Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Practice or training device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-29
2001-10-23
Gerrity, Stephen F. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Practice or training device
C473S421000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306050
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a swing training device which enables a person to practice repetitively hitting an object such as a baseball or tennis ball supported by a suspension system that is designed to stabilize the object substantially within a preferred trajectory path during flight of the object.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ball practicing devices of the type herein are useful in improving a person's swing in sports which involve the striking of an object such as a baseball, softball, tennis ball, hand ball or racket ball with a striking instrument such as a racket, bat, or the person's hand. In most sports, eye/hand coordination and muscle memory are needed to improve a person's swing. Muscle memory occurs when a particular motion is repeated a sufficient number of times with accompanying realistic sensations to verify the proper execution of the motion and enable a person to precisely reenact the motion when called upon in a competitive setting. The feel of hitting the ball, the flight of the ball and the landing of the ball each contribute to verify the proper execution of the swing. Thus, a preferred swing pattern is acquired by repetitively hitting a moving ball.
Numerous ball practice devices are described in prior art such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,310,306 (the “'306 patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,413 (the “'413 patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,367 (the “'367 patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,937 (the “'937 patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,550 (the “'550 patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,646 (the “'646 patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,017 (the “'017 patent”); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,250 (the “'250 patent”). Most of these ball practice devices are disadvantaged in a number of respects. For example, many devices such as the '306, '413, '937, '017, '250 and '550 patents are constructed of an elastic suspension system that supports the ball and restricts either horizontal or vertical movement of the ball once it is hit, but not both. Accordingly, uneven support of the ball typically results in an unnatural ball trajectory path that is subject to undesirable effects such as tethering and/or vibrating. Another inherent disadvantage is the possibility that the ball may hit the user as a result of an unnatural and random ball trajectory path.
Developments in the art of ball practice devices have addressed some of the foregoing disadvantages however, fail to achieve the results of the present invention. For example, the '367 patent discloses a ball striking apparatus that employs an adjustable intermediate (safety) cord on the vertical portion of the apparatus in order to anchor the ball and prevent it from striking the user. Both the ball and the safety cord are vertically adjustable. However, the safety cord causes the ball to pull toward the frame member
10
b
and away from its intended path of travel. The '646 patent describes a tethered ball batting practice device that presents a number of obstructions and distractions. In order to avoid striking the flexible cords
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, the ball must be precisely hit toward the ground. Additionally, the T-shaped frame members are a physical obstruction. If the ball is hit hard enough, it will either strike the frame members or wrap around them. The frame members are also a distraction.
The problems encountered in the art of ball practice devices reveal the need for a swing training device that substantially eliminates obstructions, minimizes undesired horizontal and vertical movement of the ball and stabilizes the ball substantially within a preferred trajectory path.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore, a principle object of the present invention to provide a swing training device that substantially eliminates undesired horizontal and vertical movement of the ball after the ball is hit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a swing training device that stabilizes the ball substantially within a preferred trajectory path once the ball is hit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a swing training device that may be repetitively used without the undesired effects of tethering and/or vibrating.
It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a swing training device with a safety cord that prevents the ball from striking the user after the ball is hit.
It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a swing training device that may be easily disassembled and transported for use in a variety of environments.
It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a swing training device that is easy to construct and use.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a swing training device that may be used in a relatively confined environment indoors.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a swing training device that includes a ball supported by an integral suspension system.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a swing training device that includes a ball which is adjustably supported by a suspension system in order that the ball may be vertically adjusted for different uses and users.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a swing training device that includes a ball supported by a suspension system between a base and a securing member.
It is another feature of the present invention to provide a swing training device that includes a ball supported by a suspension system over a pentagon shaped base plate.
It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide a swing training device that includes a ball supported by a suspension system between a ground surface and a securing member.
It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide a swing training device that includes a ball supported by a suspension system which is secured between a base and a securing member by a plurality of pulleys.
The foregoing objects and advantages are achieved through the swing training device of the present invention which comprises a base having a base surface and a securing member positioned above the base. A suspension system is positioned between the base and the securing member, and includes a plurality of elastic segment lengths. The plurality of elastic segments lengths include at least a first and second segment length each having an end secured to one of the first securing member and the base. The first and second segment lengths extend from the end toward a reference point defined by an intersection of an imaginary projection of a first axis of the first segment length and a second axis of the second segment length. The plurality of elastic segment lengths further include a third segment length having an end secured to another of the first securing member and the base. The first second and third segment lengths each substantially lie within a plane that is perpendicular to the base surface at a static position. A ball is supported by the suspension system between the base and the first securing member. The reference point is spaced substantially equidistantly from the end of the first and second segment lengths. A distance between a surface of the ball and the reference point is less than a distance between the reference point and the base surface.
In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of elastic segment lengths include a fourth segment length which controls the trajectory of the ball and prevents the ball from striking the user. The fourth segment length has an end secured to the base and another end connected to at least one of the first, second and third segment lengths. Alternatively, the another end of the fourth segment length may be operatively interconnected with the first, second and third segment lengths. The base is releasably connected to the securing member and includes a plurality of supporting frame members and a pentagon shaped base plate secured to at least one of the plurality of frame members. At least one of the frame members is connected to the securing member. Altern
Aryanpour Mitra
Gerrity Stephen F.
Jensen William P.
Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
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