GB2070444A - A ball game training aid - Google Patents

Abstract

The aid comprises an overhead boom 11, supported on a pillar 10 having tripod stabilising legs 13, a ball 20 supported from a point 16 substantially at the end of the boom 11 by an inelastic cord 18, stored between pulley blocks 15, 17 and an elastic cord 19 restraining the movement of the cord 18. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A ball game training aid This invention relates to a ball game training aid that is particularly suitable for use by cricketers, tennis players and baseball players wishing to improve their strokes. It has been found that although there are devices available to improve fielding skills, such as dished racks into which a ball may be thrown and which cause the ball to leave at unexpected angies, no cost-effective device has been developed to facilitate the improvement of batting strokes.

The device the subject of this invention causes a ball to approach a player in a predetermined manner and in the same general target area as a ball delivered by a bowler. Due to restraining and tensioning adjustments that will be more fully described below, the flight of an approaching ball can be altered at will to provide a range of deliveries including full tosses, bumpers, yorkers and normal pitches. The device allows the player to train in all aspects of his stroke making, including footwork, body balance and a wide range of shots, for instance in cricket the hook, cover drive and late cut.

In its broadest form, the invention provides a ball game training aid comprising an overhead boom, boom support means, a ball suspended from a point adjacent the end of the said boom by a substantially inelastic cord, means for storage of said cord and elastic means restraining movement of said cord and thereby said ball.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the training aid in a static position, Figure 2 demonstrates use of the aid to make a normal delivery, Figure 3 illustrates adjustments made to cause the delivery of the ball to simulate a yorker, and Figure 4 illustrates adjustments to be made to simulate a bumper or full toss.

With reference to the accompanying drawings and in particular Figure 1, the invention in this form provides a stand 10 which supports a boom 1 The stand comprises a base 1 2 having three stabilising arms 1 3. The upper end or "neck" of the stand is provided with two rollers 14 over which the elastic cord may pass. The outer end of the boom is provided with a twin block pulley 1 5 and an eye 1 6. A second twin block pulley 1 7 is linked to the first pulley by means of substantially inelastic cord 1 8 and is free floating under the boom being supported by means of an elastic cord 19 and the inelastic cord 18 supporting a ball 20.

An inelastic restraining cord 21 is affixed also to the floating pulley block 1 7 and, passing over the forementioned elastic cord roller guide 14 or other suitable guide, in secured to a tension adjuster 22 conveniently located in the upper half of the vertical stand 10. The elastic cord tension may be varied either by moving its own tension adjuster 23 up or down the lower half of the boom support stand or alternatively by retying same to alter the operative length of elastic cord.

The adjusters 22 and 23 comprise a rubber or synthetic ring which may be readily slipped along the shaft of the stand when normal thereto, but which joins on the shaft when inclined relative to the shaft.

With reference to Figure 1, the apparatus is set up so that the elastic tension adjuster is towards the lower portion of the stand, the length of elastic cord being adjusted to keep the ball just off the ground. This will enable it to be hit cleanly. The inelastic restrainer adjuster is moved to the top of the stand so that there is little inelastic restraint exercised on-the movement of the ball. The pulleys allow the ball to travel between 20 and 60 feet, depending on the strength of the stroke. It has been found desirable to make the floating pulley as light as possible, and it has also been found that 45 Ib breaking strain fishing line is suitable for the inelastic cord 1 8 securing the ball.

Preferably, a swivel is inserted into the ball cord between the ball and the eye 1 6 in the boom to compensate for rotation induced into the ball on striking same. Preferably, the ball is secured to the line by drilling a hole through same, passing the line through the hole, putting a bead or other stopper on the line and then knotting the line to prevent it withdrawing through the ball.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that use of the machine may be adjusted by the length of inelastic ball cord 1 8, the length of elastic restraining line 1 9, the position of the tension adjuster 23 of the elastic restraining line, the length of the inelastic restraining line 21 the position af the inelastic restraining line tension adjuster 22, the inertia of the floating pulley block 17, the whip characteristics of the boom 11 and the nature of the bat and ball.

In use, the stand and boom is adjusted to enable batsman to stand underneath same and swing at the ball suspended on its line. With reference to Figure 2, a normal delivery may be induced by adjusting the elastic cord "short" that is the adjuster 23 is set towards the base of the stand and the inelastic restraining cord is adjusted "long", that is the adjuster 22 is towards the top of the stand. The ball moves in the arc described in Figure 2 on being struck and it has been found that it will bounce accurately and predictably just in front of the batsman so that it may be struck again. The batsman drives the ball away from the machine in approximately the direction of the boom, causing the ball to pull the floating pulley towards the fixed pulley against the tension in the restraining cord.A powerful batsman can drive the ball up to 60 feet, depending on the adjustment of the elastic tensioner and the length of the tension cord. Irrespective of the length of the drive, the ball then reaches the end of its outward motion, flies in the air and returns towards the batsman, bouncing a convenient distance in front of him so that another stroke may be made. The inelastic restraining cord, also known as the rise control cord, brings the ball to an abrupt stop before the ball would otherwise reach the full extent of its travel. The ball is thus forced to move upwards, attempting to describe an arc around the eye the radius of which arc is the line.

With reference to Figure 3 a batsman can practice a cricketing yorker type delivery by moving both the elastic tension and rise control to maximum slackness. In this condition the rise control will not effect the flight of the ball and the weaker elastic tension will not overcome ball weight, thus causing the ball to return to the batsman close to the ground.

With reference to Figure 4, the batsman can induce bumpers and full tosses by tensioning up the elastic tension control and also the rise control to limit the length of travel of the ball. In this way, the flight of the ball is strongly restrained by the elastic tension cord and comes to a sharp stop when the rise control cord moves out to its full extent the ball then moves upward as with a normal delivery and the increased elastic tension then returns the ball from a high level, simulating a full toss or a bouncer.

It has been found that the device provides ball deliveries that are unexpectedly accurate, reproducable and adjustable for different conditions. The device provides significant contributions to a batsman's foot work, anticipation, judgement and reflexes. Due to the nature of the machine it is virtually impossible for the batsman to "beat" the machine as the elastic restraining cord will always return the ball. It has been found to be a particularly intensive form of practice and contributes directly to the batsman's fitness for extended sessions.

It is to be appreciated that whilst the preferred embodiment relates to a cricket machine, the invention is equally applicable, with appropriate ball changes and other adjustements, to other ball games including tennis, squash, baseball and golf.

Claims (9)

1. A ball game training aid comprising an overhead boom, boom support means, a ball suspended from a point adjacent the end of the boom by a substantially inelastic cord, means for storage of said cord and elastic means restraining the movement of said cord.

2. A ball game training aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the boom is supported by a substantially vertical frame.

3. A ball game training aid substantially as claimed in claim 1 wherein the boom is supported by a wall mounted frame.

4. A ball game training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein movement of the ball is further controlled by a substantially inelastic restraining means.

5. A ball game training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the degree of restraint exercised by the elastic and/or inelastic means is adjustable.

6. A ball game training aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cord storage means comprises a two pulley block system, when a first pulley block is attached to the boom and a second pulley block is attached to the said elastic and/or inelastic restraining means.

7. A ball game training aid wherein the said elastic restraining means comprises elastic cord.

8. A ball game training aid as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the said inelastic restraining means is substantially inelastic cord.

9. A ball game training aid substantially described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.