IP Library › Granted Patent US 12702909
Granted Patent B1
US 12702909 · App. 18/359,522 · Granted Aug 11, 2026

Swing training apparatus and method

Inventor: Jay David Fries (Bulverde, TX)
A63B69/0002A63B2069/0008A63B2102/18A63B2102/182
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12702909
App. No.
18/359,522
Granted
Aug 11, 2026
Kind
B1
Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method to train a proper baseball or softball swing. More specifically, the disclosure concerns a first platform and a second platform pivotably mounted to the first platform. The pivotable mount causes a hitter executing a swing to focus on properly squaring his/her hips off to a pitcher and rotating or pivoting his/her back foot during the swing. The first platform may also be sized to address a common error of overstriding and/or stepping out of the batters' box, as well as to encourage proper weight distribution on the balls of the hitter's foot appendages. A hitter desiring to attain a fundamentally sound swing technique should position his/her front foot appendage on the first platform and his/her back foot appendage on the second platform, with the hitter's weight on the balls of his/her foot appendages. The hitter should then repeat swings using the proper swing technique discussed in the disclosure.

Claims (47)

1 . A swing training apparatus for placement on a ground surface comprising:

a first platform having a top side with a front half and a rear half, said top side facing upward when the first platform is placed on the ground surface;

a first surface at least partially defining the front half of the top side, said first surface being elevated from the ground surface;

wherein the first platform is mounted on a plurality of legs, the plurality of legs comprising a front leg connected to the first platform, a rear leg connected to the first platform, and a longitudinal leg connected to the front leg and to the rear leg, each of said connections being formed through a tongue inserted into a groove;

a second platform pivotably mounted to the first platform, said second platform having a second surface that faces upward when the first platform is placed on the ground surface, said second surface being elevated from the ground surface to a height greater than the first surface;

and

wherein the first platform is sized to promote proper swing technique.

2 . The swing training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the top side is substantially planar and the first surface extends to the second platform.

3 . The swing training apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first surface extends around the second platform.

4 . The swing training apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an indentation in the rear half of the top side and wherein the second platform is pivotably mounted to the first platform within said indentation.

5 . The swing training apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second platform is at least partially within the indentation.

6 . The swing training apparatus of claim 5 wherein the second platform is shaped as a cylinder.

7 . The swing training apparatus of claim 5 wherein the indentation is shaped as a cylinder.

8 . The swing training apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second platform further comprises a sidewall extending from the second surface toward the indentation.

9 . The swing training apparatus of claim 8 wherein the indentation is defined by a sidewall within the first platform.

10 . The swing training apparatus of claim 9 wherein the sidewall within the first platform is concentric with the sidewall extending from the second surface toward the indentation.

11 . The swing training apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

a bottom surface that at least partially defines the indentation;

a protrusion extending from the bottom surface toward the second platform; and

wherein the second platform is attached to the protrusion.

12 . The swing training apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a bearing between the protrusion and the second platform.

13 . The swing training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first platform and the second platform are configured to operate for right or left handed hitters, and the first platform has a maximum width not greater than twelve inches.

14 . The swing training apparatus of claim 13 wherein the maximum width is not less than six inches.

15 . The swing training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first platform has an overall width that is not uniform.

16 . The swing training apparatus of claim 15 where the overall width narrows between the front half and the rear half of the top side.

17 . The swing training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first platform has a maximum length not greater than thirty-six inches.

18 . The swing training apparatus of claim 17 wherein the maximum length is not less than thirty inches.

19 . The swing training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the front leg and the second leg may be disconnected from the first platform and the longitudinal leg by sliding the tongues out of the grooves.

20 . The swing training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the legs in combination form a polygonal base.

21 . The swing training apparatus of claim 20 wherein the legs are connected and each of said connections is formed through a tongue inserted into a groove.

22 . A swing training apparatus for placement on a ground surface comprising:

a first platform having a top side with a front half and a rear half, said top side facing upward when the first platform is placed on the ground surface;

a first surface at least partially defining the front half of the top side, said first surface being elevated from the ground surface;

an indentation in the top side of the first platform;

wherein the first platform is mounted on a plurality of legs, the plurality of legs comprising a front leg connected to the first platform, a rear leg connected to the first platform, and a longitudinal leg connected to the front leg and to the rear leg, each of said connections being formed through a tongue inserted into a groove;

and

a second platform pivotably mounted to the first platform within the indentation.

23 . The swing training apparatus of claim 22 wherein the second platform has a second surface that faces upward when the first platform is placed on the ground surface, said second surface being elevated from the ground surface to a height greater than the first surface.

24 . The swing training apparatus of claim 22 wherein the second platform is shaped as a cylinder.

25 . The swing training apparatus of claim 24 wherein the indentation is shaped as a cylinder.

26 . The swing training apparatus of claim 25 wherein the second platform is at least partially within the indentation.

27 . The swing training apparatus of claim 22 wherein the top side is substantially planar and the first surface extends to the second platform.

28 . A swing training apparatus for a hitter having a foot appendage comprising:

a first platform with a top side having a front half and a rear half, said top side facing upward when the first platform is placed on the ground surface;

a first surface at least partially defining the front half of the top side, said first surface being elevated to a height;

a second platform pivotably mounted to the first platform, said second platform having a second surface that faces upward when the first platform is placed on the ground surface, said second surface being elevated to a height greater than the height of the first surface; and

wherein the first platform has a maximum width less than 12 inches.