Batting training apparatus

Abstract

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a batting training apparatus for simulating ball trajectory prior to, during, and after the ball is impacted by a piece of sporting equipment such as a baseball bat. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a ball connected to a rotating tab wherein the tab is secured to a bearing configured to rotate within a bearing housing. The bearing housing may be mounted to a vertical support structure such as a pole or post.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A batting training apparatus configured to facilitate the horizontal rotational movement of a ball relative to a user, the apparatus comprising:
 a bearing housing configured to be mounted within a vertical support with said bearing housing having a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat positioned vertically below said first bearing seat;   a first bearing secured within said first bearing seat with said first bearing having an inner race comprising a bearing aperture, an outer race, and a ball bearing positioned between said inner race and said outer race thereby allowing said inner race to rotate relative to said outer race with said outer race remaining stationary as said inner race is rotating;   a second bearing secured within said second bearing seat with said second bearing having an inner race comprising a bearing aperture, an outer race, and a ball bearing positioned between said inner race and said outer race thereby allowing said inner race to rotate relative to said outer race with said outer race remaining stationary as said inner race is rotating;   a rotating tab positioned vertically above said first bearing, said rotating tab having a proximal tab aperture;   an elongate male threaded fastener having a top end and a bottom end with said elongate male threaded fastener passing vertically through the proximal tab aperture of the rotating tab and also passing vertically through said bearing apertures of said first and second bearings;   a first female threaded fastener positioned between said rotating tab and said first bearing with said first female fastener being threadably coupled to said elongate male threaded fastener;   a second female threaded fastener positioned between said second bearing and said elongate male threaded fastener bottom end with said second female fastener being threadably coupled to said elongate male threaded fastener; and   wherein the rotating tab, elongate male threaded fastener, first female threaded fastener, first bearing inner race, second bearing inner race, and second female threaded fastener are configured to rotate in unison with each other while the outer races of the first and second bearings, vertical support, and bearing housing do not rotate and remain stationary.   
     
     
         2 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating tab, elongate male threaded fastener, first female threaded fastener, second female threaded fastener, first bearing, second bearing, and bearing housing are vertically stacked relative to each other along a vertical axis within a vertical support thereby allowing the rotating tab to rotate in a horizontal rotational motion. 
     
     
         3 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first female threaded fastener is in frictional contact with the inner race of the first bearing but is not in frictional contact with the outer race of the first bearing. 
     
     
         4 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first female threaded fastener applies frictional rotating forces to the inner race of the first bearing causing the inner race to rotate in unison along with the male threaded fastener and the rotating tab while the outer race of the first bearing remains stationary within the bearing housing. 
     
     
         5 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the second female threaded fastener is in frictional contact with the inner race of the second bearing but is not in frictional contact with the outer race of the second bearing. 
     
     
         6 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second female threaded fastener applies frictional rotating forces to the inner race of the second bearing causing the inner race to rotate in unison along with the male threaded fastener and the rotating tab while the outer race of the second bearing remains stationary within the bearing housing. 
     
     
         7 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing housing comprises a first bearing seat adapted to receive and secure said first bearing outer race and a second bearing seat adapted to receive and secure said second bearing outer race. 
     
     
         8 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a bearing spacer integrally formed within the bearing housing and positioned between said first bearing seat and said second bearing seat. 
     
     
         9 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating tab further comprises a distal tab aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the distal tab aperture is coupled to a tether having a first end and a second end. 
     
     
         11 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the rotating tab is coupled to the first end of the tether through a quick link. 
     
     
         12 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first end of the tether is removably coupled to the rotating tab and wherein the second end of the tether is coupled to a ball. 
     
     
         13 . The batting training apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the ball is selected from one of a baseball or a softball. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing housing is constructed from a plastic selected from one of urethane and polyurethane. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate male threaded fastener is constructed from a rigid material. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the elongate male threaded fastener is selected from one of a threaded metal bolt, a threaded metal screw, and a threaded metal rod. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner most components of the apparatus comprise the elongate male threaded fastener and the inner races of the first and second bearings and the outer components of the apparatus comprise the vertical support and the outer races of the first and second bearings. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the inner most components of the apparatus are free to rotate relative to the outer components with said outer components remaining stationary. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing housing is removably coupled within the vertical support. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the bearing housing is removably coupled to the vertical support with a set screw.