BAT SWING TRAINING DEVICE

• US 20100041500A1
• Filed: 08/11/2009
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SwingRite, LLC
• Original Assignee: SwingRite, LLC
• Inventors: Whitney, Kate A., Whitney, Charles E., Mandia, Anthony L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,993,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/457
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 15/005 with a weight movable along the longitudinal axis of the club due to centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0633 without electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/04 Movable ballast means A63B15/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball

Abstract

A bat swing training device for enabling the diagnosis and correction of an individual batter'"'"'s swing. The training device includes a conventional bat modified to receive a training aid at its distal end in either an exposed extended assembly or an embedded assembly. The training aid provides a snapping sound if an individual swings the bat at greater than a predetermined speed. The position of the batter'"'"'s hands at the time of the snap indicates whether the batter'"'"'s swing is correct.

Claims

1. A bat swing training device for use in correcting a batter'"'"'s swing comprising:

A) a conventional baseball bat with a proximal handle or grip, a barrel portion and a distal tip

B) a training device including a structure that, at a predetermined bat speed, releases a ring to slide along a proximal housing and snap against a distal stop.

C) an axial passage extending proximally from the distal tip barrel end into the bat to receive the training aid, and

D) means for affixing said training aid to the bat.

2. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 1 wherein said training device additionally comprises:

A) a tubular housing along which said ring slides, and

B) restraining means for selectively restraining the axial position of said ring in a cocked position, said restraining means comprising;

i) at least one ring-engaging finger passing through a slot proximate the handle end of said tubular housing,

ii) cartridge means slidably mounted in said tubular housing for retracting said at least one ring-engaging finger for releasing said ring to slide from its cocked position to a distal stop when said bat is swung.

3. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 2 wherein said tubular housing extends beyond said distal tip whereby said ring can be returned to the cocked position by sliding it away from the distal stop.

4. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 2 wherein said bat includes a cylindrical passage and for receiving said tubular housing within said passage and said tubular housing includes means for attaching said tubular housing to said bat.

5. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 4 additionally comprising means connected to said cartridge means for retracting said at least one ring-engaging finger whereby said ring can return to the cocked position.

6. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 2 additionally comprising a spring for biasing said cartridge means and a force adjuster rotatably mounted to said tubular housing for adjusting the compressing of said spring.

7. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 6 wherein said tubular housing extends beyond said distal tip whereby said ring can be returned to the cocked position by sliding it away from the distal stop.

8. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 6 wherein said bat includes a cylindrical passage and for receiving said tubular housing within said passage and said tubular housing includes means for attaching said tubular housing to said bat.

9. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 8 wherein said cartridge means includes means connected to said cartridge means for retracting said at least one ring-engaging finger whereby said ring can return to the cocked position.

10. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 9 wherein said retracting means includes a rod extending through said spring and through a passage of said force adjuster thereby to allow said cartridge means.

11. A bat swing training aid comprising:

A) a bat with a proximal handle, a barrel and a distal tip and a closed end receptacle extending proximally from an opening at the tip, and

B) a training aid in said receptacle, said training aid comprising;

i) a tubular housing having a threaded end adjacent the tip and means for attaching said housing to the bat at the closed end of said receptacle whereby said tubular housing is embedded in said bat,

ii) a force adjuster threaded onto said tubular housing at the tip end for defining a distal stop,

iii) a ring for sliding on said tubular housing between a cocked position proximate the closed end of said tubular housing and said adjuster,

iv) restraining means for selectively restraining the axial position of said ring including;

a) at least one ring-engaging finger passing through a slot proximate the handle end of said tubular housing,

b) a cartridge slidably mounted in said tubular housing including bias means for contact with said adjuster, said cartridge retracting said at least one ring-engaging finger for releasing said ring from its cocked position to slide to the distal stop when said bat is swung, and

c) means attached to said cartridge and extending through and beyond said force adjuster for enabling the manual displacement of said cartridge whereby said ring can return to its cocked position.

12. A bat swing training aid as recited in claim 11 wherein said force adjuster includes internal threads for engaging the threaded end of said tubular housing and said restraining means additionally includes a spring intermediate said cartridge and said force adjuster.

13. A bat swing training aid as recited in claim 12 wherein said displacement enabling means includes:

i) a rod attached to said cartridge that extends through a passage in said force adjuster, and

ii) finger grip attached to the distal end of said rod externally to said force adjuster.

14. A bat swing training aid as recited in claim 13 wherein said force adjuster includes indicia formed thereon for enabling an individual to gage the force asserted by said spring.

15. A bat swing training aid as recited in claim 14 where said restraining means comprises first and second ring-engaging fingers and said tubular housing includes first and second slots.