TRAINING DEVICE FOR PROPER BATTING STANCE

Abstract

A training device for aiding a pitched ball player to find the proper batting stance. The training device includes a mat which includes a grid that corresponds a user's height to a foot position on the grid. The training device also includes a user's guide, a chart with a batter's heights and a plurality of indicia markings corresponding to those heights and instructions for foot placement. The device also includes stakes to stake the mat to the ground and a carrying tube for transporting the mat.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 62/541,551, filed Aug. 4, 2017 which application is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of athletic training devices and more specifically relates to a training device for finding a proper batting stance.

2. Description of the Related Art

Prior art devices generally relate to baseball training mats to help with achieving a particular batting stance. Some of these mats are not flexible. Some of the mats are heavy and cumbersome. Some of the mats are not suited as teaching aids for all ages. None of these mats appear to take into account the height of the user in connection with the placement of the feet.

Various attempts have been made to solve the need for a mat with indicia or grooves thereon to help a batter with their stance. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

Ideally, a batting stance teaching aid should provide clear instructions and an easy to carry lightweight mat to facilitate teaching the proper batting stance and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable batting stance and instruction system to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known sport training art, the present invention provides a novel training device for proper batting stance. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a batting stance mat and instructions for helping a ball player learn the proper batting stance.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a training device for proper batting stance for a pitched ball. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, a training device for proper batting stance, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an unrolled mat of the training device for proper batting stance according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a detail view showing a stake aligned with one of the eyelets according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the diagram/instructions for proper foot placement according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the rolled-up mat according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the mat deployed on a baseball field according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the mat with an indicia marking in the shape of home plate, according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the mat rolled up with the strap through the eyelets according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the rolled-up mat, the elongated carrying tube, and the user guide all together, according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view illustrating the strap according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1

FIG. 9B is a perspective view illustrating the strap according to another embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1

FIG. 9C is a perspective view illustrating the strap according to another embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1

FIG. 9D is a perspective view illustrating the strap according to another embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the user guide and instructions according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the chart according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to an athletic training device and more particularly to a training device as used to improve the proper batting stance of a ball player.

When batting in baseball, foot positioning is very important as the strike box is in a fixed position. The foot position of the batter greatly effects where the player's swing will meet the strike zone. Thus, it is important for players to learn and practice the proper stance.

The training mat includes a grid that corresponds a user's height to a foot position on the grid. Additional instructions are provided for enhancing the batting stance once the ideal foot placement has been determined. Proper foot positioning ensures optimal power and contact for kids learning to hit a baseball.

The training mat is light-weight, durable and portable. In one embodiment, the training mat is a thin, rubber, durable mat that is approximately 2′ wide, and 4-5′ long. The training mat includes foot position indicators, that instruct a user where to place their feet; the foot position indicators signifying a back-foot position and a front-foot position. In some embodiments, the foot position indicators will be marked on the training mat semi-permanently.

The training mat will have a grid system with numbered coordinates. More specifically, the back-foot position is indicated on the mat as a foot outline and the front-foot position is indicated using marked lines on a grid. The player uses the guide printed on the mat to find their height and the corresponding letter code and grid line for their lead foot position. The user's back foot will remain stationary, while the user's front foot would move based on their height.

The training mat further includes eyelets that are positioned in the corners of the training mat so that the present invention can be staked down. The use of eyelets provides a very cheap and easy means for installing the present invention on a baseball field. The training mat also includes a tee marker. The tee marker provides indications of when the tee should be located, based on the batter's stance.

The mat is to be made from a durable and flexible material, allowing it to be rolled up when not in use and held together with a strap(s) and attachment method such as a button, clasp or Velcro. In one embodiment, the present invention is configured with a Velcro-belt (riveted to the training mat), wherein the Velcro-belt can be secured shut to keep the training mat rolled together. In another embodiment, the present invention includes a tube with a carrying strap, wherein the training mat is rolled up and positioned into the tube for storage and transport.

The present invention also includes a diagram, or instructions, to help plot height to foot placement ratio. The stance position changes based on who's at bat and so the instructions are going to have to be detailed as to how to pick the correct stance. The grid system for the front-foot position will have height markings, where the user finds their marking associated with their height on the training mat and puts their foot into that position on the grid.

In one embodiment, the instructions are printed directly onto the training mat. In another embodiment, the instructions are printed on a separate sheet, while corresponding symbols are printed on the training mat for reference. In other embodiments, electronic instructions can be provided.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIGS. 1-10, a training device 1 (FIG. 8) for hitting a pitched ball such as a baseball, tee ball or softball. The training device 1 includes an elongated mat 2 (FIG. 1) having a proximal end 3 which has a proximal area 4. The proximal area 4 is located adjacent the proximal end 3. The elongated mat 2 also has a distal end 5 and a distal area 6. The distal area 6 is located adjacent the distal end 5. The elongated mat further has a top surface 7 and a bottom surface 8 and two parallel and opposed side edges 9 (FIG. 2) spaced from one another and having a length L. The length L is between the proximal end 3 and the distal end 5 (FIG. 1). The mat 2 is between 4 to 5 feet long and 2 feet wide.

The mat 2 includes a plurality of indicia markings 11 (FIG. 2) and which also include at least one back foot indicia marking 11a in the shape of a foot located within the proximal area 4 and wherein the plurality of indicia markings 11 are located upon the top surface 7 and spaced along the length L thereof. The plurality of indicia markings 11 are successively formed representing successive letters of the English alphabet, A, B, C and so on. Alternately the plurality of indicia markings 11 can be formed representing different symbols (not shown) as may be useful to a particular teacher or student or language.

The plurality of indicia markings 11 are formed from a material that is adapted to remain semi-permanently upon the top surface 7 of the mat 2 such that they may be removed and added upon different positions upon the top surface 7.

In one embodiment, there are two back foot indicia markings 11a in the shape of a foot (FIG. 6) wherein a first of said two spaced back foot indicia markings 11a is adapted to be used by a batter batting righty, such that the batter's right foot is placed upon the first of said two spaced back foot indicia markings 11a; and wherein a second of said two spaced back foot indicia markings 11a is adapted to be used by a batter batting lefty, such that the batter's left foot is placed upon said second of said two spaced back foot indicia markings 11a.

The plurality of indicia markings 11 includes at least one indicia marking in the shape of a home plate 11b within the proximal area 4 in proximity to said at least one back foot indicia marking 11a and preferably in between two back foot indicia markings 11a.

The mat 2 further includes a plurality of eyelets 12 wherein at least one of the plurality of eyelets 12 is located on the proximal area 4 and at least one of the plurality of eyelets 12 is located on the distal area 6. The plurality of eyelets 12 are adapted to allow the elongated mat 2 to be releasably attached to a supporting surface such as a baseball field 21 (FIG. 5).

A plurality of stakes 14 (FIG. 2) are adapted to be respectively placed through the plurality of the eyelets 12 of the elongated mat 2 and to engage with the supporting surface such as a baseball field 21 in order to releasably retain the elongated mat 2 to the supporting surface.

A strap 15 (FIG. 4), which includes a distal end portion 15a and a proximal end portion 15b, is attached to the bottom surface 8 of the mat 2. The mat 2 is formed of a flexible material such as rubber such that it is adapted to be rolled up for storage and transportation purposes. The strap 15 is adapted such that when the mat 2 is rolled up, the strap is wrapped around the mat 2 such that the distal end portion 15a and the proximal end portion 15b can releasably engage one another to hold the mat 2 in a rolled-up configuration.

The distal end portion 15a of the strap 15 can include one of a hook and loop material 16 and wherein the proximal end portion 15b of the strap 15 includes the other of a hook and loop material 16 such that the distal end portion 15a and the proximal end portion 15b of the strap 15 can releasably engage one another to releasably hold the mat 2 in a rolled-up configuration (FIG. 9A).

In another embodiment, the distal end portion 15a of the strap 15 includes one of a snap head 17a and a snap receiver 17b, wherein the proximal end portion 15b of the strap 15 includes the other of the snap head 17a and snap receiver 17b, such that the distal end portion 15a of the strap 15 and the proximal end portion 15b of the strap 15 can releasably engage one another to releasably hold the mat 2 in a rolled-up configuration (9D).

In yet another embodiment, the distal end portion 15a of the strap 15 includes one of a button 18a and a button hole 18b, wherein the proximal end portion 15b of the strap 15 includes the other of the button 18a and a button hole 18b, such that the distal end portion 15a of the strap 15 and the proximal end portion 15b of the strap 15 can releasably engage one another to releasably hold the mat 2 in a rolled-up configuration (9C).

In still another embodiment, the distal end portion 15a of the strap 15 includes one of a clasp receiver 19b and a clasp 19a, wherein the proximal end portion 15b of the strap 15 includes the other of the clasp receiver 19b and a clasp 19a, such that the distal end portion 15a of the strap 15 and the proximal end portion 15b of the strap 15 can releasably engage one another to releasably hold the mat 2 in a rolled-up configuration (9B).

The training device 1 further includes an elongated tube 20 which can have a tube cap 20b for storing and carrying the elongated mat 2, user guide 13 and stakes 14 therein. The elongated tube 20 also includes a carrying strap 20a attached to the outer surface thereof (FIG. 8).

The training device 1 further includes a user guide 13 which includes a chart 13a which can be either on the mat 2 or on a separate piece of paper (FIG. 10). The chart 13a (FIG. 11) includes a plurality of batter's heights ih within a batter's height column h and a plurality of indicia markings fpi within an indicia markings column fp. Each of the batter's heights ih correlates to a specific one of the indicia markings fpi within the indicia markings column fp and each of the indicia markings fpi within the indicia markings fp column correlate to a specific one of the plurality of indicia markings 11 on the elongated mat 2.

The training device 1 further includes instructions 13b including placing a batter's back foot upon one of the at least one back foot indicia markings 11a and determining an indicia marking 11 upon the elongated mat 2 for the batter's front foot to be placed during the batter's swinging motion.

Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A training device for hitting a pitched ball, comprising:

an elongated mat including: a proximal end; a proximal area; wherein said proximal area is located adjacent said proximal end; a distal end; a distal area; wherein said distal area is located adjacent said distal end; a top surface; a bottom surface; two side edges; wherein said two side edges are spaced from one another and extend parallel between said proximal and said distal ends; a length; wherein said length is between said proximal end and said distal end; a plurality of indicia markings including: at least one back foot indicia marking located within said proximal area; wherein said plurality of indicia markings are located upon said top surface and are spaced along said length thereof; a plurality of eyelets; wherein at least one of said plurality of eyelets is located on said proximal area; and wherein at least one of said plurality of eyelets is located on said distal area; and wherein said plurality of eyelets are adapted to allow said elongated mat to be releasably attached to a supporting surface;

a user guide including: a chart including: a plurality of batter's heights within a batter's height column; and a plurality of indicia markings within an indicia markings column; wherein each of said batter's heights correlates to a specific one of said indicia markings within said indicia markings column; and wherein each of said indicia markings within said indicia markings column correlate to a specific one of said plurality of indicia markings upon said elongated mat; instructions including: placing a batter's back foot upon one of said at least one back foot indicia marking; and determining an indicia marking upon said elongated mat for said batter's front foot to be placed upon during said batter's swinging motion.

2. The training device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of stakes adapted to be respectively placed through said plurality of eyelets and adapted to releasably engage with said supporting surface and releasably retain said elongated mat to said supporting surface.

3. The training device of claim 1, further comprising a strap including a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and is attached to said bottom surface; and wherein said mat is formed of a flexible material such that it is adapted to be rolled up for storage and transportation purposes; and wherein said strap is adapted such that when said mat is rolled up said strap is wrapped around said mat and said distal end portion and said proximal end portion can releasably engage one another to releasably hold said mat in a rolled up configuration.

4. The training device of claim 3, wherein said distal end portion of said strap includes one of a hook material and loop material; and wherein said proximal end portion of said strap includes the other of a hook material and loop material, such that said distal end portion and said proximal end portion can releasably engage one another to releasably hold said mat in a rolled up configuration.

5. The training device of claim 3, wherein said distal end portion of said strap includes one of a snap head and a snap receiver; and wherein said proximal end portion of said strap includes the other of a snap head and a snap receiver, such that said distal end portion and said proximal end portion can releasably engage one another to releasably hold said mat in a rolled up configuration.

6. The training device of claim 3, wherein said distal end portion of said strap includes one of a button and a button hole; and wherein said proximal end portion of said strap includes the other of a button and a button hole, such that said distal end portion and said proximal end portion can releasably engage one another to releasably hold said mat in a rolled up configuration.

7. The training device of claim 3, wherein said distal end portion of said strap includes one of a clasp receiver and a clasp; and wherein said proximal end portion of said strap includes the other of a clasp receiver and a clasp, such that said distal end portion and said proximal end portion can releasably engage one another to releasably hold said mat in a rolled up configuration.

8. The training device of claim 1, further comprising an elongated tube for storing said elongated mat and said user guide therein; and wherein said mat is formed of a flexible material such that it is adapted to be rolled up for storage and transportation purposes within said elongated tube.

9. The training device of claim 1, wherein said elongated mat is formed from a rubber material.

10. The training device of claim 1, wherein said length of said elongated mat is between 4 to 5 feet; and the space between said two side edges form a width of 2 feet.

11. The training device of claim 1, wherein said back foot indicia marking is formed having the shape of a foot.

12. The training device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of indicia markings are successively formed representing successive letters of the English alphabet.

13. The training device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of indicia markings are successively formed representing differing symbols.

14. The training device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of indicia markings are formed from a material that is adapted to remain semi-permanently upon said top surface, such that said plurality of indicia markings can be removed and added upon different positions upon said top surface.

15. The training device of claim 8, wherein said elongated tube includes a carrying strap attached to an outer surface thereof.

16. The training device of claim 1, wherein there are two spaced back foot indicia markings; wherein a first of said two spaced back foot indicia markings is adapted to be used by a batter batting righty, such that the batter's right foot is placed upon said first of said two spaced back foot indicia markings; and wherein a second of said two spaced back foot indicia markings is adapted to be used by a batter batting lefty, such that the batter's left foot is placed upon said second of said two spaced back foot indicia markings.

17. The training device of claim 16, wherein said two spaced back foot indicia markings are each formed having the shape of a foot.

18. The training device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of indicia markings includes one indicia marking in the shape of home plate within said proximal area in proximity to said at least one back foot indicia marking.

19. The training device of claim 16, wherein said plurality of indicia markings includes one indicia marking in the shape of home plate within said proximal area in proximity to and in between said two back foot indicia markings.