Patent Application
20240261655
Solo practice sport training devices having a sports ball tethered to an anchor point by an elastic tether are well known. Unfortunately, a realistic gravity influenced return flight trajectory is an important aspect of such training, and current tethered sports balls for solo practice training do not provide a realistic return flight trajectory.
Accordingly, a substantial need exists for a solo practice sport training tool capable of providing a true, realistic return flight trajectory.
The invention is a solo practice sport training tool for a sport involving dynamic ball interaction. The sport training tool includes a tether and a sport ball for use in combination with a racquet which may optionally be supplied as a component of the solo practice sport training tool. The proximal end of the tether is configured and arranged for securement to an anchor point. The distal end of the tether is secured to the sports ball. The anchor point can be a fixed position relative to ground or a point on a racquet or paddle used in the sport to strike the sport ball. The tether is characterized by an elastic first length and an inelastic second length. The unique combination of elastic and inelastic lengths synergistically provide a true return flight trajectory to the sports ball, particularly when the elastic first length is proximate the proximal end of the tether and the inelastic second length is proximate the distal end of the tether.
As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase “transportable heavy anchor” means a mass not fixed to ground and having a weight at least 10 times greater than the sport ball tethered to the anchor.
As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase “transportable heavyweight anchor” means a mass not fixed to ground and having a weight at least 15 times greater than the sport ball tethered to the anchor.
As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase “competitive return-action racquet sport” refers to sports in which opposing individuals or teams interact with a sport ball by alternately striking the sport ball with a racquet or paddle. Competitive return-action racquet sports include specifically but not exclusively, paddleball, pickleball, racquetball, squash and tennis.
As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase “hand-operable quick release connector” means a connector selected from spring snap, snap hook and carabiner capable of hand actuated reciprocation between an open release state and a closed connection state.
As utilized herein, including the claims, the term “racquet” is used inclusively to encompass all hand-held sport ball striking instruments having a handle grip and an enlarged striking head, including specifically but not exclusively paddleball paddles, racquetball racquets, squash racquets and tennis racquets.
1101
1102
Referring to
The sport training tool 100 includes a tether 110 configured and arranged to be anchored at an anchor point P1 proximate the proximal end 1101 and having a sports ball 120 secured to a distal end 1102. The tether 110 has an elastic first length 111 and an inelastic second length 112. The first and second lengths 111, 112 can be are preferably sequenced with the elastic first length 111 proximate the proximal end 1101 of the tether 110 and the inelastic second length 112 proximate the distal end 1102 of the tether 110, but the reverse sequence also provides the desired true return x2 flight trajectory x2Path.
Both the clastic first length 111 and inelastic second length 112 of the tether 110 are preferably comprised of a strand, string, thread or cord of circular cross-section.
The tether 110 should have a length of between about 2 to 22 feet when the clastic first length 111 is fully relaxed. A length of less than about 2 feet is insufficient to provide a true gravity influenced return trajectory x2Path as the contraction force of the stretched clastic first length 111 of the tether 110 over a significant portion of the return flight path x2Path overwhelms the force of gravity. A length of greater than about 22 feet tends to degrade the desired true gravity influenced return trajectory x2Path as the tether 110 creates a drag resistance along the ground G over the course of the extended length of the return flight path x2Path sufficient to dampen and artificially influence the return trajectory x2Path.
The ratio of clastic first length 111 to inelastic second length 112 when the elastic first length 111 is fully relaxed should be between about 1:1 to 10:1 with an inelastic second length 112 of no less than 2 feet in all circumstances. A ratio of less than 1:1 (e.g., 1 unit length clastic to 2 units length inelastic) tends to result in excessively rapid deceleration of the sports ball 120 at the end of its outbound x1 travel and transition to inbound or return x2 travel that the sports ball 120 is jolted off its return trajectory x2Path. A ratio of greater than 10:1 (e.g., 20 units length elastic to 1 unit length inelastic) tends to result in a loss of gravity induced influence upon the return trajectory x2Path. Without intending to be unduly bound hereby, it is believed that at higher ratios of elastic first length 111 to inelastic second length 112, the pull of the contracting clastic first length 111 keeps the inelastic second length 112 taut throughout an extended portion of the return x2 flight whereby the inelastic second length 112 is unable to slacken and allow gravity to properly influence the return trajectory x2Path of the sports ball 120 for a sufficient time to allow emulation of a true return flight trajectory x2Path.
An inelastic second length 112 of less than 2 feet, regardless of the ratio of clastic first length 111 to inelastic second length 112 tends to result in a loss of gravity induced influence upon the return trajectory x2Path just as if the ratio of elastic first length 111 to inelastic second length 112 greater than 10:1. Again, without intending to be unduly bound hereby, it is believed that a shorter inelastic second length 112 allows the pull of the contracting elastic first length 111 to keep the inelastic second length 112 taut throughout an extended portion of the return x2 flight whereby the inelastic second length 112 is unable to slacken and allow gravity to properly influence the return trajectory x2Path of the sports ball 120 for a sufficient time to allow emulation of a true return flight trajectory x2Path.
The elastic first length 111 should have a modulus of elasticity between about 0.01 to 0.10 GPa. A modulus of elasticity of less than 0.01 tends to provide insufficient contraction pull force to return the sports ball 120. A modulus of elasticity of greater than 0.10 tends to result in excessively rapid deceleration of the sports ball 120 at the end of its outbound x1 travel and transition to inbound or return x2 travel that the sports ball 120 is jolted off its return x2 trajectory x2Path.
The entire tether 110 preferably weighs less than the sports ball 120, and more preferably less than 40% of the weight of the sports ball 120, so as to minimize the downward pull of the sports ball 120 by the tether 110. The elastic first length 111 and inelastic second length 112 are preferably selected to provide a ratio of mass per unit length of 2:1 to 20:1 respectively, so as to provide an appropriate balance of contraction pull force exerted by the clastic first length 111 pulling the sports ball 120 back towards the anchor point P1 and weight of inelastic second length 112 pulling the sports ball 120 towards ground G under the influence of gravity.
Referring to
A hand-operable quick release connector 130 may be provided at the proximal end 1101 of the tether 110 to facilitate attachment and detachment of the tether 110 to a ring or similar item at the anchor point P1.
The sport ball 120 can be selected from any ball used in a sport involving dynamic ball interaction (e.g. repetitive striking of the ball or catch/trap and throw/pass of the ball), including specifically but not exclusively basketball, baseball, field hockey, handball, lacrosse, pickleball, tennis, squash, racquet ball, soccer, softball, spike ball, and wiffle ball. The tool 100 is particularly well adapted for use in connection with a competitive return-action racquet sport.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63510273 | Jun 2023 | US |
