Baseball pitcher's training device

• US 6,945,883 B1
• Filed: 12/30/2003
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eric A. Williams, Mark F. Williams
• Original Assignee: Eric A. Williams, Mark F. Williams
• Inventors: Williams, Eric A., Williams, Mark F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US10/747,099
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 473/422, 473/451, 473/452, 473/150, 473497-501, 473/225, 482/19, 434/252
• US Class Current: 473/452
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00047 Exercising devices not moving during use benches A63B21/4029; isometric exercising devices A63B21/0023; step exercisers A63B23/0458; walk exercisers A63B23/0464
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball

Abstract

A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device for training a pitcher in controlling his body mechanics during the pitch preparation phase as well as the delivery and follow-through phases of baseball pitching. The training device includes a collapsible balance beam that can readily be shortened to improve its portability, shipping and storage and is adjustable in length to accommodate users of different height. The device is also provided with a removable mound that is tapered in a forward direction to give the user a feeling of actual mound use when positioned thereon.

Claims

1. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device for training a pitcher to maintain proper control of his upper and lower body portions prior to and during delivery of a baseball pitch, said training device comprising:

an elongated balance beam including a first portion of a particular thickness and width and a second portion of slightly less width operably connected to said first portion;

a first foot supporting means connected to one end of said first portion of said balance beam;

said first foot supporting means perpendicularly disposed relative to said one end of said balance beam;

said second portion of said balance beam including a cross-member secured to the end remote from the end received by said first portion of said balance beam;

said first foot supporting means having a flat surface and including a pitching rubber attached to said flat surface thereof; and

friction increasing means attached to the upper and lower surfaces said first foot supporting means, said first and second portions of said balance beam and said cross-member;

said first foot supporting means and said balance beam providing support for a pitcher'"'"'s feet when executing delivery of a baseball.

2. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second portion of said elongated beam is telescopically received in said first portion when it is desired to transport, package or store the device.

3. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second elongated portions of said balance beam includes means for locking said first and second portions in a desired position whereby the length of said balance beam can be varied to accommodate pitchers of different height.

4. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first foot supporting area has a given length and width dimension and said width dimension joins a surface of said one end of said first portion of said elongated balance beam.

5. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said rubber serves as a foot abutment for a pitcher during pitching.

6. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first foot supporting area is provided with supports to improve the stability of the training device.

7. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated balance beam is made of extruded aluminum without an exterior finish.

8. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated balance beam is made of extruded aluminum with an exterior finish.

9. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated balance beam is made of fiberglass.

10. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated balance beam is made of any suitable plastic material.

11. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated balance beam is made of any rigid metal without an exterior finish.

12. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated balance beam is made of any rigid metal with an exterior finish.

13. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said friction reducing surfaces are strips of anti-slip surfacing.

14. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first foot supporting means includes an enlarged mound area that is placed over said first foot supporting means for use by a pitcher when pitching from the full wind-up position.

15. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 1 wherein said enlarged mound has a surface which is tapered forward to give the user a feeling of actual mound use when pitching therefrom.

16. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 14 wherein said enlarged mound is made of aluminum with an exterior finish.

17. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 14 wherein said enlarged mound is made of aluminum without an exterior finish.

18. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 14 wherein said enlarged mound is made of steel without an exterior finish.

19. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 14 wherein said enlarged mound is made of steel with an exterior finish.

20. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 14 wherein said enlarged mound is made of fiberglass without an exterior finish.

21. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 14 wherein said enlarged mound is made of fiberglass with an exterior finish.

22. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 14 wherein said enlarged mound is made of any suitable plastic with an exterior finish.

23. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 14 wherein said enlarged mound is made of any suitable plastic without an exterior finish.

24. A baseball pitcher'"'"'s training device as defined in claim 15 wherein said upper surface includes a rubber abutment block and anti-slip surfacing to reduce slippage by the user.