US20060270494A1 - Portable hitting device - Google Patents
Portable hitting device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060270494A1 US20060270494A1 US11/418,023 US41802306A US2006270494A1 US 20060270494 A1 US20060270494 A1 US 20060270494A1 US 41802306 A US41802306 A US 41802306A US 2006270494 A1 US2006270494 A1 US 2006270494A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- hitting
- portable
- body portion
- strike zone
- target
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/0002—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B63/00—Targets or goals for ball games
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/0054—Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/0002—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball
- A63B2069/0004—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball specially adapted for particular training aspects
- A63B2069/0008—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball specially adapted for particular training aspects for batting
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2208/00—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
- A63B2208/12—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player specially adapted for children
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/20—Punching balls, e.g. for boxing; Other devices for striking used during training of combat sports, e.g. bags
- A63B69/24—Punching balls, e.g. for boxing; Other devices for striking used during training of combat sports, e.g. bags mounted on, or suspended from, a movable support
- A63B69/26—Punching balls, e.g. for boxing; Other devices for striking used during training of combat sports, e.g. bags mounted on, or suspended from, a movable support attached to the human body
Abstract
The preferred embodiment of this invention involves a portable hitting apparatus comprising a body having a strike zone with one or more hitting targets located thereon. The body is preferably comprised of a bag having interior padding. The body can further include one or more handles on one side for allowing a person to hold the apparatus upright while a user hits the apparatus. The body can be various sizes to accommodate users of different height. The strike zone preferably contains five hitting targets, one for each comer and one for the center of the strike zone. In another embodiment, the body can be sized in the shape of a strike zone, such that no separate delineation of the strike zone is needed. The hitting targets can be designated by a variety of symbols, including baseballs and softballs, and can be various shapes, colors, and sizes.
Description
- This patent application claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/678,408 filed on May 6, 2005.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates generally to sporting goods. More particularly, this invention relates to portable hitting apparatus.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Successfully hitting a baseball or softball can be a difficult task, especially when the ball is traveling at high velocity. Hitting generally requires quick hand-eye coordination by a batter. For example, if a pitch is in the upper and outer part of the strike zone, a user must be able to quickly identify the location of the nitch and be able to tailor his or her swing to successfully hit the ball. If a batter does not apply a proper swing according to the location of the pitch, the batter will either hit the ball weakly, foul the ball off, or miss the pitch entirely.
- Several techniques have been utilized to help develop hitting skills, such as batting off a tee, throwing “soft toss”, or hitting in a batting cage from a pitching machine. Although these techniques offer help with batting in general, they are not tailored to help with the particular aspect of batting that requires a user to tailor his or her swing according to the location of the ball. While this type of practice can be achieved by “live” batting practice with the help of a pitcher who can locate pitches in particular spots in the strike zone, many people desiring to improve their hitting do not have a pitcher with such pitching abilities and/or cannot afford one. Further, apparatus that have been designed to assist in developing batting skills have not focused on improving a hitter's ability to tailor his or her swing to the location of the pitch.
- Therefore, it would be highly desirable to provide a relatively lightweight, compact, mobile, and easy to operate apparatus that can help a person improve their ability to successfully hit baseballs or softballs located in various parts of the strike zone.
- In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
- The preferred embodiment of this invention involves a portable hitting apparatus comprising a body having a strike zone with one or more hitting targets located thereon. The body is preferably comprised of a bag having interior padding. The body can further include one or more handles on one side for allowing a person to hold the apparatus upright while a user hits the apparatus. The body can be various sizes to accommodate users of different height. The strike zone preferably contains five hitting targets, one for each comer and one for the center of the strike zone. In another embodiment, the body can be sized in the shape of a strike zone, such that no separate delineation of the strike zone is needed. The hitting targets can be designated by a variety of symbols, including baseballs and softballs, and can be various shapes, colors, and sizes.
- There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
- The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principals of the embodiments of the invention.
-
FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the hitting bag apparatus. -
FIG. 2 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus. -
FIG. 3 depicts a top view of one embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus. -
FIG. 4 depicts a back view of one embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus. -
FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of one embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus. -
FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus. -
FIG. 7 depicts a front view of another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus. -
FIG. 8 depicts a back view of another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus. -
FIG. 9 depicts a top view of another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus. -
FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus. -
FIG. 11 depicts a front view of yet another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus. -
FIG. 12 depicts a back view of yet another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus. -
FIG. 13 depicts a top view of yet another embodiment of the portable hitting apparatus. - Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in
FIG. 1 a perspective view of one embodiment of theportable hitting apparatus 10.Apparatus 10 includes abody 20 andstrike zone 30.Body 20 contains aslanted portion 22 andbottom portion 24,bottom surface 26, andtop surface 28.Body 20 is preferably comprised of an outer bag having padding material located therein (not shown). Outer bag can be comprised of coated vinyl, leather, canvas, nylon and any other suitable material. The outer bag is preferably made from coated vinyl. The padding material is preferably comprised of foam, including but not limited to open-cell foam, closed-cell foam, soft rubber foam, injected foam, and can also include other lightweight and compressible materials. Also, it is possible to use soft rubber, sand and water to fill the outer bag. -
Body 20 is preferably about 42 to 66 inches in height, about 17 to 30 inches in width, and about 6 to 16 inches in depth. However,body 20 can be varied in size to accommodate different sized users such as those age 8 and under, age 12 and under, age 12 and up, and age 18 and up. Anapparatus 10 designed for age 8 and under can have abody 20 with dimensions of about 42 to 48 inches in height, about 17 to 24 inches in width, and about 6 to 12 inches in depth. Anapparatus 10 designed for age 12 and under can have abody 20 with dimensions of about 45 to 52 inches in height, about 17 to 24 inches in width, and about 6 to 12 inches in depth. Anapparatus 10 designed for age 12 and up can have abody 20 with dimensions of about 48 to 60 inches in height, about 17 to 24 inches in width, and about 10 to 12 inches in depth. Anapparatus 10 designed for age 18 and up can have abody 20 with dimensions of about 48 to 66 inches in height, about 17 to 30 inches in width, and about 10 to 16 inches in depth. -
Strike zone 30 includes hittingtargets targets targets targets strike zones 30. Hittingtarget 40 is preferably located in the top left corner ofstrike zone 30, hittingtarget 42 is preferably located in the top right comer ofstrike zone 30, hittingtarget 44 is preferably located in the center ofstrike zone 30, hittingtarget 46 is preferably located in the bottom left comer ofstrike zone 30, and hittingtarget 48 is preferably located in the bottom right comer ofstrike zone 30. Hitting targets 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48 can be located anywhere withinstrike zone 30. Further,strike zone 30 can include more or less hitting targets than represented inFIG. 1 . Hitting targets 40,42,44, 46, and 48 can be permanently attached tobody 20, such as by painting or stitching, or removably attached tobody 20. -
FIG. 2 depicts a front view ofapparatus 10. This figure illustrates the spatial relationship betweenbody 20,strike zone 30, and hittingtargets portable hitting device 10, comprised of slantedportion 22 andbottom portion 24. In this embodiment of the invention, the portable hitting device can be set directly on the ground or floor, or any other flat surface, for stability during use. -
FIG. 3 depicts a top view ofapparatus 10, showingtop surface 28. -
FIG. 4 depicts a back view ofapparatus 10.Apparatus 10 further includeshandles Handles Handles apparatus 10 upright while it is being used by a hitter. Azipper 60 is also included along back surface 50.Zipper 60 preferably runs the length ofapparatus 10 and allows a user to insert padding into or take padding out ofapparatus 10. -
FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view ofapparatus 10, illustrating the width ofbottom surface 26 in relation to slantedportion 22. -
FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of theportable hitting apparatus 100.Apparatus 100 includes abody 110 containing atop surface 112 andside portions Body 110 is preferably comprised of a lightweight and compressible material such as various forms of foam, including open-cell foam or closed cell foam.Body 110 includes hittingtargets targets targets sized bodies 110. Hittingtarget 120 is preferably located in the top left comer ofbody 110, hittingtarget 122 is preferably located in the top right comer ofbody 110, hittingtarget 124 is preferably located in the center ofbody 110, hittingtarget 126 is preferably located in the bottom left comer ofbody 110, and hittingtarget 128 is preferably located in the bottom right comer ofbody 110. Hittingtargets body 110. Further,body 110 can include more or less hitting targets than represented inFIG. 6 . Hittingtargets body 110, such as by painting or stitching, or removably attached tobody 110. -
FIG. 7 depicts a front view ofapparatus 100, illustrating the spatial relationship of hittingtargets body 110. -
FIG. 8 depicts a back view ofapparatus 100.Apparatus 100 further includeshandles back surface 130.Handles surface 130.Handles apparatus 100 upright while it is being used by a hitter.FIG. 8 also illustrates theprotective side portions portable hitting device 10 in place during use by another person. -
FIG. 9 depicts a top view ofapparatus 100, illustrating the width oftop surface 112 andprotective side portions -
FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of yet another embodiment of theportable hitting apparatus 200.Apparatus 200 includes abody 210 containing atop surface 212 and aside surface 214.Body 210 is preferably comprised of a lightweight and compressible material such as foam . . .Body 210 includes hittingtargets targets targets sized bodies 210. Hittingtarget 220 is preferably located in the top left comer ofbody 210, hittingtarget 222 is preferably located in the top right comer ofbody 210, hittingtarget 224 is preferably located in the center ofbody 210, hittingtarget 226 is preferably located in the bottom left comer ofbody 210, and hittingtarget 228 is preferably located in the bottom right comer ofbody 210. Hittingtargets body 210. Further,body 210 can include more or less hitting targets than represented inFIG. 10 . Hittingtargets body 210, such as by painting or stitching, or removably attached tobody 210. -
FIG. 11 depicts a front view ofapparatus 200, illustrating the spatial relationship of hittingtargets body 210. -
FIG. 12 depicts a back view ofapparatus 200.Apparatus 200 further includeshandles back surface 230.Handles surface 230.Handles apparatus 200 upright while it is being used by a hitter. -
FIG. 13 depicts a top view ofapparatus 200, illustrating the width and depth ofapparatus 200, shown bytop surface 212. - With respect to the above description it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the embodiments, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the various embodiments of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the embodiments of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the embodiments of the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents fall within the scope of the embodiments of the invention.
- The embodiments of the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the embodiments of the invention reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated the preferred embodiments of the invention.
- Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the embodiments of the invention, which are measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the embodiments of the invention in any way.
Claims (16)
1. A portable hitting apparatus comprising:
a) a body portion;
b) a strike zone portion located on said body portion; and
c) at least one hitting target located within said strike zone portion
whereby said body portion can be positioned such that a user can practice his or her hitting technique by hitting said at least one hitting target with a bat or other hitting device.
2. The portable hitting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one handle attached to said body portion for the purpose of allowing a user to place his or her arms there through to support the apparatus while it is being used by a hitter.
3. The portable hitting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said strike zone portion contains five hitting targets.
4. The portable hitting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said body portion is comprised of a flexible bag containing padding material.
5. The portable hitting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said body portion is comprised of a compressible foam material.
6. The portable hitting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said body portion contains curved portions at the ends thereof.
7. The portable hitting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said at least one hitting target is removably attached to said body within said strike zone portion.
8. A portable hitting apparatus comprising:
a) a body portion, said body portion having a front surface and a rear surface;
b) at least one hitting target located on said front surface; and
c) at least one handle located on said rear surface
whereby a person can use said at least one handle to support said body portion in an upright position, and a user can practice his or her hitting technique by hitting said at least one hitting target with a baseball bat or other hitting device.
9. The portable hitting apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said body portion is sized in the shape of a strike zone.
10. The portable hitting apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said strike zone portion contains five hitting targets.
11. The portable hitting apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said body portion is comprised of a flexible bag containing padding material.
12. The portable hitting apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said body portion contains curved portions at the ends thereof.
13. The portable hitting apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said body portion is comprised of a compressible foam material.
14. The portable hitting apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said at least one hitting target is removably attached to said body within said strike zone portion.
15. A method for making a portable hitting apparatus comprising the steps of:
a) providing a body portion;
b) depicting a strike zone on said body portion; and
c) depicting at least one hitting target within said strike zone.
16. The method for making a portable hitting apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
a) providing at least one handle for attachment to said body portion; and
b) attaching said at least one handle to said body portion.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/418,023 US20060270494A1 (en) | 2005-05-06 | 2006-05-04 | Portable hitting device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US67840805P | 2005-05-06 | 2005-05-06 | |
US11/418,023 US20060270494A1 (en) | 2005-05-06 | 2006-05-04 | Portable hitting device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060270494A1 true US20060270494A1 (en) | 2006-11-30 |
Family
ID=37464167
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/418,023 Abandoned US20060270494A1 (en) | 2005-05-06 | 2006-05-04 | Portable hitting device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060270494A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7959528B1 (en) | 2009-04-16 | 2011-06-14 | Hondo Sports Training, LLC | Baseball batting strength training aid |
US20120165138A1 (en) * | 2010-12-22 | 2012-06-28 | Jason Scott Smith | Method and apparatus for training a baseball player |
US9393457B2 (en) | 2011-01-06 | 2016-07-19 | Hondo Sports Training, LLC | Portable impact assessment device |
-
2006
- 2006-05-04 US US11/418,023 patent/US20060270494A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7959528B1 (en) | 2009-04-16 | 2011-06-14 | Hondo Sports Training, LLC | Baseball batting strength training aid |
US20120165138A1 (en) * | 2010-12-22 | 2012-06-28 | Jason Scott Smith | Method and apparatus for training a baseball player |
US9393457B2 (en) | 2011-01-06 | 2016-07-19 | Hondo Sports Training, LLC | Portable impact assessment device |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5645494A (en) | Instructional golf mat | |
US8177651B2 (en) | Weighted ball rebounder | |
US7063632B2 (en) | Baseball practice device | |
US7288033B1 (en) | Quarterback toss target | |
US6878078B2 (en) | Padded leather pitching target | |
US8784239B2 (en) | Batting training device | |
US6312345B1 (en) | Golf practice platform for a variety of golf shots | |
US20060142099A1 (en) | Ball hitting stance training device | |
US20200197776A1 (en) | Batting practice systems | |
US20230039965A1 (en) | Golf practice apparatus | |
US20140329646A1 (en) | Martial Arts Striking Target System | |
US5947833A (en) | Foot position teaching apparatus for batting practice | |
US9254431B1 (en) | Golf mat | |
US20060270494A1 (en) | Portable hitting device | |
US20090305824A1 (en) | Special Baseball Training Device called BASEx | |
US5484145A (en) | Portable pitching aid | |
US20070087856A1 (en) | Golf swing training device | |
US5035433A (en) | Golf swing training mat | |
US20130035180A1 (en) | Tennis serve training devices, systems and methods | |
US7108610B1 (en) | Swing training device | |
AU743605B2 (en) | Golf practice and exercise device | |
US6974390B2 (en) | Golf practice system | |
US20070207881A1 (en) | Inflatable, self-supporting sports training aid | |
US20050090337A1 (en) | Inflatable, self-supporting sports training aid | |
US20120165135A1 (en) | Hand Held Baseball or Softball Batting Tee |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |