Systems and methods for controlling baseball bat swing

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling a baseball bat swing are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an upper arm portion, a lower arm portion, a light source, and a pinch gear. The upper arm portion can be pivotably connected to the lower arm portion and a pinch gear can adjust an angle between the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion. A mounting device can releasably secure the upper arm portion to a user's arm. The system can be employed to train the user to achieve a consistent baseball bat swing.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling a user's baseball bat swing, comprising:
 an arm-mounted device having an upper arm portion, a lower arm portion, a light source, and a pinch gear, the upper arm portion pivotably connected to the lower arm portion, the pinch gear positioned to adjust an angle between the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion, and the light source positioned to emit a light beam; and   a mounting device having a sleeve, a patch and a strap, the patch and the strap positioned to secure the arm mounted device to the user's arm.   
     
     
         2 . An arm-mounted device for controlling a user's baseball bat swing, the device comprising:
 an upper arm portion; and   a lower arm portion pivotably connected to the upper arm portion;   an adjustable element operatively coupled to the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion, the adjustable element having a pinch gear to control an angle between the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion; and
 a light source carried by the arm-mounted device, the light source having a rotatable cover and an aperture, the rotatable cover and the aperture adjustable relative to the arm-mounted device. 
   
     
     
         3 . A system for controlling a user's baseball bat swing, the system comprising:
 an arm-mounted device having an upper arm portion, a lower arm portion, and a light source, the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion pivotally connected by a hinge having a pinch gear; and   a stowable pad positionable relative to the arm-mounted device to receive light from the light source, the stowable pad having:   a home plate indicator;   a foot location indicator that is movable relative to the home plate indicator;   a swing line indicator;   a set indicator that is movable along the swing line indicator;   a load indicator that is movable along the swing line indicator;   a throw indicator that is movable along the swing line indicator;   a plurality of array elements positioned to receive light from the light source; and   an audio device positioned to emit sound in response to the receipt of light by at least one individual array element.