Impact-Indicating Athletic Court Target Device

Abstract

The portable athletic court target device includes, as a single unitary article, a flat, thin base mat having integrated multiple protrusions (preferably hemispherical) on its upper surface and having a generally non-slip lower surface. The inexpensive, weather-resistant, and easily-movable athletic court target device is preferably brightly colored to visually define the desired target location. The athletic court target device advantageously provides convenient, automatic feedback when the ball impacts the target location, as the protrusions cause the ball to rebound in an erratic, unexpected path. The athletic court target device is useful as a training aid in tennis and other sports.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a sports target training aid device and, more particularly, to a portable athletic court target device providing immediate, automatic feedback that the ball has hit the target.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Drills and practice to improve shot accuracy, ball placement, and stroke technique can lead to a more successful game in many sports. Yet repetitive practice may become tedious and less effective. Focusing on a visual target can improve concentration and interest.

For example, to enhance and encourage practicing, a variety of tennis court targets have been developed that provide a goal at which a player on the opposite side of the court can aim. These include non-electronic devices such as pyramids of stacked balls, target cones, rubber court target disks, tennis backboards such as disclosed in U.S. Publication 2008/0227571 by McTavish, the ball hopper target proposed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0191145 by Winter, adhesive dots proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,372 to Stotland, a target stand disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,879 to Eliot, court tape as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,619 to Leftwich, and court target training panels disclosed by Reinprecht in U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,620.

Some of these simple, non-electronic devices merely provide a target, but provide no feedback or indication that the target has been hit. These include the rubber court target disks, the adhesive dots of Stotland, the court tape as disclosed by Leftwich, and court target training panels by Reinprecht.

Pyramids of stacked balls and target cones provide feedback that the target has been hit, but are time consuming to continually reset after each hit, so are not practical for repetitive practice and drills.

The ball hopper target by Winter, the target stand by Eliot, and the backboard disclosed by McTavish stand upright off of the ground, so interrupt the path of the ball before it reaches the surface of the tennis court. These upright targets are less effective for practicing ball placement. For instance, if a serve hits the upright target, it cannot be determined if the serve would have been within the lines of the service box.

Additionally, many of these simple, non-electronic devices (including the tennis backboard, target cones, target stand, and ball hopper target) are not compact and easy to store, transport, or position and re-position on the court.

To address these problems, various electronic targets have been proposed. These electronic targets include the electronic target with counter and display of U.S. Publication No. 2008/0293522 by Kaleel et al., the acoustic sensor and electronic indicator U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,194 to Schachter, et al., the diaphragm that generates a pulse sent to an electronic indicator of U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,644 to Faurot, et al., and the mat incorporating a pressure-sensitive switch of U.S. Publication No. 2008/0200285 by Haseth.

The electronic targets suffer from problems in that the electronic components reduce durability, increase purchase cost, increase repair costs, incur expense in providing a power source, potentially increase setup times, and reduce the ability to withstand exposure to weather without damage or loss of function. They also tend to be less compact, more easily damaged when accidentally stepped on, less washable, more troublesome to transport and store, and less readily movable to a different area of the court. Additionally, the focus tends to be on the electronic indicator, thus taking the player's eyes off the ball, which is undesirable and does not closely simulate normal playing conditions.

Currently there is no sports target training aid that provides a convenient, easily re-postionable and transportable target incorporating encouraging feedback to develop shot accuracy, ball placement, and stroke technique, without the use of undependable electronics.

Accordingly, there is an established need for a convenient, durable, portable, re-postionable, self-contained, weather-resistant, inexpensive, impact-indicating athletic court target device that not only provides a visual target, but also provides positive feedback to increase interest and promote efficient practice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an impact-indicating portable athletic court target device that is quickly and easily placed on the desired court area to provide both a visual goal and to provide immediate, automatic feedback indicating that the ball has impacted the goal location. The athletic court target device is described as applied to training a tennis player to direct a shot to a particular area of the court, but is additionally useful as a goal in other sports.

The athletic court target device includes a flat, thin base mat having a matrix of integrated multiple protrusions on its upper surface and preferably having a generally non-slip lower surface. The multiple protrusions are preferably hemispherical and are spaced appropriately to allow the tennis ball to contact the rounded surface of the hemisphere, producing a change in the course traversed by the ball. The inexpensive, weather-resistant, and easily-movable athletic court target device is preferably brightly colored to visually define the desired target location. When the ball impacts the athletic court target device the protrusions cause the ball to rebound in an erratic path. If the ball misses the target-defined location, the ball will bounce in a standard, expected path. Thus the inherent properties of the target device provide both a target and positive feedback.

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable court target device that clearly visually indicates the desired target location.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable athletic court target device that automatically and inherently produces feedback indicating that the ball has struck the target location.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable athletic court target device that is easy to position on the horizontal surface of a court.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable athletic court target device that is easy to move and to re-position to a new athletic court location.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable athletic court target device that is easy to transport.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable athletic court target device that is durable.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable athletic court target device that is inexpensive to produce.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable athletic court target device that is weather-resistant.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view showing a preferred first embodiment of the athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a lateral side view showing the first embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the area of the circle of FIG. 2 showing the first embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal side view showing the first embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the area of the circle of FIG. 4 showing the first embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view showing a second embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view showing a third embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view showing a fourth embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view showing a fifth embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cut view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 7 showing the second embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cut view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9 showing a first aspect of the fourth embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cut view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9 showing a second aspect of the fourth embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a cut view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9 showing a third aspect of the fourth embodiment of the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is an exemplary environmental use view showing the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention as used as a tennis training aid;

FIG. 16 is an exemplary environmental use view showing the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention as used as a table tennis training aid; and

FIG. 17 is an exemplary environmental use view showing the impact-indicating athletic court target device of the present invention as used in a volleyball court.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward an easily movable impact-indicating athletic court target device that provides both a visual target and an immediate, automatic feedback indicating that the ball has impacted the target location. The athletic court target device includes a base mat having a matrix of integrated multiple protrusions on its upper surface and having a generally non-slip lower surface.

The preferably brightly colored athletic court target device is manually placed on the horizontal floor of the athletic court, defining the desired target location and providing a visual target for the player. When a ball is hit into the desired area, it impacts the athletic court target device with the protrusions causing the ball to rebound erratically. If the ball misses the athletic court target device, the ball will bounce in a typical, standard, expected path. Thus the player can continue to keep his or her eye on the ball, yet receive a natural, convenient indication that the target has or has not been hit. This is advantageous compared to conventional target devices that may require looking at a light or signal. If the eye is taken off the ball, the player cannot see the degree and direction in which the ball missed the target, thus cannot correct stoke.

The athletic court target device is particularly suited for tennis training (FIG. 15), such as for drills in serving practice or in hitting shots to a particular corner. However, the athletic court target device may be used for training in other sports, such as for practicing accuracy in football, soccer, racquetball, squash, paddle tennis, table tennis (FIG. 16), volleyball (FIG. 17), etc.

Five embodiments are presented, a first preferred embodiment of FIG. 1-FIG. 6, a second embodiment (FIG. 7, FIG. 11), a third embodiment (FIG. 8), a fourth embodiment (FIG. 9), and a fifth embodiment (FIG. 10). Various optional aspects are illustrated in FIG. 11 to FIG. 14. A typical usage of the athletic court target device on a tennis court is shown in FIG. 15. Usage of the athletic court target device in other types of sports is shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17.

Referring now to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, an athletic court target device, shown generally as reference number 10, is illustrated in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the target 10 comprises a base mat 25 configured with multiple protrusions 20 on its upper surface. The base mat 25 is preferably also configured with corresponding handles 45, 46.

Base mat 25 is a generally thin, flat, sheet, pad, or mat. Base mat 25 may be provided in any of a variety of sizes and shapes, as needed for the level of skill of the player, but is preferably square with each side measuring approximately between one and two feet. Base mat 25 has an upper surface configured with multiple, spaced protrusions 20 and has a generally non-slip lower surface. Base mat 25 and protrusions 20 are preferably formed unitarily of a resilient, weather-resistant material that is capable of withstanding the shock of the tennis ball impact without permanent deformation or rupture, such as polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, rubber, or other natural or manmade elastomers or rubber-like materials. The base mat 25 is designed to fold for storage. Optionally, the mat may be formed of a more rigid material with any optional fold line 30 (FIG. 7, FIG. 8) formed of a flexible, bendable material.

The protrusions 20 may be regular or irregular bumps, bubbles, partial spheres, or the like, and are herein referred to as of hemispherical shape. They are arranged in an array or matrix and are appropriately spaced to provide an irregular rebound to a tennis ball that hits the athletic court target device. The placement of the protrusions 20 may be further influenced by the desirability of allowing the athletic court target device to fold in a central location or along optional fold line 30 (FIG. 7, FIG. 8) for convenience in storage of the athletic court target device 10 or in transporting the athletic court target device 10 in a sports bag. Thus protrusions 20 may be positioned in opposing positions to lessen contact to allow the athletic court target device 10 to be folded more compactly. The protrusions 20 may be of one size (as shown in FIG. 8) or may be of multiple sizes. As shown in the first embodiment of FIG. 1-FIG. 6, larger protrusions 20A may be interspersed with medium protrusions 20B and with small protrusions 20C. The specific placement and size of the protrusions 20 may be dictated by consideration of function or by consideration of function and aesthetics.

The base mat 25 is preferably configured with opposing handle openings 45 and may be optionally configured with handle reinforcements 44, if needed to reinforce and strengthen the handle area for durability. A first handle opening 45 is preferably disposed in a generally central area inset slightly from a first longitudinal edge of base mat 25. A second handle opening 46 is preferably disposed in a similar central area inset slightly from the opposing second longitudinal edge of base mat 25, in such a manner that, when the athletic court target device 10 is folded, the two handle openings 45, 46 meet in a manner suitable for grasping with a hand. Handle openings 45, 46 are preferably formed unitarily with base mat 25 and protrusions 20, with reinforcements 44 embedded within the base mat 25 material.

The base mat 25 may have a flat bottom or may be irregular to aid in reducing slippage upon ball impact. Preferably base mat 25 may be configured with small nubs 26 (FIG. 3) of the same material as base mat 25 or of a different material.

The athletic court target device 10 may be enhanced by the placement upon the upper surface of one or more indicia 40, such as a logo, graphic, image, company name, product, service, embellishment, or the like. The athletic court target device 10 may be personalized by the inclusion of indicia 40 indicating the name of a tennis club, team, college, sports organization, event, tennis celebrity, or the like.

Other variations may also be incorporated into the sports training aid/athletic court target device 10 without departing from the present invention. FIG. 7 to FIG. 14 illustrate a few of these optional aspects and features of the athletic court target device 10.

The second embodiment of FIG. 7 and FIG. 11 illustrates that the athletic court target device 10 may have a beveled edge 35 to provide a more rounded edge for safety. FIG. 7 and FIG. 11 also illustrate that base mat 25 may optionally be configured with a fold line 30. The fold line 30 runs longitudinally across the middle of the court target device 30. It is designed to facilitate folding for storage and transport. The material utilized to form the base mat 25 may be chosen to have properties allowing folding along the general area of fold line 30, or fold line 30 may be a deformation, indentation, crease, furrow, grove, or the like on one surface or on both surfaces (as shown in FIG. 11) of the base mat 25.

The third embodiment of FIG. 8 illustrates the imprinting or incorporation of a larger indicium 40 extending across a wide area of base mat 25 and protrusions 20. FIG. 8 also illustrates an additional design of the size and placement of protrusions 20 in which the protrusions 20 are of a single size and substantially evenly spaced. Further FIG. 8 illustrates optional multiple fold lines (longitudinal fold line 30A, and lateral fold line 30B).

The target device 10 is preferably colored with a bright color contrasting with the color of the athletic court to clearly visually define the target space for the player. However, the target device 10 may be patterned or imprinted with a graphic. For example, the fourth embodiment of FIG. 9 illustrates a pattern applied to the protrusions 20 with the base mat 25 a solid color.

Though the first preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 is square, the athletic court target device 10 may optionally be provided in any of a variety of shapes. FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 illustrate the athletic court target device 10 in rectangular, circular, and hexagonal form, respectively.

Additionally, though the protrusions 20 of the first embodiment are rounded partial circles, other shapes that project upward from base mat 25 are within the scope of the invention. For example, FIG. 10 illustrates hexagonally shaped protrusions 20.

The cut view of FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13 illustrate protrusions 20 and base mat 25 formed unitarily and of a single material. Alternatively, the cut view of FIG. 14 shows that the interior of the protrusions 20 may be filled with a second material 27, such as might increase resiliency and/or ball bounce.

FIG. 11 also illustrates that base mat 25 may optionally be configured with beveled edges 36 to provide a smooth transition and reduce tripping. FIG. 11 further illustrates an optional design of fold line 30 which includes both an upper indentation 32 and a lower indentation to form a narrow isthmus facilitating folding.

The non-slip character of the bottom surface is designed to provide a reduction in slippage when the ball impacts the court target device 10. This non-slip character can be achieved by properties inherent in the material chosen for the base mat 25, by the particular textures or shape of the bottom surface of base mat 25, by use of small nubs 26 (FIG. 3) of the same or a different material, or by any of a variety of conventional non-slip treatments. The material used to form base mat 25 and protrusions 20 may be chosen with inherent non-slip properties, with no additional material applied, as shown in FIG. 11 and in FIG. 14. Optionally, a thin non-skid coating 29 may be sprayed onto, or otherwise applied to, the bottom surface after manufacturing, as illustrated in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 illustrates the addition of a separate layer 23 of non-slip material permanently joined to the bottom surface of base mat 25, creating a layered composition. FIG. 14 illustrates a visibly rough, textured, and/or lumpy bottom surface 24 of base mat 25 formed without addition of a separate material.

FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG. 17 show the sport target device 10 in usage in exemplary sports, illustrating the versatility of the target device 10. FIG. 15 shows the target device 10 sized and configured for usage in tennis. FIG. 16 shows the target device 10 sized and configured for usage as a table tennis training aid. And FIG. 17 shows the target device 10 sized and configured for usage as a volleyball training aid.

To use the target device 10 of the present invention as a tennis training aid, a player (or player's coach or helper) places the brightly colored mat on the tennis court surface in a prescribed location to enable the player to practice hitting the ball into the prescribed location.

One or multiple target devices 10 may be placed. A single target device 10 can be used to define a particular prescribed court area to which the ball is to be directed. To increase the size of a single prescribed target area, multiple target devices 10 can be placed adjacent to each other. To designate multiple prescribed locations, multiple target devices 10 can be positioned about the court, as illustrated in FIG. 15.

For example, a drill to improve ball placement and accuracy of a player's serve may be performed by placing the target device 10 in one or more desired locations. In FIG. 15 four of the target devices 10 have been placed, one in each corner of the right or left service box. However, a single target device 10 can be easily moved between the positions shown in FIG. 15 or to other positions, such as the back corners of the court, as desired for practicing stroke accuracy.

The player takes one ball from a bucket of tennis balls. Standing on the opposite side of the court, the player aims at one of the positioned target devices 10 and serves the ball. If the ball strikes the protrusions 20 on the top surface of target device 10, a hit is indicated by audible feedback (a variation in sound as the target device 10 is hit compared to the sound if the tennis court is hit) as well as visual feedback (the ball bounces in an unpredictable pattern if the target device 10 is hit.) If the ball misses the target device 10, the ball bounces in the standard, expected pattern and no variation in sound is heard. Thus the player knows that he or she has hit or missed the target location. The target device 10 inherently produces positive feedback, encouraging longer and more productive practice.

When the player is finished with the drill, the athletic court target device 10 can be removed from the tennis court surface, folded in half in a central location or along optional fold line 30 and placed in a tennis bag for transport.

Improving the accuracy of placement of tennis strokes (including the serve) occurs at a faster rate when the target device 10 is placed on the surface of the tennis court to provide a specific goal for which to aim. Stroke development occurs at even a faster pace as there is visual and/or audible feedback when the target device 10 on the court is struck.

The target device 10 provides a target that is clearly visible from the opposite side of the court. It provides audible and/or visual indications that the ball has or has not struck the target location. (In the rare case that the ball hits the target device 10 but fails to impact a protrusion 20, the audible sound may be the only feedback.) It is easily postionable and repositionable anywhere on the horizontal surface of a court as needed for different drills. The target device 10 is compact and easy to store or transport in a sport bag. The unitary device is also very economical to produce.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the sports target training aid device 10 of the current invention provides a novel structure that produces a unique, inherent feedback thus encouraging practice and developing ball placement accuracy.

Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended Claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. An athletic court target device, comprising, as a single unitary article: a base mat;a matrix of multiple protrusions integrated into the base mat to form a lumpy top surface, wherein when a ball lands on at least one of said multiple protrusions, the ball is reflected in an unexpected path.

2. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said protrusions are hemispherical in shape.

3. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said protrusions are solid.

4. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of said base mat is configured to have a non-slip character for reducing slippage of said athletic court target device on an athletic court surface upon ball impact.

5. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base mat is formed of a rubber-like material.

6. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base mat is configured with a fold line adapted to allow manual folding of said base mat into two halves.

7. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 6, wherein said base mat is configured with a first handle opening inset from a center area of a first longitudinal edge and is configured with a second handle opening inset from a center area of a second longitudinal edge, wherein said first handle opening and said second handle opening are in symmetrical positions.

8. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base mat is configured with at least one indicium.

9. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 8, wherein said at least one indicium is a logo.

10. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base mat is formed of a rubber-like material.

11. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base mat and said multiple protrusions are formed of a brightly colored material.

12. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base mat and said multiple protrusions are sized for use as a tennis training device.

13. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base mat and said multiple protrusions are sized for use as a table tennis training device.

14. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base mat and said multiple protrusions are sized for use as a volley ball training device.

15. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base mat and said multiple protrusions are sized for use as a racquet ball training device.

16. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 1, wherein said base mat and said multiple protrusions are sized for use as a squash training device.

17. An athletic court target device comprising, in a single, unitary article: a thin base mat having an upper surface, a generally non-slip lower surface, two opposing lateral edges, and two opposing longitudinal edges; wherein said base mat is configured with a centrally disposed area parallel with the longitudinal edges that is adapted to allow manual folding; wherein said base mat is configured with two opposing handle openings each of which is disposed near, but inset from, the center of one of said longitudinal edges; and wherein said base mat is formed of a resilient material; anda matrix of multiple solid, hemispherical protrusions incorporated into said upper surface, wherein when a ball lands on at least one of said hemispherical protrusions, the ball is reflected in an unexpected path.

18. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 17, further comprising handle reinforcements disposed between each of said handle openings and said longitudinal edge and configured to reinforce to said handle opening.

19. The athletic court target device as recited in claim 17, wherein said base mat is imprinted with indicia.

20. A method of practicing hitting a ball onto a specific area of the surface of an athletic court, comprising: providing an athletic court target device having a base mat configured with a matrix of multiple hemispherical protrusions;placing said athletic court target device in a desired position on the surface on a first half of said athletic court;focusing on said athletic court target device to aim a ball from the opposing half of said athletic court toward said athletic court target device;serving said ball from the opposing half of said athletic court toward said athletic court target device; andnoting the rebound path of said ball, wherein said rebound path is an erratic, unexpected path if said ball is rebounding from the impact on said athletic court target device and wherein said rebound path is a standard, expected path if said ball is rebounding from the impact on said athletic court surface.

21. The method of practicing hitting a ball onto a specific area of the surface of an athletic court, as recited in claim 20, further comprising noting the audible feedback from the impact of said ball, wherein said audible feedback can be differentiated between the impact sound on said athletic court target device and on said athletic court surface.

22. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein said method concerns hitting a tennis ball onto a specific area of a tennis court surface.

23. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein said method concerns hitting a table tennis ball onto a specific area of a table tennis surface.

24. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein said method concerns hitting a volleyball onto a specific area of a volleyball court.