Patent Grant
11969637
This application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 11,439,881 B1 by the same inventors.
Inventor has disclosed the contents of the present invention under a research and development agreement with Datum3D starting June 2022.
This invention relates generally to a training device or apparatus in the form of a spinning ball having an attachment rod for connection to a mechanical exercise training system and then used for training people to throw a ball, exercising the motions required to throw a ball, and for rehabilitation of the muscles involved throwing a ball.
This invention relates generally to a ball throwing training device or apparatus in the form of a spinning ball having an attachment rod for connection to a mechanical exercise training system and then used for training people to throw a ball, exercising the motions required to throw a ball, and for rehabilitation of the muscles involved throwing a ball.
This invention relates specifically to a pitch training device or apparatus in the form of a spinning ball having an attachment rod for connection to a mechanical exercise training system and then used for training people to pitch a ball, baseball, or softball, for exercising the motions required to pitch a ball, baseball, or softball, and for rehabilitation of the muscles involved pitching a ball, baseball, or softball.
This invention relates specifically to a pitch training device or apparatus in the form of a spinning ball having an attachment rod for connection to a mechanical exercise training system and then used for training people to pitch a ball, baseball, or softball, for exercising the motions required to pitch a ball, baseball, or softball, and for rehabilitation of the muscles involved pitching a ball, baseball, or softball, wherein said mechanical exercise training system comprises a three-dimensional resistance means for the purpose of providing strengthening, rehabilitation, and/or correct body motion mechanics training to improve pitching quality, speed, strength, and body mechanics.
Not including the above referenced related application, there are only limited devices, apparatus, and methods available for exercising and or rehabilitating the act of pitching a baseball. There are available today even fewer limited devices, apparatus, and methods available for teaching or training the proper and/or most effective and efficient body movements for performing the act of throwing a ball, and specifically pitching a baseball.
Available today are devices and apparatus that are normally weighted and added weight baseball-sized balls, balls attached to strings and rods, and balls of various sizes attached to strings and/or rods connected to pulleys and weights to impart a force or resistance (weight) to the attached ball. Available today are a few options for physical therapy and/or training the proper body motion and mechanics involved in expert or professional player performance of the act of pitching that include the usual treatment and therapy modalities for assisting in healing and restoring proper body motion mechanics.
The present devices, apparatus, and methods available all suffer from at least one of these limitations: the attachment for the string or rod to connect the ball is on the surface of the ball not from the center of the ball; the added weight shifts off-center away from the actual center of the ball inside the ball when used; and the attachment between the ball and any applied force of resistance is too flexible to transfer a mechanically applied force of resistance.
Further the present devices, apparatus, and methods available all suffer from a lack of rotational motion for a ball or simulated ball used for training, exercise, or rehabilitation making the motion/movement inconsistent and not smooth.
In light of the foregoing prior art, there is a need for a pitch training device or apparatus to better enable training, exercising, and rehabilitation of proper body motion mechanics for improving the act of pitching and increasing the performance (speed and/or accuracy) of the act. Further, there is a need for a pitch training device or apparatus that better enables connection to a ball at the center of the ball instead of the side or edge. Further, there is a need for a pitch training device or apparatus that better enables a weighted (applied force of resistance) connection to a ball at the center of the ball instead of the side or edge wherein the center of mass of the weight does not shift off-center within the ball.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is a baseball simulator comprising a spherical cage having an opening surrounding an attachment rod having a free end opposite an attachment end, and a first axel comprising a first wheel opposite a second wheel operatively attached at a first axel midpoint between said first wheel and said second wheel to said attachment end.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is a baseball simulator wherein said first axel further comprises a rotating axel connection operatively connecting said first axel midpoint to said attachment end of said attachment rod.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is a baseball simulator further comprising a second axel configured with a third wheel operationally attached at a second axel midpoint to said attachment end of said attachment rod.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is a baseball simulator further comprising a plurality of axels, one of said plurality of axels being said first axel, having attached a plurality of wheels, one of said plurality of wheels being said first wheel.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is a baseball simulator where any wheel further comprises an omni-directional wheel.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment to a mechanical exercise training system (METS) for training people to pitch a baseball comprising a baseball simulator having an attachment rod operationally attached to said METS.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment further comprising a spherical cage having an attachment rod connector operationally attached to said attachment rod and a machine connector operationally attached to said METS.
According to an eighth aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment wherein said spherical cage is configured for spinning about a center of said spherical cage.
According to a ninth aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment wherein said machine connector is configured for turning axially about its connection to said METS.
According to a tenth aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment wherein said machine connector is configured for rotating about its connection to said METS.
According to an eleventh aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment further comprising a first connection rod, a rotating ball joint having a rotating base, a first socket, a first ball, and a first connection end, and an angled rotating ball joint having a base, a second socket, a second ball, and a second connection rod wherein said first connection end is connectively attached to said first connection rod, said rotating base is operationally attached to said base, and said attachment rod is connectively attached to said second connection rod.
According to a twelfth aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment wherein said rotating ball joint further comprises a first spherical sleeve inserted between said first ball and said first socket, and said angled rotating ball joint further comprises a second spherical sleeve inserted between said second ball and said second socket.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment wherein said attachment rod is connectively attached to an axel having a first omni-directional wheel and a second omni-directional wheel at opposing ends.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment wherein said axel further comprises at least a third omni-directional wheel.
According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment wherein said baseball simulator further comprises a ball joint having a third ball, a third socket, and a third connection rod wherein said attachment rod is connectively attached to said third connection rod.
According to a sixteenth aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment wherein said ball joint further comprises a spherical sleeve inserted between said third ball and said third socket.
According to a seventeenth aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment wherein said METS further comprises a three-dimensional resistance machine.
According to an eighteenth aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment wherein said METS further comprises a controlled motion three-dimensional exercise machine.
According to a nineteenth aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment further comprising a spherical cage configured to position said baseball simulator in its center.
According to a twentieth aspect of the invention there is a pitch training attachment further comprising a spherical cage operatively attached to said second connection rod configured to position said baseball simulator in its center.
An advantage of the pitch training device or apparatus of the present invention is that it enables training, exercising, and rehabilitation of proper body motion mechanics for improving the act of pitching and increasing the performance (speed and/or accuracy) of the act. Further, the pitch training device or apparatus of the present invention enables connection to a ball at the center of the ball instead of the side or edge. Further, the pitch training device or apparatus of the present invention enables a weighted (applied force of resistance) connection to a ball at the center of the ball instead of the side or edge wherein the center of mass of the weight does not shift off-center within the ball.
An advantage of the pitch training device or apparatus of the present invention is that it enables gripping in a ball like hand grasping motion
An advantage of the pitch training device or apparatus of the present invention is that it enables rotational motion for a ball or simulated ball used for training, exercise, or rehabilitation making the motion/movement consistent and smooth.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings as described below.
The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. The details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and use the invention.
References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etcetera, indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
Furthermore, it should be understood that spatial descriptions (e.g., “above,” “below,” “up,” “left,” “right,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” etc.) used herein are for purposes of illustration only, and that practical implementations of the structures described herein can be spatially arranged in any orientation or manner.
Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
Throughout this specification, the phrase “mechanical exercise training system” will be understood to imply a training system and/or exercise system comprising a combination of one or more different exercise forms and/or physical rehabilitation therapies used to treat injuries and enhance physical performance in people.
Throughout this specification, the phrase “body motion mechanics” will be understood to imply the physical movements of a human body involved in mechanically accomplishing a given motion or movement based task.
Throughout this specification, the phrase “controlled motion three-dimensional exercise machine” or “three-dimensional exercise machine” or “three-dimensional resistance machine” will be understood to imply a mechanical means to provide a consistent, adjustable, or variable force of resistance at any point in a given volume that said device can move or articulate about within said volume. This includes that said mechanical means is able to provide a consistent, adjustable, or variable force of resistance at any point in a given volume that said device can move or articulate about within said volume across any path of motion that said mechanical means can move within.
Index of Labelled Features in Figures. Features are listed in numeric order by Figure in numeric order. Referring to the Figures, there is shown in
This invention relates generally to a pitch training device or apparatus in the form of a linearly extending attachment having a rotating connection point for connection to a baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 that is attached to a resistance means for the purpose of providing strengthening, rehabilitation, and/or correct body motion mechanics training to improve pitching quality, speed, strength, and body mechanics.
This invention relates specifically to a pitch training device or apparatus in the form of a linearly extending attachment having a rotating connection point with a spherical cage 200 for connection to a baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 that is attached to a three-dimensional resistance means for the purpose of providing strengthening, rehabilitation, and/or correct body motion mechanics training to improve pitching quality, speed, strength, and body mechanics.
Making the device of the present invention can be accomplished to achieve utility with any weight or force of resistance up to at least ten kilograms. However, the best known weight or force of resistance range for exercise, training, and rehabilitation of the muscles and body motion mechanics involved in the act of pitching a baseball are known to be most usefully limited to weights or forces of resistance up to approximately one kilogram and weights or forces of resistance up to five kilograms.
Making the device of the present invention involves the use of any suitable material capable of providing a strength to weight ratio sufficient to maintain the rigidity of the device when extended up to two meters from a surface to which it is attached. Various solid metal rods and hollow metal tubes made from stainless steel, carbon fiber, and some higher strength plastics are readily suited to use to embody the present invention.
The device or apparatus of the present invention starts at the connection of a baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 wherein an attachment rod 110 is inserted into the baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 passing through the exterior of the baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 and terminating at the center of the baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102. Termination in the center means that the attachment rod 110 extends inward towards and extending to the physical, geographic, and/or dimensional center of the baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102.
There are at least the two means presented herein, and shown in
Creating a rotatable connection is embodied in using a combination of a ball joint 130 having a rotatable connection head 162 used with or without a rotating ring 125 wherein said rotatable connection head 162 is inserted to enable operationally spinning into an axially rotating joint connection head receiver 132 element of a ball joint 130 for mating and connection to ball component 150 used with or without a ball sleeve 140. This combination may be further extended by further incorporating at least one rotating ball joint comprising a rotatable sleeved ball joint 160 having a rotatable sleeved ball joint connection head 162 and spherical socket 134 and/or at least one angled rotating ball joint comprising an angled rotatable sleeved ball joint 180 having an angled rotatable sleeved ball joint connection head 182 and spherical socket 134 using connection rods 170 to connect ball components 150 thereby enabling rotating or spinning extendable connections.
In an embodiment of a manufacturing method there are engineered dimensions for all elements of the present invention such that tolerances in dimension and dimensional match between elements are designed to result in an ease of movement or smoothness of movement of the device or apparatus of the present invention.
In an alternate embodiment of a manufacturing method there are additional bands, not shown, wrapped about and around the rotating ball joints of all types to tighten the connection and control or limit the movement of the rotating ball joint to tighten the ball joint connection between the ball and the socket.
The spherical cage 200 is used for connecting to and holding a baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 in a position for a user to train or exercise. The spherical cage 200 is assembled from a hemispherical frame 210 having an exercise machine attachment point 270 and two operational connection points 230 for holding an outer ring 220. The outer ring 220 can additionally be assembled from a series of nested or mated bands or rings in any combination of spherical band or ring 220, inner ring 250, and/or spherical rotating ring 260 configured to rotate within themselves enabling the attachment point 250 for connecting a baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 to spin axially about its exercise machine connection point 270.
In a preferred embodiment, there is a baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 comprising a spherical cage 200 having an opening surrounding an attachment rod 110 having a free end opposite an attachment end, and a first axel 112 comprising a first wheel 114 opposite a second wheel 116 operatively attached at a first axel 112 midpoint between said first wheel 114 and said second wheel 116 to said attachment end.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 wherein said first axel 112 further comprises a rotating axel 118 connection operatively connecting said first axel 112 midpoint to said attachment end of said attachment rod 110.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 further comprising a second axel 113 configured with a third wheel operationally attached at a second axel 113 midpoint to said attachment end of said attachment rod 110.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 further comprising a plurality of axels, one of said plurality of axels being said first axel 112, having attached a plurality of wheels, one of said plurality of wheels being said first wheel 114.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 where any wheel further comprises an omni-directional wheel 117.
In a preferred embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment to a mechanical exercise training system (METS) for training people to pitch a baseball comprising a baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 having an attachment rod 110 operationally attached to said METS.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment further comprising a spherical cage 200 having an attachment rod connector 240 operationally attached to said attachment rod 110 and a machine connector operationally attached to said METS.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment wherein said spherical cage 200 is configured for spinning about a center of said spherical cage 200.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment wherein said machine connector is configured for turning axially about its connection to said METS.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment wherein said machine connector is configured for rotating about its connection to said METS.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment further comprising a first connection rod 170, a rotating ball joint 130 having a rotating base, a first socket 134, a first ball 150, and a first connection end, and an angled rotating ball joint 180 having a base, a second socket 134, a second ball 150, and a second connection rod 170 wherein said first connection end is connectively attached to said first connection rod 170, said rotating base is operationally attached to said base, and said attachment rod 110 is connectively attached to said second connection rod 170.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment wherein said rotating ball joint 130 further comprises a first spherical sleeve 140 inserted between said first ball 150 and said first socket 134, and said angled rotating ball joint 180 further comprises a second spherical sleeve 140 inserted between said second ball 150 and said second socket 134.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment wherein said attachment rod 110 is connectively attached to an axel having a first omni-directional wheel 117 and a second omni-directional wheel 117 at opposing ends.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment wherein said axel further comprises at least a third omni-directional wheel 117.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment wherein said baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 further comprises a ball joint 130 having a third ball 150, a third socket 134, and a third connection rod 170 wherein said attachment rod 110 is connectively attached to said third connection rod 170.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment wherein said ball joint 130 further comprises a spherical sleeve 140 inserted between said third ball 150 and said third socket 134.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment wherein said METS further comprises a three-dimensional resistance machine.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment wherein said METS further comprises a controlled motion three-dimensional exercise machine.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment further comprising a spherical cage 200 configured to position said baseball simulator 100, 101, or 102 in its center.
In an alternate embodiment, there is a pitch training attachment further comprising a spherical cage 200 operatively attached to said second connection rod 170 configured to position said baseball simulator 100, 101, 102 in its center.
An advantage of the pitch training device or apparatus of the present invention is that it enables training, exercising, and rehabilitation of proper body motion mechanics for improving the act of pitching and increasing the performance (speed and/or accuracy) of the act by enabled weighted ball training wherein the weight of the ball is connected to and maintained in the center of the ball and the center of mass of the weight is maintained in the center (physical, geometric, and/or dimensional) of the ball.
The invention has been described by way of examples only. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the claims.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to various embodiments, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4460172 | Hogan | Jul 1984 | A |
| 5158517 | Steggert | Oct 1992 | A |
| 5423730 | Hirsch | Jun 1995 | A |
| 5957788 | Eze | Sep 1999 | A |
| 7217202 | Troxell | May 2007 | B2 |
| 7445569 | Comello, Jr. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
| 7517290 | Springer | Apr 2009 | B1 |
| 7699724 | Derisse | Apr 2010 | B1 |
| 8574101 | Wheelbarger et al. | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 9135347 | Damman et al. | Sep 2015 | B2 |
| 11439881 | Nadel | Sep 2022 | B1 |
| 20030087733 | Kim | May 2003 | A1 |
| 20060199673 | Littlejohn | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20230264087 | Nadel | Aug 2023 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 0021617 | Apr 2000 | WO |
| 2009100393 | Aug 2009 | WO |
| 2015073929 | May 2015 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20230264087 A1 | Aug 2023 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17651910 | Feb 2022 | US |
| Child | 18194734 | US |
