# US 5,704,856 A · Batter swing training aid > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,856 A - Document ID: US5704856A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/709,438 - Filed: 1996-08-16 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1996-08-16 - Inventors: Bruce A. Morse - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704856A ## CPC - A63B 21/0552: {Elastic ropes or bands} - A63B 21/0004: {Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise (bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20)} - A63B 21/4011: {to the lower limbs (means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B69/0057)} - A63B 21/4019: {to the hand} - A63B 21/4025: {Resistance devices worn on the user's body (A63B21/065 takes precedence)} - A63B 69/0002: {for baseball} - A63B 21/00069: {Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve} - A63B 21/0442: {Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user} - A63B 21/0555: {Details of the rope or band, e.g. shape or colour coding} - A63B 21/0557: {Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps} - A63B 69/0059: {worn by the user} - A63B 2208/0204: Standing on the feet - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract A device for training batters to properly shift weight to the back leg at the beginning of a swing and to shift weight to the front leg during a swing when striking the ball in baseball and similar games. The device includes a first strap for fastening to the leading leg just above the knee and a second strap for fastening to the leading wrist, "leading" being the side towards a pitcher. An elongated member connects the two straps and comprises an elastic portion and an adjustable length portion, which includes a separable buckle so that the elongated member can be separated without removing either strap. In use, straps are emplaced on the knee and wrist and the adjustable length portion is adjusted to be taut but not stretched with the batter in the "ready" position. At the start of a swing, the hands move back, stretching the elongated member to encourage weight movement to the back leg. When the forward swing and forward stride begin, the elongated member will be stretched forwardly to encourage weight shift to the forward leg. Proper weight shift will provide maximum batting stroke power. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A training device for improving swing power for batters, which comprises: a first strap for fastening to a batter's lead leg approximately just above the knee; a second strap for fastening to a batter's lead arm at approximately the wrist; elongated means for connecting to said first and second straps; said elongated means comprising an elastic portion connected to said first strap and a variable length portion connected to said second strap; and a separable buckle in said variable length portion for disconnection and reconnection of said elongated means from said second strap by one hand. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The training device according to claim 1 wherein said variable length portion includes adjustment means to provide an elongated means length adjustable such that said elongated portion is taut when a person using said device assumes a normal batting stance. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The training device according to claim 1 wherein said first strap comprises a length of fabric material extending through a ring to which said elastic portion is fastened, said fabric material length having ends with cooperating hook and loop material on opposite surface so that overlapping said ends to a predetermined degree and bringing said cooperating hook and loop material together will form a closed ring of predetermined circumference. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The training device according to claim 1 wherein said second strap comprises a length of fabric material with a first end connected to an end ring and a second end having adjacent areas along said strap bearing cooperating areas of hook and loop material, so that said second end can be inserted through said ring and said second end folded back to bring cooperating areas of hook and loop material together to form a closed ring of predetermined length. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The training device according to claim 4 further including a loop secured to said second strap spaced from said end ring and means for connecting said variable length portion to said loop. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The training device according to claim 1 wherein said elastic portion comprises a length of rubbery material covered with a knit fabric cover. ### Claim 7 A training device for improving swing power for batters, which comprises: a first strap for fastening to a batter's lead leg approximately just above the knee; a second strap for fastening to a batter's lead arm at approximately the wrist; elongated means for connecting to said first and second straps; said elongated means comprising an elastic portion connected to said first strap and a variable length portion connected to said second strap; a separable buckle in said variable length portion adjacent to said second strap for disconnection and reconnection of said elongated means from said second strap by one hand; and said variable length portion includes adjustment means to provide an elongated means length adjustable such that said elongated portion is taut when a person using said device assumes a normal batting stance. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The training device according to claim 7 wherein said first strap comprises a length of fabric material extending through a ring to which said elastic portion is fastened, said fabric material length having ends with cooperating hook and loop material on opposite surface so that overlapping said ends to a predetermined degree and bringing said cooperating hook and loop material together will form a closed ring of predetermined circumference. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The training device according to claim 7 wherein said second strap comprises a length of fabric material with a first end connected to an end ring and a second end having adjacent areas along said strap bearing cooperating areas of hook and loop material, so that said second end can be inserted through said ring and said second end folded back to bring cooperating areas of hook and loop material together to form a closed ring of predetermined length. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The training device according to claim 9 further including a loop secured to said second strap spaced from said end ring and means for connecting said variable length portion to said loop. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The training device according to claim 7 wherein said elastic portion comprises a length of rubbery material covered with a knit fabric cover.