Baseball batting trainer

• US 9,833,675 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2014
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: About 52 Feet Llc
• Original Assignee: About 52 Feet Llc
• Inventors: Bynum, Maximilian T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOSHI, ANKIT B
• Application Number:
  US14/209,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20150258402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0675 Input for modifying training controls during workout
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0683 Input by handheld remote control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/23 : Recognition of whole body movements, e.g. for sport training
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 : Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724

Abstract

A batting swing trainer, including a laser for generating a laser beam, a photodetector spaced apart from the laser so as to define a swing space through which a batter swings a bat and for detecting and sensing disruptions in the laser beam, and a microcontroller. The system further includes a speaker for emitting audible signals in relation to which a batter attempts to time swings and a user interface for a user to input pitch data into the microcontroller. When a batter swings a bat through the swing space so as to disrupt said laser beam, the microcontroller detects and measures changes in the laser beam and calculates bat speed, a ball contact time, and the difference between the contact time and the target time, and then provides to the user a visual indication of the effect of the swing.

Claims

1. A batting swing trainer, comprising:

at least one laser for generating a laser beam;

at least one photodetector spaced apart from said at least one laser so as to define a swing space through which a batter swings a bat and for detecting and sensing disruptions in said laser beam;

a microcontroller having temporary memory;

a computer-executable program loadable into said temporary memory that calculates a target time based on pitch speed and delivery point-to-contact point distance;

a speaker for emitting audible signals in relation to which a batter attempts to time swings, said audible signal or a disruption in said audible signal signifying said target time;

a user interface for a user to input data into said microcontroller a pitch speed and a delivery point-to-contact point distance;

an electronic visual display driven by said microcontroller for providing the user with a visual indication of the swing calculations made by said microcontroller; and

a power source connected to said microcontroller and said electronic visual display;

wherein when a batter swings a bat through said swing space so as to disrupt said laser beam, said microcontroller detects and measures changes in said laser beam and calculates bat speed, a ball contact time, and the difference between the contact time and the target time, and then provides to the user a visual indication of the effect of the swing;

wherein said swing trainer further includes a tee guide having alignment markings for orienting a ball tee in relation to said laser beams for both right and left handed batters.

2. The batting swing trainer of claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is a programmable microcontroller that includes a core processor, permanent memory for storing a program, temporary memory for loading and running a computer-executable program, program loading means to load a computer-executable program onto the microcontroller, and a visual display subsystem.

3. The batting swing trainer of claim 1, wherein said computer-executable program enables the user to select an audible output to be produced through said speaker to signify a target time.

4. The batting swing trainer of claim 1, wherein after a swing event, said visual display provides a top plan view of the direction of the hit on a schematic baseball diamond.

5. The batting swing trainer of claim 1, wherein said at least one laser and said at least one photodetector are mounted on a standalone platform.

6. The batting swing trainer of claim 5, wherein said standalone platform includes a base, a vertical support, a lower arm and an upper arm spaced apart from said lower arm, and wherein said at least one laser is disposed in either said upper arm or said lower arm and said at least one photodetector is disposed in the other of either said upper arm or said lower arm.

7. The batting swing trainer of claim 1, further including a video camera.

8. The batting swing trainer of claim 1, wherein said batting swing trainer further includes a first radio transceiver electrically connected to said microcontroller and a control device physically separate from said platform through which a user provides user inputs.

9. The batting swing trainer of claim 8, wherein said control device is selected from the group comprising a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or a handheld multimedia device.

10. The batting swing trainer of claim 9, wherein said control device includes programmable memory for loading a system program, input means, and a graphical user interface for user inputs.

11. The batting swing trainer of claim 10, wherein said control device includes programmable memory for loading a system program, input means, and a graphical user interface for user inputs.

12. The batting swing trainer of claim 8, wherein said control device includes programmable memory for loading a system program, input means, and a graphical user interface for user inputs.

13. The batting swing trainer of claim 12, wherein said control device includes a second radio transceiver in electronic communication with said first radio transceiver.

14. The batting swing trainer of claim 13, wherein said first and second transceivers are in wireless communications through standardized communications protocol.

15. The batting swing trainer of claim 14, wherein said communications protocol is selected from the group consisting of Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, 802.15.1, and 802.15.4.

16. The batting swing trainer of claim 1, wherein said swing trainer includes two lasers and two photodetectors, one for each laser.

17. The batting swing trainer of claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is provided with software including computer-executable instructions to enable a user to select an audio signal to be output through said speaker, said audio signal including a signal output or a disruption in signal output taking place at a time corresponding to the target time.

18. The batting swing trainer of claim 17, wherein said microcontroller determines the contact time by taking the point at which the leading edge of the user'"'"'s bat breaks the laser beam from one of said at least one lasers having a beam aligned so as to correspond with a contact point.

19. The batting swing trainer of claim 18, wherein one laser is included and said microcontroller calculates bat speed by dividing the diameter of the bat by the length of time the laser beam is blocked, and wherein the user must input the diameter of the bat.

20. The batting swing trainer of claim 1, wherein at least two lasers are included providing spaced apart beams detected by spaced apart photodetectors, and wherein said microcontroller calculates bat speed without the need to input a bat diameter.

21. The batting swing trainer of claim 1, wherein said platform includes an electronic hardware compartment for storing system components including at least said microcontroller.