U.S. patent application number 11/054940 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-17 for sports training apparatus.
Invention is credited to Serge Gamsaragan, Victor Sultana.
Application Number | 20060183570 11/054940 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36816339 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060183570 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gamsaragan; Serge ; et
al. |
August 17, 2006 |
Sports training apparatus
Abstract
A sports training apparatus comprising a tethering line 10 at
one end being connected to ball retaining means 14, and at an
opposite end being adapted to detachably anchor to a person 12. The
ball retaining means 14 is adapted to fit about a ball 16. The ball
retaining means 14 also includes adjustment means which is
configured to permit releasable retention of one of differently
sized balls.
Inventors: |
Gamsaragan; Serge; (Lilli
Pilli, AU) ; Sultana; Victor; (Carlton, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL D. BEDNAREK;SHAW PITTMAN LLP
1650 TYSONS BOULEVARD
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Family ID: |
36816339 |
Appl. No.: |
11/054940 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/0086 20130101;
A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B 2243/0066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/424 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. Ball retaining means of a sports training apparatus including a
tethering line at one end anchored to a person, the ball retaining
means being adapted to releasably retain one of differently sized
balls and connect at or adjacent an opposite end of the tethering
line, and comprising adjustment means configured to permit
retention of said one of the differently sized balls within the
retaining means.
2. A sports training apparatus comprising: a tethering line at one
end being adapted to detachably anchor to a person; and ball
retaining means connected at or adjacent an opposite end of the
tethering line, and including adjustment means being configured to
permit releasable retention of one of differently sized balls.
3. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
in claim 1, wherein the ball retaining means includes a mounting
member connected to said opposite end of the tethering line and
having a cavity shaped complementary to a portion of the ball.
4. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
in claim 3, wherein the mounting member is fabricated of a
resiliently flexible material which deforms so as to contour to
said portion of the ball.
5. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
in claim 1, wherein said adjustment means includes an elastic strap
or membrane which is constructed of a continuous skin and is
designed to detachably attach to the mounting member and wrap about
and thus rigidly retain the ball within the retaining means.
6. Ball retaining means or sports training apparatus as claimed in
claim 5, wherein the elastic strap or membrane includes fastening
means which releasably attaches to the mounting member at a
variable position depending on the size of the ball.
7. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
claim 1, wherein the tethering line is at least in part fabricated
of an elastic material which serves to draw the ball back toward
the person from whom it is propelled.
8. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
claim 1, wherein the ball is propelled away from the person by
passing, throwing or kicking.
9. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
claim 1, wherein the tethering line is selected from different
fixed lengths to accommodate the requirements of junior, teenager
and senior users.
10. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
claim 1 also comprising attachment means being adapted to
releasably attach to the person and provide anchoring for said one
end of the tethering line.
11. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
in claim 10, wherein said attachment means is in the form of an
wrist, ankle or waist band or belt worn by the person.
12. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
in claim 11, wherein the wrist band is fabricated in different
sizes to allow for the requirements of both junior and senior
users.
13. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
in claim 5, wherein the ball retaining means is of a two-piece
construction including the mounting member and the elastic strap or
membrane, respectively.
14. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
claim 1, wherein the ball retaining means is fabricated of
predominantly a non-slip material such as a rubber or elastomeric
material.
15. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
in claim 14, wherein the non-slip material is on at least its
exposed surfaces colored fluorescent or illuminescent for improved
visibility particularly at night.
16. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
claim 1, wherein the ball retaining means is distinctively
branded.
17. Ball retaining means or a sports training apparatus as claimed
in claim 1, wherein the ball is a rugby or gridiron ball.
18. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates broadly to a sports training
apparatus and relates particularly to a ball retaining means of
such an apparatus.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] The patent literature includes a large number of published
specifications disclosing various arrangements of a sports ball
tethered to a person via an elastic cord. The sports ball may be
either: [0003] (i) modified to include a ring for attachment to the
elastic cord, for example WO 94/09862 by Webb; or [0004] (ii)
located within a net which is connected to the elastic cord, for
example U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,462 by Doyle et al, WO 96/01669 by
Hauter, or WO 99/13951 by James.
[0005] The sporting apparatus of WO 99/13951 is relatively
complicated in its preferred embodiment including a net in the form
of a bag connected to a braided elastic ribbon which in turn is
connected to a wrist strap. The bag has a mouth together with a
drawstring through which a ball is inserted and thereafter the
drawstring effects tight closure of the mouth to prevent the ball
from falling out. The apparatus includes a swivel arrangement which
interconnects the elastic ribbon and the ball to prevent
entanglement. The sporting apparatus of WO 99/13951 suffers from at
least the following drawbacks: [0006] (i) the net does not snugly
contour to the shape of the ball and is prone to snagging or
entangling a person's fingers and inhibits gripping of the ball in
catching and throwing; [0007] (ii) the apparatus is unnecessarily
complicated including the swivel and multi-part wrist strap
arrangements; and [0008] (iii) the wrist strap is relatively heavy
and complicated in construction and requires a high degree of skill
and another person's assistance in fitting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided ball retaining means of a sports training apparatus
including a tethering line at one end anchored to a person, the
ball retaining means being adapted to releasably retain one of
differently sized balls and connect at or adjacent an opposite end
of the tethering line, and comprising adjustment means configured
to permit retention of said one of the differently sized balls
within the retaining means.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention there is
provided a sports training apparatus comprising: [0011] a tethering
line at one end being adapted to detachably anchor to a person; and
[0012] ball retaining means connected at or adjacent an opposite
end of the tethering line, and including adjustment means being
configured to permit releasable retention of one of differently
sized balls.
[0013] Preferably the ball retaining means includes a mounting
member connected to said opposite end of the tethering line and
having a cavity shaped complementary to a portion of the ball. More
preferably the mounting member is fabricated of a resiliently
flexible material which deforms so as to contour to said portion of
the ball.
[0014] Preferably said adjustment means includes an elastic strap
or membrane which is constructed of a continuous skin and is
designed to detachably attach to the mounting member and wrap about
and thus rigidly retain the ball within the retaining means. More
preferably the elastic strap or membrane includes fastening means
such as VELCRO which releasably attaches to the mounting member at
a variable position depending on the size of the ball.
[0015] Preferably the tethering line is at least in part fabricated
of an elastic material which serves to draw the ball back toward
the person from whom it is propelled. More preferably the ball is
propelled away from the person by passing, throwing or kicking.
Even more preferably the tethering line is selected from different
fixed lengths to accommodate the requirements of junior, teenager
and senior users.
[0016] Preferably the sports training apparatus also comprises
attachment means being adapted to releasably attach to the person
and provide anchoring for said one end of the tethering line. More
preferably said attachment means is in the form of an wrist, ankle
or waist band or belt worn by the person. Even more preferably the
wrist band is fabricated in different sizes to allow for the
requirements of both junior and senior users.
[0017] Preferably the ball retaining means is of a two-piece
construction including the mounting member and the elastic strap or
membrane, respectively.
[0018] Preferably the ball retaining means is fabricated of
predominantly a non-slip material such as a rubber or elastomeric
material. More preferably the non-slip material is on at least its
exposed surfaces coloured fluorescent or illuminescent for improved
visibility particularly at night. The retaining means may also be
distinctively branded, for example in sporting club colours.
[0019] Generally the ball is a rugby or gridiron ball.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] In order to facilitate a better understanding of the nature
of the present invention a preferred embodiment of a sports
training apparatus and in particular a ball retaining means will
now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a player together with
a tethering line and ball retaining means arranged in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the ball retaining
means together with the ball of FIG. 1; and
[0023] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ball retaining
means of FIGS. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 there is a sports training apparatus
comprising a tethering line 10 at one end being detachably anchored
to a person or player 12, and ball retaining means designated
generally as 14 connected at an opposite end of the tethering line
10. The ball retaining means is designed to releasably retain a
selected one of differently sized balls such as 16. The tethering
line 10 is in this example anchored to the player 12 via attachment
means in the form of a wrist strap 18. The tethering line 10 is
fabricated of an elastic cord.
[0025] As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the ball retaining means 14
includes a mounting member 20 and adjustment means including an
elastic strap or membrane 22. The mounting member 20 is in this
embodiment generally dome-shaped having a cavity 24 shaped
complementary to in this case an end portion of the football 16.
The mounting member 20 is fabricated of a resiliently flexible
material such as a neoprene material which deforms so as to contour
to the end portion of the ball 16. The tethering line or elastic
cord 10 is fixed to an apex of the dome-shaped mounting member
20.
[0026] The adjustment means or elastic strap 22 is at opposing ends
23A and 23B, respectively, designed to releasably fasten to the
mounting member 20 via fastening means which in this embodiment is
in the form of VELCRO 28A and 30A, respectively. The dome-shaped
mounting member 20 includes corresponding and inter-engaging VELCRO
surfaces such as 28B and 30B for variable fastening of the elastic
strap or membrane 22. In this embodiment the opposing ends 23A/B of
the elastic strap 22 are shaped triangular to substantially cover
the dome-shaped mounting member 20. This results in increased grip
and "feel" around the ball 16 with a relatively smooth and
comfortable catching surface for the user.
[0027] The elastic strap or membrane 22 is constructed of a
continuous skin and is designed to wrap about the football 16. The
continuous skin is constructed of a rubber or elastomeric material
which contours to the shape of the football 16 and rigidly retains
the ball 16. The variable adjustment of the fastening means
together with the elastic strap or membrane 22 allows the ball
retaining means to be fitted to a variety of differently sized and
shaped balls. For example, it is expected that the ball retaining
means of this embodiment can be fitted to a rugby union or rugby
league ball, or an Australian rules football. Within each of these
"codes" there may also be a differently sized balls. For example,
in rugby league there are "mini" balls for the juniors, "mod" balls
for the teenagers, and "max" balls for the seniors as well as
training balls which are the same size as "max" balls except
heavier.
[0028] The ball retaining means is thus of a two-piece construction
including the mounting member 20 and the elastic strap or membrane
22, respectively. These components are advantageously fabricated of
a non-slip material which may be gripped with ease and in
contouring to the shape of the football retains the natural feel of
the ball itself. The ball retaining means may also on its exposes
surfaces be coloured fluorescent or luminescent for improved
visibility at night and may be distinctively branded with sporting
club colours.
[0029] The neoprene strap 22 of this embodiment is relatively
waterproof and can be used for training in wet and slippery
conditions which are generally characteristic of winter sports such
as the football codes. The waterproof strap or membrane 22 also
inhibits dew from the grass, which normally makes a ball slippery,
from accumulating on the surface of the ball 16. The neoprane strap
22 provides a spongy surface for gripping and improves the users
development of passing, throwing and catching.
[0030] The sports training apparatus of the embodiment encourages
the development of ball handing skills and for example can be used
as a means of rehabilitation whilst recovering from injury. The
apparatus also encourages the development of: [0031] (i) correct
placement of the legs and feet whilst passing or throwing the ball;
[0032] (ii) correct positioning of the torso for passing, throwing
and catching the ball; and [0033] (iii) correct placement of the
fingers, hands and arms when passing, throwing and catching the
ball.
[0034] The general steps involved in playing with the sports
training apparatus are as follows: [0035] (i) the ball 16 is fitted
within the ball retaining means as best illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0036] (ii) the wrist strap or band 18 is attached to the person or
player's 12 wrist as illustrated in FIG. 1; and [0037] (iii) the
ball 16 is passed by the player 12 and the tethering line or
elastic cord 10 returns the ball 16 toward the player 12.
[0038] Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been described in some detail it will be apparent to those skilled
in the art that the sports training apparatus has at least the
following advantages over the admitted prior art: [0039] (i) the
ball retaining means can be snugly fitted to a variety of
differently shaped and/or sized balls; [0040] (ii) the ball
retaining means being of a continuous membrane contours to the
shape of the ball and is relatively unobstructed for a person
catching and passing the ball; and [0041] (iii) the ball retaining
means and sports training apparatus can be appropriately coloured
and branded for visibility and association with a sporting
club.
[0042] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention
described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications
other than those specifically described. For example, the specific
configuration and materials of construction for the retaining means
may vary provided it has adequate adjustment for retention of a
variety of differently sized balls. The two-piece construction of
the preferred embodiment may be replaced with a one-piece
construction of for example a rubber skin which fits about the
ball.
[0043] All such variations and modifications are to be considered
within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to
be determined from the foregoing description.
[0044] It is to be understood that an acknowledgment of prior art
in the patent specification is not an admission that this prior art
forms part of the common general knowledge in the relevant art.
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