GB2613029A

GB2613029A - Apparatus for tennis practice

Info

Publication number: GB2613029A
Application number: GB2116840.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frederick Irving Leslie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-11-23
Filing date: 2021-11-23
Publication date: 2023-05-24
Also published as: GB202116840D0

Abstract

Apparatus for tennis practice comprises a stand 3 and a plurality of holders 2 and (199, figure 5) each provided with a first connection means part (A, figure 7) adapted to releasably connect with a second connection means part (B, figure 3). A first holder 2 includes a basal portion 2 having a first end providing the first connection means (A) and a distal second end supporting a flexible tether and a reversible grip means 4 for a ball. A second holder (199) comprises a rigid arm (13) with the first connection means (A) at a first end and a fixed ball (15) at a distal end. The grip means of the first holder may include a hook and loop fastener 4. The ball on the second holder may be free to spin on axle (17).

Description

APPARATUS FOR TENNIS PRACTICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus suitable for tennis practice, and may be envisaged to provide apparatus suitable for practice of other ball games.

Background

Many people enjoy tennis in many different societies.

However it can be problematic to practice tennis strokes without a partner or ball launching equipment, which equipment can be prohibitively expensive.

It can also be problematic to do repeatable shot practising even with a partner, as the repetition is likely to incur varying conditions.

In particular practising spin shots can be problematic.

Prior Art

EP 3 226 985 (HAMILTON) discloses a sports training-device comprising: a base; a retainer for retaining a ball; and a flexible tether, a first end of the flexible tether attached to said base, and a second end of the flexible tether attached to said retainer; said flexible tether configured to, in use, provide damped movement of a ball retained in said retainer, following application of a force to said ball; wherein said retainer is configured to enable said ball to spin within said retainer.

US 2015 0 209 644 (VERMA) discloses a tennis training apparatus suspends a 30 tennis ball in the air to allow a player to practice striking the ball with a tennis racquet includes a tennis ball with a first magnetic element integrally and non-removably coupled to the tennis ball.

EP 2 948 225 (HOFMEYR) discloses a tennis teaching aid comprises a stand and a 35 and a guide mounted on the stand for rotation about an axis, the guide extends around the ball and defines a planar guide plane that is parallel to but spaced from a required path of a tennis racquet to hit the ball with topspin and the majority of the ball projects above the guide plane for contact with a tennis racquet.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing 5 devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for practice of a variety of tennis shots comprising a stand, a base and a plurality of holders each holder is provided with a first connection means part which is adapted to connect reversibly to a second connection means part on the base, the base is adapted to be secured to the stand by a securement means; wherein a first holder provides a basal portion having a first end providing the first connection means and a distal second end supporting a flexible tether with a reversible grip means for a tennis ball, and wherein a second holder comprises a rigid arm which supports the first connection means at a first end thereof and supports a fixed ball at a second end thereof In some embodiments the fixed ball is enabled to spin about an axis. In this way it 20 may be envisaged that the ball may be secured to the holder so as to spin, thereby enabling a user to practice spin shots. The ball may be secured about a pin.

In some embodiments the grip means includes hook or loop portions such as Velcro (RTM). For example it may be envisaged that the grip means comprises a hook portion which is adapted to grip a tennis ball surface. In such manner it may be envisaged that the apparatus may be used with an independently provided tennis ball. In other embodiments the grip means may comprise a loop portion for attachment to a ball, or a loop portion embedded to, on or in a ball.

In some embodiments the stand is provided with the apparatus. In other embodiments the stand may be independently provided. For example the apparatus may comprise a securement means which secures the base to the stand, and which may be envisaged to be reversible in some embodiments. In such manner the base may be adapted to be secured to an available vertical part, such as a tennis net post or a pole as appropriate. In other embodiments the apparatus may comprise a dedicated stand, which may be provided by a collapsible, foldable or telescopic stand.

In some embodiments the reversible securement means comprises hook or loop 5 portions such as Velcro (RTM) In some embodiments the stand comprises a plurality of modular parts.

In some embodiments the apparatus includes a hoop for target practice. Such hoop 10 may be envisaged to be attached to the base, using an attachment means, so as to make use of the securement means to the stand and enabling use of the hoop in a plurality of locations.

In some embodiments the stand comprises a weighted bottom so as to prevent toppling in use.

In some embodiments the connection means comprises a friction fit, a tolerance fit, or an interference fit, for example wherein the second connection means includes a socket, such that the connection means comprises a push-fit connection. It may be envisaged to comprise a bayonet means, such that a connection is made and subsequently locked.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the apparatus according to 30 the present invention, with the first holder.

Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention with the second holder; Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 5 with the first and second holders; and Figure 8 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 5.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there are shown embodiments of apparatus for tennis practice generally comprising a stand 3,100 a base 5,16 and a plurality of holders provided with a first connection means part A adapted to reversibly connect with a second connection means part B on the base, wherein a first holder 2 provides a basal portion having a first end providing the first connection means A and a distal second end supporting a flexible tether and a reversible grip means 4 for a ball (not shown), and a second holder 199 comprises a rigid arm 13 with the first connection means A at a first end and a fixed ball 15 at a distal end.

In particular reference to the first embodiment the embodiment comprises an elongated pole stand 3, formed of two concentric pole members 7. The members are arranged to telescope to amend height and/or for storage and transport.

The pole members 7 are cylindrical metal or alloy and may be painted or powder 35 coated.

The lower end of the pole provides a weighted base 10, which may further be envisaged to comprise a lower face with a resilient cover, for example high friction rubber or silicone, and/or a raised and lowered texture.

The stand 3 further includes a lanyard attachment point 5, for passage and use of straps to strap the embodiment to another structure, such as a post, pole or net. This lanyard attachment point is located on a resilient plastic clip fitting, arranged to clip onto the pole at a preferred height.

The top end of the pole comprises an elbow travelling through 90 degrees from a connection with the pole to a horizontal socket for the holder, thereby turning the holder through 90 degrees. The elbow provides the embodiment of the base 6, wherein the elbow has an open end distal the pole, for receipt of a holder. The connection means is consequently a friction fit, wherein the holder 2 comprises a cylindrical member 21 inserted concentrically into a socket provided by the open end of the elbow base.

The base further includes a base attachment means for a target hoop. The base attachment means comprises a threaded hole for receipt of a thumb nut 9 which 20 passes through a tab depending from the bottom edge of an annular ring 8 providing the target hoop, thereby providing a reversible attachment means.

The hoop is made from a rigid metal, alloy or plastic.

The holder 2 has an elongated cylindrical member 31, with a plug at the end distal the connection means, or the first part thereof, wherein the plug contains a flexible inelastic string, rope or wire, with a ball grip means 4 on its distal end. The grip means 4 comprises a hook means, such as a hook pad of Velcro (RTM).

In particular reference to the second embodiment the embodiment comprises a plate base 66 which is strapped to a vertical square pole stand 100. The stand may be envisaged to be independently provided and may comprise a pole or tennis net post.

The plate 11 is rectangular and placed along the longitudinal axis of the pole and has 35 a hook and loop strap 12 at top and bottom strapping to the pole providing the securement means.

A plate 11 supports two C clips 18 arranged to clip onto horizontal cylindrical members, located towards the top and bottom of the plate, and adapted to receive cylindrical members, such as shown on holders 21,31, laterally.

Between the two C clips is a socket 16, provided by an open mouthed cylindrical member extending orthogonal the plate, and arranged to receive the end of a holder's cylindrical member, using a socket connection means The pictured embodiment has a rigid elongated second holder 299, having a rigid C shaped ball connector 14 at its distal second end, wherein the ends of the connector are connected to a ball 15 by an axle 17 passing through two opposing holes in two opposing arms, so as to define an axis wherein the ball can spin about this axis, enabling the ball to be hit by a user to practice spin.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment 399 of apparatus comprising two holders 2,299 and a plate base 66 The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated 20 that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Apparatus for practice of a variety of tennis shots comprising a stand, a base and a plurality of holders each holder is provided with a first connection means part which is adapted to connect reversibly to a second connection means part on the base, the base is adapted to be secured to the stand by a securement means; wherein a first holder provides a basal portion having a first end providing the first connection means and a distal second end supporting a flexible tether with a reversible grip means for a tennis ball, and wherein a second holder comprises a rigid arm which supports the first connection means at a first end thereof and supports a fixed ball at a second end thereof Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fixed ball is adapted to spin about an axis on the second end.
Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the grip means includes hook or loop portions such as Velcro (RTM).
Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the stand is provided by an independent structure.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the stand comprises a weighted bottom.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein a reversible securement means is provided to connect the base to the stand.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the securement means or the reversible securement means comprises hook or loop portions such as Velcro (RTM).
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the stand is supplied as a plurality of modular parts.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the apparatus includes a hoop for target practice.
10. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the hoop is arranged to be attached to the base.
11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the connection means comprises a friction fit.
12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the connection means comprises a tolerance fit.
13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the connection means comprises an interference fit
14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the second connection means includes a socket.
15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim whereon the base comprises an elbow for turning the holder through 90 degrees.