NO20141393A1 - Ball with string for training purposes - Google Patents

Abstract

Ball with string (20) for training purposes wherein the string (20) is rotatably attached to the ball in a separate suspension, the suspension for the string being arranged in a separate cavity (14) prepared in a defined area between the airtight bladder (13) of the ball and its outer layer ( 12). The cavity (14) preferably has a circular cross-section, and may comprise a center element (21) to which the cord is attached to and around it an annular element (24) which may comprise a battery for supplying a sensor and, optionally, a communication unit.

Description

The present invention relates to a training equipment comprising a ball and string as stated in the preamble to patent claim 1.

Background

It is well known to use training equipment for training with a ball, where a ball is held in various ways in a system which ensures that its movements are limited and preferably that it returns to a starting point. This can be appropriate for several reasons, not least to enable training where there is limited space and to minimize the chances of damaging surrounding facilities. It can also be an argument in itself to save time on picking up the ball, as well as the fact that many ba 11 touches are achieved in a short time.

From US patent no. 6 168 539 it is known to attach a soccer ball to a string which then goes over to an elastic band which in turn is attached to a handle which the user can hold. The set ball must be able to rotate freely.

From US patent no. 6 220 974, a device is known where a ball is suspended in a frame with cords horizontally and vertically, designed to train kicks. It is further stated that it must be suitable for goalkeeper training and aerobic training. However, the framework and the way the ball is attached give very limited opportunities for variation in training.

US 7 935 006 deals with equipment of the same general nature as mentioned above, where the ball is tied to a string which can be attached to the ball without the ball being surrounded by netting or straps which significantly change the feel of the ball. However, the string is attached to a handle, and although it is stated as an advantage that this can be held at different heights before the ball is returned at different heights, this is something that negatively affects the user's freedom of movement, in addition to the risk of the ceiling slipping and the ball therefore continuing its path until it accidentally hits an object that could possibly cause damage.

A general problem with the known technique in the area is that little or nothing seems to have been done to ensure that the attachment between the string and the ball functions optimally, and specifically to ensure that the ball container has a perfectly round shape without bulges or other deviations in the area where the string fe stes to the ball.

It is thus a problem that if one arranges any suspension element to the outside of the ball's outer layer 12, or to the layer between the ball's outer layer 12 and the bladder 13, this will cause unwanted unevenness in the ball's outer shape. Similarly, if the suspension element is placed on the inside of the bladder, this undertraining will lead to unwanted leakage of the bladder's air pressure, so that the ball changes hardness and shape.

If the ball changes shape, even if only slightly, it will not always bounce or roll as expected, but may change direction as it bounces/rolls, or bounce higher or lower than expected. This will reduce the training yield and the enjoyment of training with a ball attached to a string.

Purpose

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a device which makes it possible to attach a string to a ball without changing the ball's properties or shape.

Present invention

The above stated purposes have been achieved by the training equipment according to the present invention as defined in patent claim 1.

Preferred embodiments appear from the independent patent claims.

The term "suspension" as used in the following refers to the elements that interact with the string and ball to keep the string attached to the ball.

The solution to the problem gear attachment between string and ball which is rotatable and prevents tangling on the string, but also an attachment which ensures that the outer shape and properties of the ball are maintained in the area around the attachment point for the string. Once the solution has been found, it is in and of itself simple, but nevertheless represents a significant advance in this specific subject area.

The figure shows a partial section of the ball according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged section of the basic principle of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged section of details of the ball according to Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged partial section of a slightly different variant than detailed view figure 3

Figure 5 shows an enlarged partial section of yet another variant of the details shown in figures 3-4.

Figure 6 shows an enlarged partial section of yet another variant of the details shown in figures 3-5.

Figure 7 shows an enlarged partial section of another extremely rich variant of the details shown in figures 3-6.

Figure 8a shows an enlarged partial section of a detail common to figures 1-5

Figure 8b shows a top view of the detail from Figure 6a.

It must be understood that when designations such as upper or lower, top or bottom are used in connection with the figures, it is only in relation to how it is shown on the figures, as the orientation of the ball and its associated equipment in use is changing.

By "suspension" as used in this application, is meant all the equipment that is used to fasten the string to the ball and that is located in the aforementioned cavity between an area of the ball's outer layer where the ball's bladder has a shape that deviates from a spherical shape.

Figure 1 shows a partial section of a ball 11 according to the present invention, comprising an outer layer 12 of leather or the like, as well as an airtight bladder 13. In one area, the bladder 13 has a deviation 13b from the spherical shape so that a cavity is formed between the bladder 13 and the outer layer 12. The cavity has a typical circular cross-section and consists of, or is reinforced with, a different material than the bladder itself, so that the desired shape can be maintained after the end of production. For example, the cavity can be kept open by means of a ring or sleeve in a rigid plastic material, this ring or sleeve having a width that corresponds to the desired height for the hollow space. In the embodiment shown in the figure, there is also a channel 15 in the direction towards the center of the ball. This channel can contain at least one sensor 16 for recording movement, acceleration, position, orientation or pressure. The channel 15 can be held taut with an end portion near the center of the ball by means of a number of elastic threads 17 which are typically formed as an integral part of the bladder 13.

The channel 15 can also be designed in the form of a relatively rigid tube attached at the bottom of the cavity with a flexible and damping material in a tight transition, so that G-forces that can be thought to affect/damage the sensor are reduced. Elastic threads can be left out if necessary.

The channel makes it possible to place a sensor in the center of the ball in order to use electronics to determine the ball's position, speed, acceleration etc. The channel can also accommodate equipment (not shown) for communication with equipment outside the ball. This is not commented on in further detail here, as sensors and communication as such are not part of the present invention.

The ball's valve 18 can be arranged in the same channel, but can also be arranged elsewhere on the ball's periphery. If the valve is found in said channel, there must be openings 19 further in the channel to let the air into the entire inner volume of the bladder.

In the aforementioned cavity 14 is the fixed lanyard 20 itself. The lanyard 20 is guided through a central element 21, such as a screw with a through opening, the lanyard below the screw 21 being provided with some type of lock 22 which cannot pass through the screw's central opening. In the cavity 14 there is also an umbrella-shaped sleeve 23 and a ring-shaped element 24, both of which are discussed in more detail in connection with figure 2. Above the center element 21 there is a rubber seal 25. In the assembled state, only the cord 20 and the rubber seal 25 are visible from the mentioned parts, except of course the outer layer 12. As mentioned, the center element can be a screw, but it can also be an element that is attached with, for example, a bayonet attachment. In the following, the center element 21 is referred to and shown as a screw.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged section of the general principle of the present invention, that the bladder 13 of the ball in an area 13b exhibits a deviation from the spherical shape, so that the bladder does not lie close to the outer layer 12 of the ball in this area, but instead a cavity 14 is formed between these in same area. The cavity can typically be circular in cross-section and have internal threads along the periphery of the cavity. The dimensions can vary, among other things, depending on the type of bal I used, but a typical size can be 25 mm diameter and a height somewhat less than this, for example half the diameter.

Figure 3 shows the enlarged elements from the cavity 14 in the bladder 13. Here the preferred variant is shown that the hollow space, which typically has a circular cross-section, is provided with internal screw threads 26a that fit external screw threads 26b on the annular element 24. The annular element 24 is typically an element that contains a battery idea of the embodiment where there is one or more sensors, the ball and/or other power-consuming components. The same element 24 can also optionally contain one or more sensors and a unit for communication with equipment outside the ball.

The umbrella-shaped sleeve 23 typically has the purpose of supporting the outer layer of the ball in the area of

the cavity, to protect the ring-shaped element 24 and to provide attachment for the screw 21 which, together with the lock 22, will hold the string 20 firmly in place. The diameter of the sleeve - and of the cavity - can typically be of the order of 25 mm (diameter), but deviating sizes can occur. The sleeve 23 has internal threads 28a that fit with external threads 28b on the screw 21. It is also clear from figure 3 that the lock 22 on the string 20 is mainly spherical in shape and rests against the corresponding curved surface in the screw 21, so that the lock 22 and thus the string 20 can rotate freely in relation to the ball . The sleeve 23 has an umbrella-shaped top part which preferably has approximately the same curvature as the curvature of the ball in the inflated state.

Figure 4 shows a variant that differs from the variant in Figure 3 only in that there is a threaded connection also between the annular element 24 and the sleeve 23. Internal threads 27a on the annular element fit to external threads 27b on the lower part of the sleeve 23, Figure 5 shows a variant that differs from the variants shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 in that no umbrella-shaped sleeve 23 is present. The ring-shaped element 24 has been made larger and has been given a curved surface towards the outer layer of the ball, corresponding to the umbrella part of the sleeve 23 in the previous embodiments. Here, too, the annular element has internal threads 27a which in this case fit external threads 28b on the screw 21. An advantage of this variant is that there are fewer parts and it is easier to fit any batteries and any electronics in the annular element 24 when this is made larger. In this embodiment, the suspension essentially comprises a ring-shaped element (24) and a center element (21). the bladder 13. This is an embodiment that is relevant when no sensor is used in the bale or when any sensors are placed elsewhere, such as integrated in the ring-shaped element 24. In this embodiment, the bale's valve is also not placed under the bale's string attachment, but a elsewhere on the ball. An intermediate solution that is not shown in the figures is also possible, in that there is a shorter channel that exclusively goes down to the valve of the ball, but does not continue into the center of the ball. Correspondingly, it is also possible to use a channel that does not contain a valve into the sensor. Figure 6 shows, like figure 5, an annular element which has taken up the function of the umbrella-shaped sleeve shown in figures 3-4. There is of course nothing to prevent using a variant that includes an umbrella-shaped sleeve in combination with the absence of a channel. Figure 7 shows a variant that differs from Figure 6 in that the screw 21 is omitted and its function is taken up in the annular element 24. In order to be able to replace the annular element 24, the outer layer covering it can be attached to the element (24). Again, there is nothing to prevent using such an annular element 24, as shown here, in combination with channel 15 as shown in Figures 3-5. Figure 8a shows an enlarged side section of the screw 21, while Figure 8b shows an elevation of the same screw.

The lower part of the section in Figure 8a shows the cavity 81 with a shape suitable for receiving a mainly spherical lock 22 on the string 20, such a lock and the string can rotate freely in relation to the screw 21.

In the center of the screw there is a through hole 82 for the cord 20, and across the screw there is a groove 83 to be able to screw it in and out with a normal screwdriver. Screws with other grooves can of course also be used for tractors, such as cross grooves, umbraco etc. A person skilled in the art will understand that the functionality shown to element 21 in Figure 8a will be able to be implemented in a ring-shaped element 24 in the form shown in Figure 7.

Based on the above, a person with knowledge in the area will understand that with the term "suspension" as used here, components 21, 22, 23 and 24 are generally understood when all of these are present, or merge those of these components that are present in the various embodiments of the invention.

As already stated, the umbrella-shaped sleeve is not always present; it is therefore not an obligatory part of the present invention. Other elements of the suspension may also vary. For example, there is no requirement that any of the components be locked to each other with a threaded connection; they can also be locked with a spring-loaded bayonet lock. It should be understood that in the cases where the example center element 21 is intended to be attached with a bayonet attachment, this can be equipment with two or more radially protruding studs which are designed to cooperate with each of the J-shaped grooves in the element radially outside, such as the umbrella-shaped sleeve 23 or the ring-shaped element 24. Alternatively, the pins can be arranged on the radially external element, while the J-shaped grooves can be arranged on the center element

An advantage achieved with a ball as described above is that neither string attachment nor placement of the sensor affects the outer shape of the ball from a perfectly round shape or a perfectly rotating body such as a parabola of rotation.

Another advantage is that the annular element can be inserted into the ball after the ball's production process including the heat treatment of the bladder has been completed. Heat treatment would be destructive to the sensor and electronics, and such components must therefore be able to be integrated into the ball after heat treatment processes are complete.

The cavity of the bladder is adapted to the shape of a special suspension attachment and retains its shape in the bladder even when the bladder's air pressure is increased, so that the ball gets the desired hardness, while the ball's optimal shape is not changed by changing air pressure.

The ball maintains its original shape even if you choose to train without the use of a string, so that the ball thus has more uses.

An extremely rich point is that the cord can be easily and quickly replaced when worn.

Claims (12)

1. Ball (11) with cord (20) for training purposes where the cord (20) is rotatably attached to the ball (11) in a special suspension, characterized in that the suspension for the cord is arranged in a special cavity (14) prepared in a limited area between the ball's airtight bladder (13) and its outer layer (12). 2. Ball (11) in accordance with patent claim 1, in that the cavity (14) has a mainly circular cross-section. 3. Ball (11) in accordance with patent claim leller2, in that the suspension comprises a center element (21) with through opening (71) the front cord (20) 4. Ball (11) in accordance with patent claim 3, the center element (21) being a screw with external threads (28b). 5. Ball (11) in accordance with patent claim 3, in that the center element (21) is an element that is attached with a bayonet attachment to a radially external element 6. Ball (11) in accordance with patent claim 4, in that the external threads (28b) of the screw (21) are arranged to fit with internal threads (27a) on an annular element (24). 7. Ball (11) in accordance with patent claim 3, wherein the external threads (28b) of the screw (21) are arranged to fit with internal threads (28a) on an umbrella-shaped sleeve (23). 8. Ball (11) in accordance with patent claim 6, in that the annular element (24) has external threads (26b) which match internal threads (26a) along the periphery of the cavity (14) between the bladder (13) and the outer layer (12). 9. Ball (11) in accordance with patent claim 1 or 6, the suspension essentially comprising an annular element (24) and a center element (21). 10. Ball (11) in accordance with patent claim or 6, suspended from the top of the essentially encompassing center element (21). 11.. Ball (11) in accordance with any one of patent claims 6, 8, 9 or 10, the annular element comprising at least one electrical component selected from at least one battery and at least one sensor. 12. Ball (11) in accordance with any one of patent claims 1-11, wherein a channel (15) is arranged from the cavity (14) towards the center of the ball, arranged to exchangeably receive at least one sensor (16) for recording movement, acceleration, position, orientation or Print.