GB2322807A - Rebound board - Google Patents

Abstract

A rebound board apparatus a board 2 mounted on a support frame 4, one side of the board having a generally flat surface 22 which, when the apparatus is in an operable position, serves as a rebound surface against which the object to be rebounded can be propelled. The angle of the rebound surface 22 relative to the support frame 4 is preferably adjustable and lockable. The pivoting of the board 2 may be done using rams. It is particularly preferred that the apparatus includes a catch-net (6), to catch off-target objects which are propelled towards the rebound board 2, and a box or tray 46 in which objects caught in the net (6) can collect. A particular use envisaged for the proposed rebound board apparatus is as a tennis practice aid.

Description

REBOUND BOARD The present invention relates to rebound boards. In particular, although not necessarily exclusively, it relates to rebound boards useful as a tennis practice aid.

In general terms, the present invention is to use a rebound board apparatus to provide a surface that an object, e.g. a tennis ball, can be propelled against and rebound from. The rebound board apparatus comprises a board mounted on a support frame, one side of the board having a generally flat surface which, when the apparatus is in an operable position, serves as a rebound surface against which the object to be rebounded can be propelled. The present invention also provides a rebound board apparatus which can be used in this way.

Preferably the angle of the rebound surface relative to the support frame is adjustable, to give some degree of control over the angle the object rebounds from the board. For example, the board may be pivotally mounted on the support frame. Irrespective of how the change in angle is achieved, it is preferred that the board is constrained to pivot about a horizontal axis parallel to the plane of the rebound surface and it is also preferred that the board, and hence the rebound surface, can be locked in a plurality of angular positions relative to he support frame. An alternative is for the board to be fixed at a desired angle, e.g. 150 or 450 to the vertical, but this is less versatile.

A particular use envisaged for the proposed rebound board apparatus is as a tennis practice aid. Typically, tennis is a game played by two or more people standing on opposite sides of a net. It is also usual to practise the game by playing in pairs. In contrast to this normal approach to training, the present proposal allows an individual to practise on their own, by using the rebound board to return the ball to them, rather than an Opponent on the other side of a net. This could be advantageous, for instance, where no training partner is available or where a consistent rebound of the ball is required.

Also, in embodiments where the board angle is adjustable, a variety of return shots can be simulated.

The proposed rebound board apparatus may have other uses and advantages. For example, it may be used as a practice tool for other racket sports, allowing individual practice, or practice in a confined space.

Furthermore, the rebound board apparatus may be used by two or more people to play a recreational or even competitive sports match. Again, this may be particularly advantageous where there is insufficient floor space for e.g. a full size tennis court.

Preferably the rebound board apparatus is movable or portable, for example ground contacting portions of the support frame may be provided with rolling elements such as wheels or castors. Also to aid with the manoeuvrability of the apparatus, it is preferred that the support frame is a light-weight space frame, formed of metal, plastics or other suitable material. A particularly preferred light-weight material possessing the desired strength is aluminium. Advantageously, if the frame is made light-weight and easily manoeuvrable, an individual can readily position it without the need for help from others. This is particularly desirable where the rebound board apparatus is intended for individual use, e.g. in private, or for use by young adults/children.

Any suitable board can be used as the rebound board itself, but a multi-ply wood board has been found to offer particularly good rebound characteristics. It is particularly preferred that the rebound board comprises three or more plys of equal thickness. A suitable construction is birch plys bonded with a suitable adhesive, e.g. WBP (water-proof and boil-proof) glue.

Preferably, the overall thickness of the rebound board is 10 mm or more, more preferably 15 mm or more.

To provide an adequate area of rebound surface, the major surface of the rebound board is preferably no smaller than 1000 mm x 2000 mm, although if the board is intended for use in a confined space smaller sizes may be more appropriate. Ideally, the board is about 1500 mm x 3000 mm or even larger. However, if the board is much larger than say 2000 mm x 4000 mm it may become difficult for an individual to manoeuvre it. In practical embodiments, it is likely that the longer dimension of the board will be parallel to the ground in use, but other orientations are possible.

The rebound surface of the board is preferably clearly delineated. One way of achieving this, for example, is for edge strips of the surface, e.g. strips about 50 mm wide, to be highlighted using a colour different to that used for the rest of the board, or at least the portions of the board immediately adjacent the edge strips. Preferably, the edge strips of the board are a light colour, e.g. white, and inner portions of the board are then a dark colour, e.g. dark green.

It is also preferred that the rebound surface of the board has non-slip characteristics. This may help to improve the rebound characteristics of the board, particularly for example when spin is applied to the object (e.g. tennis ball) propelled against the board.

Also, when the board is at an angle, it is desired to prevent the ball slipping on the rebound surface, making the return angle more predictable. This can be achieved, for instance, by suitably treating the surface of the uppermost ply of the board, e.g. to roughen the surface.

Alternatively, an additional material layer may be applied to the uppermost ply. This additional material layer may be for instance painted on or applied as a film. Examples of such non-slip surfaces are already known in the sports equipment field for instance Coovar Suregrip.

Many appropriate ways of mounting the board on the support frame will be apparent to the skilled person. By way of example, bearing blocks may be fixed to the ends of the rear of the board and these can cooperate with stub shafts protruding inwardly from frame members adjacent the board to provide a pivoting motion. Of course, the reverse arrangement is possible, with bearing blocks on the support frame. Another example is the use of a cross-member fixed to the rear of the rebound board and extending across its full width, this cross-member then being pivotally fixed to the support frame at its end and/or intermediate points along its length.

The board is preferably dismountable from the frame, for example so that it can be easily repaired, maintained and/or transported. Advantageously, a quick release mounting arrangement is used for this purpose.

Whatever method is used to provide for pivoting of the board relative to the support frame, as mentioned above, it is preferable that the board can be locked in a number of angular positions. These may be discrete positions, or alternatively the locking arrangement may be arranged to allow for locking at any angle. For example, a friction brake may be incorporated with the bearing assembly, a separate friction brake arrangement may be employed, or a ratchet or other latch mechanism may be used. Other suitable locking mechanisms will be readily apparent to the skilled person.

In the preferred practical embodiment, the board can at least be locked in the upright position, and at angles of 150, 300 and 450 to the upright. By upright, it is intended to mean generally perpendicular to the ground on which the support frame is positioned.

The adjustment of the angle of the board may be achieved purely manually, e.g. by releasing the lock, pulling or pushing the board into the desired position, and re-applying the lock. However, particularly for larger boards, the force required to pivot the board away from the upright position may make it difficult or even impossible for a person, particularly a young person, to adjust the board angle, because the weight of the board is acting to urge the board back to the upright.

Preferably, therefore, means are provided to relieve the moment about the pivot, caused by the board's weight.

For instance, one or more dampers, e.g. gas filled rams, may be provided, extending between the frame and the board for this purpose. It is particularly desirable that these dampers support substantially the full weight of the board, so that only minimal force need be applied to pivot the board. It may even be possible to use such dampers to effectively hold the board in position during use, although it is preferred to provide additional, positive locking means.

In addition, or as an alternative to the dampers means may be provided to introduce some mechanical advantage, to reduce the force that need be applied by the person adjusting the board. For example, a simple lever arrangement pivoted about a suitable point on the support frame may be used or a hydraulic actuator may be employed. The actuator may be operated using an electric motor and pump, but for simplicity and compactness, and also to avoid the need for an external power supply, it is preferred that the actuator is operated by a hand pump. Suitable actuators and pumps, and ways of employing them will be apparent.

One exemplary way of using the actuator is to mount it between a member of the support frame and the rear of the board, the connections between the actuator, the board and the support member allowing for relative rotation between these parts. The hydraulic actuator can then serve to urge the board and support member apart when hydraulic fluid is supplied to it with a hand pump.

The reverse operation of drawing the board towards the support member can be achieved, for example, simply by releasing the hydraulic fluid and relying on gravity, or alternatively a double-acting hydraulic actuator can be used and the board can be forcefully drawn back towards the support member using the hand pump in a reverse mode.

Whatever mechanism is used to adjust the angle of the board, an indicator may be used to display the angle of the board relative to the support frame. One simple example of this is a pointer attached to either the board or the support frame and an indicator plate bearing a scale attached in a corresponding position to the other of the support frame and board. Conveniently, such an indicator may be integrated with a locking device when used.

When in an operable position on the support frame, it is preferred that the lower edge of the board is no more than 2 m above the ground on which the person using the rebound board apparatus is intended to stand. More preferably, the distance between the ground (or base of the support frame) and the lower edge of the rebound board is no more than about 1.5 m when the board is tilted at an angle of 450 to the upright.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the rebound board apparatus also includes a catch-net. This is a net positioned to the rear of the rebound board, i.e. to the side opposed to the rebound surface, and extending outwardly beyond the perimeter of the rebound board on at least one edge thereof, e.g the lower edge. If desired, the net may protrude to both lateral sides of the rebound surface and/or above the rebound surface in addition to, or instead of below the rebound surface, which is the preferred arrangement. The purpose of this net is to catch objects (e.g. tennis balls) which are propelled towards the rebound board, but which are off-target and therefore miss the board. For example, in the preferred embodiment balls missing below the board are caught in the net. In the absence of the net, the object would continue on its trajectory beyond the rebound board resulting in the inconvenience of someone having to walk beyond the rebound board to collect it.

The net may be held in position with suitable net support members and the net and associated support members can be provided separately from the rebound board and support frame, to be positioned behind the support frame in use. More preferably, however, the net support members are formed as part of, or are mounted on the support frame for the rebound board, so that the complete apparatus can be easily manoeuvred as one.

Where a net is used, it is convenient to provide a collector point for objects caught in the net. A preferred way of doing this is to form a box or tray towards the bottom of the support frame and to provide one or more channels for objects caught in the net to fall down into the tray. This can be done, for example, simply by extending the net downwards to meet the tray, thus providing a contained enclosure for the balls. In this way, balls that miss the rebound board may be caught in the net, from where they will fall into the tray, so they can be easily retrieved.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a perspective view of a rebound board apparatus intended for use as a tennis practice aid; Fig 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Fig 1; Fig 3 is a side elevation of another rebound board apparatus, having an alternative arrangement for adjusting the angle of the board; and Fig 4 is a partial, sectioned view of another rebound board apparatus, on a larger scale, illustrating an arrangement whereby a the board can be detachably mounted to the support frame.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, the rebound board apparatus comprises the rebound board 2 itself and a support frame 4 on which the board 2 is mounted. Also mounted to the frame 4 is a catch-net 6 (the extent of which is indicated in chain-link line in the figures).

The rebound board 2 has a multi-ply construction.

It comprises a series of equal thickness plies, for example of birch, bonded together with a suitable adhesive. The outer surface of the board 2 is sealed against water ingress, so that the board can be used and/or stored outside for example. The board measures 1500 mm x 3000 mm x 18 mm.

The forward facing surface 22 of the rebound board serves as a rebound surface against which e.g. tennis balls can be hit. This rebound surface 22 has a non-slip coating applied to it and the majority of the surface is coloured in a dark shade, e.g. dark green. The exception is an outer strip 24, approximately 50 mm wide, extending around the perimeter of the rebound surface 22. This strip 24 is coloured in a contrasting tone, e.g. white, to highlight the edge of the rebound surface 22. Other colour patterns may, of course, be applied to the rebound surface 22. For instance it may be desirable to add indicia of one type or another. Whatever pattern is applied, it is preferred that the border region 24 is highlighted in some way to make it readily visible.

The support frame is a space frame structure made of e.g. extruded aluminum sections. A right-angle section of e.g. 50 mm x 50 mm and 6 mm thick has been found to give adequate strength, while minimising the weight of the frame structure, although box or other sections, or even a combination of different sections may be used. In the example illustrated, the frame is formed with two generally rectangular end pieces 42, linked with parallel and horizontal cross members 44. Other frame constructions are of course possible.

At the base of the support frame, extending from one end to the other, is a sheet metal, e.g. aluminium, tray 46. This tray 46 acts as a collection point for tennis balls caught by the net 6. In this example, a plurality of drain holes 47 are in the tray 46, for water (e.g.

rain) that might otherwise collect in the tray.

Lockable wheels 48 are provided at the lower end of the uprights of the end sections 42 of the frame 4. When unlocked, these wheels 48 allow the support frame, and therefore the rebound board apparatus, to be easily moved into the desired position. The wheels 48 can then be locked to ensure that the desired position is maintained during use.

The rebound board 2 is pivotally mounted to the upper ends of the end sections 42 of the frame 4. In this example, this is done by fixing bearing blocks 8 to the upper ends of the structures 42, these bearing blocks 8 being engaged by stub shafts (not shown) fixed to the rear of the rebound board 2, in line with the bearing blocks 8. Other arrangements are possible, for example the board may be mounted on a cross member which is itself pivotally mounted to the frame.

The rebound board 2 is both pivoted and held in its angular position relative to the frame by an hydraulic actuator 10 (see Fig 2). This actuator extends from one of the upright members of the support frame 4 to a fixing bracket 26 on the rear of the rebound board 2, and is pivotally attached to these parts. The actuator is a double-acting hydraulic actuator operated by a hand pump 12, which is also conveniently mounted to an upright member of the frame 4. The hand pump 12 can be used, as known, to pump hydraulic fluid from the right hand end of the actuator 10 to the left hand end or vice a versa, to extend or retract the actuator 10 respectively. In this way, the rebound board 2 can be pivoted away from or towards the vertical and, the actuator 10 also serves to hold the rebound board 2 in the selected position (i.e the actuator doubles up as a locking means).

To give an indication of the angle of the rebound board 2 relative to the support frame 4, an indicator panel 14 is fixed to the rear of the rebound board 2 adjacent its pivot point. A pointer can be provided attached to the support frame 4 to indicate the angle of the board 2 or, as in this example, one of the upright members of the support frame 4 can be used for this purpose.

As indicated by the chain-link lines in Fig 2, the net 6 extends behind the rebound board 2. The net 6 extends down to meet the tray 46 at the base of the frame on both sides of and to the rear of the rebound board 2.

If desired, netting may also be provided below and in front of the rebound board 2 and/or extend outwardly to the sides of or above the board. In the example shown, balls which stray below the rebound board 2 are caught in the net 6 and fall by gravity into the tray 46 where they can be easily collected.

In use, the rebound board apparatus is moved into the desired position, i.e. rolled on the wheels 48, and the wheels 48 are then locked to hold the support frame 4 in position. The desired angle of the rebound board 2 can then be selected and set up using the hydraulic actuator 10 and hand pump 12. For example, if the person using the device wishes to practice overhead shots they may set the board 2 at a relatively large angle to the vertical, e.g. 450, to produce a "lob effect" (indicated in dashed lines in Fig 2). Alternatively, where the user wishes to practice volleys at the net, a much smaller angle of the board may be desired (indicated in solid lines in Fig 2), or it may even be positioned vertically.

Other angles may be used to simulate a variety of return shots with the one apparatus.

Once the apparatus is positioned and the desired board angle is set up, practice can commence. The user stands back from the board and, in the present example, propels a tennis ball against the rebound surface 22 using a tennis racket in the normal way. The tennis ball then rebounds from the board 2, back towards the user, who can then play a further shot.

Figure 3 shows a very similar rebound board apparatus to that of Figures 1 and 2, the same reference numerals being used to indicate like parts. The main difference is that rather than using a pump-operated hydraulic actuator to adjust the angular position of the board 2, this apparatus is designed for the board 2 to be pivoted by hand. To minimise the force necessary to do this, a gas filled damper 60 is provided at each end of the board 2, to support the board on the frame 4.

The apparatus of Figure 3 also employs a positive locking means, in this case comprising a locking plate 62 fixed to the frame 4 and a locking pin 64 carried by an arm 66 fixed to the rear of the board 2. The locking plate 62 has a plurality, preferably three or more, apertures 68 arranged in an arc for engagement by the locking pin 64, each aperture 68 corresponding to a predetermined angular position of the board 2. The pin 64 is biased, for example by a spring (not shown), to a position in which it extends into the plane of the locking plate 62 and can be retracted against the bias, out of this plane.

To adjust the angle of the board 2 relative to the frame 4 the pin 64 is first retracted, the board 2 is then pivoted to the desired angular position in which the pin 64 is aligned with one of the apertures 68 in the locking plate 62, the dampers 60 supporting the board's weight, and the pin 64 is then released, engaging the aperture 68 to lock the board 2 in position.

Other locking means may be used. For example, particularly if it is desired to have a continuously variable adjustment of the board angle, a friction brake may be used fro this purpose.

Turning to Figure 4, an alternative arrangement for mounting the board 2 on the frame 4 is illustrated.

Here, rather than having stub shafts on the board to engage bearing blocks 8, a cross member 70 is pivotally mounted between the bearing blocks 8. The board 2 is mounted on this cross member 70.

Advantageously, in the example illustrated, the board 2 is releasably mounted on the cross member 70, so that it can be readily removed, for maintenance, repair and/or ease of transport. The releasable mounting is achieved by means of a quick release mounting in the form of two or more slotted brackets 72 spaced in a horizontal line along the rear of the board 2, to which they are fixed, the slots 73 of the brackets engaging bolts 74 fixed to and protruding from the cross member 70, the board being secured by locking nuts 76. To release the board, the locking nuts 76 are loosened, but need not be completely removed, and the slotted brackets 72 are disengaged from the bolts 74 by lifting them upwardly.

Of course, the bolts may be provided on the board, for engaging slots in the cross member, or indeed other locking catches, clips or the like may be used.

Although the above examples have been described for use as a tennis practice tool, it may be equally appropriate for other activities, e.g. other racket sport practice sessions or even a competitive game itself.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS:

1. Rebound board apparatus comprising a board mounted on a support frame, one side of the board having a generally flat surface which, when the apparatus is in an operable position, serves as a rebound surface against which the object to be rebounded can be propelled.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the board is pivotable relative to the frame to adjust the angle of the rebound surface relative to the support frame, the board being lockable in a plurality of angular positions relative to the support frame.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the board can at least be locked in an upright position, and at angles of 150, 300 and 450 to the upright.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, comprising one or more dampers between the frame and the board for supporting the board as it is pivoted.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, comprising an indicator to give an indication of the angle of the board relative to the frame.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a catch-net positioned to the rear of the rebound board and extending outwardly beyond the perimeter of the rebound board on at least one edge thereof.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, comprising a collector for objects caught in the net.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said collector comprises a tray or box mounted towards the bottom of the support frame, one or more channels being provided for objects caught in the net to fall down into the tray.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein ground contacting portions of the support frame provided with rolling elements such as wheels or castors.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the board is a multi-ply wood board having three or more plies of equal thickness.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the board has a thickness of 10 mm or more, preferably 15 mm or more.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the major surface of the rebound board is no smaller than 1000 mm x 2000 mm in size.

13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when in an operable position on the support frame, the lower edge of the board is no more than 2 m above the ground on which the person using the rebound board apparatus is intended to stand.

14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rebound surface of the board has a non-slip coating.

15. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the board is dismountable from the frame.

16. Rebound board apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.