Swing training method with game ball hitting implement

• US 5,993,333 A
• Filed: 09/21/1998
• Issued: 11/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas W. Heckaman
• Original Assignee: Thomas W. Heckaman
• Inventors: Heckaman, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US09/157,438
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 473/220, 473/286, 473/409
• US Class Current: 473/409
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club

Abstract

A swing trainer device includes a laser beam mechanism having a laser beam light source and batteries for emitting a laser beam, and further includes a laser beam attachment member which is essentially a flexible sleeve having an open first end which is removably engaged about the end of either the handle of a golf club or the barrel of a bat, and further having an open second end which is securely engaged about the end of the back portion of the laser beam mechanism. A laser beam is directed away from and in the same plane as the handle of the golf club or the barrel of the bat. This swing trainer device is swung in a single plane to help the user maintain a consistent swing each and every time through muscle memorization.

Claims

1. A method of using a swing trainer device comprises the steps of:

providing a swing trainer device which includes a laser beam mechanism having a laser beam light source, and further includes a laser beam attachment member with said laser beam mechanism securely attached thereto;

attaching said laser beam attachment member to an end of a ball hitting implement;

energizing said laser beam light source such that a laser beam is directed away from and generally coaxially to a longitudinal axis of said ball hitting implement; and

practicing one'"'"'s swing with said ball hitting implement so that one'"'"'s swing is in a single plane with said laser beam consistently traveling through a selected target each and every swing.

2. A method of using a swing trainer device to practice one'"'"'s swing as described in claim 1, wherein the step of providing a swing trainer device further includes providing a short, narrow housing, an on/off switch, a laser diode, and at least one battery for energizing said laser diode.

3. A method of using a swing trainer device to practice one'"'"'s swing as described in claim 2, wherein the step of providing a swing trainer device further includes providing said laser beam attachment member which is essentially a flexible sleeve having an open first end adapted to engageably receive an end of said ball hitting implement, and also having an open second end adapted to engageably receive a back portion of said laser beam mechanism.

4. A method of using a swing trainer device to practice one'"'"'s swing as described in claim 3, wherein the step of attaching said laser beam attachment member includes securely moving said first end of said sleeve about the end of said ball hitting implement.

5. A method of using a swing trainer device to practice one'"'"'s swing as described in claim 4, wherein the step of attaching said laser beam attachment member includes rolling said first end of said sleeve onto itself and then rolling said first end of said sleeve about the end of said ball hitting implement.

6. A method of using a swing trainer device to practice one'"'"'s swing as described in claim 4, wherein the step of attaching said laser beam attachment member includes securely sliding said first end of said sleeve about the end of said ball hitting implement.

7. A method of using a swing trainer device to practice one'"'"'s swing as described in claim 4, wherein the step of attaching said laser beam attachment member includes moving said first end of said sleeve about the end of the handle of a golf club opposite to a club head thereof.

8. A method of using a swing trainer device to practice one'"'"'s swing as described in claim 7, wherein the step of attaching said laser beam attachment member includes moving said first end of said sleeve about the end of a barrel of a bat.

9. A method of using a swing trainer device to practice one'"'"'s swing as described in claim 8, wherein the step of practicing one'"'"'s swing includes moving said ball hitting implement forwardly toward the target in a single plane with said laser beam effecting a path through the target for each and every swing.

10. A method of using a swing trainer device to practice one'"'"'s swing as described in claim 9, wherein the step of practicing one'"'"'s swing includes practicing one'"'"'s swing with a golf club and with the target being on the ground surface.

11. A method of using a swing trainer device to practice one'"'"'s swing as described in claim 9, wherein the step of practicing one'"'"'s swing includes practicing one'"'"'s swing with a bat and with the target being a horizontally-disposed hitting zone displayed on a wall structure.

12. A method of using a swing trainer device to practice one'"'"'s swing as described in claim 11, wherein the step of practicing one'"'"'s swing includes practicing one'"'"'s batting swing by a user facing the wall structure.