U.S. patent application number 12/884147 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-09 for juggling aid and training apparatus.
Invention is credited to James D. Corridon.
Application Number | 20110136087 12/884147 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44082385 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110136087 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Corridon; James D. |
June 9, 2011 |
Juggling Aid and Training Apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus for assisting in learning the art of juggling
comprises a sloping net which is supported by a structure or worn
by the juggler himself, whereby any errantly thrown or dropped
balls are caught by the net and returned to close proximity of the
juggler so that he can easily pick them up and begin to juggle
again. Thus the juggler is relieved of and no longer required to
waste time and energy chasing lost balls and more importantly
having to bend over or squat down to the floor surface to retrieve
them.
Inventors: |
Corridon; James D.; (Wilton,
CT) |
Family ID: |
44082385 |
Appl. No.: |
12/884147 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61243523 |
Sep 17, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
434/247 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 2063/001 20130101; A63B 67/08
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/247 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A device for assisting in learning the art of juggling
comprising: a net with a sloping surface; the net supported by a
structure so that the net is situated about waist high from a floor
surface; the sloping surface having a high perimeter and a low
perimeter; a lip along the low perimeter; whereby a juggler who
practices juggling in close proximity to the device has any errant
balls caught by the net and return to him by the sloping
surface.
2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said structure further
comprises: a front elevation adjuster so as to selectably lower or
raise the low perimeter.
3. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said structure further
comprises: a rear elevation adjuster so as to selectably lower or
raise the high perimeter.
4. A device as in claim 1 and further comprising multiple sloping
surfaces in the net so that the caught balls are returned to a
single point at the low perimeter.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This non-provisional patent application claims a priority
benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61,243,523 entitled
"Juggling aid and training apparatus" filed in the United States
Patent and Trademark Office on Sep. 17, 2009 by a common Inventor
to this instant application, James D. Corridon. Further the above
named Provisional Application is hereby incorporated by
reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates to devices for capturing projectiles
and returning them to a predetermined location.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention is a lightweight portable net configured to
assist a juggler in training exercises by capturing dropped balls
or other juggling objects onto a sloping surface designed to return
the balls to a terminating lip edge for easy retrieval by the
juggler. The invention has several embodiments comprising a
stand-alone unit, a tabletop unit and a personal accessory
unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Juggling has been around since the beginning of man, and
probably began not long after man found his second stone.
[0007] The earliest known record of juggling is a wall painting
from the 15.sup.th century BC Beni Hassan tomb of an unknown prince
depicting female dancers and acrobats throwing balls in Egypt
rendered about 4000 years ago. These women jugglers were found
amongst acrobats and dancers in one of the crypt's wall paintings.
Therefore we know juggling has long been a popular activity.
[0008] Learning to juggle takes time and patience. It also takes a
great deal of energy to chase down and retrieve errant throws or
failed catches. Aids to assist in learning the art, either methods
or apparatus are few and far between.
[0009] Earlier aids to assist in learning juggling consist of
books, magazine articles, and videotapes. These aids either
describe how to juggle or show how juggling is done, but do not
directly support the active participation of the student. Since
much of learning to juggle is a process of developing the muscle
memory of the participant, these "passive" learning aids are
necessarily of a limited value.
[0010] The training aid and method described herein provides the
user with an enhanced environment of an efficient "hands-on"
experience with juggling balls from the beginning of and throughout
the learning process, thus developing the requisite muscle memory.
The adjustability of the training aid as described below further
enhances its value to the user.
[0011] Thus there is a need for a device that will assist a student
of the art, no matter how young or old, in learning to juggle in an
environment that allows them to focus on the important skills;
throwing and catching. Such a device or convenience is heretofore
unknown to the inventor. In general this apparatus has the
potential for entertaining and improving the quality of life for
school children, college students, professional jugglers, and
senior citizens in need of mild exercise or occupational therapy.
It removes one of the major impediments to learning the art of
juggling; the time and energy it takes to chase down and retrieve
inaccurately thrown or uncaught juggling pieces.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0012] The primary purpose of this invention is to promote juggling
and the teaching thereof, as a form of mental and physical
exercise/therapy from the very young to the very old."
[0013] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention
are:
[0014] (a) to provide a participating (rather than passive)
training aid for the user which eliminates the time and energy of
chasing and or retrieving dropped balls or juggling pieces;
[0015] (b) to provide a user friendly juggling environment,
allowing the user to increase or decrease the number of balls being
manipulated without multiplying the chase and retrieve factor, thus
allows the user to advance his or her juggling skills at his or her
own pace;
[0016] (c) to provide a three-dimensional juggling accessory for
learning to juggle, whereby the accessory catches, gathers,
retrieves, and returns dropped balls to the juggling artist with a
minimum of effort on his part, and this apparatus allows the
juggler to focus attention more completely on the learning process
rather than worrying about erratic tosses;
[0017] (d) to make the learning process of juggling easier and
friendlier so as to encourage a broader range of people to
participate by lowering the athletic or mobility requirements to
participate in the learning process. All the balls are kept in
nearby proximity allowing the student an easy retrieval process
which further enhances his enjoyment and thus the probability that
he will continue with the sport and reap the benefits of the
activity, whether for entertainment, exercise or therapeutic value;
and
[0018] (e) to provide more practice time spent in active juggling
and less time chasing after erratically tossed balls.
[0019] Further objects and advantages of my invention will become
apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of
the invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the invention in FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a top view of the invention in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a front three-quarter perspective view of a second
embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 It is a side elevation view of the invention in FIG.
4;
[0025] FIG. 6A is a front elevation view of a third embodiment of
the invention;
[0026] FIG. 6B is a side elevation view of the invention in FIG.
6A;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of
the invention;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a modification of the
invention in FIG. 7;
[0029] FIGS. 9A-9E are views of various components of a tabletop
embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 10 are detailed notes that accompany FIGS. 9A to
9E;
[0031] FIG. 11 is front perspective view of the invention in FIG.
1;
[0032] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the invention in FIG. 11
showing the Velcro attachment to the front bar;
[0033] FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the invention as shown
in FIG. 12 with the Velcro seam partially opened up;
[0034] FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the invention as shown
in FIG. 11; and
[0035] FIG. 15 is a close up view of the webbed netting and rear
bar of the invention of FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0036] Now referring to FIG. 1 a first embodiment of the juggling
trainer 2 is shown. In this embodiment a net 4 is supported by a
tubular frame 6. The frame 6 consists of a pair of adjustable front
legs 8 and a pair of adjustable rear legs 10. The adjustable front
legs 8 are further connected by a V-shaped front bar 12 which also
serves as the attachment surface for the front edge 14 of the net
4. The adjustable rear legs 10 are further connected by a straight
horizontal rear bar 16 which also serves as the attachment surface
for the rear edge 18 of the net 4. It should be noted that in the
optimum configuration the rear bar 16 is set at a height higher
than the front bar 12. This gives the net 4 a slope such that when
a dropped juggling ball falls onto the net 4, it will roll towards
the front edge 14.
[0037] Although many different materials may be used to fabricate
the frame 6, a strong and lightweight material such as aluminum is
preferred. Minimizing weight of the device is an important goal for
transportation considerations such as shipping costs and ease of
personal transportation to and from events by a juggler. Plastic
may also be used in some applications as it is usually less
expensive than aluminum. The choice of the frame material will be
driven by transportation costs and handling objectives.
[0038] For similar reasons the flexible net 4 is preferably
constructed from a light weight nylon mesh. Nylon is know for its
strength and light weight, although other materials with like
qualities may be used.
[0039] In general the juggling artist will stand in the footprints
20A & 20B so that he faces the front edge 14 of the net 4 as he
begins his training routine. Normally when a juggler is practicing
he will often drop balls and they will fall to the floor. He then
must chase the balls as they roll across the floor and finally bend
over or squat down to pick them up. Especially for beginners the
retrieval and chasing of dropped balls is very time and energy
consuming. Thus instead of learning how to throw and catch balls,
the juggler spends most of his time chasing and retrieving balls.
This leads to a very dissatisfying experience and ultimately does
very little to encourage and keep new juggling artists in the
art.
[0040] Similarly for older folks the requirement of bending over to
retrieve dropped balls essentially eliminates juggling as an
activity as bending over can be impossible, dangerous, very
uncomfortable, or just plain impossible.
[0041] The height of the net 4 in FIG. 1 can easily be adjusted to
accommodate a juggler's preference, sitting jugglers, wheel chair
jugglers, and or jugglers of different ages and sizes. Both the
front legs 8 and their respective rear legs 10 are assembled with
telescoping portions and secured by pins 22 as is well known in the
art. A series of through holes (not shown) in the upper portions of
both the front legs 8 and the rear legs 10 is used to adjust
independently the height of the front bar 12 and the rear bar
16.
[0042] In a preferred embodiment the outer frame member has a
single through hole while the inner tubular member has a series of
through holes. Thus the inner member is slid relative to the outer
member until the desired frame height is achieved and then the pin
is inserted to lock the nearest inner hole with the fixed outer
hole. It is well known that the hole arrangement just mentioned can
be reversed such that the outer member has a series of through
holes while the inner member has the singular through hole. The
plurality of holes are preferably spaced 1'' apart but this can be
changed to accommodate other design parameters as well.
[0043] Another method well known in the art are spring loaded
buttons which are mounted and protrude from the inner tube member
into locking holes in the outer tube member. The outer tube is
slide along the inner tube until the spring loaded button locks
into the desired hole in the outer tube. Either method may be used
depending upon manufacturing and cost considerations.
[0044] Although a tubular frame 6 is disclosed, the frame 6 may be
constructed of rectangular or triangular stock. The object of the
invention remains however, that regardless of the frame
cross-sectional geometry, the legs 8 & 10 must slide adjustably
into their respective counterparts, the front bar 12 and rear bar
16.
[0045] The front legs 8 may also be adjusted in height to
accommodate wheelchair bound jugglers. The height is adjusted so
that the wheelchair arms (not shown) may slide under the front edge
14 of the net 4. This is a particularly useful feature for
assisted-care facilities and nursing homes where wheelchair
patients are fairly common.
[0046] The V-shaped front bar 12 causes two converging slopes 24A,
24B in the net 4 such that the convergence meets in the middle of
the net 4 and becomes more pronounced as the slopes 24A, 24B
approach the front edge 14 of the net 4. This double slope 24A, 24B
causes any balls which are captured by the net 4 to roll not only
towards the front edge 14 of the net 4, but also towards the
middle. In essence in a few short seconds, any dropped balls will
immediately be presented to the juggler in front of him and at a
height which makes it extremely easy to pick the ball up and begin
juggling again. Thus the whole experience of chasing and retrieving
dropped balls and the attendant waste of time is eliminated from
the juggling experience.
[0047] Furthermore the juggling trainer 2 as shown in FIG. 1 has
four rubber anti-skid pads 26 attached to the bottom horizontal
tubes 28 to prevent the trainer 2 from sliding unwantedly across
the floor. It should be noted that in a further embodiment these
pads 26 may be replaced with roller wheels 30 (not shown) so that
the trainer 2 may be easily moved about. In the embodiment with
roller wheels 30, the juggler may also wear a small harness 32 (not
shown) which attaches the V-shaped front bar 12 semi-rigidly in
close proximity to his body so that as he moves about the room, the
trainer 2 moves with him. This embodiment would most likely be used
by an experienced juggler.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 2 a side perspective view of the
juggling trainer 2 is shown. This is the same embodiment as in FIG.
1. In this view one can easily see the higher elevation of the rear
bar 16 in comparison to the V-shaped front bar 12. The two
converging slopes 24A, 24B of the net 4 are also more pronounced in
this view. It should be noted that the front edge 14 of the net 4
is attached to the underside of the V-shaped front bar 12. This is
important because the V-shaped front bar 12 also serves as a
barrier to stop the rolling balls and keep them on the net 4.
Without this barrier, though balls would continue to roll right off
the net 4 and back onto the floor. The net 4 is also designed to
have some slack so that it droops slightly right before it reaches
the V-shaped front bar 12. This drooping assists in keeping the
rolling balls from jumping over the V-shaped front bar 12. If the
missed juggling balls which are then caught by the net 4 roll off
the net 4 by rolling over the front edge 14, the juggler can easily
raise the height of the front edge 14 of the net 4 to prevent this.
Thus the slope of the net 4 is set or adjusted by the juggler when
he sets the respective front and rear heights of the frame 6.
[0049] Each edge of the net 4 that attaches to the frame 6, that is
to say, the front edge 14 and the rear edge 18 are quickly and
simply attached to their respective frame members, the front bar
12, and the rear bar 16, by a pair of parallel Velcro hook and loop
strips sewn into the net 4, spaced apart, along these respective
front and rear edges. Each strip is about 0.5'' wide and extends
along the entire length of the net 4 being secured. The front edge
14 of the net 4 is simply wrapped around the frame so that a Velcro
hook end strip mates onto its companion Velcro loop mating strip.
The end strip is on the very edge of the net 4 and the companion
mating strip is sewn about 2 inches from the edge so as to leave
enough space for the net edge to wrap around the frame. Each
attaching edge of the net, when mated, thus creates a sleeve that
wraps around its respective frame member, securing and holding the
net in place, but also allowing for any necessary sliding motion
along the frame member for positioning the net. This anchoring
technology is well known in the art.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 3 a top plan view of the juggling
trainer 2 is shown. The position of the juggling artist is shown by
the footprints 20A, 20B. In this figure, three dropped balls 32A,
34A, 36A have landed on the net 4 having two slopes 24A, 24B as
previously described. The first ball 32A will roll down the first
slope 24B and be directed towards the middle of the V-shaped front
bar 12 to its final resting location 32B. The second ball 34A will
roll straight down the middle of the net 4 and be directed towards
the middle of the V-shaped front bar to its final resting location
34B. The third dropped ball 36A will roll down the second slope 24A
and be directed towards the middle of the V-shaped front bar 12 to
its final resting location 36B. It is obvious that any ball which
lands on the net 4 will be directed towards the middle of the
V-shaped front bar 12 so that a juggler standing in the footprints
20A, 20B will be able to easily and quickly retrieve the dropped
balls. The juggler is therefore spending most of his time actually
throwing and catching the balls. The trainer 2 therefore enhances
his pleasure and experience which will encourage him to continue in
the art.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 4 a second embodiment is shown. This
is the tabletop trainer 42. A net 4 is supported on a table 44 by
two front posts 46 and two rear posts 48. The front posts 46 are
designed to be shorter in height than the rear posts 48 so that the
net 4 slopes downhill from the rear edge 46 to the front edge 48.
All four edges of the net 4 as a bungee cord sewn along the
perimeter of the net 4. The bungee cord is sized and tensioned to
give the net 4 the same sloping characteristics as in the first
embodiment. The front posts 46 and the rear posts 48 all have a
clamping mechanism (not shown) as their base so as to easily attach
to any common tabletop. Once again the juggler stands in the
footprints 20A, 20B so as to be in close proximity to the front
edge 48 of the net 4. As in the first embodiment, dropped balls
will land on the net and roll down towards the juggler. The net 4
is tensioned so as to contain a similar droop at the front edge 48
which creates a barrier to keep the balls from rolling off the net
4 and onto the floor.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 5 a side elevation view of the
tabletop trainer 2 is shown. In this view the rear posts 48 being
longer than the front posts 46 raise up the back of the net 4 and
create the necessary slope so that a falling ball 50A lands on the
net 4 at location 50B, and then rolls down the net 4 to location
50C which is in immediate proximity to the front edge of the net 4.
A juggler standing in the footprints 20A, 20B will retrieve the
dropped balls in a quick and effortless manner. This embodiment is
highly portable as the only components are the posts 46, 48 and the
net 4.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 6A a third embodiment of the present
invention is shown. In this embodiment the juggling trainer 2 is
attached to the juggler by means of a belt 60 which has multiple
supporting rods 62 which support the net 4 in front of the juggler
and maintain the desired slope so that any dropped balls roll down
the net 4 towards the jugglers belt 60. This embodiment allows the
juggler to move about the room with us giving him greater freedom
to try more complicated juggling patterns.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 6B a side view of the embodiment in
FIG. 6A is shown. The slope of the net 4 will cause any dropped
balls to return to the jugglers waist. This device is made of very
light weight materials and easily folds up and fits into a backpack
for easy transportation.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 7 a fourth embodiment of the present
invention is shown. A circular shaped net 4 has an outer perimeter
70 and an inner perimeter 72 with adjustable supporting legs 74 so
that the outer perimeter 70 as a higher elevation than the inner
perimeter 72. Similar to the other embodiments the net 4 is sloped
towards the juggler so that any dropped balls will travel along the
slope of the net 4 to close proximity of the juggler. In this
embodiment the juggler is free to rotate 360 degrees as he
juggles.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 8 a modification of the embodiment in
FIG. 7 is shown. A hingible flap 74 in the net 4 folds open to
create a pathway for a juggler to walk into the center of the net
4. Once the juggler has entered to the center of the net 4 he may
close the flap 74 and the Velcro hook strip 76 will mate with the
Velcro loop strip 78 to create a firm and secure joint. The juggler
is then completely encircled by a 360 degree net 4. Once again the
outer perimeter 70 of the net 4 is at a higher elevation than the
inner perimeter 72 so that any dropped balls will roll towards the
juggler and stop at the edge of the inner perimeter 72 for easy
retrieval.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 9A a table clamp for use in the
tabletop embodiment is shown. A clamp is attached to each corner of
the table as shown in FIG. 9B. In FIG. 9C an 18'' rod projects from
the clamp at approximately a 45 degree angle. The netting as shown
in FIG. 9E will attach to the rods with one clamp for each corner
of the mesh netting.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 11, a front perspective view of the
invention is shown. The telescoping features of the front legs and
the rear legs can be seen as the front bar is bent at 90.degree. on
each end so that the vertical portion slides telescopically into
the U-shaped base leg. There is a U-shaped base leg on each side of
the invention. The front portion of the U-shaped base leg receives
one end of the front bar into each side.
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 12, a side elevation view of the
invention in FIG. 11 is shown. The Velcro seam comprising Velcro
hooks 64 and Velcro loops 66 demonstrates how the simple sleeve
pocket is formed that wraps around the front V-shaped bar to attach
the net.
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 13, the same view of the invention is
shown as in FIG. 12, however the Velcro joint has been peeled open
to reveal the strips of Velcro as attached to the net. As is known
in the art, one of the Velcro strips comprises hooks, while the
other strip is known as loops or pile. Further the telescoping
joint is shown where the front V-bar slides into the upper right
leg of the lower U-shaped base bar.
[0061] Referring now to FIG. 14, a side elevation view of the
invention is shown with three juggling balls which have all
returned to the front edge of the invention due to gravity and the
sloping aspect of the net. Notice the close proximity of the balls
to the front perimeter of the apparatus. This makes retrieval by
juggler effortless.
[0062] Referring now to FIG. 15, a close-up view of the upper
left-hand corner of the invention is shown. The net is made of a
nylon webbing material which has the characteristics of lightweight
and flexibility. The net can easily be folded into a very small
volume when detached from the frame. The net has a solid perimeter
made from a nylon strap of approximately 2 inches in width. The
main webbing of the net is captured all around its perimeter by the
nylon strap.
[0063] Note also how the rear bar is bent 90.degree. on the left
side and because it is of smaller diameter than the U-shaped base
bar, it slides telescopically into the U-shaped base bar.
[0064] While the present invention has been illustrated and
described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, various
modifications will be apparent to and might readily be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and
spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is not intended
that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the
description as set forth herein, but, rather, that the claims be
broadly construed.
* * * * *