Patent Application
20240100408
BACKGROUND
Pickleball is a sport that has grown in popularity in the United States and abroad. Developed in 1984, pickleball began as a children's game, but has now grown to include professional tournaments around the world. One contribution to the game's popularity is its accessibility—children and the elderly can enjoy the game without investing significant amounts of practice.
Pickleball is a sport that shares some similarities with tennis and badminton. Two to four players alternate hitting a ball with a paddle over a net. Paddles are usually constructed from wood, graphite, or a composite material. The ball is usually made from plastic and typically hollow with 26 to 40 holes interspersed along its surface. A rally begins with one player serving the ball into the opposing player's service area. Each player attempts to return the ball to the opposing player's court. A rally is won when a player's opponent fails to return the ball to that player' court. Points are awarded to a serving player that wins a rally. Typically, a set will continue until one player (or a team of two players) wins 11, 15, or 21 points, with the winning player (or team) having scored at least two more points than the player's opponent.
When a player returns a ball after the ball has touched their side of the court, the strike is known as a groundstroke. A player performs a volley if the player strikes the ball without the ball touching their side of the court. One way in which a pickleball court differs from a tennis or badminton court is the presence of the non-volley zone (also known as the “kitchen”), an area adjacent to the net which players may not enter unless the ball bounces therein. Thus, a player may only enter the non-volley zone to complete a groundstroke, but not a volley. A volley may only be performed from behind the non-volley line.
Another important stroke is the dink shot. Performed as either a groundstroke or a volley, the object of a dink shot is to return the ball to the opponent's non-volley zone, forcing the opponent to come closer to the net. Dink shots are used to interrupt an opponent's control of the rally, to send a hard-to-return ball into the opponent's court, to control the pacing of the rally, to prevent an opponent from performing a volley, and to prolong the rally until the player's opponent makes a mistake. A well-performed dink shot increases the difficulty of returning the ball because the ball is low to the ground.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an indication of the scope of the claimed subject matter.
A rally of pickleball will include players attempting to return a ball to the opponent's court by completing groundstrokes and volleys. The player's first return must be a groundstroke, but after each player has completed a groundstroke each player may then perform a volley by returning a ball before it touches the ground. There are substantial advantages to a player who successfully performs a volley. The volleying player gains greater control over the pacing of the game because both long and short shots become available. Rallies involving volleys will often favor a player that has quick reflexes. Volleys aid a player in defending against and controlling the fast strikes from an opponent. Finally, it is easier for a volleying player to more precisely return a ball to a specific location in the opponent's court because volleys are usually played from a forward position.
A frequent frustration among beginning pickleball players is using the correct paddle angle to return the ball. The angle the paddle makes with the court during a volley is generally different from angles used in groundstrokes. If the angle is too closed the ball will hit the net or land in one's own court. If the angle is too open the ball will fly past the limits of the opponent's court.
Dink shots are also a difficult stroke for beginning pickleball players. To keep the ball low in the opponent's court the ball must be returned softly with lower energy. The player must pay particular attention to the paddle angle and strength of the stroke. If the player strikes the ball too softly the ball will not traverse the net. If the player strikes the ball too hard the ball may move past the non-volley zone, increasing the ease with which the opponent may return the ball.
The present disclosure relates to a training apparatus designed to help players use the correct paddle angle when performing a volley without needing to be physically present on a pickleball court. The training apparatus aids in simulating the view and position of the net and court from the position of a player performing a volley, allowing a player to practice volleys under circumstances preferred by and/or that are convenient for the player. Other improvements include a training apparatus with an adjustable frame to provide customization of the player's training and to enable the training apparatus to be compacted for easier storage and transportation.
Various objects, features, characteristics, and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims, all of which form a part of this specification. In the Drawings, like reference numerals may be utilized to designate corresponding or similar parts in the various Figures, and the various elements depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein:
As discussed in the Background section, while pickleball is widely accessible and requires less upfront investment in terms of time and money compared to other sports, attaining proficiency demands a specialized skill set. Essential skills include the proper aim, correct paddle angle, mastery of the volley, and strategic implementation of the dink shot. Many pickleball players face constraints related to training space and time. Pickleball courts may not be ubiquitous or readily available. Players often resort to practicing in confined areas, such as home garages or small backyards. These challenges underline the ongoing need for a portable, space- efficient, and effective training apparatus that can be set up in a variety of locations, including a living room, a garage, or a small outdoor space such as a backyard.
The present disclosure is directed to a pickleball training apparatus that meets one or more of these needs by providing a training apparatus with a compact and portable design for simplified storage and transport, and the capability to closely emulate real-world court conditions in pickleball.
The disclosed pickleball training apparatus can beneficially improve a player's aptitude in selecting the correct paddle angle for volleys, refine the execution of volleys and/or dink shots, and provide a versatile training environment tailored to individual needs.
The disclosed pickleball training apparatus can provide advantages in learning volleys, groundstrokes, and dink shots without the need for an actual pickleball court. The disclosed pickleball training apparatus enables adaptability to various training settings. For example, the apparatus can be set up against a wall, offering a rebounding function that enables solo practice sessions. Alternatively, the training apparatus can be positioned with players on opposite sides for multiple person training. In another example, the pickleball training apparatus can be positioned against the net on a real pickleball court, providing a designated target zone for practicing different types of shots from any location on the court.
The present disclosure relates to a training apparatus for the practice of pickleball. The training apparatus aids players in developing their aim and in forming the correct paddle angle when performing a volley or dink shot.
The training apparatus described herein is configured to simulate the view and position of the net and court from the position of a player performing a volley or dink shot. The embodiments described herein beneficially enable a player to practice performing a volley or dink shot by striking a ball through the relevant section of the apparatus frame. The training apparatus thereby enables a player to practice performing a volley or dink shot without needing to be physically present on a pickleball court. This beneficially allows the player to practice under circumstances where space is limited and/or in which access to a full pickleball court is unavailable or inconvenient.
The training apparatus can be composed of light and adjustable materials to enable effective portability of the training apparatus. The small space requirements, portability, and the improved stability of the training apparatus on various surfaces enable the training apparatus to be used in a location of the player's convenience, including garages, basements, patios, campgrounds, parks, and the beach, for example.
The upper section 112 of the frame simulates the view of the court from the position of a player performing a volley and represents the typical target through which a player would propel a ball. Typically, the upper section 112 has a height of approximately 6 to 30 inches, approximately 12 to 24 inches, approximately 18 inches, or a range with any combination of the foregoing as endpoints. The “height” of the upper section 112 is the distance between the top of the middle horizontal member 106 (or net 116 when the middle horizontal member 106 is omitted) and the bottom of the upper horizontal member 104. An upper section 112 with such a height more accurately presents the acceptable course a ball may take from the position of the player performing a volley and/or dink shot to land effectively in the opponent's court.
Players using the training apparatus are encouraged to perform a proper volley and/or dink shot as their returns must lift the ball high enough to reach the upper section 112 (to simulate passing the ball properly over the net), but not so high as to touch or clear the upper horizontal member 104 (to simulate keeping the ball within the targeted area of the opponent's court). The training apparatus, when used in this way, helps to narrow the player's focus to the relevant region to aim the ball and to develop the skill necessary to keep the ball close to the net while still clearing the net.
The upper section 112 remains unobstructed, such that two or more players may return a ball to each other from opposite sides of the training apparatus 100. Alternatively, the training apparatus 100 may be placed against a wall or other barrier such that the returns of a player will rebound back to that player.
The lower section 114 of the frame simulates the position of the net from the position of a player performing a volley. In some embodiments a net 116 may optionally be placed over the lower section 114, as in
The distance between the bottom of the lower horizontal member 108 and the ground/floor (i.e., the bottom of the base members) may be approximately 3 to 6 inches, approximately 3.5 to 5 inches, approximately 4 inches, or a range using any combination of the foregoing as endpoints. This enables a pickleball to pass underneath the lower section 114. In other embodiments, the distance between the bottom of the lower horizontal member 108 and the bottom of the base member is smaller than a pickleball.
The frame and base members are preferably made of materials conducive to maintaining the shape of the training apparatus 100 during use. The materials used to construct the frame and base members may include, but are not limited to, metals (e.g., steel and/or aluminum), plastics or other polymers (e.g., polyvinyl chloride (PVC)), fiberglass, carbon fiber, ceramics, composite materials, concrete, wood, bamboo, other plant-based materials, rope, or other fiber.
The frame and/or base members may be independently shaped as a rod, tube, pipe, pole, or other shape with a cross-section that is circular, elliptical, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, or other shape. The frame members may independently have a thickness that is uniform or non-uniform (e.g., tapering). The frame members may independently be solid or hollow (e.g., may include an interior channel or lumen).
The frame members may independently be connected solidly/rigidly or through one or more selectively detachable elements. Such selectively detachable elements can include, for example, fitted pipe connectors, hinges, pins, bearings, adhesives, clamps, clasps, clips, magnets, hook and loop fasteners, friction-fitting connections, spring button locks, other fasteners, or combinations thereof
In some embodiments, the vertical members 102 and/or horizontal members 104, 106, and 108 of the frame are adjustable in length. For example, the vertical members 102 and/or one or more of the frame members 104, 106, and 108 may be extendable and/or contractable. These members may be extended or contracted through the inclusion of one or more adjustment mechanisms. For example, in one embodiment, a frame member may include one or more inner section(s) and one or more outer section(s), with the inner and outer sections being assembled in a nested configuration, such that the inner section(s) will slidably engage the outer section(s) fully or partially, in a telescoping fashion. Alternatively, the frame members may extend or contract by including or removing additional modular sections, secured to the frame members through clamps, stops, pins, other fasteners, or combinations thereof
The width of the frame may extend from approximately 1 foot to 8 feet, approximately 2 feet to 6 feet, approximately 3 feet to 5 feet, approximately 4 feet, or a range using any combination of the foregoing as endpoints. While the device could provide a maximum width equal to a standard pickleball net, the inventors have found that a width within the foregoing ranges (e.g., about 4 feet) beneficially balances effective simulation of real pickleball conditions, particularly during volley play, without excessively increasing the size and weight of the device. That is, an upper section 112 with such a width effectively simulates the target window a player can and should aim for during volley play.
When net 116 is included, the upper and lower bands of the net may serve as the middle horizontal member 106 and/or lower horizontal member 108, respectively, of the frame. Alternatively, the net can be attached to the horizontal member 106 and/or horizontal member 108 in addition to the corresponding sections of the vertical members 102. The net 116 may be attached via hook and loop fastener, buttons (e.g., snap buttons), clips, magnetic elements, ties, wrap-around elements, or combinations thereof. A net tightening mechanism, such as a roller, wrap-around structure, or winding device, may be optionally attached to the frame and/or base, increasing the ease with which the net 116 may be secured and tightened to the frame as well as facilitating storage of the net 116.
The apparatus 100 can also include one or more flexible members 115 attached or attachable to frame and/or base members 110. The flexible members 115 can be configured to extend about 7 feet from the frame when fully extended, simulating the boundaries of a non-volley zone. The flexible members 115 may be made of synthetic materials, plastic, leather, rope, string, or other threaded or flexible material. The distal end of the flexible members 115 can include anchor mechanisms, weighted elements, and/or attachment means such that two flexible members can attach to one another.
In some embodiments, not all horizontal members need be contracted to the same length.
In some embodiments, the legs 113 of the base members 110 are also extendable and contractable. The mechanism for extending or contracting the legs 113 of the base members 110 may include those mechanisms for extending the frame members described above, including nested, telescoping, or modular mechanisms. In some embodiments, the legs 113 of the base members 110 may extend up to about 4 feet. The base member may additionally or alternatively comprise a tripod, a platform, a cone, a pyramid, a block, or combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the pickleball training apparatus includes an electronic feedback system to provide real-time analysis of the player's performance. The training apparatus can include a sensor system configured to detect passage of the pickleball through the upper section and/or to measure, for example, the speed and/or angle of the incoming ball. In one example, the training apparatus can include a visual or auditory feedback system providing immediate feedback to the player regarding the accuracy of their shot. The electronic feedback system can be connectable to a mobile application enabling users to track progress, monitor statistics, and the like.
The pickleball training apparatus can include means for affixing or setting against the apparatus to a wall, court net, or other vertical surface, such as clamps, ties, hook and loop fasteners, adhesive patches, and the like. The training apparatus can include a solid section positioned above a designated volley zone target area on the frame (i.e., above the upper section 112). The upper horizontal frame member 104 may form this solid section, or part thereof. The training apparatus can include targets that are integrated with or are attachable to the barrier or other portion of the frame to enable the user to practice aiming.
The frame, base members, and/or barrier (e.g., net) can be formed from any combination of the materials disclosed herein or can be formed from other materials suitable for a pickleball training apparatus. The frame, base members, and/or barrier (e.g., net) can include weather-resistant materials to minimize wear and/or color fading during outdoor use. The separate components of the training apparatus can independently be of any color. In some embodiments, different colors and/or other visual indicators can be included on different components to assist a user in construction of the apparatus. For example, vertical members may be one color while upper and/or lower horizontal members are different color(s).
The training apparatus can include modular components to enable different sections to be added or removed for specialized training exercises. For example, the versatile adjustment capabilities of the vertical and horizontal members can be achieved through the length-adjustable features described herein (e.g., nested/telescoping components, etc.) and/or using modular sections that can be attached to build an apparatus with various desired sizes for base members, lower section, upper section, and the like.
The base member supports the frame and helps to keep the frame substantially vertical.
The legs 113 can be folded upward into a vertical position, as shown in
Mechanisms for folding the legs 113 may include hinges, bendable members, removable pins, handlebar folding mechanisms, shock cord poles (such as commonly used in tents), bearings, other folding or rotating mechanisms, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, one or more of the legs 113 may additionally or alternatively be selectively detachable from the rest of the frame.
Other sections of the frame may additionally or alternatively be foldable.
Any or all of hinges 217 and 219 may be lockable hinges that allow the user to selectively lock the hinges and prevent accidental collapse of the frame. The locking mechanism of the hinges can include locking pins, magnetic couplings, and/or other hinge locking mechanisms known in the art.
The in-line hinges 217 and/or the corner hinges 219 may be configured as shock cord pole connections. In such embodiments the corresponding horizontal members can be configured as shock cord poles. A shock cord pole is a hollow pole through which a shock cord (i.e., “bungee”) or other bendable cord can be passed. Shock cord pole connections include female fittings configured to receive ends of segments of the shock cord pole. The user can readily detach shock cord poles at such connection points to create a flexible joint, while the shock cord, threaded through the pole and connections, prevents complete detachment of the relevant segments.
The frame can be collapsed/folded by bending the upper horizontal member 204 and lower horizontal member 208 at the respective in-line hinge 217, as indicated by the dashed-line arrows. The illustrated embodiment shows the in-line hinges 217 configured to allow inward folding of the associated horizontal members. Alternatively, one or more horizontal members can be folded outward. The in-line hinges 217 and corner hinges 219 cooperate to allow folding of the frame along its width, as shown in
The frame can also include in-line hinges 221 associated with the vertical members 202. These allow the portion of the frame associated with the upper section 112 to be folded down to decrease the overall height of the folded assembly, as shown in
The following clauses represent example embodiments incorporating one or more of the above features. The following clauses can additionally or alternatively include any of the above-disclosed features.
Clause 1: A pickleball training apparatus comprises: a frame that includes an upper section defining a target window for hitting a pickleball therethrough, and a lower section, wherein the lower section is optionally covered with a barrier; and one or more base members attached to the bottom of the frame to support the frame in a substantially vertical position.
Clause 2: The training apparatus of clause 1 wherein the barrier comprises a net that fills and extends to the limits of the lower section.
Clause 3: The training apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the upper section has a height of 6 inches to 30 inches, or a height of 12 inches to 24 inches, or a height of approximately 18 inches.
Clause 4: The training apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the width of the frame is 2 feet to 8 feet, or 2.5 feet to 6 feet.
Clause 5: The training apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the distance between the bottom of the frame and the bottom of the base members is sized to allow a pickleball ball to pass underneath the frame, such as about 3 to 6 inches.
Clause 6: The training apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein each base member comprises 2 or more legs extending out from the frame substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the frame.
Clause 7: The training apparatus of clause 6, wherein the legs of the base members are foldable or bendable to enable movement to a position substantially aligned with the plane of the frame.
Clause 8: The training apparatus of clause 6 or clause 7, wherein the legs have a length of 6 inches to 4 feet.
Clause 9: The training apparatus of any of clauses 6-8, wherein the legs are selectively extendable/contractable.
Clause 10: The training apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein a flexible member is connected to the frame and/or to a base member.
Clause 11: The training apparatus of clause 10, wherein the distance between the frame and a distal end of the flexible member is about 7 feet.
Clause 12: The training apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the frame comprises an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member, and two opposing vertical members.
Clause 13: The training apparatus of clause 12, wherein the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member include in-line hinges to enable folding of the frame to reduce a width of the apparatus.
Clause 14: The training apparatus of clause 12 or clause 13, wherein the vertical members include in-line hinges to enable folding of the frame to reduce a height of the apparatus.
As used herein, the “non-volley zone” or “kitchen” is an area close to the net where volleys are not permitted; a “groundstroke” is a hit after the ball has bounced once on one's side of the court; a “volley” is a hit where the ball is struck before it bounces; and a “dink shot” is a soft shot aimed at landing in the opponent's non-volley zone. A shot can be both a volley and a dink shot.
While certain embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, with reference to specific configurations, parameters, components, elements, etcetera, the descriptions are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention.
Furthermore, it should be understood that for any given element of component of a described embodiment, any of the possible alternatives listed for that element or component may generally be used individually or in combination with one another, unless implicitly or explicitly stated otherwise.
In addition, unless otherwise indicated, numbers expressing quantities, constituents, distances, or other measurements used in the specification and claims are to be understood as optionally being modified by the term “about” or its synonyms. When the terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” or the like are used in conjunction with a stated amount, value, or condition, it may be taken to mean an amount, value or condition that deviates by less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01% of the stated amount, value, or condition. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Any headings and subheadings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims.
It will also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” do not exclude plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, an embodiment referencing a singular referent (e.g., “widget”) may also include two or more such referents.
It will also be appreciated that embodiments described herein may also include properties and/or features (e.g., ingredients, components, members, elements, parts, and/or portions) described in one or more separate embodiments and are not necessarily limited strictly to the features expressly described for that particular embodiment. Accordingly, the various features of a given embodiment can be combined with and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include such features.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/410,501, filed Sep. 27, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63410501 | Sep 2022 | US |
