CA2335868A1 - Ball striking practice device - Google Patents
Ball striking practice device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2335868A1 CA2335868A1 CA 2335868 CA2335868A CA2335868A1 CA 2335868 A1 CA2335868 A1 CA 2335868A1 CA 2335868 CA2335868 CA 2335868 CA 2335868 A CA2335868 A CA 2335868A CA 2335868 A1 CA2335868 A1 CA 2335868A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ball
- pivoting post
- resilient
- post
- band
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/0073—Means for releasably holding a ball in position; Balls constrained to move around a fixed point, e.g. by tethering
- A63B69/0091—Balls fixed to a movable, tiltable or flexible arm
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
A striking practice device comprising an elongated base having an upper surface, a centered longitudinal slot, a post having an end pivotally secured in the base at a location within the centered slot for pivotal movement in its longitudinal direction between a first starting position and a second remote position, and means for supporting a ball to be hit at the other end of the post. A resilient stop band transverses the upper surface to define the starting and remote positions of the post.
Description
TITLE OF THE INVENTION Paae 1 BALL STRIKING PRACTICE DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a ball striking practice device and more particularly to a device that provides a moving but secured ball to facilitate the simulation of tennis, or other play in a manner that permits solo or dual practice of the footwork, timing and strokes in a confined area. While the present invention relates in particular to such devices for striking with a racquet or bat, it also envisages such a device which is adaptable to other sports and fitness activities in which a ball is struck.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With respect to tennis, up to the present time tennis players have been limited to methods of solo practice, which for a variety of reasons, do not meet their needs.
l.The Ball Machine. This is an excellent method but requires costly equipment to project the ball towards the player. A ball machine is not within the means of the average player for regular practice sessions.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a ball striking practice device and more particularly to a device that provides a moving but secured ball to facilitate the simulation of tennis, or other play in a manner that permits solo or dual practice of the footwork, timing and strokes in a confined area. While the present invention relates in particular to such devices for striking with a racquet or bat, it also envisages such a device which is adaptable to other sports and fitness activities in which a ball is struck.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With respect to tennis, up to the present time tennis players have been limited to methods of solo practice, which for a variety of reasons, do not meet their needs.
l.The Ball Machine. This is an excellent method but requires costly equipment to project the ball towards the player. A ball machine is not within the means of the average player for regular practice sessions.
2.False walls or netted frames to rebound a struck ball back to the player.
The space requirement for the practice area limits availability. Li addition to this the average player cannot maintain the repetitive trajectory that is essential to a consistent stroke that will build muscle memory 3. A motionless ball sitting on an apparatus ready to be struck by a racket This does provide practice for the basic mechanics of a tennis stroke, however ninety percent of missed strokes are P.2 related to the inability of a player to time the racket movement to coincide exactly with ball speed, so that the ball will be struck in the exact instant for an accurate ball return.
The space requirement for the practice area limits availability. Li addition to this the average player cannot maintain the repetitive trajectory that is essential to a consistent stroke that will build muscle memory 3. A motionless ball sitting on an apparatus ready to be struck by a racket This does provide practice for the basic mechanics of a tennis stroke, however ninety percent of missed strokes are P.2 related to the inability of a player to time the racket movement to coincide exactly with ball speed, so that the ball will be struck in the exact instant for an accurate ball return.
4. A ball striking device which has stabilization support arms in order to maintain stability, a ball securing device that permitted the ball to come free and pivoting post stops that could become detached.
Ball striking practice devices are well known in the prior art. Of particular reference to the present invention is U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,050, of Lloyd (Present Inventor) Issued Feb 2 1995 This references a pivoting post that is positioned by detachable stops, a mechanism and base which required support arms to maintain stability and metal pins that penetrated the ball to facilitate attachment. U.S. Pat. No.2,713,487 of Jaediker issued July 19, 1995 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,521 of Berst et e1 issued May 16 1978. Both of these references are tennis practice devices comprising of base mounted pivoting posts which support tennis balls at their free ends, and in which the posts are biased to return to an initial position. Such constructions have tended to be large and unwieldy, with heavily weighted bases to withstand the impact of the ball being hit and the pivoting motion of the post. As well, the positioning of the amplitude of the post remains fixed, dictated by the construction of the device.
Other references of general background interest describing and illustrating as P.3 ball striking practice devices include:
U.S. Pat. No. 1,670,174 of Richards issued July,1928, U.S. Pat. No. 2,578,313 of Mosely issued December 1951, U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,203 of Gold issued April 1975, U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,320 of Salmont issued February 26, 1974, U.S. Pat.
No.3,924,853 of Schleeger issued December 9, 1975, U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,678 of Weis issued May 1980 U.S. Pat. No. 4,417,730 of Weiner issued Nov. 1983 U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,339 of Llewellyn, U.S. pat. No. 4,508,340 of liao issued April 1985 U.S. pat. No 4,531,734 of Herrick issued July 1985 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a lightweight; portable but stable ball striking practice device. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device, which will enable striking of the ball while in motion, to enhance hand-eye body co-ordination.
It is further the object of the present invention to provide such a device, which will be readily adaptable to simulate game or practice conditions.
In accordance with the present invention, a ball striking practice device is provided of the type comprising an elongated base having an upper surface with an elongated slot, into which one end of a pivoting post is disposed and pivotally secured to the base for pivotal movement in a longitudinal direction between a first starting position and a second remote position, with means for supporting a ball to be hit at the other end ofthe post.
In accordance with the invention, an improvement in such a device is provided characterized in that a longitudinal slot is provided 'in the elongated base. The post is pivotally secured to the base at a location in the longitudinal slot spaced below the upper surface.
Secured resilient stop means are provided on the upper surface across the slot to define the starting positions and remote positions of the post.
In a preferred embodiment the pivoting post stop means are an enclosed band that circumscribes a longitudinally centered protruding lug on both sides of the elongated base and extend across a plurality of laterally extended grooves that traverse across the upper surface of the elongated base in a predetermined location, thus providing the stop at both extremes of the pivoting posts travel. This embodiment also includes a single laterally extended groove in the lower surface of the base directly below the position of the aforementioned protruding lugs and latterly in line, the said groove to accept the pivoting post retaining shaft. It is further an improvement of the present invention that the lateral pivoting post retaining shaft is secured in the lateral groove during operation of~ the practice device by the resilient stop band being positioned by the protruding lugs in a manner that requires the lateral pivoting post retaining shaft to be forced beneath the surface of the resilient stop band when entering into the lateral groove.
The edges of the lateral groove plus the circumscribing friction contact of the resilient band combine to retain the lateral pivoting post retaining shaft.
In further accordance with this invention a ball with a circumscribed groove is secured on the upper portion of the pivoting post with a resilient hose or band that is fastened to the upper curved section of the pivoting post and circumscribes the ball in a manner that permits the securing resilient hose to be positioned in the said grooves of the ball.
PS
The device according to the present invention is of a simple lightweight construction and readily affords mass production.
A "T' ball adapter for positioning an unsecured ball above the grooved ball and a padded ball cover are envisioned additions to this invention Brief description of the drawings These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:
Figure 1. Is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of ball striking practice device in accordance with the present invention.
Section A-A Is a side view of the device of figure 1.
Section B--B Is an end view of the device of figure 1 View C Is a top plan view of the base and lateral pivoting post retaining shaft position of the device of figure 1.
View D Is a view of the closed end resilient stop band and lateral pivoting post retaining shaft position Figure 2. Illustrates the closed end resilient stop band.
Figure 3 Illustrates the embodiment of the ball retaining device and the lateral pivoting post retaining shaft securing point to the longitudinally pivoting post.
Figure 4.Illustrates the grooved ball P.6 Detailed description of the preferred embodiments In the drawings similar features have been given similar reference numbers.
Turning to figure 1 there is illustrated a ball striking practice device, particularly adapted to tennis, in accordance with the present invention. 'hhis ball striking practice device comprises of an elongated base or frame (2) having a proximal end (3 j and a remote end (4) with an elongated slot (5) centered longitudinally and laterally, extending the length of the required travel of the longitudinally pivoting post (6). The elongated base (2) upper surface has lateral extended grooves ( i ) the function of which will be described ir1 more detail hereafter. Figure 1.
further illustrates a longitudinally pivoting post (6) of a resilient material. At the curved top of the pivoting post (6) is attached a resilient hose or band (8) the resilient hose (8) is positioned in the circumscribing groove (9) of a ball ( 10) the remote end of the resilient hose (8) is secured to the pivoting post (6) to form a closed loop, thus securing the grooved ball.( 10) In the lower portion of the pivoting post (6) is positioned a hole (11) to receive a lateral pivoting post retaining shaft (12) said shaft provides an anchor point about which the longitudinal 1y pivoting post (6) pivots.
In the lower surface of the elongated base (2) is a lateral groove (13) in a longitudinally centered position that accepts the laterail pivoting post retaining shaft.
(12) The lateral pivoting most retaining shaft (12) is secured in the lateral groove (13) during operation of the ball striking practice device, by the closed end resilient stop band (15) being positioned by the protruding lugs (14) in a manner that requires the lateral pivoting post retaining shaft (12) to be forced beneath the surface of the resilient stop band (15) when entering into the lateral groove P.7 (13) and the lower hole (11 ) in the longitudinally pivoting post (6) 'the edges of the lateral groove (13) combined with the circumscribing friction contact of the closed end resilient band (15) cause the lateral pivoting post retaining shaft (1?) to be secured. A
plurality of laterally extended grooves (7) are spaced across the upper surface of the elongated base (2) a protruding lug (14) is situated on both side walls of the elongated base (2) The resilient stop means comprises a closed end resilient stop band (15) that is stretched to circumscribe the two protruding lugs (14) and traverse across the upper surface of the elongated base (2) to position across two pairs of upper lateral grooves (7) in a predetermined location. The closed end resilient stop band (15) is positioned to provide the stop at both extremes of the longitudinally pivoting post's (6) required travel.
The preferred embodiment of the elongated base (2) is a blow molded plastic material, an end cap (16) to permit the interior to be filled with a material or fluid to add weight to the elongated base (2) is located in the proximal end (3) of the elongated base. (2) THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE; INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A ball striking practice device comprising an elongated base having an upper surface with an elongated slot into which one end of the pivoting post is disposed, having one end thereof pivotally secured below the surface of the elongated base for pivotal movement in a longitudinal direction with respect to the elongated base, with a ball attached to and supported at the other end of the pivoting post, further provided is an exterior protruding lug on
Ball striking practice devices are well known in the prior art. Of particular reference to the present invention is U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,050, of Lloyd (Present Inventor) Issued Feb 2 1995 This references a pivoting post that is positioned by detachable stops, a mechanism and base which required support arms to maintain stability and metal pins that penetrated the ball to facilitate attachment. U.S. Pat. No.2,713,487 of Jaediker issued July 19, 1995 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,521 of Berst et e1 issued May 16 1978. Both of these references are tennis practice devices comprising of base mounted pivoting posts which support tennis balls at their free ends, and in which the posts are biased to return to an initial position. Such constructions have tended to be large and unwieldy, with heavily weighted bases to withstand the impact of the ball being hit and the pivoting motion of the post. As well, the positioning of the amplitude of the post remains fixed, dictated by the construction of the device.
Other references of general background interest describing and illustrating as P.3 ball striking practice devices include:
U.S. Pat. No. 1,670,174 of Richards issued July,1928, U.S. Pat. No. 2,578,313 of Mosely issued December 1951, U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,203 of Gold issued April 1975, U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,320 of Salmont issued February 26, 1974, U.S. Pat.
No.3,924,853 of Schleeger issued December 9, 1975, U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,678 of Weis issued May 1980 U.S. Pat. No. 4,417,730 of Weiner issued Nov. 1983 U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,339 of Llewellyn, U.S. pat. No. 4,508,340 of liao issued April 1985 U.S. pat. No 4,531,734 of Herrick issued July 1985 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a lightweight; portable but stable ball striking practice device. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device, which will enable striking of the ball while in motion, to enhance hand-eye body co-ordination.
It is further the object of the present invention to provide such a device, which will be readily adaptable to simulate game or practice conditions.
In accordance with the present invention, a ball striking practice device is provided of the type comprising an elongated base having an upper surface with an elongated slot, into which one end of a pivoting post is disposed and pivotally secured to the base for pivotal movement in a longitudinal direction between a first starting position and a second remote position, with means for supporting a ball to be hit at the other end ofthe post.
In accordance with the invention, an improvement in such a device is provided characterized in that a longitudinal slot is provided 'in the elongated base. The post is pivotally secured to the base at a location in the longitudinal slot spaced below the upper surface.
Secured resilient stop means are provided on the upper surface across the slot to define the starting positions and remote positions of the post.
In a preferred embodiment the pivoting post stop means are an enclosed band that circumscribes a longitudinally centered protruding lug on both sides of the elongated base and extend across a plurality of laterally extended grooves that traverse across the upper surface of the elongated base in a predetermined location, thus providing the stop at both extremes of the pivoting posts travel. This embodiment also includes a single laterally extended groove in the lower surface of the base directly below the position of the aforementioned protruding lugs and latterly in line, the said groove to accept the pivoting post retaining shaft. It is further an improvement of the present invention that the lateral pivoting post retaining shaft is secured in the lateral groove during operation of~ the practice device by the resilient stop band being positioned by the protruding lugs in a manner that requires the lateral pivoting post retaining shaft to be forced beneath the surface of the resilient stop band when entering into the lateral groove.
The edges of the lateral groove plus the circumscribing friction contact of the resilient band combine to retain the lateral pivoting post retaining shaft.
In further accordance with this invention a ball with a circumscribed groove is secured on the upper portion of the pivoting post with a resilient hose or band that is fastened to the upper curved section of the pivoting post and circumscribes the ball in a manner that permits the securing resilient hose to be positioned in the said grooves of the ball.
PS
The device according to the present invention is of a simple lightweight construction and readily affords mass production.
A "T' ball adapter for positioning an unsecured ball above the grooved ball and a padded ball cover are envisioned additions to this invention Brief description of the drawings These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:
Figure 1. Is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of ball striking practice device in accordance with the present invention.
Section A-A Is a side view of the device of figure 1.
Section B--B Is an end view of the device of figure 1 View C Is a top plan view of the base and lateral pivoting post retaining shaft position of the device of figure 1.
View D Is a view of the closed end resilient stop band and lateral pivoting post retaining shaft position Figure 2. Illustrates the closed end resilient stop band.
Figure 3 Illustrates the embodiment of the ball retaining device and the lateral pivoting post retaining shaft securing point to the longitudinally pivoting post.
Figure 4.Illustrates the grooved ball P.6 Detailed description of the preferred embodiments In the drawings similar features have been given similar reference numbers.
Turning to figure 1 there is illustrated a ball striking practice device, particularly adapted to tennis, in accordance with the present invention. 'hhis ball striking practice device comprises of an elongated base or frame (2) having a proximal end (3 j and a remote end (4) with an elongated slot (5) centered longitudinally and laterally, extending the length of the required travel of the longitudinally pivoting post (6). The elongated base (2) upper surface has lateral extended grooves ( i ) the function of which will be described ir1 more detail hereafter. Figure 1.
further illustrates a longitudinally pivoting post (6) of a resilient material. At the curved top of the pivoting post (6) is attached a resilient hose or band (8) the resilient hose (8) is positioned in the circumscribing groove (9) of a ball ( 10) the remote end of the resilient hose (8) is secured to the pivoting post (6) to form a closed loop, thus securing the grooved ball.( 10) In the lower portion of the pivoting post (6) is positioned a hole (11) to receive a lateral pivoting post retaining shaft (12) said shaft provides an anchor point about which the longitudinal 1y pivoting post (6) pivots.
In the lower surface of the elongated base (2) is a lateral groove (13) in a longitudinally centered position that accepts the laterail pivoting post retaining shaft.
(12) The lateral pivoting most retaining shaft (12) is secured in the lateral groove (13) during operation of the ball striking practice device, by the closed end resilient stop band (15) being positioned by the protruding lugs (14) in a manner that requires the lateral pivoting post retaining shaft (12) to be forced beneath the surface of the resilient stop band (15) when entering into the lateral groove P.7 (13) and the lower hole (11 ) in the longitudinally pivoting post (6) 'the edges of the lateral groove (13) combined with the circumscribing friction contact of the closed end resilient band (15) cause the lateral pivoting post retaining shaft (1?) to be secured. A
plurality of laterally extended grooves (7) are spaced across the upper surface of the elongated base (2) a protruding lug (14) is situated on both side walls of the elongated base (2) The resilient stop means comprises a closed end resilient stop band (15) that is stretched to circumscribe the two protruding lugs (14) and traverse across the upper surface of the elongated base (2) to position across two pairs of upper lateral grooves (7) in a predetermined location. The closed end resilient stop band (15) is positioned to provide the stop at both extremes of the longitudinally pivoting post's (6) required travel.
The preferred embodiment of the elongated base (2) is a blow molded plastic material, an end cap (16) to permit the interior to be filled with a material or fluid to add weight to the elongated base (2) is located in the proximal end (3) of the elongated base. (2) THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE; INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A ball striking practice device comprising an elongated base having an upper surface with an elongated slot into which one end of the pivoting post is disposed, having one end thereof pivotally secured below the surface of the elongated base for pivotal movement in a longitudinal direction with respect to the elongated base, with a ball attached to and supported at the other end of the pivoting post, further provided is an exterior protruding lug on
Claims (3)
1. A ball striking practice device comprising an elongated base having an upper surface with an elongated slot into which one end of the pivoting post is disposed, having one end thereof pivotally secured below the surface of the elongated base for pivotal movement in a longitudinal direction with respect to the elongated base, with a ball attached to and supported at the other end of the pivoting post, further provided is an exterior protruding lug on P.8 both side walls of the practice hitting device base, for the purpose of supporting a closed end resilient band so that when the closed end resilient band is stretched to transverse across the upper surface of the practice hitting device to circumscribe the two protruding lugs, the resilient stop band position is such that it also frictionally retains the pivoting post retaining shaft.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein, the resilient stop band that circumscribes a protruding lug on both sides of the longitudinal base when stretched to transverse the upper surface which provides a plurality of latterly extended grooves that traverse across the upper surface of the elongated base in predetermined locations, thus providing a plurality of selectable stop locations at both extremes of the pivoting post's travel by appropriately selecting lateral grooves in the upper surface, whereby the amplitude and speed of travel of the pivoting post may be readily controlled, thus the closed end resilient band is positioned to retain the pivoting post retaining shaft and control the range of travel of the pivoting post within the elongated slot.
3. A device according to Claim 1, further provided with a resilient hose or band and a ball with a circumscribing groove, the resilient hose is attached to the extreme upper section of the pivoting post to form a closed loop that is positioned in the groove to circumscribe the grooved ball.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2335868 CA2335868A1 (en) | 2001-02-13 | 2001-02-13 | Ball striking practice device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2335868 CA2335868A1 (en) | 2001-02-13 | 2001-02-13 | Ball striking practice device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2335868A1 true CA2335868A1 (en) | 2002-08-13 |
Family
ID=4168338
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2335868 Abandoned CA2335868A1 (en) | 2001-02-13 | 2001-02-13 | Ball striking practice device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2335868A1 (en) |
-
2001
- 2001-02-13 CA CA 2335868 patent/CA2335868A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |