WO2008018773A2

WO2008018773A2 - Baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2008018773A2
Application number: PCT/KR2007/003850
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chang Ho Choi; Seung Ho Choi
Original assignee: Chang Ho Choi; Seung Ho Choi
Priority date: 2006-08-10
Filing date: 2007-08-10
Publication date: 2008-02-14
Also published as: TW200824758A; WO2008018773A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus, and more particularly, to such a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus which can achieve an effect of a maximally equivalent level to that of a training where baseball players throw a ball to each other personally, which can simply conduct a baseball throwing exercise anywhere and anytime, which can concentratingly train the muscle strength of a hand and a wrist used during the actual ball throwing action, and which can concentratingly practice up to the motion of a detailed level. The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus comprises: an elongated rod (10); a rotatable ball (20) rotatably coupled to one end of the support rod (10) and having the shape of a baseball; and a handle grip (30) coupled to the other end of the support rod (10) in such a fashion as to be adjustable in angle together with the support rod (10).

Description

BASEBALL THROWING TRAINING AND EXERCISE

APPARATUS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus, and more particularly, to such a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus which can achieve an effect of a maximally equivalent level to that of a training where baseball players throw a ball to each other personally, which can simply conduct a baseball throwing exercise anywhere and anytime, which can concentratingly train the muscle strength of a hand and a wrist used during the actual ball throwing action, and which can concentratingly practice up to the motion of a detailed level including the motion in which a baseball player snaps his wrist at the ball or exerts a force to the wrist in the same type as that in the case where he actually pitch or throw the baseball while holding the baseball with his hand, the motion where the baseball player instantaneously bends his wrist at an optimal angle, etc. Background Art

[2] In general, baseball is a ball game which is played between two teams of nine players each on a baseball field, each team being composed of ten players including a designated hitter, if needed, under empires. In the baseball game, both teams alternate on offense and defense in nine innings each being broken up into two halves in which the away team bats in the top (first) half and the home team bats in the bottom (second) half to thereby allow the team with the most runs at the end of nine innings to win the game in such a fashion that when three batters of an offensive team are put out to end the inning in the field, a defensive team gets one turn to bat and try to score runs.

[3] In the baseball, all the battings are carried out at a home base (plate), and a score is made by an offensive player who advances from batter to runner and touches first, second, third and home bases in that order before the offensive team makes three outs.

[4] Also, among nine defensive players the pitcher and the catcher form a battery.

During the pitching motion, the pitcher must stand on a pitcher's mound and the catcher must stay in a catcher's box. The seven remaining defensive players must occupy their positions in the infield and the outfield. At this time, if three batters are put out, the both teams is about to alternate on offense and defense.

[5] The positions of the defensive players in the baseball game will be described hereinafter.

[6] The defensive players of each team is composed of three outfielders consisting of a left fielder, a center fielder and a right fielder, four infielders consisting of a first baseman, a second baseman, a third baseman and a shortstop, and the battery consisting of the pitcher and the catcher.

[7] Herein, the outfielder is a fielder who occupies a position in the outfield which is the area of the playing filed most distant from home base, and handles doubles and triples rolling, bouncing or flying beyond the infield, corresponding to middle-distance hits and long-distance hits, respectively. The outfielder necessarily requires a strong shoulder and an accurate throwing capability, and the defensive position of the outfielders may be adjusted slightly depending on the batters of the offensive team.

[8] In addition, the infielder is a fielder who often catches a line drive made by a batter but mainly handles a batted ground ball that rolls or bounces close to the ground in terms of the characteristic of a defensive position. Also, the infielder at the base where a runner stays must serve to watch the runner and the defensive position of the infielders may be adjusted depending on the batters of the offensive team similarly to the outfielders.

[9] The shortstop of the infielders is an infielder who has the great difficulty in playing and a large number of times of handling the batted ground balls. The shortstop requires excellent agility, wide defense range, rapid and accurate throwing capability, etc. The role of the second baseman is similar to the shortstop, but since the second baseman is positioned closer to the first baseman than the shortstop is, it is somewhat easy for the second baseman to throw a ball to the first baseman. The third baseman does not require a relatively wide defense range. Nevertheless, since the third baseman is positioned closest to the batter among the infielders, he must have a superior motor nerve and particularly must properly cope with bunts of the batters.

[10] Moreover, the first baseman is an infielder who can defense a little easily. The first baseman advantageously is a left-handed player, and is allocated to a player who mainly has a higher power number.

[11] In the battery, the pitcher must be excellent in pitching capability, defense capability, bunting, and handling of ground balls in the infield and outfield as well as must function as the first baseman at the time of urgency such as bunting, etc.

[12] Further, the catcher must catch well the pitches of the pitcher through the entire game, as well as must handle a flying ball dropping onto the foul territory and the infield and outfield around the catcher's box and must properly cope with stealing of a base by a runner.

[13] For this reason, the catcher requires the capability of sensing the direction of a flying ball and a rapid and accurate throwing capability that can hinder the runner from stealing a base. Also, the catcher must function as both a defensive player and a leader of the game, and particularly must properly lead the pitcher in order for the pitcher to pitch differently depending on batters. [14] As such, in the baseball game, the ability of the defensive player is to above all catch a ball well and throw the ball accurately within a short time.

[15] For example, since the defensive players such as the second baseman, the shortstop and the third baseman rely on the infield in the baseball park by handling an infield flying ball, a line drive and a ground ball, they must catch the ball with their gloves to move the caught ball to a hand with which to throw the ball within a short time and then must accurately throw the ball to the fielder on the base toward which a runner or a batter runs when handling the ground ball.

[16] As such, the catcher must handle the ball quickly before the runner or the batter reaches the target base. Thereafter, the important thing to be considered during relay of the ball to the target base is the timing and accuracy for the ball throwing.

[17] Although a defensive player catches a ball well in a preferable position, if he does not throw the ball to a desired position accurately, it is impossible to put a batter or a runner out and the defense team continues to permit the offensive team to get a preferable opportunity to bat and try to score a run.

[18] Resultantly, since the defensive player requires an accurate ball-throwing capability, he must spend much time in throwing a ball during the ordinary training and exercise. First of all, the defensive player must perform many practice sessions to improve the ability to throw the ball with a proper strength and intensity in an accurate direction.

[19] When a defensive player throws a caught ball to another defensive player, he must instantaneously concentrate the power of his whole body and finally eject the concentrated power through his hand and wrist. Thus, the muscle strength of the player is very important.

[20] As such, since it is important to train the hand and the wrist in order for a baseball player to enhance the accuracy and strength for the ball-throwing, conventionally the baseball players have mostly improved the accuracy for the ball throwing through a real training.

[21] That is, conventionally baseball players have performed the training in such a mode as to throw a ball to each other personally.

[22] However, in case where baseball players perform a training session in such a fashion as to throw a ball personally while holding the ball with hands, they actually throw the ball each time they exercise the throwing strength and the instantaneous motion of the wrist, which results in spending much time and power and needing security of a sufficient space to throw the ball, thereby causing great limitation in place and time.

[23] Particularly, since the time and place must be sufficiently secured and basic physical strength is required in order for the baseball player to throw the ball each time he performs the training to enhance the muscle strength of the hand and the wrist, the baseball player has a difficulty in practicing an effective ball-throwing motion. [24] In order to concentratingly train and strengthen specific regions of the hand or the wrist, i.e., muscle regions associated with the actual pitching of the ball, the baseball players must conduct the muscle strengthening training using a separate training machine besides an ordinary training in which the baseball players throw the ball with the hands personally.

[25] There has been proposed various training machines for performing wrist exercises to strengthen the wrist.

[26] Korean Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 1997-53582 discloses a wrist exercise apparatus in which two handle grips are twisted each other so as to rotate to thereby perform a wrist exercise. Also, Korean Utility Model Registration Publication No. 221119 discloses a wrist exercise apparatus which two handle grips of a simpler structure are twisted each other so as to rotate to thereby perform a wrist exercise.

[27] However, such wrist exercise apparatuses are merely used as exercise aids for enhancing the muscle strength through the wrist exercise and are different in a training effect from a training method in which baseball players actually throw a ball each other while holding the ball with the hands.

[28] That is, such conventional wrist exercise apparatuses serve merely to strengthen the muscle strength of a wrist by repeatedly performing a wrist exercise which allows a baseball player to twist the exercise apparatus while holding it with the hands, and has a distinct limitation in concentratingly training and strengthening the specific muscle regions of the hand or the wrist associated with the actual pitching of the ball such as a wrist motion conducted at the time of pitching the ball. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[29] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above- mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus which can achieve an effect of a maximally equivalent level to that of a training where baseball players throw a ball to each other personally, which can simply conduct a baseball throwing exercise anywhere and anytime, which can concentratingly train the muscle strength of a hand and a wrist used during the actual ball throwing action, which can concentratingly practice up to the motion of a detailed level including the motion in which a baseball player snaps his wrist at the ball or exerts a force to the wrist in the same type as that in the case where he actually pitch or throw the baseball while holding the baseball with his hand, the motion where the baseball player instantaneously bends his wrist at an optimal angle, etc., and which can identify the number of rotations or the rotational speed of a rotatable ball to more efficiently perform the ball throwing training. Technical Solution

[30] In order to accomplish the above objects, a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: an elongated support rod; a rotatable ball rotatably coupled to one end of the support rod and having the shape of a baseball; and a handle grip coupled to the other end of the support rod in such a fashion as to be adjustable in angle together with the support rod.

[31] Also, the structure for the angel adjustment of the support rod and the handle grip may be configured such that the support rod has a male engagement portion pro- trudingly formed at one end thereof and the handle grip has a female engagement portion formed at one end thereof so as to accommodate the male engagement portion therein, the male and female engagement portions being engaged with each other by means of a pin in a state of being mutually fit state so as to pivotally rotate and the movement of the male engagement portion is restrained by means of a stopper pin engageably coupled to the male engagement portion of the support rod while internally passing through the handle grip along a central axial line of the handle grip.

[32] Further, a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may comprise: an elongated support rod; a rotatable ball rotatably coupled to one end of the support rod and having the shape of a baseball; and a handle grip coupled to the other end of the support rod in such a fashion as to be adjustable in angle together with the support rod, wherein the rotatable ball has a bearing insertion recess drilled therein in such a fashion as to extend toward the center thereof so that a variable bearing is securely seated in bearing insertion recess, the variable bearing having a function of allowing the rotatable ball to rotate and folded at a certain angle in an arbitrary direction, and wherein a distal end of the support rod is press-fit into a ball member of the variable bearing so that the rotatable ball can rotate foldably in an arbitrary direction within a certain angle range at the distal end of the support rod.

[33] In addition, a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may comprise: an elongated support rod; a rotatable ball rotatably coupled to one end of the support rod and having the shape of a baseball; a handle grip coupled to the other end of the support rod in such a fashion as to be adjustable in angle together with the support rod; and a speed meter mounted at the inside of the support rod and adapted to sense the rotation of the rotatable ball to allow the rotation of the rotatable ball to be displayed thereon.

[34] Moreover, the speed meter may comprise a sensor plate adapted to rotate along with the rotatable ball, a photo sensor disposed in proximity to the sensor plate and adapted to sense the rotation of the sensor plate, a calculation processor adapted to receive a signal from the photo sensor to perform a predetermined calculation process, the calculation processor being configured in the form of a printed circuit board (PCB), a display window adapted to externally display a result of the calculation process performed by the calculation processor thereon, a switch having an ON/OFF mode and a selection mode, and a power supply adapted to supply power to each component of the speed meter.

[35] In case of the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to achieve an effect of a maximally equivalent level to that of a training where baseball players throw a ball to each other personally even without actually throwing the ball, easily and simply perform a ball throwing training anywhere and anytime, and concentratingly train the muscle strength of a hand and a wrist used during the actual ball throwing action while learning a sense of a ball throwing. Brief Description of the Drawings

[36] FIG 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[37] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view illustrating a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[38] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an assembled portion of a rotatable ball of a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[39] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembled portion of a rotatable ball of a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[40] FIGs. 5 to 7 are front views illustrating a state where a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus is used according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[41] FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating the movement of a user's hand and a rotatable ball of a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus is used according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[42] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[43] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembled portion of a rotatable ball of a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of FIG. 9 according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[44] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention; [45] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of FIG. 11 according to another embodiment of the present invention; [46] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of FIG. 11 according to another embodiment of the present invention; [47] FIGs. 14 to 16 are front views and perspective view illustrating a state where a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of FIG. 11 is used according to another embodiment of the present invention; [48] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention; [49] FIG. 18 is an assembled perspective view illustrating a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of FIG. 17 according to another embodiment of the present invention; [50] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of FIG. 17 according to another embodiment of the present invention; and [51] FIGs. 20 to 22 are front views and perspective view illustrating a state where a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of FIG. 17 is used according to another embodiment of the present invention. [52]

Mode for the Invention

[53] Now, a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [54] Referring to FIGs. 1 to 4, there is shown a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [55] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus comprises a support rod 10 and a rotatable ball 20. The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus further comprises a handle grip 30 whose angle is adjustable. [56] The support rod 10 is formed of an elongated bar shape and is configured such that a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion are coupled engageably to each other. Thus, only the smaller diameter portion of the support rod 10 may be disassembled or assembled for use. [57] Also, the entire assembly structure of the support rod 10, the rotatable ball 20 and the handle grip 30 may be mounted to a fixing means 60 for use. [58] For example, the handle grip 30 is securely fit into a clamping portion of the fixing means 60 so that the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus can be used with it supported in its entirety.

[59] The rotatable ball 20 can be manufactured of a plastic material or a metal material such as aluminum to have the same weight as that of an actual baseball, and is configured of a coupling structure which can be easily removed from the support rod 10, if necessary.

[60] The rotatable ball 20 can be manufactured to have the same weight as that of an actual baseball, but may be manufactured to have a heavier weight than that of the actual baseball so as to allow a baseball player to carry out a more intensive exercise and further strengthen his muscle strength through the exercise.

[61] In addition, it is possible to include the rotatable ball 20 in plural numbers to have various weights to select and replaceably use the rotatable ball which a trainee wants to use depending on exercise intensity.

[62] In addition, the rotatable ball 20 has an outer shell material 27 formed with a seam used in an actual baseball. Since the outer shell material 27 is attached to the rotatable ball 20 so as to encircle the entire outer spherical surface of the rotatable ball, a trainee can feel a tactile sense of performing the ball throwing training using an actual baseball.

[63] The handle grip 30 is a portion which a trainee grabs during the use, and is covered at the outer surface thereof with a smooth cloth, leather or the like. The handle grip 30 is internally penetrated along a central axis line and has a hole having a screw portion formed at a certain section therein, so that a stopper pin34 which will be descried later can pass through the hole to be engageably fit to the screw portion of the hole.

[64] The support rod 10 and the handle grip 30 is coupled to each other in such a fashion as to be adjustable in angle. Thus, it is possible to more efficiently use the support rode 10 and the rotatable ball 30 while variously adjusting the angle of the support rode 10 and the rotatable ball 30 with respect to the handle grip 30.

[65] To this end, formed at one end of the support rod 10 is a male engagement portion 31 which is of a plate shape made by cutting both sides of a circular rod body. In this case, the male engagement portion 31 has a through-hole transversely drilled therein so that a pin 33 can be fit into the through-hole when the male engagement portion 31 is engaged with a female engagement portion 32 which will be described later.

[66] Particularly, the male engagement portion 31 has a generally hemi- spherical shaped cross-sectional groove 35 formed on two top and front surfaces thereof. This cross- sectional groove 35 is formed in plural numbers so as to be arranged spaced apart from each other at regular intervals along the top and front surfaces of the male engagement portion 31.

[67] Accordingly, the movement of the male engagement portion 31, i.e., the movement of the entire structure of the rotatable ball 20 and the support rod 10 is restrained while the stopper pin 34 is selectively caught by each cross-sectional groove 35, so that the entire structure of the rotatable ball 20 and the support rod 10 can be adjusted at various angles with respect to the handle grip 30.

[68] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is shown an example in which the number of the cross-sectional grooves is limited to five so as to adjust the angle of the entire coupled structure of the rotatable ball and the support rod relative to the handle grip 30 in five stages within a range of 90 degrees. But, in this case, the angle adjustment can be freely variably performed by a method of increasing the number of the cross-sectional grooves, adjusting the distance between the cross-sectional grooves or the like.

[69] In addition, formed at one end of the handle grip 30 is a generally "c "-shaped female engagement portion 32 so as to accommodate the male engagement portion 31 therein. In this case, the female engagement portion 32 has through-holes transversely coaxially drilled in two opposite parallel plate-shaped pieces thereof so as to fit the pin 33 thereto when the male engagement portion 31 is engaged with the female engagement portion 32.

[70] Further, the handle grip 30 includes the stopper pin 34 which serves to maintain the adjusted angle of the entire coupled structure of the rotatable ball 20 and the support rod 10 relative to the handle grip 30 while being caught by the cross-sectional grooves 35 of the male engagement portion 31.

[71] The stopper pin 34 is formed in an elongated bar having an adjustment knob formed at one end thereof. The stopper pin 34 is screw-engageably inserted into the hole formed along a central axial line of the handle grip 30, and simultaneously is caught at the other end thereof by the cross-sectional grooves 35.

[72] The support rod 10 and the handle grip 30 are engaged with each other by means of the pin 33 so that they can pivotally rotate about the pin. At this time, the pivotal rotation of the support rod 10 relative to the handle grip 30 can be restrained by means of the stopper pin 34.

[73] To this end, the male engagement portion 31 of the support rod 10 and the female engagement portion 32 of the handle grip 30 are engaged with each other in a concavo- convex engagement manner. In a such engagement state, the pin 33 is fit into respective holes of the male engagement portion 31 and the female engagement portion 32 so that the support rod 10 and the handle grip 30 can pivotally rotate. Meanwhile, at this time, a distal end of the stopper pin 34 engageably coupled to the handle grip 30 along a central axial line of the handle grip 30 is caught by any one cross-sectional groove 35 of the male engagement portion 31, so that the mutual movement of the support rod 10 and the handle grip 30 can be restrained.

[74] Referring to FIGs. 3 and 4, there is shown an example of the assembled state of the rotatable ball.

[75] The rotatable ball 20 has a through-hole 21 centrally penetrated therein. The through- hole 21 is formed in double-stepped hole structures which are different from in diameter.

[76] A distal end of the support rod 10 is inserted into one side of the through-hole 21 of the rotatable ball 20, and a holder pin 22 having two bearings 23 fit thereon and a bush interposed between the two bearings 23 is inserted into the other side of the through- hole 21. At this time, in such an inserted state, one end of the holder pin 22 is screw- coupled to the distal end of the support rod 10.

[77] Particularly, a thrust bearing 24 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of a head portion of the holder pin 22 inserted into the through-hole 21 of the rotatable ball 20 and a stepped inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 21, so that the thrust bearing can receive a load of an axial movement at the time of rotation of the rotatable ball.

[78] Such action of the thrust bearing 24 can effectively prevent a noise from being generated at the time of rotation of the rotatable ball.

[79] That is, the holder pin 22 having the thrust bearing is engageably coupled to the support rod 10 so that a clearance such as an assembly tolerance can be eliminated at the maximum. Resultantly, since a support force can be secured in an axial line direction by the thrust bearing 24 during the rotation of the rotatable ball 20, it is expected to have an excellent effect of noise prevention.

[80] After the coupling of the holder pin 22 to the support rod 10 through the rotatable ball, the through-hole 21 of the rotatable ball is finishingly covered with a cap 29 whose outer surface has the same curvature as that of the outer spherical surface of the rotatable ball. Finally, the rotatable ball 20 is surrounded by a leather material used in an actual baseball to thereby appear in the form of the actual baseball.

[81] In this case, the cap 29 can be assembled to the rotatable ball 20 by means of adhesive means, welding, press-fitting, etc.

[82] Referring to FIGs. 5 to 7, there is shown various examples of angle adjustment of the support rod 10 relative to the handle grip 30.

[83] As shown in FIG. 5, the handle grip 30, the support rod 10 and the rotatable ball 20 are aligned with each other in a row.

[84] At this time, the wrist of a trainee's hand grabbing the handle grip 30 is in a laid state, i.e., in a state where the back of the hand faces upward.

[85] Thus, the trainee performs the ball throwing training while moving his hand and wrist in the same manner as when actually throwing the baseball with him holding the rotatable ball 20 with his hand.

[86] Such ball throwing training can be conducted while taking various actions similarly to the above-mentioned training methods.

[87] Referring to FIGs. 6 and 7, there is shown a state where the angle of the coupled structure of the support rod 10 and the rotatable ball 20 relative to the handle grip 30 is adjusted in a range between 45 degrees and 90 degrees for use.

[88] Such angle adjustment is carried out such that after the adjustment knob having a screw portion of the stopper pin 34 is disengaged from the handle grip 30 to be withdrawn to the outside, the angle of the support rod 10 and the rotatable ball 20 relative to the handle grip 30 is adjusted at a desired angle range and then the stopper pin 34 is engageably re-coupled to the handle grip 30.

[89] At this time, the wrist of the trainee's hand holding the handle grip 30 is in a state being stood transversely, i.e., the back of the hand faces laterally.

[90] In case where a trainee performs the ball throwing training in such an angle adjustment state, since the trainee can conduct the ball throwing training even without any change of his posture such as laterally twisting the wrist or arm of his hand grabbing the handle grip 30, a stress applied to his wrist or arm can be relived accordingly.

[91] Also, when the trainee carries out the ball throwing training in a state where his wrist is laid as shown in FIG. 5 and then conducts the ball throwing training in a state where his wrist is stood transversely as shown in FIGs. 6 and 7, that is, when he performs the ball throwing training while variously changing the posture of the wrist, but not maintaining one posture of the wrist, it is possible to achieve the effect of training for a long time with a smaller force.

[92] Particularly, when a trainee performs the ball throwing training in such an angle adjustment state, since the ball throwing training can be carried out in a more stable and comfortable posture (the posture where the hand grabbing the handle grip is in a stable and comfortable state), the training effect of a change-up training, etc., can be further increased.

[93] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown the motion of a trainee's and the rotatable ball during the ball throwing.

[94] The trainee can perform the ball throwing while moving his hand and wrist in the same manner as when actually throwing the baseball with him holding the handle grip 20.

[95] In this case, the trainee can repeatedly practice up to the motion of a detailed level during the actual ball throwing including the motion in which a baseball player holds the baseball with his hand, snaps his wrist at the ball or exerts a force to the wrist in the same type as that in the case where he actually pitch or throw the baseball, the motion where the baseball player instantaneously bends his wrist at a certain angle and the motion where the baseball player releases the ball, etc., even without actually throwing the ball Also, the trainee can strengthen the muscle strength of the hand and the wrist used during the actual ball throwing through the repeated practice and learn a sense of the ball throwing.

[96] Referring to FIGs. 9and 10, there is shown a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[97] In this embodiment, the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus comprises a support rod 10 and a rotatable ball 20 similarly to the above-mentioned embodiment. The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus further comprises a handle grip 30 whose angle is adjustable as described above.

[98] In this case, the type and method for the angle adjustment of the support rod 10 and the rotatable ball 20 relative to the handle grip 30 and the use method are identical to those in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[99] Particularly, in this embodiment, another example of the assembled structure of the rotatable ball to the support rod is shown.

[100] The rotatable ball 20 has a rod insertion recess 25 having a certain depth drilled therein in such a fashion as to extend beyond the center thereof. The rod insertion recess 25 is formed in the shape of a multi-stepped recess having various stepped portions which are different in diameter from each other.

[101] A distal end of the support rod lOis inserted into the rod insertion recess 25 through an opening of the rod insertion recess together with at least two bearings 23 and a finishing cap 26 which are fit around the support rod, and simultaneously a male screw portion formed in the finishing cap 26 is engaged with a screw portion formed in the rod insertion recess 25 to cause the rotatable ball 20 to rotate about the distal end of the support rod 25.

[102] In this case, the bearings 23 are supported on the support rod 10 by means of a ring- like stopper securely coupled to the distal end of the support rod while being press-fit around the outer peripheral surface of the support rod 10. Also, the finishing cap 26 supports the outer bearing 23 while being freely slidably fit around the outer peripheral surface of the support rod 10, so that the rotatable ball 20 is prevented from escaping from the support rod 10.

[103] A head portion of the finishing cap 26 is completely inserted into an initial stepped portion of the rod insertion recess 25, and in which case, has an outer surface has the same curvature as that of the outer spherical surface of the rotatable ball. Thus, a rod insertion portion of the rotatable ball 20 can be clearly finished, and the rotatable ball is finally surrounded by a leather material used in an actual baseball to thereby appear in the form of the actual baseball.

[104] The use of such a recess structure drilled at one side completes an assembly structure between the rotatable ball and the support rod so that the inventive baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus is advantageous in terms of manufacturability, assem- blability and structure. Particularly, the inventive baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus can secure a smoother rotation state in terms of the operation associated with the rotation of the rotatable ball due to its structural simplicity.

[105] Referring to FIGs. 11 to 13, there is shown a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[106] In this embodiment, the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus comprises a support rod 10 and a rotatable ball 20 similarly to the above-mentioned embodiment. The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus further comprises a handle grip 30 whose angle is adjustable as described above.

[107] In this case, the type and method for the angle adjustment of the support rod 10 and the rotatable ball 20 relative to the handle grip 30 and the use method are identical to those in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[108] In the meantime, the support rod 10 is configured such that an auxiliary support rod 53 is engageably coupled to a front end of the support rod 10. In this case, the support rod 10 can be coupled to the rotatable ball through the auxiliary support rod 53. Particularly, application of a variable bearing 28 can rotate the rotatable ball 20, so that it is possible to take the form of the ordinary rotation of the rotatable ball 20 as in the above embodiments as well as the bending of the rotatable ball 20 at a certain angle in an arbitrary direction.

[109] For example, the rotatable ball 20 can be bent toward the support rod 10 within a bending limit range of the variable bearing 28. At this time, the bending direction of the rotatable ball 20 is based on an axial line of the support rod 10 and may be set in an arbitrary direction of 360 degree directions.

[110] For the purpose of the movement of the rotatable ball, the rotatable ball 20 has a bearing insertion recess 53 drilled therein in such a fashion as to extend toward the center thereof. The variable bearing 28 is seated in bearing insertion recess 53 so that it securely coupled to the rotatable ball 20 by means of at least two fixing screws. At this time, a distal end of the auxiliary support rod 53 is press-fit into a ball member of the variable bearing 28.

[I l l] Accordingly, the rotatable ball 20 can rotate in the form foldable in an arbitrary direction within a certain angle range at a distal end of the support rod 10 having the auxiliary support rod 53. At this time, the variable bearing 28 is composed of an upper bearing 28a, a lower bearing 28b having an inner spherical surface, and a ball member 28c partially accommodated in the inner spherical surface of the lower bearing 28b with a plurality of balls interposed between the lower bearing 28b and the ball member 28c. The auxiliary support rod 53 is coupled to the ball member 28c.

[112] Referring to FIGs. 14 to 16, there is shown the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus including the variable bearing according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[113] The use state of the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus is mostly identical to that of the above embodiments.

[114] For example, the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus may be used in a state where the handle grip 30, the support rod 10 and the rotatable ball 20 are aligned with each other in a row, and may also be used in a state where the angle between the support rod 10 and the rotatable ball 20 is adjusted at 45 degrees and 90 degrees.

[115] In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, a trainee can allow the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus to be securely fixed to a surrounding fixed object (not shown) for the purpose of the use by using the fixing means 60 as the handle grip 30 in a state where the rotatable ball 20, the support rod 10 and the handle grip 30 are assembled with each other.

[116] Especially, the rotatable ball 20 does not rotate in one direction, but can rotate while being folded in a direction intended by a trainee within a certain angle range at the time of performing the ball throwing, so that the trainee can conduct the ball throwing training while snapping the ball in more various forms such as a change-up exercise, etc.

[117] Referring to FIGs. 17 to 19, there is shown a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus including a means for identifying the number of rotations and the rotational speed of the rotatable ball according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[118] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus comprises: an elongated support rod 10 including a basically separable auxiliary support rod 53, a rotatable ball rotatably coupled to one end of the support rod 10 and having the shape of a baseball, a handle grip 30 coupled to the other end of the support rod 10 in such a fashion as to be adjustable in angle together with the support rod. The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus further comprises a speed meter 40 mounted at the inside of the support rod 10 so as to sense the rotation of the rotatable ball 20 to allow the rotation of the rotatable ball to be displayed.

[119] Thus, when a trainee rotates the rotational bal 20, he can identify the number of rotations or the rotational speed of the rotatable ball 20 through the speed meter 40.

[120] To this end, provided inside the support rod 10 is a space portion 55 which is opened at its side to form an opened part, so that various components constituting the speed meter 40 are installed in the space portion.

[121] For example, a calculation processor 43 is installed inside the space portion 55 in a screw engagement structure. The calculation processor 43 is in the form of a printed circuit board (PCB) positioned in parallel with a support rod body. A photo sensor 42 constituting an electrical circuit together with the calculation processor 43, a power supply 46, a switch 45, etc., are installed supportably on the printed circuit board. A display window 44 is installed on the support rod 10 in the form of finishing the opened part of the space portion 55.

[122] In the above configuration, when the calculation processor 43 receives a signal from the photo sensor 42, it calculation-processes the received signal and then supplies a result of the calculation process to the display window 44. At this time, the result of the calculation process can be externally displayed on the display window 44 in the form of data indicative of the number of rotations or the rotational speed.

[123] The switch 45 has a function of selecting a rotation number mode and a rotational speed mode besides an ON/OFF function, so that a trainee can select and identity a proper mode, if necessary.

[124] In this case, the display window 44 is preferably configured such that it adopts an LED meter to allow the rotation of the rotatable ball to be displayed thereon in the form of data indicative of the number of rotations or the rotational speed.

[125] In addition, the power supply 46 may include a battery (cell) replaceable with a new one, which is embedded therein so as to supply power to each component of the speed meter or may include a connector, etc., for receiving power from an external power source.

[126] A method of sensing a signal using the photo sensor, a series of control methods of calculating and displaying the signal received by the photo sensor, a method of selecting a switch mode, etc., can be adopted without being particularly limited if they are techniques typically known to those skilled in the art.

[127] A configuration in which the data of the rotation of the rotatable ball 20 is supplied to the speed meter 40 will be described hereinafter.

[128] When one side, i.e., a head portion of a handle shaft 50 is inserted into the rotatable ball 20, then the rotatable ball 20 and the handle shaft 50 are integrally assembled with each other by means of the fastening of a ball nut 51. At this time, the other side of the handle shaft 50 is concentrically inserted into the support rod while passing through an auxiliary support rod 53 along a central axial line of the support rod 10, substantially the auxiliary support rod 53, so that its distal end is positioned at the space portion 55 inside the support rod 10.

[129] Of course, the handle shaft 50 is rotatably supported by a bearing 23 inside the auxiliary support rod 53, and an axial displacement of the handle shaft is properly restrained by a spring, an adjustment bar, etc. Also, the handle shaft 50 has a structure in which it can be prevented from escaping from the support rod 10 by a handle nut 52.

[130] In addition, a sensor plate 41 is mounted to a distal end of the handle shaft 50 positioned inside the space portion 55. In this case, the sensor plate 41 may be disposed in proximity to the photo sensor 42. [131] Thus, the photo sensor 42 can sense the rotation of the sensor plate 41 operated in cooperation with the rotatable ball 20 and the handle shaft 50.

[132] At this time, the sensing method of the photo sensor 42 can adopt a well-known method such as a transmission type sensing method, a reflection type sensing method, etc.

[133] Referring to FIGs. 20 to 22, there is shown the use state of a baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus including the speed meter according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[134] The use state of the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus is mostly identical to that of the above embodiments.

[135] For example, the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus may be used in a state where the handle grip 30, the support rod 10 and the rotatable ball 20 are aligned with each other in a row, and may also be used in a state where the angle between the support rod 10 and the rotatable ball 20 is adjusted at 45 degrees and 90 degrees.

[136] In addition, as shown in FIG. 22, a trainee can allow the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus to be securely fixed to a surrounding fixed object (not shown) for the purpose of the use by using the fixing means 60 as the handle grip 30 in a state where the rotatable ball 20, the support rod 10 and the handle grip 30 are assembled with each other.

[137] At this time, when the trainee rotate the rotatable ball 20, the photo sensor 42 senses the rotation of the sensor plate 41 for application to the calculation process 43 so that the number of rotations (revolutions) or the rotational speed (km, mile, etc.,)of the rotatable ball is displayed ion the display window 44.

[138] The number of rotations or the rotational speed of the rotatable ball can be selectively displayed on the display window 44 through selection of a switch mode by the trainee, and the number of rotations and the rotational speed of the rotatable ball are preferably concurrently displayed on the display window 44.

[139] In this manner, since a trainee can directly visually identify the result of the ball throwing training while performing the ball throwing training, it is possible to further enhance the efficiency of the training.

[140] As such, the inventive baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus enables prevention of injuries of the baseball players and incessant development of baseball throwing techniques while performing a sensible training.

[141] In baseball games, in consideration of the situation in which a pitcher must throw various types of pitches, for example, when the pitcher throws a change-up, he can conduct a sensible pitching training of throwing pitches of various types (curveball, slider, two-seam, change-up, forkball, cut fastball, screwball, etc.) including the twisting of the wrist and the fingers, the position of the fingers grabbing the ball, etc. [142] Therefore, since the inventive baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus can induce its angle change owing to the folding (bending) action of the handle grip and can impart the upward and downward movement to the rotatable ball independently, it is possible to further upgrade the level of the ball throwing training.

[143] Furthermore, the inventive baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus includes a function of measuring revolutions per second and the rotational speed of the rotatable ball so that a trainee can directly and indirectly compare his technique ability numerical data displayed on the inventive apparatus with the conventional data on revolutions of the ball.

[144] The inventive baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus provides a merit in that it allows him to directly identify the ascension effect of the pitching/throwing technique while aiding a baseball player's voluntary ball throwing training.

[145] While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[146] As described above, the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of the present invention has an advantageous effect that it is possible to achieve an effect of a maximally equivalent level to that of a training where baseball players throw a ball to each other personally even without actually throwing the ball, concentratingly train the muscle strength of a hand and a wrist used during the actual ball throwing action, which can concentratingly practice up to the motion of a detailed level during the ball throwing including the motion in which a baseball player holds the baseball with his hand, snaps his wrist at the ball or exerts a force to the wrist in the same type as that in the case where he actually pitch or throw the baseball, the motion where the baseball player instantaneously bends his wrist at an optimal angle and the motion where the baseball player releases the ball, etc., and which can identify the number of rotations or the rotational speed of a rotatable ball to more efficiently perform the ball throwing training.

[147] Also, the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of the present invention has a merit that the baseball player can concentratingly train and strengthen specific muscle regions of the hand or the wrist used when actually throwing the ball and can easily improve the accuracy and the strength of the ball throwing.

[148] In addition, the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of the present invention has another merit that since it is possible to freely change the state of the baseball player's wrist to a laid state or a stood state due to its adjustable angle during its use, a great burden is not applied to the wrist despite the long-term use of the apparatus.

[149] Further, the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of the present invention has another merit that since it is possible to arbitrarily vary the position (angle) of the rotatable ball even without changing the posture of the hand holding a handle grip of the apparatus, a baseball player can effectively perform a change-up pitching training, etc., at various angles with no stress applied to his hand or wrist.

[150] Besides, the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of the present invention has another merit that since it is possible to normally rotate the ball only in one direction and rotate the ball while freely bending the apparatus within an arbitrary angle, a baseball player can conduct a change-up training of various types.

[151] Moreover, the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of the present invention enables a baseball player to directly identify the number of rotations or the rotational speed of a rotatable ball during the ball throwing training to further improve a ball throwing training effect.

[152] Furthermore, the baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus of the present invention enables a baseball player to easily and simply perform a ball throwing training anywhere and anytime.

Claims

[1] A baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus comprising: an elongated support rod; a rotatable ball rotatably coupled to one end of the support rod and having the shape of a baseball; and a handle grip coupled to the other end of the support rod in such a fashion as to be adjustable in angle together with the support rod.

[2] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the structure for the angel adjustment of the support rod and the handle grip is configured such that the support rod has a male engagement portion pro- trudingly formed at one end thereof and the handle grip has a female engagement portion formed at one end thereof so as to accommodate the male engagement portion therein, the male and female engagement portions being engaged with each other by means of a pin in a state of being mutually fit state so as to pivotally rotate and the movement of the male engagement portion is restrained by means of a stopper pin engageably coupled to the male engagement portion of the support rod while internally passing through the handle grip along a central axial line of the handle grip.

[3] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the male engagement portion is configured such that the movement of the male engagement portion is restrained by means of a locking action of the stopper pin caught by a cross-sectional groove formed thereon.

[4] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cross-sectional groove is formed in plural numbers so as to be arranged spaced apart from each other at regular intervals along the top and front surfaces of the male engagement portion, so that the support rod including the rotatable ball can be adjusted at various angles relative to the handle grip.

[5] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable ball has a through-hole centrally penetrated therein, and wherein a distal end of the support rod is inserted into one side of the through- hole thereof and a holder pin having bearings fit thereon is inserted into the other side of the through-hole so that one end of the holder pin is coupled to the distal end of the support rod to cause the rotatable ball to rotate about the distal end of the support rod.

[6] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the holder pin further comprises a thrust bearing interposed between the holder pin inserted into the through-hole of the rotatable ball and the through- hole so as to receive a load of an axial movement and prevent a noise from being generated at the time of rotation of the rotatable ball.

[7] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the entire assembly structure of the support rod, the rotatable ball and the handle grip is mounted to a fixing means for use.

[8] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable ball has a rod insertion recess drilled therein in such a fashion as to extend beyond the center thereof, and wherein the distal end of the support rod is inserted into the rod insertion recess together with at least two bearings and a finishing cap which are fit around the support rod, and simultaneously a male screw portion formed in the finishing cap is engaged with a female screw portion formed in the rod insertion recess to cause the rotatable ball to rotate about the distal end of the support rod .

[9] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 5 and 8, wherein the rotatable ball has an outer shell material formed with a seam used in a baseball, the outer shell material being attached to the rotatable ball so as to encircle the entire outer spherical surface of the rotatable ball.

[10] A baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus comprising: an elongated support rod; a rotatable ball rotatably coupled to one end of the support rod and having the shape of a baseball; and a handle grip coupled to the other end of the support rod in such a fashion as to be adjustable in angle together with the support rod, wherein the rotatable ball has a bearing insertion recess drilled therein in such a fashion as to extend toward the center thereof so that a variable bearing is securely seated in bearing insertion recess, the variable bearing having a function of allowing the rotatable ball to rotate and folded at a certain angle in an arbitrary direction, and wherein a distal end of the support rod is press-fit into a ball member of the variable bearing so that the rotatable ball can rotate foldably in an arbitrary direction within a certain angle range at the distal end of the support rod.

[11] A baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus comprising: an elongated support rod; a rotatable ball rotatably coupled to one end of the support rod and having the shape of a baseball; a handle grip coupled to the other end of the support rod in such a fashion as to be adjustable in angle together with the support rod; and a speed meter mounted at the inside of the support rod and adapted to sense the rotation of the rotatable ball to allow the rotation of the rotatable ball to be displayed thereon.

[12] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the speed meter comprises a sensor plate adapted to rotate along with the rotatable ball, a photo sensor disposed in proximity to the sensor plate and adapted to sense the rotation of the sensor plate, a calculation processor adapted to receive a signal from the photo sensor to perform a predetermined calculation process, the calculation processor being configured in the form of a printed circuit board (PCB), a display window adapted to externally display a result of the calculation process performed by the calculation processor thereon, a switch having an ON/OFF mode and a selection mode, and a power supply adapted to supply power to each component of the speed meter.

[13] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the display window is an LED meter for displaying the rotation of the rotatable ball thereon in the form of data indicative of the number of rotations or the rotational speed.

[14] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the power supply comprises a battery (cell) of the type embedded therein or comprises a means of the type for receiving power from an external power source.

[15] The baseball throwing training and exercise apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising a handle shaft which is inserted at one side thereof into the rotatable ball and is concentrically inserted at the other side thereof into the support rod while passing through the support rod along a central axial line of an auxiliary support rod coupled to the support rod and simultaneously a handle shaft portion positioned in the auxiliary support rod being supported by a bearing so that the rotatable ball can rotate about the distal end of the support rod.