WO2004090460A1 - Procede d'entrainement pour baseball et dispositif correspondant - Google Patents

Procede d'entrainement pour baseball et dispositif correspondant Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2004090460A1
WO2004090460A1 PCT/US2004/010283 US2004010283W WO2004090460A1 WO 2004090460 A1 WO2004090460 A1 WO 2004090460A1 US 2004010283 W US2004010283 W US 2004010283W WO 2004090460 A1 WO2004090460 A1 WO 2004090460A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pouch
launcher
ball
front opening
bands
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2004/010283
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Donald Gee
Original Assignee
Donald Gee
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Donald Gee filed Critical Donald Gee
Priority to US10/551,942 priority Critical patent/US20060191521A1/en
Publication of WO2004090460A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004090460A1/fr

Links

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
    • A63B65/00—Implements for throwing  ; Mechanical projectors, e.g. using spring force
    • A63B65/12—Ball-throwing apparatus with or without catchers ; Mechanical projectors, e.g. using spring force
    • A63B65/122—Hand-held mechanical projectors, e.g. for balls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41B—WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F41B3/00—Sling weapons
    • F41B3/02—Catapults, e.g. slingshots
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to games and devices and, more specifically, to a Baseball Training Method and Device Therefor.
  • the other very prevalent device is the pitch-back net.
  • This is essentially an upright rectangular frame having a net stretched over it. A strike zone is marked in the center of the net. The batter stands next to, and in front of the pitch-back net, and a "pitcher" throws baseballs at the strike zone; the pitch-back net bounces the balls back to the pitcher (unless the batter hits the ball, of course).
  • the problem with this device and method is that the quality of the training really depends on the quality of the "pitcher.” If the pitches are easy to hit, and lack any spin or the high speed that emulate game pitching, then the batter will not get any real valuable training experience. As such, this device and method is limited as well, because it is rare that a batter has a high-quality pitcher to hit against.
  • the device should enable users to experience a very realistic batting practice without the high cost associated with an automated pitching machine.
  • the device should be low cost and be very small in profile.
  • the device should further not require any pitching skill in order to provide a very realistic hitting experience.
  • the system or device should further include a novel ball that is smaller and much softer than a conventional baseball.
  • the ball may have holes or indentations formed in a portion of its cover to permit the user to create differential drag on the ball when launched to the batter, thus providing curved ball movement when in flight.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the baseball/softball training device assembly of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the launcher pouch of the device of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a cutaway top view of the launcher pouch of the device of Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 4 is a side view of the method for use of the assembly of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a flowchart depicting the methods for creating and practicing with the baseball/softball training device assembly of the present invention.
  • FIG 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the baseball/softball training device assembly 8 of the present invention.
  • the assembly 8 consists of two important devices - the baseball/softball training device 10 and the custom compressible ball 32.
  • the training device 10 can be based upon a conventional slingshot. It has a handle 12 having a head 14 from which a wrist stabilizer frame 16 and launcher frame 20 extend.
  • the wrist stabilizer frame 16 is typically a closed loop that is designed to pass over the top of the pitcher's wrist when the pitcher holds onto the handle 12.
  • the wrist stabilizer frame 16 may have a wrist cushion 18 or pad at covering or attached to the portion of the frame 16 that passes over the pitcher's wrist for comfort.
  • the extent that the frame 16 extends backwardly from the handle head 14 can be adjusted to accommodate wrists of virtually any user.
  • the launcher frame 20 also may be adjustably extendable from the handle head 14.
  • the launcher frame 20 is generally made from a pair of upwardly bent rounded metal bars that terminate in launcher frame tips 22 at their distal ends.
  • An elasticized band 24 is slipped over or otherwise attached to each tip 22 of the frame 20.
  • the elasticized bands 24 are preferably made from surgical tubing, but could be any type of durable material exhibiting elastic traits similar to surgical tubing.
  • the elasticized bands 24 attach, at their distal ends, to a pair of attachment members 28.
  • the attachment members 28 are typically made from durable fabric, and serve to provide a durable, flexible attachment point between the elasticized bands 24 and the launcher pouch 26.
  • the distal ends of the elasticized bands 24 actually attach to loop inserts (not shown) that are plastic or metal hooks or loops that have an elongated end that is configured to fit inside of the distal ends of the surgical tubing.
  • the other end of the loop inserts are loops or hooks that are easily attached to the attachment members 28.
  • the attachment members 28 are stitched or otherwise securely attached to the launcher pouch 26.
  • the launcher pouch 26 is also preferably made from a durable fabric, and terminates in a grasping tab 30.
  • the pouch 26 is designed to cooperate with the compressible ball 32 so that the ball 32 will easily fit into the pouch 26, and will also be easily released from the pouch 26 when the pitcher "shoots a pitch.”
  • the compressible ball 32 has very particular features. First, it is made from a soft rubberized material, which makes it much safer to use than a conventional baseball or softball. Second, it. is much smaller than a baseball, and is actually the approximate size of a golf ball; one particularly desirable size has been found to be 4 centimeters in diameter. Third, the ball 32 weighs much less than a conventional baseball; one particularly desirable weight has been found to be approximately less than five ounces. Finally, in some versions of the compressible ball 34 one or more apertures 34 are formed on one side of the ball 34; while these are referred to as apertures herein, the term is intended to refer to indentations or grooves as well.
  • apertures 34 have been found to enable to pitcher to create differential drag on one side of the ball 34 when he or she shoots it. Changing the orientation of the aperture(s) 34 when the ball 32 is in the pouch 26 allows the pitcher to controUably create more challenging pitches for the batter to hit. Now turning to Figure 2, we can look at the pouch 26 more closely.
  • FIG 2 is a partial perspective view of the launcher pouch 26 of the device of Figure 1.
  • the pouch 26 is made from nylon or other durable flexible material.
  • the grasping tab 30 is provided to give the pitcher a comfortable and reliable location to pull back on the launcher pouch 26, without needing to grasp the outer surface 40 of the pouch 26; this makes tensioning and releasing of the pouch 26 to shoot a pitch much easier and more reliable for the pitcher, hi another non-depicted form, the grasping tab has a thickened portion at its distal end to aid the user in obtaining a firmer grasp.
  • a loop insert 23 is attached to each side of the pouch 26 at the attachment members 28. The elongated ends of the inserts 23 are configured to fit inside of the elasticized bands, and then be held therein by interference fit between the bands and the loop inserts 23.
  • the pouch 26 forms a ball receptacle 36 that is defined by the inner surface 38 of the pouch 26.
  • the pouch 26 will hold the compressible ball 32 when the user puts tension on the grasping tab 30, and will cleanly release the compressible ball 32 when the user releases the grasping tab 30.
  • Figure 3 is a cutaway top view of the launcher pouch 26 of the device of Figures 1 and 2. What is critical in the design of the pouch 26 and the ball 32 is that when tension is placed on the grasping tab 30 when the pitcher pulls back on the grasping tab 30 in the tensioning direction T, the side walls 33 of the inner surface of the launching pouch 26 will pinch in direction P against the compressible ball inserted into the ball receptacle 36.
  • Figure 4 depicts how the system operates as a pitching training aid for baseball/softball batting practice.
  • Figure 4 is a side view of the method for use of the assembly of Figure 1.
  • the pitcher and batter 44 are separated by spacing S; this can actually be 60 (sixty) feet, 6 (six) inches, which is the same distance between a regulation pitcher's mound and home plate. Because of the simplicity of the design of the current invention, it eliminates the need for the pitcher to really understand the pitching motion. The pitcher needs only to shoot the compressible ball 32 at the imaginary strike zone 46 of the batter 44. Because there is no pitcher's windup, that batter's skill is actually tested more than with a conventional pitcher, because there is no telegraphing of the pitch. This makes the timing of the pitch much more difficult for the batter. Finally, turning to Figure 5, we can examine the method for creating and using the assembly of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting the methods for creating 48 and practicing 50 with the baseball/softball training device assembly of the present invention.
  • the users can either start with a completed training device 10, or they can actually convert a conventional slingshot to function as a training device 10.
  • converting a conventional slingshot the user begins by obtaining a conventional slingshot 100.
  • the conventional pouch or pocket is replaced with the launcher pouch 26 described hereinabove. Usually this can be most easily accomplished by cutting or pulling off the loop inserts from the conventional slingshot and replacing them with new loop inserts that are a part of and/or already attached to the launcher pouch 26.
  • the user places the compressible ball into the launcher pouch 106. If the ball has apertures formed in it, the user orients the ball in the pouch 108 in order to generate the desired drag and resultant curved flight characteristic when shot.
  • the "pitcher” pulls back on the pouch via the grasping tab until the desired tension in the elasticized bands is achieved 110.
  • the pitcher then aims the baseball/softball training device at the batter's strike zone 112, and releases the grasping tab 114.
  • the compressible ball will immediately be released and will travel towards the strike zone at speeds verified to be up to 70 (seventy) miles an hour; hitting this undersized ball at such a speed has proven to provide an extremely realistic and high- quality batting practice.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé d'entraînement pour baseball/softball et un dispositif correspondant. L'invention concerne également un dispositif permettant aux utilisateurs d'effectuer un exercice au bâton très réaliste associé, à faible coût, à l'aide d'un lanceur automatique. Le dispositif est peu coûteux et de petite taille. Il ne nécessite pas de connaissances de lancement afin de produire une expérience de frappe très réaliste. Le jeu utilisant ce dispositif comprend, en outre, un nouveau ballon plus petit et plus mou que les ballons de baseball conventionnels. Enfin, le ballon peut comporter des trous formés dans une partie de son enveloppe afin de permettre à l'utilisateur d'effectuer des déplacements différentiels contrôlables d'un côté du ballon lorsqu'il est lancé au batsman.
PCT/US2004/010283 2003-04-04 2004-04-02 Procede d'entrainement pour baseball et dispositif correspondant WO2004090460A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/551,942 US20060191521A1 (en) 2003-04-04 2004-04-02 Baseball training method and device therefor

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US46012203P 2003-04-04 2003-04-04
US60/460,122 2003-04-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004090460A1 true WO2004090460A1 (fr) 2004-10-21

Family

ID=33159731

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2004/010283 WO2004090460A1 (fr) 2003-04-04 2004-04-02 Procede d'entrainement pour baseball et dispositif correspondant

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20060191521A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2004090460A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1905298A1 (fr) * 2006-09-27 2008-04-02 Brett Cattlin Lanceur de balles

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7484505B1 (en) * 2004-12-22 2009-02-03 Saunders Archery Company Collapsible locking slingshot
US20080114439A1 (en) * 2005-06-28 2008-05-15 Venkatesh Ramaiah Non-occluding dilation device
US7900620B1 (en) * 2006-08-21 2011-03-08 Walters Wayne R Slingshot construction
US7861700B2 (en) * 2006-10-06 2011-01-04 Scoggins Richard H Slingshot pouch
US20090301455A1 (en) * 2008-06-09 2009-12-10 Yamashiro Michael T Hand-held baseball pitching apparatus for generating controlled curving trajectories
US8453630B2 (en) * 2009-04-16 2013-06-04 Richard T. Fields Projectile launching system
US10816302B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2020-10-27 Saunders Archery Company Slingshot
US9581405B2 (en) * 2013-03-15 2017-02-28 Saunders Archery Company Slingshot with handle guard and palm plate
US9234718B2 (en) 2013-11-15 2016-01-12 Levi N. Ricke Projectile launching system
WO2020061625A1 (fr) * 2018-09-25 2020-04-02 Ashlin Mark Keith Accessoire pour animaux de compagnie

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3802409A (en) * 1972-05-10 1974-04-09 B Mike Elastic type surface supported portable indoor-outdoor ball projecting device
US4922884A (en) * 1987-06-02 1990-05-08 Ford Jack T Handheld water balloon catapult
GB2311473A (en) * 1996-03-25 1997-10-01 Fox Design Int A catapult pouch
GB2315030A (en) * 1996-07-10 1998-01-21 Andrew James Marchant Catapult
FR2795912A1 (fr) * 1999-07-05 2001-01-12 Claude Bonadonna Fronde pour l'amorcage de peche amelioree reglable en puissance de tractions et en precision de tirs
FR2843451A1 (fr) * 2002-08-12 2004-02-13 Amiaud Peche Fronde du type lance-pierres

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3802409A (en) * 1972-05-10 1974-04-09 B Mike Elastic type surface supported portable indoor-outdoor ball projecting device
US4922884A (en) * 1987-06-02 1990-05-08 Ford Jack T Handheld water balloon catapult
GB2311473A (en) * 1996-03-25 1997-10-01 Fox Design Int A catapult pouch
GB2315030A (en) * 1996-07-10 1998-01-21 Andrew James Marchant Catapult
FR2795912A1 (fr) * 1999-07-05 2001-01-12 Claude Bonadonna Fronde pour l'amorcage de peche amelioree reglable en puissance de tractions et en precision de tirs
FR2843451A1 (fr) * 2002-08-12 2004-02-13 Amiaud Peche Fronde du type lance-pierres

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1905298A1 (fr) * 2006-09-27 2008-04-02 Brett Cattlin Lanceur de balles

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