BAT SWING TRAINING DEVICE

• US 20150005111A1
• Filed: 06/26/2013
• Published: 01/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SwingRite, LLC
• Original Assignee: SwingRite, LLC
• Inventors: Whitney, Charles E, Mandia, Anthony L, Brady, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,144,726 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 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/182 Softball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/08 magnetic
• 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. The training aid provides a snapping sound if an individual swings the bat at greater than a predetermined speed such that inertial forces overcome magnetic forces acting on a paramagnetic slider and the slider accelerates from a first stop to a second stop producing a snap. 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, a distal end, and an axial passage extending proximally from the distal tip barrel end into the bat to receive the training aid,

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 including;

i) a shaft extending longitudinally through said training device,

ii) first and second stops at longitudinally spaced positions along said shaft

iii) a magnet on said shaft proximally of said first stop,

C) a slider of a paramagnetic material mounted on said shaft intermediate said first and second stops that is magnetically attracted to said first stop whereby upon proper swinging the bat, inertial forces overcome the magnetic attraction and said slider accelerates to said second stop, and

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

2. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 1 wherein said shaft is rotatable within said training device additionally comprising a force control that rotates said shaft, said magnet being supported by a body that is axially adjustable with respect to said first stop thereby to adjust the magnetic attraction on the slider at said first stop.

3. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 2 wherein said affixing means includes an end plate that overlies the distal end of the bat including a bushing for rotatably supporting said shaft distally of said second stop, a shoulder facing distally to form said second stop and means for restraining axial motion of said shaft.

4. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 3 wherein said force adjuster comprises a knob affixed to said shaft at the distal end thereof whereby rotation of said knob causes said shaft to rotate and said magnet to be displaced axially.

5. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 3 additionally including a washer on said shaft at said second stop for stopping said slider.

6. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising means for adjusting the distance between said magnet and said first stop.

7. A bat swing training device as recited in claim 6 wherein adjusting means includes a support for said magnet, said support being threaded on said shaft and means for preventing rotation of said magnet support about an axis of rotation for said shaft whereby rotation of said shaft alters an air gap between said magnet and said first stop.