US20110124442A1

US20110124442A1 - Multiple sport training device

Info

Publication number: US20110124442A1
Application number: US12/926,434
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric Erme
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-11-18
Filing date: 2010-11-16
Publication date: 2011-05-26
Also published as: CA2685867A1

Abstract

A one player sports training apparatus which allows for the user to play multiple sports alone. The game is played between two telescoping poles and utilizes an elastic return system of which a ball is attached. Each pole has a bearing assembly on top that makes it stable and does not allow the game to tangle. The user hits the ball and has the ball return close to the original position because of the elastics stretching and retracting which creates velocity. The balls used are tennis ball, soccerball, football, hockey puck, Frisbee, golf ball, and rugby ball.

Description

INVENTION DESCRIPTION

The ball is suspended between two poles from the elastic return system and then when hit, thrown or kicked and it will return to the user at near the same velocity that was initially used to propel the ball into motion, thus allowing the ball to be hit limitless times creating a flow to the game. This invention permits a high velocity return of the ball under any conditions. The ball does not impact on the ground to achieve its return velocity but is attached to a specifically designed elasticized return system which is supported between two vertical posts that are in turn held in position by two guide ropes at each end and one center strain cable between the posts. The elastic return system is designed to allow the ball to pass the cables and elastics at virtually any position without the cables or elastics becoming entangled.
The only guy ropes required are positioned outside the playing area. The inside tension to the posts is achieved with the non-elasticized cord. This invention provides a workable elastic return system which allows the ball to be suspended in a play position that simulates many of the movements to that of playing the real game.
It however only requires a minimum amount of space that is generally found in most yards.

INVENTION BACKGROUND

To play or practice tennis, soccer, baseball, lacrosse or football one would require a partner. This new design allows one person to play one or all of the mentioned sports and at the same time develop hand eye coordination. This design also gives the user a cardiovascular workout.
It is made improve skills without the presence of a partner, coach or trainer.
A key feature is that the user does not have to retrieve the ball.

PRIOR INVENTIONS

In the past there has been an effort made to come up with products which allow users to play sports games alone. These inventions use a heavy anchor such as a weight or even the user themselves. The problem with these products is the ball does not have enough velocity on the return to come back to the user. There are multiple reasons for this. One reason is the ball hits the ground where it loses speed and the other is the axis is too close to the ground causing the ball to be dragged along the ground. Because of this the user does not get a realistic sense of playing the game.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Front view of the invention set up and ready to be played.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIG. 1

In FIG. 1

- 1. Ground Spike, there are four in total which is inserted into the ground and functions to stabilize the entire system.
- 2. Guy Rope, four in total, provides tension on the tension rope which holds the poles in place.
- 3. Bearing Assembly, two in total which provide a focal point for each end of the tension rope. The bearing spins in the case that the ball goes over the tension rope and prevents tangling.
- 4. Tension Rope, one piece of non-elastic rope that is strewn between the two bearing assemblies. Pressure exerted on each end of the tension rope by the guy ropes holds the poles apart and upright.
- 5. Pole, there are two poles; the poles are situated opposite each other.
- 6. Elastic, three elastics form a “Y” shape each attaching to the O-ring in the middle. This in conjunction with the bearing assembly forms the elastic return system.
- 7. Ball, balls are attached one at a time, each ball has a cord either glued or tied to it which allows the elastic to be tied to it. Balls are generally made of soft materials to prevent injury. Tennis balls, footballs, soccerballs, rugbyballs, golfballs, frisbees and baseballs are used. Hockey pucks are also used.
- 8. O-ring, there is one o-ring of which all three elastics are attached directly or by a swivel which is clipped onto the o-ring.

Claims

1. A multiple sport training device comprising of:

Two spaced apart poles.

Special training balls produced to be safe.

Three rubber threads, each having two ends,

The first end of the three cords being connected to a small swivel and the swivel in turn is connected to a rubber O shaped ring, the second end of one cord being connected to a ball, and the second ends of the other two cords are fixed to a bearing located near or at the top of each pole.

A non-elastic cord strung under tension between the two poles, each end of the non-elastic cord are attached to the middle of the bearing assembly which is secured on the poles.

A bearing assembly which acts as a swivel device is affixed to the top of the two adjacent poles.

Four guy ropes, used to stabilize the whole system by attaching to four pegs which go into the ground. Two Guy ropes are attached to each bearing assembly.

Four ground spikes, used in conjunction with the guy ropes and the non-elastic cord to hold poles upright.

2. Special balls used in reference to claim 1, football, tennis ball, soccer ball. Each ball is designed so that it may be attached to one end of the rubber thread.

3. Bearing assembly consisting of an internal sealed bearing molded into and attached to the main body of the assembly that acts as a pivot point and focal point to stabilize the poles using the said non-elasticized cord affixed to the center of each bearing and the four guy ropes which attach to the assembly on one end and two ground spikes at the opposite end.