 which supports the static and dynamic balanced arm member 20. As shown in FIG. 3b, the preferred embodiment of each of the suspension member 31 is rigid and has a front and back longitudinal face 33 and 33′, and a first and a second lateral face 34 and 34′, and an upper face 35 and a lower face 35′. The front and back longitudinal faces 33 and 33′ are parallel to each other. The hole 36 thru and perpendicular to the front and back longitudinal faces 33 and 33′ and located in the proximity of the upper face 35 of each of the suspension member 31 allows for each of the suspension member 31 to be rotatably connected to the base member 60. The hole 37 thru and perpendicular to the front and back longitudinal faces 33 and 33′ and located in the proximity of the lower face 35′ of each of the suspension member 31 allows for each of the suspension member 31 to be rotatably connected to the shoulder member 32. The holes 36 and 37 are mirror images of each other. Referring to FIG. 3c, therein is shown the Perspective view of the cradle member 38 of the shoulder member 32 of the preferred embodiment of the swing member 30. The cradle member 38 has a front and back longitudinal face 39 and 39′, and an upper and a lower lateral face 40 and 40′, and side faces 41 and 41′. The front and back longitudinal face 39 and 39′ faces are parallel to each other. 42a and 42b are holes located in the proximity of the side faces 41′ and 41, thru and perpendicular to the front and back longitudinal faces 39 and 39′. The holes 42a and 42b are mirror images of each other. Thru the holes 42a and 42b fasteners 43 attach the cradle member 38 to the suspension members 31 with the front longitudinal face 33 of the suspension member 31 contiguous to back longitudinal face 39′ of the cradle member 38, with each of the holes 37 aligned with the holes 42a and 42b. As shown in FIG. 3d, the preferred embodiment of the receptacle member 44 has a front and a back longitudinal face 45 and 45′, and side lateral faces 46 and 46′, and an upper opening 47 and a lower opening 47′. The front and back longitudinal faces 45 and 45′ are parallel to each other as are the side lateral faces 46 and 46′. A gusset plate 48, forming part of the back longitudinal face 45′, is affixed to the upper lateral face 40 of the cradle member 38. The receptacle member 44 is perpendicular to the cradle member 38, with its back longitudinal face 45′ affixed to the front longitudinal face 39 of the cradle member 38 from the lower lateral face 40′ to the upper lateral face 40. Referring to FIG. 3e, therein is shown the Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the tower member 50 which is comprised of a tubing member 51 whose cross section is non-circular. At the upper end of tubing member 51 is a platform 52. A threaded shaft 53 is affixed to the platform 52, the threaded shaft 53 projecting away from the tubing member 51. 54 is a restraining member which prevents the static and dynamic balanced arm member 20 from coming loose from the tower member 50 in rotation, and allows the static and dynamic balanced arm member 20 to be detached from the tower member 50. 55 is a locking member around the tubing member 51. Referring to FIG. 3f, therein is shown the Perspective view of the second embodiment of the tower member 50 which is comprised of a tubing member 51 whose cross section is circular. At the upper end of tubing member 51 is a platform 52. A threaded shaft 53 is affixed to the platform 52, the threaded shaft 53 projecting away from the tubing member 51. 54 is a restraining member which prevents the static and dynamic balanced arm member 20 from coming loose from the tower member 50 in rotation and allows the static and dynamic balanced arm member 20 to be detached from the tower member 50. 55 is a locking member around the tubing member 51. In hitting practice mode using the static and dynamic balanced arm member 20, it is mounted on the platform 52 with the shaft 53 thru the hole 24 of the static and dynamic balanced arm member 20. In hitting practice mode using the ball holder member 26, it is mounted on the platform 52 with the threaded channel 29 screwed onto the threaded shaft 53. In both embodiments of the tower member 50, the height of the ball 21 is adjusted by unlocking the locking member 55, sliding the shaft member 53 within the receptacle member 44 to the desired height, then tightening the locking member 55 which then sits on the upper opening 47 of the receptacle member 44.

Referring to FIG. 4, therein is shown the Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the base member 60 comprising of a bridge member 61, a plurality of arch members 62 and a plurality of legs 63 of substantially the same length detachable from said arch members 62. The bridge member 61 has a top and bottom longitudinal face 64 and 64′, a front and back lateral face 65 and 65′, and side faces 66 and 66′. Each of the plurality of arch members 62 is affixed to a side face of the bridge member 61 in a mirror image of each other, at an obtuse angle to the bottom longitudinal face 64′ of the bridge member 61. The bridge member 61 is in an off-centre position relative to the centres of the arch members 62. The swing member 30 is supported by fasteners 67a and 67b thru the hole 36 of each of the suspension members 31 and thru and perpendicular to the front lateral face 65 of the bridge member 61 and. Each of the fasteners 67a and 67b is equidistant from the centre of the bridge member 61. The spacing between the fasteners 67a and 67b of the bridge member 61 and fasteners 42a and 42b of the cradle member 38 are the substantially the same. Each of the plurality of arch members 62 has open ends 68a and 68b. Into the open ends 68a and 68b of the arch members 61 are inserted the plurality of legs 63 in hitting practice mode. Parallel to and on each side of the bridge member 61 strut members 69 are affixed to the arch members 62, substantially close to the open ends of the arch member 62.

Nylon as well as rubber is a suitable material for the shaft member 22 to be made of as they are flexible and have great tensile strength. A suitable material for the ball 21 to be made of is polyurethane which has rubber-like properties. However, there are other materials that will equally fit the specification. The suspension members 31 are made of a hard plastic such as UHMW or nylon. The locking member 55 is a worm gear clamp. The rest of the device is constructed of metal and the preferred manner of affixing the parts permanently is welding.

This invention has been disclosed and described in its preferred embodiment with a certain degree of peculiarity; it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred embodiment is only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Method of Use

There are three ways of practicing hitting with the present device—(a) with the static and dynamic balanced arm member, (b) with the tee, and (c) with a combination of the tee and the bridge member. With the static and dynamic balanced arm member, there are two ways of practicing hitting—stationary and simulated. When practicing stationary hitting, the ball is motionless and can be positioned so that the pitch is early, late or right over the plate. With simulated pitching, the arm is rotated counter-clockwise into the hitter if right-handed or clockwise if left-handed. Hitting with the tee is self-explanatory. When hitting with a combination of the tee and the bridge member, the tee is lowered so that the ball is just higher than the bridge member. This forces the player to swing level with the bridge member when hitting the ball. If the player swings up he/she would hit the front legs of the device.

Claims

1. A baseball training device for practicing hitting, comprising:

a. a static and dynamic balanced arm member, said static and dynamic balanced arm member aiding in the dissipation of force imparted to said baseball training device in hitting by rotating;

b. a ball holder member, said ball holder member aiding in the dissipation of force imparted to said baseball training device in hitting by freely supporting a ball;

c. a swing member supporting either said static and dynamic balanced arm member or said ball holder member in hitting practice mode, and further aiding in the dissipation of force imparted to said baseball training device in hitting by oscillating; and

d. a base member supporting said swing member.

2. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 1, wherein at one end of said static and dynamic balanced arm member is a ball, with a counter balance at the other end.

3. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 1, wherein said static and dynamic balanced arm member is rotatable completely, clockwise and counter-clockwise, around said swing member and detachable from said swing member.

4. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 1, wherein said static and dynamic balanced arm member is substantially horizontal in hitting practice mode.

5. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 1, wherein said ball holder member has an upper end, a lower end and a channel, said upper end being recessed to freely support a ball, and said channel being threaded and opening into said lower end.

6. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 1, wherein said swing member is comprised of:

a. a tower member supporting either said static and dynamic balanced arm member or said ball holder member in hitting practice mode, said tower member having a locking member;

b. a shoulder member having a receptacle for receiving said tower member; and

e. a plurality of rigid suspension members of substantially the same length, rotatably connected to said shoulder member and said base member.

7. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 6, wherein said locking member is free to slide up and down said tower member when unlocked.

8. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 6, wherein said tower member is detachable from said receptacle of said shoulder member.

9. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 8, wherein said tower member is rotatable completely, clockwise and counter-clockwise, within said receptacle of said shoulder member.

10. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 6, wherein, at desired height of said ball, said locking member is locked and rests on said receptacle of said shoulder member allowing said tower member to move substantially vertical within said receptacle.

11. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 6, wherein in its equilibrium position in hitting practice mode said tower member is substantially vertical, with said locking member locked and resting on said receptacle.

12. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 6, wherein said tower member is restored to its equilibrium position in hitting practice mode by gravity.

13. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 6, wherein said rotation of said plurality of rigid suspension members is synchronized, with the centre of rotation of each of said plurality of suspension members being its connection to said base member.

14. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 6, wherein said plurality of rigid suspension members moves said shoulder member forward and backward and upward, always in a substantially horizontal position.

15. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 6, wherein in their equilibrium positions in hitting practice mode said plurality of rigid suspension members is substantially vertical and said shoulder member is substantially horizontal.

16. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 6, wherein said plurality of rigid suspension members and said shoulder member are restored to their equilibrium positions in hitting practice mode by gravity.

17. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 1, wherein said base member is comprised of:

a. a plurality of arch members connected by a bridge member; and

b. a plurality of legs of substantially the same length connected detachably to said arch members.

18. The baseball training device for practicing hitting of claim 18, wherein said bridge member is connected to said plurality of arch members in an off-centred configuration.