Underhanded pitch training device

• US 9,750,997 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2016
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark Frampton
• Original Assignee: Mark Frampton
• Inventors: Frampton, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US15/044,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20160236053A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 473452, 473422, 473451, 473497, 473218, 473270, 473272, D21698, D21780, D21688, D21717-719
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/182 Softball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/22 Foot obstacles for skipping , e.g. horizontally-rotating obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0062 Leg restraining devices

Abstract

A pitching training device generally having a platform with a generally T-shaped end and a raised pitchers rubber configured to support the pitcher during delivery of the underhanded pitch, and a pair of removable heel guides to inhibit rotation of a drive foot of the pitcher. A stride section, removably connected to and positioned to extend longitudinally from said generally T-shaped end. A goal post assembly configured to movably position a stride bar across the stride section. The stride bar is positioned as a target for a drive foot of the pitcher to clear a predetermined height during the underhanded pitch. The device is lightweight and portable, useable indoors or on a practice field and is operable for left or right handed pitching.

Claims

1. A pitch training device comprising:

a platform configured to support a pitcher performing an underhanded pitch comprising a generally T-shaped end having a raised pitchers rubber configured to support a drive foot of the pitcher during delivery of the underhanded pitch, and a pair of removable heel guides to inhibit rotation of the drive foot;

a stride section, removably connected to and positioned to extend longitudinally from said generally T-shaped end, said stride section having a goal post assembly to position a stride bar across said stride section, wherein said stride bar is generally J-shaped and extends vertically from a mounting bracket and has a flexible rod whip portion that extends laterally across said stride section.

2. The pitch training device of claim 1, wherein said platform further comprises an underside having a plurality of platform support members configured to support the platform.

3. The pitch training device of claim 1, wherein said stride bar is adjustable axially along the length of said stride section to accommodate pitchers of different leg length.

4. The pitch training device of claim 1, wherein said goal post assembly is comprised of a semi-circular toothed disc, a mounting bracket and said stride bar.

5. The pitch training device of claim 4, wherein said stride bar is rotatably seated in the mounting bracket, with a fastening clip hooked into female serrations of said semi-circular toothed disc.

6. The pitch training device of claim 5, wherein said stride bar is positioned at a target height and distance from said pitching rubber to force the user'"'"'s stride foot to elevate while performing the underhanded pitch to improve the user'"'"'s power generation of the underhanded pitch.

7. The pitch training device of claim 6, wherein said mounting bracket has a spring latch that enables removal and replacement of said stride bar.

8. The pitch training device of claim 1, wherein said platform configured from materials that provide a grip for said drive foot and said stride foot.

9. The pitch training device of claim 1, wherein said materials that provide a grip for said drive foot and said stride foot are petroleum based.

10. The pitch training device of claim 1, wherein said stride section consists of three identical sections, which are detachable and fasten to each other and to said T-shaped end through a connector.

11. The pitch training device of claim 10, wherein said connector has raised nubs and said T-shaped end and said stride section have bottom thru-holes that mate with said raised nubs of said connector to allow for removably connecting said T-shaped end to said stride section.

12. The pitch training device of claim 11, wherein said connector has thru-holes and said T-shaped end and said stride section have bottom raised nubs that mate with thru-holes of said connector to allow for removably connecting said T-shaped end to said stride section.

13. The pitch training device of claim 1, wherein the removable heel guides are conformed to mate with an approximately ½

″

tall pitching rubber positioned on the platform underneath the heel guides.

14. The pitch training device of claim 1, wherein said goal post assembly has bottom raised nubs that mate with thru-holes of said stride section to allow for removably connecting said goal post assembly to said stride section.

15. The pitch training device of claim 14, wherein said stride section has bottom raised nubs that mate with thru-holes goal post assembly of said to allow for removably connecting said goal post assembly to said stride section.

16. A pitch training device comprising:

a platform configured to support a pitcher performing a pitch comprising a generally T-shaped end having a raised pitchers rubber configured to support a drive foot of the pitcher during delivery of the pitch;

a stride section, removably connected to and positioned to extend longitudinally from said generally T-shaped end with a goal post assembly comprised of a semi-circular toothed disc, a mounting bracket and a stride bar.

17. The pitch training device of claim 16, wherein said raised pitchers rubber is mated with a pair of removable heel guides to inhibit rotation of the drive foot.

18. The pitch training device of claim 16, wherein the goal post assembly is configured to position the stride bar across said stride section.