Foot position training device

• US 6,906,627 B1
• Filed: 07/08/2003
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David L. Principe
• Original Assignee: David L. Principe
• Inventors: Principe, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEHMOOD, JENNIFER
• Application Number:
  US10/614,994
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 340/555, 340/556, 340/557, 73/17.9, 738/654, D21/780, D21/792, 473/270, 473/218, 473/225
• US Class Current: 340/556
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3667 Golf stance aids, e.g. means for positioning a golfer's feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration

Abstract

A foot positioning training device with a mat having a transmitter and receiver to establish an electric eye. The electric eye is tied to an alarm that indicates when a batter has taken an improper stride while swinging the bat.

Claims

1. A foot position training device, comprising:

a mat for supporting a person while swinging at a ball;

a transmitter disposed on the mat;

a receiver disposed on the mat in spaced apart relation to the transmitter, the receiver capable of receiving a beam from the transmitter to establish an electric eye;

an alarm responsive to interruption of the beam by the foot or leg of the person.

2. The foot positioning training device of claim 1, wherein the mat further comprises indicia related to the proper positioning of the person'"'"'s feet during his or her batting stride.

3. The foot positioning training device of claim 1 wherein the alarm is audible.

4. The foot positioning system of claim 1, further comprising a battery-powered control system.

5. A foot positioning training device, comprising:

a mat having indicia relating to foot positioning of a person swinging at a pitched ball;

a transmitter disposed on the mat;

a receiver disposed on the mat in spaced apart relation from the transmitter such that the receiver is capable of receiving a beam from the transmitter to establish an electric eye; and

,

an alarm responsive to interruption of the beam by the foot or leg of the person.

6. A method of training proper foot positioning for a person while swinging at a pitched ball, comprising:

providing a transmitter;

providing a receiver aligned with the transmitter such that the receiver is capable of receiving a beam from the transmitter to establish an electric eye;

orienting the transmitter and receiver behind the feet of the person to establish a zone of allowable foot movement;

triggering an alarm when the beam is broken to indicate that an errant foot movement has occurred during the person'"'"'s swing.

7. The method according to claim 6, comprising the further steps of:

providing a mat;

attaching the transmitter and receiver to the mat.

8. The method according to claim 7, comprising the further steps of:

providing written indicia on the mat for the person to use to align his or her feet.

9. The method according to claim 7 comprising the further steps of:

activating an audible alarm when the person swings incorrectly.