Batting Ball On A Cable Having A Low Friction Surface To Provide Proper Swing Technique and Muscle Memory

Abstract

A batting ball is slidably mounted on a line having a low friction surface to provide proper swing technique and muscle memory. A hook and eye turnbuckle is connected to an end of the cable by a thimble and clamp set. A swivel snap hook is connected to an end of the cable by a thimble and clamp set located opposite the hook and eye turn buckle. A bushing with a central opening is inserted and affixed into the ball opening. The bushing has a threaded end connected to an outer wall of the bushing. The central opening of the bushing will receive the cable. The balls are mounted onto the cable with a washer located at each end between the attaching elements and the balls. The washers act as a barrier to prevent the balls from being penetrated by the thimble and clamp set upon impact.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application, entitled, “Batting Ball On A Cable Having A Low Friction Surface To Provide Proper Swing Technique and Muscle Memory,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/605/623 filed Mar. 1, 2012, entitled, “Baseballs or softballs on a steel cable to provide proper swing technic and muscle memory.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates, generally, to a baseball practice device. More particularly, it relates to a batting system having a ball slidably mounted on a line.

2. Background Art

Conventional batting practices require more time, people, and equipment such as batting tees, balls, and a collection net to hit the same amount of balls. Current batting practices do not enforce proper muscle memory and hand-eye coordination.

More particularly, current batting systems require complex set-up on a field. Additionally, they do not allow for continual batting of balls with little delay in between each swing. Often a batter is dependent on other individuals to pitch the ball, to set the balls on a batting tee, to collect the balls, and to retrieve the balls.

Thus, there is a need for a batting system that allows for easy set-up at any field, is compact and easy to transport, promotes continual batting of balls with little delay in between each swing, and allows for a batter to practice independently without requiring anyone to pitch the balls, to set balls on batting tees, to retrieve the balls, and to collect the balls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a batting system that is adapted for a ball to be slidably mounted on a line which also includes improvements that overcome the limitations of prior art baseball practice devices is now met by a new, useful, and non-obvious invention.

The novel batting device includes a cable having a low friction surface including, but not limited to, nylon, teflon, rubber, vinyl, or plastic. A hook and eye turnbuckle is connected to an end of the cable by a fastener including, but not limited to, a thimble and clamp set. A swivel snap hook is connected to an end of the cable located opposite the hook and eye turn buckle. The swivel snap hook is connected to the end of the cable by a fastener including, but not limited to, a thimble and clamp set. At least one ball is slidably mounted to the cable. The ball includes, but is not limited to, a baseball, a softball, or a whiffle ball. More particularly, the preferred configuration is a plurality of balls slidably mounted on the cable.

This novel invention also includes an improved bushing with a central opening that is inserted and affixed into the hole that has been drilled into the center of the balls. The bushing includes, but is not limited to, metal or plastic. More particularly, the preferred bushing has a threaded portion connected to an outer wall of the bushing. The threaded portion is screwed into a hole through the center of the ball and can be adhered.

This improved bushing is fixedly attached to the ball. The central opening of the bushing will receive the cable, allowing the bushing to slidably traverse the cable.

Fender washers are slidably mounted onto the cable located towards each of the fasteners, including but not limited to, a thimble and clamp set. It is also within the scope of this invention to use any type of plate with a hole located thereon. The balls are mounted onto the cable with a washer located at each end between the hook and eye turnbuckle and the balls as well as between the swivel snap hook and the balls. The cable has the hook and eye turnbuckle and swivel snap hook connected to either end by the thimble and clamp set. The washers act as a barrier to prevent the balls from being penetrated by the thimble and clamp set upon impact.

The improved batting system is adapted for a batter to continuously swing at a ball independently while executing a proper swinging technique. An attaching element including, but not limited to, a swivel snap hook or a hook and eye turnbuckle are attached at the corner of a stationary object including, but not limited to, a chain link fence or a wooden fence, to form a triangle. At least one ball with an opening engages the improved bushing having a central opening that is fixedly attached to the opening of at least one ball. The central opening of the bushing receives the cable, thereby suspending the balls on the cable located between the washers and the fasteners. This improved bushing allows the balls to move with a low coefficient of friction along the cable. The cable is tightened with the use of the hook and eye turnbuckle until the cable is taut.

All the balls are pushed to one end of the cable towards the hook and eye turnbuckle or the swivel snap hook dependent on whether the batter is left handed or right handed. A ball can be separated by a user from the group of balls so the hitter can swing and hit the ball with a bat. The ball slides along the cable to the opposing end of the fence where the cable is fastened. This process is repeated until all the balls have been hit and have slidably traversed the cable. To begin the process at the beginning again, the balls are pulled back to where the hitter originally started. Alternatively, the balls are hit by a bat to the opposing end of the cable. The cable forces the hitter to develop proper swing technique and muscle memory. The cable does not allow the batter to swing under the ball, but forces a hitter to hit through the ball by making contact with the top of the ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the batting system;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the batting system; and,

FIG. 3 is a side view of the batting system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Each embodiment of the illustrative embodiments will accommodate novel bushing 3, regardless of the type of ball 4 that is slidably mounted on cable 2. Novel bushing 3 has a length great enough to substantially span the width of ball 4. Bushing 3 has a threaded portion connected to the outer wall of bushing 3. The threaded portion rotatably engages opening 9 fixedly attaching bushing 3 to ball 4. In an alternate embodiment, outer wall of bushing 4 can be adhered to opening 9 securing bushing 3 to ball 4. Bushing 3 has central opening 10 receiving cable 2, whereby cable 2 penetrates central opening 10 allowing bushing 3 to slidably traverse cable 2.

For instance, FIG. 2 shows batting system 8 with ball 4 being a baseball. The ball includes, but is not limited to a baseball, a softball, or a whiffle ball.

These embodiments are illustrative of the invention and are not exhaustive thereof. As batting system manufacturers add additional or different stationary objects, still further attaching elements may be required in future embodiments of the invention but all such future embodiments are within the scope of this invention.

For example, in a preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, batting system 8 may be attached to an L-shaped chain link fence 11. Thus, the attaching elements including, but not limited to, hook and eye turnbuckle 1 and swivel snap hook 5 would connect both ends of cable 2 to chain link fence 11 to form a triangle. Alternatively, batting system 8 may be attached between two poles (not shown). Hook and eye turnbuckle 1 and swivel snap hook 5 connect both ends of cable 2 between two poles (not shown) to suspended cable 2.

Thus, attaching elements 1 and 5 will connect with all currently known stationary objects and in view of this disclosure any future changes in attaching elements 1 and 5 can be met.

In addition to the aforesaid embodiments of batting system 8, ball 4 includes multiple additional improvements as well.

A first improvement as shown in FIG. 2 is of ball 4 having opening 9. Opening 9 receives bushing 3 having a helical portion connected to an outer wall of bushing 3. The helical portion rotatably engages opening 9 fixedly attaching bushing 3 to ball 4. Alternatively, an adhesive can be used to secure bushing 3 to ball 4. Bushing 3 has a central opening 10 which receives cable 2. Cable 2 penetrates central opening 10 allowing bushing 3 to slide across cable 2 with ease.

A second improvement of batting device 8 includes washer 7 having an aperture receiving cable 2. Washer 7 is located between ball 4 and hook and eye turnbuckle 1. Additionally, batting device 8 includes washer 12 having an aperture receiving cable 2. Washer 12 is located between ball 4 and swivel snap hook 5. Washers 7 and 12 are configured to separate ball 4 from coming into contact with fastener 6 which secures attaching elements 1 and 5 to cable 2. This separation prevents damage to ball 4, to fasteners 6, and to batting system 8 as a whole upon impact.

Additional objects include, but are not limited to, the provision of batting system 8 having cable 2 suspending a plurality of balls 4, ball 4 having an improved bushing 3 with a helical portion to attach bushing 3 to ball 4, washers 7 and 12 separating ball 4 from attaching elements 1 and 5, and attaching elements 1 and 5 configured to be connected to stationary object 11.

These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this description proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the description set fourth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

Construction of the Novel Batting System

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 show batting system 8 having cable 2 suspended from stationary object 11. Cable 2 has an end connected to hook and eye turnbuckle 1 and an opposite end connected to swivel snap hook 5. Hook and eye turnbuckle 1 and swivel snap hook 5 are connected to cable 2 with a fastener including, but not limited to, a thimble and clamp set 6. Hook and eye turnbuckle 1 is attached to stationary object 11. Swivel snap hook 5 is attached to stationary object 11. Primary washer 7 receives cable 2 and is located between ball 4 and hook and eye turnbuckle 1. Secondary washer 12 is located between ball 4 and swivel snap hook 5.

FIG. 2 shows batting system 8 having ball 4 with opening 9 located through a central axis of ball 4. Bushing 3 spans the width of ball 4 and has opening 10 receiving cable 2.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described,

Claims

1. A batting system, comprising:

a line having a first distal end located opposite of a second distal end;

said first distal end having a first attaching element;

said second distal end having a second attaching element;

said first attaching element connected to a first stationary object;

said second attaching element connected to a second stationary object;

a ball having an opening, said opening located through a central axis of said ball;

a support structure having a length great enough to substantially span the width of said ball;

said support structure having a helical portion connected to an outer wall of said support structure, whereby said helical portion rotatably engages said opening fixedly attaching said support structure to said ball, said support structure having a central opening, said central opening receiving said line, whereby said line penetrates said central opening allowing said support structure to slidably traverse said line;

a first plate having an aperture to receive said line, said first plate located between said ball and said first distal end of said line; and,

a second plate having an aperture to receive said line, said second plate located between said ball and said second distal end of said line.

2. The batting device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of balls are slidably mounted on said line.

3. The batting device of claim 1, having a tensioning device connected between said first or second stationary object and a portion of said line.