US3921976A - Batting practice device - Google Patents
Batting practice device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3921976A US3921976A US495398A US49539874A US3921976A US 3921976 A US3921976 A US 3921976A US 495398 A US495398 A US 495398A US 49539874 A US49539874 A US 49539874A US 3921976 A US3921976 A US 3921976A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- handle
- head
- batting
- shore hardness
- head member
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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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
Definitions
- the device of the invention is a useful batting practice aid for ballplayers of all ages. However, it is espe- 4 cially adaptable to young or beginning ballplayers whereby a batting coach or even another player can hold the device while a batter practices his swing.
- the device comprises an elongated handle and a resilient head member which is to be struck by the bat as the batter swings during practice. Because of the resiliency of the head, it gives a feel very much like hitting an actual baseball and yet offers none of the disadvantages of requiring a pitcher as well as a fielder to chase the ball.
- the specific detail of the construction as well as its use will be more fully explained hereinafter.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the batting practice aid of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a partial side sectional elevation illustrating the integral attachement of the head to the handle of the device.
- FIG. 3 illustrates the use of the device in batting practice.
- the batting aid device 10 of the invention includes an elongated handle 12 to which is attached at one end thereof a resilient head member 14.
- the opposite end of the handle from the head preferably terminates in a flange 18 which assists in holding the device and preventing it from slipping out or away grasping the device if desired.
- the handle may also be constructed of any material including wood or metal although preferably it comprises a natural rubber or elastomer so that it is somewhat flexible. Material of this latter type is preferred because it will absorb shock when the head is hit with a bat thereby being much safer to use.
- the material will not crack or break during use and will not cause injuries such as bruising the users hands when the device is hit with a baseball bat. Further, such a material will be more easily molded in preparing the device and will als be conveniently attached or secured to the resilient head to achieve an integral device as will be more fully explained hereinafter.
- the device includes a resilient head member 14 secured to the end of the handle asshown.
- the shape of the head is not particularly critical but is preferably elongated and cylindrical and has at least a slightly greater diameter than that of the handle.
- the head member will have a shoulder portion 15 at its end adjacent the handle end.
- the resiliency of the head is critical so as to achieve the desired feel to the batter when struck by the baseball bat during use.
- the head comprises natural rubber or a synthetic elastomer.
- Preferred synthetic materials include styrenebutadiene copolymers, polybutadiene, neoprene, butyl rubber, polyisoprene, nitrile rubbers and ethylene-propylene copolymers. Since such resilient elastomers are well known to those skilled in the art and are readily available commercially, they need not be further described herein except by way of their preferred and critical physical properties.
- silicone rubber may also be used which is understood to comprise silicone or siloxane structure of sufficient molecular weight to achieve the properties and characteristics of rubber as appreciated by those skilled in the art.
- the necessary physical characteristics of the' head composed of a material selected from the above-named elastomers has a resiliency which is conveniently determined using a Durometer hardness test. This test indicates the indentation hardness and is inversely related to the penetration and is dependent on the elastic modulus and viscoelastic properties of the material. Accordingly, the indentation hardness, using a Durometer, type A-2, manufactured by the Shore Instrument and Manufacturing Company, and referred to hereinafter as the Durometer Shore Hardness, is between about and about 70 and preferably between about and about 65 and most preferably about :2. The Durometer Shore Hardness defined herein is determined with indentation pressure maintained on the material for 10 seconds.
- the head member also has a density or specific gravity of between about 1.25 and about 1.35 grams per cubic centimeter.
- the composition of the head comprises solid natural rubber or elastomer so that it is substantially homogeneous throughout.
- the handle may comprise any suitable material, it is preferably of the type used in the head with the advantages as previously noted.
- the handle resiliency as determined by Durometer Shore Hardness is not critical as it is in the head.
- a preferred device is molded from the described materials with the head having a cavity for receiving the end of the handle.
- the handle is made of a different material or of a same or similar elastomer but separtely molded the two components can be joined while the material is soft at elevated temperature and under pressure so that they will form a substantially unitary device.
- the common or adjacent surfaces between the handle and the head cavity may also be sealed together with glue or other coupling agent so that they are substantially permanently joined and will not be pulled or forced apart even during extensive use.
- the device can be molded from a single material so that the step of joining the two components during manufacturing is not necessary.
- the preferred device is illustrated in FIG. 2 with the end 16 and handle 12 being inserted into the cavity at the base of head 14 adjacent shoulder 15.
- a suitable device is one wherein the head member is between about 4 and about 6 inches long and has a diameter of between about 1 /2 and 2 inches with the handle being approximately 1520 inches long although it may be longer or shorter as desired, having a diameter of between about 1 and about 1 /2 inches.
- a handle comprising an elastomer as previously set forth may have a Durometer Shore Hardness of between about 70 and about 90 and preferably between about 80 and 90. With a density of both handle and head of between about 1.25 and about 1.35, such a device is lightweight and conveniently handled by a young ballpayer and yet is strong enough to withstand impact by even a strong batter without causing injury to the person holding the batting aid.
- FIG. 3 The use of the device is illustrated in FIG. 3 with a coach or other person holding the device by handle 12 so that the head is directed toward the batter as shown.
- the person holding the device should of course be standing back far enough to avoid getting hit with the swinging bat.
- the batter then observes the position of the head and swings at it as if it were a ball.
- the device having eh properties as described hereinabove, upon impact of the bat with the head, it will give the feel of hitting an actual baseball with the bat being similarly deflected upon impact.
- the coach or person holding the device can observe the 4 batters swing and make on the spot correctionsand give advice. Accordingly, it will be evident that the device of the invention provides a very effective means for instructing ballplayers, and especially youth, is convenient to use and handle, and thus offers significant advantagesfor such instruction.
- a batting aid device for being hit by a baseball bat for batting practice comprising an elongated handle for being manually held and a resilient head member for being hit by a batting implement, both said handle and head member being solid and formed of an elastomeric material, said head memberhaving a Durometer Shore Hardness of between and 70 and said handle member having a Durometer Shore Hardness of between 70 and 90 and wherein the hardness of said handle is greater than the hardness of said head member.
- head and hanel are a synthetic rubber polymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene, polybutadiene, neoprene, butyl, polyisoprene, nitrile, ethylene-propylene and silicone rubber.
Abstract
Description
Claims (7)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US495398A US3921976A (en) | 1973-05-09 | 1974-08-07 | Batting practice device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US35861673A | 1973-05-09 | 1973-05-09 | |
US495398A US3921976A (en) | 1973-05-09 | 1974-08-07 | Batting practice device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3921976A true US3921976A (en) | 1975-11-25 |
Family
ID=27000129
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US495398A Expired - Lifetime US3921976A (en) | 1973-05-09 | 1974-08-07 | Batting practice device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3921976A (en) |
Cited By (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4513965A (en) * | 1984-03-14 | 1985-04-30 | Kurt Aschermann | Baseball bat instruction accessory unit |
US4659084A (en) * | 1982-04-01 | 1987-04-21 | Vuick Michael C | Golf swing training apparatus |
US4846472A (en) * | 1988-02-25 | 1989-07-11 | Terza Thomas J | Baseball batting trainer |
US5230506A (en) * | 1992-03-02 | 1993-07-27 | Cipriano Ronald J | Batting practice device |
US5324227A (en) * | 1993-06-10 | 1994-06-28 | Yuh Ching Chang | Toy hitting rod |
WO1994021337A1 (en) * | 1993-03-19 | 1994-09-29 | Cipriano Ronald J | Improved batting practice device using extensible member |
US5492321A (en) * | 1992-03-02 | 1996-02-20 | Funtec, Inc. | Batting practice device |
US6050908A (en) * | 1998-05-15 | 2000-04-18 | Muhlhausen; Harry B. | Training bat |
US20040132560A1 (en) * | 2003-01-03 | 2004-07-08 | Decelle Robert | Training bat |
US6786841B1 (en) * | 2002-01-14 | 2004-09-07 | Nicholas E. Dixon | Hand-held ball hitting training device |
US6918843B1 (en) * | 2001-01-30 | 2005-07-19 | Micheal E. Franssen | Baseball training bat |
US20060293130A1 (en) * | 2002-04-02 | 2006-12-28 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat handle with optimal damping |
US20070155546A1 (en) * | 2006-01-03 | 2007-07-05 | Dewey Chauvin | Multi-piece ball bat connected via a flexible joint |
US20070238556A1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2007-10-11 | Donik Sports, Inc. | Tennis swing trainer |
US20090082124A1 (en) * | 2007-09-26 | 2009-03-26 | Hackenberg James A | Golf swing trainer having balanced center of mass |
US20100130313A1 (en) * | 2008-11-21 | 2010-05-27 | Michael Bastian | Apparatus for assisting with optimal physical mechanics of a sports swing |
US20150119172A1 (en) * | 2013-10-29 | 2015-04-30 | Gary Long | Rope bat |
US20180140915A1 (en) * | 2016-11-20 | 2018-05-24 | Hoon/Forsythe Technologies, Llc | Polycarbonate-Siloxane Copolymer Use in Baseball and Softball Bats |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3643961A (en) * | 1969-07-22 | 1972-02-22 | Arthur C Schroeder | Golf-practicing device |
US3652088A (en) * | 1969-10-21 | 1972-03-28 | Loyal F Marsh | Tethered ball baseball batting practice device |
-
1974
- 1974-08-07 US US495398A patent/US3921976A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3643961A (en) * | 1969-07-22 | 1972-02-22 | Arthur C Schroeder | Golf-practicing device |
US3652088A (en) * | 1969-10-21 | 1972-03-28 | Loyal F Marsh | Tethered ball baseball batting practice device |
Cited By (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4659084A (en) * | 1982-04-01 | 1987-04-21 | Vuick Michael C | Golf swing training apparatus |
US4513965A (en) * | 1984-03-14 | 1985-04-30 | Kurt Aschermann | Baseball bat instruction accessory unit |
US4846472A (en) * | 1988-02-25 | 1989-07-11 | Terza Thomas J | Baseball batting trainer |
US5230506A (en) * | 1992-03-02 | 1993-07-27 | Cipriano Ronald J | Batting practice device |
US5492321A (en) * | 1992-03-02 | 1996-02-20 | Funtec, Inc. | Batting practice device |
WO1994021337A1 (en) * | 1993-03-19 | 1994-09-29 | Cipriano Ronald J | Improved batting practice device using extensible member |
US5324227A (en) * | 1993-06-10 | 1994-06-28 | Yuh Ching Chang | Toy hitting rod |
US6050908A (en) * | 1998-05-15 | 2000-04-18 | Muhlhausen; Harry B. | Training bat |
US6918843B1 (en) * | 2001-01-30 | 2005-07-19 | Micheal E. Franssen | Baseball training bat |
US6786841B1 (en) * | 2002-01-14 | 2004-09-07 | Nicholas E. Dixon | Hand-held ball hitting training device |
US7410433B2 (en) | 2002-04-02 | 2008-08-12 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat handle with optimal damping |
US20060293130A1 (en) * | 2002-04-02 | 2006-12-28 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Bat handle with optimal damping |
US20060105864A1 (en) * | 2003-01-03 | 2006-05-18 | Decelle Robert | Training bat |
US20040132560A1 (en) * | 2003-01-03 | 2004-07-08 | Decelle Robert | Training bat |
US20070155546A1 (en) * | 2006-01-03 | 2007-07-05 | Dewey Chauvin | Multi-piece ball bat connected via a flexible joint |
US7572197B2 (en) | 2006-01-03 | 2009-08-11 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Multi-piece ball bat connected via a flexible joint |
US20070238556A1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2007-10-11 | Donik Sports, Inc. | Tennis swing trainer |
US20090082124A1 (en) * | 2007-09-26 | 2009-03-26 | Hackenberg James A | Golf swing trainer having balanced center of mass |
US7785211B2 (en) | 2007-09-26 | 2010-08-31 | Hackenberg James A | Golf swing trainer having balanced center of mass |
US20100130313A1 (en) * | 2008-11-21 | 2010-05-27 | Michael Bastian | Apparatus for assisting with optimal physical mechanics of a sports swing |
US20150119172A1 (en) * | 2013-10-29 | 2015-04-30 | Gary Long | Rope bat |
US9387382B2 (en) * | 2013-10-29 | 2016-07-12 | Gary Long | Rope bat |
US20180140915A1 (en) * | 2016-11-20 | 2018-05-24 | Hoon/Forsythe Technologies, Llc | Polycarbonate-Siloxane Copolymer Use in Baseball and Softball Bats |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL AND SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT TH Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:SOLOMON, JACK D.;REEL/FRAME:004610/0320 Effective date: 19860827 Owner name: INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL AND SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT TH Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SOLOMON, JACK D.;REEL/FRAME:004610/0320 Effective date: 19860827 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SOLOMON, JACK D. Free format text: AGREEMENT,;ASSIGNOR:GAMING AND TECHNOLOGY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004961/0002 Effective date: 19851216 Owner name: SOLOMON, JACK D. Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:GAMING AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., A CORP. OF NV;REEL/FRAME:005004/0788 Effective date: 19880906 Owner name: SOLOMON, JACK D. Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:GAMING AND TECHNOLOGY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004961/0028 Effective date: 19870824 |