Swing training device

• US 20080188331A1
• Filed: 02/06/2007
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cameron C. Shimizu, Donald T. Shimizu, Kyle Smith, William E. Maginn
• Original Assignee: Cameron C. Shimizu, Donald T. Shimizu, Kyle Smith, William E. Maginn
• Inventors: Smith, Kyle, Shimizu, Cameron C., Shimizu, Donald T., Maginn, William E.
• Application Number:
  US11/702,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20080188331A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/451
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/367 Detection of balance between both feet, i.e. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/06 Squash
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/14 Platforms for reciprocating rotating motion about a vertical axis , e.g. axis through the middle of the platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0015 for cricket
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0062 Leg restraining devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to training aids to promote well balanced swing technique for any sport that requires a swinging motion related but not limited to baseball, softball, golf, tennis, racquetball, squash and cricket, including a rotating foot pad connected to a portable balance platform.

Claims

1. A baseball training device to assist with proper swing balance, comprising:

a) A balance platform that can support the weight of one standing adult or child, having a proximal end and a distal end, and

b) A rotating foot pad consisting of a pad and a swivel connected near the proximity of the distal end.

2. The device in claim 1 wherein the rotating foot pad has a limited and controlled rotation.

3. The device in claim 2 wherein the rotation of the rotating foot pad is adjustable or free spinning.

4. The device in claim 1 wherein the balance platform has angled support legs to prevent the device from sliding or slipping from side to side on a dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surfaces.

5. The device in claim 1 wherein the support legs are angled from 90 to 180 degrees in relationship to the top horizontal surface.

6. The device in claim 1 that includes feet with beveled or pointed ends to the angled support legs to further prevent sliding or slipping from side to side on a dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surfaces.

7. The device in claim 1 utilizing a non-slip material that can be applied to the beveled/pointed ends to further prevent sliding or slipping from side to side on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surfaces.

8. The device in claim 1 utilizing a non-slip surface on the top horizontal surface to prevent slipping of the user'"'"'s front foot when in use.

9. The device in claim 1 utilizing a non-slip surface on the rotating foot pad to firmly position the back foot of the user correctly on the rotating foot pad.

10. The device in claim 1 whereas the balance platform varies in length from 2 feet to 8 feet.

11. The device in claim 1 whereas the balance platform varies in width from 2 inches to 12 inches.

12. The device in claim 1 whereas the balance platform varies in height from 0.5 inches to 12 inches.

13. The device in claim 1 including weight sensor pads attached to the balance platform and the rotating foot pad, connected to an electronic processing device interfaced to a display to show the distribution of weight on each leg through the swing.

14. The device in claim 1 including a high speed camera system is used to tape the batter on the swing training device with the weight sensor pads attached to the balance platform and the rotating foot pad, and is connected to a processing device which is interfaced to a display.

25. The invention of claim 1 including a distal weight sensor pad and a proximal weight sensor pad connected to a display showing the weight distribution of the batter.

15. A method of training to hit a tossed baseball or softball utilizing a bat and a baseball training device comprising of a balance platform with a rotating foot pad comprising the following steps:

a) Positioning the balance platform on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surface,

b) Mounting the balance platform with the back foot on the rotating foot pad towards the distal end and with a bat in hand, on or near the shoulder closest to the distal end, in a ready-to-swing position,

c) Making eye contact with the baseball or softball as it approaches the area of contact by a batter standing on the baseball training device,

d) Commencing the swing while rotating the back foot facilitated by the rotating foot pad,

e) Continuing the swing of the bat and making contact with the baseball or softball,

f) Continuing the swing until the bat reaches the shoulder opposite the starting point of the swing while maintaining balance on the baseball training device.

18. The device in claim 15 wherein the rotating foot pad has a limited and controlled rotation,

20. The device in claim 15 wherein the balance platform has angled support legs to prevent the device from sliding or slipping from side to side on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surfaces.

21. The device in claim 15 wherein the support legs are angled from 90 to 180 degrees in relationship to the top horizontal surface.

23. The device in claim 15 that includes feet with beveled or pointed ends to the angled support legs to further prevent sliding or slipping from side to side on a dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surfaces.

24. The device in claim 15 utilizing a non-slip material that can be applied to the beveled or pointed ends to further prevent sliding or slipping from side to side on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surfaces.

26. The invention of claim 23 additionally including a video camera also connected to a display to record the batter'"'"'s swing.

27. The device in claim 15 utilizing a non-slip surface on the top horizontal surface to prevent slipping of the user'"'"'s front foot when in use.

28. The device in claim 15 utilizing a non-slip surface on the rotating foot pad to firmly position the back foot of the user correctly on the rotating foot pad.

29. The device in claim 15 whereas the beam varies in length from 2 feet to 8 feet.

30. The device in claim 15 whereas the beam varies in width from 2 inches to 12 inches.

31. The device in claim 15 whereas the beam varies in height from 0.5 inches to 12 inches.

16. A method of training to hit a baseball or softball placed on a batting tee utilizing a bat, ball and batting tee using a baseball training device comprising of a balance platform and a rotating foot pad comprising the following steps:

a) Obtaining a balance platform,

b) Positioning the balance platform on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surface,

c) Mounting the balance platform with the back foot on the rotating foot pad with a bat in hand, on or near the shoulder closest to the distal end, in a ready-to-swing position,

d) Making eye contact with the baseball or softball that has been placed on a batting tee,

e) Commencing the swing while rotating the back foot facilitated by the rotating foot pad,

f) Continuing the swing of the bat to the baseball or softball,

g) Continuing the swing until the bat reaches the shoulder opposite the starting point of the swing while maintaining balance on the baseball training device.

19. The device in claim 16 wherein the rotation of the rotating foot pad is adjustable or free spinning.

17. A ball training device to assist with proper swing balance, comprising:

a) A balance platform that can support the weight of one standing adult or child, having a proximal end and a distal end, and

b) A rotating foot pad consisting of a pad and a swivel connected near the proximity of the distal end.

22. A sporting device comprising of a balance platform and a rotating foot pad wherein the device is used to train athletes from a group consisting of baseball, golf, racket ball, tennis, squash and field hockey.

32. A method of training to hit a ball, whereby the ball could be a golf ball, tennis ball, racquet ball, squash ball or cricket ball, utilizing a racquet or club and a swing training device comprising of a balance platform and a rotating foot pad comprising the following steps:

a) Obtaining a balance platform,

b) Positioning the balance platform on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surface,

c) Mounting the balance platform with the back foot on the rotating foot pad or close to the distal end and with a bat in hand, on or near the shoulder closest to the distal end, in a ready to swing position,

d) Making eye contact with the ball as it approaches if it is tossed or set up on a tee,

e) Commencing the swing while rotating the back foot facilitated by the rotating foot pad,

f) Continuing the swing of the racquet or club until contact is made with the ball,

g) Continuing the swing until the racquet or club reaches the shoulder opposite the starting point of the swing while maintaining balance on the balance platform.