Ball swinging training device

Abstract

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a batting training device which includes a base plate, an adjustable ball and spring unit having one end secured to the base plate and having another end with a ball secured thereto, an adjustable height guard support unit having one end secured to the base plate, a stride guard laterally movable with respect to an upper portion of the adjustable height guard support unit, and a pivotal and rotational swing path guard unit movably with respect to the upper portion of the adjustable height guard support unit.

1 . A batting training device comprising:
 a base plate;   an adjustable ball and spring unit having one end secured to the base plate and having another end with a ball secured thereto;   an adjustable height guard support unit having one end secured to the base plate;   a stride guard laterally movably attached to an upper portion of the adjustable height guard support unit; and   a pivotal and rotational swing path guard unit movably attached to the upper portion of the adjustable height guard support unit.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a tee support unit secured at one end to the base plate and secured at another end to the upper portion of the adjustable height guard support unit, the tee support unit being positioned at an angle with respect to the adjustable height guard support unit. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the end of the adjustable ball and spring unit secured to the base plate is pivotally secured and wherein the end of the adjustable height guard support unit secured to the base plate is pivotally secured. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the adjustable ball and spring unit includes:
 a mounting plate fastened to the base plate;   a lower and an upper rod having diametrically opposed ends and having adjacent ends one of which being insertable into the other end for providing height adjustable rods;   a spring secured at one end to the mounting plate and having another end secured to the lower rod; and   a ball mounted to the upper rod,   whereby contact with the ball causes the upper and lower rods to bend the spring away from the impact of the ball and the spring having a tendency to return the lower and upper rods back to an upright position.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the adjustable ball and spring unit includes a safety cord with one end secured to the upper rod and another end secured to the lower rod. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the ball is removably secured to the upper rod. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the adjustable height guard support unit includes:
 a mounting member secured to the base plate;   a two piece adjustable support pole having an upper support pole and a lower support pole with diametrically opposed ends and with adjacent ends, one of the adjacent ends being insertable into the other adjacent end for providing both height adjustable support poles and providing an upper support pole rotatably with respect to the lower support pole;   the lower support pole having a lower end pivotally secured to the mounting member; and   the upper support pole having an upper end secured to both the stride guard and the swing path guard unit.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the upper end of the support pole includes a means for connecting to both the stride guard and the swing path guard unit. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the connection means is defined by having a T-shaped cross member secured to the upper end of the upper support pole, the T-shaped cross member having a hollow head with opened ends diametrically opposed on sides of the hollow head, the stride guard being defined as having an elongated rod movable within the hollow head such that one end of the elongated rod is capable of extending out of one or more ends of the hollow head. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the connection means is defined by having a T-shaped cross member having a head with ends diametrically opposed on sides of the hollow head, and the adjustable swing path guard being defined by having a shoulder connector rotatably secured about each side of the hollow head, a guide arm extends outwardly from each shoulder connector and a lateral connection arm is secured to ends of each guide arm, wherein the shoulder connectors allow the adjustable swing path guard to be pivotally movable about the upper support pole and the upper support pole is rotatably movable with respect to the lower support pole. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ball is removably attached to an upper portion of the adjustable ball and spring unit. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate further includes a carrying handle defined as bored grips sized to receive fingers defined by a user. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate further includes apertures sized to receive ends of a ground stake. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate further includes cleats on an underside thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the guide arms and the lateral connection arm include form padding. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the mounting member includes a back wall and two side walls extending upwardly from the base plate and includes a channel in the back wall to accommodate a portion of the adjustable ball and spring unit when bent in a downward position. 
     
     
         17 . A batting training device comprising:
 a base plate;   a mounting plate secured to the base plate;   an adjustable ball and spring unit having one end secured to a first portion of the mounting plate and having another end with a ball secured thereto, wherein the adjustable ball and spring unit includes a lower rod and an upper rod having diametrically opposed ends and having adjacent ends one of which being insertable into the other end for providing height adjustable rods, a spring secured at one end to the first portion of the mounting plate and having another end secured to the lower rod, and a ball mounted to the upper rod, wherein contact with the ball causes the upper and lower rods to bend the spring away from the impact of the ball and the spring having a tendency to return the lower and upper rods back to an upright position;   an adjustable height guard support unit having one end pivotally secured to a second portion of the base plate, wherein the adjustable height guard support unit including a two piece adjustable support pole having an upper support pole and a lower support pole with diametrically opposed ends and with adjacent ends, one of the adjacent ends being insertable into the other adjacent end for providing both height adjustable support poles and providing an upper support pole rotatably with respect to the lower support pole, the lower support pole having a lower end pivotally secured to the second portion of the mounting member, and the upper support pole having an upper end secured to both the stride guard and the swing path guard unit;   a stride guard laterally movably attached to an upper portion of the adjustable height guard support unit;   a pivotal and rotational swing path guard unit movably attached to the upper portion of the adjustable height guard support unit;   a means for connecting to both the stride guard and the swing path guard unit, wherein the connection means is defined by having a T-shaped cross member secured to the upper end of the upper support pole, the T-shaped cross member having a hollow head with opened ends diametrically opposed on sides of the hollow head, the stride guard being defined has having an elongated rod movable within the hollow head such that one end of the elongated rod is capable of extending out of one or more ends of the hollow head, and wherein and the adjustable swing path guard being defined by having a shoulder connector rotatably secured about each side of the hollow head, a guide arm extends outwardly from each shoulder connector and a lateral connection arm is secured to ends of each guide arm, wherein the shoulder connectors allow the adjustable swing path guard to be pivotally movable about the upper support pole and the upper support pole is rotatably movable with respect to the lower support pole.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a tee support unit secured at one end to the base plate and secured at another end to the upper portion of the adjustable height guard support unit, the tee support unit being positioned at an angle with respect to the adjustable height guard support unit. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the ball is removably secured to the upper rod. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the mounting member includes a back wall and two side walls extending upwardly from the base plate and includes a channel in the back wall to accommodate a portion of the adjustable ball and spring unit when bent in a downward position.