RELATED APPLICATION:

This application claims all available benefit of, and priority to, co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 62/148,948 filed April 17, 2015 and U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 62/150,550 filed April 21, 2015. By this reference, the full disclosures, including the drawings, of U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 62/148,948 and U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 62/150,550 are incorporated herein as though each were now herein set forth.

TECHNICAL FIELD:

The present invention relates to athletic training. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices and related methods for development of proper swing form in connection with batting or similar striking of sports projectiles such as, for example, baseballs, golf balls and hockey pucks.

BACKGROUND ART:

One of the most difficult to master aspects of swing sports is proper head and eye position during the "swing." Despite any number of tricks and tips, the practice field continues to be the home of the battle cry "keep your eye on the ball!" Given the long felt, but heretofore unfulfilled need in the art for a better system, Applicant has devised a novel and inventive device whereby proper form may be readily and effectively instilled by focusing a player's attention on a separate task, which Applicant has discovered result in mastery of form by the athlete in training. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION:

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention an athletic swing training device for bettering swing form generally comprises a controller housing containing a control circuit and an RF receiver; a light source; a carrier configured to dependency support a sports projectile; and an RF remote control configured to transmit control signals through the RF receiver to the control circuit. At least the light source is contained within a portion of the carrier such that light emanating from the light source is blocked from external view by a sports projectile dependently supported by the carrier but is visible in the absence of the sports projectile.

The carrier may, for example, be configured to dependently support a baseball, in which case it may take the form of a batting tee, or may be configured to dependently support any of a number of other sports projectiles, such as, for example, a golf ball or a hockey puck. The light source may be one or more LEDs or may be any other substantially equivalent device.

Many other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts, especially in light of the foregoing discussions and the following drawings, exemplary detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

Although the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, a detailed description of the preferred embodiment follows together with illustrative figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components, and wherein:

Figure 1 shows in an isometric view, a first preferred implementation of the athletic swing training device of the present invention as particularly employed for the development of baseball type batting swing;

Figure 2 shows, partially cutaway isometric detail view, various particular aspects of the athletic swing training device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows, in an isometric view, various details of radio frequency remote control transmitter as preferably utilized in implementations of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows, in a partially exploded view of the athletic swing training device as depicted in Figure 2, various additional details of athletic swing training device of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows, in a partially cutaway rear isometric view, various details of preferred implementation of the integrated control circuit and radio frequency receiver of the athletic swing training device of Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows, in a partially exploded isometric view, various additionally details related to the integrated control circuit and radio frequency receiver of the athletic swing training device of Figure 1;

Figure 7 shows, in a partially exploded isometric view, various details of the preferred implementation of the light source of the athletic swing training device of Figure 1;

Figure 8 shows, in a cross-sectional view taken through cut line 8— 8 of Figure 7, various details of the preferred implementation of the base of the light source of Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows, in a cross-sectional view taken through cut line 9— 9 of Figure 7, various details of the preferred implementation of the light focusing lens of the light source of Figure 7;

Figure 10 shows, in a perspective view, details of the preferred manner of use of the athletic swing training device of Figure 1;

Figure 11 shows, in an isometric view, an alternatively preferred implementation of the athletic swing training device of the present invention as particularly employed for the development of golf club swing;

Figure 12 shows, in an isometric view, a further alternatively preferred implementation of the athletic swing training device of the present invention as particularly employed for the development of hockey stick swing; and

Figure 13 shows, in an elevational view, various additional details of the athletic swing training device of Figure 12.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION:

Although those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize many alternative embodiments, especially in light of the illustrations provided herein, this detailed description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention - an athletic swing training device 20 and related methods for aiding in the development of batting or similar swing form, the scope of which is limited only by the claims appended hereto. Referring now to the figures, and to Figures 1 through 3 in particular, a preferred exemplary implementation of the athletic swing training device 20 of the present invention is shown to generally comprise a controller housing 21, having contained therein a preferably integrated control circuit and radio frequency ("RF") receiver 22; a preferably modular light source 30; a projectile carrier 40, which is adapted to dependency support a sports projectile (such as, for example, a baseball 55) as well as to conceal and protect at least the light source 30; and an RF remote control 51.

In a critical aspect of the present invention, and as clearly depicted in Figures 1 and 2, the arrangement of the light source 30 and the projectile carrier 40 is such that light emanating from the light source 30 will not be visible to a training athlete 58 while the utilized sports projectile is supported by the projectile carrier 40, but will become visible following swinging impact by the athlete in launch of the sports projectile. With this in mind, it is noted that the preferred implementation of the projectile carrier 40 in connection with baseball type swing training comprises a batting tee 41. In particular, as shown in the figures, the light source 30 is embedded within the interior space of the upper end 45 of the tubular member 44, which telescopes from the cylindrical sleeve 43 projecting upwardly from the base 42 of the batting tee 41. In order to best protect the light source 30, as well as to prevent inadvertent interference with the otherwise ordinary use of the batting tee 41, the light source 30 is most preferably located at least a small distance below the flared ball support 46 provided at the top most portion of the telescoping tubular member 44.

In order to facilitate manufacturability of the present invention, while also accommodating the foregoing critical aspects of the present invention, the most preferred implementation of the controller housing 21 is adapted to be placed through a provided transversely oriented aperture 47 into the upper end 45 of the telescoping tubular member 44. To this end, as particularly shown in Figure 4, the controller housing 21 may comprise a plurality of mounting tabs 29 for locking the controller housing 21 in operably in place within the provided aperture 47. In order to then accommodate the modular light source 30, the controller housing 21 further comprises a receptacle 28 (as shown in Figures 4 through 6) adapted to receive electrical connectors 33 (as shown in Figure 8) of the modular light source 30.

Referring now to Figure 5, in particular, this preferred implementation of the controller housing 21 is shown to provide a container for the integrated control circuit and RF receiver 22, as utilized in the present invention. As will be better understood further herein, the integrated control circuit and RF receiver 22 is programmed and otherwise adapted to remotely receive control signals from the RF remote control 51, and, in response thereto, to control light color, intensity and/or duration of illumination for the light emitting diodes ("LEDs") 35, or substantially equivalent lighting elements, of the light source 30. Such integrated control circuit and RF receiver packages of the type described are generally known in the relevant art, and, in any case, are readily implemented within the ordinarily skill in the art as otherwise informed by this exemplary description.

In support of the implemented control circuit and RF receiver 22, the controller housing 21 also houses a required power source. In particular, the most preferably implemented power source is shown to comprise a battery 26 contained within a battery compartment 24. In order to provide ready access for maintenance of a provided battery 26, the battery compartment 24 is fitted with a battery access panel 25. Additionally, a master power switch 27 is also provided in order to prevent depletion of the battery 26, as would otherwise occur even during periods of nonuse of the LEDs 35 due to the provision of the RF receiver.

As previously noted, the most preferred implementations of the athletic swing training device 20 present invention contemplate provision of a modular light source 30, which light source 30 may be readily placed within or otherwise integrated with a particular projectile carrier 40. Additionally, such a modular light source 30 may be more easily replaced in case of inadvertent damage in use. In any case, a most preferred implementation for such a light source 30, as is most suited for use in connection with the previously described batting tee 41, is particularly shown in Figure 7 through 9 to comprise a base 31 having arranged thereon a lens 36 (or substantially equivalent light directing, or focusing, means). The provided lens 36 is preferably bounded by a reflective wrapper 38, in order to facilitate efficacy of the present invention, and the sidewall 37 of the lens 36 and the reflective wrapper 38 are bounded by a layer of circumferentially arranged padding 39, which, in combination with the impact resistant shell 32 of the base 31, protects both the lens 36 and the LEDs 35. Finally, in order to provide maximum efficacy, the most preferred implementations of the present invention contemplate provision of a plurality of LEDs 35 or like lights, to which end the LEDs 35 may be radially dependently supported about a central light pillar 34, as best shown in Figure 8.

In use, as shown in Figure 10, the implemented projectile carrier 40 is set up in the conventional manner. Departing from the conventional, however, the swing training device 20 is utilized to provide light of a color unknown to the athlete 58, which is concealed from the athlete 58 by the baseball 55 (or other projectile, depending upon implementation). In order to train the athlete 58 to keep his or her head and eyes proper position during the "swing," the athlete is instructed by his or her coach to identify the color as the baseball 55 is struck from the projectile carrier 40. To this end, the coach will utilize mode selection buttons 53 provided on the RF remote control 51 to establish the unknown color and, after the swing, will interrogate the athlete 58 to determine if the athlete 58 is able to correctly respond.

Although the present invention has been largely described with respect to the exemplary implementation of a baseball type swing training device, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, in light of this exemplary description, that the teachings of the present invention can be expanded to virtually any sport entailing swinging a bat or stick at, or similarly striking, a sports projectile. For example, as shown in Figure 11 a mat 48 may be used to implement a projectile carrier 40 for a golf ball 56, which is shown in the figure above a light conducting flexible tube 49 such as may double as a golf tee. Likewise, Figures 12 and 13 show a similar mat 48 as particularly implement for use in connection with hockey. In this case, however, it is preferred that the light source 30 be provided flush with the surface of the ice 50, to which end the controller housing 21 may be arranged to project downward from the bottom of the mat 48 and, if necessary, into a bore provided in the surrounding ice 50.

While the foregoing description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize the many variations, alterations, modifications, substitutions and the like as are readily possible, especially in light of this description, the accompanying drawings and the claims drawn hereto. For example, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that The RF remote will likely be powered by a battery 54 and will have typical controls, such as, for example, a power button 52 adapted to turn on or off all control circuits other than the RF receiver of the integrated control circuit and RF receiver 22.

Additionally, although the most preferred implementations of the present invention contemplate RF communication between the "remote" user of the athletic swing training device 20 and the location about the projectile carrier 40 housing at least the light source 30, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, in light of this exemplary description, that the necessary communication may take place over a wired communication channel or any other communication channel that may be implemented subject only to the critical aspects of the present invention. In any case, because the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, the foregoing detailed description should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims appended hereto.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY:

The present invention is applicable to athletic training.