Batting trainer

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for training batters comprising a stand, a housing coupled to the stand and a plurality of lights disposed in the housing. There is also at least one processor in electrical communication with the lights for controlling the turning on and off of each of the plurality of lights to indicate that a pitch has been thrown. This device can also include a power supply in communication with the processor and the lights. The power supply can be a battery or any other Direct Current (DC) apparatus or an Alternating Current (AC) type device such as a plug into an outlet. The power supply can be used along with the processor to turn the lights on and off. To assist the power-supply and the processor there is a switch which is in communication with the processor and the plurality of lights. This switch is for turning on and off at least one of the plurality of lights.

1 . A device for training batters comprising: 
 a) a stand;    b) a housing coupled to said stand and extending substantially vertically up from said stand;    c) a plurality of lights disposed in said housing; and    d) at least one processor in electrical communication with said plurality of lights for controlling the turning on and off of each of said plurality of lights to indicate that a pitch has been thrown.    
   
   
       2 . The device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply in communication with said processor.  
   
   
       3 . The device as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one switch in communication with said at least one processor and said plurality of lights for turning on and off at least one of said plurality of lights.  
   
   
       4 . The device as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor disposed in said housing and in communication with said at least one processor wherein said at least one sensor detects whether said housing has been struck by a bat.  
   
   
       5 . The device as in  claim 4 , wherein said housing has a front surface facing a user and said least one sensor detects whether said front surface of said housing has been struck by a bat.  
   
   
       6 . The device as in  claim 5 , wherein said at least one, sensor comprises a plurality of sensors positioned in different positions on said front surface of said housing, wherein said at least one sensor determines whether a particular region of said front surface of said housing has been struck.  
   
   
       7 . The device as in  claim 6 , wherein each of said plurality of sensors are disposed adjacent to, and associated with at least one of said plurality of lights.  
   
   
       8 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said housing has a front face which faces a user when the device is in use, and wherein said plurality of lights are positioned in an exposed manner in said housing such that when at least one of said plurality of lights is turned on, light from said at least one of said plurality of lights extends out of said front face so that a user has an indication of a pitch being thrown.  
   
   
       9 . The device as in  claim 8 , further comprising at least one indicator, indicating different sections of said front face of said housing, wherein said at least one indicator indicates a strike zone for a user.  
   
   
       10 . The device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a connecting arm coupling said housing to said stand.  
   
   
       11 . The device as in  claim 10 , further comprising a hinge coupling said connecting arm to said stand.  
   
   
       12 . The device as in  claim 11 , further comprising a spring for biasing said housing in an upright position.  
   
   
       13 . The device as in  claim 12 , further comprising-a sensor in communication with said at least one processor for determining a force of impact on said housing by a user striking said housing with a bat.  
   
   
       14 . The device as in  claim 13 , wherein said sensor is coupled to said hinge, wherein said sensor determines a force applied to said housing by determining a movement in said hinge in response to said housing being struck by a user.  
   
   
       15 . The device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a scoreboard coupled to said housing, said scoreboard being in communication with said at least one, processor.  
   
   
       16 . The device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a memory unit in communication with said at least one processor, said memory unit for storing a set of instructions for said at least one processor.  
   
   
       17 . The device as in  claim 6 , wherein said at least one sensor comprises a piezoelectric sensor.  
   
   
       18 . A device for training batters that is in communication with a power supply the device comprising: 
 a) a stand;    b) a connecting arm having a first end coupled to said stand and an oppositely spaced second end;    c) a hinge for coupling said first end of said connecting arm to said stand;    d) a housing coupled to said second end of said connecting arm;    e) a plurality of lights disposed in said housing;    f) a plurality of switches disposed in said housing with at least one switch being associated with at least one light for selectively turning each of said plurality of lights on and off;    g) at least one processor in electrical communication with said plurality of switches for controlling the turning on and off of each of said plurality of lights to indicate that a pitch has been thrown; and    h) a plurality of sensors disposed in said stand, with at least one sensor being disposed in said stand adjacent to at least one of said-plurality of lights and in communication with said at least one processor for indicating a particular region where said housing has been hit.    
   
   
       19 . A device for training batters comprising: 
 a) a stand;    b) a housing coupled to said stand;    c) a plurality of lights disposed in said housing;    d) at least one processor in electrical communication with said plurality of lights for controlling the turning on and off of each of said plurality of lights to indicate that a pitch has been thrown; and    e) a plurality of sensors disposed in said stand, with at least one sensor being disposed in said stand adjacent to at least one of said plurality of lights and in communication with said at least one processor for indicating a particular region where said housing has been hit.    
   
   
       20 . The device as in  claim 19  further comprising a plurality of wheels coupled to said stand for making the device portable.