JP2018511432A - Universal swing training device - Google Patents

Abstract

A universal swing training device is provided that includes sports-related equipment and a sliding mechanism. The instrument includes a proximal section and a distal section that are spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. A sliding mechanism is inserted into this gap and connected to the upper end of the proximal section and the lower end of the distal section. The sliding mechanism includes a rail guide, a plurality of front ball bearings, a plurality of rear ball bearings, and a sliding rail assembly that is positioned on the upper side when the sliding rail assembly is positioned in a coaxial position on the rail guide. To ensure that the end and this lower end are coaxial, and to allow a lateral shift of this lower end relative to this upper end while swinging the instrument, It is structured collaboratively.

Description

  The present invention relates to a universal swing training apparatus.

  Many sports and recreational activities involve a person swinging a given type of sports-related equipment. For example, in a sport called golf, a golfer swings a golf club trying to hit a golf ball. In a sport called baseball, a batter swings a baseball bat in an attempt to hit a baseball. In a sport called tennis, a tennis player swings a tennis racket (also known as a tennis racket) in an attempt to hit a tennis ball.

  The training device embodiments described herein generally relate to swing training devices.

  In one exemplary embodiment, the universal swing training device includes sports-related equipment and a sliding mechanism. The instrument includes two separate individual sections spaced apart to form a gap therebetween, the sections including a proximal section and a distal section. A sliding mechanism is inserted into this gap and connected to the upper end of the proximal section and the lower end of the distal section. The sliding mechanism includes a rail guide, a plurality of front ball bearings, a plurality of rear ball bearings, and a sliding rail assembly that is positioned on the upper side when the sliding rail assembly is positioned in a coaxial position on the rail guide. To ensure that the end and this lower end are coaxial, and to allow a lateral shift of this lower end relative to this upper end while swinging the instrument, It is structured collaboratively.

  In another exemplary embodiment, a golf club swing training device includes a golf club shaft and a slide mechanism. The shaft has a butt end and a head end and includes two separate individual sections that are spaced apart to form a gap therebetween, the portions including the butt end of the shaft. And an upper shaft portion including the head end of the shaft. The slide mechanism is inserted into this gap and connected to the lower end of the upper shaft portion and the upper end of the lower shaft portion. The sliding mechanism includes a rail guide, a plurality of front ball bearings, a plurality of rear ball bearings, and a sliding rail assembly, which are positioned below the sliding rail assembly when the sliding rail assembly is positioned in a coaxial position on the rail guide. To ensure that the side end and this upper end are coaxial, and to allow a lateral shift of this upper end relative to this lower end while swinging the club, It is structured collaboratively.

  In yet another exemplary embodiment, the baseball bat swing training device includes a baseball bat and a slide mechanism. The bat includes two separate individual sections spaced apart to form a gap therebetween, the sections including a handle section and a barrel section. A sliding mechanism is inserted into this gap and connected to the upper end of the handle section and the lower end of the barrel section. The sliding mechanism includes a rail guide, a plurality of front ball bearings, a plurality of rear ball bearings, and a sliding rail assembly that is positioned on the upper side when the sliding rail assembly is positioned in a coaxial position on the rail guide. To ensure that the end and the lower end are coaxial, and to allow a lateral shift of the lower end relative to the upper end while swinging the bat, It is structured collaboratively.

  In yet another exemplary embodiment, a tennis racket swing training device includes a tennis racket and a slide mechanism. The racket includes a handle section, a head section, and a throat section, the throat section being rigidly interconnected to the handle and head section. The handle section includes two separate individual portions that are spaced apart to form a gap therebetween, the portions including an upper portion and a lower portion. The sliding mechanism is inserted into this gap and connected to the upper end of the lower part of the handle section and the lower end of the upper part of the handle section. The sliding mechanism includes a rail guide, a plurality of front ball bearings, a plurality of rear ball bearings, and a sliding rail assembly that is positioned on the upper side when the sliding rail assembly is positioned in a coaxial position on the rail guide. To ensure that the end and this lower end are coaxial, and to allow a lateral shift of this lower end relative to this upper end while swinging the racket, It is structured collaboratively.

  It should be noted that the foregoing summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, and is to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Also not intended. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the claimed subject matter in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.

  Certain features, aspects, and advantages of the training device embodiments described herein will be better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. It becomes.

1 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a conventional sports-related instrument and a conventional object associated with the instrument, wherein a person swings the instrument as he strikes the object FIG. Simplified plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a sliding mechanism shown to be connected between the lower end of the distal section of a sports-related instrument and the upper end of the proximal section of the instrument The sliding mechanism includes a sliding rail assembly, a rail guide, and a plurality of ball bearings, and the sliding rail assembly is firmly connected to the lower end of the sliding mechanism. The sliding rail assembly and its lower end are coaxial, the rail guide is securely connected to this upper end, and the rail guide and this upper end are coaxial. The sliding rail assembly is located in a coaxial position on the rail guides, below and above these End is a diagram showing that it is so coaxially. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a plan view of the sliding mechanism of FIG. 2, with the sliding rail assembly positioned in a maximally non-coaxial position on the rail guide, FIG. 5 shows that the lower end of the section is adapted to be offset / shifted in a transverse direction by a predetermined distance from the upper end of the proximal section of the instrument. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, an enlarged plan view of the sliding mechanism of FIG. 2 rotated 90 degrees to the right. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sliding mechanism of FIG. 2 taken along line CC of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sliding mechanism of FIG. 3 taken along line DD of FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, an enlarged plan view of a cavity base embodiment of the sliding mechanism of FIG. This particular embodiment of the sliding mechanism is hereinafter simply referred to as a cavity-based sliding mechanism. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a single perspective plan view of one embodiment of a cavity-based sliding rail member of the cavity-based sliding mechanism of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a perspective top view of the cavity-based sliding rail member of FIG. 8 in a simplified form. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a perspective plan view of the cavity-based sliding rail member of FIG. 9 rotated 90 degrees to the right. 10 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a cross-sectional view of the cavity-based sliding rail member of FIG. 8, taken along line EE of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a single perspective plan view of one embodiment of a cavity-based rail guide of the cavity-based sliding mechanism of FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a perspective bottom view of the cavity-based rail guide of FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a perspective plan view of the cavity-based rail guide of FIG. 13 rotated 90 degrees to the left. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a cross-sectional view of the cavity-based rail guide of FIG. 12 taken along line FF of FIG. 13. 3 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, an exploded plan view of a post base embodiment of the sliding mechanism of FIG. This particular embodiment of the sliding mechanism is hereinafter simply referred to as a post-based sliding mechanism. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a single perspective plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a post-based sliding rail member of the post-based sliding mechanism of FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a perspective top view of the post-base sliding rail member of FIG. 17 in a simplified form. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a perspective plan view of the post-based sliding rail member of FIG. 18 rotated 90 degrees to the right. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a cross-sectional view of the post-base sliding rail member of FIG. 17 taken along line GG of FIG. 18. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a single perspective plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a post-based rail guide of the post-based sliding mechanism of FIG. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a perspective bottom view of the post-based rail guide of FIG. 21 in a simplified form. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a perspective plan view of the post-based rail guide of FIG. 22 rotated 90 degrees to the left. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a cross-sectional view of the post-base rail guide of FIG. 21 taken along line HH of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the sliding mechanism of FIG. 2, taken along line CC in FIG. FIG. 6 is a simplified plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an alternative slide mechanism shown to be connected between a lower end of a baseball bat barrel section and an upper end of a bat handle section; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating in form, an alternative sliding mechanism including an alternative sliding rail assembly and an alternative rail guide, the alternative sliding rail assembly being securely connected to the lower end of the alternative sliding mechanism; The rail assembly and its lower end are coaxial, and the alternative rail guide is securely connected to the upper end so that the alternative rail guide and the upper end are coaxial. The alternative sliding rail assembly is the most right on the alternative rail guide Located in location, these lower and upper ends is a diagram showing that it is so coaxially. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating, in simplified form, a plan view of the alternative sliding mechanism of FIG. 26, wherein the alternative sliding rail assembly is located in the leftmost position on the alternative rail guide, FIG. 6 shows that the lower end of the barrel section is offset in the transverse direction by a predetermined distance from the upper end of the handle section of the bat.

  In the following description of training device embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the training device may be practiced. ing. It will be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the training device embodiment.

  Also, for the sake of clarity, specific terminology will be used in describing the training device embodiments described herein, and these embodiments will be identified with the specific terms so selected. It is noted that it is not intended to be limited to terms. Moreover, it is to be understood that each unique term includes all its technical equivalents that operate in a broadly similar manner to achieve a similar purpose. As used herein, “one embodiment” or “another embodiment” or “an exemplary embodiment” or “an alternative embodiment” or “an implementation” or “another embodiment” Implementation ", or" exemplary implementation "or" alternative implementation "or" one version "or" another version "or" exemplary version "or" alternative version " Refers to that a particular feature, a particular structure, or a particular characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or implementation may be included in at least one embodiment of the training device. It means that. In various places herein, “in one embodiment”, “in another embodiment”, “in an exemplary embodiment”, “in an alternative embodiment”, “in one implementation” , "In another implementation", "in an exemplary implementation", "in an alternative implementation", "in one version", "in another version", "in an exemplary version", and The appearances of the phrase “in alternative versions” do not necessarily refer to all of the same embodiment or implementation or version, and separate or alternative embodiments / implementations / versions may Embodiments / implementations / versions are not mutually exclusive. Moreover, the order of the process flow representing one or more embodiments or implementations or versions of the training device does not inherently indicate any particular order, nor does it imply any limitation of the training device. .

  In addition, the terms “including”, “including”, “having”, “including”, variations thereof, and other similar terms may be used in this detailed description or patent. As used in any of the claims, these terms do not exclude any additional or other elements, but as an open transitional phrase, “comprising” It is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to terminology.

1.0 Universal swing training device
The training device embodiments described herein generally relate to universal swing training devices, where people use universal swing training devices and how they swing a given type of sport-related equipment. Improve the mechanics. As will be appreciated from the more detailed description that follows, the training device embodiments are not limited thereto, but include any type of sports related person that swings, including golf clubs, baseball bats, and tennis rackets. It is applicable to other instruments. Generally speaking, and as will be described in more detail below, the training device embodiment includes a sports-related instrument and a slide mechanism that converts the instrument to an instrument swing training device. To be interleaved (eg, mounted) in the instrument in a manner that More specifically, and by way of example and not limitation, in one embodiment of the training device, the sport-related instrument is a conventional golf club, and the slide mechanism is interposed in the golf club; It is converted to a golf club swing training device. In another embodiment of the training device, the sport-related instrument is a conventional baseball bat, and the slide mechanism is interposed in the baseball bat and converts it into a baseball bat swing training device. . In yet another embodiment of the training device, the sports-related equipment is a conventional tennis racket, and the sliding mechanism is interposed in the tennis racket and adapted to convert it to a tennis racket swing training device. Yes.

  FIG. 1 illustrates, in simplified form, a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a conventional sports-related instrument that is swung by a person attempting to strike a conventional object associated with the instrument. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a sports-related device 10 generally includes two different longitudinal sections: a proximal section 14 and a distal section 12. A person swiftly swings the instrument 10 by gripping a portion of the proximal section 14 of the instrument 10 with either one or both of their hands and striking the object 18 with a portion of the distal section 12 of the instrument 10. To do. In the exemplary embodiment of the training device described herein, the instrument 10 is approximately between the lower end of the distal section 12 of the instrument 10 and the upper end of the proximal section 14 of the instrument 10. Is cut transversely along its longitudinal axis AA at the boundary line B-B between them (eg, the instrument 10 is cut in a direction perpendicular to the axis A-A). Ten small longitudinal sections 20 have been removed. Thus, the cutting of the instrument 10 separates the distal section 12 from the proximal section 14 and forms a gap therebetween. After the longitudinal section 20 of the instrument 10 has been removed, a sliding mechanism (not shown, but various embodiments thereof are described in more detail below) is inserted into this gap. Allows the distal section 12 to move / shift laterally / laterally a predetermined small distance relative to the proximal section 14 when a person swings 16 the instrument 10 in a desired manner It is like that. In the exemplary implementation of the training device embodiment described above, the longitudinal section 20 of the instrument 10 to be removed has a length L1, which is the length of the slide mechanism between them. The length of the instrument 10 after it is selected is the same as the original length of the instrument 10 before it is cut.

  FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a slide mechanism 22 shown to be connected between the lower end of the sports-related instrument distal section 12 and the upper end of the instrument proximal section 14. The top view of the form is shown in simplified form. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the slide mechanism 22 includes a rail guide 24, a plurality of front ball bearings (eg, front ball bearings 26 and 28), a plurality of rear ball bearings (not shown), and a sliding rail. Member 34, a slide limiting member (not shown), and a sliding rail assembly including a ball bearing retainer feature 38. As will be described in more detail below, the sliding rail assembly is securely (eg, holdably) connected to the lower end of the distal section 12 and how the instrument is swung. Regardless, it is ensured that the sliding rail assembly and its lower end are coaxial. The rail guide 24 is securely connected to the upper end of the proximal section 14 to ensure that the rail guide and this upper end are coaxial, regardless of how the instrument is swung. It is supposed to be. The sliding rail assembly shown in FIG. 2 is located in a coaxial position on the rail guide 24 such that the longitudinal axis Y1 of the lower end of the instrument distal section 12 is the proximal section of the instrument. 14 is aligned with the longitudinal axis Y2 of the upper end of the 14 (eg, when the sliding rail assembly is located in a coaxial position, the lower and upper ends thereof are coaxial. ) As will be understood from the more detailed description of the slide mechanism 22 that follows, when a person is holding the instrument and preparing to swing it (eg, a golfer holds their golf club). And batters hold their baseball bats when doing club backswings, and their barrel sections are lifted behind their heads and above one of their shoulders Or when the tennis player is holding the tennis racket and performing a backswing of the racket), under the sliding rail assembly and the distal section 12 of the sports equipment. The side end portion naturally moves / shifts integrally with the above-described coaxial position.

  FIG. 3 illustrates, in simplified form, a plan view of the slide mechanism 22 of FIG. 2, where the sliding rail assembly is located on the rail guide 24 in a maximally non-coaxial position. The longitudinal axis Y1 of the lower end of the distal section 12 of the sport-related instrument is transverse to the longitudinal axis Y2 of the upper end of the proximal section 14 of the instrument by a predetermined maximum rail travel distance D1. / Offset / shift in the horizontal direction. As described herein, this transverse / lateral offset between the lower end of the distal section 12 and the upper end of the proximal section 14 is the desired swing 16 of the instrument. Can be caused by the force in between. The size of the maximum rail travel distance D1 shown in the accompanying drawings and the related difference between the length L2 and the diameter D2 (which are explained in more detail below) It is noted that it has been exaggerated for clarity.

  Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, as will be understood from the more detailed description of the sliding mechanism 22 that follows, in one embodiment of the sliding mechanism 22, the above-described coaxial position is defined as a sliding rail. The aforementioned maximum non-coaxial position is equivalent to the assembly being located in the rightmost position on the rail guide 24, and the sliding rail assembly is located in the leftmost position on the rail guide 24. (E.g., the transverse / lateral movement / offset / shift described above occurs in the left direction from the rightmost position). In an alternative embodiment of the sliding mechanism 22, the coaxial position is equivalent to the sliding rail assembly being in a central position on the rail guide 24, and the maximum non-coaxial position is that the sliding rail assembly is Equivalent to being either in the leftmost position on the rail guide 24 or in the rightmost position on the rail guide 24 (e.g., sports-related equipment (e.g., When swinging to the left (from the person's right side to their left side), a transverse / lateral movement / offset / shift occurs in the left direction and sports-related equipment (eg, from the person's left side) (To their right side) Transverse / lateral movement / offset / shift occurs in the right direction when swung in the right direction).

  FIG. 4 illustrates, in simplified form, an enlarged plan view of the slide mechanism 22 of FIG. 2 rotated 90 degrees to the right. A small portion of the above-described slide limiting member post 36 passing between the sliding rail member 34 and the rail guide 24 is shown in FIG. 4, while this post 36 can be seen in FIGS. could not. FIG. 5 illustrates, in simplified form, an enlarged cross-sectional view of the slide mechanism 22 of FIG. 2 as viewed along line CC in FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates, in simplified form, an enlarged cross-sectional view of the slide mechanism 22 of FIG. 3 as viewed along line DD in FIG. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, and referring again to FIG. 3, the rail guide 24 includes a rail travel limit feature 40, after the slide mechanism 22 is fully assembled, of the post 36. The bottom protrudes into the distance limiting feature 40 by a predetermined protruding distance. As will be described in more detail below, the post 36 and rail travel limit feature 40 are below the distal section 12 of the sports-related instrument relative to the upper end of the instrument proximal section 14. The side ends are cooperatively configured to limit the aforementioned transverse / lateral movement / shift to the maximum rail travel distance D1.

  FIG. 7 illustrates, in simplified form, an enlarged plan view of the cavity base embodiment of the slide mechanism 22 of FIG. This particular embodiment of the sliding mechanism 22 is hereinafter simply referred to as a cavity-based sliding mechanism 100. Referring again to FIG. 1 and, as will be described in more detail below, the cavity-based slide mechanism 100 is used for sports-related equipment 10 (among other types of sports-related equipment). Applicable to the situation of being a golf club. FIG. 16 illustrates, in simplified form, an enlarged plan view of the post base embodiment of the slide mechanism 22 of FIG. This particular embodiment of the slide mechanism 22 will hereinafter be referred to simply as a post-based slide mechanism 200. The post-based slide mechanism 200 is applicable to situations where the sports equipment 10 is a baseball bat or tennis racket (among other types of sports equipment).

  The training device embodiments described herein are advantageous for a variety of reasons including but not limited to the following. As will be understood from FIGS. 1-7 and 16, and the more detailed description of these figures that follows, the design of the sliding mechanism 22/100/200 is based on its structural integrity (eg, , Its mechanical strength) while minimizing the weight of the mechanism, even during swing forces and speeds that can be highest, bending and possible breaks during the swing 16 of the sport-related equipment 10 Provides strong mechanical resistance against. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, after the slide mechanism 22/100/200 is fully assembled and connected to the distal section 12 and the proximal section 14 of the instrument 10, the slide mechanism 22/100 / 200 provides a limited mechanical frictional movement of the lower end of the instrument distal section 12 relative to the upper end of the instrument proximal section 14 in a substantially mechanically complete manner. It is possible to have a sex. In other words, the rail guide 24/102/202 of the slide mechanism 22/100/200, a plurality of front ball bearings (for example, the front ball bearings 26 and 28), a plurality of rear ball bearings (for example, the rear ball bearings 30 and 32), Also, the sliding rail assembly 104/204 provides low friction transverse / lateral movement of the lower end of the distal section 12 relative to the upper end of the proximal section 14 during the swing 16 of the instrument 10. (E.g., transverse / lateral shifts), wherein the movement / movement / shift is configured such that the lower end longitudinal axis Y1 and the upper side Constrained in a direction orthogonal to both of the end longitudinal axes Y2, this movement / movement / shift is the maximum rail travel distance. It is limited to D1.

1.1 Golf club application examples
The training device embodiments described in this section are hereinafter simply referred to as golf club related embodiments. These golf club-related embodiments relate generally to the field of golf clubs, and more specifically to golf club swing training devices, in which golfers use golf club swing training devices and how they It is possible to improve the mechanics of how to swing a golf club (eg, their perfect swing) and thus become a better golfer. As understood in the golf art, golfers use the natural flexibility of a golf club shaft to shape a properly hit golf ball trajectory, either left to right or right to left. It is possible to selectively curve the ball. As will be appreciated from the more detailed description that follows, golf club-related embodiments provide golf clubs in a manner that utilizes the momentum of the club head to achieve the desired ball trajectory shape. Teach the golfer to swing. In other words, golf club-related embodiments are specifically designed to help golfers learn to selectively control the shape of the golf ball's trajectory, and the ball is controlled It is designed to "bend" from right to left or from left to right.

  Referring again to FIGS. 1-7, in the golf club related embodiments described in this chapter, the sport related device 10 is a conventional golf club shaft having a butt end and a head end, and an object 18 is a conventional golf ball, the distal section 12 of the instrument is the lower shaft portion including the head end of the shaft, and the proximal section 14 of the instrument is the upper side including the butt end or grip of the shaft. It is a shaft part, and the slide mechanism 22 is a cavity-based slide mechanism 100. Golf club related embodiments are advantageous for a variety of reasons including but not limited to the following. Golf club-related embodiments may be used with any type of golf club (among other types of golf clubs, such as a driver club, for example). Also, golf club related embodiments can accommodate both right-handed golf clubs that swing 16 in a right-to-left manner and left-handed golf clubs that swing 16 in a left-to-right manner. is there.

  Referring again to FIG. 7, and as will be understood from the more detailed description of the golf club related embodiments that follow, the cavity-based slide mechanism 100 includes a lower shaft portion and an upper shaft portion. After the golf club has been fully assembled and inserted between golf clubs and golf clubs in a successful use of the golf club-related embodiments (ie, proper / preferred golf clubs to achieve the desired ball trajectory shape). Force during the swing) can cause the aforementioned transverse / lateral movement / movement / shift of the upper end of the lower shaft portion relative to the lower end of the upper shaft portion, and That is, the slide mechanism 100 indicates to the golfer whether they have achieved the desired swing profile, audible and tactile. It is possible to cause to provide both feedback. More specifically, when golfers swing their clubs in a manner that causes a transverse / lateral movement / movement / shift of the upper end of the lower shaft portion relative to the lower end of the upper shaft portion. In addition, the club head is advanced toward the ball before impact by a distance equal to or greater than the aforementioned maximum rail travel distance D1, and from right to left when the head face is square at the time of ball impact. Resulting in a ball trajectory shape. On the other hand, when golfers swing their clubs in a manner that prevents such movement / movement / shift, the upper end of the lower shaft portion and the lower end of the upper shaft portion are coaxial. The head impacts the ball behind the shaft axis, resulting in a ball trajectory shape from left to right when the head face is square when the ball impacts. Thus, by practicing with the golf club related embodiments described in this chapter, golfers can use their swings to create the desired ball trajectory shape, either right-to-left or left-to-right. You will learn how to control and change The audible and tactile feedback to the golfer that is generated when the movement / movement / shift occurs is whether and when this movement / movement / shift occurred during their swing To the golfer and to allow the golfers to modify their swing mechanics to either create or prevent this movement / movement / shift and achieve the desired ball trajectory shape To do.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the cavity-based slide mechanism 100 includes a cavity-based rail guide 102 (which represents one embodiment of the rail guide 24 described above), the plurality of fronts described above. Includes ball bearings (eg, front ball bearings 26 and 28), as well as the plurality of rear ball bearings described above (eg, rear ball bearings 30 and 32). The slide mechanism 100 also includes a cavity-based sliding rail assembly 104 that includes a cavity-based sliding rail member 106 (which is one embodiment of the sliding rail member 34 described above). A cavity-based slide limiting member 108 (which represents one embodiment of the slide limiting member described in Section 1.0), a pair of front ball bearing retainer members 110 and 114 and a pair of rear ball bearing retainer members 112 and 116. This group of ball bearing retainer members 110/112/114/116 represents one embodiment of the ball bearing retainer feature 38 described above.

  FIG. 8 illustrates, in simplified form, a single perspective plan view of one embodiment of the sliding rail member 106 of the slide mechanism 100 of FIG. FIG. 9 illustrates a simplified top view of the sliding rail member 106 of FIG. 8 in a simplified form. FIG. 10 illustrates, in simplified form, a perspective plan view of the sliding rail member 106 of FIG. 9 rotated 90 degrees to the right. FIG. 11 illustrates, in simplified form, a cross-sectional view of the sliding rail member 106 taken along line EE of FIG. FIG. 12 illustrates, in simplified form, a single perspective plan view of one embodiment of the rail guide 102 of the slide mechanism 100 of FIG. FIG. 13 shows a perspective bottom view of the rail guide 102 of FIG. 12 in a simplified form. FIG. 14 illustrates a simplified plan view of the rail guide 102 of FIG. 13 rotated 90 degrees to the left. FIG. 15 illustrates, in simplified form, a cross-sectional view of the rail guide 102 of FIG. 12 as viewed along line FF of FIG.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 8-11 and referring again to FIG. 7, the upper portion of the cavity-based sliding rail member 106 includes an upper connector 118, and the upper connector 118 is a lower shaft portion. The upper end is adapted to allow the upper end of the connector 118 to be securely connected to the upper portion 150 of the connector 118, regardless of how the club is swung. 118, thus ensuring that it is coaxial with the cavity-based sliding rail assembly 104. It is noted that this rigid connection can be realized in various ways. By way of example and not limitation, in the embodiment of the cavity-based sliding rail member 106 shown in FIGS. 8-11, this adaptation is configured as follows. The upper end 150 of the upper connector 118 includes a cylindrical cavity 120 that is coaxial with the connector 118. The cavity 120 has a diameter D3 because the strong adhesive causes the radially outer surface of the upper end to rigidly adhere to the radial wall of the cavity 120. Sized to allow the upper end of the lower shaft portion to be snugly inserted into the cavity 120 downwardly. It will be appreciated that various types of adhesives can be used. In the exemplary implementation of the cavity-based slide mechanism 100, the adhesive is epoxy. The lower portion of the sliding rail member 106 includes a sliding rail block 122, with the bottom of the connector 118 being rigidly disposed over a central location on the upper surface 124 of the sliding rail block 122, and the cavity 120 and The sliding rail block 122 is adapted to have a common longitudinal axis Y3 that is orthogonal to the surface 124, so that when the upper end is connected to the top of the connector 118, the lower shaft portion To ensure that the longitudinal axis of the upper end of the is perpendicular to the surface 124.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 12-15 and referring again to FIG. 7, the lower portion of the cavity-based rail guide 102 includes a lower connector 128, which is connected to the upper shaft. This lower end is adapted to allow the lower end of the part to be securely connected to the bottom 152 of the connector 128, regardless of how the club is swung. Is coaxial with the connector 128, and thus is guaranteed to be coaxial with the rail guide 102. It is noted that this rigid connection can be realized in various ways. By way of example and not limitation, in the embodiment of the cavity-based rail guide 102 shown in FIGS. 12-15, this adaptation is configured as follows. The bottom end 152 of the lower connector 128 includes a cylindrical cavity 130 that is coaxial with the connector 128. The cavity 130 has a diameter D4 that allows the strong adhesive described above to rigidly radiate the radially outer surface of the lower end to the radial wall of the cavity 130. While being used to bond, the lower end of the upper shaft portion is sized to allow it to be snugly inserted upward into the cavity 130. In conventional golf club shafts, the diameter of the lower end of the upper shaft portion is typically slightly larger than the diameter of the upper end of the lower shaft portion, so the diameter D4 is typically the diameter D3. It is noted that it is slightly larger than. The upper portion of the rail guide 102 includes a guide block 132, the top of the connector 128 being rigidly disposed above the center position of the bottom surface 134 of the guide block 132, and the cavity 130 and the guide block 132 are , Having a common longitudinal axis Y 4 orthogonal to the surface 134, and thus when the lower end is connected to the bottom 152 of the connector 128, the lower end of the upper shaft portion Ensure that the longitudinal axis of the part is orthogonal to the surface 134.

  Generally speaking and referring again to FIGS. 4 and 7-15, the cavity-based rail guide 102, the front ball bearing 26/28, the rear ball bearing 30/32, and the cavity-based sliding rail. The assembly 104 is cooperatively configured to allow low friction transverse / lateral movement (eg, transverse / lateral shift) of the assembly 104 relative to the guide 102, wherein The movement / shift is limited to the maximum rail movement distance D1. More specifically, the sliding rail block 122 of the cavity-based sliding rail member 106 has a predetermined width W1 and includes a pair of opposing elongated rail slots 136 and 138 (ie, front rail slot 136 and Rear rail slot 138). As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 10, the rail slots 136 and 138 exist along a horizontal plane whose longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y3 of the sliding rail member 106. So that it is positioned. The upper portion of the guide block 132 of the cavity-based rail guide 102 includes a linear guide channel 140 that passes from the left side 146 of the guide block 132 to its right side 148, which is the channel 140. In general, when the combination of sliding rail block 122 and front and rear ball bearings 26/28/30/32 is slidably inserted into channel 140, it is adapted to receive this combination in sliding engagement Has been. More specifically, the vertical axis of the linear guide channel 140 is aligned with the aforementioned common longitudinal axis Y4 of the rail guide 102. The guide channel 140 has parallel vertical sidewalls and a pair of opposing elongated guide slots 142 and 144 (ie, front guide slot 142 and rear guide slot 144), where the front guide slot 142 is The rear guide slot 144 is present on the other of the side wall portions of the channel 140. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 14, the front guide slot 142 and the rear guide slot 144 are positioned on their respective sidewalls, and their longitudinal axes are aligned with the longitudinal axis Y4. It exists along a horizontal plane perpendicular to the plane. The guide channel 140 also has a predetermined width W2 that is slightly larger than the width W1, thus allowing the sliding rail block 122 to be movably positioned in the channel 140. The front rail slot 136 and the front guide slot 142 have a common shape, which is slightly smaller than the semicircle, and the sliding rail block 122 is positioned in the guide channel 140. These slots 136 and 142 are sized to allow the front ball bearings 26/28 to be received in a low friction rolling engagement. Therefore, the front ball bearings 26/28 serve to slightly separate the front rail slot 136 and the front guide slot 142. In the exemplary embodiment of the cavity-based slide mechanism 100, the size and shape of the front rail slot 136 and front guide slot 142 match the size and shape of a portion of the respective outer surface of the front ball bearing 26/28. And the contact between each of the ball bearings 26/28 and the slots 136 and 142 is equally distributed over the respective surface of each of the ball bearings 26/28, and thus the friction between these slots and the ball bearings. Is to be minimized. Similarly, the rear rail slot 138 and the rear guide slot 144 have a common shape, which is slightly smaller than the semicircular shape, so that the sliding rail block 122 is within the guide channel 140. When positioned, these slots 138 and 144 are sized to allow the rear ball bearing 30/32 to be received in a low friction rolling engagement. Therefore, the rear ball bearing 30/32 serves to slightly separate the rear rail slot 138 and the rear guide slot 144. In the exemplary embodiment of the sliding mechanism 100, the size and shape of the rear rail slot 138 and rear guide slot 144 match the size and shape of a portion of the respective outer surface of the rear ball bearing 30/32, and the ball bearing The contact between each of the 30/32 and the slots 138 and 144 is evenly distributed across the respective surface of the ball bearing 30/32, thus minimizing the friction between these slots and the ball bearing. It has become. Thus, when the sliding rail block 122 is movably positioned in the guide channel 140, the front ball bearing 26/28 can roll and slide between the front rail slot 136 and the front guide slot 142. When inserted and when the rear ball bearing 30/32 is slidably and slidably inserted between the rear rail slot 138 and the rear guide slot 144, the sliding rail member 106 (and thus sliding) The rail assembly 104) is perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis Y3 of the sliding rail member 106 (and thus the longitudinal axis of the sliding rail assembly 104) and the longitudinal axis Y4 of the rail guide 102. It is allowed to slide / move.

  Referring again to FIGS. 4, 7, 9, 10, 13, and 14, in the exemplary implementation of the cavity-based sliding mechanism 100, the difference between the aforementioned widths W1 and W2 is 1.0 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. The cavity-based sliding rail member 106 can optionally include one or more weight reduction openings (not shown), which reduce the weight of the cavity-based sliding mechanism 100. Serving further, these openings can be sized to be as large as possible without adversely affecting the structural integrity of the sliding rail member 106. Similarly, the cavity-based rail guide 102 can optionally include one or more weight reduction openings (also not shown), which reduce the weight of the slide mechanism 100. Serving even further, these openings can be sized to be as large as possible without adversely affecting the structural integrity of the rail guide 102. The outer edges and corners on the slide mechanism 100 can optionally be rounded to prevent injury to the golfer and to further reduce the weight of the slide mechanism 100.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 12-15, the guide block 132 of the cavity-based rail guide 102 also includes a rail travel distance limiting opening 154, which includes a rail travel distance limiting opening 154. Is positioned over the bottom surface 156 of the guide channel 140 of the rail guide. Note that this rail travel distance limiting opening 154 represents one embodiment of the rail travel distance limiting feature 40 described above. The rail travel distance limiting opening 154 has a predetermined width W3 and a predetermined length L2, and in the exemplary embodiment of the rail guide 102, between the cylindrical cavity 130 and the linear guide channel 140. Passing through. As illustrated in FIGS. 8-11, the cavity-based sliding rail member 106 includes a longitudinal opening 126 that extends from the cylindrical cavity 120 to the sliding rail member 106. To the bottom 158 (which is the bottom of the sliding rail block 122) and the longitudinal axis of this opening 126 is aligned with the common longitudinal axis Y3 of both the cavity 120 and the sliding rail block 122. Yes. In other words, the opening 126 is coaxial with both the upper connector 118 and the sliding rail block 122. The opening 126 has a predetermined radial cross-sectional shape and a predetermined diameter D5. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the cavity-based slide limiting member 108 that is firmly inserted into the aperture 126 is an aperture mating post 160 (which represents one embodiment of the post 36 described above). The head 162 is rigidly disposed on the top of the post 160. The post 160 has the same radial cross-sectional shape as the radial cross-sectional shape of the opening 126. The post 160 also has a predetermined length L3 and a predetermined diameter D2, which allows the post 160 to be fully and securely inserted downward into the opening 126. The post 160 is projected from the bottom 158 of the sliding rail member 106 after this insertion (a portion of this projection is shown in FIG. 4), and the bottom of the post 160 is The rail movement distance limiting opening 154 protrudes by the above-described protrusion distance.

  Referring again to FIGS. 7-11, in one implementation of the cavity-based sliding mechanism 100, the longitudinal opening 126 can have a circular radial cross-sectional shape, and the threads can be threaded. And the radially outer surface of the aperture mating post 160 can be threaded in a manner that allows the post 160 to be threadedly connected to the aperture 126, and thus the cavity base A firm insertion of the cavity-based slide limiting member 108 into the sliding rail member 106 can be performed by fully threading the post 160 into the opening 126. In this particular implementation, a lock washer (not shown) can optionally be disposed over the post 160 before it is screwed into the opening 126. When the post 160 is fully screwed into the opening 126, the lock washer will be sandwiched between the bottom of the head 162 and the bottom of the cylindrical cavity 120. In other implementations of the slide mechanism 100 where the opening 126 is not threaded and the radial outer surface of the post 160 is not threaded, the opening 126 may have various radial cross-sectional shapes ( For example, it can have any one of circular, square, and hexagonal, among other two-dimensional shapes, and the sliding restriction member 108 can be secured into the sliding rail member 106. Insertion is performed by inserting the post 160 into the opening 126 while the strong adhesive described above is used to rigidly adhere the radially outer surface of the post 160 to the radial wall of the opening 126. Can be broken.

  Referring again to FIGS. 2-15, the ball when the sliding rail block 122 of the cavity-based sliding rail member 106 is movably positioned within the guide channel 140 of the cavity-based rail guide 102. The bearing retainer feature 38 generally holds the front ball bearing 26/28 between the front rail slot 136 and the front guide slot 142, and the rear ball between the rear rail slot 138 and the rear guide slot 144. It is adapted to hold the bearing 30/32. It is noted that the ball bearing retainer feature 38 can be realized in various ways. By way of example and not limitation, in the embodiment of the cavity-based sliding rail assembly 104 shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 7-10, the ball bearing retainer feature 38 is realized as follows. . The ball bearing retainer features include the aforementioned front ball bearing retainer members 110 and 114 and the rear ball bearing retainer members 112 and 116. Each of these retainer members 110/112/114/116 includes a post (eg, post 164) and a head (eg, head 166), the head being rigidly disposed over one end of the post. ing. The sliding rail block 122 includes a pair of front retainer member cavities 168 and 170 and a pair of rear retainer member cavities 172 and 174, the longitudinal direction of each of these cavities 168/170/172/174. The axis exists along the horizontal plane described above, and the rail slots 136 and 138 are positioned along the horizontal plane described above (as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10). Each of these cavities 168/170/172/174 is such that a given post (eg, post 164) of retainer members 110/112/114/116 fully extends into the cavity. The size is adapted to allow it to be inserted securely The retainer member head (eg, head 166) contacts the left side 184 or right side 186 of the sliding rail block 122 (as shown in FIGS. 2-4). It is like that. In one implementation of the sliding rail assembly 104, each of the cavities 168/170/172/174 can have a circular radial cross-sectional shape and can be threaded, and the retainer The radially outer surface of each post of member 110/112/114/116 allows it to be threadedly connected to a given one of cavities 168/170/172/174. The thread can be attached in such a manner. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the respective heads of the retainer members 110/112/114/116 are located at the end of a given one of the rail slots 136/138. It has a radial size selected to allow it to cover a given predetermined part, which part, regardless of how the golf club is swung The above described transverse direction of the assembly 104 relative to the guide 102 is large enough to prevent the ball bearing 26/28/30/32 from falling out of the slide mechanism 100 after it is fully assembled. / Small enough to allow lateral movement (e.g. front ball bearing retainer members 110 and 114 are A front ball bearing 26/28 is held between the front rail slot 136 and the front guide slot 142, and the rear ball bearing retainer members 112 and 116 are disposed between the rear rail slot 138 and the rear guide slot 144. Bearing 30/32).

  As will be understood from FIGS. 4-6 and the functional operation of the cavity-based sliding mechanism 100 described in this section, and referring again to FIGS. 7-15, the cavity After the base slide mechanism 100 is fully assembled, the length L3 of the opening mating post 160 of the cavity base slide limiting member 108 is such that the bottom of this post 160 is the rail above the cavity base rail guide 102. It is selected so as to protrude into the movement distance limiting opening 154 by the above-described protrusion distance. Here, as will be described in more detail, this opening 154 limits the movement of the post 160 to this distance D1, thereby limiting the movement of the cavity-based sliding rail assembly 104 to the maximum rail travel distance D1. (E.g., limiting the transverse / lateral movement / movement / shift described above). More specifically, the opening 154 has a pair of opposing vertical sidewalls 176 and 178, and the pair of opposing vertical sidewalls 176 and 178 are parallel to each other. Moreover, it is parallel to the vertical side wall portion of the linear guide channel 140 of the rail guide. Opening 154 has another pair of opposing vertical sidewalls 180 and 182 that are symmetrical to each other, and the horizontal central portion of both sidewalls 180 and 182 is a cavity-based sliding rail. It is orthogonal to the direction of slide / movement of the member 106, and in turn is orthogonal to the direction of slide / movement of the post 160 of the slide limiting member 108. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, both the width W3 and the length L2 of the opening 154 are larger than the diameter D2 of the post 160, so that the post 160 is transverse in the opening 154. (E.g., left and right from the viewpoints of FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6). As will be understood from FIGS. 5 and 6, the difference between the length L2 and the diameter D2 defines the distance D1. When the sliding rail assembly 104 is positioned at the above-described coaxial position on the rail guide 102, the right side of the post 160 is in contact with the side wall 182 as shown in FIG. . When the sliding rail assembly 104 is positioned on the rail guide 102 in the above-described maximum non-coaxial position (which is the leftmost position in the illustrated case), the left side of the post 160 Is in contact with the side wall 180 as shown in FIG. Generally speaking, the length L2 and the diameter D2 can be selected such that the distance D1 can have any value, which value is selected based on the stiffness of the golf club, among other factors. The By way of example and not limitation, in the exemplary embodiment of slide mechanism 100, length L2 and diameter D2 are selected such that distance D1 is approximately 0.65 millimeters.

  5 and 7 again, the cavity-based slide mechanism 100 is configured so that when the golfer swings the club in the desired manner, the golfer lowers against the lower end of the upper shaft portion. It will be appreciated that it is possible to hear and feel the transverse / lateral movement / movement / shift of the upper end of the side shaft portion. In other words, as described herein, when the slide mechanism 100 is interleaved into the club shaft, the slide mechanism 100 may ask the golfer that they have achieved the desired swing profile. Provide both the above-mentioned audible and tactile feedback indicating whether or not. For example, the club can be swung in a manner that moves / shifts the upper end of the lower shaft portion transversely / laterally to the left relative to the lower end of the upper shaft portion, and the cavity-based sliding rail assembly. 104 reaches a maximum non-coaxial position on the cavity-based rail guide 102, and the left side of the opening mating post 160 is perpendicular to the rail travel limit opening 154. When impacting the side wall 180, the slide mechanism 100 will generate a recognizable sound (eg, a golfer will hear a “click” sound) and may be near the club. Will cause a tactile sensation at the distal end (e.g., a golfer will move him from mechanism 100 through the upper shaft portion). The feel the vibration that travels into the hands).

  It will also be appreciated that the cavity-based sliding mechanism can be interposed into the golf club shaft at any desired location along the shaft. Determining where the above cuts should be made along the shaft, and whether the slide mechanism should be interspersed, such as: It is necessary to consider various factors. Positioning the sliding mechanism closer to the grip on the butt end of the shaft maximizes deflection in the lower shaft portion when the club is swung, which is advantageous. However, the inherent weight of the slide mechanism can also change the balance point of the club, which is detrimental, and the extent of this change depends on the actual weight of the slide mechanism and Depends on the specific location along the shaft. In an exemplary implementation of the golf club-related embodiments described in this section, where the golf club is a driver club having a graphite shaft and an overall length of approximately 45 inches (114.3 cm), the sliding mechanism includes The gap described above is positioned at a distance from the butt end of the shaft of about 30 percent of the total length of the club (including the club head).

1.2 Baseball bat application examples
The training device embodiments described in this section are hereinafter simply referred to as baseball bat related embodiments. These baseball bat related embodiments generally relate to the field of baseball bats, and more specifically to baseball bat swing training devices, where batters use baseball bat swing training devices and how they It is possible to improve the mechanics of swinging the bat (for example, their perfect swing) and thus become a better batter (for example, increasing the speed of their swing and they are at bat Increase the frequency of hits while you are). In other words, and as will be understood from the more detailed description that follows, baseball bat-related embodiments swing bats faster (eg, increase their bat speed and power). To the batter, thus allowing the batter to hit the baseball thrown at them stronger and even more steadily.

  Referring again to FIGS. 1-6 and 16, in the baseball bat-related embodiments described in this chapter, the sports-related device 10 is a conventional baseball bat and the object 18 is a conventional baseball ball. The instrument distal section 12 is a bat barrel section, the instrument proximal section 14 is a bat handle section, and the slide mechanism 22 is a post-based slide mechanism 200. Baseball bat related embodiments are advantageous for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: Baseball bat related embodiments may be used with any type of baseball bat, including but not limited to a conventional wooden bat, a conventional metal bat, a conventional composite bat, or a conventional hybrid bat. obtain. As understood in the sport of baseball, wooden bats are more flexible than metal bats and are generally more flexible than composite and hybrid bats. A batter with good swing mechanics can cause the wooden bat to deflect when it is swung. This deflection generally occurs midway between the proximal and distal ends of the bat, further increasing the speed / power of the barrel section. In the previous case, when the slide mechanism 200 is interleaved into a metal bat, composite bat, or hybrid bat, the slide mechanism 200 allows the metal / composite / hybrid bat to simulate a wooden bat. Will be recognized.

  Referring again to FIG. 16, and as will be understood from the more detailed description of the baseball bat-related embodiments that follow, a post-based slide mechanism 200 is provided with a baseball bat barrel section and a bat handle. After being fully assembled and inserted between the sections, the force experienced by the batter during successful use of the baseball bat related embodiment (ie during the proper / preferred swing of the bat) It is possible to cause the above-mentioned transverse / lateral movement / movement / shift of the lower end of the barrel section relative to the upper end of the section, which means that the sliding mechanism 200 can be Provide both audible and tactile feedback indicating whether or not a swing profile has been achieved It is possible to cause. This audible and tactile feedback is advantageous because it realistically simulates a bat that impacts a baseball. Thus, by practicing with the baseball bat related embodiments described in this chapter, batters will learn how to increase their bat speed and power.

  Additionally, as is understood in the baseball arts, batters often warm up just before entering the bat. A given batter can perform this warm-up in a variety of ways, including: Batters can warm up by swinging a baseball bat that is significantly heavier than the bat they are trying to use at bat. Batters can also be warmed up by swinging a combination of conventional bats, which likewise increases the weight compared to the bats they are trying to use at bat. Also, batters can warm up by sliding a conventional weighted donut ring over their bat and then swinging this temporarily weighted bat. The baseball bat related embodiments described in this chapter are further advantageous in that they can be used as warming up devices by batters. More specifically, in an exemplary warm-up implementation of a baseball bat-related embodiment, after the post-based slide mechanism is fully assembled and inserted between the barrel section and the handle section of the bat, the batter is It is possible to slide a conventional weighted donut ring over the barrel section of the bat. Then, when the batter swings this warm-up implementation, the aforementioned audible and tactile feedback provided to the batter when the aforementioned transverse / lateral movement / movement / shift occurs, It will provide the batter with the feeling of hitting the ball.

  As illustrated in FIG. 16, the post-based slide mechanism 200 includes a post-based rail guide 202 (which represents another embodiment of the rail guide 24 described above), a plurality of the front ball bearings described above. (For example, front ball bearings 26 and 28), as well as the plurality of rear ball bearings described above (for example, rear ball bearings 30 and 32). The slide mechanism 200 also includes a post-based sliding rail assembly 204 that includes a post-based sliding rail member 206 (which represents another embodiment of the sliding rail member 34 described above). Post-base slide limiter 208 (which represents another embodiment of the slide limiter described in Section 1.0), the pair of front ball bearing retainer members 110 and 114 described above, And a pair of rear ball bearing retainer members 112 and 116 as described above. As previously described, this group of ball bearing retainer members 110/112/114/116 represents one embodiment of the ball bearing retainer feature 38 described above.

  FIG. 17 illustrates, in simplified form, a single perspective plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the sliding rail member 206 of the slide mechanism 200 of FIG. FIG. 18 illustrates a simplified top view of the sliding rail member 206 of FIG. 17 in a simplified form. FIG. 19 illustrates, in simplified form, a perspective plan view of the sliding rail member 206 of FIG. 18 rotated 90 degrees to the right. FIG. 20 illustrates, in simplified form, a cross-sectional view of the sliding rail member 206 taken along line GG of FIG. FIG. 21 illustrates, in simplified form, a single perspective plan view of an exemplary embodiment of rail guide 202 of slide mechanism 200 of FIG. FIG. 22 shows a perspective bottom view of the rail guide 202 of FIG. 21 in a simplified form. FIG. 23 illustrates in simplified form a perspective plan view of the rail guide 202 of FIG. 22 rotated 90 degrees to the left. 24 illustrates, in simplified form, a cross-sectional view of the rail guide 202 of FIG. 21 as viewed along line HH of FIG.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 17-20, and referring again to FIG. 16, the upper portion of the post-based sliding rail member 206 has a lower end of the bat barrel section secured to the upper portion. It is adapted to allow it to be connected and, regardless of how the bat is swung, ensure that this lower end is coaxial with the post-based sliding rail assembly 204. It comes to guarantee. It is noted that this secure connection can be realized in various ways. By way of example and not limitation, in the embodiment of the post-based sliding rail member 206 shown in FIGS. 17-20, this adaptation is configured as follows. The upper portion of the sliding rail member 206 includes a barrel-fitting post 210, the lower portion of the sliding rail member 206 includes a sliding rail block 212, and the bottom of the post 210 is the center of the upper surface 214 of the sliding rail block 212. The post 210 and the sliding rail block 212 have a common longitudinal axis Y5 that is orthogonal to the surface 214, and thus this lower end Ensures that the longitudinal axis of the lower end of the barrel section is orthogonal to the surface 214 and the bottom surface of the barrel section is flush with the surface 214 when connected to the sliding rail member 206. Guarantee that you are on.

  Referring again to FIGS. 17-20, the barrel mating post 210 has the same radial cross-sectional shape as the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the longitudinal cavity formed on the lower end of the bat's barrel section. And the longitudinal axis of the cavity is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lower end of the barrel section. The barrel-fitting post 210 also has a predetermined length L4 and a predetermined diameter D6 so that the post 210 is fully and tightly inserted upward into the longitudinal cavity. Has been selected to allow. In one embodiment of the baseball bat swing training device described in this chapter, where the bat has a solid longitudinal interior (which is typically a wooden bat case), the bat is cut, After the longitudinal section described above is removed, a longitudinal cavity can be formed on the lower end of the barrel section. In one implementation of this particular embodiment, the longitudinal cavity can have a circular radial cross-sectional shape and the radially outer surface of the barrel-fitting post 210 is threaded. Thus, a secure connection of the lower end of the barrel section to the post-based sliding rail member 206 can be made by screwing the post 210 into the cavity. In one version of this particular implementation, the threads on the barrel mating post 210 are formed in a counterclockwise arrangement, which is advantageous. The reason is that when the bat is swung by a right-handed batter, the connection between the lower end of the barrel section and the sliding rail member 206 remains tight / tight. This is because it results. In another version of this particular implementation, the threads on the barrel mating post 210 are formed in a clockwise arrangement, which is advantageous. The reason is that the connection between the lower end of the barrel section and the sliding rail member 206 remains tight / tight when the bat is swung by a left-handed batter. It is because it produces as. In another implementation of this particular embodiment, where the radially outer surface of the barrel-fitting post 210 is not threaded (eg, smooth), the longitudinal cavity has various radial cross-sections. It can have any one of the shapes (eg, circular, square, hexagonal, and triangular, among other two-dimensional shapes), the lower end of the barrel section and the sliding rail member 206. The secure connection of the post 210 inserts the post 210 into the cavity while using the strong adhesive described above to rigidly adhere the radially outer surface of the post 210 to the radial wall of the cavity. Can be done by doing. In another embodiment of a baseball bat swing training device, the bat has a hollow longitudinal interior (which is generally the case for metal bats and most composite bats) and has a circular radial cross-sectional shape. A longitudinal cavity is naturally present on the lower end of the barrel section, and the longitudinal axis of this cavity is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lower end of the barrel section . In the exemplary implementation of this particular embodiment, the radially outer surface of the barrel mating post 210 is not threaded, and the lower end of the barrel section and the sliding rail member 206 are secured. The connection made by inserting the post 210 into the longitudinal cavity while a strong adhesive is used to rigidly adhere the radially outer surface of the post 210 to the radial wall of the cavity. Can be done by.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 21-24, and referring again to FIG. 16, the lower portion of the post-base rail guide 202 is such that the upper end of the handle section of the bat is secured to this lower portion. It is adapted to allow it to be connected and to ensure that this upper end is coaxial with the rail guide 202, regardless of how the bat is swung. Yes. It is noted that this secure connection can be realized in various ways. By way of example and not limitation, in the embodiment of the post-based rail guide 202 shown in FIGS. 21-24, this adaptation is configured as follows. The lower portion of the rail guide 202 includes a handle mating post 216, the upper portion of the rail guide 202 includes a guide block 218, and the top of the post 216 is above the center position of the bottom surface 220 of the guide block 218. So that the post 216 and the guide block 218 have a common longitudinal axis Y6 orthogonal to the surface 220, so that this upper end is connected to the rail guide 202. When being done, it ensures that the longitudinal axis of the upper end of the handle section is orthogonal to the surface 220 and also ensures that the upper surface of the handle section is flush with the surface 220.

  Referring again to FIGS. 17-20, the handle mating post 216 has a radial cross-sectional shape that is the same as the radial cross-sectional shape of the longitudinal cavity formed on the upper end of the bat handle section. And the longitudinal axis of the cavity is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the upper end of the handle section. The handle mating post 216 also has a predetermined length L5 and a predetermined diameter D7 such that the post 216 is fully and snugly inserted downward into the longitudinal cavity. Has been selected to allow. In the above embodiment of the baseball bat swing training device described in this chapter where the bat has a solid longitudinal interior, the longitudinal direction after the bat is cut and the longitudinal section described above is removed. Can be formed on the upper end of the handle section. In one implementation of this particular embodiment, the longitudinal cavity can have a circular radial cross-sectional shape and the radially outer surface of the handle mating post 216 is threaded. Thus, therefore, a secure connection of the upper end of the handle section to the post-based rail guide 202 can be made by screwing the post 216 into the cavity. In one version of this particular implementation, the threads on the handle mating post 216 are formed in a counterclockwise arrangement, which is advantageous. The reason is that it results in that the connection between the upper end of the handle section and the rail guide 202 remains tight / tight when the bat is swung by a right-handed batter. This is because it is generated. In another version of this particular implementation, the threads on the handle mating post 216 are formed in a clockwise arrangement, which is advantageous. The reason is that it results in the connection between the upper end of the handle section and the rail guide 202 remaining tight / tight when the bat is swung by a left-handed batter. It is because it makes it. In another implementation of this particular embodiment where the radially outer surface of the handle mating post 216 is not threaded (e.g., smooth), the longitudinal cavity may have various radial cross-sections. It can have any one of the shapes (eg, circular, square, hexagonal, and triangular, among other two-dimensional shapes), and the upper end of the handle section and the rail guide 202 can be secured The connection is that the post 216 is inserted into the cavity while the strong adhesive described above is used to rigidly adhere the radially outer surface of the post 216 to the radial wall of the cavity. Can be done by. In the above other embodiments of the baseball bat swing training device where the bat has a hollow longitudinal interior, a longitudinal cavity having a circular radial cross-sectional shape is naturally above the upper end of the handle section. The longitudinal axis of the cavity is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the upper end of the handle section. In the exemplary implementation of this particular embodiment, the radially outer surface of the handle mating post 216 is not threaded, and the upper end of the handle section and the rail guide 202 are securely connected. This is accomplished by inserting the post 216 into the longitudinal cavity while a strong adhesive is used to rigidly adhere the radially outer surface of the post 216 to the radial wall of the cavity. Can be broken.

  Generally speaking, and referring again to FIGS. 4 and 16-24, the post-base rail guide 202, the front ball bearing 26/28, the rear ball bearing 30/32, and the post-base sliding rail assembly 204. Are cooperatively configured to allow low friction transverse / lateral movement (eg, transverse / lateral shift) of the assembly 204 relative to the guide 202, wherein the movement / The shift is limited to the above-mentioned maximum rail movement distance D1. More specifically, the sliding rail block 212 of the post-based sliding rail member 206 has the width W1 described above and has a pair of opposed elongated rail slots 222 and 224 (ie, front rail slot 222 and rear rail). Rail slot 224). As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 19, the rail slots 222 and 224 exist along a horizontal plane whose longitudinal axis is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Y5 of the sliding rail member 206. So that it is positioned. The upper portion of the guide block 218 of the post-base rail guide 202 includes a linear guide channel 226 that passes from the left side 228 of the guide block 218 to its right side 230, which is the channel 226. Generally, when the combination of sliding rail block 212 and front and rear ball bearings 26/28/30/32 is slidably inserted into channel 226, it is adapted to receive this combination in sliding engagement. ing. More specifically, the vertical axis of the linear guide channel 226 is aligned with the aforementioned common longitudinal axis Y6 of the rail guide 202. The guide channel 226 has parallel vertical sidewalls and a pair of opposing elongated guide slots 232 and 234 (ie, a front guide slot 232 and a rear guide slot 234), where the front guide slot 232 is The rear guide slot 234 exists on the other of the side walls of the channel 226, and the rear guide slot 234 exists on the other side of the side wall of the channel 226. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 23, the front guide slot 232 and the rear guide slot 234 are positioned on their respective sidewalls so that their longitudinal axes are at the longitudinal axis Y6. It exists along a horizontal plane perpendicular to the plane. The guide channel 226 also has the aforementioned width W2, which is slightly larger than the width W1, thus allowing the sliding rail block 212 to be movably positioned in the channel 226. The front rail slot 222 and the front guide slot 232 have a common shape, the common shape being slightly smaller than the semicircle, and the sliding rail block 212 is positioned in the guide channel 226. These slots 222 and 232 are sized so as to allow the front ball bearings 26/28 to be received in a low friction rolling engagement. Therefore, the front ball bearing 26/28 serves to slightly separate the front rail slot 222 and the front guide slot 232. In the exemplary embodiment of the post-based slide mechanism 200, the size and shape of the front rail slot 222 and front guide slot 232 match the size and shape of a portion of the respective outer surface of the front ball bearing 26/28. And the contact between each of the ball bearings 26/28 and the slots 222 and 232 is equally distributed across the respective surfaces of the ball bearings 26/28, thus reducing the friction between these slots and the ball bearings. It is designed to minimize. Similarly, the rear rail slot 224 and the rear guide slot 234 have a common shape, the common shape being slightly smaller than the semi-circle, and the sliding rail block 212 is in the guide channel 226. The slots 224 and 234 are sized to allow the rear ball bearing 30/32 to be received in a low friction rolling engagement when positioned. Therefore, the rear ball bearing 30/32 serves to slightly separate the rear rail slot 224 and the rear guide slot 234. In the exemplary embodiment of the sliding mechanism 200, the size and shape of the rear rail slot 224 and rear guide slot 234 matches the size and shape of a portion of the respective outer surface of the rear ball bearing 30/32, and the ball bearing The contact between each of the 30/32 and the slots 224 and 234 is equally distributed across the respective surfaces of the ball bearings 30/32, thus minimizing the friction between these slots and the ball bearings. It has become. Thus, when the sliding rail block 212 is movably positioned in the guide channel 226, the front ball bearing 26/28 is rollable and slides between the front rail slot 222 and the front guide slot 232. When inserted and when the rear ball bearing 30/32 is inserted between the rear rail slot 224 and the rear guide slot 234 in a rollable and slidable manner, the sliding rail member 206 (and thus sliding) The rail assembly 204) is perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis Y5 of the sliding rail member 206 (and thus the longitudinal axis of the sliding rail assembly 204) and the longitudinal axis Y6 of the rail guide 202. It is allowed to slide / move.

  Referring again to FIGS. 4, 16, 18, 19, 22, and 23, in the exemplary implementation of the post-based sliding mechanism 200, the difference between the aforementioned widths W1 and W2 is It is 1.0 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. The post-based sliding rail member 206 can optionally include one or more weight reduction openings (not shown) that further reduce the weight of the post-base slide mechanism 200. These openings can be sized to be as large as possible without adversely affecting the structural integrity of the sliding rail member 206. Similarly, the post-based rail guide 202 can optionally include one or more weight reduction openings (also not shown), which can further increase the weight of the slide mechanism 200. Serving further, these openings can be sized to be as large as possible without adversely affecting the structural integrity of the rail guide 202. The outer edges and corners on the slide mechanism 200 can optionally be rounded to prevent injury to the golfer and to further reduce the weight of the slide mechanism 200.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 21-24, the guide block 218 of the post-based rail guide 202 also includes a rail travel distance limiting cavity 236 that includes a rail travel distance limiting cavity. 236 is positioned over the bottom surface 238 of the guide channel 226 of the rail guide. Note that this rail travel distance limiting cavity 236 represents another embodiment of the rail travel distance limiting feature 40 described above. The rail movement distance limiting cavity 236 has the above-described width W3, the above-described length L2, and the predetermined depth D8, and the predetermined depth D8 is greater than the above-described protruding distance. As illustrated in FIGS. 17-20, the post-based sliding rail member 206 includes a longitudinal opening 240 that extends from the top of the sliding rail member 206 to its bottom 246 (that is, The longitudinal axis of this opening 240 is aligned with the common longitudinal axis Y5 of both the barrel-fitting post 210 and the sliding rail block 212. In other words, the opening 240 is coaxial with both the barrel mating post 210 and the sliding rail block 212. The opening 240 has a predetermined radial cross-sectional shape and a predetermined diameter D9. As illustrated in FIG. 16, a post-based slide restricting member 208 that is firmly inserted into the opening 240 is an opening mating post 242 (which represents another embodiment of the post 36 described above. ) And a head 244, the head 244 being rigidly disposed on top of the post 242. The post 242 has the same radial cross-sectional shape as the radial cross-sectional shape of the opening 240. The posts 242 also have a predetermined length L6 and the aforementioned diameter D2, so that they allow the posts 242 to be fully and firmly inserted downward into the opening 240. The post 242 protrudes from the bottom 246 of the sliding rail member 206 after this insertion (a portion of this protrusion is shown in FIG. 4), and the bottom of the post 242 is The projection distance is projected into the rail movement distance limiting cavity 236.

  Referring again to FIGS. 16-20, in one implementation of the post-based sliding mechanism 200, the longitudinal opening 240 can have a circular radial cross-sectional shape and is threaded. And the radially outer surface of the opening mating post 242 can be threaded in a manner that allows the post 242 to be threadably connected to the opening 240, and thus the post-based sliding rail A secure insertion of the post-based slide limiting member 208 into the member 206 can be performed by fully threading the post 242 into the opening 240. In this particular implementation, a lock washer (not shown) can optionally be disposed over the post 242 before it is threadedly inserted into the opening 240. When the post 242 is fully threadedly inserted into the opening 240, the lock washer will be sandwiched between the bottom of the head 244 and the top of the barrel-fitting post 210. In other implementations of the slide mechanism 200 where the opening 240 is not threaded and the radial outer surface of the post 242 is not threaded, the opening 240 has a variety of radial cross-sectional shapes ( For example, it can have any one of circular, square, and hexagonal, among other two-dimensional shapes, and the sliding restriction member 208 can be secured into the sliding rail member 206. Insertion is performed by inserting the post 242 into the opening 240 while the strong adhesive described above is used to rigidly adhere the radially outer surface of the post 242 to the radial wall of the opening 240. Can be broken.

  Referring again to FIGS. 2-6 and 16-24, the sliding rail block 212 of the post-based sliding rail member 206 is movably positioned within the guide channel 226 of the post-based rail guide 202. Sometimes, the ball bearing retainer feature 38 generally holds the front ball bearing 26/28 between the rear rail slot 224 and the rear guide slot 234, and between the rear rail slot 224 and the rear guide slot 234. In between, it is adapted to hold the rear ball bearing 30/32. It is noted that the ball bearing retainer feature 38 can be realized in various ways. By way of example and not limitation, in the embodiment of the post-based sliding rail assembly 204 shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 16-19, the ball bearing retainer feature 38 is realized as follows. The ball bearing retainer features include the aforementioned front ball bearing retainer members 110 and 114 and the rear ball bearing retainer members 112 and 116. The sliding rail block 212 includes a pair of front retainer member cavities 248 and 250, and a pair of rear retainer member cavities 252 and 254, the longitudinal direction of each of these cavities 248/250/252/254. The axis exists along the horizontal plane described above, and the rail slots 222 and 224 are positioned along the horizontal plane described above (as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19). Each of these cavities 248/250/252/254 is such that a given post (e.g., post 164) of retainer members 110/112/114/116 is fully extended into the cavity. Size adapted to allow it to be inserted securely The retainer member head (e.g., head 166) contacts the left side 256 or right side 258 of the sliding rail block 212 (as shown in FIGS. 2-4). It is like that. In one implementation of the sliding rail assembly 204, each of the cavities 248/250/252/254 can have a circular radial cross-sectional shape and can be threaded, and the retainer The radially outer surface of each post of member 110/112/114/116 allows it to be threadably connected to a given one of cavities 248/250/252/254. The thread can be attached in such a manner. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the respective heads of the retainer members 110/112/114/116 are located at the end of a given one of the rail slots 222/224. It has a radial size selected to allow it to cover a given predetermined part, which part, regardless of how the baseball bat is swung The aforementioned transverse direction of the assembly 204 relative to the guide 202 is large enough to prevent the ball bearing 26/28/30/32 from falling out of the slide mechanism 200 after it has been fully assembled. / Small enough to allow lateral movement (e.g. front ball bearing retainer members 110 and 114 are A front ball bearing 26/28 is held between the front rail slot 222 and the front guide slot 232, and the rear ball bearing retainer members 112 and 116 are disposed between the rear rail slot 224 and the rear guide slot 234. Bearing 30/32).

  As will be understood from FIGS. 4-6 and the functional operation of the post-based sliding mechanism 200 described in this section, and referring again to FIGS. After the slide mechanism 200 is completely assembled, the length L6 of the opening mating post 242 of the post-base slide limiting member 208 is such that the bottom of the post 242 is the rail travel distance limiting cabinet above the post-base rail guide 202. The tee 236 is selected so as to project into the tee 236 by the above-mentioned projecting distance. Here, as will be described in more detail, this cavity 236 limits the movement of the post 242 to this distance D1, thereby limiting the movement of the post-based sliding rail assembly 204 to the maximum rail travel distance D1. (E.g., limiting the transverse / lateral movement / movement / shift described above). More specifically, the cavity 236 has a pair of opposing vertical sidewalls 176 and 178, and the pair of opposing vertical sidewalls 176 and 178 are parallel to each other. And parallel to the vertical side wall of the linear guide channel 226 of the rail guide. Cavity 236 has another pair of opposing vertical sidewalls 180 and 182 that are symmetrical with respect to each other, the horizontal central portion of both of these sidewalls 180 and 182 being a post-based sliding rail. It is orthogonal to the direction of slide / movement of the member 206, and in turn is orthogonal to the direction of slide / movement of the post 242 of the slide limiting member 208. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, both the width W3 and the length L2 of the cavity 236 are larger than the diameter D2 of the post 242 so that the post 242 is within the cavity 236. Allows traveling in the lateral direction (eg, left and right from the viewpoint of FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6). As will be understood from FIGS. 5 and 6, the difference between the length L2 and the diameter D2 defines the distance D1. When the sliding rail assembly 204 is positioned on the above-described coaxial position on the rail guide 202, the right side of the post 242 is in contact with the side wall 182 as shown in FIG. . When the sliding rail assembly 204 is in the above-mentioned maximum non-coaxial position on the rail guide 202, the left side of the post 242 contacts the side wall 180 as shown in FIG. doing. Generally speaking, the length L2 and the diameter D2 may be selected such that the distance D1 can have any value, which value is selected based on the baseball bat stiffness, among other factors. The By way of example and not limitation, in the exemplary embodiment of slide mechanism 200, length L2 and diameter D2 are selected such that distance D1 is approximately 3.5 millimeters.

  5, 6, and 16 again, the post-based slide mechanism 200 is configured so that when the batter swings the bat in the desired manner, the batter is at the upper end of the bat handle section. It will be appreciated that it is possible to hear and feel the transverse / lateral movement / movement / shift of the lower end of the barrel section of the baseball bat relative to the part. In other words, as described herein, when the slide mechanism 200 is interleaved into the bat, the slide mechanism 200 tells the batter whether they have achieved the desired swing profile. Provide both audible and tactile feedback as indicated above. For example, the bat is swung in a manner that causes the lower end of the bat barrel section to move / shift leftward / transversely with respect to the upper end of the bat handle section to provide a post-based sliding rail assembly. 204 reaches a maximum non-coaxial position on the post-base rail guide 202, and the left side of the opening mating post 242 is perpendicular to the rail travel limit cavity 236. When impacting the side wall 180, the slide mechanism 200 will generate a recognizable sound (eg, the batter will hear a “click” sound) and the bat will be A tactile sensation will be generated at the rear end portion (for example, the batter can handle the bat handle from the mechanism 200). The feel the vibration that travels into their hands through the action).

1.3 Tennis racket application example
The training device embodiments described in this section are hereinafter simply referred to as tennis racket related embodiments. These tennis racket-related embodiments relate generally to the field of tennis rackets, and more specifically to tennis racket swing training devices, where a tennis player uses a tennis racket swing training device and how they It is possible to improve the mechanics of how to swing your racket (for example, their perfect swing) and therefore become a better tennis player.

  Referring again to FIGS. 1-6 and 16, in the tennis racket-related embodiments described in this chapter, the sports-related apparatus 10 is a conventional tennis racket and the object 18 is a conventional tennis ball. It is. The distal section 12 of the instrument includes a racquet head section that includes an elliptical hoop, the interior of the elliptical hoop being “gutted” by a network of planar cords. The distal section 12 also includes an upper portion of the racquet handle section and a throat section of the racquet, the throat section rigidly interconnecting the head section to the upper portion of the handle section. The proximal section 14 of the instrument is the lower portion of the racket handle section. The slide mechanism 22 is a post-base slide mechanism 200. Tennis racket related embodiments are advantageous for a variety of reasons including but not limited to the following. Tennis racket-related embodiments are used with any type of tennis racket, including but not limited to rackets made from various types of wood, various types of lightweight metals, and various types of composite materials. Can be done.

  Referring again to FIG. 16, and as will be understood from the more detailed description of the tennis racket-related embodiments that follow, the post-based slide mechanism 200 includes an upper portion of the racket handle section and the racket. During the successful use of tennis racket-related embodiments (ie during proper / preferred swing of the racket) after the tennis player has been fully assembled and inserted between the lower part of the handle section The above-mentioned transverse / lateral movement of the upper part of the racket handle section relative to the lower part of the racket handle section (and thus the throat section and head section of the racket extending from this upper part) / Exercise / Shift will occur In the previous case, this movement / movement / shift is constrained in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal axis of the upper part and the longitudinal axis of the lower part, and the plane code of the head section It will be appreciated that it is constrained in a direction orthogonal to the network and is limited to the maximum rail travel distance D1 described above. This movement / movement / shift can then cause the sliding mechanism 200 to provide the player with audible and tactile feedback indicating whether they have achieved the desired swing profile. It is. The particular value for the distance D1 is selected based on the racket stiffness, among other factors. By way of example and not limitation, in the exemplary embodiment of the tennis racket swing training device described in this section, the distance D1 is approximately 3.0 millimeters.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 17-20, and referring again to FIG. 16, the upper portion of the post-base sliding rail member 206 is the lower end of the upper portion of the tennis racket handle section and the sliding rail is the sliding rail. Regardless of how the racquet is swung, it is adapted to allow a secure connection to the upper portion of the member 206, so that the upper portion of the racquet handle section Assures that it is coaxial with the sliding rail assembly 204 (eg, when the lower end is connected to the sliding rail member 206, the longitudinal axis of the lower end is Orthogonal to the upper surface 214 of the rail block 212, and A bottom surface of the upper portion of the racket handle section lies on a surface 214 flush). It is noted that this secure connection can be realized in a variety of ways, including but not limited to the different ways described in section 1.2 above. More specifically, and by way of example and not limitation, in the embodiment of the post-based sliding rail member 206 shown in FIGS. 17-20, this adaptation is configured as follows. The barrel mating post 210 has a radial cross-sectional shape that is the same as the radial cross-sectional shape of the longitudinal cavity formed on the lower end of the upper portion of the handle section of the racket. The longitudinal axis of the tee is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lower end of the upper portion of the handle section of the racket. After the racket is cut and the longitudinal section described above is removed, a longitudinal cavity can be formed on the lower end of the upper portion of the handle section of the racket.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 21-24 and referring again to FIG. 16, the lower portion of the post-base rail guide 202 is the rail guide with the upper end of the lower portion of the tennis racket handle section. Regardless of how the racket is swung, the lower portion of the racket handle section is adapted to allow the rail guide 202 to be securely connected to the lower portion of the 202. (E.g., when the upper end is connected to the rail guide 202, the longitudinal axis of the upper end is aligned with the bottom surface 220 of the guide block 218). And the upper surface of the lower portion of the racket handle section is flush with the surface 220). It is noted that this secure connection can be realized in a variety of ways, including but not limited to the different ways described in section 1.2 above. More specifically, and by way of example and not limitation, in the embodiment of the post-based sliding rail guide 202 shown in FIGS. 21-24, this adaptation is configured as follows. The handle mating post 216 has a radial cross-sectional shape that is the same as the radial cross-sectional shape of the longitudinal cavity formed on the upper end of the lower portion of the racket handle section. The longitudinal axis of the tee is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the upper end of the lower portion of the handle section of the racket. After the racket is cut and the longitudinal section described above is removed, a longitudinal cavity can be formed on the upper end of the lower portion of the handle section of the racket.

  5, 6, and 16 again, the post-based slide mechanism 200 allows the tennis player to move under the racket handle section when the player swings the racket in the desired manner. It will be appreciated that it is possible to hear and feel the transverse / lateral movement / movement / shift of the upper part of the handle section of the tennis racket relative to the side part. In other words, as described herein, when the slide mechanism 200 is interleaved into the racket, the slide mechanism 200 will ask the player if they have achieved the desired swing profile. Provide both audible and tactile feedback as indicated above. For example, the racket is swung and the post-based sliding rail assembly 204 is moved in a manner that moves / shifts the upper portion of the racquet handle section to the left / right / crosswise with respect to the lower portion of the racquet handle section. And the left side of the opening fitting post 242 is a vertical side wall portion of the rail travel distance limiting cavity 236. When impacting 180, the slide mechanism 200 will generate a recognizable sound (eg, the player will hear a “click” sound) and the proximal end of the racket A tactile sensation will be generated in the part (for example, the player Tsu be able to feel a vibration that travels into their hands through the lower portion of the handle section of the door).

2.0 Baseball bat swing training device
The training device embodiments described in this section are hereinafter simply referred to as alternative baseball bat related embodiments. This alternative baseball bat-related embodiment relates generally to the field of baseball bats, and more specifically to an alternative embodiment of a baseball bat swing training device, where a batter uses a baseball bat swing training device. It is possible to improve the mechanics of how they swing their bat, and thus become a better batter. In other words, and as will be understood from the more detailed description that follows, alternative baseball bat-related embodiments teach batters to swing their bat faster, and therefore Allows batters to hit the baseballs thrown to them stronger and even more steadily. Referring again to FIG. 1, in the alternative baseball bat-related embodiment described in this chapter, the sports-related apparatus 10 is a conventional baseball bat, the object 18 is a conventional baseball, The distal section 12 of the instrument is the barrel section of the bat and the proximal section 14 of the instrument is the handle section of the bat. As will be described in more detail below, an alternative slide mechanism is inserted into the gap described above formed between the barrel section and the handle section of the bat.

  FIG. 26 is an exemplary embodiment of an alternative slide mechanism 300 shown to be connected between the lower end of the baseball bat barrel section 312 and the upper end of the bat handle section 314. The plan view is shown in simplified form. As illustrated in FIG. 26, an alternative sliding mechanism 300 includes an alternative sliding rail assembly 334 and an alternative rail guide 332. As will be described in more detail below, an alternative sliding rail assembly 334 is securely connected to the lower end of the barrel section 312 to determine how the bat is swung. Regardless, it is assured that the alternative sliding rail assembly 334 and its lower end are substantially coaxial. The alternative rail guide 332 is securely connected to the upper end of the handle section 314 so that the alternative rail guide 332 and the upper end are substantially connected regardless of how the bat is swung. To guarantee that it will be coaxial. The alternative sliding rail assembly 334 shown in FIG. 26 is located in the rightmost position on the alternative rail guide 332 and the longitudinal axis Y7 of the lower end of the bat barrel section 312 is It is adapted to be substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis Y8 of the upper end of the bat handle section 314 (e.g., when the alternative sliding rail assembly 334 is located in the rightmost position, these The lower end and the upper end are substantially coaxial). As will be understood from the more detailed description of the alternative slide mechanism 300 that follows, when batters are preparing to hold and swing their bat (eg, batters Alternative sliding rail assemblies 334 and bats when their barrel sections 312 are lifted behind their heads and above one of their shoulders) The lower end of the barrel section 312 will naturally move to the rightmost position.

  FIG. 27 illustrates, in simplified form, a top view of the alternative slide mechanism 300 of FIG. 26 where the alternative sliding rail assembly 334 is in the leftmost position on the alternative rail guide 332. The longitudinal axis Y7 of the lower end of the baseball bat barrel section 312 is transverse to the longitudinal axis Y8 of the upper end of the bat handle section 314 by a predetermined maximum rail travel distance D10. It is designed to be offset. It will be appreciated that this transverse offset between the lower end of the barrel section 312 and the upper end of the handle section 314 can be caused by the force experienced during the desired swing 328 of the bat. . 26 and 27, after the alternative slide mechanism 300 is fully assembled and connected to the bat barrel section 312 and handle section 314, the alternative slide mechanism 300 is A limited low friction transverse movement of the lower end of the barrel section 312 relative to the upper end is allowed with substantially mechanical integrity. In other words, the alternative sliding rail assembly 334 and the alternative rail guide 332 of the alternative slide mechanism 300 are positioned at the lower end of the barrel section 312 relative to the upper end of the handle section 314 during the bat swing 328. , Which are cooperatively configured to allow low friction lateral movement (eg, lateral shift), where the lateral movement / motion / shift is at the lower end The lateral movement / movement / shift is constrained to a maximum rail travel distance D10, constrained in a direction substantially perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis Y7 of the upper end and the longitudinal axis Y8 of the upper end. Yes.

3.0 Other embodiments
Although the training device has been described with specific reference to the embodiments, it is understood that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the training device. The By way of example and not limitation, it is placed in either an existing conventional golf club, an existing conventional baseball bat, or an existing conventional tennis racket, as previously described. Alternative embodiments of the training device are possible, as opposed to the embodiment of the slide mechanism described herein (and related implementations and versions thereof) that are / mounted / inserted. In a typical embodiment, the slide mechanism embodiment is manufactured directly into either a new training golf club, a new training baseball bat, or a new training tennis racket. Also, the slide mechanism embodiments may be interleaved / mounted / inserted into any other type of conventional sports-related equipment that is swung. For example, an embodiment of the sliding mechanism may be a hockey stick, or other type of bat (eg, a cricket bat), or other type of racquet (eg, a racquetball racket, or a paddleball racket, or , Badminton rackets, etc.).

  Additionally, FIG. 25 illustrates, in simplified form, an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the sliding mechanism of FIG. 2, taken along line CC in FIG. The alternative slide mechanism embodiment 260 shown in FIG. 25 is applicable to both the cavity base and post base embodiments of the slide mechanism previously described. As such, the alternative slide mechanism embodiment 260 can be used with any of the different types of sports-related equipment described above that people swing. However, as will be appreciated from the more detailed description of the alternative slide mechanism embodiment 260 that follows, this particular embodiment is particularly advantageous when used with a baseball bat. The reason is that it allows a right-handed batter and a left-handed batter to hold the bat in the same manner.

  Referring again to FIGS. 5, 6, and 25, an alternative slide mechanism embodiment 260 is the same as the slide mechanism 22 embodiments described previously, with the following exceptions. As illustrated in FIG. 25, in an alternative sliding mechanism embodiment 260, the rail travel limit feature 262 on the rail guide 264 (which is the rail travel limit feature 40 described above on the rail guide 24). Is shifted to the right so that it is centered on the bottom surface of the guide channel (not shown) of the rail guide 264. In other words, the longitudinal axis of the rail travel distance limiting feature 262 is aligned with the common longitudinal axis of the rail guide (eg, the common longitudinal axes Y4 and Y6 described above). Accordingly, when the above-described sliding rail assembly (not shown) is positioned on the above-mentioned coaxial position on the rail guide 264, the above-mentioned post 36/160/242 of the slide limiting member can limit the rail movement distance. It is positioned at the center of feature 262. When the sliding rail assembly is located in the rightmost position on the rail guide 264 (which means that the lower end of the instrument's distal section is oriented to the right with respect to the upper end of the instrument's proximal section. The right side of the post 36/160/242 is the side wall of the rail travel limit feature 262, which may occur when a sport-related device is swung in a manner that is transverse / laterally moved / shifted). In contact with the portion 266. When the sliding rail assembly is located in the leftmost position on the rail guide 264 (which means that the lower end of the instrument's distal section is oriented to the left with respect to the upper end of the instrument's proximal section. The left side of the post 36/160/242 is the side wall of the rail travel limit feature 262, which may occur when sports-related equipment is swung in a cross / laterally moving / shifting manner) In contact with the portion 268. In the previous case, the rail travel distance between the aforementioned coaxial position and the rightmost position is half of the aforementioned maximum rail travel distance D1 (when D1 is 3.5 millimeters, Will be recognized). Similarly, the rail movement distance between the coaxial position and the aforementioned leftmost position is also half of the distance D1.

  In addition, a speed sensor may be disposed on a suitable location on the sport-related equipment, which measures the speed at which the equipment is being swung. For example, in the case where the sport-related instrument is a baseball bat, a speed sensor may be disposed on the distal end of the bat to measure the bat swing speed. Depending on the particular type of sports-related instrument in which the slide mechanism described herein is interposed, the radial thickness of the instrument in that region in which the gap is formed is It can be increased to prevent breakage of the training device embodiments described herein. There may be non-sliding members that are adapted to replace the sliding mechanism interposed in a given type of sport-related equipment. In other words, the non-sliding member can be used to replace the sliding mechanism and to rejoin its proximal and distal sections, regardless of how the instrument is swung. Rather, the lower end of the distal section is always maintained in substantially coaxial alignment with the upper end of the proximal section, thus making the instrument its original form and function Convert back to gender. A longitudinal gap may be formed in the proximal section of the sports-related device, the gap traveling from the distal end of the proximal section to its proximal end, and the above recognizable sound is heard. Allowing it to emerge from the proximal end of the proximal section. A longitudinal gap may also be formed in the distal section of a sports-related device, the gap traveling from the distal end of the distal section to its proximal end, with a recognizable sound. Allowing it to emerge from the distal end of the distal section.

  It is noted that any or all of the above-described embodiments throughout the description may be used in any combination desired to form additional hybrid embodiments. In addition, while the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily described above. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features or actions being performed. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

  What has been described above includes exemplary embodiments. Of course, for the purpose of illustrating the claimed subject matter, not every possible combination of components or methodologies can be described, but one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate many additional combinations and substitutions. I can recognize that. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For the various functions performed by such components, the terms used to describe such components (including "means") are claimed unless otherwise indicated. Any component that performs a particular function of the described component, even if not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure, that functions in the exemplary aspects illustrated herein of the subject matter. For example, it is intended to correspond to a functional equivalent).

Claims (15)

A baseball bat swing training device,
A baseball bat comprising two separate individual sections spaced apart to form a gap therebetween, said section comprising a handle section and a barrel section;
A slide mechanism inserted into the gap and connected to the upper end of the handle section and the lower end of the barrel section;
The sliding mechanism includes a sliding rail assembly and a rail guide, and the sliding rail assembly and the rail guide include
Ensuring that the upper end and the lower end are substantially coaxial when the sliding rail assembly is located in a rightmost position on the rail guide; and
To allow a lateral shift of the lower end relative to the upper end while swinging the bat,
A baseball bat swing training device configured in a cooperative manner. A universal swing training device,
A sports-related instrument comprising two separate individual sections spaced apart to form a gap therebetween, said section comprising a sports-related instrument comprising a proximal section and a distal section; ,
A sliding mechanism inserted into the gap and connected to the upper end of the proximal section and the lower end of the distal section;
The sliding mechanism includes a rail guide, a plurality of front ball bearings, a plurality of rear ball bearings, and a sliding rail assembly, which are
Ensuring that the upper end and the lower end are coaxial when the sliding rail assembly is positioned coaxially on the rail guide; and
Enabling a lateral shift of the lower end relative to the upper end while swinging the instrument;
A universal swing training device that is constructed in a cooperative manner. The sliding rail assembly includes a sliding rail member;
The upper portion of the sliding rail member is adapted to allow the lower end to be connected to the upper portion, regardless of how the instrument is swung. To ensure that the lower end is coaxial with the sliding rail assembly;
The lower portion of the rail guide is adapted to allow the upper end to be connected to the lower portion, regardless of how the instrument is swung. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, adapted to ensure that the upper end is coaxial with the rail guide. The sliding rail assembly includes a sliding rail member, and the lower portion of the sliding rail member includes a sliding rail block;
The upper portion of the rail guide includes a guide block, the upper portion of the guide block includes a linear guide channel, and the linear guide channel passes from the left side of the guide block to the right side thereof,
The channel is adapted to receive the combination in sliding engagement when the combination of the sliding rail block and the front ball bearing and the rear ball bearing is slidably inserted into the channel;
The sliding engagement of claim 2, wherein the sliding rail assembly allows the sliding rail assembly to move in a direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal axis of the sliding rail assembly and the longitudinal axis of the rail guide. apparatus. The sliding rail block includes a predetermined width W1 and a pair of opposed elongated rail slots, the pair of opposed elongated rail slots including a front rail slot and a rear rail slot;
The rail slots are positioned such that their longitudinal axes lie along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sliding rail member;
The vertical axis of the channel is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the rail guide;
The channel includes parallel vertical sidewalls, a pair of opposing elongated guide slots, and a predetermined width W2, the predetermined width W2 being slightly larger than the width W1, thus Allowing the sliding rail block to be movably positioned in the channel;
The guide slot includes a front guide slot that exists on one of the side walls of the channel, and a rear guide slot that exists on the other of the side walls of the channel;
The guide slots are positioned on their respective side walls such that the longitudinal axis of the guide slots lies along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rail guide. And
The front rail slot and the front guide slot include a common shape, the common shape being slightly smaller than a semi-circle, and when the sliding rail block is positioned in the channel The front rail and guide slot are sized to allow the front ball bearing to be received in a low friction rolling engagement;
The rear rail slot and the rear guide slot include a common shape, the common shape being slightly smaller than a semi-circle, and when the sliding rail block is positioned in the channel 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the rear rail and guide slot are sized to receive the rear ball bearing in a low friction rolling engagement.   The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the difference between the width W1 and the width W2 is not less than 1.0 millimeter and not more than 2.0 millimeters. The sliding rail assembly includes a slide limiting member including a post;
The rail guide includes a rail travel distance limiting feature,
The bottom of the post protrudes a predetermined protruding distance into the distance limiting feature after the slide mechanism is assembled,
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the post and the distance limiting feature are cooperatively configured to limit the lateral shift to a predetermined maximum rail travel distance D1.   The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sliding mechanism generates a tactile and recognizable sound during the lateral shift. The sliding rail assembly includes a sliding rail member, a lower portion of the sliding rail member includes a sliding rail block, and the sliding rail block includes a front rail slot and a rear rail slot;
The upper portion of the rail guide includes a guide block, the upper portion of the guide block includes a linear guide channel, and the linear guide channel includes a front guide slot and a rear guide slot;
The sliding rail member further includes a ball bearing retainer feature, and regardless of how the instrument is swung, the ball bearing retainer feature includes the sliding rail block positioned within the channel. The front rail bearing is held between the front rail slot and the front guide slot, and the rear rail slot and the rear rail are positioned when the sliding rail block is positioned in the channel. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is adapted to hold the rear ball bearing between a guide slot. The front rail slot and the rear rail slot are positioned such that their longitudinal axes lie along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sliding rail member;
The ball bearing retainer feature includes a pair of front ball bearing retainer members and a pair of rear ball bearing retainer members;
Each of the retainer members includes a post and a head, the head being rigidly disposed on one end of the post;
The sliding rail block further includes a pair of front retainer member cavities and a pair of rear retainer member cavities;
The longitudinal axis of each of the front retainer member cavity and the rear retainer member cavity is along the plane;
Each of the front retainer member cavity and the rear retainer member cavity allows the post of a given one of the retainer members to be fully and securely inserted into the cavity. A size and shape adapted such that the head of the retainer member is in contact with either the left side or the right side of the sliding rail block;
Each head of the retainer member is selected to allow the head to cover a given portion of a given one of the ends of the rail slot. Including a radial size, the portion being large enough to prevent the front ball bearing and the rear ball bearing from falling from the slide mechanism after it is assembled, the portion being The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is small enough to allow the lateral shift.   The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the coaxial position constitutes a rightmost position and the lateral shift occurs in a leftward direction from the rightmost position.   The coaxial position constitutes a central position, and the lateral shift occurs to the left when the instrument is swung leftward, and the lateral shift is the instrument swings to the right. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus occurs in a right direction when done.   The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sport-related instrument is a golf club and the lateral shift is 0.65 millimeters.   The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sport-related instrument is a baseball bat and the lateral shift is 3.5 millimeters.   The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sport-related instrument is a tennis racket and the lateral shift is 3.0 millimeters.

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