AU2005202045A1

AU2005202045A1 - A Training Device

Info

Publication number: AU2005202045A1
Application number: AU2005202045A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jerry Gilbert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-13
Filing date: 2005-05-13
Publication date: 2006-11-30

Description

0 0¢ ci Jerry Gilbert

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: A Training Device The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: o Field of the Invention This invention relates to a training device for improving hand-eye (or foot-eye) coordination. In particular, the invention concerns a training device comprising a target and a tether for suspending the target between upper and lower anchor points, wherein the target has a substantially solid consistency, and the target can move quickly and change direction sharply after having been stmuck by a trainee.

o Background of the Invention OTraining devices for improving hand-eye coordination are known and include floor to ceiling 11h 10 balls. Floor to ceiling balls typically comprise a target ball that is suspended by a tether between O upper and lower anchor points (usually the ceiling and the floor). The target ball usually has a leather exterior that encases an air-filled bladder. When struck by a trainee, the target ball moves and changes direction (rebounds) in accordance with the properties of the target ball and the tether, as well as in accordance with the force and direction of impact.

A disadvantage with some known target balls is that, when struck by a trainee, they tend to move slowly and change direction sluggishly (as opposed to moving quickly and changing direction sharply). A further disadvantage is that the target balls tend to be relatively easy to stike due to their large size and slow movement. Yet another disadvantage is that, after intense or prolonged use, the target balls tend to become damaged or fail. That is, leather exteriors tend to split and the bladders leak and need to be refilled with air.

Object of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a training device for improving hand-eye or footeye coordination that minimises or ameliorates a disadvantage referred to above, or to provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a training device for improving hand-eye or foot-eye coordination comprising: a target for striking by a trainee, said target having a solid or substantially solid consistency; o a tether for tautly suspending the target between upper and lower anchor points, wherein said tether includes an elastic portion extending between each said anchor point and the target.

The target can be of any suitable size, shape and construction. Preferably, the target is in the shape of a sphere or ellipsoid. The target can be made of any suitable material or materials. Preferably, the target is made of rubber, such as sponge rubber. The rubber can have a hardness in the order of about 70 (Shoreoo), a density in the order of about 25.0 lb/cuAf., and tensile strength in the o order of about 140 psi.

V)f 10 If spherical, the target preferably has a radius in the order of about 25-75 mm. More preferably, O the target has a radius of about 37 mm.

If elliptical, preferably the target has a minor radius in the order of about 25-75 mmn and a major radius in the order of about 40-100 mm, More preferably, the target has a minor radius of about 37 mmn and a major radius of about The target can be of substantially uniform consistency and/or density. Alternatively, the target can have a core and an outer layer that have different consistencies and/or densities. The core and outer layer can each consist of rubber.

The tether can be of any suitable size, shape and construction. Each elastic portion of the tether can be of any suitable length. Preferably, each elastic portion has a length in the order of about 200-800 mm, and more preferably a length of about 400-600 mm. Each elastic portion can be made of any suitable material or materials. Preferably, each elastic portion comprises intertwined strands of rubber within a nylon sheath (ie. a "shock cord" or "hungy cord").

Depending on the distance between the anchor points, the tether can further comprise a substantially inelastic portion extending between each anchor point and each elastic portion. The inelastic portion can consist of any suitable material or materials. Preferably, each inelastic portion is a nylon strap or cord.

o The tether can be attached to the upper and lower anchor points in any suitable way. Typically, the anchor points will have hooks or loops, and the upper and lower ends of the inelastic portions will be extendible around the hooks or loops.

The tether can be of adjustable length and this can be achieved in any suitable way. Preferably, either or both inelastic portions will have a buckle for length adjustment.

O The tether can suspend the target in any suitable way. For instance, the target can have any O suitable type of fixture or fixtures for connecting to the tether. Fixtures can be located at opposing sides of the target. Alternatively, the target can have a passage extending along its vertical axis, the O tether can further comprise an intermediate portion and the intermediate portion can extend between each of the elastic portions and through the passage. The passage can be of any suitable diameter. Preferably, the passage has a diameter in the order of about 4-20 mm, and more preferably a diameter of about 8 mm. In order to minimise wearing of the target, a grommet can be located at each end of the passage.

Preferably, the intermediate portion of the tether comprises a substantially inelastic cord or strap and each end of the cord or strap is attached to a said elastic portion. The intermediate portion of the tether can be attached to each elastic portion in any suitable way. A knot in the intermediate portion at each end of the passage can prevent the target from sliding relative to the intermediate portion. Any other suitable means for preventing the target from sliding relative to the intermediate portion can be used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for improving hand-eye or foot-eye coordination, said method comprising the steps of: tautly suspending a target between upper and lower anchor points using a tether, wherein the target has a solid or substantially solid consistency, and the tether includes an elastic portion extending between each said anchor point and the target; and striking the target.

The target and tether can have one or more features as described in respect of the first aspect of the invention.

O

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a front detailed elevation view of a training device, according to an embodiment of the 'f invention; O Figure 2 is a front detailed elevation view of a training device, according to another embodiment of O the invention; and tf 10 Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part of the training device shown in Figure 2.

Preferred Embodiments of the Invention In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like features.

Figure 1 shows a training device 1 for a boxer or martial artist, for improving hand-eye or foot-eye coordination. The training device 1 comprises a target ball 2 for striking by a trainee and a tether 3 for tautly suspending the target ball 2 between upper 4 (ceiling) and lower 5 (floor) anchor points.

The target ball 2 is made of sponge rubber and has a radius of about 37 mm. A passage 6, having a radius of about 8 mm, extends completely through the target ball 2. A grommet (not shown) is located at each end of the passage 6.

The tether 3 comprises an elastic cord 7 each side of the target ball 2. Each elastic cord 7 comprises intertwined strands of rubber within a nylon sheath. The length of each elastic cord is about 533 mm.

An inelastic strap 8 extends between each elastic cord 7 and each anchor point 4, 5. Each strap 8 is made of nylon and has a buckle (not shown) for length adjustment. The buckles enable the target ball 2 to be positioned relative to the trainee and the anchor points 4, 5. The anchor points 4, have hooked portions around which the straps 8 extend.

o An intermediate strap 9 extends through the passage 6 and grommets and is connected to each elastic cord 7. The strap 9 is made of nylon and is in the form of a loop. The length of the strap 9 from one elastic cord 7 to the other is about 125 mm. The grommets help prevent the axial ends of the target ball 2from being worn away byfthe strap 9during use.

Figures 2 and 3 show a training device 10 for a boxer or martial artist, according to another '4Th embodiment of the invention. The training device 10 comprises an elliptical target ball 12 and a O tether 13 for tautly suspending the target ball 12 between upper 14 (ceiling) and lower 15 (floor) O anchor points.

00 O The target ball 12 is made of sponge rubber and has a minor radius of about 37 mm and a major radius of about 60 mm. A passage 16 having a radius of about 8 mm extends completely through the target ball 2. A grommet I11 is located at each end of the passage 16.

The tether 13 comprises an elastic cord 17 each side of the target ball 12. The length of each elastic cord 17 is about 500 mm.

An inelastic nylon strap 18 extends between each elastic cord 17 and each anchor point 14,15.

Each nylon strap I8 has a buckle (not shown) for length adjustment. The anchor points 14, 15 have hooked portions around which the straps 18 extend.

An intermediate nylon strap ioop 19 extends through the passage 16 and grommets 11I and is connected to each elastic cord 17. The length of the strap 19 from one elastic cord 17 to the other is about 190 mm.

In use, the straps 7, 17 are attached to the anchors 4, 5, 14, 15. The lengths of the straps 7, 17 are adjusted such that the tether 3, 13 is taut and the target ball 2, 12 is suspended at the desired height. After having been struck by a trainee, the target ball 2, 12 moves away quickly and change direction (rebounds) sharply. Upon the target ball's 2, 12 return it is struck again. The properties of the tether 3, 13 (particularly the elastic cords 7, 17) and the target ball 2, 12 determine how the target ball 2, 12 will behave when struck. In this way, the device 1, 10 improves the hand-eye or foot-eye coordination of the trainee.

0 0 Advantages of the present invention include that the target ball is of simple and sturdy construction. Since the target ball is substantially solid throughout, it does not have the disadvantages associated with training balls having leather exteriors and internal bladders. Another advantage of the present invention is that the target ball is capable of quick and sharp movement, both of which are desirable features in a training device for improving hand-eye or foot-eye coordination.

0 0 The foregoing embodiments are illustrative only of the principles of the invention, and various ttf 10 modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention is capable of 0 0 being practiced and carried out in various ways and in other embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Claims

1. A training device for improving hand-eye or foot-eye coordination comprising: a target for striking by a trainee, said target having a solid or substantially solid consistency; o and O a tether for tautly suspending the target between upper and lower anchor points, wherein said tV 10 tether includes an elastic portion extending between each said anchor point and the target.

2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the target is made of sponge rubber.

3. The training device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the target is spherical.

4. The training device of claim 3, wherein the target has a radius of about 25-75 mm.

The training device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the target is elliptical.

6. The training device of claim 5, when the target has a minor radius of about 25-75 mm and a major radius of about 40-100 mm.

7. The training device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each said elastic portion has a length of about 200-800 mm.

8. The training device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tether further comprises a substantially inelastic portion extending between each said anchor point and each said elastic portion.

9. The training device of claim 8, wherein at least one of said inelastic portions is of adjustable length. O O

10. The training device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the target has a passage extending along its vertical axis, the tether further comprises an intermediate portion which extends between the elastic portions and through the passage. en3

11. The training device of claim 10, wherein the target includes a grommet located at each end of the passage.

O12. The training device of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the intermediate portion is in the form of a Oloop. tc) O

13. A training device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to either Figure 1 or Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A method for improving hand-eye or foot-eye coordination, said method comprising the steps of: tautly suspending a target between upper and lower anchor points using a tether, wherein the target has a solid or substantially solid consistency, and the tether includes an elastic portion extending between each said anchor point and the target; and striking the target. A method for improving hand-eye or foot-eye coordination as defined in claim 14 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the preferred embodiments of the invention. DATED this 13' h day of May 2005 Jerry Gilbert By his Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.