WO1999013951A1 - Sporting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A sporting apparatus for practising ball skills particularly throwing, kicking, and catching skills comprising an attachment means (II) designed to attach to the body of a person, a ball-retaining means (2), and an elastic coupling means (10). In use, a user propels a ball and the ball-retaining means away by throwing or kicking the ball thereby causing the elastic coupling means to extend and then stretch before retracting and returning the ball in the direction of the user.

Description

SPORTING APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a ball game apparatus or training

apparatus that enables a person to self-train in a ball game or can

simply be used as a source of amusement. Training one person to

catch or throw a ball generally requires another person to catch

and throw or kick the ball back to the first person. The throwing

or kicking of a ball without another person to receive and return it

will generally require effort to retrieve the ball. The apparatus of

the present invention eliminates the need for a second person to

throw or catch the ball.

BACKGROUND ART

In the past, ball holding, hitting or throwing devices have been

used for self-training in ball games such as cricket and tennis.

Such prior art devices consisted of a ball attached to one end of a

tether. One disadvantage was that the device could not be readily adapted to different ball games. A further disadvantage was that

the use of a specially adapted ball added to the cost of

manufacture of the device.

Further, because in many cases the tether had to be held by the

user this inhibited the user's ability to catch the ball.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention consists in a sporting apparatus comprising

a ball retaining means, an attachment means attachable to the

limb of a person in use, an elongated coupling means coupling the

ball retaining means and the attachment means, at least part of

the elongated coupling means being a resilient tendon, the

construction and arrangement being such that in use a ball is held

by the ball retaining means and the ball and ball retaining means

can be propelled by a person away from an inner position close to

the body to an outer position away from the body thus stretching

the resilient tendon which then causes the ball and ball retaining

means to be drawn back to, or near to, said inner position.

The elongated coupling means may be attached to the ball

retaining means by way of a swivel in a manner allowing relative

rotation. The attachment means may comprise a strap to be looped around

a limb in use and first, second and third fasteners, the first

fastener engaging the strap in two places in use to provide means

for adjustment of the strap loop size, the second fastener

engaging the strap and a region at, or adjacent an inner end of the

elongated coupling means; the third fastener engaging the strap

and engaging the elongated coupling means in a manner such that

it is adjustable along the elongated coupling means to lie in any of

a number of chosen intermediate positions, the construction and

arrangement being such that the chosen intermediate position

becomes the effective inner end of the elongated coupling means.

The third fastener may be comprised of at least two disengagable

strap and coupling components, the strap component engaging

the strap and the coupling component engaging the elongated

coupling means in a manner such that it is adjustable along the

elongated coupling means to lie in any of a number of chosen

intermediate positions, the construction and arrangement being

such that when the two components are engaged the chosen

intermediate position becomes the effective inner end of the

elongated coupling means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred forms of the invention will now be described with

reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic side elevation of the preferred form

of the sporting apparatus. The breaks shown in Figure 1 are

intended to represent variation in the lengths of the relevant

components.

Figure 2 shows the three buckles and strap used in a preferred

form of the attachment means of the sporting apparatus.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of another form of attachment means.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the preferred form of the invention as shown in Figures 1 and

2, the sporting apparatus is comprised of a ball retaining means,

an attachment means and an elongated coupling means.

The ball retaining means (1 ) is comprised of a net (2) in the form

of a bag into which a ball can be inserted, and has a drawstring

(3) around the mouth of the net which when drawn tight closes

the mouth of the net preventing the ball from falling out and

tightens the net around the ball. The net bag will preferably encompass the ball sufficiently tightly to prevent the netting

surrounding the ball from excessively interfering with the handling

of the ball in use. The drawstring (3) is attached to the elongated

coupling means (5) via a swivel (6). The swivel (6) provides a

rotatable connection between the ball and net and the elongated

coupling means (5) and helps stop entanglement and overwinding

of the coupling means (5) and of the drawstring (3) and net (2)

that may otherwise result from rotation of the ball and ball

retaining means relative to the elongated coupling means (5) when

the ball is thrown or kicked.

The swivel (6) is covered by a swivel guard (7) to protect the user

from possible injury arising from contact with the swivel

particularly when the ball and ball containing means returns to the

user after being thrown or kicked.

The elongated coupling means is comprised at least partially of a

resilient tendon. In the preferred form of the invention as shown

in Figure 1 , it is comprised primarily of a braided elastic ribbon

(10) composed of a multitude of rubber threads integrated with a

loose weave textile. In other forms of the invention other

materials can be used but braided ribbon elastic is particularly

suitable in that it is strong and resilient and is soft enough so as

not to cause injury to the user on recoil and yet is sufficiently

elastic to allow the ball and ball containing means to recoil with sufficient force to enable the ball to return to the user. Use of

elastic ribbon also aids in attaching the elongated coupling means

(5) to the preferred form of attachment means (1 1 ) and facilitates

adjustment of the elongated coupling means (5) by way of the

system of buckles used in the preferred form. A reinforcing

material (4) may need to be attached to the end of the elastic

ribbon (10) to help secure the ribbon (10) to the swivel (6).

The attachment means attaches to the user generally by wrapping

around the user's wrist or lower arm. In the preferred form of the

invention the attachment means is adjustable to fit the user and

provides a convenient means for attaching and adjusting the

elongated coupling means. In the preferred form of the invention

as shown in Figures 1 and 2 the attachment means comprises a

strap (1 5) onto which three buckles (1 6, 1 7, 1 8) are threaded

and/or sewn.

In the preferred form as shown in Figure 1 one end of the strap

(1 5) is wound around a bar (26) of a cam type buckle (1 6) and

sewn back upon itself to prevent detachment. The other end of

the strap is, in use, fed through the locking mechanism (36) of the

cam type buckle (1 6) so that when the cam type buckle is open

that end of the strap can be fed through the buckle and adjusted

to the size of the limb-encompassing loop of the strap (1 5) until it

is adjusted to fit the user whereupon the cam-type buckle (1 6) can be locked closed so that the loop remains fitted to the user's

arm.

A spongy material such as Neoprene™ closed cell rubber (25) may

be fixed to the inside of the strap (1 5) to allow the strap to be

worn more comfortably.

In the preferred form as shown in Figure 1 , the end of the strap

that is sewn back upon itself extends far enough for an inner

buckle (1 7) also to be fitted to the strap. The strap is sewn back

upon itself on both sides of the inner buckle (1 7) to hold the

buckle in place.

A region at, or adjacent to, the inner end (20) of the braided

elastic ribbon (10) is attached to the strap (1 5) by being wound

around the inner buckle (1 7). After being wound around the inner

buckle, the elastic ribbon (10) may be sewn back upon itself to

prevent detachment but when wound in a fashion similar to that

shown in Figure 1 sewing is generally not necessary. By simply

winding the elastic ribbon (1 0) onto the buckle (1 7) rather than

sewing it on, the apparatus is more versatile in that elastic ribbons

may be relatively easily replaced to allow worn ribbons to be

exchanged for new ribbons or to install a ribbon of different

length. In the preferred form as shown in Figure 1 the ribbon is also

wound through the coupling means component (28) of a plug and

socket buckle (1 8), the strap component (38) of which is

attached to the strap (1 5). By feeding the elastic ribbon (10)

through the coupling means component (28), the length of the

ribbon between the plug and socket buckle (1 8) and the swivel (6)

can be decreased or increased thus determining the extension

length of the apparatus. The useful length of the elastic strip

between the plug and socket buckle and the swivel may be

adjusted to suit the manner in which the ball needs to be thrown

or kicked. The length of the elastic strip may be adjusted to cater

for the age and/or ability of the person using the device.

There will be a corresponding increase or decrease in the length of

ribbon between the plug and socket buckle (1 8) and the inner

buckle (1 7). Any slack in the elastic ribbon (1 0) between plug

and socket buckle (1 8) and the inner buckle (1 7) may be wound

around the user's arm to prevent entanglement or obstruction.

The winding of the elastic ribbon around the user's wrist is more

easily undertaken by disengaging the components (28, 38) of the

plug and socket buckle (1 8), adjusting the elastic ribbon (10)

through the buckle's coupling means component (28) , wrapping

the slack around the user's arm and re-engaging the plug and

socket buckle components. In other forms of the invention a number of variations are

possible. Numerous different forms of ball retaining means may

be used. For instance rather than using a drawstring, the mouth

of the net or the net itself could be elasticised or some other

form of fasteners such as domes or hooks and eyes or zips could

be used. Conceivably, the bag and drawstring could be replaced

with a suction cup or clip capable of sticking or attaching to the

ball. Other forms of retaining means may include stretch fabric

bags or interlaced strings. In other forms of the invention the

coupling means may be attached to parts of the retaining means

other than the drawstring (particularly in forms where there is no

drawstring). Some of these different arrangements may have

disadvantages in so far as they may require the use of customised

balls or may involve components that may unduly interfere with

the handling and flight of the ball.

The attachment means may also take a variety of forms. For

instance, it may be fitted to the user by use of velcro, belt-type

buckles [as shown in Figure 3 with belt-type buckle (40), strap

(41 ) and part of the elongated coupling means (42)] or tethers

that can be tied together. It may not always be necessary to

provide components on the attachment means to aid in the length

adjustment of the coupling means. The length of the coupling means may not be adjustable or it may be adjustable by having a

series of fasteners on the elongated coupling means itself or it

could simply be knotted to allow it to be shortened or lengthened.

Also, the elongated coupling means could be extended to form the

limb-encompassing loop of the attachment means. In other forms

of the invention the elongated coupling means may be comprised

of or include resilient materials other than braided ribbon elastic

such as rubber bands, bungy cords, springs etc., however, many

of these other materials tend to be less safe to use due to the risk

of injury or hurt inflicted to the face or arms of the user

particularly during the rebound and catching phase of using the

apparatus.

The preferred form of the sporting apparatus as shown in Figure 1

may be used in the following way. A ball is placed in the net and

the drawstring is pulled to tighten the net around the ball and to

prevent if from spilling out of the net. The strap is placed over

the user's limb, generally around their wrist, and tightened to fit.

The throwing/kicking length of the apparatus is adjusted by

adjusting the position of engagement between the elastic ribbon

and the plug and socket buckle. If appropriate the plug and

socket buckle can be unlocked to allow the slack in the elastic to

be wrapped around the user's arm before the plug and socket are re-engaged. The user can then propel the ball (and ball retaining

means) away from himself, by throwing or kicking for instance,

which causes the elastic ribbon to extend and then stretch until it

causes the ball and ball retaining means to rebound and return in

the direction of the user. With practice the user can control the

return of the ball and ball retaining means (generally by a wrist

action) so that they return in a manner which allows the user to

catch the ball. It is envisaged that the invention may be used in

conjunction with a range of balls. For instance the invention

could be used in conjunction with a rugby ball, netball, baseball,

cricket ball, or basketball, etc. to practise passing and catching.

Because the invention has an attachment means capable of being

fastened to the wrist of a person freeing both hands of that

person, it is particularly useful for exercises where the ball, upon

return, is to be caught with both hands. The length of the elastic

strip may be adjusted at the wrist attachment so as to simulate

different aspects of ball games or the apparatus may simply be

used as a means of amusement.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Thus the apparatus may provide users with a training means to

assist in improving their ball skills such as throwing, kicking and catching or may simply provide apparatus for an enjoyable leisure

activity.

Claims

1 . A sporting apparatus comprising a ball retaining means (1 ),

an attachment means (1 1 ) attachable to the limb of a person in

use,

an elongated coupling means (5) coupling the ball retaining means

and the attachment means at least part of the elongated coupling

means (5) being a resilient tendon, the construction and

arrangement being such that in use a ball is held by the ball

retaining means and the ball and ball retaining means can be

propelled by a person away from an inner position close to the

body to an outer position away from the body thus stretching the

resilient tendon which then causes the ball and ball retaining

means to be drawn back to, or near to, said inner position.

2. The sporting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the

attachment means (1 1 ) is adapted to adjust the length of the

elongated coupling means (5).

3. The sporting apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the

attachment means comprises a strap (1 5) to be looped around a

limb in use and first, second and third fasteners (1 6, 1 7, 1 8), the first fastener (1 6) engaging the strap (1 5) in two places in use to

provide means for adjustment of the strap loop size, the second

fastener (1 7) engaging the strap ( 1 5) and a region of, or adjacent

an inner end (20) of the elongated coupling means (5), and the

third fastener (1 8) engaging the strap (1 5) and engaging the

elongated coupling means (5) in a manner such that it is

adjustable along the elongated coupling means (5) to lie in any of

a number of chosen intermediate positions, the construction and

arrangement being such that the chosen intermediate position

becomes the effective inner end of the elongated coupling means

(5).

4. The sporting apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the third

fastener (1 8) is comprised of at least two disengagable strap and

coupling components, the strap component (38) engaging the

strap (1 5) and the coupling component (28) engaging the

elongated coupling means (5) in a manner such that it is

adjustable along the elongated coupling (5) means to lie in any of

a number of chosen intermediate positions, the construction and

arrangement being such that when the two components (38, 28)

are engaged the chosen intermediate position becomes the

effective inner end of the elongated coupling means (5).

5. The sporting apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the

retaining means (1 ) comprises a net bag (2) having a mouth and a

drawstring (3) around the mouth of said net bag (2); said retaining

means (1 ) being arranged such that pulling of the drawstring (3)

closes the mouth of said net bag (2) to prevent a ball placed

within said net bag (2) in use from falling out.

6. The sporting apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5

wherein the elongated coupling means (5) is attached to the ball

retaining means (1 ) by way of a swivel (6) in a manner allowing

relative rotation.

7. The sporting apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5

wherein said elongated coupling means (5) is comprised of an

elastic ribbon (10).

8. The sporting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said

elongated coupling means (5) is comprised of an elastic ribbon

(10).

9. The sporting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the

swivel (6) is covered by a swivel guard (7).

10. The sporting apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the

swivel (6) is covered by a swivel guard (7).

1 1 . The sporting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 when

dependent on claim 5 wherein the swivel (6) is attached to the

drawstring(3).

1 2. The sporting apparatus substantially as herein described with

reference to Figures 1 and 2.