Indoor/outdoor swing trainer

Abstract

A swing trainer comprises a wire rope onto which are positioned a plurality of balls, each having a hole through the center, and cushioning devices on either end of the wire rope. The balls and cushioning devices can freely travel along the length of the wire rope. The rope is anchored to an immovable object or held on one end by a user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A swing trainer comprising:
 (a) a first length of wire rope, the wire rope having a first end and a second end;   (b) a plurality of balls, each of the plurality of balls comprising a hole through its center, each of the plurality of balls positioned through its hole along the length of wire rope;   (c) a first cushioning device comprising a hole through its center, the first cushioning device positioned through its hole on the first end of the first length of wire rope;   (d) a second cushioning device comprising a hole through its center, the second cushioning device positioned through its hole on the second end of the first length of wire rope;   (e) the first end of the first length of wire rope being looped back onto itself and crimped to permanently secure a first eyelet onto the first end of the first length of wire rope;   (f) the second end of the first length of wire rope being looped back onto itself and crimped to permanently secure a second eyelet onto the second end of the first length of wire rope,   wherein the plurality of balls are located between each of the first and second cushioning devices and each hole is sized to allow the ball or cushioning device to move freely along the wire rope.   
     
     
         2 . The swing trainer of  claim 1 , further comprising a first fastening device coupled to the first eyelet. 
     
     
         3 . The swing trainer of  claim 2 , further comprising a second fastening device coupled to the second eyelet. 
     
     
         4 . The swing trainer of  claim 3 , wherein the second fastening device is also coupled to a first eyelet on a first end of an adjustable ratcheting strap, the swing trainer further comprising a third fastening device coupled to a second eyelet on a second end of the adjustable ratcheting strap. 
     
     
         5 . The swing trainer of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second fastening devices are each coupled to separate, spaced anchor points, the first fastening device being coupled to or wrapped around a first immovable object, the first fastening device being coupled to the first eyelet line to create a first anchor point, the second fastening device being coupled to or wrapped around a second immovable object, the second fastening device being coupled to the first eyelet line to create a second anchor point. 
     
     
         6 . The swing trainer of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second fastening devices are each coupled to separate, spaced anchor points, the first fastening device being coupled to or wrapped around a first immovable object, the first fastening device being coupled to the first eyelet line to create a first anchor point, the second fastening device being coupled to a handle or pair of handles configured to be held by a user to create a second anchor point. 
     
     
         7 . The swing trainer of  claim 4 , wherein the first fastening device and the third fastening device are each coupled to separate spaced anchor points; and
 where the combined first clip-on carabiner and first eyelet line are wrapped around an immovable or temporary immovable object where the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached or clipped back onto the first eyelet line to create a first anchor point; or   where the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached directly to an immovable or temporary immoveable object to create a first anchor point; or   where a second eyelet line is wrapped around an immovable or temporary immoveable object with the first eyelet passing through the second eyelet so that the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device may attach to the first eyelet to create a first anchor point; or   where a second eyelet line is wrapped around an immovable or temporary immoveable object with both eyelets coming together to overlap so that the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device may attach to both eyelets simultaneously to create a first anchor point; and   where the combined third clip-on carabiner and adjustable ratcheting strap are wrapped around an immovable or temporary immovable object where the third clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached or clipped back onto the adjustable ratcheting strap to create a second anchor point; or   where the third clip-on carabiner or fastening device may or may not attach directly to an immovable or temporary immoveable object to create a second anchor point; or   where a third eyelet line is wrapped around an immovable or temporary immoveable object with the first eyelet passing through the second eyelet so that the third clip-on carabiner or fastening device may attach to the first eyelet to create a second anchor point; or   where a third eyelet line is wrapped around an immovable or temporary immoveable object with both eyelets coming together to overlap so that the third clip-on carabiner or fastening device may attach to both eyelets simultaneously to create a second anchor point, thereby creating an anchored ratcheting swing trainer;   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said ratcheting ball line swing trainer, requiring the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device and the third clip-on carabiner or fastening device each be attached to separate and reasonably spaced anchor points; and
 where the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached directly to an attachment point on a first immovable pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is permanently cemented in the ground to create a first anchor point; or   where the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached directly to an attachment point on a first temporary immovable pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is lowered into a first tightly fitting recess that is permanently formed in cement in the ground to create a first anchor point; or   where the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached directly to an attachment point on a first temporary immovable pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is lowered into a first anchoring sleeve that is permanently cemented in the ground to create a first anchor point; and   where the third clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached directly to an attachment point on a second immovable pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is permanently cemented in the ground to create a second anchor point; or   where the third clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached directly to an attachment point on a second temporary immovable pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is lowered into a second tightly fitting recess that is permanently formed in cement in the ground to create a second anchor point; or   where the third clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached directly to an attachment point on a second temporary immovable pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is lowered into a second anchoring sleeve that is permanently cemented in the ground to create a second anchor point; and thereby creating a hitching pole swing trainer;   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said first modified ball line swing trainer, requiring the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device attached to the first eyelet on the eyelet line and the second eyelet each be attached to separate and reasonably spaced anchor points; and
 where the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached directly to an attachment point on a first immovable pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is permanently cemented in the ground to create a first anchor point; or   where the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached directly to an attachment point on a first temporary immovable pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is lowered into a first tightly fitting recess that is permanently formed in cement in the ground to create a first anchor point; or   where the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached directly to an attachment point on a first temporary immovable pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is lowered into a first anchoring sleeve that is permanently cemented in the ground to create a first anchor point; and   where the second eyelet on the eyelet line is passed through a hitch ring and attached to a ratcheting mechanism on a first ratcheting hitching pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is permanently cemented in the ground to create a second anchor point; or   where the second eyelet on the eyelet line is passed through a hitch ring and attached to a ratcheting mechanism on a first ratcheting hitching pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is lowered into a second tightly fitting recess that is permanently formed in cement in the ground to create a second anchor point; or   where the second eyelet on the eyelet line is passed through a hitch ring and attached to a ratcheting mechanism on a first ratcheting hitching pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is lowered into a second anchoring sleeve that is permanently cemented in the ground to create a second anchor point; and thereby creating a ratcheting/hitching pole swing trainer;   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said ball line swing trainer, requiring the first eyelet and second eyelet on the eyelet line each be attached to separate and reasonably spaced anchor points; and
 where the first eyelet on the eyelet line is passed through a hitch ring and attached to a ratcheting mechanism on a first ratcheting hitching pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is permanently cemented in the ground to create a first anchor point; or   where the first eyelet on the eyelet line is passed through a hitch ring and attached to a ratcheting mechanism on a first ratcheting hitching pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is lowered into a second tightly fitting recess that is permanently formed in cement in the ground to create a first anchor point; or   where the first eyelet on the eyelet line is passed through a hitch ring and attached to a ratcheting mechanism on a first ratcheting hitching pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is lowered into a second anchoring sleeve that is permanently cemented in the ground to create a first anchor point; and   where the second eyelet on the eyelet line is passed through a hitch ring and attached to a ratcheting mechanism on a first ratcheting hitching pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is permanently cemented in the ground to create a second anchor point; or   where the second eyelet on the eyelet line is passed through a hitch ring and attached to a ratcheting mechanism on a first ratcheting hitching pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is lowered into a second tightly fitting recess that is permanently formed in cement in the ground to create a second anchor point; or   where the second eyelet on the eyelet line is passed through a hitch ring and attached to a ratcheting mechanism on a first ratcheting hitching pole with multiple hitch rings or attachment points which is lowered into a second anchoring sleeve that is permanently cemented in the ground to create a second anchor point; and thereby creating a double ratcheting pole swing trainer;   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said ratcheting ball line swing trainer, requiring the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device and the third clip-on carabiner or fastening device each be attached to separate and reasonably spaced anchor points; and
 where the first clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached directly to a ring on a first wall-mounted hitching screw or attachment point on a first wall section to create a first anchor point; and   where the second clip-on carabiner or fastening device is attached directly to a ring on a second wall-mounted hitching screw or attachment point on a second wall section to create a second anchor point, and thereby creating a wall-mounted swing trainer;   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal or synthetic crimp may take the form of any suitable crimping mechanism or locking device that will allow for the permanent crimping or binding of an eyelet onto either end of a reasonable length of plastic coated metal wire rope or aircraft cable; 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said first reasonable length of plastic coated metal wire rope or aircraft cable, may take the form of any suitably strong thin flexible material that would suit the creation of a swing trainer as described herein which may include string, natural or synthetic fibers, rope or metal wire; 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of balls with holes through their center, may include any suitable ball used for the purpose of playing or practicing baseball, fastball, softball or golf to include any sufficiently round object which may include baseballs, softballs, whiffle balls, plastic balls, rubber balls, golf balls or other suitable balls; and
 may take the form of a two-piece ball with a hole through the center that assembles with the help of hardware which may or may not include nuts and bolts or another suitable joining mechanism to simplify the addition to, or removal from the first eyelet line of a ball line, a first modified ball line, a second modified ball line or an adjustable ball line without the need to disassemble and reassemble the unit.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said rubber ball or cushioning device with a hole through its center, may be made of any suitably stiff, durable or flexible materials; and
 may take the form of a two-piece ball with a hole through the center that assembles with the help of hardware which may or may not include nuts and bolts or another suitable joining mechanism to simplify the addition to, or removal from the first eyelet line of a ball line, a first modified ball line, a second modified ball line or an adjustable ball line without the need to disassemble and reassemble the unit.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said clip-on carabiner or fastening device may take the form of a hook, a metal ring, a link or ring with a threaded closure mechanism or another suitable mechanism that would facilitate the secure attachment to or removal from an anchor point; 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said adjustable ratcheting strap, may take the form of a come-along, a pulley system, a rope lock, a tightening strap, a tightening rope, a locking chain or another suitable device that can be used to take the slack out of a line to make it taut between any two anchor points and that can also loosen it; 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said ratcheting ball line swing trainer, may include the addition of a second eyelet line where the first eyelet is also attached or clipped onto the first clip-on carabiner and a fourth clip-on carabiner or fastening device is added and attached to the second eyelet on the second eyelet line, thereby creating an extended ratcheting ball line swing trainer allowing it to span longer distances; 
     
     
         19 . The swing trainer of  claim 1  wherein the wire rope is a plastic coated metal wire rope or aircraft cable, wherein one or both of the first and second cushioning device is a rubber ball, wherein the crimp is a metal or synthetic crimp and wherein one or both of the first and second fastening device is a clip-on carabiner.