EP0241211A2 - A tennis practice aid - Google Patents
A tennis practice aid Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0241211A2 EP0241211A2 EP87302843A EP87302843A EP0241211A2 EP 0241211 A2 EP0241211 A2 EP 0241211A2 EP 87302843 A EP87302843 A EP 87302843A EP 87302843 A EP87302843 A EP 87302843A EP 0241211 A2 EP0241211 A2 EP 0241211A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- sub
- frame
- rebound
- frames
- generally
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/0097—Ball rebound walls
Definitions
- the present invention relates to sports aids which provide a rebound surface for a ball, and more particularly but not exclusively to a tennis practise aid.
- a rebound surface is not provided in conjunction which a surface which does not return the ball so as to simulate a "net ball". Accordingly, known practice aids facilitate the practice of incorrect shots.
- a rebound device for a ball game, said device comprising a frame to rest on a support surface, a rebound surface supported on the frame and against which a ball may be hit to be returned to a user, and wherein said rebound surface is adjustably supported on said frame so as to be tiltably adjustable relative to the vertical, and said rebound surface consists of at least two sub-surfaces which are adjustable so as to be movable relative to each other between a first position wherein they are located generally in the same plane, and a second position wherein they define an angle less than 180°.
- the practise aid 10 to rest on a ground surface.
- the practise aid 10 consists of a frame 11 which supports a rebound surface assembly 12 providing a rebound surface 13.
- the frame 11 supports a net 14 with the upper edge thereof approximating the height of a normal tennis net.
- the frame 11 also supports a ball collection trough 15.
- the assembly 12 consists of a generally rectangular frame 16 formed by two sub-frames 17 and 18.
- the surface 13 against which a ball is hit consists of at least two sub-surfaces 19 and 20, with the sub-surface 19 being supported by the sub-frame 17, and the sub-surface 20 being supported by the sub-frame 18.
- the frame 16 is pivotally supported by pivots 21 so that the surface 13 may be inclined to the vertical, as best seen in Fig. 2.
- the pivot 21 may include a rack 22 defining several positions (1-5) wherein the surface 13 is inclined to the vertical.
- the rack 22 would have a series of slots 23 which receive the shaft 24. It should be appreciated that each side of the frame 16 is provided with an associated shaft 24 and rack 22.
- the pivot 21 would also enable the assembly 12 to be movable from a practise position (A) to a non-operative lowered position (B), as seen in Fig. 2.
- the sub-frames 17 and 18 are joined by means of adjustment member 25 so that the sub-surfaces 19 and 20 are movable angularly relative to each other about the axis 26 so as to be movable between a first position wherein the sub-surfaces 19 and 20 are generally co-planar, and a second position wherein the sub-surfaces 19 and 20 define an angle less than 180°.
- the sub-frames 17 and 18 may be are inclined so as to be locatable in anyone of positions A to D.
- the sub-frames 17 and 18 are supported by arms 27 in order to facilitate relative pivoting movement between the sub-frames 17 and 18.
- the aid 10 provides the advantage that a large range of shots may be practised. Still further, the aid 10 may be used as a simple net support once the assembly 12 has been moved to the lowered position (B).
- the rebound surface i.e. including the sub-surfaces 19 and 20, may be formed of sheet material or a woven fabric, whichever is found to be most suitable.
- the material from which the surface 13 is constructed can be selected to govern the rebound qualities of the surface 13.
- the surface 13 would be held in tension by being coupled to the frame 16. The tension could also be adjust to determine the rebound qualities.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
- Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to sports aids which provide a rebound surface for a ball, and more particularly but not exclusively to a tennis practise aid.
- There are commercially available tennis practise aids which provide a rebound surface in the form of a woven mesh or solid surface. The surface is basically upwardly extending and is planar, however it can be adjusted so that the planar surface can be inclined to the vertical. Such devices are shown in USA Patents 4,082,271, 4,093,218, 4,140,313, 3,427,026, 4,183,524, 3,456,945, 4,568,089, 4,456,252, 4,309,032 and 4,456,251. Rebound surfaces which are inclined about a vertical axis or curved are disclosed in USA Patent 3,473,720 and 3,697,068. These devices are generally designed to direct the ball to a central point. However, it should be appreciated that the surfaces are not adjustable.
- The above discussed practice devices have the disadvantage that the rebound surfaces are not adjustable about a horizontal axis, as well as a vertical axis, in order to provide a full range of rebound shots. This limits the number of practice shots which can be executed.
- Still further to the about, a rebound surface is not provided in conjunction which a surface which does not return the ball so as to simulate a "net ball". Accordingly, known practice aids facilitate the practice of incorrect shots.
- The above discussed devices have the disadvantage that the rebound surface is limited in respect of the variety of practise shots which may be played.
- It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.
- There is disclosed herein a rebound device for a ball game, said device comprising a frame to rest on a support surface, a rebound surface supported on the frame and against which a ball may be hit to be returned to a user, and wherein said rebound surface is adjustably supported on said frame so as to be tiltably adjustable relative to the vertical, and said rebound surface consists of at least two sub-surfaces which are adjustable so as to be movable relative to each other between a first position wherein they are located generally in the same plane, and a second position wherein they define an angle less than 180°.
- A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
- Fig. 1 is a schematic front elevation of a tennis practise aid;
- Fig. 2 is a schematic side elevation of the tennis practise aid of Fig. 1; and
- Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the tennis practise aid of Fig. 1.
- In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a
tennis practise aid 10 to rest on a ground surface. Thepractise aid 10 consists of aframe 11 which supports arebound surface assembly 12 providing a rebound surface 13. - The
frame 11 supports a net 14 with the upper edge thereof approximating the height of a normal tennis net. Theframe 11 also supports aball collection trough 15. - The
assembly 12 consists of a generallyrectangular frame 16 formed by twosub-frames sub-surfaces sub-surface 19 being supported by thesub-frame 17, and thesub-surface 20 being supported by thesub-frame 18. Theframe 16 is pivotally supported bypivots 21 so that the surface 13 may be inclined to the vertical, as best seen in Fig. 2. For example, thepivot 21 may include arack 22 defining several positions (1-5) wherein the surface 13 is inclined to the vertical. Therack 22 would have a series ofslots 23 which receive theshaft 24. It should be appreciated that each side of theframe 16 is provided with an associatedshaft 24 andrack 22. Thepivot 21 would also enable theassembly 12 to be movable from a practise position (A) to a non-operative lowered position (B), as seen in Fig. 2. - The
sub-frames adjustment member 25 so that thesub-surfaces axis 26 so as to be movable between a first position wherein thesub-surfaces sub-surfaces sub-frames - The
sub-frames arms 27 in order to facilitate relative pivoting movement between thesub-frames - It should be appreciated that by being able to incline the surface 13 to the vertical as well as being able to adjust the relative angle between the
sub-surfaces aid 10 provides the advantage that a large range of shots may be practised. Still further, theaid 10 may be used as a simple net support once theassembly 12 has been moved to the lowered position (B). - The rebound surface, i.e. including the
sub-surfaces frame 16. The tension could also be adjust to determine the rebound qualities.
Claims (9)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU5291/86 | 1986-04-02 | ||
AU529186 | 1986-04-02 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0241211A2 true EP0241211A2 (en) | 1987-10-14 |
EP0241211A3 EP0241211A3 (en) | 1988-07-27 |
Family
ID=3695746
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP87302843A Withdrawn EP0241211A3 (en) | 1986-04-02 | 1987-04-01 | A tennis practice aid |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0241211A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JPS62295676A (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4993709A (en) * | 1987-10-05 | 1991-02-19 | Pan Pacific Corporation | Ball game apparatus |
GB2322807A (en) * | 1997-03-06 | 1998-09-09 | Princebuild Ltd | Rebound board |
WO2006025752A1 (en) * | 2004-08-31 | 2006-03-09 | Louise Mary Sinclair | Ball rebound apparatus |
WO2007082344A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-07-26 | Peter A Domjen | Soccer training aid |
US20120040781A1 (en) * | 2010-08-11 | 2012-02-16 | Randall Edmiston | Athletic training and practice system |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3456945A (en) * | 1966-09-02 | 1969-07-22 | William R Epply | Folding sports screen |
CH545114A (en) * | 1971-11-22 | 1974-01-31 | Gamestown Soc | Fronton for ball game |
EP0081174A2 (en) * | 1981-12-04 | 1983-06-15 | Horst Erzmoneit | Training wall for ball games |
DE8522367U1 (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1986-11-06 | Metzeler Kautschuk GmbH, 8000 München | Impact wall for tennis training |
DE8528731U1 (en) * | 1985-10-09 | 1987-04-02 | Klug, Gerhard, 8900 Augsburg, De |
-
1987
- 1987-04-01 EP EP87302843A patent/EP0241211A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1987-04-02 JP JP8220587A patent/JPS62295676A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3456945A (en) * | 1966-09-02 | 1969-07-22 | William R Epply | Folding sports screen |
CH545114A (en) * | 1971-11-22 | 1974-01-31 | Gamestown Soc | Fronton for ball game |
EP0081174A2 (en) * | 1981-12-04 | 1983-06-15 | Horst Erzmoneit | Training wall for ball games |
DE8522367U1 (en) * | 1985-08-02 | 1986-11-06 | Metzeler Kautschuk GmbH, 8000 München | Impact wall for tennis training |
DE8528731U1 (en) * | 1985-10-09 | 1987-04-02 | Klug, Gerhard, 8900 Augsburg, De |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4993709A (en) * | 1987-10-05 | 1991-02-19 | Pan Pacific Corporation | Ball game apparatus |
GB2322807A (en) * | 1997-03-06 | 1998-09-09 | Princebuild Ltd | Rebound board |
WO2006025752A1 (en) * | 2004-08-31 | 2006-03-09 | Louise Mary Sinclair | Ball rebound apparatus |
WO2007082344A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-07-26 | Peter A Domjen | Soccer training aid |
US7909330B2 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2011-03-22 | Domjen Peter A | Soccer training aid |
US20120040781A1 (en) * | 2010-08-11 | 2012-02-16 | Randall Edmiston | Athletic training and practice system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPS62295676A (en) | 1987-12-23 |
EP0241211A3 (en) | 1988-07-27 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
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PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
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AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19890127 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19890705 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19891116 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: DOFEL, ANDREW WILLIAM ROGER |