Sports swing development device

• US 6,569,042 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2001
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward M. Collins, James L. Lachance
• Original Assignee: Edward M. Collins, James L. Lachance
• Inventors: Collins, Edward M., LaChance, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US09/759,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20020094888A1
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 473/219, 473/221, 473/222, 473/223, 473/226, 473/233, 473/256, 473/234, 473/415, 473/422, 473/451, 473/453, 473/463, 473/457, 473/519, 473/559, 473/564-568, 482/109, 482/909, 734/92, 734/93, 446/418, 446/421
• US Class Current: 473/457
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 15/00 Clubs for gymnastics or the like , e.g. for swinging exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/50 Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/0081 Substantially flexible shafts; Hinged shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/28 with adjustable length
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A practice batting device having an elongated gripping portion and an elongated weighted portion interconnected with a spring. A swing speed indicator is positioned within the elongated weighted portion to determine the swing speed of the device. Removable plates permit a selected practice weight, thereby targeting strength training for eliminating recoil effects and snapping the user'"'"'s wrists to simulate the impact of the bat striking an imaginary ball.

Claims

1. A practice bat, comprising:

an elongated gripping portion having a first end and a second end;

an elongated weighted portion having a first end and a second end;

a coil spring having a first end and a second end, said first end of said spring being disposed within said first end of said elongated gripping portion;

said second end of said spring being disposed within said second end of said elongated weighted portion;

a first elongated pin extending through said elongated gripping portion at right angles to the length of the elongated gripping portion into said first end of said spring to connect the spring to the elongated gripping portion;

a second elongated pin extending through said elongated weighted portion at right angles to the length of the elongated weighted portion into said second end of said spring to connect the spring to the elongated weighted portion;

a plurality of removable weighted plates which are substantially flat, circular-shaped discs having a substantially circular centrally-positioned hole; and

means for mounting a selected number of the removable weighted plates within the first end of the elongated weighted portion,

wherein the means for mounting includes an end-cap removably secured to said first end of said elongated weighted portion wherein said end-cap has a threaded inner-surface such that said selected number of weighted plates are removably carried within said elongated weighted portion, and

a threaded member axially positioned within said first end of said elongated weighted portion, whereby said selected number of weighted plates are removably positioned around said threaded member and retained thereby, and whereby said end-cap is secured to said threaded member enclosing said plurality of removable weights within said first end of the elongated weighted portion, and

further wherein the elongated weighted portion of the bat can swing with respect to the elongated gripping portion as the bat is being swung in a practice batting motion so as to snap a user'"'"'s wrists.

2. The practice bat of claim 1, wherein said second end of said elongated gripping portion defines a handle.

3. The practice bat of claim 1, wherein said elongated gripping portion carries a grip-enhancing surface.

4. The practice bat of claim 1, wherein the circumference of said elongated gripping portion is maximized adjacent to said first end of the elongated gripping portion, and wherein said circumference is gradually decreased progressing toward said second end of the elongated gripping portion to a handle.

5. The practice bat of claim 1, further comprising a removable cylinder, said cylinder carried by said first end of said second elongated portion.

6. The practice bat of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of elongated fasteners radially extending through said first end of said elongated weighted portion securing positioning of said threaded member therein.

7. The practice bat of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of elongated fasteners radially extending through said first end of said elongated gripping portion, wherein said elongated fasteners secure the position of said spring therein.

8. The practice bat of claim 1, further comprising a readable swing speed gauge within the elongated weighted portion.