Multidimensional Manually Operated Batting Practice Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention and method of use enable a batter to practice and increase skills related to following the path and speed of a ball with their eyes, swinging at the right moment in time in relation to ball-speed, making best contact with a moving ball relative to path location, and further developing swinging techniques when qualified instructor is present. The present invention provides a manually operated batting simulation device for simulating various speeds, irregular or three-dimensional travel toward the batter providing a more realistic ball movement, and is engineered to absorb likely practical potential disturbing and uncomfortable vibration and shock-waves generated by the player striking the fast moving ball. The present invention includes at least one rigid portion, at least one flexible portion and at least one ball portion. The present invention is constructed to have the flexible portion between the ball portion and the rigid portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority of U.S. Provisional patent application No. 62 / 298,829 filed on Feb. 23, 2016 the contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to devices and methods for providing batting practice, and more particularly, to devices for simulating three-dimensional simulation for baseball or softball batting practice and training.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Baseball and softball are widely popular sports, and center on a players skill in being able to hit a ball. Because of this importance many training devices for assisting a player to improve their batting abilities have been provided. In order for a batter to experience batting practice with a real ball, they cannot do so unless they are able to arrange for ball-pitcher / server (in the event of tennis) or a ball pitching machine, one or more fielders to field and / or catch the ball, access to mu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The inventive device is operated by one person holding the rigid portion, swinging or rotating the rigid portion toward a batter, while the flexible portion moves or causes bobbing of the ball portion three dimensionally toward a batter to swing a bat toward the ball portion, and providing a realistic movement of the simulated ball requiring the batter to exclusively look at the simulated ball as opposed to the portions physically connected in line with to the ball. In addition, by means of employing a graduated series of increasing flexible materials incorporated in the flexible portion, the inventive batting training device provides a relatively shock-free experience for the batter and operator.

Problems solved by technology

Problems arise with typical batting trainers where the extension rods from the operator to the ball are relatively straight, thus teaching the batter to follow the line for the extension arm of the device, as opposed to focusing on the ball.

This translates to ineffective training and slow improvement in batting gains for a user.

In addition this limits a batter's effectiveness by failing to train a batter to hit pitches that result in three-dimensional movement toward a batter such as curve balls, knuckle balls and the like.

This is because the existing devices are designed with a relatively rigid or semi-flexible extruded rod, thus limiting movement of the batting trainer in two directions.

In addition, as a result of the design, many training devices cannot absorb the bat striking shock-wave when the device is swung fast to simulate a fast moving ball, thus it may only be operated slowly without either damaging or discomforting the training device, the batter or the operator swinging the devices toward the trainer.

Thus these other devices are not designed and recommended for the use of simulating repeated varying locations of realistic speeds without producing significant practical discomfort to both the batter and the operator due to the transfer of the energy shock-wave and vibration from the bat and the handle of the device.

No such devices have been presented to date to address these issues, thus there remains an unmet need.

Images