AU2012100329A4 - Training Bowl or Ball and Method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a training bowl or ball which allows a user to practice aiming the bowl or ball at a desired position by providing a visual indication of the 5 aim in the form of a laser beam. This allows the user to develop or improve hand and/or arm and eye coordination for delivering a bowl or ball. A method of training is also provided. so ( 20 (22) SECTION A-A Fig. 2

Description

P1010011 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Training Bowl or Ball and Method The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me 1 Title: Training Bowl or Ball and Method Field of invention 5 The present invention relates to sports involving bowls or balls which are bowled or delivered by hand to particular target or location as distinct from sports which involve hitting an object with a bat or club. In particular the invention relates to bowls, more particularly lawn bowls. Background 10 A number of different proposals have been put forward which assist in training a user to deliver a ball to a particular position or target. For example US patent application No. 2008/0305881 in the name of Thomas 15 Paul et al discloses the use of a wand with wrist bar having laser beams extending from each end of the wand. The wand acts as simulated golf club and by lining up the laser beams with the ground and areas on the user's body, the golf swing may be improved. 20 US Patent No. 5,683,302 in the name of Harrell discloses a bowling ball guiding apparatus for use in indoor bowling. This is a complex apparatus where a laser beam is projected from a projector onto the pins to indicate to the player the point of impact which will provide the best result. Similarly US Patent No. 5,342,041 in the name of Agulnek describes a complex apparatus in which a laser is used in 25 conjunction with a video camera to indicate to a player where to direct the ball In another patent application, US patent application No. 2004/022 0001 in the name of Oister et al there is disclosed various pieces of sporting equipment including balls which are illuminated to address the problem of low lighting 30 conditions. This patent application is not directed towards improving a player's skills. 2 In games where balls have a bias there is a particular challenge in developing the required skills to play well. This is because the ball does not travel in a straight line but travels out to one side and then curves inward in the shape of an arc 5 before stopping in its final position. The widest point of its trajectory is known as the "shoulder of the arc". It is necessary for the player to visualize a line from his position to what will be the shoulder of the arc. He must then extend this imaginary line to a static feature on the far bank of the green such as the chair or other convenient object. This object then becomes the target for the bowler. 10 Many people find it difficult to spend the time required to improve or perfect their bowling technique. This is especially so for people who play lawn bowls, where practice involves attending the club, getting out onto the green and bowling. In addition, the weight of the bowl may create an added difficulty where repeated 15 bowling causes fatigue particularly in elderly people. There remains a need for a simple means to allow a player to develop or improve their bowling or ball delivery skills in games which require hand bowling. 20 The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. Summary 25 The present invention is predicated on the surprising realization that a light source emanating from a bowl or ball could be used to develop or improve the skills required by a player to deliver a bowl or ball to a target. 30 In the first aspect the invention provides a training bowl or ball which allows a user to practice aiming the bowl or ball at a desired position by providing a visual 3 indication of the aim thus developing or improving hand and/or arm and eye coordination for delivering the bowl or ball, said bowl or ball comprising: a) a light source capable of generating a light beam; and b) a power supply capable of powering the light source, 5 wherein said light source is suitably positioned on or within said bowl or ball such that said light beam emanates therefrom and, under suitable conditions, may be aimed at said position thereby providing said visual indication as to whether the bowl or ball is correctly aimed. 10 The term "training bowl or ball" refers to a spherical, spheroidal or ellipsoidal object which is identical or virtually identical to a regular playing bowl or ball in shape and size. The training bowl or ball may be the same weight or lighter as its corresponding playing bowl or ball. The training bowl or ball is to allow a user to practice holding and aiming the bowl or ball. 15 The training bowl or ball may be any bowl or ball used in games where hand delivery of the ball is required such as cricket, bocce, skittles, lawn bowls and the like. 20 Preferably the training bowl or ball is a biased bowl, more preferably a lawn bowl. The term "aiming" refers to pointing or directing the bowl or ball at the desired position. Similarly the term "aim" refers to pointing the bowl or ball to its desired position. 25 The term "a desired position" refers to a target, location or area. This may not necessarily be the same location as where the bowl or ball would land if it were thrown or rolled. This is particularly the case in games where the bowl or ball is biased. In such cases it is necessary to aim at an object which is in line with the 30 shoulder of the arc in which the ball or bowl will travel. 4 The term "a visual indication" refers to a visible sign such as a point of light which is projected onto, or near a target. The term "hand and/or arm and eye coordination" refers to the ability of a person 5 to use information perceived by his eyes to manipulate, guide or direct an object in a desired manner with his hand and/or arm. The term "delivering" refers to bowling or simulated bowling or throwing of the bowl or ball. As mentioned above the bowl or ball may be aimed at a target which 10 is different from where the bowl ball may land if it were actually bowled or thrown. The term "a light source" refers to any suitable light source capable of projecting and beam visible to the human eye such as a laser beam, particularly a pencil laser beam. 15 The term "capable of generating" means having the ability to produce a light beam. The term "a light beam" refers to a ray or pencil of light and includes a projected 20 vertical pencil line laser beam. The term "a power supply" refers to a supply or source for powering the light source such as a battery. 25 The term "capable of powering the light source' means having the ability to power the light source. The term "suitably positioned on or within said bowl" means that the light source is at or near the surface of the bowl or ball in a position such, that when held, the 30 light source will be facing forward. 5 The term "emanates" refers to the light beam being issued or sent forth from the light source. Preferably the light beam is projected through an aperture at the surface of the practice bowl or ball. 5 The term "under suitable conditions" refers to visibility under suitably low lighting conditions. In another aspect the invention provides a method of training a user to bowl at or towards a desired position by giving him a visual indication of his aim and 10 allowing him to adjust his hand/arm accordingly, said method comprising: a) the user holding a bowl or ball under suitable conditions, wherein the bowl or ball is a practice bowl or ball and comprises i) a light source capable of generating a light beam; and ii) a power supply capable of powering the light source, 15 wherein said light source is suitably positioned on or within said bowl or ball such that said light beam emanates therefrom; b) operating the bowl or ball such that the light beam is pointed towards said position and; c) adjusting his hand and arm so that the beam is aimed correctly. 20 Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiments of the Invention The invention will now be described with reference to the following non limiting illustrative drawings. 25 Figure 1 is a front view of the bowl. Figure 2 is a side view of the bowl through the line A-A of Figure 1. 30 Figure 3 is a front view of the bowl held by a user. 6 Figure 4 is a side view of the bowl held by a user. Figure 5 is a side view of the bowl with the laser switched on. 5 The training bowl 10 comprises a solid plastic object in the same shape and size as a conventional lawn bowl with a smooth outer surface 12. Smooth outer surface 12 has rolling surface 14 which comprises an aperture 20 at the bowl's highest point for housing the light source 25 in the form of a line laser. Light source 25 is operated by pressure switch 50 by depressing cover switch 55 for 10 on/off operation and is powered by power supply 40 in the form of a 3 V battery connected via positive and negative wires 26 in channel 30 to light source 25. Channel 30 comprises two arms which are disposed at right angles to each other. Pressure switch 55 sits at a right angles to aperture 20 as shown in Figure 2 and is fitted for use by the index finger of left or right hand. Depression of 15 pressure switch 55 operates the laser beam 60 thus creating an aiming line. The training bowl 10 is made of hard composite plastic. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art of bowl manufacture this is produced by injection moulding into a suitable mould. Once moulded, channel 30 is formed in training bowl 10 by 20 drilling two suitable bores at right angles. It is then fitted with light source 25, wires 26 and switch 50 incorporating power supply 40 and switch cover 55. Light source 25 is BDL478320-00 but may be any suitable laser. 25 Pressure switch 50 is PB-156 but may be of any suitable type. As will be appreciated by lawn bowlers, finding the line for the player's bowls, forehand and backhand, must be his priority when he first steps onto the mat. Bowlers vary in their approach to finding line, but in one respect there is 30 unanimity. In order to have a point of aim, a player has to imagine the bowl's journey. In particular he has to "see it" begin to curve in towards the jack. This 7 point is called the shoulder of the arc - the widest part of the arc. It is usually between two thirds and three fifths of the way down the rink (in relation to any point on the centreline). If he correctly gauges the shoulder of the arc and gets his bowl to it, then his bowl is by definition on line. When establishing the aiming 5 line, some players will extend the imaginary line to a static point on the bank, which then becomes the target to aim at. Alternatively some will bring the line back to a point on the green nearer the mat, and use that as their aiming point. In theory it makes little difference one way or the other, since the bowl will turn in at the shoulder of the arc regardless. Others prefer to focus their attention on the 10 shoulder of the arc itself placing something such as an imaginary handkerchief on that spot and bowling over it. However the aiming point is fixed in relation to the shoulder of the arc, the player must be aware of the fact that there are in reality two shoulders of the arc - one 15 real, the other imaginary. The real shoulder of the arc is of course the actual point at which the bowl turns inwards. Now if the bowl travelled in a straight line to that point and then abruptly changed direction the player could aim for it. But that is not the case. While the player delivers the bowl in a straight line, it starts curving (in response to the bias) from the moment it leaves his hand. This means if the 20 player were to aim straight for the true shoulder he would inevitably miss it - his bowl would be on a line inside it. Since the player must aim straight at something, what the player does is determine the point in a straight line ahead of him that will that will have the effect of getting the bowl to the true shoulder of the arc. This imaginary shoulder is always outside the true shoulder, not far outside 25 on a slow green which minimizes bias, and considerably outside on a fast green which exaggerates it. The purpose of the present invention in the form of the in-home practice lawn bowl is to allow the user to develop the correct way of holding the practice bowl 30 and to develop or improve the pendulum arm swing from wrist to shoulder. Use of the practice bowl will correct coordination and aiming line which is essential for 8 success in the game of Lawn Bowls. The battery operated laser vertical line will help to correct delivery of the Lawn Bowl when practicing at home. The apparatus when turned on will show a true line from floor to wall when 5 aimed. When practicing in home the vertical line will show any faults there may be, e.g.: holding, arm swing, eye/arm coordination, for correct aiming direction. From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the 10 novel concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiment illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. 15 Throughout this specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise the words "comprise", "comprises", "comprising" will be understood to mean the inclusion of the stated integer, step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any of other integer, step or group of integers or steps. 20 9

Claims (5)

1. A training bowl or ball which allows a user to practice aiming the bowl or ball at a desired position by providing a visual indication of the aim thus 5 developing or improving hand and/or arm and eye coordination for delivering the bowl or ball, said bowl or ball comprising: a) a light source capable of generating a light beam and; b) a power supply capable of powering the light source, wherein said light source is suitably positioned on or within said bowl or ball such 10 that said light beam emanates therefrom and, under suitable conditions, may be aimed at said position thereby providing said visual indication as to whether the bowl or ball is correctly aimed.

2. The practice bowl or ball of claim 1, wherein said light source is a laser. 15

3. The practice bowl or ball of claim 2 in the form of a lawn bowl wherein the light beam emanates from a highest point on a rolling surface thereof.

4. A method of training a user to bowl at or towards a desired position by 20 giving him a visual indication of his aim and allowing him to adjust his hand/arm accordingly, said method comprising: a) the user holding a bowl or ball under suitable conditions, wherein the bowl or ball is a practice bowl or ball and comprises i) a light source capable of generating a light beam; and 25 ii) a power supply capable of powering the light source, wherein said light source is suitably positioned on or within said bowl or ball such that said light beam emanates therefrom; b) operating the bowl or ball such that the light beam is pointed towards said position and; 30 c) adjusting his hand and arm so that the beam is aimed correctly. 10

5. The practice bowl or ball of claim 2 or the method of claim 4 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to anyone of the drawings. 5 Dated this 23rd day of March 2012 Robert George Russell BROMAGE By his Patent Attorneys: Arcadia Lawyers 11