AU2008101055A4

AU2008101055A4 - A Training Aid

Info

Publication number: AU2008101055A4
Application number: AU2008101055A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Greg Mcclure
Original assignee: HERITAGE SPORTING PRODUCTS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: HERITAGE SPORTING PRODUCTS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-05-25
Filing date: 2008-10-28
Publication date: 2009-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-26
Also published as: WO2008144813A1

Description

00 A TRAINING AID This invention relates to a training aid.

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o This invention has particular application to a training aid that one or more 00 persons may use, either individually or collectively, to practice one or more skills I required to play the game of cricket.

The game of cricket typically involves two teams comprising twelve persons 00 and wherein each team has at least one turn batting while the opposing team is fielding. The team that scores the most runs usually wins the game.

Cricket is typically played on a field that includes a cricket pitch located generally in the centre of same and wherein the pitch is 22 yards long. Three stumps are erected at opposing ends of the pitch and wherein two bails rest on top of each set of stumps.

A batsman, when facing balls bowled by the fielding team, must protect his wicket, namely the stumps positioned immediately behind him using either his bat and/or his body. If the wicket is "broken" by the ball, i.e. at least one of the bails is dislodged due to the ball striking one or more of the stumps or bails, then the batsman will usually be given out. Therefore, it is often desirous that the bowler can bowl the ball such that it will hit the stumps. Further, the ability to bowl the ball such that it will pitch below the batsman's bat and subsequently hit a lower portion of the stumps, commonly referred to as a "yorker", is highly prized.

Runs are scored when the ball, having been hit by the batsman, either reaches or clears the boundary of the playing field. A Run may also be scored when the batsman and his partner at the non-striker's end each safely move from the end of the pitch at which they were stationed to the opposing end of the pitch. However, a 00 batsman can be given out if the ball is used to break the wicket to which he is moving towards. This is often referred to as a "run out".

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o Cricketers often practice their batting and bowling. For batting practice there 00 are provided practice pitches that are enclosed on three sides by nets that in use will (Ni arrest the travel of a ball that the batsman either hits or misses.

In the absence of a batsman, bowlers may elect to bowl balls at one or more Sstumps erected at the far end of a practice pitch and wherein balls that miss the stumps 00 0will be arrested by the net located directly behind same.

However, cricket practice nets are typically permanent or semi permanent structures. Accordingly, not all grounds on which cricket is played are equipped with cricket practice nets.

Cricketers also practice running batsmen out by throwing balls at either a single stump or a set of stumps. However, it will be appreciated that if there is no one standing behind the stump or stumps to catch the ball once it has been thrown, then the person who threw the ball may have to also fetch the ball. This can be both tiresome and time consuming.

It has been observed that children like to play cricket amongst themselves.

Their games are often played in a back yard; in a local park, or on the beach. Often a large object, such as a rubbish bin is used as a wicket. However, unless there is a child standing behind the wicket ready to catch balls that the batsman misses, then every time the batsman misses the ball either the batsman or the bowler must fetch the ball. This is not only tiresome; it is disruptive and detracts from the enjoyment to be had from playing the game.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a training aid that will be reliable and efficient in use.

00 With the foregoing in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in a 0 portable training aid that one or more persons may use to practice one or more skills O required to play the game of cricket, said training aid including:

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00 an arrestor that is capable of arresting a moving ball, and

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a target that is intended to represent either a cricket wicket or a cricket stump, said target being operatively connected to said arrestor and located in front of said Sarrestor whereby in use balls that narrowly miss said target will be found behind said 00 target and near said arrestor while balls that strike said target will rebound away from said training aid and be found generally in front of said target thereby providing a visual means of assessing which balls struck said target and which balls missed said target.

The arrestor may include an opening and one or more walls located behind said opening that form an enclosure that in use is adapted to retain balls that pass through said opening. Preferably the wall or walls of the arrestor are made from a flexible mesh like material.

The target is either permanently or releasably attached to the front of the arrestor. Further, the target, when not required, may be capable of movement between an operative and a stored position.

By way of example, in one embodiment, the target may be printed on a sheet of a textile material. The sheet may be permanently secured to the arrestor, such as by sewing the two items together. Alternatively, the sheet may be releasably attached to the arrestor using one or more fasteners, such as press studs or hook and loop fasteners.

00 The target may include a target wall that is located generally in the same plane as the opening of the arrestor. Further, the wall may be manufactured from a flexible 0 material.

00 As previously stated, the target may resemble either a wicket or a stump. For example, an image of a wicket or stump may be printed on the target wall.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into Spractical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which 00 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Fig. 1 is a front view of a training aid that one or more persons may use to practice one or more skills required to play the game of cricket which has been constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the training aid illustrated in figure 1, and Fig. 3 is a rear view of the training aid illustrated in figure 1.

Figures 1 to 3 show a portable training aid 10 that one or more persons may use to practice one or more skills required to play the game of cricket. The training aid 10 includes a target 11 that is located in front of a foldable arrestor 12 and wherein at least some balls, bowled or thrown in the direction of the target, that miss the target will be collected by the arrestor.

The arrestor 12 includes a generally vertically orientated opening 13 that is defined by a substantially rectangularly shaped frame 14 having respective upper and lower frame portions 15 and 16 that are maintained in a spaced relationship by opposing side frame portions 17.

The frame 14 is supported in it's upstanding or operative position by a base 18 that includes a substantially rectangularly shaped frame 19 having respective front and 00 rear opposing frame portions 20 and 21 that are maintained in a spaced relationship by Sopposing side base frame portions 22.

SThe arrestor 12 also includes flexible netting 23 that is connected to the upper 00 and side frame portions 15 and 17 of the frame 14 and the rear and side frame portions 21 and 22 of the frame 19 so as to form an enclosure having flexible side walls 24 and t a flexible rear wall The target 11 includes a generally rectangularly shaped panel 26 manufactured 00 from a flexible material having an upper end portion 27 and a lower end portion 28.

The panel is located midway between opposing side frame portions 17 and is supported in an operative, generally vertical, orientation by the attachment of the lower end portion 28 to the lower frame portion 16 and the upper end portion 27 to the upper frame portion The target 11 is intended to represent a cricket wicket. An image of a cricket wicket 26a that includes three stumps 27a and two bails 28a resting on top of said stumps, is printed on a front face of the panel.

The panel 26 also includes a small, generally rectangularly shaped, opening 29 formed therein that is located just above the image of the bails 28a and which is as wide as the wicket.

In some embodiments there may be provided collection means that is adapted to collect only those balls that pass through all or selected openings formed in the panel. For example, the collection means may include a pocket that is attached to the rear of the panel and which includes a pocket opening that is adapted to receive balls that pass through the opening in the panel. The pocket may be manufactured from a flexible, net like, material.

00 In use the arrestor may be unfolded and positioned on its base as illustrated in 0 0 figures 1 to 3.

o A person wishing to improve their bowling skills may choose to bowl balls in

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00 the direction of the target 11. balls that strike the wicket 26 will rebound off same.

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Balls that pitch in line with the wicket but bounce over the bails 28 may pass through the target opening 29. Balls that are not pitched in line with the wicket, preferably Swill pass through the opening 13 and shall be stopped by one of the three walls 24 or 00 Further, it is believed that most of the balls that pass through either the opening 13 or the opening 29 will be retained within the enclosure defined by said opening 13 and the three walls 24 and Persons may also use the training aid to practice run outs by throwing balls at the wicket 26.

Persons may also practice throwing balls to a wicket keeper by aiming to throw the ball through the opening 29.

It will of course be realized that while the foregoing description has been given by way of example of this invention, all other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as herein defined in the appended claim.

Claims

2. A portable training aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arrestor includes an opening through which balls may pass there through and one or more walls located behind said opening.
3. A portable training aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein said target includes a wall located in generally in the same plane as said opening.
4. A portable training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said target resembles a cricket wicket.
5. A portable training aid substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 8 00 Dated this 2 8 th day of October, 2008 O HERITAGE SPORTING PRODUCTS PTY LTD SBy their Patent Attorneys 00 AHEARN FOX 00 tt-) 003