Ball sports training aid
OwnerMichael Libonatiinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ball sports training aid includes a shaft and a slidably engaged replica sports ball assembly with an integral damper that is actuated when a player swings the shaft. Integral swing diagnostics means indicate correct batting, pitching and throwing techniques.
Claims12
A training aid for throwers comprising:
- an elongated shaft having a handle end for a thrower's hand and a free end;
- a damper tube slidably engaged with a distal portion of the shaft and disposed between first and second retainers located on the shaft;
- and,
- a replica sports ball dampingly engaged with the damper tube for providing Coulomb damping when the ball but not the handle end is released during a throw and the damper tube collides with the second retainer.
A training aid for batters comprising:
- an elongated shaft having a handle end for a batter's two hands and a free end;
- a damper tube slidably engaged with a distal portion of the shaft and disposed between first and second retainers located on the shaft;
- and,
- a replica sports ball dampingly engaged with the damper tube for providing Coulomb damping when the shaft is swung and the damper tube collides with the second retainer.
A training aid for ball sports players comprising:
- an elongated shaft having a handle end for a player to grasp and a free end;
- a damper tube slidably engaged with a distal portion of the shaft and disposed between first and second retainers located on the shaft;
- a replica sports ball dampingly engaged with the damper tube for providing Coulomb damping when the shaft is swung and the damper tube collides with the second retainer;
- wherein the motion of the replica sports ball relative to the shaft provides visual swing signals to the player;
- and,
- wherein the collision between the damper tube and the second retainer provides audible swing signals to the player.
A training aid for ball sports players comprising:
- an elongated shaft having a handle end for a player to grasp and a free end;
- a damper tube slidably engaged with a distal portion of the shaft and disposed between first and second retainers located on the shaft;
- a replica sports ball dampingly engaged with the damper tube for providing Coulomb damping when the shaft is swung and the damper tube collides with the second retainer;
- a swing diagnostics means integral with the training aid;
- wherein the motion of the replica sports ball relative to the shaft provides visual swing quality signals;
- and,
- wherein the swing diagnostics means provides audible swing quality signals.
A workout assembly for ball sports players comprising:
- an elongated shaft having a handle end for an athlete to grasp and a free end;
- a damper tube slidably engaged with a distal portion of the shaft and disposed between first and second retainers located on the shaft;
- a replica sports ball dampingly engaged with the damper tube for providing Coulomb damping when the shaft is swung and the damper tube collides with the second retainer;
- a strap having a first end affixed to the shaft and a second end affixed to a weight;
- and,
- the strap for spooling on and de-spooling from the shaft in response to shaft rotations in respective first and second directions.
The workout assembly of claim 12 wherein the weight has a re-sealable cavity for receiving shot, sand, or water for varying the mass of the weight to suit a particular athlete and training regime.
A method of preventing damage caused by mechanical shock to an electronics device affixed to a training bat having a slidably engaged member comprising the steps of:
- engaging a damper tube in slidable relationship with a shaft of a training bat;
- limiting the movement of the damper tube with a retainer located on the training bat;
- engaging a replica sports ball in damping relationship with the damper tube;
- affixing an electronics sensing and signaling device to the training bat;
- and,
- utilizing Coulomb damping between the replica sports ball and the damper tube to reduce the mechanical shock imparted to the electronics sensing and signaling device when the shaft is swung and the damper tube collides with the retainer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.