TENNIS TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

The present disclosure includes a training device for practicing a hitting a ball with a racquet or paddle. The training device includes a base, a vertical arm extending from the base, a horizontal arm coupled to the vertical arm, a tether coupled to the horizontal arm, with a ball coupled to an end of the tether distal from the horizontal arm. The horizontal and vertical arms may be adjusted to increase or decrease their length as needed. The tether may also be extended or shortened to position the ball at the desired height for practice. The base is adapted to be received in the laptop compartment of a backpack to secure the base to a user.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to training tools for sports, and more particularly, to paddle sports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Racquet sports such as tennis and pickleball, require a high level of hand-eye coordination to successfully strike the ball with a racquet in the desired location on the racquet, to propel the ball with the desired direction and speed. Developing this skill requires regular repetition. However, for example, the space required for a tennis court, as well as the time to access the tennis court, and the availability of a playing partner may limit the practice time for many tennis players, especially beginners or younger players. Certain machines are known, which shoot tennis balls toward a player. These tennis machines are, in effect, a mechanical playing partner (who cannot return a volley). However, these machines are large and expensive, and the tennis balls that were hit must be retrieved following such a practice session, which takes time away from practicing hitting the ball.

Further, young players and beginners may need to develop their hand-eye coordination before practicing with tennis balls that are moving through the air. In the sport of baseball this is often done by hitting a baseball that is sitting on a tee; however, a tee-type device may not be practical for tennis because the size of the racquet face is substantially larger than the tennis ball, and repeatedly striking a tennis ball from a tee may damage both the tennis racquet and the tee.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates broadly to a training device for holding a ball attached to a tether that is held a designated distance away from the body of a user, while the training device is attached to the user. The training device allows a user to quickly reposition the ball after each stroke, thereby enabling continuous practice without the need for a partner or additional equipment. The training device includes an adjustable horizontal arm so that the distance between the user and the ball may be adjusted based on the height and arm length of the user as well as to account for different styles of hitting the ball.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure includes a tennis training device having a ball coupled to a tether, an adjustable horizontal arm, and the tether is coupled to the adjustable horizontal arm, a vertical arm coupled to the adjustable horizontal arm, and a base, wherein the base is adapted to be secured to a trainee.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages, should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplar training device for hitting a suspended ball, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 a diagram of the training device of FIG. 1, where a horizontal arm is in an extended position such that the ball is farther from the base, relative to the diagram of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of a training device according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the training device of FIG. 3 and a backpack for securing the training device to a user.

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of a training device according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of a training device according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the training device of FIG. 6 and a backpack for securing the training device to a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, an illustrative embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. As used herein, the term “present invention” is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention and is instead a term used to discuss exemplary embodiments of the invention for explanatory purposes only.

The present invention relates broadly to a training device including a ball and a tether. The tether may be attached to a rigid support structure, which is attached to a base. The base may be retained in a backpack worn by the user (also referred to a trainee or tennis trainee) or otherwise attached to the user. The rigid support structure includes a substantially vertical arm and a substantially horizontal arm, and the vertical and horizontal arms may each be independently adjustable in length. In an embodiment, the base is rotatably coupled to the support bar so that the vertical arm is adapted to rotate about a vertical axis.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary training device 100 is illustrated. The device 100 includes a base 102, a vertical arm 104 coupled to the base 102 via a rotating feature 106, an elbow 108 coupled to the vertical arm 104, a horizontal arm 110, a tether 112, and a ball 114. The base 102 has a rectangular shape with an open middle section. The base 102 has a plate-like structure, which has an appropriate thickness to be able to be secured in a backpack; however, the shape of the base may be any of various geometric or irregular shapes. The base 102 may be adapted to be held in a backpack worn by a user, and the base 102 may fit into a pocket, such as a laptop pocket, of a backpack to retain the base 102 from substantially moving relative to the user.

The base 102 is coupled to a first end 116 of a vertical arm 104 that extends outwardly and upwardly from the base 102. The vertical arm 104 in this embodiment is a tube having a first end 116 and a second end 117, where the first end 116 is adapted to rotate relative to the base 102 via a rotating feature 106. The vertical arm 104 is formed from a lightweight material, such as an aluminum tube. The vertical arm 104 may have a curved shape, such as an outward curve that would position the vertical arm 104 farther away from a user's head during use of the training device.

The rotating feature 106 may secure the vertical arm 104 by extending through an aperture in the base 102. The rotating feature 106 may include a lock, so that the position of the vertical arm 104 may be fixed relative to the base 102 about the axis of the vertical arm 104. Alternatively, the vertical arm 104 may be coupled to the base 102 in a rigid relationship.

The second end 117 of the vertical arm is attached to an elbow 108. The elbow 108 may include an opening that is substantially the same size as the outer diameter of the second end 118, such that the second end 118 mates with or engages with the opening of the elbow 108.

The elbow 108 preferably has about a 90-degree angle and is coupled to the horizontal arm 110. The angle may be less than or greater than 90 degrees, such as 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, and 130 degrees, or increments therein.

The horizontal arm 110 includes a first portion 118, a second portion 120, and a third portion 122, where the first portion 118 is coupled to the elbow 108. The horizontal arm 110 may be adapted to extend in a horizontal direction so that the ball 114 may be positioned nearer or farther away from the base 102. It may be desirable to adjust the distance between the ball 114 and base 102 based on the size of the user and their racquet, as well as to practice a particular tennis skill or perform a particular training drill. The second portion 120 may be coupled to slide in relation to the first portion 118, and the second portion 120 may have a tube-like shape including an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first portion 118. The third portion 122 may be coupled to slide in relation to the second portion 120, and the third portion 122 may have a tube-like shape including an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second portion 120.

Alternatively, the first portion 118 may have a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter second portion 120, and the second portion 120 may have a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the third portion 122. In another aspect, the horizontal arm 110 may only have one or two portions. The end of the third portion 122 that is distal to the second portion 120 may include a notch 123. The notch 123 may substantially surround the third portion 122 to provide a groove to tie the tether 112 around. An aperture (not shown) may also be included such that a portion of the tether 112 passes through the aperture and the tether 112 can be tied to the notch 123.

The tether 112 is coupled to the end or proximal to the end of the third portion 122. The tether 112 is a rope-like structure and may be formed of a flexible and elastic material. The tether 112 is connected to the ball 114. The tether 112 is adapted for rotation around multiple axes of rotation. The tether 114 may have an elastic property, such that the tether 112 stretches when a force is applied along the length of the tether 112. A user may adjust the length of the distance from the horizonal arm to the ball 114 by providing a shorter or longer tether, or by tying the tether 112 to have a desired length. In a tennis embodiment the ball 114 is a tennis ball so that striking the ball 114 during training is similar to hitting a regulation tennis ball. The ball 114 may include a hole to receive a portion of the tether 112 to couple the ball 114 to the tether 112. It would be appreciated that the ball may alternatively be a pickle ball, or another type of ball for various racquet sports.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an exemplary training device 200 is shown. Th device 200 includes a base 202, a vertical arm 204 coupled to the base 202 via a first U-clamp 203 and a second U-clamp 205, an elbow 208 coupled to the vertical arm 204, a horizontal arm 210, a tether 212, and a ball 214. The base 202 may have a flat rectangular body, and the first U-clamp 203 and the second U-clamp 205 may be used to secure the vertical arm 204 to base 202. The base 202 may be inserted into a backpack 300 or other device for securing the base 202 to the back of a user. As described, the base 202 may be adapted to be received in the laptop storage space that is common in a backpack 300 to provide a retaining area to restrict movement of the device 200 relative to the user (not shown).

The vertical arm 204 includes a first section 204A, a second section 204B, and a third section 204C, that are coupled together. The sections may be received for sliding engagement in adjacent sections to allow for shortening or extending the vertical arm 204. The vertical arm 204 couples to an elbow 208. The elbow 208 may be covered with a protective covering such as a portion of a tennis ball, to protect the elbow 208 from causing injury to the user or another bystander. A horizontal arm 210 is also coupled to the elbow 208, and it is oriented perpendicular to the axis of the vertical arm 204. The horizontal arm 210 includes a first portion 218 that is coupled to the elbow 208, a second portion 220, and a third portion 222. The horizontal arm 210 may be adapted to extend in a horizontal direction so that the ball 214 may be positioned nearer or farther away from the base 202. It may be desirable to adjust the distance between the ball 214 and base 202 based on the size of the user and their racquet, as well as the tennis skill that is being developed through practice. The first, second and third portions 218, 220, 222 may be received in slidable engagement in the adjacent sections, similar to vertical arm 110 described above.

Tether 212 is coupled to the end of the third portion 222. The tether 212 is a rope-like structure and may be formed of a flexible and/or elastic material. The tether 212 is connected to the ball 214. The tether 212 is adapted for rotation around multiple axes of rotation. The tether 214 may have an elastic property, such that the tether 212 stretches when a force is applied along the length of the tether 212. A user may adjust the length of the distance from the horizonal arm to the ball 214 by providing a shorter or longer tether, or by tying the tether 214 to the desired length. In the illustrative embodiment the ball 214 is a tennis ball so that striking the ball 214 during training is similar to hitting a regulation tennis ball. The ball 214 may include a hole to receive a portion of the tether 212 to couple the ball 214 to the tether 212.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 5, an exemplary training device 400 is shown. In this aspect, the base 402 has a flat rectangular shape, and the base 402 is secured to a vertical arm 404 by a bracket 405. While not shown, the training device 400 also includes a horizontal arm, a tether and a ball, similar to those of training device 100 and tennis training device 200. The training device 400 is positioned in a backpack 300 to secure the tennis training device 400 to a user.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an exemplary training device 500 is shown. The device 500 includes a base 502, a vertical arm 504 coupled to the base 502 via a first U-clamp 503 and a second U-clamp 505, an elbow 508 coupled to the vertical arm 504, a horizontal arm 510, a tether 512, and a ball 514. The base 502 may have a flat rectangular shape, and a first U-clamp 503 and a second U-clamp 505 may be used to secure the vertical arm 504 to base 502. The base 502 may be inserted into a backpack 300 or other device for securing the base 502 to the back of a user. The base 502 may be positioned in the laptop storage space that is common in backpacks to provide a retaining area to restrict movement of the device 500 relative to the user (not shown).

A vertical pad 530 may be positioned around the exterior of the vertical arm 504 to protect the user (and others) from contact with the vertical arm 504, which may be a rigid vertical arm 504. A horizontal pad 532 may be positioned around the exterior of the horizontal arm 510. The vertical pad 530 and the horizontal pad 532 may be formed of foam, such as a polyurethane foam, which surrounds a rigid material for the vertical and horizontal arms 504, 510, which may be a metal such as an aluminum, or plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It would be appreciated that other materials may also be provided. The tether 512 may include a loop 534 that passes through a hole in the horizontal arm 510 or is otherwise secured to the horizontal arm 510. A rope clamp 536 may be used to secure an end of the tether 512 to another portion of the tether 512 to form the loop 534. The rope clamp 536 may be adjustable, such that a user can reposition the rope clamp 536 along the length of the tether 512 to adjust the height of the ball 514 relative to the horizontal arm 510.

As used herein, the term “coupled” and its functional equivalents are not intended to necessarily be limited to direct, mechanical coupling of two or more components. Instead, the term “coupled”, and its functional equivalents are intended to mean any direct or indirect mechanical, electrical, or chemical connection between two or more objects, features, work pieces, and/or environmental matter. “Coupled” is also intended to mean, in some examples, one object being integral with another object. As used herein, the term “a” or “one” may include one or more items unless specifically stated otherwise.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of the inventors' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

Claims

1. A training device, comprising: a ball coupled to a tether;an adjustable horizontal arm, wherein the tether is coupled to the adjustable horizontal arm,an adjustable vertical arm coupled to the adjustable horizontal arm via an elbow;and a base, wherein the base is adapted to be secured to a trainee.

2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable horizontal arm includes a horizontal pad and the vertical arm includes a vertical pad.

3. The training device of claim 2, wherein the horizontal pad and vertical pad are polyurethane foam.

4. The training device of claim 2, wherein a padded covering substantially surrounds an exterior of the adjustable horizontal arm and the vertical arm.

5. The training device of claim 1, wherein the elbow includes a protective covering.

6. The training device of claim 1, wherein the ball is a tennis ball.

7. The training device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable horizontal arm includes a first, second and third portion.

8. The training device of claim 7, wherein the first portion of the adjustable horizontal arm is engaged to slide with respect to the second portion of the adjustable horizontal arm.

9. The training device of claim 8, wherein the second portion is engaged to slide with respect to the third portion of the adjustable horizontal arm.

10. The training device of claim 1, wherein the base is a plate having a substantially rectangular shape.

11. The training device of claim 1, wherein the base is adapted to be received in a slot in a compartment of a backpack worn by a trainee.

12. The training device of claim 10, wherein the base is adapted to rotate relative to the vertical arm about the axis of the vertical arm.

13. The training device of claim 10, wherein the base includes a rectangular perimeter with an open middle.

14. The training device of claim 1, wherein the horizontal arm includes a notch adapted for coupling the tether to the horizontal arm.

15. The training device of claim 1, further comprising a rope clamp coupled to the tether.

16. The training device of claim 1, wherein the tether is a rope.

17. The training device of claim 8, wherein the vertical arm includes a first end, wherein the first end includes a rotating feature coupling the vertical arm to the base.

18. The training device of claim 1, wherein the base is coupled to the vertical arm via at least one U-clamp.