U.S. patent application number 09/765046 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for tennis practice device using simulation.
Invention is credited to Daniel, Peter, Parkinson, Paul.
Application Number | 20020098921 09/765046 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25072491 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020098921 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parkinson, Paul ; et
al. |
July 25, 2002 |
Tennis practice device using simulation
Abstract
The device allows a beginner to learn the game, or an advanced
player to develop new skills by simulating ball movement from the
time that the opponent strikes the ball until the first bounce of
the bail in the player's court. At this time a real ball is
delivered at a speed and trajectory preset by the player. This
simulation allows the practicing player to interact with the device
in preparing stance and having a fluid back swing and swing of the
tennis racket. The real ball having been struck by the player hits
a large catch net located immediately in front of the device. The
devise can be used in an enclosure the size of a one car garage or
small basement, allowing use during rain or winter months.
Inventors: |
Parkinson, Paul; (Ft.
Lauderdale, FL) ; Daniel, Peter; (Ft. Lauderdale,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Paul Parkinson
2655 GULFSTREAM LN
FT. LAUDERDALE
FL
33312
US
|
Family ID: |
25072491 |
Appl. No.: |
09/765046 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/459 ;
473/431 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/38 20130101;
A63B 69/406 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/459 ;
473/431 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/00 |
Claims
1. A device for practicing the game of tennis comprising a. A
device that simulates an opponent striking tennis ball and also
simulates the movement of the ball through the first bounce on the
players court. b. Said device delivers a real tennis ball at the
time of said simulated bounce at a speed and trajectory preset by
the player. A circuit panel comprising timing components that
operates simulated ball movement and coordinate real ball delivery
for said tennis practice device
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a machine utilized for the
practice of the game of tennis in small enclosures.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Prior art practice machines for the game of tennis are
designed to be used on a tennis court in good weather by throwing a
tennis ball the length of a tennis court, over tennis net. By
watching the ball approach, a practicing player can time his/her
stance and back swing in anticipation of the arrival of the ball,
U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,245, Augustine.
[0005] Back swing and swing must be a fluid motion. Several
machines are on the market, however all are designed to utilize a
fill tennis court. Existing machines can be slowed down, placed
close to the player, and deliver a ball representing the ball
flight after the first bounce. This is not practical because in the
game of tennis the player has to anticipate the movement of the
ball and prepare stance and begin back swing to strike the
approaching ball precisely at the right time in a fluid motion.
Existing machines placed close to the player give no indication of
when a ball will be delivered.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0006] By using simulation of the flight of the ball from the time
a simulated opponent strikes the ball until the first bounce, a
player can anticipate when the ball will be delivered and prepare
stance and back-swing to coincide with the ball delivery. By
utilizing a catch net placed immediately in front of the device a
player can watch the simulated movement of the ball, prepare for
the arrival of the real ball at the time of the first bounce, and
hit the ball which then strikes the catch net. Practicing the game
can be done in a small enclosure similar to the size of a one-car
garage. Weather conditions are not a factor, allowing the player to
learn the game or improve skills during winter months or rainy
days
DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 shows a hinge pin used for manually setting the
elevation for ball delivery.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows a locking mechanism for holding the selected
elevation in place.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows a left mounting plate for the motors and
wheels.
[0010] FIG. 4 shows a right mounting plate for the motors, wheels,
and elevation setting.
[0011] FIG. 5 shows a rod, which extends outside of the cover to
manually adjust elevation after the locking mechanism is
released.
[0012] FIG. 6 shows a bell-crank which rotates, releasing one ball
while holding all remaining balls.
[0013] FIG. 7 shows a rod that connects the bell-crank to a
solenoid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION--OPERATION
[0014] A Plexiglas tube 23/4 ID holding 18 tennis balls is inserted
vertically into the top of the device. The balls fall, and there is
room for three at a time going into the ball chute inside of the
device. The remainder stay in the tube, falling into the device one
at a time as a ball is ejected. The balls in the device compress
the upper micro-switch lever, completing the circuit and allowing
the circuit board to operate at such time as 120-volt power is
applied. When the device is turned on the circuit board delays for
14 seconds, allowing time for the player to get into position. At
that time the circuit board illuminates the first light, simulating
that an opponent has struck the ball. One half second later the
circuit board illuminates the second light, simulating that the
ball is crossing the tennis net. One half second later the circuit
board illuminates the third light, simulating that the ball is
bouncing. At that time the circuit board provides power to a
solenoid which, through a rod (FIG. 7) pulls on the bell-crank
(FIG. 6) releasing a single ball. The upper arm of the bell-crank
simultaneously moves into the tube thus holding all other
balls.
[0015] The released ball moves down the tube and strikes the lever
on the lower micro-switch, resetting the circuit board. The ball
proceeds down the tube and is ejected by two counter-rotating
wheels (FIG. 8) spun by two electric motors. The speed and
trajectory of the ball has been preset by the player before
beginning play (FIGS. 1,2,3,4,5). Having been reset, the circuit
board repeats the procedure after a delay of 4 seconds. The
procedure is repeated over and over until there are no more balls
in the system. As the last ball is ejected the upper micro-switch
lever is released, having no more balls holding it closed, and the
circuit board shuts down.
SUMMARY
[0016] The device provides a tennis player with a means of
improving skills when not able to utilize a tennis court due to
weather conditions such as rain or months of winter weather. This
devise simulates the flight of the ball, allowing the player to
prepare his/her stance and back-swing and then delivers a real ball
for the player to strike, with said ball then hitting a catch net.
The player can utilize this device in a single car garage,
basement, or similar enclosure in any weather.
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