US 12,758,840 B2Granted

Throwing footwork trainer

AssigneeTorch Sports, LLC

InventorsDavid Andrukonis, Alan Bender

Life of this patent

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Abstract

This disclosure describes a training device for throwing a ball, relevant for all baseball and softball players, the quarterback position in football, lacrosse players, and all other athletes who use a similar throwing motion. Various embodiments described in this disclosure assist in teaching basic throwing footwork preferably while allowing the thrower's eyes to remain focused on the target. Basic throwing footwork involves beginning by standing with one's toes facing perpendicular to the target direction, stepping one's front foot forward and straight with toes rotating fully or partially toward the target, and finally allowing one's back leg to follow through and land alongside the front leg. These steps enhance power and accuracy. Various embodiments described in this disclosure help guide the thrower through these steps. Preferred embodiments are deployed as a long, narrow, and elevated device comprising a starting surface, a landing surface, and a gap between the two.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A device for training throwing footwork, comprising:

a backing that serves as a bottom layer of the device when in contact with ground or other supporting surface, wherein the backing is configured to reduce slippage when in contact with the ground or other supporting surface;
starting padding disposed at a first area on a first side of the backing opposite to a second side of the backing that is configured for contact with the ground or other supporting surface;
a starting surface present on a first side of the starting padding opposite to a second side of the starting padding that is in contact with the backing, wherein the starting surface is sized to accommodate both feet of a thrower standing in a throwing stance on the starting surface;
landing padding disposed at a second area on the first side of the backing;
and
a landing surface present on a first side of the landing padding opposite to a second side of the landing padding that is in contact with the backing, the landing surface being sized to accommodate landing of at least a front foot of the thrower, wherein
the starting surface comprises markings indicative of foot placement and the landing surface comprises markings indicative of a throwing direction.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/826,586Filed 6 Sep 2024 · us provisional application
Priority: 7 Sep 2023
Published: US 2025/0083016 A113 Mar 2025
Granted: 13 Oct 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

A63B 69/0002
Training appliances or apparatus for special sports: for baseball
A63B 69/002
Training appliances or apparatus for special sports: for football
A63B 2069/0006
Specially adapted for particular training aspects: for pitching
A63B 2071/0655
Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills: tactile feedback