Apparatus, Assembly Kit, And Methods For Training Overhead Throwing Motions And Balance

Abstract

An apparatus, kit and method for guiding overhead throwing motions. The apparatus may comprise a base member for supporting a rising member, which may be connected to an elongated member. The rising member may pivot in relation to the elongated member. A mechanical fastener may lock the pivoting motion. The elongated member may guide a path for the foot of the user. The user standing on a throwing surface may: lift his or her leading foot to a contact point on the guiding surface of the apparatus; direct the leading foot downward along the guiding surface; and, lift the leading foot from the guiding surface to a landing spot on the throwing surface. When unassembled, the component parts of the apparatus may be fit into a standard sized baseball batting bag.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for guiding overhead throwing motions of a user, comprising the steps of:
 a base member for supporting a rising member, the major axis of the base member being substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the rising member;   an elongated member having a top end connected to a top end of the rising member, whereby the major axis of the rising member is adapted to pivot in relation to the major axis of the elongated member; and,   a mechanical fastener adapted to lock the pivoting motion of the rising member in relation to the elongated member, whereby the elongated member is adapted to guide a path for the foot of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base member is mounted on a throwing surface, and wherein a bottom end of the elongated member is mounted on the throwing surface, and wherein the elongated member is sloped downwards from the rising member towards the throwing surface. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom end of the elongated member is connected to an end of an elongated bar, and wherein the opposite end of the elongated bar is mounted on a throwing surface, and wherein the connected elongated member and the elongated bar are adapted to guide the path for the foot of the user. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an end of the base member is connected to a bottom end of the rising member, and wherein the connection is a slip joint connection. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top end of the elongated member is connected to the top end of the rising member via a slip joint connection. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base member is a subsection of the rising member, and wherein the base member is mounted on a throwing surface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member is elbow-shaped having a longer section and a shorter section, respectively; the longer section being sloped downwards towards a throwing surface; and, the shorter section comprising the top end of the elongated member that is connected to the top end of the rising member. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a locking pin, and wherein the top end of the elongated member is connected to the top end of the rising member via a slip joint connection, and wherein the top end of the elongated member and the top end of the rising member have corresponding connection holes, and wherein the locking pin is adapted to slide through the connection holes, and whereby the locking pin is capable of locking the pivoting motion of the rising member in relation to the elongated member by traversing through the connection holes when aligned. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base member, the rising member, and the elongated member are aluminum pipes. 
     
     
         10 . A kit having component parts capable of being assembled on a throwing surface for providing an apparatus for guiding overhead throwing motions of a user, the kit comprising the combination of:
 a base member adapted to be connected to a rising member, whereby the major axis of the base member is capable of being substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the rising member;   an elongated member having a top end adapted to be connected to a top end of the rising member, whereby the major axis of the rising member is adapted to pivot in relation to the major axis of the elongated member; and,   a mechanical fastener adapted to lock the pivoting motion of the rising member in relation to the elongated member, whereby the elongated member is adapted to guide a path for the foot of the user.   
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising the combination of:
 an elongated bar having an end adapted to connect to a bottom end of the elongated member, wherein the opposite end of the elongated bar is adapted to be mounted on the throwing surface, and wherein the connected elongated member and the elongated bar are adapted to guide the path for the foot of the user.   
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the component parts are capable of fitting into a standard sized baseball batting bag. 
     
     
         13 . A method for using an apparatus for guiding overhead throwing motions of a user on a throwing surface, comprising the steps of:
 standing on the throwing surface adjacent to the apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises:
 a) a base member for supporting a rising member, the major axis of the base member being substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the rising member; 
 b) an elongated member having a top end connected to a top end of the rising member, whereby the major axis of the rising member is adapted to pivot in relation to the major axis of the elongated member, and wherein the elongated member is sloped downwards from the rising member towards the throwing surface; and, 
 c) a mechanical fastener adapted to lock the pivoting motion of the rising member in relation to the elongated member, wherein the top surface of the elongated member is a guiding surface for a path for the foot of the user; 
   lifting the leading foot from the throwing surface to a contact point on the guiding surface of the apparatus;   directing the leading foot along the guiding surface toward a bottom end of the elongated member; and,   lifting the leading foot from the guiding surface of the apparatus to a landing spot on the throwing surface adjacent to the apparatus.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of:
 adjusting the slope of the elongated member by: removing the mechanical fastener, pivoting the rising member in relation to the elongated member, and reattaching the mechanical fastener to lock the pivoting motion.