GB2202751A

GB2202751A - Sports training equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2202751A
Application number: GB08807096A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kim De Villiers; Roderrick De Villiers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-03-24
Filing date: 1988-03-24
Publication date: 1988-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 2008-03-24
Also published as: GB8807096D0; AU1338288A; GB2202751B

Abstract

A device 1 comprises a body having a non-planar and uneven surface so that in use a ball thrown against the surface bounces off at unpredictable angles. The body may have a domed shape 2 bearing a plurality of indentations 4 and ridges 5. Alternatively, radial or circumferential ridges or rounded protrusions may be provided. The device may include a spike or pegs to assist in anchoring it to the ground. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN SPORTS EQUIPMENT THIS INVENTION relates to sports equipment for use by ball players to improve their hand eye co-ordination and reflexes.

Many ball games require fast reflexes to enable catches to be held, balls to be stopped and balls to be hit.

Cricket is one such game and fielders, particularly those fielding near to the batsman, should be adroit at picking up or catching a ball that has been hit or sliced by the batsman. Clearly it is possible to improve fielding skills and various games and techniques have been developed to this end.

It is an object of this invention to provide equipment that can be used to improve the skills of ball players.

According to this invention there is provided sports equipment comprising a resilient body, the surface of the body being non-planar and uneven such that a ball thrown against the surface of the body will bounce off at an unexpected angle in use.

Preferably the body will be shaped in the form of a hollow dome. The surface of the body may have a multiplicity of rounded identifications and/or protrusions formed thereon. The operatively uppermost part of the body may be shaped in the form of a concave indentation.

Alternatively the surface of the body may have a plurality of radial and circumferential ridges formed thereon which together define the uneven surface.

Further there is provided for the body to be adapted to be secured to the ground. Securing means in the form of a centrally located spike or a plurality of peripherally located pegs may be used to secure the body to the ground. The spike or pegs can be integral with the body or inserted through suitable eyes provided on the body.

The body may be manufactured from any suitable material. Specifically envisaged is a high density synthetic resin material, which may be reinforced or covered by a protective layer or coating or both.

A preferred embodiment of this invention is described below with reference to the-accompanying drawing which shows a perspective view of one form of the invention.

As illustrated the equipment 1 is of a generally hollow domed shape 2 with a flat base 3 moulded smoothly into the domed portion of small radius of curvature.

The outer surface of the dome shape 2 is provided with a multiplicity of indentations 4 providing corresponding ridges 5 between them. All changes in direction of the surface of the dome are rounded to avoid any edges.

The indentations 4 are preferably to a random pattern and of varying size and depth. The apex of the dome will have an indentation formed therein and this may be of somewhat larger size than those around the side of the dome.

The body will be moulded from suitably reinforced synthetic resin of high density such as fibreglass.

This has been found suitable for balls other than hard balls such as cricket or field hockey balls. A rubberised coating over the outer surface has proved to be satisfactory with type of balls.

The size of the device will depend on the type of game or practice with which the equipment will be used. It is envisaged that a group of about ten players will surround the body at a radius of about five meters. A ball, such as a cricket ball, will be thrown by one player at the body. Due to the uneveness of the surface the ball will rebound away from the body at an unexpected angle. One of the players will then catch the ball and throw it back at the body. If the thrower misses the body the player on the opposite side of the body will catch the ball. Clearly the ball can be thrown directly at the body or towards the side thereof in order to achieve a glancing hit. If the ball strikes the large indentation at the top of the body its flight will again be different. For this type of game a body with a base diameter of about 1,25 meters and a height of about 0,4 meters is envisaged.Clearly a body of smaller dimensions can be made and the actual shape, size and strength of the body will be selected for the persons who will use the equipment and with consideration being given to the type of ball which will be used.

Experience has shown that use of the equipment lends itself to friendly competition while affording good practice of skills in an interesting manner. Rules for games can be made so that the skills which are developed from the use of the equipment are acquired without tedious repetition of exercises.

The embodiment above described is of a size which while being easily handled and transported nevertheless is sufficiently massive that it can be used memrely by placing it on the surface of a playing field.

In those circumstances where additional anchorage is likely to be required a series of tags can be moulded to project from the rim of the body through which eyes will be provided to receive anchoring pegs.

Alternatively the body may carry a centrally positioned spike extending from the apex of the dome to project beyond the plane of the base. This spike will be forced into the surface on which the equipment is to be used. By so doing will not only firmly anchor the equipment but will also support the hollow dome.

It will be appreciated that it is possible to form the body quite differently from the embodiments described above. It is not for example essential for the body to be circular in plan view. Also, the irregularities and uneveness on the surface of the body can be achieved by for example forming a multiplicity of lugs on the surface. For manufacturing purposes it will be preferable if the equipment can be manufactured using a moulding technique. As mentioned above, many different materials can be used which would provide the required bounce characteristics.

The equipment is of simple construction but has been found to give an effect not previously available for the practice of ball games requiring quick hand and eye co-ordination.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Sports equipment comprising a resilient body, the surface of the body being non-planar and uneven such that a ball thrown against the surface of the body will bounce off at an unexpected angle in use.

2. Sports equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is in the form of a hollow dome the outer surface of which has a multiplicity of rounded indentations.

3. Sports equipment as claimed in claim 2 in which the hollow domed body has a flat base of larger radius with the body smoothly moulded to the base.

4. Sports equipment as claimed in claim 3 or A in which the apex of the dome has an indentation formed therein.

5. Sports equipment as claimed in claim 1 in which the body is in the form of a hollow dome the outer surface of which is provided with a multiplicity of rounded protrusions.

6. Sports equipment as claimed from any of the preceding claims moulded from reinforced high density synthetic resin material.

7. Sports equipment as claimed in claim 6 having a rubberised outer coating.

8. Sports equipment as claimed in any of the preceding claims including means for anchoring the equipment to the surface on which it is used.

9. Sports equipment substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.