Training device for assisting a user to control a launch angle of a baseball/softball bat

Abstract

A training device includes an adjustable and free-standing base, a rod affixed to the base and extended upward therefrom, a first coupling attached to a distal end of the rod, a swivel arm attached to the first coupling and extended vertically downward relative to the rod, a gripping implement connected to the swivel arm and being configured to support a distal end of a baseball/softball bat at an elevated pre-swing position, and a second coupling attached to the gripping implement and extended along a curvilinear path terminating beneath the gripping implement, wherein the second coupling further supports the baseball/softball bat. The gripping implement is configured to freely swing about a bottom end of the swivel arm and detachably receive a hitting end of the baseball/softball bat.

What is claimed as new and what is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . A training device for assisting a user to control a launch angle of a baseball/softball bat, said training device comprising:
 a base;   a rod affixed to said base and extended upward therefrom;   a first coupling attached to a distal end of said rod;   a swivel arm attached to said first coupling and extended vertically downward relative to said rod;   a gripping implement connected to said swivel arm and being configured to support a distal end of a baseball/softball bat at an elevated pre-swing position; and   a second coupling attached to said gripping implement and extended along a curvilinear path terminating beneath said gripping implement, wherein said second coupling further supports the baseball/softball bat;   a third coupling circumscribed about said gripping element;   wherein said gripping implement is configured to freely swing about a bottom end of said swivel arm and detachably receive a hitting end of the baseball/softball bat;   wherein said second coupling and said third coupling are configured to prohibit said gripping implement from being morphed to an expanded state from a compressed state such that the baseball/softball bat is maintained at a desired pre-swing angle during said pre-swing position and released from said gripping implement when the baseball/softball bat is displaced to a post-swing position.   
     
     
         2 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein said resilient claw assembly has a centrally registered longitudinal axis and comprises:
 a frusto-conical exterior bracket;   a frusto-conical interior socket disposed within a top end of said frusto-conical exterior bracket;   a central anchor having a bottom plate and a central tube extended upwardly therefrom and engaged with said frusto-conical interior socket, said bottom plate having an outer peripheral edge provided with a plurality of juxtaposed apertures;   a plurality of claws pivotally engaged with said apertures and independently articulated about pivot axes defined along a plane of said bottom plate; and   a second ring removably and frictionally engaged about said claws.   
     
     
         3 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein said claws are flexible and juxtaposed side-by-side and configured to grip an outer perimeter of the baseball/softball bat. 
     
     
         4 . The training device of  claim 3 , wherein said second coupling has opposed ends detachably affixed to said bottom plate. 
     
     
         5 . The training device of  claim 4 , wherein said claws radially articulate relative to the centrally registered longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . A training device for assisting a user to control a launch angle of a baseball/softball bat, said training device comprising:
 a base;   a rod affixed to said base and extended upward therefrom;   a first coupling attached to a distal end of said rod;   a swivel arm attached to said first coupling and extended vertically downward relative to said rod;   a gripping implement connected to said swivel arm and being configured to support a distal end of a baseball/softball bat at an elevated pre-swing position; and   a second coupling attached to said gripping implement and extended along a curvilinear path terminating beneath said gripping implement, wherein said second coupling further supports the baseball/softball bat;   a third coupling circumscribed about said gripping element;   wherein said gripping implement is configured to freely swing about a bottom end of said swivel arm and detachably receive a hitting end of the baseball/softball bat;   wherein said second coupling and said third coupling are configured to prohibit said gripping implement from being morphed to an expanded state from a compressed state such that the baseball/softball bat is maintained at a desired pre-swing angle during said pre-swing position and released from said gripping implement when the baseball/softball bat is displaced to a post-swing position;   wherein said base is adjustable and free-standing.   
     
     
         7 . The training device of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a first swivel axis located at said first coupling;   wherein a top end of said swivel arm rotates 360 degrees about said first swivel axis relative to stationary position of said rod.   
     
     
         8 . The training device of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a second swivel axis located at said second coupling;   wherein said gripping implement is rotated 360 degrees about said second swivel axis relative to a bottom end of said swivel arm.   
     
     
         9 . The training device of  claim 6 , wherein said base is free-standing and configured to be adjustably positioned at alternate locations relative to a standing position of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The training device of  claim 6 , wherein said base comprises: a plurality of support members configured in an I-pattern and including an upstanding cross-brace. 
     
     
         11 . The training device of  claim 8 , wherein said rod is telescopically and linearly adjustably along a linear longitudinal length thereof and oriented non-parallel to said first swivel axis and said second swivel axis. 
     
     
         12 . The training device of  claim 6 , wherein said first coupling is a first ring having a fixed diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The training device of  claim 6 , wherein said third coupling is an elastic and deformably resilient tether. 
     
     
         14 . The training device of  claim 6 , wherein said second coupling is a flexible wire. 
     
     
         15 . The training device of  claim 6 , wherein said gripping implement is a resilient claw assembly configured to frictionally contact the baseball/softball bat. 
     
     
         16 . The training device of  claim 6 , wherein said resilient claw assembly has a centrally registered longitudinal axis and comprises:
 a frusto-conical exterior bracket;   a frusto-conical interior socket disposed within a top end of said frusto-conical exterior bracket;   a central anchor having a bottom plate and a central tube extended upwardly therefrom and engaged with said frusto-conical interior socket, said bottom plate having an outer peripheral edge provided with a plurality of juxtaposed apertures;   a plurality of claws pivotally engaged with said apertures and independently articulated about pivot axes defined along a plane of said bottom plate; and   a second ring removably and frictionally engaged about said claws.   
     
     
         17 . The training device of  claim 16 , wherein said claws are flexible and juxtaposed side-by-side and configured to grip an outer perimeter of the baseball/softball bat. 
     
     
         18 . The training device of  claim 16 , wherein said second coupling has opposed ends detachably affixed to said bottom plate. 
     
     
         19 . The training device of  claim 16 , wherein said claws radially articulate relative to the centrally registered longitudinal axis.