Sporting Device
A system and method for a sporting device. The sporting device has a foot plate supported by a central plate. Below the foot plate is a central body with a void, and the central plate fits within the void. The central plate can rotate relative to the central body allowing the foot plate to rotate. A user can use the device to allow and increase the rotation of the foot during a swing.
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The present invention claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/839,856 filed Apr. 29, 2019, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical FieldThe present invention relates to a system and method for using a sporting device when training or playing various sports.
Description of Related ArtMany sports such as golf or baseball require applying a torque and rotating a foot. As an example, when striking a golf ball the user's back foot should rotate upon swinging. There is a need for a device which can be used during training or play to assist with the foot rotation.
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Several embodiments of Applicant's invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will be identified by identical numbers throughout all figures. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.
The size and dimensions of the device 100 can vary depending upon the application. In some embodiments the foot plate 101 is sized to fit a single foot. Furthermore, the materials of the device 100 can also vary. The device can comprise metal, plastics, rubber, and combinations thereof.
At the top of the device is the foot plate 101. The foot plate 101 rotates relative to the device 100. As will be described in more detail below, the rotating foot plate 101 reduces friction compared to a foot pivoting on the ground. Because of this reduced friction, the foot is allowed to pivot and rotate, allowing a more open swing. Golfers, as an example, should open their hips when they swing. The back foot should pivot to allow this to happen. Unfortunately, many golfers do not open their hips and the swing suffers. By reducing the friction on the foot plate 101, the momentum of a swing forces the foot to pivot and allow the hip to correctly open. The same is true for a baseball swing. By reducing the friction at the foot plate 101, the user is trained to rotate.
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As noted, the intermediate part 105 fits within a central void in the central cover 103. Turning briefly to
The cover 103 serves the purpose of covering the central portion 102, described below. It can provide a more refined finish compared to the central portion 102.
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As shown, the central plate 104 is located in an internal, circular cavity of the central body 102. In one embodiment, the central body 102 comprises one or more blocks 111 which protrude inwardly into the central void. The blocks 111 coincide with an outer void 112 of the central plate 104. The outer void 112 is located along the periphery of the central plate 104. The blocks 111 extend within the outer void 112 and control the degrees of rotation. The longer the outer void 112, the greater the degrees of rotation before the plate 104 encounters a block 111. As can be seen in
While the embodiment depicted shows two blocks 111, this is for illustrative purposes only. In other embodiments a single block 111 is used, whereas in other embodiments, more than two blocks 111 are used. Further, while one embodiment has been depicted wherein the void is located on the inner central plate 104 and the blocks 111 extend outward, the inverse is also utilized in certain embodiments. In such embodiments the blocks 111 extend outwardly from the central plate 104 and the void allowing passage of the block is located on the interior periphery of the central body 102.
As shown the central body 102, and the device 100, comprise a handle 113 for easy carrying. The device 100 can have other features for hanging, storing, etc.
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Located below the central body 102 is the base 108.
The base can comprise features such as spikes, cleats, etc. to help grip into the ground. In other embodiments, the base simply rests upon the ground.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTIONThe following clauses are offered as further description of the disclosed invention.
- Clause 1. A sporting device comprising:
- a foot plate supported by a central plate;
- a central body with a void, wherein said central plate fits within said void;
- wherein said central plate can rotate relative to said central body.
- Clause 2. The sporting device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said central plate comprises an outer void, and wherein said central body comprises at least one block which extends inward and aligns with said outer void.
- Clause 3. The sporting device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said at least one block restricts rotation of said central plate.
- Clause 4. The sporting device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said central plate comprises a rotational degree of freedom of between about 20 degrees and about 180 degrees.
- Clause 5. The sporting device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said central plate comprises a rotational degree of freedom of between about 15 degrees and about 90 degrees.
- Clause 6. The sporting device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said central body comprises an internal periphery void adjacent to said central plate, and wherein said central plate comprises at least one block which extends outward and aligns with said internal periphery void.
- Clause 7. The sporting device of any proceeding or preceding claim further comprising ball bearings which allow rotation of said central plate relative to said central body.
- Clause 8. The sporting device of any proceeding or preceding claim further comprising an intermediate plate located below said foot plate and above said central late.
- Clause 9. The sporting device of any proceeding or preceding claim further comprising a cover located above said central body and below said foot plate, and wherein said cover comprises an internal void, and wherein said intermediate plate fits within said internal void.
- Clause 10. The sporting device of any proceeding or preceding claim further comprising a cover located above said central body and below said foot plate.
- Clause 11. The sporting device of any proceeding or preceding claim wherein said foot plate comprises friction knubs.
- Clause 12. The sporting device of any proceeding or preceding claim further comprising a base located beneath said central body.
- Clause 13. The sporting device of any proceeding or preceding claim further comprising:
- ball bearings which allow rotation of said central plate relative to said central body;
- an intermediate plate located below said foot plate and above said central plate;
- a cover located above said central body and below said foot plate; and
- a base located beneath said central body.
Claims
1. A sporting device comprising:
- a foot plate supported by a central plate;
- a central body with a void, wherein said central plate fits within said void and rotates relative to said central body;
- ball bearings or a ball bearing assembly to allow rotation of said central plate relative to said central body; and;
- at least one block to limit the rotational freedom of the central plate less than 360 degrees.
2. The sporting device of claim 1 wherein said central plate comprises an outer void, and wherein said central body comprises at least one block which extends inward and aligns with said outer void.
3. The sporting device of claim 2 wherein said at least one block restricts rotation of said central plate.
4. The sporting device of claim 1 wherein said central plate comprises a rotational degree of freedom of between about 20 degrees and about 180 degrees.
5. The sporting device of claim 1 wherein said central plate comprises a rotational degree of freedom of between about 15 degrees and about 90 degrees.
6. The sporting device of claim 1 wherein said central body comprises an internal periphery void adjacent to said central plate, and wherein said central plate comprises at least one block which extends outward and aligns with said internal periphery void.
7. (canceled)
8. The sporting device of claim 1 further comprising an intermediate plate located below said foot plate and above said central late plate.
9. The sporting device of claim 8 further comprising a cover located above said central body and below said foot plate, and wherein said cover comprises an internal void, and wherein said intermediate plate fits within said internal void.
10. The sporting device of claim 1 further comprising a cover located above said central body and below said foot plate.
11. The sporting device of claim 1 wherein said foot plate comprises friction knubs.
12. The sporting device of claim 1 further comprising a base located beneath said central body.
13. The sporting device of claim 1 further comprising: ball bearings which allow rotation of said central plate relative to said central body;
- an intermediate plate located below said foot plate and above said central plate;
- a cover located above said central body and below said foot plate; and
- a base located beneath said central body.
Type: Application
Filed: May 29, 2019
Publication Date: Oct 29, 2020
Applicant: STW Designs Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC (Dover, DE)
Inventor: Paolo Di Prima (Grapevine, TX)
Application Number: 16/425,527