Patent Application
20250153026
The present invention relates generally to the field of hitting training aids for bat sports. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hitting training device that can be used by baseball and/or softball players to repeatedly practice hitting a ball without having to retrieve the ball each time. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
Hand-eye coordination is a crucial skill and fundamental mechanic for baseball and softball players, particularly when it comes to hitting the ball effectively. This ability to synchronize visual input with hand movement directly influences a player's performance at the plate, making it an essential aspect of training and development. Traditional training methods, such as using a ball and a tee, have been the standard for years. While these tools allow players to practice their swing and improve their hitting accuracy, they come with the inconvenience of requiring the player or coach to retrieve the ball after each hit, which can be time-consuming and may interrupt the flow of practice.
Furthermore, as the game evolves and becomes more competitive, coaches and players are constantly on the lookout for innovative training tools and techniques that can offer more efficient and effective ways to enhance a player's hitting skills. The limitation of traditional methods has led to a growing interest in exploring new technologies and training aids that can provide immediate feedback, allow for repetitive practice without the need to chase after balls, and simulate a wider range of pitching scenarios.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved hitting tool for baseball and/or softball players. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a hitting training device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a hitting training device that can be used by baseball and/or softball players to improve hand-eye coordination while hitting. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a hitting training device that can be used by baseball and/or softball players to improve hand-eye coordination while hitting wherein the device provides a ball that does not need to be collected/retrieved after each use.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a hitting training device. The device is comprised of a body that can be held by a first user. The body is comprised of a tether, wherein at least one baseball and/or softball is suspended from the tether. As a result, a first user holding the body can swing the ball towards a second user, wherein the second user can then attempt to hit the ball with a bat.
In this manner, the hitting training device of the present invention accomplishes all the forgoing objectives and provides an improved hitting tool for baseball and/or softball players. The device can be used by baseball and/or softball players to improve hand-eye coordination while hitting. While doing so, the device provides a ball that does not need to be collected/retrieved after each use.
The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a hitting training device. The device is comprised of a body with at least one tether that attaches to at least one ball. More specifically, at least one tether attaches to a second end of the body. In one embodiment, the tether is fixedly attached to the second end. In another embodiment, the tether can be removably attached to/tied around at least one fastener of the second end. In another embodiment, a first end of the tether may be comprised of at least one fastener. In this embodiment, the fastener of the tether and the fastener of the second end are reciprocating fasteners.
A second end of the tether may be comprised of at least one ball. The ball may be comprised of a baseball, a softball, or any other size and type of ball made from any material. In one embodiment, the ball is fixedly attached to the second end. In another embodiment, the second end is comprised of at least one fastener that removably attaches to at least one fastener of the ball.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a body comprised of a tether and a ball attached to the tether. Then, a first user can grab the body and attempt to swing the ball towards a second user via the body and tether. Finally, a second user can attempt to hit the ball as it moves towards them using a bat.
The present invention is also comprised of a second method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a body comprised of a tether and a ball attached to the tether. Then, a user can attach the tether to the body. Next, a user can attach the ball to the tether. Then, a first user can grab the body and attempt to swing the ball towards a second user via the body and tether. Finally, a second user can attempt to hit the ball as it moves towards them using a bat.
Accordingly, the hitting training device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved hitting tool for baseball and/or softball players. The device can be used by baseball and/or softball players to improve hand-eye coordination while hitting. While doing so, the device provides a ball that does not need to be collected/retrieved after each use. In this manner, the hitting training device overcomes the limitations of existing baseball hitting training tools and methods known in the art.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved hitting tool for baseball and/or softball players. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a hitting training device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a hitting training device that can be used by baseball and/or softball players to improve hand-eye coordination while hitting. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a hitting training device that can be used by baseball and/or softball players to improve hand-eye coordination while hitting wherein the device provides a ball that does not need to be collected/retrieved after each use.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a hitting training device comprised of a body with at least one tether that attaches to at least one ball. More specifically, at least one tether attaches to a second end of the body. In one embodiment, the tether is fixedly attached to the second end or may be removably attached to/tied around at least one fastener of the second end. In another embodiment, a first end of the tether may be comprised of at least one fastener. In this embodiment, the fastener of the tether and the fastener of the second end are reciprocating fasteners.
A second end of the tether may be comprised of at least one ball. The ball may be comprised of a baseball, a softball, or any other size and type of ball made from any material. In one embodiment, the ball is fixedly attached to the second end. In another embodiment, the second end is comprised of at least one fastener that removably attaches to at least one fastener of the ball.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a body comprised of a tether and a ball attached to the tether. Then, a first user can grab the body and attempt to swing the ball towards a second user via the body and tether. Finally, a second user can attempt to hit the ball as it moves towards them using a bat.
The present invention is also comprised of a second method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a body comprised of a tether and a ball attached to the tether. Then, a user can attach the tether to the body. Next, a user can attach the ball to the tether. Then, a first user can grab the body and attempt to swing the ball towards a second user via the body and tether. Finally, a second user can attempt to hit the ball as it moves towards them using a bat.
Accordingly, the hitting training device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved hitting tool for baseball and/or softball players. The device can be used by baseball and/or softball players to improve hand-eye coordination while hitting. While doing so, the device provides a ball that does not need to be collected/retrieved after each use. In this manner, the hitting training device overcomes the limitations of existing baseball hitting training tools and methods known in the art.
Referring initially to the drawings,
In one embodiment, the first end 120 is comprised of at least one grip area 122. The grip area 122 may be made from a non-slip material such as but not limited to rubber. In one embodiment, the grip area 122 is comprised of a raised and/or recessed texture that may improve grip.
At least one tether 140 attaches to a second end 130 of the body 110. The tether 140 may be comprised of any rope material. In one embodiment, the tether 140 is fixedly attached to the second end 130. In another embodiment, the tether 140 can be removably attached to/tied around at least one fastener 132 of the second end 130. The fastener 132 may include but is not limited to an eyelet, a clip, a male fastener, a female fastener, an opening, etc. In another embodiment, a first end 150 of the tether 140 may be comprised of at least one fastener 152. In this embodiment, the fastener 152 of the tether 140 and the fastener 132 of the second end 130 are reciprocating fasteners such as but not limited to male and female, magnet, loop and clip, etc.
A second end 160 of the tether 140 may be comprised of at least one ball 170. The ball 170 may be comprised of a baseball, a softball, or any other size and type of ball made from any material. In one embodiment, the ball 170 is fixedly attached to the second end 160. In another embodiment, the second end 160 is comprised of at least one fastener 162 that removably attaches to at least one fastener 172 of the ball 170. The fasteners 162,172 are reciprocating fasteners such as but not limited to male and female, magnet, loop and clip, etc.
As a result, the ball 170 is suspended in the air by the tether 140 while a first user grabs the body 110. The first user can then swing/move the ball 170 towards a second user who can attempt to hit the ball 170 with a bat. After being hit, the ball 170 is retained by the tether 140 and need not be retrieved.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 200 the device 100, as seen in
The present invention is also comprised of a second method of using 300 the device 100, as seen in
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “hitting training device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the hitting training device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the hitting training device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the hitting training device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the hitting training device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the hitting training device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the hitting training device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/599,083, which was filed on Nov. 15, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63599083 | Nov 2023 | US |
