METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR A SWING TRAINING AID

Abstract

A swing training aid according to various aspects of the present technology may comprise batting glove having a securing strap connected on a first end to a wrist portion of the batting glove. The securing strap is configured to move between an unconnected position and a connected position wherein the securing strap is secured to a backside of the batting glove to hold the fingers in a gripping position. The securing strap may be configured to be removably connected on a second end to one or more connectors located on the backside of the glove.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

There are many aids available to help players of all abilities improve their swing. Some of these aids are directed towards teaching a player to swing along a constant plane, keeping their elbows close to their bodies, or any other of a host of factors that may impact the power and consistency of the swinging motion. Many aids directed towards teaching a compact swing are unable to address a common fault found in players of all ages and skill level, namely the early release of the bat during the swing. This issue is readily apparent during a swing's follow through after the player lets go of the bat with their top hand. The remaining hand holding the bat then is able to move farther away from the body creating a longer follow through motion. If the top hand is released at the end of the main swinging motion and prior to the initiation of the follow through, then there may be little impact on the swing. If, however, the top hand is released prior to the end of the main swinging motion, then the player will suffer a significant loss of power since the swing is only being performed with a single hand and arm. In the most significant examples of this motion, a player may actually begin releasing the bat during the most crucial point of the swing resulting in a loss of bat speed and power in the middle of the hitting zone.

SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY

A swing training aid according to various aspects of the present technology may comprise batting glove having a securing strap connected on a first end to a wrist portion of the batting glove. The securing strap is configured to move between an unconnected position and a connected position wherein the securing strap is secured to a backside of the batting glove to hold the fingers in a gripping position. The securing strap may be configured to be removably connected on a second end to one or more connectors located on the backside of the glove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present technology may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 representatively illustrate a top view of a swing training glove in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 2A representatively illustrates a palm view of the swing training glove showing an underside of a securing strap in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 2B representatively illustrates a palm view of the swing training glove showing a top side of the securing strap in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 3A representatively illustrates a top surface of the swing training glove positioned on a user's hand in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 3B representatively illustrates a top surface of an alternative embodiment of the swing training glove in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 4 representatively illustrates a palm view of the swing training glove positioned on a user's hand in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 5 representatively illustrates a side view of the swing training aid with the securing strap positioned over the fingers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 6 representatively illustrates a palm side view of the swing training aid gripping a bat with the securing strap positioned over the fingers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; and

FIG. 7 representatively illustrates a top view of the swing training aid gripping a bat with the securing strap positioned over the fingers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology.

Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in a different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present technology may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, the present technology may employ various types of materials and connection devices for manufacturing the swing training aid. In addition, the present technology may be practiced in conjunction with any number of physical activities, and the system described is merely one exemplary application for the technology. Methods and apparatus for a baseball swing training aid according to various aspects of the present technology may operate in conjunction with any suitable materials such as leather, nylon, plastic, cotton, or other natural or synthetic materials.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, in one embodiment, a baseball swing training aid 100 may generally comprise a glove body comprising a wrist band 112, a thumb section 202, and a plurality of fingers 110 arranged around a central palm portion as is commonly found with standard batting gloves known in the art. A wrist strap 114 may be used to secure the wrist band 112 around a user's wrist during use. A securing strap 102 may be coupled on a first end to the glove body proximate to the wrist band 112 on a palm side of the glove. The securing strap 102 may be located substantially opposite the wrist strap 114 along the wrist band 112 such that the wrist strap 114 is on the backside (top) of the glove body and the securing strap 102 is on the palm side of the glove body. For example, in one embodiment, the securing strap 102 may be coupled to the palm portion of the glove body immediately adjacent to the wrist band 112. In an alternative embodiment, the securing strap 102 may be coupled to the wrist band 112 proximate to an interface between the palm portion and the wrist band 112. A second end of the securing strap 102 may be movable between a first position extending away from the palm of the glove (FIG. 2A) and up along a user's forearm and a second position extending over the palm portion towards the fingers 110 of the glove (FIG. 2B).

The glove may be constructed of any suitable material such as leather, nylon, synthetic fabrics, stretchable materials, and the like. For example, in one embodiment, the thumb 202, fingers 110, and palm of the glove may comprise a treated leather configured to be soft and flexible. A backside of the glove body, facing opposite the palm, may comprise a synthetic stretchable material configured to be breathable and allow the glove to stretch and conform to a variety of hand sizes. The wrist portion 112 may comprise another flexible material and be configured to provide an adjustable wrist diameter due, at least in part, to the wrist strap 114. The wrist strap 114 may comprise any suitable type of connector such as a hook and loop fastener, wherein one side of the hook and loop fastener is positioned on outer facing surface of the wrist section 112 and the mating side of the hook and loop fastener is coupled to the underside of the wrist strap 114.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3A, and 3B, at least one surface of the backside of the glove boy may comprise a connector configured to be selectively coupled to the securing strap 102. For example, the backside of the glove body above the hand may comprise a first backside connector 104. Additional backside connectors 106, 108 may be positioned on the backside of one or more fingers 110. The backside connectors 104, 106, 108 may comprise any suitable shape or size or be positioned along any suitable portion of the backside of the glove body. The backside connectors 104, 106, 108 may comprise any suitable system or device for connecting to the securing strap 102. For example, in one embodiment, the backside connectors 104, 106, 108 may comprise one half of a hook and loop fastener. In alternative embodiments, the backside connectors 104, 106, 108 may comprise any other type of fasteners such as buttons or a surface having a reusable adhesive material.

Referring now to FIG. 4-7, an underside of the securing strap 102 that faces the same direction as the palm of the glove body when the securing strap 102 is in the first position (FIG. 2A), may comprise a surface 402 configured to engage and couple to the backside connectors 104, 106, 108 when the training aid is being used. For example, the surface 402 may comprise an opposite half of the hook and loop fastener material as that used for the backside connectors 104, 106, 108. When the fingers 110 and thumb 202 are curled inwardly towards the palm portion to form a first or grab a handle of a bat 600, the securing strap 102 may be wrapped over the top of the fingers 110 to allow the surface 402 of the securing strap 102 to reach over the finger 110 to the backside of the glove body and be attached to the backside connectors 104, 106, 108 on the backside of the glove body.

When the securing strap 102 is attached to the backside of the glove body the user's hand is held in a closed or gripping position and the fingers cannot be extended to release the handle of the bat 600. The securing strap 102 thereby forces the user to maintain a grip on the bat as long as the securing strap 102 of the swing training aid 100 is coupled to or otherwise attached to the backside connectors 104, 106, 108.

In operation, a user first places the swing training aid 100 on whichever of their left or right hand will be positioned higher on the handle of the bat 600 when the user is swinging at pitched balls. For example, a right handed hitter would wear the swing training aid 100 on their right hand and a left handed hitter would wear the swing training aid 100 on their left hand. When the securing strap 102 is left in an unconnected first position (see FIG. 4), the user's fingers 110 are provided complete freedom of movement. Once the user grabs the handle of the bat 600 with the hand wearing the swing training aid 100, the securing strap 102 may be wrapped over the user's fingers 110 and onto the backside of the glove such that the surface 402 on the underside of the securing strap 102 comes into contact with at least one of the backside connectors 104, 106, 108 (see FIGS. 5-7). Once the securing strap 102 is connected to the backside of the glove body, the user is prevented from opening their hand and releasing the bat.

The result is that when a user swings at pitched balls, their top hand cannot let go of the bat 600 when they swing at a ball. This forced action helps teach a user to keep hold of the bat 600 all the way through their swing rather than letting go of the bat 600 at some point during the swinging motion. For example, it is common to see a player's top hand let go of the bat shortly after the bat crosses a center portion of their body. This release causes the player to only have one hand still holing onto the bat at the completion and follow through of the swinging motion resulting in a loss of power.

The particular implementations shown and described are illustrative of the technology and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present technology in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional manufacturing, connection, preparation, and other functional aspects of the system may not be described in detail. Although embodiments of the present technology have been described with reference to a batting glove, the technology should not be viewed as being limited in that respect. As would be familiar with one of ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings of the present technology, the subject matter could also be used with other types of handles used with rackets, golf clubs, and the like.

The description and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be determined by the generic embodiments described and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the specific examples described above. For example, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus embodiment may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations to produce substantially the same result as the present technology and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the specific examples.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present technology, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same. Any terms of degree such as “substantially,” “about,” and “approximate” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.

The present technology has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments. However, changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present technology. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology, as expressed in the following claims.

Claims

1. A training glove for hitting, comprising:

a glove body, comprising: a wrist band; a palm portion; a backside; a plurality of fingers extending away from the palm portion opposite the wrist band; and a thumb portion;

a first backside connector disposed on a surface of the backside of the glove body;

a securing strap coupled on a first end to the glove body proximate to the wrist band on a palm side of the glove, wherein: a second end of the securing strap is movable between: a first position extending away from the palm portion of the glove; and a second position extending towards the fingers and over the palm portion; and

the securing strap comprises a second connector configured to be coupled to the first backside connector when the securing strap is in the second position and the plurality of fingers are curled inward towards the palm portion.

2. A training glove according to claim 1, wherein the first backside connector is disposed along a central portion of the backside.

3. A training glove according to claim 2, further comprising a second backside connector disposed on at least one of the plurality of fingers, wherein the securing strap is configured to also connect to the second backside connector when the securing strap is in the second position and the plurality of fingers are curled inward towards the palm portion.

4. A training glove according to claim 1, wherein:

the first backside connector comprises a hook and loop fastener; and

the second connector comprises a mating hook and loop fastener.

5. A training glove according to claim 1, wherein the second connector is disposed along a surface of the securing strap facing in a same direction as the palm portion when the securing strap is in the first position.

6. A training glove according to claim 1, further comprising a wrist strap positioned on a backside of the wrist band opposite the securing strap.

7. A training glove according to claim 1, wherein the securing strap is coupled to the palm portion of the glove body immediately adjacent to the wrist band.

8. A training glove according to claim 1, wherein the securing strap is coupled to the wrist band proximate to an interface between the palm portion and the wrist band.

9. A training glove for hitting, comprising:

a glove body;

a first backside connector disposed on a surface of a backside of the glove body; and

a securing strap coupled at a first end to a wrist section on a palm side of the glove body, wherein the securing strap comprises a second connector configured to be coupled to the first backside connector when the securing strap is in the second position and a plurality of fingers of the glove body are curled inward towards the palm side of the glove body.

10. A training glove according to claim 9, wherein the first backside connector is disposed along a central portion of the backside.

11. A training glove according to claim 10, further comprising a second backside connector disposed on at least one of the plurality of fingers, wherein the securing strap is configured to also connect to the second backside connector when the securing strap is in the second position and the plurality of fingers are curled inward towards the palm side of the glove body.

12. A training glove according to claim 9, wherein:

the first backside connector comprises a hook and loop fastener; and

the second connector comprises a mating hook and loop fastener.

13. A training glove according to claim 9, wherein a second end of the securing strap is movable between:

a first position extending away from a palm portion of the glove; and

a second position extending towards the plurality of fingers and over the palm portion.

14. A training glove according to claim 13, wherein the second connector is disposed along a surface of the securing strap facing in a same direction as the palm side of the glove body when the securing strap is in the first position.

15. A training glove according to claim 9, wherein the securing strap is coupled to the palm portion of the glove body immediately adjacent to the wrist band.

16. A training glove according to claim 9, wherein the securing strap is coupled to the wrist band proximate to an interface between the palm portion and the wrist band.