US2015238834A1PendingUtilityA1

Batting Training Device and Method

21
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Feb 21, 2014Filed: Feb 21, 2014Published: Aug 27, 2015
Est. expiryFeb 21, 2034(~7.5 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Bruce W. Esper
A63B 2209/00A63B 69/0002A63B 2069/0008A63B 2209/10A63B 2214/00
21
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices and methods that train a player to hit a ball with a bat using a predetermined portion of the bat, e.g., the sweet spot or other optimal portion of a bat. The device and methods of the present invention are useful in training players from a variety of sports, such as baseball, softball, and cricket.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A batting training device comprising,
 a ring comprising an energy-absorbing material, wherein the ring has an opening for inserting a hitting instrument therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ring is secured to said hitting instrument via a friction fit. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ring is secured to said hitting instrument via a fastening mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said fastening mechanism is a strap and buckle. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said fastening mechanism is one or more snap buttons. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said fastening mechanism is a hook-and-loop fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional-shape of the ring is substantially circular in shape. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional-shape of the ring is substantially rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said hitting instrument is a baseball or softball bat. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said hitting instrument is a cricket bat. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said hitting instrument is a ping pong paddle. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said hitting instrument is a golf club. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said hitting instrument is selected from the group consisting of a tennis racquet, squash racquet, badminton racquet, and racquetball racquet. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said energy-absorbing material is a foam. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said energy-absorbing material is a polymer. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said energy-absorbing material comprises ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). 
     
     
         17 . A method of training a player to hit a ball with the sweet spot of a bat, comprising the steps of:
 connecting an energy-absorbing device to a bat, thereby covering a portion of the outer surface of the bat with the device,   wherein said device provides a feedback to a player when a player hits a ball with the portion of the outer surface of the bat covered with the device.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said energy absorbing device is the device of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the feedback is a decrease in volume in the sound made when the ball strikes the device compared to the sound made when the ball strikes an uncovered portion of the bat. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the feedback is a reduction in vibration felt by the player when the ball strikes the device compared to the vibration felt by the player when the ball strikes an uncovered portion of the bat. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the feedback is a reduction in distance the ball is hit when the ball strikes the device compared to the distance the ball is hit when the ball strikes an uncovered portion of the bat. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the feedback is a reduction in speed the ball is hit when the ball strikes the device compared to the speed the ball is hit when the ball strikes an uncovered portion of the bat. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the portion of the outer surface of the bat covered by the device does not include a sweet spot of the bat. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of determining the location of a sweet spot of a bat prior to connecting said device to the bat.

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