BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL TRAINING AID

Abstract

A batting practice aid includes a base, a brace extending vertically or a leg supported by the base, and a plane attached to the upper end of the brace via a joint. The brace allows for adjustment of the plane's height, while the joint between the plane and the brace allows the plane to rotate, tilt, and / or deflect to mimic optimal swing planes for different pitching locations / angles and batter heights. The practice aid may incorporate a batting takeoff point for takeoff work and / or a resistive element to approximate contact during swings without the ball. A guide bar may be provided above the plane to prevent a batter from swinging down onto the ball.Sensors can be incorporated into the training aid to measure one or more swing metrics, such as bat speed; the data collected by the sensors can be transmitted to external devices such as smartphones, tablets, personal computers, and the like.

Description

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL TRAINING AID Field of Invention This description refers generally to baseball and softball training aids. Specifically, it refers to a device that helps baseball and softball players refine and improve their hitting. Background of the Invention It is widely recognized that one of the most difficult things to do in sports is hit a baseball. Consequently, baseball players (and softball players as well) spend a considerable amount of time practicing their swings. Known techniques for practicing baseball and / or softball swings include live batting practice (i.e., where a pitcher throws pitches for the batter to hit), stick work (i.e., where the batter hits a ball from a stick), and swings (i.e., where the batter simply practices swinging without hitting a ball). It is generally desirable for a swing to be a consistently reproducible motion, subject to slight adjustments to reach pitches in different positions within the hitting zone (e.g., high, low, inside, outside, and above the midpoint of the plate). However, it often happens that a batter can use one swing motion in Ref. 3264 dry, another movement to work from the teeing point and yet another movement for live batting practice. Therefore, simply practicing swings may not lead to the desired improvement in game performance and, in some cases, may incorporate bad habits into muscle memory. It is known, therefore, that batters employ various feedback mechanisms when practicing their swings. For example, batters may record themselves on video while swinging and then analyze their swing afterward. However, this method does not offer real-time corrective feedback. While a batting coach can provide real-time corrective feedback, it also increases the costs for the batter. Brief Description of the Invention Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a batting training aid for baseball and / or softball players that provides corrective feedback in real time, even when the batter is practicing alone. This document describes a batting practice aid, which includes: a stand comprising a base and a brace supported by and extending upward from the base; and a batting plane attached to the upper end of the brace via a joint. The height of the batting plane can be adjusted via the brace, such as by incorporating a four-bar connection or a telescopic post into the brace. The connection between the batting plane and the brace desirably allows the batting plane to rotate around at least one axis, such as a roll axis (e.g., to raise / lower the inside / outside edges of the batting plane), a pitch axis (e.g., to raise / lower the front / back edges of the batting plane), and / or a deflection axis (e.g., to rotate the batting plane near / away from the first and third base lines). Batting practice aids include a batting launch point that extends above the upper surface of the batting plane. Alternatively or additionally, batting practice aids may include a resistive element that extends above the upper surface of the batting plane, serving both as a target for a batter and as an approximation of the feel of hitting a ball. In these variations, the batting practice aid also includes a guide bar positioned above and parallel to the upper surface of the batting plate. The guide bar can be attached to the batting practice aid so that it can rotate around an axis that extends vertically between the base and the batting plate. It is also envisaged that the batting practice aid may include a bat speed sensor, which, in the models described, can be integrated into the batting frame. Suitable sensors include, but are not limited to, radar-based sensors, photoemitter sensors, and acoustic sensors (e.g., ultrasonic). A transceiver may also be incorporated into the batting practice aid to allow the bat speed sensor to communicate with one or more external devices, such as smartphones, tablets, personal computers, and the like. Also described herein is a batting training aid, which includes: a base; a batting plane; and a leg having an upper end connected to the batting plane and a lower end connected to the base, wherein the vertical distance between the upper end of the leg and the lower end of the leg is adjustable, and wherein the connection between the upper end of the leg and the batting plane allows the batting plane to rotate about at least one roll axis and, in the embodiments described, at least one axis in addition to the roll axis. Batting practice aids may also include a batting tee and / or at least one sensor to measure at least one batting metric (e.g., a bat speed sensor to measure bat speed as needed). Ln / zznz / q / YiAi Ln / zznz / q / YiAi that passes through the batting zone). In the modes described, at least one sensor is integrated into the batting plane. The above and other aspects, features, details, uses and advantages of the present invention will be evident from reading the description and the following claims and from reviewing the accompanying figures. Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 is a perspective view of a batting training aid according to the modalities of the present description. Figure 2 is a front view of the batting training aid in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the batting training aid in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a top view of a batting plane according to the aspects described in this document, and more particularly as shown in the batting training aid in Figure 1. Figure 5 represents a top portion of a batting tee according to the modalities of the present description. Figure 6 represents a swing target without a ball according to the modalities of this description. Figure 7 represents a retainer for the top portion of the batting exit point in Figure 5 and / or the no-ball swing target in Figure 6. Although multiple modalities are described, still other modalities will become evident to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative modalities. Therefore, the figures and the detailed description should be considered illustrative and not restrictive. Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 represents a batting practice aid 10 according to the aspects of the present description. As seen there, the batting practice aid 10 generally includes a stand 12, which includes a base 14 and a brace or leg 16 that is supported by the base 14 at its lower end 18. The brace or leg 16 extends upward from the base 14 and is connected at its upper end 20 to a batting plane 22 through a joint 24. The brace or leg 16 allows the height of the batting plate 22 to be adjusted above base 14, for example, to accommodate batters of different heights and / or to simulate pitches at different elevations within the batter's box. For example, the brace or leg 16 may incorporate a four-bar linkage, a telescopic post, or a similar mechanism that allows the height of the batting plate 22 to be altered. The joint 24 allows the batting plane 22 to rotate about at least one axis. In the embodiments described, therefore, the joint 24 may incorporate one or more gimbals, allowing the batting plane 22 to rotate about a roll axis 26 (generally extending from the front of the batting plane 22 to the rear of the batting plane 22, as shown in Figure 3), a pitch axis 28 (generally extending from the outer edge of the batting plane 22 to the inner edge of the batting plane 22, as shown in Figures 2 and 3), and / or a deflection axis 30 (extending perpendicular to the surface of the batting plane 22, as shown in Figure 2). The joint 24 thus allows the batting plane 22 to be adjusted to simulate different incoming pitch angles and, consequently, the optimal angle and trajectory of the bat as it moves through the batting zone. The batting practice aid 10 features a batting launch point 32 that extends above the top surface of the batting plane 22 (for example, from within an opening in the batting plane 22, such as slot 34, shown in Figure 4). The batting launch point 32 is intended to slide into slot 34 to simulate pitches that are at the inside and outside edges of the batting zone. Those skilled in the technique will be familiar with the basic construction of a batting tee 32, so a detailed description of it is not necessary here. In general, however, and as shown in Figure 5, the batting tee 32 includes a cup-shaped top 33 configured to hold a ball inside. Based on the aspects of this description, the top 33 is not symmetrical. Rather, one side of the top 33 may include a higher wall 37, which helps ensure that a ball placed inside the top 33 does not fall out even when the batting plane 22 is set at high roll and / or pitch angles. In the alternative modalities described in this document, the upper surface of the batting plane 22 may include a cavity or hole to receive a ball. Because hitting a ball may not be desirable in certain training environments, it is envisaged that hitters may also employ batting practice aid 10 with no-ball swings. However, it is often desirable to provide a target and simulate the feel of hitting a ball during no-ball swing practice. In this regard, Figure 6 depicts a no-ball swing target 36, the contact of which approximates the feel of hitting a ball, which can be secured within the groove 34. In other modalities, a resistive medium, such as a plurality of bristles extending above the upper surface of the batting plane 22, may be used instead of the no-ball swing target 36. The batting practice aid 10 can also incorporate a sensor to measure at least one swing metric, such as bat speed through the hitting zone. For example, one or more sensors 38 can be connected to the batting practice aid 10 (e.g., integrated into the batting plane 22) to measure bat speed as it passes through the hitting zone, which is generally parallel to the batting plane 22. The sensors 38 can be radar-based sensors, photoemitter sensors, acoustic sensors (e.g., ultrasonic), or any other suitable sensor. The batting training aid 10 may also include a transceiver 40 in operational communication with the sensors 38. Therefore, the measurements made by the sensors 38 can be transmitted (e.g., via Bluetooth, WiFi, or another suitable communication protocol) to an external device 41 (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, or similar) for review / analysis (e.g., by Ln / zznz / q / YiAi a trainer) and / or storage. Of course, it is also contemplated that the batting training aid 10 may include, onboard, a microprocessor (or microprocessors), memory, storage medium, or displays (shown in block form as electronic packages 43), allowing certain data to be reviewed directly on the batting training aid 10, while more sophisticated analysis may be available in an application running on the external device 41, analogous to the functionality of existing fitness-tracking devices. In addition, the batting practice aid 10 includes a guide bar 44. The guide bar 44 is positioned on the top surface of the batting plane 22 and generally extends parallel to it. The guide bar 44 helps enforce proper swing mechanics (e.g., in the same plane as an incoming pitch) by preventing a batter from swinging down off the ball, because a downward swing would collide with the guide bar 44. The guide bar 44 can be attached to an arm 46, which in turn is fixed to the batting practice aid 10 so that it can rotate about the deflection axis 30 (e.g., the vertical axis generally defined by the brace or leg 16). For example, the guide bar 44 can be attached to the brace or leg 16, or it can be attached directly to Ln / zznz / q / YiAi the lower surface of the batting plane 22. In virtually all cases, a batter can rotate the guide bar 44 toward the outside of the hitting zone (i.e., toward the edge of the batting plane 22 furthest from the batter) regardless of whether the batter is right-handed or left-handed; a clamp 48 may be provided on the batting plane 22 to secure the guide bar 44 in position. The height of the guide bar 44 above the batting plane 22 may also be adjusted to allow batters more (taller) or less (shorter) room for their bats to enter the hitting zone. Although several modalities with a certain degree of particularity have been described above, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the described modalities without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. For example, in the described modalities, a reversible starting point may include a cup-shaped top 33 on one side and a no-ball swing target 36 on the opposite side, allowing the user to quickly and conveniently adapt the batting training aid 10 for active or no-ball swings simply by removing, reversing, and reinserting the reversible starting point into the slot 34. Of course, it is also envisaged that the batting tee 32 and the no-ball swing target 36 can be separate pieces that can be interchangeably secured within the slot 34. In this regard, Figure 7 shows a retainer 48 on the top of the tee that can be secured within the slot 34. Depending on the desired batsman training, either the batting tee 32 or the no-ball swing target 36 can be secured to the retainer 48 on the top of the tee, for example, by a snap fit, a locking twist, or another suitable connection between the two pieces. The unused component can be secured in a storage position under the batting plane 22 for easy retrieval. All directional references (e.g., top, bottom, ascending, descending, left, right, to the left, to the right, above, below, on top, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are used solely for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present invention and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention. References to connections (e.g., fixed, coupled, connected, and the like) should be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate elements between a connection of elements and relative movement between the elements. As such, references to connections do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected and in a fixed relationship to each other. All material contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying figures is intended to be illustrative only and not limiting. Changes may be made to the details or structure without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. A batting training aid, characterized in that it comprises: a support including a base and a brace supported by and extending upwards from the base; and a batting plane attached to an upper end of the brace via a joint.

2. The batting training aid according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the batting plane above the base can be adjusted by means of the brace.

3. The batting training aid according to claim 2, characterized in that the brace comprises a four-bar connection.

4. The batting training aid according to claim 2, characterized in that the brace comprises a telescopic post.

5. The batting training aid according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint allows the batting plane to rotate about at least one axis.

6. The batting training aid of Ln / zznz / q / YiAi in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the joint allows the batting plane to rotate around a rocking axis.

7. The batting training aid according to claim 5, characterized in that the joint allows the batting plane to rotate around a pitching axis.

8. The batting training aid according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a batting exit point extending above an upper surface of the batting plane.

9. The batting training aid according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a resistive means extending above an upper surface of the batting plane.

10. The batting training aid according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a guide bar positioned above and parallel to an upper surface of the batting plane.

11. The batting training aid according to claim 10, characterized in that the guide bar is coupled to the batting training aid so that it can rotate about an axis extending vertically between the base and the batting plane.

12. The batting training aid of 16 according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a bat speed sensor.

13. The batting training aid according to claim 12, characterized in that the bat speed sensor is integrated into the batting plane.

14. The batting training aid according to claim 12, characterized in that the bat speed sensor comprises a radar-based sensor.

15. The batting training aid according to claim 12, characterized in that the bat speed sensor comprises at least two photoemitters.

16. The batting training aid according to claim 12, characterized in that the bat speed sensor comprises at least two ultrasonic sensors.

17. The batting training aid according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises a transceiver for establishing communication between the bat speed sensor and one or more devices external to the batting training aid. Ln / zznz / q / YiAi 18. A batting training aid, characterized in that it comprises: a base; a batting plane; and a leg having an upper end connected to the batting plane and a lower end connected to the base, and wherein the vertical distance between the upper end of the leg and the lower end of the leg is adjustable, and wherein the connection between the upper end of the leg and the batting plane allows the batting plane to rotate about a rocking axis.

19. The batting training aid according to claim 18, characterized in that the batting plane further comprises a batting exit point.

20. The batting training aid according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises at least one sensor for measuring at least one batting metric.

21. The batting training aid according to claim 20, characterized in that at least one batting metric comprises bat speed and at least one sensor comprises at least one bat speed sensor.

22. The batting training aid according to claim 20, characterized in that at least one sensor is integrated into the batting plane. nhL7 Ln / zznz / q / YiAi 23. The batting training aid according to claim 18, characterized in that the connection between the upper end of the leg and the batting plane allows the batting plane to rotate about at least one axis in addition to the swing axis.

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