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Sports swing training apparatus and methodSports swing training apparatus and method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070167264, Sports swing training apparatus and method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This nonprovisional application relates to the content of, and claims priority to, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/758,970, filed Jan. 13, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]1. Field of the Invention [0003]The present invention relates to a training apparatus for sports swings, and, more particularly, to a training device designed to assist with improving one's batting skills and pitching and throwing skills, thereby reducing frustration for the user while simultaneously increasing his or her confidence level. This device substantially improves skills by emphasizing control of the lower body movements in order to obtain the correct hitting position and the proper throwing or pitching motion. This invention is also applicable in training golfers with their swing. [0004]2. Description of the Related Art [0005]Athletes constantly need to improve the fundamental skills of their sport. Baseball is no exception. However, it is often difficult to explain the proper turn technique and correct hitting position, not only to young players, but also to older, more experienced players. Game play is an inefficient way of improving one's skills. Moreover, without the proper training, a baseball player may never realize his or her full potential. In particular, there may be hitting problems associated with improper weight distribution of which the user is unaware. Additionally, users that improperly turn while hitting a baseball tend not to hit the ball with maximum power. There is also an increased chance of injury associated with improper batting techniques. [0006]There exist in the art various training devices relating to baseball, golf, and other swing-reliant sports. Several patents relate to this field. U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,967 to Timmins discloses a support device for use by leg amputees in maintaining balance when not wearing a prosthetic. The device comprises a base portion comprised of three legs which form the feet for the base. The legs extend in an upwardly direction and are affixed to a plate at their upper ends. An elongated screw traverses through the plate and allows the supporting member to be vertically adjustable. The supporting member that is the portion on which the leg amputee rests his knee may be padded for greater comfort. This patent device is not used as an aid to teach the proper turn while hitting or aids with muscle memory. [0007]U.S. Pat. No. 3,767,204 to Bryson discloses a device for teaching, learning or practicing a correct golf swing. A horizontally elongated member is affixed to a sliding member where the sliding member can slide along the horizontally elongated member in the direction of the golfer's target. The device includes a pair of thigh rests in which the golfer rests his thighs during his golf swing and is extremely cumbersome and relatively complicated. This device is not used to assist a baseball hitter with the proper turn while batting. [0008]U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,055 to Richie discloses a baseball and golf hitter's training device comprised of a base assembly, a height adjustable stanchion with spring built in, and an adjustable seat. The baseball hitter sits on the seat which automatically adjusts to the user's rotative movement through the use of a ball joint and forces the user to maintain a proper stance. The base assembly is of a tri-foot configuration, having two longer feet extending rearwardly and one shorter foot extending forwardly, and must be secured to the ground. This device requires that the hitter sit on the assembly with thighs secured in order to properly use this device. Further, although the adjustable seat is used to steady the hitter so as to help the hitter to perform a proper weight shift through the execution of a swing, both feet need to be on the ground. [0009]U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,090 to Kauffman, Jr. discloses a golf training device consisting of a platform for the golfer to stand on and an upright with a footing mounted on the platform. The upright has an upper rest overhanging the footing to provide foot clearance and upper rest engages the golfer's leg to prevent swaying during a golf swing. The upright is telescopically fitted inside a post allowing for the adjustment of the elevation of the upper arm by sliding the arm inside the post. To fix the upper arm position, a plurality of selectable bolt holes in the arms allow for a bolt to pass completely through this upper arm, forming a locking device to fix the upper arm position. This does not disclose aiding with muscle memory or assisting one to keep their weight on their rear foot while hitting. Both legs of the user remain in contact with the ground. [0010]Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,741 to Richie discloses a sport swing training device. This patent is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,055 to Richie as described above. Essentially, this patent extends the previous '055 patent to include the use of device for use in practicing a tennis serve. [0011]The prior art discloses training devices that are bulky and expensive and do not contemplate a baseball hitter maintaining only one foot on the ground as a proper stance. In fact, all these devices require that the user have both feet on the ground as a proper stance. None of the prior art teach a training device where the user rests one knee on a device while hitting. [0012]The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. Through the use of muscle memory, users reinforce the proper maneuvers necessary to consistently hit and throw a baseball. The lower body is an essential part of batting or pitching. A user who keeps his weight back and distributed over the rear foot has better contact with the ball while hitting pitches that move, such as a curve ball. This is because the user no longer needs to concentrate on his or her lower body, thereby being able to focus concentration on other aspects of the game, such as hand-eye coordination. An additional benefit of keeping one knee on the training device during batting practice is that it teaches the user to be cognizant of the position that the resting knee should be in when hitting a baseball without the use of the training device. Another benefit is that the present invention naturally places the hands in the proper hitting position while swinging, and thus benefits the user with better and more powerful hitting. [0013]Accordingly, there is a need for a light-weight, simple-to-use, yet highly effective and inexpensive, portable training device which assists baseball players of all ages in keeping their weight on their rear foot while hitting and throwing baseballs. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014]The present invention substantially improves and solves the problems discussed above. In this era of an "instant gratification" mindset, users will be extremely surprised at how fast they can see positive results using the present invention. Moreover, because of the reduced time period from which users begin seeing positive results from the present invention, dramatic results can often be seen in less than one month and, at times, in as little as half an hour. A user will increase his or her batting average and have a more enjoyable experience with the game. The final result is a dramatically improved batter or pitcher with increased levels of confidence and self-esteem. [0015]The present invention includes a training apparatus for teaching a sports swing comprising a main body having a bottom for placement upon a surface, a first member securable to the main body, a brace connected to the first member, and a means of securing and unsecuring the first member. The position of the first member is adjustable relative to said main body so that the brace connected thereto may be appropriately positioned relative to the user. The brace has a substantially planar top surface inclined at a first angle relative to said surface. The apparatus may be manufactured out of any strong, rigid material, including stainless steel, aluminum, hard plastic, fiberglass, and the like. The present invention also contemplates a method of teaching a sport swing comprising providing a training apparatus and positioning said training apparatus relative to a user's leg such that during the course of the sports swing the user's leg contacts the brace, thus requiring the preferred weight distribution. [0016]Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to assist both children and adult players with improving batting skills by making better contact with the baseball and hitting the baseball with more power. [0017]It is another object of the present invention to assist the user in developing sound pitching and throwing skills. [0018]It is yet another object of the present invention to improve the user's balance while the user is hitting or throwing a baseball. [0019]It is a further object of the present invention to provide consistency and muscle control throughout the lower body and to allow a user to develop a feel for the proper swing or throw through the use of muscle memory. [0020]It is another object of the present invention to teach the proper turn while hitting by teaching the user to distribute his or her weight on his or her rear leg and foot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Continue reading about Sports swing training apparatus and method... 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