Angled hitting stand apparatus and method

Abstract

An angled hitting stand apparatus for training users to hit baseballs or softballs. Telescoping elongated members, e.g., posts, cylindrical tubes, or solid rods, provide support for the ball and are adjustable for accommodating the height and arm length of a user. The elongated members can be pivoted, i.e., moved back and forth, for arm or hand dominance, e.g., right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous hitters, to at various angles. The elongated members or posts are secured to an adapter, e.g., a cylindrical, pre-cut housing, that fits into a cap. The cap is secured to a base which is capable of supporting the apparatus. The angled presentation of the ball on the apparatus provides a proper swinging condition to the user by ergonomically encouraging the user to be properly disposed in relation to a swing slot region in order to make a correct swing without casting the user's hands during the swing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This document is a non-provisional patent application which is related to, and claims priority from, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 951,654, entitled “Angled Hitting Stand,” filed on Jul. 24, 2007, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention technically relates to apparatuses and methods for facilitating ball-hitting practice. More particularly, the present invention technically relates to apparatuses and methods for facilitating batting practice. Even more particularly, the present invention technically relates to systems and methods for apparatuses and methods for facilitating batting practice with respect to a plurality of user heights, user arm lengths, and user arm or hand dominances.BACKGROUND ART[0003]The currently existing related art involves several apparatuses and methods for facilitating ball-hitting practice. Most conventionally,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present invention provides a solution to the foregoing problems in an apparatus and corresponding methods for facilitating hitting practice with respect to a plurality of user heights, user arm lengths, and user arm dominances. The present invention angled hitting stand apparatus generally involves an operative combination of the following elements: a base having a tap hole for accommodating at least one fastening element; a cap having a seating feature and having at least one tap hole for correspondingly accommodating the at least one other fastening element; a lower elongated member having proximal and distal ends and at least one tap hole; an upper elongated member having proximal and distal ends, the upper elongated member proximal end being in telescoping relation with the lower elongated member distal end for accommodating a height of a user, the upper elongated member distal end having a ball-receiving portion, the ball-receiving portion comprising at least one feature, such as an angled cut-away and a beveled cut-away; an angling adapter for accommodating the lower elongated member proximal end, the angling adapter being in rotatable relation to the seating feature for accommodating an arm-length and arm-dominance of the user, the adapter having at least one recessed portion for facilitating angling of the apparatus in relation to the user and having at least one tap hole for accommodating at least one fastening element, in accordance with the present invention. The foregoing elements are operatively related in a manner which facilitates correct physical mechanics, i.e., ergonomically encouraging hitting from a swing slot region during a swing as employed by the user.

[0007]The present invention also involves a corresponding method of facilitating hitting, i.e., training, by way of an angled hitting stand apparatus, comprising the steps of: providing angled hitting stand apparatus; placing a ball in the ball-receiving portion of the apparatus, thereby presenting the ball at an angle in a range of approximately 38 degrees to approximately 42 degrees, and thereby providing a proper swinging condition to the user by ergonomically encouraging the user to be properly disposed in relation to a swing slot region; striding toward the ball with a leading foot of the user; opening a leading hip of the user; pulling a knob of the bat toward the ball; holding a leading arm across the front of the user's body; bending the trailing arm and maintaining it proximate a midsection of the user; bending an elbow of the user at an angle of approximately a 45 degrees; and properly swinging the bat at the ball by the user, thereby moving the trailing arm into the swing slot region, the swing slot region being disposed between the user's midsection and the bat.

Problems solved by technology

This related art arrangement is insufficiently ergonomic and, thus, does not promote rapid improvement of a user's game.

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