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A swing practicing device trains a hitter, such as a baseball batter, to improve the accuracy and power of his swing. A baseball-shaped target is coupled to the terminal end of a target support, the baseball-shaped target accepting swing impacts without separating from the target support. The target

A swing practicing device trains a hitter, such as a baseball batter, to improve the accuracy and power of his swing. A baseball-shaped target is coupled to the terminal end of a target support, the baseball-shaped target accepting swing impacts without separating from the target support. The target support extends from a base having a rounded bottom surface, the curves of the rounded surface in rotational engagement with the ground. Swing impacts at the baseball-shaped target cause the apparatus to rotate from an upright position to a more horizontal position and then return to the upright position to accept repeated swing impacts. The device can include an inflatable air bladder within the baseball-shaped target and target support, and can include an adjustable weight for its base. The device can also include an adjusting mechanism to adjust the vertical height of the baseball-shaped target.

대표청구항 ▼

A swing practicing device trains a hitter, such as a baseball batter, to improve the accuracy and power of his swing. A baseball-shaped target is coupled to the terminal end of a target support, the baseball-shaped target accepting swing impacts without separating from the target support. The target

A swing practicing device trains a hitter, such as a baseball batter, to improve the accuracy and power of his swing. A baseball-shaped target is coupled to the terminal end of a target support, the baseball-shaped target accepting swing impacts without separating from the target support. The target support extends from a base having a rounded bottom surface, the curves of the rounded surface in rotational engagement with the ground. Swing impacts at the baseball-shaped target cause the apparatus to rotate from an upright position to a more horizontal position and then return to the upright position to accept repeated swing impacts. The device can include an inflatable air bladder within the baseball-shaped target and target support, and can include an adjustable weight for its base. The device can also include an adjusting mechanism to adjust the vertical height of the baseball-shaped target. of the optical ports is located at the position monitoring site when a corresponding window is located at the illumination site; and the position monitoring system comprises an optical sensor located to sense light passing through the one of the optical ports when a corresponding window is at the illumination site. 4. The planarizing machine of claim 1 wherein: the table further comprises a position monitoring site outside of the planarizing zone and spaced apart from the optical opening; the planarizing pad further comprises a plurality of windows arranged in a first line aligned with the opening in the table in a direction generally parallel to the pad travel path and a plurality of optical ports arranged in a second line spaced apart from the first line, the optical ports being configured relative to the windows so that one of the optical ports is located at the position monitoring site when a corresponding window is located at the illumination site; the position monitoring system comprises an optical sensor located to sense light passing through the one of the optical ports when a corresponding window is at the illumination site; and the planarizing machine further includes a second light source configured to direct a second beam at the position monitoring site. 5. The planarizing machine of claim 1 wherein: the table further comprises a position monitoring site outside of the planarizing zone and spaced apart from the optical opening; the planarizing pad further comprises a plurality of windows arranged in a first line aligned with the opening in the table in a direction generally parallel to the pad travel path and a plurality of contour elements arranged in a second line spaced apart from the first line, the contour elements being configured relative to the windows so that one of the contour elements is located at the position monitoring site when a corresponding windows is located at the illumination site; and the position monitoring system comprises a displacement sensor located to sense a surface of the one of the contour elements when a corresponding window is at the illumination site. 6. The planarizing machine of claim 5 wherein the contour elements comprise a plurality of indents on a backside of the planarizing medium and the displacement sensor comprises a probe biased against the backside of the planarizing medium, the probe extending into an indent when a corresponding window is at the illumination site. 7. The planarizing machine of claim 5 wherein the contour elements comprise a plurality of notches along an edge of the planarizing pad and the displacement sensor comprises a pin, the notches being arranged so that one of the notches receives the pin when a corresponding window is at the illumination site. 8. The planarizing machine of claim 1 wherein: the actuator system comprises a supply roller to hold a pre-operational portion of the planarizing pad, a take-up roller to hold a post-operational portion of the planarizing pad, and a motor coupled to the supply roller and/or the take-up roller; and the position monitor comprises an optical sensor electrically coupled to the motor, the optical sensor being configured to receive the light beam from the light source when the at least one window is at the illumination site, and the optical sensor generating a signal to stop the motor upon sensing the light beam. 9. The planarizing machine of claim 1 wherein: the table further comprises a position monitoring site outside of the planarizing zone and spaced apart from the optical opening; the actuator system comprises a supply roller to hold a pre-operational portion of the planarizing pad, a take-up roller to hold a post-operational portion of the planarizing pad, and a motor coupled to the supply roller and/or the take-up roller; the planarizing pad further comprises a plurality of windows arranged in a first line aligned with the opening in the table in a direction generally paralle