U.S. patent application number 16/413564 was filed with the patent office on 2020-11-19 for target for a sport training device.
The applicant listed for this patent is John Charles Marcin, Robert Henri Schenkkan. Invention is credited to John Charles Marcin, Robert Henri Schenkkan.
Application Number | 20200360781 16/413564 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004112491 |
Filed Date | 2020-11-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200360781 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marcin; John Charles ; et
al. |
November 19, 2020 |
Target for a Sport Training Device
Abstract
A target for a sport training device including a frame and a
support structure positioned within the frame. In combination, the
support structure and frame have a cross-sectional area such that
the torsion coefficient tapers away from the mount. The target
further includes a sheet bonded to the frame and the support
structure. The sheet, the frame, and the support structure may be
formed from a unitary substrate, e.g. an elastomer. The sheet
covers a portion of the support structure providing some rigidity.
The support structure may be a spoked web, a regular mesh, or an
irregular mesh.
Inventors: |
Marcin; John Charles;
(Huntington Beach, CA) ; Schenkkan; Robert Henri;
(Corona, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Marcin; John Charles
Schenkkan; Robert Henri |
Huntington Beach
Corona |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004112491 |
Appl. No.: |
16/413564 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2063/001 20130101;
A63B 2243/0025 20130101; A63B 63/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 63/00 20060101
A63B063/00 |
Claims
1. A target for attaching to a mount comprising: a frame, attaching
to the mount such that the mount and the frame are coplanar; and a
support structure positioned within the frame, wherein the
combination of the support structure and frame having a torsion
coefficient that decreases away from the mount, having a maximum
torsion coefficient and a minimum torsion coefficient, a distal end
of the support structure and the frame having the minimum torsion
coefficient and an end proximate the mount having the maximum
torsion coefficient, having a cross-sectional area such that the
thickness tapers away from the mount.
2. (canceled)
3. The target, as in claim 1, further comprising a sheet bonded to
the frame and the support structure.
4. The target, as in claim 3, wherein the sheet, the frame, and the
support structure are formed from a common substrate.
5. The target, as in claim 4, wherein the common substrate is an
elastomer having a Durometer A reading of approximately 80A to
120A.
6. The target, as in claim 4, the common substrate is an elastomer
having a Durometer D reading of 30D to 70D.
7. The target, as in claim 4, wherein the common substrate is
selected from a group that includes polyurethane, latex, natural
rubber, polychloroprene, ethylene propylene diene monomer (M-class)
rubber, synthetic rubber, and fluoropolymer elastomers.
8. The target, as in claim 1, wherein the support structure has a
spoked web configuration.
9. The target, as in claim 8, further comprising a sheet that
covers a portion of the support structure and frame.
10. The target, as in claim 1, wherein the support structure has a
mesh structure.
11. The target, as in claim 10, further comprising a sheet bonded
to the frame and the support structure.
12. The target, as in claim 11, further comprising a sheet that
covers a portion of the support structure and frame.
13. The target, as in claim 12, wherein the portion is at least
30%.
14. A target for attaching to a mount comprising: a sheet having a
torsion coefficient that decreases as away from the mount.
15. The target, as in claim 14, wherein the sheet is a mesh.
16. The target, as in claim 14, wherein the sheet has a spoked web
structure.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a sports training
device. In particular, it relates to a frame and support structure
that tapers torsion coefficient away from the mount.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In many sports, a player needs to accurately throw, kick,
hit, or shoot a projectile to a specific location in a goal. To
illustrate, in soccer, there are locations in a goal that are very
difficult for the goalie to defend, e.g. upper corners of the goal.
During practice, players drill to improve their accuracy by aiming
at a physical practice target. The target visually focuses their
attention to the point of interest. The physical practice targets
are removable as they are not used in actual game play. The
practice target is transported to the practice site and attached to
the goal in one or more positions during a drill. The target may be
reattached during the session to practice aiming at different
locations in the goal.
SUMMARY
[0003] A target for sport training device includes a frame and a
support structure positioned within the frame. In combination, the
support structure and frame have a cross-sectional area such that
thickness tapers away from the mount.
[0004] The target further includes a sheet bonded to the frame and
the support structure. The sheet, the frame, and the support
structure may be formed from a unitary substrate, e.g. an
elastomer. The sheet covers a portion of the support structure
providing some rigidity.
[0005] The support structure may be a spoked web, a regular or
irregular mesh.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a sports training device having a
target.
[0007] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrates the target shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A
shows a front view of the target, e.g. a circle. FIG. 2B shows a
frame and a support structure of the target in a rear view. FIG. 2C
shows a cross-sectional view along line A-B of the target.
[0008] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the sheet.
[0009] FIGS. 4A-B illustrate alternate embodiments for the support
structure. FIG. 4A shows a large mesh having material from the
support structure removed. FIG. 4B shows a fine mesh.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The present invention relates to a sports training device.
More specifically, it relates to a portable practice target device
that may be attached to an in situ support at a variety of
locations to enable an individual to independently practice and
improve throwing, kicking, or shooting accuracy of projectiles.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a sports training device. The device 10
includes a target 12 having a mounting arm 12A and an attachment
14. In combination, the mounting arm 12A and the attachment 14 form
a mounting attachment.
[0012] The target device disclosed is not limited to mounting to a
sports goal, nor is it limited for use during practice. The
practice target can also be mounted to any designated location such
as a pole, which may be horizontal, vertical or angled, where a
person wishes to mark for aim such as in Frisbee golf or a game of
horse. The target has a varying torsion coefficient. The torsion
coefficient is high proximate to the mounting arm and decreases as
one moves across the target, e.g. further away from the mounting
arm. The torsion coefficient is the geometrical physical property
of a bar's cross-section which is involved in the relationship
between angle of twist and applied torque along the axis of the
bar, for a homogeneous linear-elastic bar. The torsion coefficient,
together with material properties and length describe the overall
stiffness of the target.
[0013] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrates the target 12 shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
2A shows a front view of the target, e.g. a circle. FIG. 2B shows a
frame and a support structure in a rear view of the target. FIG. 2C
shows a cross-sectional view along line A-B of the target. The
target may be of any shape. A rounded target will be more durable
than one with angles.
[0014] In FIG. 2B, the support structure has a support structure 18
and a frame 16. The frame 16 provides support along the perimeter
while the support structure 18 provides internal support and target
integrity recovery. The support structure is shown as having a
spoked web configuration but can have other configurations. The
frame 16 and support structure 18 contains sufficient material to
be flexible upon impact and to recover from the impact. An optional
sheet 20 covers a portion of the support structure 18 and the frame
16. The sheet 20 may add rigidity to the support structure 18.
[0015] In FIG. 2C, the illustrative embodiment shows the support
structure 18 tapers in thickness away from the mounting arm 12A. To
vary the torsion coefficient, it is thickest proximate the mounting
arm 12A, point A, and thinnest at the edge of the target distal
from the mounting arm 12B, point B. The thickness range depends on
the material or materials used for the target. When an elastomer is
used, the thickness at point B ranges in thickness between 25-75%
of the thickness point A and the absolute thickness range of point
A is 3 mm to 20 mm. The frame can also optionally have a taper in
thickness from point A to point B.
[0016] In one embodiment, frame 16, support structure 18, and sheet
20 are formed from a unitary substrate. In another embodiment, the
frame 16 and the sheet 20 are formed from a unitary substrate and
the support structure 18 is snugly positioned within the frame 16.
In another embodiment, the frame 16 and support structure 18 are
formed from a unitary substrate and the sheet 20 is attached to the
frame and support structure.
[0017] The elastomer is defined as a polymer which can reversibly
extend 5-700%. The measure of hardness, and resistance to
deformation (elastic modulus) for elastic polymer can be quantified
by the Shore durometer or durometer reading. The term refers to the
measurement as well as the instrument itself. Durometer A and
Durometer D are different scales for targeting elastomers for
different uses. A larger force is applied during a measurement of
Durometer D compared to Durometer A, thus Durometer D scale values
indicate more resistant or harder material for the same reading as
Durometer A. Within each scale, a larger number indicates harder or
more resistant material.
[0018] Elastomers with a Durometer A readings of approximately 80A
to 120A or a Durometer D reading of 30D to 70D are suitable for the
frame and support structure. Some examples of elastomers with
durometers within this range include polyurethane, latex (natural
or synthetic rubber emulsion), natural rubber, polychloroprene,
e.g. Neoprene.RTM., EPDM rubber (ethylene proplylene diene monomer
(M-class) rubber), synthetic rubber, and fluoropolymer elastomers
such as Viton.RTM., and TPE (thermal plastic elastomers) such as
Santoprene.RTM.. The elastomer may be a solid film, molded foam or
other.
[0019] The elastomeric material is best to have reasonable
tolerance of environmental hazards such as wind, water, ice,
chlorine, salt, sunlight, heat, and cold. It should not crack,
crease or fade after reasonable use. For ease of manufacturing, the
material is easily colored, molded and cut. It can be stable over
temperature such that it does not sag or fold on a hot summer day
or become hard and brittle on a cold winter day. Other properties
such as tear resistance and toughness are also important. Other
components may be integrated in the elastomer material to improve
its mechanical properties for use. To illustrate, cloth or fiber
matrix, e.g. cotton, polyester, or fiberglass, may be formed within
an elastomer material of any of the aforementioned base elastomers
for improving tear resistance of the fabricated mounting arm. An
elastomeric stiffener may be added for stability and faster return
after a projectile hit.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows rear view of another embodiment of the sheet
20. The material not in contact with the support structure 18 or
the frame 16 has been removed to lighten the target, as indicated
by the holes. The holes do not all have to have the same shape.
Material can be removed as long as the structural integrity of the
target is maintained. The material restricts the collapsing of the
support structure upon itself. Holes that are rounded have more
durability.
[0021] FIGS. 4A-C illustrate alternate embodiments for the support
structure. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the support structure 18 may be a
mesh. FIG. 4A shows a large mesh having material from the support
structure removed. The material required to maintain the structural
integrity of the target is inversely proportional to the coarseness
of the mesh. FIG. 4B shows a fine mesh.
[0022] In an alternate embodiment, the sheet incorporates the
functionality of the frame and support structure. Material may be
removed as needed to adjust the torsion coefficient similar to
FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0023] Variations of the present invention have been described
herein. However, it should be understood that the variations are
illustrative examples of the present invention and many possible
specific variations can represent applications of the principles of
the invention. While certain components are shown and preferred for
the attachment, it is foreseeable that functionally equivalent
components could be used or subsequently developed to perform the
intended functions of the disclosed components.
[0024] It is also to be understood that the disclosure is not
limited to particular methods or systems, which can, of course,
vary. To illustrate, the person skilled in the art will understand
that the number of steps or components shown is only indicative and
that the method can occur in more or fewer steps and that the
system may contain more or less components according to the various
embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology used
herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments
only, and is not intended to be limiting.
[0025] Various modifications pertaining to this present invention
by one skilled in the art are deemed within the spirit and scope of
this invention as defined in the detailed description and claims.
Therefore, while the invention has been described in terms of some
variations, it is apparent that other forms could be adopted by one
skilled in the art, and the scope of the invention is to be limited
only by the following claims.
[0026] In another variation, the target face and mounting arm are
integrated as one continuous piece with the same or different
thickness and/or material properties such as durometer. Any portion
of the target face and mounting arm may have one or more additional
sheets of elastomeric or other material attached to it by gluing,
lamination, stitching, or other methods.
* * * * *