Swing training device

Abstract

The present invention relates to training aids to promote well balanced swing technique for any sport that requires a swinging motion related but not limited to baseball, softball, golf, tennis, racquetball, squash and cricket, including a rotating foot pad connected to a portable balance platform.

1 . A baseball training device to assist with proper swing balance, comprising:
 a) A balance platform that can support the weight of one standing adult or child, having a proximal end and a distal end, and   b) A rotating foot pad consisting of a pad and a swivel connected near the proximity of the distal end.   
   
   
       2 . The device in  claim 1  wherein the rotating foot pad has a limited and controlled rotation. 
   
   
       3 . The device in  claim 2  wherein the rotation of the rotating foot pad is adjustable or free spinning. 
   
   
       4 . The device in  claim 1  wherein the balance platform has angled support legs to prevent the device from sliding or slipping from side to side on a dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surfaces. 
   
   
       5 . The device in  claim 1  wherein the support legs are angled from 90 to 180 degrees in relationship to the top horizontal surface. 
   
   
       6 . The device in  claim 1  that includes feet with beveled or pointed ends to the angled support legs to further prevent sliding or slipping from side to side on a dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surfaces. 
   
   
       7 . The device in  claim 1  utilizing a non-slip material that can be applied to the beveled/pointed ends to further prevent sliding or slipping from side to side on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surfaces. 
   
   
       8 . The device in  claim 1  utilizing a non-slip surface on the top horizontal surface to prevent slipping of the user's front foot when in use. 
   
   
       9 . The device in  claim 1  utilizing a non-slip surface on the rotating foot pad to firmly position the back foot of the user correctly on the rotating foot pad. 
   
   
       10 . The device in  claim 1  whereas the balance platform varies in length from 2 feet to 8 feet. 
   
   
       11 . The device in  claim 1  whereas the balance platform varies in width from 2 inches to 12 inches. 
   
   
       12 . The device in  claim 1  whereas the balance platform varies in height from 0.5 inches to 12 inches. 
   
   
       13 . The device in  claim 1  including weight sensor pads attached to the balance platform and the rotating foot pad, connected to an electronic processing device interfaced to a display to show the distribution of weight on each leg through the swing. 
   
   
       14 . The device in  claim 1  including a high speed camera system is used to tape the batter on the swing training device with the weight sensor pads attached to the balance platform and the rotating foot pad, and is connected to a processing device which is interfaced to a display. 
   
   
       15 . A method of training to hit a tossed baseball or softball utilizing a bat and a baseball training device comprising of a balance platform with a rotating foot pad comprising the following steps:
 a) Positioning the balance platform on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surface,   b) Mounting the balance platform with the back foot on the rotating foot pad towards the distal end and with a bat in hand, on or near the shoulder closest to the distal end, in a ready-to-swing position,   c) Making eye contact with the baseball or softball as it approaches the area of contact by a batter standing on the baseball training device,   d) Commencing the swing while rotating the back foot facilitated by the rotating foot pad,   e) Continuing the swing of the bat and making contact with the baseball or softball,   f) Continuing the swing until the bat reaches the shoulder opposite the starting point of the swing while maintaining balance on the baseball training device.   
   
   
       16 . A method of training to hit a baseball or softball placed on a batting tee utilizing a bat, ball and batting tee using a baseball training device comprising of a balance platform and a rotating foot pad comprising the following steps:
 a) Obtaining a balance platform,   b) Positioning the balance platform on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surface,   c) Mounting the balance platform with the back foot on the rotating foot pad with a bat in hand, on or near the shoulder closest to the distal end, in a ready-to-swing position,   d) Making eye contact with the baseball or softball that has been placed on a batting tee,   e) Commencing the swing while rotating the back foot facilitated by the rotating foot pad,   f) Continuing the swing of the bat to the baseball or softball,   g) Continuing the swing until the bat reaches the shoulder opposite the starting point of the swing while maintaining balance on the baseball training device.   
   
   
       17 . A ball training device to assist with proper swing balance, comprising:
 a) A balance platform that can support the weight of one standing adult or child, having a proximal end and a distal end, and   b) A rotating foot pad consisting of a pad and a swivel connected near the proximity of the distal end.   
   
   
       18 . The device in  claim 15  wherein the rotating foot pad has a limited and controlled rotation, 
   
   
       19 . The device in  claim 16  wherein the rotation of the rotating foot pad is adjustable or free spinning. 
   
   
       20 . The device in  claim 15  wherein the balance platform has angled support legs to prevent the device from sliding or slipping from side to side on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surfaces. 
   
   
       21 . The device in  claim 15  wherein the support legs are angled from 90 to 180 degrees in relationship to the top horizontal surface. 
   
   
       22 . A sporting device comprising of a balance platform and a rotating foot pad wherein the device is used to train athletes from a group consisting of baseball, golf, racket ball, tennis, squash and field hockey. 
   
   
       23 . The device in  claim 15  that includes feet with beveled or pointed ends to the angled support legs to further prevent sliding or slipping from side to side on a dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surfaces. 
   
   
       24 . The device in  claim 15  utilizing a non-slip material that can be applied to the beveled or pointed ends to further prevent sliding or slipping from side to side on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surfaces. 
   
   
       25 . The invention of  claim 1  including a distal weight sensor pad and a proximal weight sensor pad connected to a display showing the weight distribution of the batter. 
   
   
       26 . The invention of  claim 23  additionally including a video camera also connected to a display to record the batter's swing. 
   
   
       27 . The device in  claim 15  utilizing a non-slip surface on the top horizontal surface to prevent slipping of the user's front foot when in use. 
   
   
       28 . The device in  claim 15  utilizing a non-slip surface on the rotating foot pad to firmly position the back foot of the user correctly on the rotating foot pad. 
   
   
       29 . The device in  claim 15  whereas the beam varies in length from 2 feet to 8 feet. 
   
   
       30 . The device in  claim 15  whereas the beam varies in width from 2 inches to 12 inches. 
   
   
       31 . The device in  claim 15  whereas the beam varies in height from 0.5 inches to 12 inches. 
   
   
       32 . A method of training to hit a ball, whereby the ball could be a golf ball, tennis ball, racquet ball, squash ball or cricket ball, utilizing a racquet or club and a swing training device comprising of a balance platform and a rotating foot pad comprising the following steps:
 a) Obtaining a balance platform,   b) Positioning the balance platform on dirt, clay, turf or other indoor or outdoor practice or game surface,   c) Mounting the balance platform with the back foot on the rotating foot pad or close to the distal end and with a bat in hand, on or near the shoulder closest to the distal end, in a ready to swing position,   d) Making eye contact with the ball as it approaches if it is tossed or set up on a tee,   e) Commencing the swing while rotating the back foot facilitated by the rotating foot pad,   f) Continuing the swing of the racquet or club until contact is made with the ball,   g) Continuing the swing until the racquet or club reaches the shoulder opposite the starting point of the swing while maintaining balance on the balance platform.