Batter training device and method

The present invention relates generally to sport training aids, especially aids to assist the training of baseball batters in batting techniques.

Proper technique is required to allow baseball batters to consistently and effectively hit a pitched baseball. In this regard, it is important that the batter\'s top hand when gripping a bat handle (i.e., the right hand for a right-handed batter and the left hand for a left-handed batter) remain palm-up through the length of the swing (i.e., that portion of the swing when the bat is extended and advanced toward the incoming pitched baseball). Such a technique ensures that the batter will cerate better “bat whip” and thus greater bat efficacy when striking the pitched baseball.

It is also important for proper baseball hitting technique that the batter\'s elbows remain closer to the core of the batter\'s body so that the batter\'s hands in essence lead the bat through the swing and finish the swing in a relatively high position.

A number of training aids have been proposed in the art for a variety of sport implements as evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 760,161, 2,938,728, 4,819,944, 5,762,572, 6,059,675 and 6,482,113 and Published U.S. Patent Application 200610079341 (the entire content of each being expressly incorporated hereinto by reference). However, none of the proposed training aids is believed to be capable of effectively and efficiently training a baseball batter in the batting techniques described above.

Therefore, it would be highly desirable if means were provided so as to assist baseball batters in batting techniques as described previously. It is towards providing such means and the methods of using the same that the present invention is directed.

Broadly, the present invention is embodied in a generally L-shaped batter training aid device which may be removeably but fixedly attached to a handle portion of a conventional baseball bat. In this regard, preferred embodiments of the baseball batter training aid device will include a spacer arm member and a training handle member. The spacer arm member has inner and outer ends and adapted for removable attachment at the inner end thereof to a handle portion of a baseball bat. The training handle member has upper and lower ends and is rigidly connected to the outer end of the spacer arm at substantially a perpendicular junction therebetween so that when the inner end is attached to the handle portion of the baseball bat, the training handle member will be laterally spaced from and axially parallel thereto. A knob is fixed to the lower end of the training handle member.

The inner end of the spacer member may include a clamp system for clamping the device to the handle portion of the baseball bat. In certain embodiments, the clamp system comprises a C-shaped receiver portion fixed to the inner end of the spacer member, and a C-shaped clamp portion oppositely positioned and removeably attached to the receiver portion. The receiver portion may include threaded apertures and the clamp portion may include through apertures. The clamp portion may thus be removeably attached to the receiver portion by securing bolts passing through the through apertures and being threadably connected to the threaded apertures.

A brace member rigidly connected to the outer end of the spacer arm member and the upper end of the training handle member at the substantially perpendicular junction therebetween may be provided so as to increase rigidity and immovability of the training handle member. Additionally (or alternatively) the spacer member and the training handle member may be formed as a one-piece (unitary) structure.

Certain other embodiments of the invention contemplate a combination comprised of a baseball bat and a generally L-shaped batter training device. The baseball bat may be conventional in that it will have a proximal handle portion, a distal barrel portion and a bat knob fixed to a terminal lower end of the proximal handle portion so as to be disposed in a primary plane perpendicular to an elongate axis of the bat. The L-shaped batter training aid device will preferably be embodied in a spacer arm having an inner end attached to the handle portion of the bat, a spacer arm member dependent from an outer end of the spacer arm so as to be substantially parallel to the elongate axis of the bat and a training handle knob attached to a terminal lower end of the training handle member so as to be in a secondary plane which is parallel to the primary plane of the bat knob but distally spaced therefrom by a distance corresponding substantially to a batter\'s bottom hand dimension when gripping the handle portion of the bat adjacent the bat knob. The inner end of the spacer member includes a clamp system for clamping the device to the handle portion of the baseball bat.

In certain embodiments, kits are provided which are comprised of an L-shaped baseball batter training aid device having a clamp system provided with securing bolts for attaching the device to a handle portion of a baseball bat, and a turning tool for engagement with the securing bolts to assist in the attachment of the clamp system to the handle portion of the baseball bat. Advantageously, the turning tool is an Allen wrench and may be provided with a T-shaped handle. The kit may include a suitable package (e.g., a transparent pouch) within which the training aid device, the turning tool are disposed and optionally a product description card may be placed.

These and other aspects and advantages will become more apparent after careful consideration is given to the following detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals throughout the various FIGURES denote like structural elements, and wherein,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a baseball batter training aid device attached to a baseball bat;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the batter training aid device depicted in FIG. 1, but exploded somewhat to show the clamping collar thereof;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a kit for the baseball training aid device;

FIGS. 4a through 4c schematically depict a swing sequence for one exemplary method of using the batter training device; and

FIGS. 5a through 5c schematically depict a swing sequence for another exemplary method of using the batter training device.

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