Bat speed sensing device and methods

Abstract

The invention provides for baseball bat velocity sensing apparatus and method, which employs at least one sensor that may be selectively attached to a batting glove. To facilitate use of the system and avoid interference with the batters swing, swinging or hitting characteristics of the bat, the apparatus of the present invention is selectively positioned in association with the batter's hands during his / her swing. The apparatus provides an output that is responsive to swing movement, and measures the velocity of the swing and bat speed for display to a user. The method and apparatus of the present invention may be employed with any type of bat and regular bats may be used without any required modification or attachments. Thus, for example, bat velocity may be determined in the ordinary course of a baseball game. The invention is easily and conveniently used without materially altering or interfering with the batter's ordinary swings. Accordingly, the bat speed measuring apparatus of the present invention embodied as a separate, small, lightweight, self-contained device. Such a device is selectively secured in association with a batter's hands, such as by selective securance with a standard batting glove.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS / INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE [0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 663,660, filed Mar. 21, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a device and method for determining the velocity of a bat swing, either when hitting a ball or practicing. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for sensing the velocity of a baseball bat when, wherein the apparatus and method provide for selective usage in association with a batting glove. [0003] It is known that the flight of a struck baseball and its ultimate traveling distance is determined in part by the velocity of the baseball bat at the time of impact with the ball. Other factors that will influence the speed of the ball include the individual characteristics of the bat and the ball, the incoming or pitch speed in the case of a pitche...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] There is a need for baseball bat velocity sensing apparatus and method, which avoids the drawbacks of prior art systems. This need is met in the present invention, which employs at least one sensor that may be selectively attached to a batting glove. To facilitate use of the system and avoid interference with the batters swing, swinging or hitting characteristics of the bat, the apparatus of the present invention is selectively positioned in association with the batter's hands during his / her swing. The apparatus provides an output that is responsive to swing movement, and measures the velocity of the swing and bat speed for display to a user. The method and apparatus of the present invention may be employed with any type of bat and regular bats may be used without any required modification or attachments. Thus, for example, bat velocity may be determined in the ordinary course of a baseball game. The invention is easily and conveniently used without materially altering or interfering with the batter's ordinary swings. Accordingly, the bat speed measuring apparatus of the present invention embodied as a separate, small, lightweight, self-contained device, or integrated into a batting glove for use. Such a device is selectively secured in association with a batter's hands above the wrist, to accurately monitor swing velocity, such as via selective attachment to a batting glove or integration into the glove.

Problems solved by technology

With respect to measuring the implement's velocity, some have developed fixed systems, such as those associated with a batting tee, which, of course, is unsuited to making measurements during ordinary play.

Others have developed relatively small systems but which still require attachment to the bat, which is not conducive to use in ordinary play.

Still others have developed systems in which the baseball bat itself is instrumented, which is expensive, and which will likely undesirably alter the characteristics of the bat or be subject to damage if used to hit a ball.

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