Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Practice or training device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-05-08
Gerrity, Stephen F. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Practice or training device
C473S422000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227988
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCES
There are no applications related to this application filed in this or any foreign country.
BACKGROUND
A number of complex and expensive pitching machines are well-known and used by professional players in the course of batting practice. Use of such a machine provides economical practice without the expense of having a qualified pitcher available. Unfortunately, while such pitching machines and associated batting cages are economical for major league and some minor league teams, they are prohibitively expensive for use by children and recreational teams.
Inspired by the expense of the above devices, the use of a tethered ball has become known. Tethering a ball allows that ball to be swung in a circular path which may be adjusted to pass through the batter's strike zone.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,327 issued in 1995 to Crespin discloses the use of a ball on the distal end of a rope having its proximal end attached to the distal end of a dowel. By manual manipulation of the proximal end of the dowel, the ball on the end of the rope may be moved through the batter's strike zone.
In spite of the above device, there is a need for a batting practice training device that can be easily, conveniently and accurately handled. The batting practice training device must be easily manipulated in a manner that allows the ball to be repetitively passed through the batter's strike zone, it must provide appropriate bearing surfaces to promote easy revolution of the rope in a manner that does not stress the hand, wrist or arm of the user, and it must provide enhanced gripping structures that contribute to relaxed operation by the pitcher.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the above needs. A novel batting practice training device is disclosed that is easily manipulated in a manner that allows the ball to be repetitively passed through the batter's strike zone, provides appropriate bearing surfaces to promote easy revolution of the rope in a manner that does not stress the hand, wrist or arm of the pitcher, and provides enhanced gripping structures that contribute to relaxed operation by the pitcher.
The batting practice training device of the present invention provides some or all of the following structures.
(A) A handle
20
includes a generally cylindrical body, with a diameter sized for easy gripping by the pitcher. Finger grips
22
are defined on one side of the body. A cavity
23
within the body is sized to contain the bearing.
(B) A bearing
30
is carried within the cavity in the handle and allows the rope to rotate freely. By allowing the rope to rotate, the rope does not become twisted as the ball moves in its orbit.
(C) A retaining strap
40
is carried by the first and second ends of the handle. In use, the strap wraps about the back of the hand of the pitcher, and tends to prevent the handle from being pulled from the hand of the pitcher when the batter hits the ball.
(D) A proximal end of the rope
50
is attached to the bearing supported in the handle, while the distal end of the rope is fastened to the ball.
(E) A ball
60
may be either a baseball, softball or similar ball. The ball is attached to the distal end of the rope, allowing the ball to be swung in an orbit around the pitcher. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a channel
61
is defined through the ball, allowing a knot in the distal end of the rope to fasten the rope to the ball.
It is therefore a primary advantage of the present invention to provide a novel batting practice training device that allows the pitcher to repeatedly cause the ball to pass through the batter's strike zone, thereby allowing the batter to practice hitting.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel batting practice training device that is inexpensive to manufacture and sell, which is durable and long-lasting and which will contribute in a noticeable manner to the skill of developing ball players.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel batting practice training device that includes a wedge-shaped handle, the shape of which tends to aid the user in resisting forces which might otherwise remove the handle from the hand.
A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel batting practice training device that provides the bearing surfaces and safety retaining straps that reduce the possibility of injury due to repetitive motion or due to the ball flying after impact with the bat.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2942883 (1960-06-01), Moore
patent: 3731925 (1973-05-01), Caldwell
patent: 3907287 (1975-09-01), Fox et al.
patent: 4415155 (1983-11-01), Goudreau et al.
patent: 4565367 (1986-01-01), Kaiser
patent: 4577864 (1986-03-01), Aldrich
patent: 5458327 (1995-10-01), Crespin
patent: 5597159 (1997-01-01), Haygood et al.
patent: 5709619 (1998-01-01), D'Emidio
Aryanpour Mitra
Gerrity Stephen F.
Thompson David S.
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