The present invention relates to a system and method for using a sporting device when training or playing various sports.
Many sports such as golf or baseball require applying a torque and rotating a foot. As an example, when striking a golf ball, the user's back foot should rotate upon swinging. There is a need for a device which can be used during training or play to assist with the foot rotation.
The subject invention concerns a sporting device useful for practicing a swing motion in sports involving foot rotation while playing the sport, for example, swinging of a bat in baseball and baseball-like sports, swinging of a club in golf, and the like. The device of the subject invention can be useful in teaching and training proper foot rotation during the swing motion and can be used by players ranging in experience from novice to expert.
The device of the invention described and claimed herein comprises a foot plate supported by a central plate and a central body having a void and a body coupler, wherein the central plate fits within and couples with the void via the body coupler in a manner that permits the central plate to rotate relative to the central void.
To limit the degree of rotation of the central plate within the void, the central plate can include an outer void, and central body can comprise at least one block which extends inward and aligns with the outer void and functions to restrict the rotation of the central plate.
In certain embodiments of a device of the subject invention, the central plate can have an unrestricted rotational degree of freedom, or can be limited to one full rotation of about 360 degrees. In certain embodiments, the rotational degree of freedom for the central plate can be restricted to less than 360 degrees, such as a restricted rotational degree of freedom of about 180 degrees or less, e.g., between about 15 degrees and about 180 degrees. In another embodiment, the central plate can have a restricted rotational degree of freedom of between about 15 degrees and about 90 degrees. A device of the subject invention can comprise ball bearings which allow and facilitate rotation of said central plate relative to said central body.
In an embodiment, a sporting device according to the invention can comprise a central body having an internal periphery void adjacent to the central plate, wherein said central plate comprises at least one block which extends outward and aligns with the internal periphery void.
A sporting device of the invention can comprise an intermediate plate located below said foot plate and above said central plate.
A sporting device of can further comprise a cover located above the central body and below the foot plate, wherein the cover comprises an internal void, and wherein said intermediate plate fits within the cover internal void.
The sporting device of the invention wherein the foot plate comprises friction knubs on the upper or outer face of the foot plate serving to increase friction and reduce slippage between the foot plate and the foot of the user while in use.
A sporting device of the invention further comprises a base located beneath the central body. One embodiment of a sporting device of the invention can comprise:
ball bearings which allow rotation of said central plate relative to said central body;
an intermediate plate located below said foot plate and above said central plate;
a cover located above said central body and below said foot plate; and
a base located beneath said central body.
A sporting device of the invention can further comprise at least one foot extension removably coupled to said body coupler. The foot extension can comprise at least one stop which is moveable for adjustment of its position along the length of the foot extension.
The one or more foot extension can comprise recesses formed therein at intervals along the length of the foot extension, and can further comprise at least one stop which couples with a recess formed in the foot extension. In one preferred embodiment, a device according to the subject invention comprises two foot extensions which can be releasably coupled to one another and wherein one of the two foot extensions releasably couples to the base. The device of the invention can further comprise a body coupler, wherein the body coupler is the body coupler on the central body.
In an alternative embodiment, the sporting device of the invention is a modification of the concept described for the embodiment described above. The sporting device of alternative embodiment comprises a substantially flat, circular base having an outer face and an inner face. The base further comprises an annular side rim around the peripheral outer edge of the base extending upwardly from the base to form a peripheral side wall, thereby forming a bounded base floor inside the peripheral wall. The base with peripheral side wall forms a housing for retaining the rotating components of the sport device.
Within the bounds of the peripheral side rim of the base are tabs which jut inwardly toward a central axis of the base. The tabs are preferably formed integral with the side rim of the base, e.g., are formed as part of the mold during manufacture of the base. The foot plate comprises at least one notched side edge which is matingly positioned relative to the tab formed in the base and serving as a stop when the tab and notch edge contacts one another, thereby restricting rotation of the foot plate to less than 360°.
The base can further comprise one or more flanges extending outwardly from an outer face of its peripheral side rim. The flange is two-fold in function. First, the flange, preferably two to four flanges, provide stability to the base and reduces the tendency of the base to tilt to one side.
Second, the flange can serve as a connecting piece to which a foot extension as described above, can be connected to the base forming a base and foot extension system according to the invention. The base and foot extension can optionally be affixed together using a separate connector.
Disposed on the floor of the base is a centrally positioned axial retaining ring extending upwardly at approximately the same height or less as the peripheral side wall. The retaining ring is adapted for receiving and retaining a ring bearing having a central void which engages an outer edge of the retainer ring. The retainer ring and ring bearing are affixed in a stationary configuration relative to the base. The ring bearing then directly or indirectly engages the foot plate and allows rotational movement of a foot plate relative to the base and ring bearing. The retaining ring can be a separate part affixed onto the floor of the base or can be integrally formed as part of the base floor during manufacture such that the retaining ring is an integral feature of the base floor.
The ring bearing and foot plate engage with one another concentrically, whereby the ring bearing receives a connecting ring, either formed as part of the foot plate or provided as a separate bearing-plate connector. The foot plate and bearing are rotationally engaged, providing for rotation of the foot plate about a central axis relative to the base, which remains stationary during use. The foot plate can include a top surface comprising knubs for gripping between the foot plate and a foot of the user, or can comprise foot plate cover affixed to a top surface of the foot plate as described herein.
Thus, a sporting device of the invention can comprise:
The base can comprise a tab extending inwardly from the peripheral side rim for limiting rotation of the foot plate to less than 360°. The base can comprise two opposing tabs extending inwardly from the peripheral side rim for limiting rotation of the foot plate.
In one embodiment of the invention, the base has a bottom face comprising gripping ridges. The gripping ridges can be linear and extend radially from a center or central area of the bottom face of the base.
The device of the invention can also include at least one ridge formed on the base floor for increased friction during rotation of the rotating foot plate. The friction ridge can be formed as a plurality of ridges extending radially from the retaining ring to an inner circumference of the peripheral side rim or can be formed as an annular ridge disposed between the retaining ring and an inner circumference of the peripheral side rim. In a preferred embodiment, the base floor comprises radial ridges and at least one annular ridge formed therein or thereon.
The footplate can also comprise friction enhancers on its top surface. Preferably the top surface of the foot plate comprises knubs to provide better gripping properties between the foot plate and a foot of a user. Alternatively, the foot plate can include a cover affixed to the top surface of the foot plate wherein the cover comprises gripping knubs.
The foot plate comprises notches which engage with the at least one tab during rotation of the foot plate, wherein during rotation, the tab and notch engage one another to interfere with and stop the rotation of the foot plate, thereby restricting rotation of the foot plate to less than 360°, preferably less than 180° and more preferably about 90°.
The sporting device of the invention can further comprise at least one foot extension configured to engage with the recessed area formed in the base flange. The foot extension can comprise a plurality of gaps formed along a midline thereof, and can also comprise a cut-out area formed between the gaps and an outer side edge of the foot extension. One or more apertures can be provided in the foot extension for receiving a stake or rod for securing the foot piece to the ground.
In one embodiment of the invention, the cut-out area is configured to include an integral aperture for receiving a stake or rod for securing the foot piece to the ground. In an embodiment, the device of the invention can include two or more foot extensions which are configured to attach or interlock with the base and with one another. For example, a first foot extension affixed to the base can be configured at one end to engage with the recessed areas formed in the base flange and configured at its other end to engage with and couple to a second foot extension. The coupler configuration is preferably standardized such that each foot piece can interlock with the base or with another foot piece.
A foot stop can be provided which is configured to be removably and adjustably disposed in one of the gaps provided in the foot extension. The foot stop provides an optimum stance extension for the user. When the foot extension is not used with the base, a coupler can be provided which engages with the recessed area of the base flange. The coupler can comprise an aperture formed therein for receiving a stake or rod for securing the base to the ground.
The subject invention also concerns a method of practicing a swing motion for a sport using a bat or club, wherein the method comprises
The device used in performing the method of the invention comprises a central body having a void; a foot plate supported by a central plate, which fits within the central body void, rotates relative to said central body.
Alternatively, a method of using the invention can be carried out using a device comprising a body coupler for removably coupling at least one foot extension to the base. The method can further include using a device comprising at least one foot extension having a stop which removably engages the foot extension and is movable along the length of the foot extension length, wherein the method comprises:
The application of torque by the user can be achieved by the motion of swinging a golf club or swinging a baseball bat.
It is understood that for the embodiments described above and detailed herein any one or more of the elements or steps can be used separately or together in any combination, including addition, subtraction or substitution of any one or more elements, so long as forming a complete and operable device and useful in accordance with the disclosed method.
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein
Several embodiments of Applicant's invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will be identified by identical numbers throughout all figures. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.
The size and dimensions of the device 100 can vary depending upon the application. In some embodiments the foot plate 101 is sized to fit a single foot. Furthermore, the materials of the device 100 can also vary. The device can comprise metal, plastics, rubber, and combinations thereof.
At the top of the device is the foot plate 101. The foot plate 101 rotates relative to the device 100. As will be described in more detail below, the rotating foot plate 101 reduces friction compared to a foot pivoting on the ground. Because of this reduced friction, the foot is allowed to pivot and rotate, allowing a more open swing. Golfers, as an example, should open their hips when they swing. The back foot should pivot to allow this to happen. Unfortunately, many golfers do not open their hips and the swing suffers. By reducing the friction on the foot plate 101, the momentum of a swing forces the foot to pivot and allow the hip to correctly open. The same is true for a baseball swing. By reducing the friction at the foot plate 101, the user is trained to rotate.
Turning briefly to
The knubs are shown in
In addition, the top surface of any individual knub can be flat, concave, or convex, as determined for optimum function and user comfort.
Turning back to
Turning briefly to
The cover 103 serves the purpose of covering the central portion 102, described below. It can provide a more refined finish compared to the central portion 102.
Turning back to
As depicted, the internal void in the central plate 104 is circular. Inside the void of the central plate 104 is an axis 110. This is the axis around which the central plate 104 can rotate. The axis 110 can comprise any shape or device which allows the central plate 104 to rotate. In one embodiment, and as depicted, the axis 110 comprises a cylindrical body which is coupled along its periphery to the external central plate 104 via ball bearings 106. Ball bearings 106 reduce friction between two bodies and allow them to rotate relative to one another. Thus, in one embodiment the axis 110 is stationary or fixed, and the ball bearings 106 allow the central plate 104 to rotate relative to the axis 110. As an example, when weight is applied to the central plate 104, the central plate 104 will be able to rotate about the axis 110.
As shown in
The blocks 111 coincide with an outer void 112 of the central plate 104. The outer void 112 is located along the periphery of the central plate 104. The blocks 111 extend within the outer void 112 and control the degrees of rotation. The longer the outer void 112, the greater the degrees of rotation before the plate 104 encounters a block 111.
As can be seen in
The possible degrees of rotational freedom can vary from one degree to 359 degrees.
In one embodiment the device allows 45 degrees. In other embodiment the device allows between 15 and 90 degrees. In other embodiments the device allows between 30 and 180 degrees. Different applications will require varying degrees of rotational freedom. In one embodiment the central plate 104 is interchangeable and can be replaced with a central plate 104 of different outer void lengths 112. As an example, if a user wants to increase the rotational freedom, the user can replace the central plate 104 with a new central plate 104 having an increased outer void length 112.
While the embodiment depicted shows two blocks 111, this is for illustrative purposes only. In other embodiments a single block 111 is used, whereas in other embodiments, more than two blocks 111 are used. Further, while one embodiment has been depicted wherein the void is located on the inner central plate 104 and the blocks 111 extend outward, the inverse is also utilized in certain embodiments. In such embodiments the blocks 111 extend outwardly from the central plate 104 and the void allowing passage of the block is located on the interior periphery of the central body 102.
As shown the central body 102, and the device 100, comprise a handle 113 for easy carrying. The device 100 can have other features for hanging, storing, etc.
Returning back to
Located below the central body 102 is the base 108.
The base can comprise features such as spikes, cleats, etc. to help grip into the ground. In other embodiments, the base simply rests upon the ground.
In
The golfer will be facing downward in this situation. When the golfer takes a swing with a driver, their right foot, the foot on the foot plate 101 will rotate. The foot extension 116 allows the off-foot, the left foot in this example, to be set by stops 119 which engage with the foot extension 116. In this instance, the left food of the golfer would be located between the two stops 119 on the right side of the foot extension 116.
The golfer's stance will be adjusted depending upon the club being used. A heavier club generally requires a wider stance, whereas a smaller club requires a narrower stance. The desired stance can be obtained by moving the stops 119 at various locations along the foot extension 116. The placement of the stops 119 is adjustable along the length of the foot extension 116.
Thus, the user can adjust the stops 119 to yield a desirable stance for that specific club, for example. The user would then practice with that specific stance and eventually that stance will become engrained in the golfer's mind. When the golfer changes clubs, the stops 119 can be adjusted to yield a varying stance width.
Thus, the sporting device simultaneously teaches a golfer to pivot the foot while maintaining the proper stance with the off foot. The same benefit is applicable in other sports mentioned above, such as baseball. When hitting a baseball, difference stances are employed. The foot extension 117 allows the user to vary the stance on the off foot.
As depicted, the foot extensions comprise two foot extension segments 116a, 116b which are removably coupled at their distal ends. Having smaller foot extension segments 116a, 116b reduces the size of the sporting device. This makes the sporting device more compact and easier to carry. However, in other embodiments the foot extension 116 comprises a single piece which can be longer than the two segmented pieces shown in
Turning to
As shown, the foot extension 116 has a plurality of recesses 118 along its length. The recesses 118, rectangular as depicted, receive the stops 119. Having a plurality of recesses 118 provides increased options for locating the stops 119 along the length of the foot extension 116.
It should be noted, that while a mechanical coupling of the stops 119 with distinct and separated recesses 118 is depicted, this is for illustrative purposes only. In other embodiments, for example, the stops 119 are slidably coupled to the foot extension such that the stop 119 can be stopped at any point along the foot extension 116 length as opposed to locations of the recess. As an example, in one embodiment the stops comprise an internal spring to cause tension with the foot extension 116, causing the stops 119 to remain in place. When a user releases that tension on the stop 119, the stop 119 can slide to a new location. In still other embodiments the stops 119 are slidable along the length of the foot extension 116 and are secured in place by a screw, tensioner, or the like. Thus, when the screw or tension is released, the stop 119 is allowed to slide along the foot extension 116. When the stop 119 is in its desired location, the tension is increased and the stop 119 is now in a steady and fixed relationship with the foot extension. Thus, in one embodiment the stops 119 are adjustable along the length of the foot extension 116 to allow proper placement of a user's foot.
As shown in
In one embodiment the stop 119 and/or the foot extension 116 comprises straps, guides, or the like to secure the foot in the desired location. For example, in one embodiment a strap extends between stops 119 to ensure the foot is not removed from the position adjacent the stops 119. The stops 119 and/or foot extension 117 can have straps or guides that couple the front, top, and/or back of the user's foot.
It should be noted that while mechanical couplers requiring no external parts are disclosed, this is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed limiting. The foot extension 116 can be coupled to the body coupler 115 via any method or device known in the art, including but not limited to screws, bolts, snaps, and other such devices.
As can be seen in
An alternative embodiment of a sport device according to the invention is illustrated in
Disposed on the floor of the base is a centrally positioned axial retaining ring 203 extending upwardly from the base at approximately the same height or less as the peripheral side wall. The retaining ring is adapted for receiving and retaining a ring bearing. The retaining ring can be a separate part affixed onto the floor of the base or can be integrally formed during manufacture using a molding process as part of the base floor such that the retaining ring is an integral feature of the base floor.
Retaining ring 203 can include a ring flange 210 surrounding retaining ring 203, which provides support for retaining ring 203 and a reinforced area for fasteners received or disposed in or through one or more channel 206.
Also shown in
Further,
Second, the flange can serve as a connecting piece to which a foot extension as described above can be connected to the base forming a base and foot extension system according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, at least one flange comprises a recessed area (not shown, but depicted in
Also illustrated in
This embodiment illustrated in
A circular ridge 209, shown annularly disposed about mid-way between the retainer ring and outer side rim, can also be provided. This annular ridge is preferably formed integral with the base floor, and preferably has a height the same as, or slightly higher or lower than the radial ridges. Similar to the radial ridges, the height of the annular ridge is approximately the same as the reinforcing flange around the retaining ring, and is less than the height of the outer side rim, such that the foot plate fits within the base, and is retained by the outer side rim.
Ridges 208 and 209 advantageously provide frictional contact between the base and the foot plate (described below) and provides higher resistance for the rotation of the foot plate when in use as compared to the resistance provided by the ring bearing alone, when the ridges on the inner face of the base floor are not provided.
The embodiments of
In a further embodiment, spacer slots 402 are provided circumferentially and evenly spaced on the inner face of the foot plate 400 for receiving spacer inserts 403 that can be inserted into the spacer slots. Spacer inserts 403 are shown as solid circles to illustrate inserts disposed within the spacer slot. The spacer inserts are provided to retain a substantially level horizontal plane for the foot plate relative to the base. In instances where the foot of the user is placed off-center onto the foot plate, any tendency for the foot plate to tilt or give under the weight of the user can be offset by the spacer inserts.
These spacer slots and spacer inserts can be placed anywhere on the inner face of the foot plate so long as they serve to balance the plane of the foot plate, horizontally. Spacer slots are typically provided inside the outer circumferential edge of the foot plate, and spaced approximately 60° apart from one another (six in number). At least four spacer slots are preferred, but can be provided in numbers ranging from three to 12.
The spacer inserts, which are inserted and held within the spacer slots, can be made of any material that can bear the weight of the user without substantial deformation. A preferred material for the spacer insert is Teflon®, which can advantageously provide one or more of the desired properties of bearing the weight of the user, facilitating reduction of friction with a contacting surface, and durability, such that it can with can withstand a plurality of—hundreds to thousands or more—of operations without significant wear. The spacer inserts can also reduce wear, including uneven wear, for the base and foot plate, either of which can be damaged by friction during multiple rotations and use. Plastic or rubber materials can also be used for the spacer inserts, whereas metal or other harder materials are less preferred as they may increase wear on the device components contacting the spacer inserts, and can be produce undesirable noise during rotational movement of the foot plate. The spacer inserts can be of any suitable size or shape, and are preferably generally barrel-shaped approximately 5-10 mm in height and about 2-5 mm in diameter. The spacer inserts can be configured to have interlocking notches, threads, or protrusions for matingly engaging a corresponding spacer slot.
The foot plate can preferably comprise on its top face, gripping knubs for increasing gripping properties and preventing slippage between the outer face of the foot plate and the foot of the user. The knubs are illustrated in
To further illustrate the components in the alternative embodiment of the sport device of the invention, attention is directed to
A top view of an assembled sport device of this embodiment of the invention is shown in
It would be understood that one foot extension may be used or a plurality of foot extensions, e.g., two, three, four, or more, may be used, depending on the length of each foot extension and the distance needed to be spanned by the foot extension. Typically, the number of foot extensions required are the amount to span the distance of an extended stance and forward step taken by a user during a swing of a club or bat. For example, a child or small adult may utilize a single foot extension where a larger person or adult may use two or more foot extensions.
An optional foot stop shown in
Gaps 503 are receptacles for a foot stop, and can be positioned anywhere along the axial length of the foot extension, and are preferably evenly spaced to provide varying distances for stopping the forward foot during a swing when using the device. Corresponding apertures 501, cut-out areas 502, and foot stop gaps 503, as shown in
Now that the device has been described, the method of using the device will now be described. The device is first coupled to the foot extension. The stops are adjusted and secured in the necessary location to obtain the desired stance. As noted, the desired stance is the distance between the user's two feet.
The desired stance will be dictated by the sport they are practicing. As an example, as previously noted, for golfing a larger club will require a larger stance. Thus, the stops can be adjusted, and secured as necessary, to obtain the desired stance. The user places a first foot on the rotating plate, and a second foot on the foot extension. In one embodiment the second foot is located adjacent a stop. In another embodiment the foot is sandwiched between two adjacent stops.
Thereafter, the user applies a torque causing the first foot to rotate on the foot plate. The torque can be generated by a variety of activities including swinging a bat, throwing a ball, swinging a golf club, etc. As noted, by reducing the friction on the foot plate, the user is encouraged and trained to rotate the first foot. Further, simultaneously, the second foot is secured in the desired stance by the stops. This trains the user of the correct stance.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/879,018 filed Jul. 26, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/839,865 filed Apr. 29, 2019, and is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/785,254, filed Feb. 7, 2020, is a continuation-in-part and claims priority to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/721,342 filed Jan. 20, 2020, and is a continuation-in-part and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/425,527 filed May 29, 2019, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/731,350, filed Apr. 14, 2020, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 29731350 | Apr 2020 | US |
Child | 16848544 | US | |
Parent | 16785254 | Feb 2020 | US |
Child | 29731350 | US | |
Parent | 29721342 | Jan 2020 | US |
Child | 16785254 | US | |
Parent | 16425527 | May 2019 | US |
Child | 29721342 | US |