Fielding drill device

• US 20080032830A1
• Filed: 07/18/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel L. Hooker
• Original Assignee: Daniel L. Hooker
• Inventors: Hooker, Daniel L.
• Application Number:
  US11/488,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20080032830A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/451
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means

Abstract

A fielding drill assistive device which may be employed in conjunction with a team'"'"'s fielding drills to simulate a runner running from home to first base after hitting the ball. The device includes an input means for detecting when a bat makes contact with the ball and a means for showing progress of the runner and when the runner would hypothetically reach first base. An input means is employed to automatically detect without human intervention when contact is made between the bat and the ball. Several variations of input means are described herein. In one embodiment, a vibration sensor is provided. The vibration sensor may be attached to the bat, and the vibration sensor detects contact vibration when the bat strikes a ball. In another embodiment, an input transducer is used to detect the sound of contact between the ball and bat.

Claims

1. A fielding drill device for simulating the progress of a runner after a ball is hit with a bat, comprising:

a. a first input means, configured to automatically detect contact of said ball with said bat, and transmit a first signal whenever contact is detected;

b. a control module, configured to receive said first signal when said first signal is transmitted by said first input means; and

c. a plurality of progress indicator lights, electronically connected to said control module, said progress indicator lights configured to light in sequence so as to mimic the progress of said runner when said control module receives said first signal.

2. The fielding drill device of claim 1, further comprising a terminal light, said terminal light electronically connected to said control module, said terminal light configured to illuminate in sequence after said plurality of progress indicator lights have illuminated to indicate said runner has touched first base.

3. The fielding drill device of claim 1, further comprising an audible alarm, said audible alarm electronically connected to said control module, said audible alarm configured to sound after said plurality of indicator lights have illuminated to indicate said runner has touched first base.

4. The fielding drill device of claim 2, further comprising an audible alarm, said audible alarm electronically connected to said control module, said audible alarm configured to sound after said plurality of indicator lights have illuminated to indicate said runner has touched first base.

5. The fielding drill device of claim 1, said control module further comprising a timer.

6. The fielding drill device of claim 1, said control module further comprising a speed setting means, said speed setting means configured alter the speed of said runner and the corresponding length of time between illumination of each of said plurality of progress indicator lights.

7. The fielding drill device of claim 1, said first input means including an input transducer, said input transducer configured to detect the sound of contact of said bat with said ball and transmit a signal when said sound of contact is detected.

8. The fielding drill device of claim 7, said first input means further comprising a noise gate electronically connected with said input transducer, said noise gate configured to transmit signals which exceed a threshold.

9. The fielding drill device of claim 7, said first input means further comprising a bandpass filter electronically connected with said input transducer, said bandpass filter configured to transmit signals corresponding to a design frequency range.

10. The fielding drill device of claim 1, said first input means further comprising a vibration sensor, said vibration sensor attachable to said bat, said vibration sensor configured to detect contact vibration when said bat contacts said ball, said vibration sensor configured to transmit a signal whenever contact vibration is detected.

11. The fielding drill device of claim 10, said input means further comprising:

a. a transmitter, said transmitter electronically connected with said vibration sensor, said transmitter configured to transmit a signal whenever contact vibration is detected; and

b. a receiver, electronically connected to said control module, said receiver configured to detect said signal transmitted by said transmitter.

20. The fielding drill device of claim 1, wherein said input means further comprises a device selected from a group consisting of:

a. a vibration sensor, said vibration sensor attachable to said bat, said vibration sensor configured to detect contact vibration when said bat contacts said ball; and

b. an input transducer, said input transducer configured to detect the sound of contact of said bat with said ball.

12. A fielding drill device for simulating the progress of a runner from home to first base after a ball is hit with a bat, comprising:

a. a first input means, configured to automatically detect contact of said ball with said bat, and transmit a first signal whenever contact is detected;

b. a control module, configured to receive said first signal when said first signal is transmitted by said first input means; and

c. a terminal light, electronically connected to said control module, said terminal light configured to illuminate at a time after contact between said ball and said bat when said runner would hypothetically reach said first base.

13. The fielding drill device of claim 12, further comprising an audible alarm, said audible alarm electronically connected to said control module, said audible alarm configured to sound at said time after contact between said ball and said bat when said runner would hypothetically reach said first base.

14. The fielding drill device of claim 12, said first input means including an input transducer, said input transducer configured to detect the sound of contact of said bat with said ball and transmit a signal when said sound of contact is detected.

15. The fielding drill device of claim 14, said first input means further comprising a noise gate electronically connected with said input transducer, said noise gate configured to transmit signals which exceed a threshold.

16. The fielding drill device of claim 14, said first input means further comprising a bandpass filter electronically connected with said input transducer, said bandpass filter configured to transmit signals corresponding to a design frequency range.

17. The fielding drill device of claim 12, said first input means further comprising a vibration sensor, said vibration sensor attachable to said bat, said vibration sensor configured to detect contact vibration when said bat contacts said ball, said vibration sensor configured to transmit a signal whenever contact vibration is detected.

18. The fielding drill device of claim 17, said input means further comprising:

a. a transmitter, said transmitter electronically connected with said vibration sensor, said transmitter configured to transmit a signal whenever contact vibration is detected; and

b. a receiver, electronically connected to said control module, said receiver configured to detect said signal transmitted by said transmitter.

19. A fielding drill device for simulating the progress of a runner, running from home to first base after a ball is hit with a bat, comprising:

a. a first input means, configured to automatically detect contact of said ball with said bat, and transmit a first signal whenever contact is detected;

b. a control module, configured to receive said first signal when said first signal is transmitted by said first input means; and

c. a means for indicating when said runner reaches said first base, said means electronically connected to said control module, said means configured to indicate said runner has reached first base at a time after contact between said ball and said bat when said runner would hypothetically reach said first base.