NO339265B1 - Ball with string for training purposes - Google Patents

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 movement is 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 ball touches are achieved in a short time.

From US patent no. 6 168 539, it is known to attach a soccer ball to a cord which then transitions to an elastic band which in turn is attached to a handle which the user can hold. It is stated that the ball must be able to rotate freely.

From US patent no. 6 220 974, a piece of equipment is known where a ball is suspended in a frame with cords horizontally and vertically, intended for training 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 provide 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 tethered to a string which can be attached to the ball without the ball being enclosed by a net or by 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 to return the ball to different heights, this is something that negatively affects the user's freedom of movement, in addition to the risk of the ceiling slipping and that the ball therefore continues its trajectory until it hits an object that could potentially cause damage.

From EP 0 219 081 A2 it is known to attach a ball rotatably to a cord, the cord attachment comprising a ball in a mounting element which is arranged flush with the outer layer of the ball and is not covered by this. The bladder is displaced by the assembly element, but the latter is pushed outwards by the pressure in the bladder with the result that the ball easily loses its ideal round shape in the area of the string attachment.

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 string and ball functions optimally, and specifically to ensure that the ball retains a perfectly round shape without bulges or other deviations in the area where the string is attached 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. Likewise, if the suspension element is placed on the inside of the bladder, this will lead to unwanted leakage of the bladder's air pressure during training, 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 joy of training with a ball attached to a string.

Purpose

It is thus an aim 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 non-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 provides an attachment between string and ball that is rotatable and prevents tangling of the string, but also an attachment that ensures that the ball's outer shape and properties 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.

Figure 1 shows a section of a 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 partial section of details of the ball according to Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged section of a slightly different variant than the details shown in 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 yet another 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 should 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. The bladder 13 has in one area a deviation 13b from the spherical shape so that a cavity is formed between the bladder 13 and the outer layer 12. The cavity typically has a 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 cavity. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, 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 as shown can then possibly be omitted.

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 attachment for the cord 20 itself. The cord 20 is shown guided through a central element 21, such as a screw with a through opening, the cord below the screw 21 being provided with some type of lock 22 which cannot pass through the center opening of the screw. In the cavity 14, an umbrella-shaped sleeve 23 and an annular element 24 are also shown, both of which are discussed in more detail in connection with figure 2. Above the center element 21, a rubber seal is shown

25. In the assembled state, only the string 20 and the rubber seal 25 are visible of 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 ball's bladder 13 in an area 13b exhibits a deviation from spherical shape, so that the bladder does not lie close to the ball's outer layer 12 in this area, but instead a cavity 14 is formed between these in the 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 ball 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 an enlarged view of the elements from the cavity 14 in the bladder 13. Here the preferred variant is shown that the cavity, 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 containing a battery in the embodiment where there are one or more sensors in 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 match external threads 28b on the screw 21. It is further clear from Figure 3 that the lock 22 on the cord 20 is mainly spherical in shape and rests against a corresponding curved surface in the screw 21, so that the lock 22 and thus the cord 20 can rotate freely in relation to the ball. The sleeve 23 has an umbrella-shaped upper part which preferably has approximately the same curvature as the

on the ball in an 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 match external threads 27b on the lower part of the sleeve 23, Figure 5 shows a variant which 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 on the preceding embodiments. Here, too, the annular element has internal threads 27a which in this case match 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 an annular element (24) and a center element (21). Figure 6 shows a variant which differs from the variants shown in Figures 1 and 3-5 in that there is no channel 15 from the deviating part 14 of the bladder 13. This is an embodiment that is relevant when no sensor is used in the ball or when any sensors are placed elsewhere, such as integrated in the annular element 24. In this embodiment, the ball's valve is also not placed under the ball's string attachment, but somewhere else on the ball. An intermediate solution that is not shown in the figure 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 to the sensor. Figure 6 shows, like figure 5, a ring-shaped element which has assumed 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 that covers 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 a top view of the same screw.

The lower part of the section in figure 8a shows a cavity 81 with a shape suitable to receive a mainly spherical lock 22 on the string 20, so that the 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 string 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 the term "suspension" as used here generally means components 21, 22, 23 and 24 when all of these are present, or more generally 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 together with a threaded connection; they can also be locked with a spring-loaded bayonet lock. It should be understood that in cases where, for example, the center element 21 is intended to be attached with a bayonet attachment, this can be equipment with two or more radially projecting studs which are arranged to cooperate with each of the J-shaped grooves in the element radially outside, so such as the umbrella-shaped sleeve 23 or the ring-shaped element 24. Alternatively, the pins can be arranged on the radially outer 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 the string attachment nor placement of the sensor affects the outer shape of the ball from a perfectly round shape or a perfect body of rotation such as a parabola of rotation.

Another advantage is that the ring-shaped element can be inserted into the ball after the ball's production process, including 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 have been completed.

The bladder's cavity is shaped to 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 at the same time 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 string, so that the ball thus has more uses.

A further 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 bladder (13) as such in an area has a deviation from the spherical shape which leads to the formation of a special cavity (14) in a defined area between the ball's airtight bladder (13) and its outer layer (12), and that the suspension for the cord is arranged in this cavity (14). 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 1 or 2, in that the suspension comprises a center element (21) with a continuous opening (71) for the 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 which 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, in that 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 fit 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 1 or 6, the suspension essentially comprising a center element (21). 11. Ball (11) according to 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 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 pressure.